Footwear bladder system

Abstract

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a bladder system having a first bladder and a second bladder. The first bladder encloses a first sealed chamber that retains a fluid, and the second bladder covers and is bonded to the first bladder and encloses a second sealed chamber that is isolated from the first sealed chamber and retains the fluid. The first bladder establishes a ground-facing surface, and the second bladder establishes a foot-facing surface of the bladder system. The first bladder includes a first domed pod extending over the ground-facing surface and upper surface of the first bladder, with the first sealed chamber filling the first domed pod. The second bladder includes a second domed pod and an annular pod extending over the lower surface and foot-facing surface of the second bladder, with the second sealed chamber filling the second domed pod and the annular pod.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention application with application number 201980076242.X, filed on November 1, 2019.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62 / 769,831, filed on November 20, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates generally to a midsole for an article of footwear and, more particularly, to a midsole having a bladder system. Background Art

[0005] Articles of footwear typically include a sole structure that is configured to reside beneath a wearer's foot to space the foot from the ground. The sole structure in athletic footwear is typically configured to provide cushioning, motion control, and / or resiliency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only, are schematic in nature, and are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In the drawings:

[0007] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a bladder system for an article of footwear.

[0008] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Medial-lateral view of the sac system.

[0009] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Bottom perspective view of the capsule system.

[0010] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Another top perspective view of the capsule system.

[0011] Figure 5 It is along Figure 1 The line 5-5 in the Figure 4 Cross-sectional view of the capsule system.

[0012] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 Rear perspective view of the capsule system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The present invention generally relates to a midsole for an article of footwear and, more specifically, to a bladder system that provides two isolated, fluid-filled chambers that function as first and second cushioning layers. The bladder system may comprise four stacked polymer sheets. Bladders comprising stacked sheets are generally easier to assemble and require less specialized tooling. For example, a thermoforming mold is not required. Instead, the geometry of the bladder system is primarily due to the placement of a weld-resistant material between the stacked polymer sheets before the sheets are heat-pressed together. The placement of the joints securing the sheets together controls the shape and geometry of the bladder system and its fluid chambers, as well as which portions of the fluid chambers are directly connected to one another, and the cushioning response of the various portions of the bladder system.

[0014] In one example, a sole structure for an article of footwear includes a midsole including a bladder system. The bladder system may include a first bladder and a second bladder, the first bladder enclosing a first sealed chamber that retains fluid and serves as a first cushioning layer, and a second bladder covering and bonded to the first bladder and enclosing the second sealed chamber. The second sealed chamber may be isolated from the first sealed chamber and retain fluid and serve as a second cushioning layer. The first bladder may establish a ground-facing surface of the bladder system, and the second bladder may establish a foot-facing surface of the bladder system.

[0015] The first bladder may include a first domed pod extending from the ground-facing surface and upper surface of the first bladder. The first sealed chamber fills the first domed pod. The second bladder may include a second domed pod and an annular ring pod. The second domed pod and the annular ring pod may extend from the lower surface and foot-facing surface of the second bladder. The second sealed chamber fills the second domed pod and the annular ring pod.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the bladder system may include four stacked polymer sheets. The first sheet may establish the ground-facing surface and include the lower portion of the first domed pod. The second sheet may overlay and be bonded to the first sheet to enclose the first sealed chamber. The second sheet may establish the upper surface of the first bladder and include the upper portion of the first domed pod. The third sheet may overlay and be bonded to the second sheet. The third sheet may establish the lower surface of the second bladder and include the lower portion of the second domed pod and the lower portion of the annular ring pod. The fourth sheet may overlay and be bonded to the third sheet to enclose the second sealed chamber and establish the foot-facing surface. The fourth sheet may include the upper portion of the second domed pod and the upper portion of the annular ring pod.

[0017] The spaces between the outer surfaces of the stacked sheets (e.g., surfaces not exposed to the second sealed chamber or the first sealed chamber) can be empty and exposed to ambient air. Furthermore, the first bladder can define through-holes between at least some adjacent first domed pods, and the second bladder can define through-holes between at least some second domed pods and the annular ring pods, thereby preventing ambient air from being trapped between the sheets.

[0018] In one or more configurations, a first sealed chamber fluidly interconnects the first dome pods with one another, and a second sealed chamber fluidly interconnects the annular ring pods with one another and with the second dome pods. Additionally, the internal volume of each annular ring pod can be smaller than the internal volume of each second dome pod. The smaller volume pods can enable the annular ring pods to provide faster energy return and an associated responsive underfoot feel under dynamic loads compared to larger volume pods because maximum displacement is reached more quickly than with larger volume pods, which can provide a softer underfoot feel. Furthermore, due to the fluid communication between the dome pods and the annular ring pods of the second layer, as well as the fluid communication between the dome pods of the first layer, there can be some softening of the initial impact in higher load areas under dynamic loads as fluid may be displaced to adjacent pods.

[0019] In one aspect, each second domed pod can overlay and bond to a different one of the first domed pods, creating a stacked pair of domed pods. At least some of the first domed pods can have different interior volumes. However, the stacked pairs of domed pods can be configured such that each includes one of the first domed pods and one of the second domed pods having equal interior volumes.

[0020] Furthermore, each annular ring pod can overlap and bond to a different one of the first dome pods, which is not bonded to any second dome pod, thereby creating stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pairs. These stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pairs can be arranged in rows extending longitudinally along the bladder system. The stacked dome pod pairs can be arranged in a medial row on the inside of the bladder system and in a lateral row on the outside of the bladder system, with the row of stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pairs positioned between the medial row of stacked dome pod pairs and the lateral row of stacked dome pod pairs. The more responsive stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pairs will be more centered on the foot. In a full-length bladder system with forefoot, midfoot, and heel areas, the lower-volume annular ring pods can provide a responsive underfoot ride, while the larger-volume stacked dome pods can provide softer cushioning.

[0021] The bladder system can be configured such that the stacked domed pod pairs at least partially establish the outer perimeter of the bladder system. Furthermore, at least one of the stacked domed pod pairs can include an eccentric joint that connects the domed upper surface of a first domed pod to the domed lower surface of a second domed pod. Due to the eccentric joint, more surface area of the second and third sheets forming the domed pods is exposed on one side of the eccentric joint, rather than on the other side of the eccentric joint. If the eccentric joint is closer to the interior side of the stacked domed pod pairs than the outer perimeter of the bladder system, the connected domed pods will expose more surface area at the outer perimeter than at the center joint. This provides a larger surface area for attaching other footwear components, such as an upper, to the bladder system at the outer perimeter, if desired.

[0022] Furthermore, an eccentric joint between two dome pods can cause the inflated dome pods to flare further away from each other, away from the eccentric joint, compared to a dome pod pair having a central joint connecting the dome surfaces. If the eccentric joint is closer to the inner side of the dome pod pair than to the outer side, more of the exposed surface area of the dome pod pair at the outer periphery will face outward. The outer side of the dome pod pair can also have a greater stack height than the inner side. In one or more configurations, at least one of the stacked dome pod pairs including the eccentric joint can be in the heel area of the bladder system.

[0023] The first sealed chamber can be completely isolated from the second fluid chamber (e.g., not in fluid communication with the second fluid chamber) because the two chambers are surrounded by separate sheets. The first and second sheets enclose the first sealed chamber, and the third and fourth sheets enclose the second sealed chamber. If there is no fluid communication from the second sheet to the third sheet, the first sealed chamber is isolated from the second sealed chamber. The first and second sealed chambers can be filled with gas at the same or different inflation pressures to achieve a desired cushioning response. For example, the first sealed chamber closer to the ground can have a lower inflation pressure than the second sealed chamber closer to the foot, the first sealed chamber can have a higher inflation pressure than the second sealed chamber, or the first and second sealed chambers can have the same inflation pressure.

[0024] The dynamic response of the bladder system will also be affected by which portions of each of the first and second sealed chambers are in direct communication with each other. With respect to the first sealed chamber, in one or more embodiments, each first dome pod of a stacked dome pod pair in an inner row can be directly fluidically connected to only one adjacent first dome pod of a stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair, each first dome pod of a stacked dome pod pair in an outer row can be directly fluidically connected to only one adjacent first dome pod of a stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair, and each first dome pod of a stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair can be directly fluidically connected to an adjacent first dome pod of a stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair. The rearmost first dome pod of a stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair can be directly fluidically connected to two of the first dome pods of the stacked dome pod pair in the outer row and two of the first dome pods of the stacked dome pod pair in the inner row. Furthermore, in some configurations, none of the first domed pods of the stacked domed pod pairs in the inner rows are directly fluidly connected to each other, and none of the first domed pods of the stacked domed pod pairs in the outer rows are directly fluidly connected to each other.

[0025] Similarly, with respect to the second sealed chamber, each second dome pod of a pair of stacked dome pods in the inner row can be directly fluidically connected to only one adjacent dome pod of the stacked annular ring pods / dome pod pair, each second dome pod of a pair of stacked dome pods in the outer row can be directly fluidically connected to only one adjacent dome pod of the stacked annular ring pods / dome pod pair, and each annular ring pod of a pair of stacked annular ring pods / dome pods can be directly fluidically connected to one adjacent dome pod of the stacked annular ring pods / dome pod pair. The rearmost annular ring pod of a pair of stacked annular ring pods / dome pods can be directly fluidically connected to both second dome pods of the stacked dome pod pair in the outer row and both second dome pods of the stacked dome pod pair in the inner row. Furthermore, in some configurations, none of the second domed pods of the stacked domed pod pairs in the inner row are directly fluidly connected to each other, and none of the second domed pods of the stacked domed pod pairs in the outer row are directly fluidly connected to each other.

[0026] Although in some embodiments, adjacent dome pods may not be directly fluidically connected to each other, a sheet may extend between at least some of the adjacent dome pods to provide a unitary structure. For example, each first dome pod of a stacked dome pod pair in an inner row may include a peripheral flange, some of which are connected to and integral with the peripheral flange of an adjacent first dome pod of the stacked dome pod pair in the inner row. Similarly, each first dome pod of a stacked dome pod pair in an outer row may include a peripheral flange, some of which are connected to and integral with the peripheral flange of an adjacent first dome pod of the stacked dome pod pair in the outer row. These peripheral flanges between the first dome pods are formed by the first sheet being bonded to the second sheet. Adjacent first dome pods or adjacent second dome pods are not connected by a peripheral flange extending between the pods, which provides increased flexibility on the inner and / or outer sides.

[0027] With respect to the second dome pods, the third sheet can be bonded to the fourth sheet to provide connecting material between adjacent second dome pods. More specifically, each second dome pod of the stacked dome pod pairs in the inner row can include a peripheral flange, each peripheral flange connected to and integral with a peripheral flange of an adjacent second dome pod of the stacked dome pod pairs in the inner row. Each second dome pod of the stacked dome pod pairs in the outer row can include a peripheral flange, each peripheral flange connected to and integral with a peripheral flange of an adjacent second dome pod of the stacked dome pod pairs in the outer row.

[0028] In one example, a sole structure includes a midsole comprising a bladder system comprising four stacked polymer sheets. The four stacked polymer sheets may include a first sheet that establishes the ground-facing surface of the bladder system, a second sheet overlying and bonded to the first sheet to enclose a first sealed chamber for retaining fluid as a first cushioning layer, a third sheet overlying and bonded to the second sheet, and a fourth sheet overlying and bonded to the third sheet to enclose a second sealed chamber. The second sealed chamber may be isolated from the first sealed chamber and may retain fluid as a second cushioning layer. The fourth sheet may establish the foot-facing surface of the bladder system. The first and second sheets may include first domed pods extending from the ground-facing surface of the first sheet and the upper surface of the second sheet. The first sealed chamber may fill the first domed pods. The third and fourth sheets may include second domed pods and annular ring pods. The second domed pods may extend downward from the third sheet and may be bonded to the second sheet at the first subset of the first domed pods, thereby establishing a stacked pair of domed pods. The second domed pods may extend upward from the foot-facing surface of the fourth sheet. The annular ring pods may extend downward at the third sheet and may be joined to the second sheet at the first dome pods of the second subset, thereby creating a stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair. The annular ring pods may extend upward at the foot-facing surface of the fourth sheet, with the second sealed chamber filling the second dome pods and the annular ring pods.

[0029] The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present teachings are readily apparent from the following detailed description of modes for carrying out the teachings when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 A sole structure 10 for an article of footwear 11 is shown. More specifically, a midsole 12 of the sole structure 10 is shown. The midsole 12 includes a bladder system 14. The bladder system 14 shown is referred to as a full-length bladder system because it includes a forefoot region 16, a midfoot region 18, and a heel region 20. The midfoot region 18 is located between the heel region 20 and the forefoot region 16. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the forefoot region 16 is generally located beneath the toes and metatarsal-phalangeal joints of the foot. The midfoot region 18 is generally located beneath the arch area of the foot. The heel region 20 is generally located beneath the calcaneus bone. The bladder system 14 has a medial side 22 and a lateral side 24, with the medial side 22 generally shaped to follow the inside of the overlying foot and the lateral side 24 generally shaped to follow the outside of the overlying foot.

[0031] The bladder system 14 includes a first bladder 26 and a second bladder 28. The first bladder 26 encloses a first sealed chamber 30. The first sealed chamber 30 holds a fluid, such as a gas, that acts as a first buffer layer. As discussed further herein, the first bladder 26 includes a plurality of domed pods 32, referred to as first domed pods, and the first sealed chamber 30 extends throughout all of the first domed pods without being subdivided into sealed subchambers. The first sealed chamber 30 is only Figure 1 Some of the first dome pods 32 are labeled.

[0032] Second bladder 28 overlies and is bonded to first bladder 26, enclosing a second sealed chamber 34. Second sealed chamber 34 is isolated from first sealed chamber 30 and retains a fluid, such as a gas, that acts as a second buffer layer. As discussed further herein, second bladder 28 includes a plurality of domed pods 36, referred to as second domed pods, and a plurality of annular ring pods 38. Figure 1 Only some of the second dome pods 36 and annular ring pods 38 are marked. The second sealed chamber 34 extends in all the second dome pods 36 and all the annular ring pods 38 without being subdivided into sealed subchambers. Figure 1 Some of the second dome pods 36 and the annular ring pods 38 are labeled.

[0033] First bladder 26 forms a ground-facing surface 40 of bladder system 14, and second bladder 28 forms a foot-facing surface 42 of bladder system 14. First bladder 26 may be referred to as a lower bladder, and second bladder 28 may be referred to as an upper bladder. Other components may be used in conjunction with bladder system 14 to complete midsole 12 and sole structure 10. For example, in some embodiments, other components of sole structure 10 may be secured to bladder system 14. For example, an outsole or outsole component may be secured to ground-facing surface 40, or a foam midsole layer may be secured to ground-facing surface 40. Additionally or alternatively, a foam midsole layer may be secured to foot-facing surface 42. For example, different foam midsole layers may be secured to foot-facing surface 42 and ground-facing surface 40. Furthermore, an upper may be secured to bladder system 14 at foot-facing surface 42 and / or at side surfaces of the outer perimeter of bladder system 14.

[0034] Figure 2 The first domed pod 32 is shown extending at and establishing the ground-facing surface 40. The first domed pod 32 also extends on the upper surface 44 of the first bladder 26. The first sealed chamber 30 fills the first domed pod 32. The second bladder 28 includes a second domed pod 36 and an annular ring pod 38. The annular ring pod 38 is positioned at the bottom of the bladder 28 through an opening between the first domed pod 32 and the second domed pod 36. Figure 2The second domed pods 36 and the annular ring pods 38 extend at the lower surface 46 of the second bladder 28 and also extend at the foot-facing surface 42. The second sealed chamber 34 fills the second domed pods 36 and the annular ring pods 38.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, the second dome pods 36 each overlie and bond to a different first dome pod 32. Figure 2 It is not obvious in the figure, but the second domed pods 36 at the outer side 24 also overlie and bond to different first domed pods 32. In other words, each second domed pod 36 and the first domed pod 32 to which it is bonded establish a stacked domed pod pair 50. At the inner side 22 of the bladder system 14, there are a total of eight stacked domed pod pairs 50 arranged in a longitudinally extending row. This row of eight stacked domed pod pairs 50 is referred to as the inner row of stacked domed pod pairs 50. The bond 52 between the first domed pod 32 and the second domed pod 36 of each stacked domed pod pair 50 is the bond between the upper surface 44 of the first bladder 26 at the first domed pod 32 and the lower surface 46 of the second bladder 28 at the second domed pod 36.

[0036] As discussed further herein, in stacked dome pod pairs 50, the location of each such joint relative to the central axis of the first and second dome pods 32, 36 can affect the orientation and splay of the first and second dome pods 32, 36. The first and second dome pods 32, 36 of each stacked dome pod pair 50 will absorb dynamic loads in series because they are stacked vertically between the ground and the covered foot. Furthermore, different stacked dome pod pairs 50 in the same vicinity absorb dynamic loads parallel to each other and parallel to the stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pairs discussed further herein.

[0037] from Figure 1 and Figure 2As can be seen in the diagram, not all of the first domed pods 32 have the same shape or size as one another, nor do all of the second domed pods 36 have the same shape or size as one another. Consequently, at least some of the first domed pods 32 have different interior volumes, and at least some of the second domed pods 36 have different interior volumes. The different shapes and interior volumes of the first domed pods 32 and second domed pods 36 affect the cushioning and energy return provided to the portion of the foot overlying them during dynamic loading. For example, in some embodiments, the interior volumes of the first domed pods 32 and second domed pods 36 in the midfoot region 18 may be larger than those in the forefoot region 16 and / or heel region 20. In the embodiments of the bladder system 14 shown and described herein, in each stacked domed pod pair 50, the first domed pods 32 and second domed pods 36 have the same size and shape and have equal interior volumes when inflated and sealed. In other embodiments, some or all of the stacked domed pod pairs 50 may have first and second domed pods 32 , 36 having different sizes, shapes, and / or interior volumes.

[0038] The bladder system 14 includes four stacked polymer sheets 54, 56, 58, and 60. The first sheet 54 forms the ground-facing surface 40 and includes the lower portion of the first domed pods 32. The second sheet 56 covers and is bonded to the first sheet 54 at a peripheral flange 57 to enclose the first sealed chamber 30. The peripheral flange 57 extends around each of the first domed pods 32. The second sheet 56 forms the upper surface 44 of the first bladder 26 and includes the upper portion of the first domed pods 32. Thus, the first bladder 26 is a two-layer bladder, including the first layer 54 and the second layer 56.

[0039] Third sheet 58 overlies and is bonded to second sheet 56 at junction 52. Third sheet 58 forms lower surface 46 of second bladder 28 and includes the lower portions of second domed pods 36 and the lower portions of annular ring pods 38. Fourth sheet 60 overlies and is bonded to third sheet 58 at peripheral flange 59 to enclose second sealed chamber 34 and establish foot-facing surface 42. Peripheral flange 59 extends around each second domed pod 36 and is separate from and unbonded to peripheral flange 57, except at a forward-most flange 61 where peripheral flanges 57, 59 merge. Fourth sheet 60 includes the upper portions of second domed pods 36 and the upper portions of annular ring pods 38. Thus, second bladder 28 is a two-layer bladder, comprising third layer 58 and fourth layer 60. Each of polymer sheets 54, 56, 58, and 60 extends from forefoot region 16 to heel region 20 and from medial side 22 to lateral side 24. In other words, only four polymer sheets are used to construct bladder system 14 , and each sheet extends the width and length of bladder system 14 .

[0040] The selection of the shape, size, and location of the various joints, such as joint 52 and the joints at peripheral flanges 57 and 59, provides the desired contoured surface of the completed bladder system 14, including the first domed pods 32, the second domed pods 36, and the annular ring pods 38, and also provides fluid communication between the various pods within the first bladder 26 and the second bladder 28. Prior to bonding, the polymer sheets 54, 56, 58, and 60 are stacked, coextensive, flat sheets. A solder resist material is applied to the abutting surfaces of the sheets where bonding is not desired. For example, the solder resist material can be an ink known as a barrier ink and can be inkjet printed onto each sheet 54, 56, 58, and 60 according to a programmed pattern that is different for each sheet 54, 56, 58, and 60 at all selected locations on the sheet where bonding between adjacent sheets is undesirable. The stacked, flat polymer sheets 54, 56, 58, and 60 are then heat-pressed to create bonds between the adjacent sheets on all surfaces except where the solder resist material is applied. No thermoforming molds or radio frequency welding are required. In the completed bladder system 14, the areas to which the anti-weld material is applied will be located within the interior volumes of the first and second sealed chambers 30, 34, or within the exterior space between the second sheet 56 and the third sheet 58. For example, as described herein, the anti-weld material will result in the interior volumes of the first dome pods 32, the second dome pods 36, and the annular ring pods 38, as well as the interior channels interconnecting the first dome pods 32, the second dome pods 36, and the annular ring pods 38, or the annular ring pods 38.

[0041] Once bonded, the polymer sheets 54, 56, 58, and 60 remain flat and only assume the contoured shape of the bladder system 14 when the chambers 30, 34 are inflated and then sealed. Thus, if the inflation gas is removed, and assuming no other components are disposed within any of the sealed chambers 30, 34 and the polymer sheets have not been bonded to other components, such as an outsole, other midsole layers, or an upper, the polymer sheets 54, 56, 58, and 60 will return to their initial flat state.

[0042] Polymer sheets 54, 56, 58 and 60 can be formed by a variety of materials, including various polymers that can elastically retain fluids such as air or another gas. The example of the polymer material for polymer sheets 54, 56, 58 and 60 includes thermoplastic polyurethane, polyurethane, polyester, polyester polyurethane and polyether polyurethane. In addition, polymer sheets 54, 56, 58 and 60 can each be formed by a layer of different materials. In one embodiment, each polymer sheet 54, 56, 58 and 60 is formed by a film with one or more thermoplastic polyurethane layers, which has a barrier layer of one or more layers of ethylene and vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) that is impermeable to the pressurized fluid contained therein, as described in U.S. Patent No. 6,082,025, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Each polymer sheet 54, 56, 58 and 60 can also be formed by the material of the alternating layers including thermoplastic polyurethane and ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,713,141 and 5,952,065 to Mitchell et al., which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Alternatively, the layers may include ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, thermoplastic polyurethane, and regrind material of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer and thermoplastic polyurethane. Polymer sheets 54, 56, 58, and 60 may also each be a flexible microlayer film comprising alternating layers of a gas barrier material and an elastomeric material, as disclosed in U.S. Patents 6,082,025 and 6,127,026 to Bonk et al., which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Other suitable materials for polymer sheets 54, 56, 58, and 60 are disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,183,156 and 4,219,945 to Rudy, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Other suitable materials for polymer sheets 54, 56, 58, and 60 include thermoplastic films comprising crystalline materials, as disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,936,029 and 5,042,176 to Rudy, and polyurethanes comprising polyester polyols, as disclosed in U.S. Patents 6,013,340, 6,203,868, and 6,321,465 to Bonk et al., which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. When selecting a material for polymer sheets 54, 56, 58, and 60, engineering properties such as tensile strength, tensile properties, fatigue properties, dynamic modulus, and loss tangent may be considered. The thickness of polymer sheets 54, 56, 58, and 60 may be selected to provide these properties.

[0043] The first sealed chamber 30 is completely isolated from the fluid (e.g., gas) in the second sealed chamber 34 because the two chambers are surrounded by a single sheet. In other words, there are no openings or other pathways that allow fluid to enter the second sealed chamber 34 from the first sealed chamber 30 through the second sheet 56 and the third sheet 58. The first and second sheets 54, 56 completely enclose the first sealed chamber 30, and the third and fourth sheets 58, 60 completely enclose the second sealed chamber 34. The first and second sealed chambers 30, 34 can be filled with gas at the same or different inflation pressures to achieve a desired cushioning response. For example, the first sealed chamber 30, which is closer to the ground, can have a lower inflation pressure than the second sealed chamber 34, which is closer to the foot; the first sealed chamber 30 can have a higher inflation pressure than the second sealed chamber 34; or the first and second sealed chambers 30, 34 can have the same inflation pressure. When the bladder system 14 is in an unloaded state, the first sealed chamber 30 maintains the gas at a first predetermined pressure, while the second sealed chamber 34 maintains the gas at a second predetermined pressure in the unloaded state. The unloaded state is the state when the bladder system 14 is not under steady-state or dynamic load. For example, the unloaded state is when the bladder system 14 is not bearing any load, such as when it is not worn on a foot. The second predetermined pressure may be different from the first predetermined pressure. The predetermined pressure may be the inflation pressure of the gas to which the respective sealed chambers 30, 34 are inflated before the chambers 30, 34 are finally sealed. The lowest of the predetermined pressures, such as the first predetermined pressure, may be ambient pressure rather than the inflation pressure, or both chambers may be at ambient pressure. Dynamic compressive loads on the bladder system 14 may be due to the impact of the sole structure 10 with the ground, as well as the corresponding footbed load and opposing ground load of the person wearing the footwear having the bladder system 14. The dynamic compressive loads are absorbed by the first and second bladders 26, 28 in order of increasing stiffness from least stiffness to greatest stiffness, with higher inflation pressures associated with greater stiffness. Generally speaking, under a given dynamic load, a pod with a smaller volume will reach maximum displacement more quickly than a pod with a larger volume, thereby providing return energy more quickly. Furthermore, a higher pressure pod will reach maximum displacement faster than a lower pressure pod of the same size. As described herein, in the bladder system 14, the individual pods are interconnected by channels. The size of the interconnecting channels also affects the rate at which gas is transferred from one pod to the next, and therefore affects the stiffness under dynamic loads.

[0044] refer to Figure 3The entire first sealed chamber 30 is distributed among the first domed pods 32 and the channels 62 interconnecting the first domed pods 32. The first domed pods 32 can be considered as a first subset 32A and a second subset 32B. The first subset 32A is arranged in an inner row adjacent to the inner side 22 and an outer row adjacent to the outer side 24. The inner and outer rows establish most of the outer perimeter 63 of the bladder system 14 (e.g., the outer perimeter in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the bladder system 14). The forward-most flange 61 of the bladder system 14, having blocked inflation tubes 65A, 65B (which are blocked after inflation of the respective first and second sealed chambers 30, 34), and the rearward-most pods of the second subset 32B establish the remainder of the outer perimeter 63 in the gap between the inner and outer rows.

[0045] There are eight first domed pods 32 in the first subset 32A in the inner row and eight first domed pods 32 in the first subset 32A in the outer row. The second subset 32B is arranged in a longitudinally extending row between the inner and outer rows of the first subset 32A. There are seven first domed pods 32 in the second subset 32B. Figure 4 As discussed, the first domed pods 32 of the first subset 32A are included in the stacked domed pod pair 50 and the first domed pods 32 of the second subset 32B are included in the stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair 64 ( Figure 4 Because the stacked ring pod / dome pod pairs 64 are not at the outer perimeter 63 of the bladder system 14 (except for the rearmost one at the gap between the inner and outer rows), they are not at the outer perimeter 63 of the bladder system 14. Figure 5 This is best shown in a stacked form in a cross-sectional view of FIG.

[0046] The dynamic response of the bladder system 14 will also be affected by which portions of each of the first and second sealed chambers 30, 34 are in direct communication with each other. Although all of the dome pods 32 of the first sealed chamber 30 are in at least indirect communication with each other, some of the pods are in direct communication with each other. The same is true for the pods 36, 38 of the second sealed chamber 34. As used herein, when connected by a channel (e.g., channel 62), the pods are directly fluidically connected, rather than being indirectly connected to another pod through a channel. With respect to the first sealed chamber 30, as shown by channel 62, each first dome pod 32 in the stacked dome pod pairs 50 of the first subset 32A in the inner row is directly fluidically connected only to an adjacent one of the first dome pods 32 of the second subset 32B (e.g., those of the stacked annular ring pods / dome pod pairs 64). Similarly, each first domed pod 32 in the stacked domed pod pairs 50 of the first subset 32A in the outer row is directly fluidly connected to only an adjacent one of the first domed pods 32 of the second subset 32B, as shown by the additional channels 62. Each of the first domed pods 32 of the second subset 32B (i.e., those of the annular pod / dome pod pairs) is directly fluidly connected to an adjacent one of the first domed pods 32 of the second subset 32B. The rearmost one of the first domed pods 32 of the second subset 32B is directly fluidly connected to two of the first domed pods 32 of the first subset 32A in the outer row and two of the first domed pods 32 of the first subset 32A in the inner row. Thus, the rearmost first domed pod 32 of the second subset 32B has five channels 62 extending directly therefrom, while the forward-most first domed pod 32 of the second subset 32B has only three channels 62 extending therefrom, enabling the gas in the first sealed chamber 30 to be displaced more quickly in the heel region 20 than in the forward-most first domed pod 32 of the second subset 32B.

[0047] Furthermore, none of the first domed pods 32 of the first subset 32A in the medial row are in direct fluid connection with one another, and none of the first domed pods 32 of the first subset 32A in the lateral row are in direct fluid connection with one another. During forward rollover, when dynamic loads originate in the heel region 20 and move forward, gas in the first sealed chamber 30 is more easily displaced from back to front from the first domed pods 32 of the second subset 32B than from the first domed pods of the first subset 32A due to the greater number of channels 62 extending from each first domed pod 32 of the second subset 32B.

[0048] Although adjacent domed pods 32 of the first subset 32A in the inner row are not directly fluidly connected, and adjacent domed pods 32 of the first subset 32A in the outer row are not directly fluidly connected, the material of the bonded first and second sheets 54, 56 extends between and connects many of the domed pods 32 to provide a unitary structure. The bonded material is trimmed to form a peripheral flange 57 and may be further punched or cut to form through holes 68. Figure 3 68 are labeled. For example, each first domed pod 32 of the first subset 32A in the inner row includes a peripheral flange 57 that is connected to and integral with the peripheral flange 57 of an adjacent first domed pod of the first subset 32A in the inner row, except that the fourth and fifth domed pods of the first subset 32A in the middle row are not connected to each other by peripheral flanges 57. Instead, these pods 32 are disconnected at the inner side 22, thereby allowing greater flexibility for the bladder system 14.

[0049] Similarly, each first domed pod 32 of the first subset 32A in the lateral row includes a peripheral flange 57. Some adjacent first domed pods of the first subset 32A in the lateral row are connected to each other by the peripheral flange 57. However, the fourth and fifth domed pods 32 of the first subset 32A in the lateral row are not connected to any adjacent pods 32 by the flange 57. This allows the bladder system 14 to have greater flexibility, particularly with respect to relative rotation about the longitudinal axis of the forefoot region 16 and the heel region 20.

[0050] The spaces 70 between the outer surfaces of the stacked sheets 54, 56, 58, and 60 (eg, surfaces not exposed to the first sealed chamber 30 or the second sealed chamber 34) may be empty and exposed to the ambient air. Figure 2 and Figure 5 In addition, through holes 68 in the first pods 26 between at least some adjacent first domed pods 32, and similar through holes 69 in the second pods 28 between at least some second domed pods 36 and annular ring pods 38 (see FIG. Figure 4 ) prevents ambient air from being trapped between the second and third sheets 56, 58.

[0051] See also Figure 4 The second domed pods 36 extend upwardly from the foot-facing surface 42 of the fourth sheet 60. The annular pods 38 also extend upwardly from the foot-facing surface 42 of the fourth sheet 60. The second sealed chamber 34 fills the second domed pods 36 and the annular pods 38.

[0052] like Figure 2As shown, the second dome pods 36 extend downwardly at the third sheet 58 and are joined to the second sheet 56 at the first dome pods 32 of the first subset 32A to form a stacked dome pod pair 50. The annular pods 38 extend downwardly at the third sheet 58 and are joined to the second sheet 56 at the first dome pods 32 of the second subset 32B to form a stacked annular pod / dome pod pair 64, as shown. Figure 5 Each annular pod 38 covers and is bonded to a different first dome pod 32 of the second subset 32B. Figure 4 As shown, the arrangement and number of the second domed pods 36 on the inner side 22 and the outer side 24 match the arrangement and number of the first domed pods 32 on the inner side 22 and the outer side 24 of the first subset 32A, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 In addition, the annular ring pods 38 match the arrangement and number of the first dome pods 32 of the second subset 32B. Thus, each annular ring pod 38 covers and bonds to a different first dome pod 32 that is not bonded to any second dome pod 36 (e.g., to a different first dome pod 32 of the second subset 32B), thereby establishing seven stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pairs 64, one of which is shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , each stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair 64 includes an annular ring pod 38 and a first dome pod 32 of the second subset 32B. These stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pairs 64 are arranged in a row that extends longitudinally along the bladder system 14 between an inboard row of stacked dome pod pairs 50 at the inboard side 22 of the bladder system 14 and an outboard row of stacked dome pod pairs 50 at the outboard side 24 of the bladder system 14. The bladder system 14 is thus configured such that the stacked dome pod pairs 50 at least partially establish the outer perimeter 63 of the bladder system 14. The stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pairs 64 will be more centered underfoot than the stacked dome pod pairs 50, and in a full-length bladder system 14, the lower volume annular pods 38 will provide a responsive underfoot ride, while the larger volume stacked dome pods 36 fluidly connected to them will provide softer cushioning.

[0053] Each second domed pod 36 of the stacked domed pod pair 50 in the inner row is directly fluidically connected to only one adjacent annular ring pod 38 of the stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair 64 via a connecting channel 74. Each second domed pod 36 of the stacked domed pod pair 50 in the outer row is directly fluidically connected to only one adjacent annular ring pod 38 of the stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair 64 via a connecting channel 74. None of the second domed pods 36 in the inner row are directly fluidically connected to each other, and none of the second domed pods 36 in the outer row are directly fluidically connected to each other. Each annular ring pod 38 of the stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair 64 is directly fluidically connected to an adjacent annular ring pod 38 of the stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair 64 via a connecting channel 74. The rearmost one of the annular ring pods 38 is directly fluidly connected to the two second domed pods 36 in the outer row and the two second domed pods 36 in the inner row.

[0054] Thus, the second sealed chamber 34 fluidly interconnects the annular ring pods 38 with each other and with the second domed pods 36. If the internal volume of the annular ring pods 38 is smaller than the internal volume of the second domed pods 36, the smaller volume will cause the annular pods 38 to provide faster energy return and an associated responsive underfoot feel under dynamic loads than the larger volume second domed pods 36 because the annular ring pods 38 reach maximum displacement more quickly than the larger volume second domed pods 36, which provides a softer underfoot feel.

[0055] By fluidly interconnecting the first dome pods 32 with each other, and by fluidly interconnecting the annular ring pods 38 and the second dome pods 36, a compressive force applied to one area of the bladder system 14 can affect pressure in other areas. For example, a compressive force in the heel area 20 can transfer some gas from the dome pods 32, 36 or annular ring pods 38 in the heel area 20 via the interconnected pods of the first sealed chamber 30 and via the interconnected pods of the second sealed chamber 34 to the dome pods 32, 36 or annular ring pods 38 in front of the heel area 20. This effectively preloads the pods in the front of the heel area 20 to provide a stiffer response when compressing those forward pods during a forward foot roll.

[0056] like Figure 4 As shown, each second domed pod 36 in the inner row includes a peripheral flange 59 where the third sheet 58 is joined to the fourth sheet 60. Figure 42, only some of the peripheral flanges 59 are labeled. Some adjacent second domed pods 36 of the stacked domed pod pairs 50 in the inner row are connected to each other by their peripheral flanges 59 at the inner side 22. However, the fourth and fifth second domed pods 36 in the inner row are not connected by their peripheral flanges 59, providing clearance to continue inwardly to the annular ring pods 38 and further enhance the flexibility of the bladder system 14 over and above the clearance provided by the disconnected first domed pods 32 below.

[0057] Each second dome pod 36 in the outer row is also surrounded by a peripheral flange 59. Some of the second dome pods 36 of the stacked dome pod pairs 50 in the outer rows are connected to and integral with the peripheral flange 59 of an adjacent second dome pod 36 in the outer row, but the fourth and fifth second dome pods 36 in the outer row are not connected to any adjacent pod 36 by their flanges 59, providing clearance to continue inwardly to the annular ring pods 38 and to lie above the clearance provided by the underlying, disconnected first dome pods 32 in the outer row, further enhancing the flexibility of the bladder system 14.

[0058] Figure 5 Taken from Figure 4 2. A cross-section is shown to illustrate the stacked nature of the first and second bladders 26, 28, including an annular ring pod / dome pod pair 64 between the dome pod pairs 50 on the medial and lateral sides 22, 24. The ground-facing surface 40 at the pods 32 of the first subset 32A is shown as resting directly on ground plane G, but there may be other midsole layers and one or more outsole components between the first sheet 54 and ground plane G in the sole structure 10. In the absence of dynamic compressive loads, the first dome pods 32 of the second subset 32B may be above ground plane G. A foot (not shown) would rest on or above the foot-facing surface 42 and be supported directly or indirectly by the bladder system 14.

[0059] The joint 80 of the second sheet 56 and the third sheet 58 connects the downwardly extending lower portion of the annular ring pod 38 to the upwardly extending upper portion of the first dome pod 32 of the second subset 32B below the annular ring pod 38. The fourth sheet 60 is joined to the third sheet 58 at a joint 82 between the annular spaces (also referred to as rings 34A) of the second sealed chamber 34 within the annular ring pod 38. Figure 4 The interior of each ring 34A of the annular pod 38 provides a circular or oval shape. Figure 4 and Figure 5 It can be clearly seen that the internal volume of each annular ring pod 38 is smaller than the internal volume of each second dome pod 36 .

[0060] The stiffness of the cushioning layer is represented by a force-displacement graph under dynamic load, where the stiffness is the ratio of the change in compressive load (e.g., force in Newtons) to the displacement of the cushioning layer (e.g., displacement in millimeters along the axis of the compressive load). The compressive stiffness of different portions of the bladder system 14 will depend in part on the relative inflation pressures of the first and second sealed chambers 30, 34. The total volume of the first sealed chamber 30 is greater than the total volume of the second sealed chamber 34 because it is constructed with stacked dome pod pairs 50, each having a first dome pod 32 and a second dome pod 36, the first dome pod 32 and the second dome pod 36 having substantially equal internal volumes and the same number of connecting channels 62 and 74, but having stacked annular ring pods / dome pod pairs 64, wherein the annular ring pod 38 has a smaller internal volume than the underlying first dome pod 32 (of the second subset 32B). Assuming that the four stacked sheets 54, 56, 58, and 60 are of the same material or material and construction, and have the same thickness, if the inflation pressures of the first and second sealed chambers 30, 34 are the same, then the first domed pods 32 should experience a greater initial displacement under dynamic load than the second domed pods 36 and the annular ring pods 38, thereby providing an initial phase of relatively low stiffness, followed by a subsequent phase of greater stiffness after the first domed pods 32 reach their maximum compression. The second domed pods 36 should provide a steeper stiffness slope on the load-displacement curve than the first domed pods 32 because they cannot displace gas to the lower volume annular ring pods 38 as easily as the first domed pods 32 can displace one another. The annular ring pods 38 may provide the most rapid increase in stiffness at their upper foot portions.

[0061] Furthermore, because the entire first sealed chamber 30 is in fluid communication from the heel region 20 to the forefoot region 16, and the entire second sealed chamber 34 is also in fluid communication from the heel region 20 to the forefoot region 16, when the foot compresses the bladder system 14 at initial heel strike and forward rolling, preloading of the midfoot region 18 and forefoot region 16 can occur, thereby increasing the stiffness of the midfoot region 18, and then increasing the stiffness of the forefoot region 16 during forward rolling. This can advantageously provide a relatively stiff support platform for toe-off. In other words, the fast-loading, energy-efficient stiffness in the forefoot region 16 is greater than the stiffness in the heel region 20 and midfoot region 18, which is suitable for toe-off. Additionally, some of the first and second domed pods 32, 36 in the forefoot region 16 are smaller (have a smaller internal volume) than at least one of the first and second domed pods in the midfoot region 18 and the heel region 20, and the annular ring pods 38 at the most forward portion of the forefoot region 38 have a smaller internal volume than at least some of the annular ring pods further rearward.

[0062] Figure 5It is also shown that the joint 52 connecting the second sheet 56 to the third sheet 58 at one or more stacked dome pod pairs 50 can be an eccentric joint. The eccentric joint 52 connects the domed upper surface 44 of the first dome pod 32 to the domed lower surface 46 of the second dome pod 36. The eccentric joint 52 is offset from, or at least not centered on, both the central axis A1 of the first dome pod 32 and the central axis A2 of the second dome pod 36 to which it is connected. The joint 52 is offset from center toward the interior of the bladder system 14 (e.g., further inward and away from the exterior than the joint 52 at the central axes A1, A2). With the eccentric joint 52, more surface area of the second and third sheets 56, 58 forming the dome pods 32, 36 is exposed on one side (the exterior side, near the outer periphery 63) of the eccentric joint 52 than on the other side (the interior side) of the eccentric joint 52. If the off-center bond is on the stacked domed pod pair 50 positioned at the outer periphery 63 and closer to the inside of the stacked domed pod pair 50 than the outer periphery 63 of the bladder system 14, more surface area of the second and third panels 56, 58 connecting the domed pods 32, 36 will be exposed than with a centered bond at the outer periphery 63. This will provide more surface area for bonding other components of the shoe to the bladder system 14 at the outer periphery 63, such as an upper, if desired.

[0063] Additionally, the eccentric joint 52 between the two dome pods 32, 36 may cause the inflated dome pods 32, 36 to spread further apart from each other in a direction away from the eccentric joint 52 than a pair of dome pods having a centered joint. Figure 6 As best shown, a plane P1 passing through the first domed pod 32 and perpendicular to the central axis A1 will diverge on the exterior side of the bladder system 14 from a plane P2 passing through the second pod 32 and perpendicular to the second central axis A2. Figure 5 In the example, the P1 and P2 planes are perpendicular to the page plane. Figure 6 As shown, when the eccentric joint 52 is closer to the inner side of the domed pod pair 50 than to the outer side, and the domed pod pair 50 is positioned at the outer perimeter 63 of the bladder system 14, more exposed surface area of the intermediate sheet (second and third polymer sheets 56, 58) at the outer perimeter of the domed pod pair 50 will face outward, providing a larger area for attaching other footwear components (e.g., an upper). In other words, the angle of the spacing between the flanges 57, 59 of the domed pods 32, 36 of the domed pod pair 50 will be greater on the outer side than on the inner side. As shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown, the outer sides of the domed pod pairs 50 can also have a greater stack height than the inner sides when using an eccentric joint 52. In one example, at least one of the stacked domed pod pairs 50 including an eccentric joint 52 is in the heel region 20 of the bladder system 14.

[0064] The following clauses provide example constructions of the articles of footwear disclosed herein.

[0065] Item 1: A sole structure for an article of footwear, comprising: a midsole including a bladder system, the bladder system including a first bladder and a second bladder, the first bladder enclosing a first sealed chamber that retains fluid as a first cushioning layer, the second bladder enclosing a second sealed chamber that is isolated from the first sealed chamber and retains fluid as a second cushioning layer; the second bladder covering the first bladder and having a lower surface bonded to the upper surface of the first bladder, the first bladder establishing a ground-facing surface of the bladder system, and the second bladder establishing a foot-facing surface of the bladder system; the first bladder including a first dome pod extending at the ground-facing surface and the upper surface of the first bladder, the first sealed chamber filling the first dome pod; the second bladder including a second dome pod and an annular ring pod, the second dome pod and the annular ring pod extending at the lower surface and the foot-facing surface of the second bladder, the second sealed chamber filling the second dome pod and the annular ring pod.

[0066] Clause 2: The sole structure of clause 1, wherein:

[0067] The bladder system includes four stacked polymer sheets, which include: a first sheet, which establishes a ground-facing surface and includes a lower portion of the first dome pod; a second sheet, which covers and is bonded to the first sheet to close the first sealed chamber, the second sheet establishes an upper surface of the first bladder and includes an upper portion of the first dome pod; a third sheet, which covers and is bonded to the second sheet, the third sheet establishes a lower surface of the second bladder and includes a lower portion of the second dome pod and a lower portion of the annular ring pod; and a fourth sheet, which covers and is bonded to the third sheet to close the second sealed chamber and establish a foot-facing surface, the fourth sheet including an upper portion of the second dome pod and an upper portion of the annular ring pod.

[0068] Clause 3: A sole structure according to any one of clauses 1-2, wherein:

[0069] The first sealed chamber fluidly interconnects the first domed pods with each other; the second sealed chamber fluidly interconnects the annular ring pods with each other and with the second domed pods.

[0070] Clause 4: A sole structure according to any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein:

[0071] The interior volume of each annular ring pod is smaller than the interior volume of each second dome pod.

[0072] Clause 5: The sole structure according to any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein:

[0073] Each second domed pod overlies and bonds to a different one of the first domed pods, creating a stacked domed pod pair.

[0074] Clause 6: The sole structure according to clause 5, wherein:

[0075] At least some of the first domed pods have different interior volumes; and each stacked domed pod pair includes one of the first domed pods and one of the second domed pods having equal interior volumes.

[0076] Clause 7: The sole structure according to clause 5, wherein:

[0077] Each annular ring pod overlies and bonds to a different one of the first dome pods that is not bonded to any second dome pod, thereby creating stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pairs.

[0078] Clause 8: The sole structure according to clause 7, wherein:

[0079] The stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pairs are arranged in longitudinally extending rows along the bladder system.

[0080] Clause 9: The sole structure according to clause 8, wherein:

[0081] The stacked dome pod pairs are arranged in an inner row at the inner side of the bladder system and in an outer row at the outer side of the bladder system, with the row of stacked annular ring pods / dome pod pairs disposed between the inner row of stacked dome pod pairs and the outer row of stacked dome pod pairs.

[0082] Clause 10: The sole structure according to clause 9, wherein:

[0083] Each first dome pod of the stacked dome pod pairs in the inner row is directly fluidly connected only to an adjacent first dome pod of the stacked annular ring pods / dome pod pairs, each first dome pod of the stacked dome pod pairs in the outer row can be directly fluidly connected only to an adjacent first dome pod of the stacked annular ring pods / dome pod pairs, and each first dome pod of the stacked annular ring pods / dome pod pairs can be directly fluidly connected to an adjacent first dome pod of the stacked annular ring pods / dome pod pairs.

[0084] Clause 11: The sole structure of clause 9, wherein:

[0085] None of the first domed pods of the stacked domed pod pairs in the inner row are directly fluidly connected to each other, and none of the first domed pods of the stacked domed pod pairs in the outer row are directly fluidly connected to each other.

[0086] Clause 12: The sole structure according to clause 9, wherein:

[0087] The rearmost one of the first domed pods of the stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pairs is directly fluidly connected to two of the first domed pods of the stacked domed pod pairs in the outer row and two of the first domed pods of the stacked domed pod pairs in the inner row.

[0088] Clause 13: The sole structure of clause 9, wherein:

[0089] Each second dome pod of the stacked dome pod pairs in the inner row is directly fluidly connected only to an adjacent one of the stacked annular ring pods / dome pod pairs, each second dome pod of the stacked dome pod pairs in the outer row is directly fluidly connected only to an adjacent one of the stacked annular ring pods / dome pod pairs, and each annular ring pod of the stacked annular ring pods / dome pod pairs is directly fluidly connected to an adjacent one of the stacked annular ring pods / dome pod pairs.

[0090] Clause 14: The sole structure of clause 9, wherein:

[0091] None of the second domed pods of the stacked domed pod pairs in the inner row are directly fluidly connected to each other, and none of the second domed pods of the stacked domed pod pairs in the outer row are directly fluidly connected to each other.

[0092] Clause 15: The sole structure according to clause 9, wherein:

[0093] The rearmost of the annular ring pods of the stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair is directly fluidly connected to the second two dome pods of the stacked dome pod pair in the outer row and the second two dome pods of the stacked dome pod pair in the inner row.

[0094] Clause 16: The sole structure of clause 9, wherein:

[0095] Each first dome pod of the stacked dome pod pairs in the inner row includes a peripheral flange, and the peripheral flange of at least one first dome pod of the stacked dome pod pairs in the inner row is connected to the peripheral flange of an adjacent first dome pod of the stacked dome pod pairs in the inner row and is integral with the peripheral flange; and each first dome pod of the stacked dome pod pairs in the outer row includes a peripheral flange, and the peripheral flange of at least one first dome pod of the stacked dome pod pairs in the outer row is connected to the peripheral flange of an adjacent first dome pod of the stacked dome pod pairs in the outer row and is integral with the peripheral flange.

[0096] Clause 17: The sole structure according to clause 9, wherein:

[0097] Each second dome pod of the stacked dome pod pairs in the inner row includes a peripheral flange, and the peripheral flange of at least one second dome pod of the stacked dome pod pairs in the inner row is connected to the peripheral flange of an adjacent second dome pod of the stacked dome pod pairs in the inner row and is integral with the peripheral flange; and each second dome pod of the stacked dome pod pairs in the outer row includes a peripheral flange, and the peripheral flange of at least one second dome pod of the stacked dome pod pairs in the outer row is connected to the peripheral flange of an adjacent second dome pod of the stacked dome pod pairs in the outer row and is integral with the peripheral flange.

[0098] Clause 18: The sole structure according to clause 7, wherein:

[0099] The stacked domed pod pairs at least partially form an outer perimeter of the bladder system.

[0100] Clause 19: The sole structure according to clause 18, wherein:

[0101] At least one stacked domed pod pair includes an eccentric joint coupling a domed upper surface of a first domed pod to a domed lower surface of a second domed pod, and the eccentric joint is closer to an interior side of the at least one stacked domed pod pair than to an outer perimeter of the bladder system.

[0102] Clause 20: The sole structure according to clause 19, wherein:

[0103] At least one of the pair of stacked domed pods including an eccentric joint is in a heel region of the bladder system.

[0104] Clause 21: A sole structure according to any one of clauses 1 to 20, wherein:

[0105] The first bladder defines through-holes between at least some adjacent first domed pods, and the second bladder defines through-holes between at least some second domed pods and the annular ring pods.

[0106] Item 22: A sole structure comprising: a midsole including a bladder system, the bladder system comprising four stacked polymer sheets, the four stacked polymer sheets comprising: a first sheet forming a ground-facing surface of the bladder system; a second sheet overlying and bonded to the first sheet to enclose a first sealed chamber for retaining a fluid as a first cushioning layer; a third sheet overlying and bonded to the second sheet; and a fourth sheet overlying and bonded to the third sheet to enclose a second sealed chamber for retaining a fluid isolated from the first sealed chamber to serve as a second cushioning layer, the fourth sheet establishing a foot-facing surface of the bladder system; wherein the first sheet and the second sheet include a first dome extending on the ground-facing surface of the first sheet and an upper surface of the second sheet pod-shaped portion, the first sealed chamber fills the first dome pod-shaped portion; wherein the third sheet and the fourth sheet include second dome pod-shaped portions and annular ring pod-shaped portions; wherein the second dome pod-shaped portions extend downwardly on the third sheet and are joined to the second sheet at the first subset of the first dome pods to establish a stacked dome pod pair and extend upwardly on the foot-facing surface of the fourth sheet; and wherein the annular ring pods extend downwardly at the third sheet and are joined to the second sheet at the second subset of the first dome pods to establish a stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair and extend upwardly on the foot-facing surface of the fourth sheet, the second sealed chamber filling the second dome pod-shaped portions and the annular ring pods.

[0107] Clause 23: The sole structure according to clause 22, wherein:

[0108] The stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pairs are arranged in longitudinally extending rows along the bladder system.

[0109] Clause 24: The sole structure according to clause 23, wherein:

[0110] The stacked dome pod pairs are arranged in an inner row on the inside of the bladder system and in an outer row on the outside of the bladder system, with the row of stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pairs disposed between the inner row of stacked dome pod pairs and the outer row of stacked dome pod pairs.

[0111] Clause 25: The sole structure according to clause 24, wherein:

[0112] Each first dome pod of the stacked dome pod pairs in the inner row is directly fluidly connected only to an adjacent first dome pod of the stacked annular ring pods / dome pod pairs, each first dome pod of the stacked dome pod pairs in the outer row can be directly fluidly connected only to an adjacent first dome pod of the stacked annular ring pods / dome pod pairs, and each first dome pod of the stacked annular ring pods / dome pod pairs can be directly fluidly connected to an adjacent first dome pod of the stacked annular ring pods / dome pod pairs.

[0113] Clause 26: The sole structure according to clause 24, wherein:

[0114] None of the first domed pods of the stacked domed pod pairs in the inner row are directly fluidly connected to each other, and none of the first domed pods of the stacked domed pod pairs in the outer row are directly fluidly connected to each other.

[0115] Clause 27: The sole structure according to clause 22, wherein:

[0116] The stacked dome pod pairs are arranged at the outer periphery of the bladder system; and at least one stacked dome pod pair includes an eccentric joint that connects the dome upper surface of a first dome pod to the dome lower surface of a second dome pod, and the eccentric joint is closer to the inner side of the at least one stacked dome pod pair than the outer periphery of the bladder system.

[0117] To assist and clarify the description of various embodiments, various terms are defined herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the following definitions apply to the entire specification (including the claims). In addition, all references cited are incorporated herein in their entirety.

[0118] "Articles of footwear," "articles of footwear," and "footwear" may be considered to be both machines and articles of manufacture. Ready-to-wear articles of footwear (e.g., shoes, sandals, boots, etc.) prior to final assembly into a finished product, as well as discrete components of an article of footwear (e.g., midsoles, outsoles, upper components, etc.) prior to final assembly into a ready-to-wear article of footwear, are considered herein and may be referred to alternatively in the singular or plural as "articles of footwear."

[0119] "A", "an", "the", "at least one" and "one or more" are used interchangeably to indicate that there is at least one item. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, there may be multiple such items. Unless otherwise clearly or clearly indicated by the context, including the appended claims, all numerical values of parameters (such as quantities or conditions) in this specification should be understood to be modified by the term "about" in all cases, regardless of whether "about" actually appears before the numerical value. "Approximately" means that the numerical value allows some slight imprecision (the accuracy of the value is achieved in some way; approximately or reasonably close to the value; close). If the imprecision provided by "about" is not understood in this ordinary sense in the art, then "about" as used herein means at least the variation that can be caused by ordinary methods of measuring and using such parameters. In addition, the disclosure of a range should be understood to specifically disclose all values within the range and further divided ranges.

[0120] The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements or parts. Where possible, the order of steps, processes and operations may be changed, and additional or alternative steps may be employed. As used in this specification, the term "or" includes any one and all combinations of the associated listed items. The term "any" should be understood to include any possible combination of the referenced items, including "any one" of the referenced items. The term "any" should be understood to include any possible combination of the claims cited in the appended claims, including "any one" of the cited claims.

[0121] For consistency and convenience, directional adjectives are used throughout the detailed description with respect to the illustrated embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as "above," "below," "upwardly," "downwardly," "top," "bottom," and the like may be used descriptively with respect to the accompanying drawings and do not represent limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0122] The term "longitudinal" refers to the direction along which a component extends. For example, the longitudinal direction of a shoe extends between the forefoot and heel regions of the shoe. The terms "front" or "front" are used to refer generally to the direction from the heel region to the forefoot region, while the terms "rear" or "rear" are used to refer to the opposite direction, that is, from the forefoot region toward the heel region. In some cases, a component may be identified by a longitudinal axis and a front-to-back longitudinal direction along that axis. The longitudinal direction or axis may also be referred to as the front-to-back direction or axis.

[0123] The term "lateral" refers to a direction extending the width of a component. For example, the lateral direction of a shoe extends between the lateral side and the medial side of the shoe. The lateral direction or axis may also be referred to as the lateral direction or axis or the medial-lateral direction or axis.

[0124] The term "vertical" refers to a direction that is generally perpendicular to both the lateral and longitudinal directions. For example, if the sole is placed flat on the ground, the vertical direction may extend upward from the ground. It will be understood that each of these directional adjectives can be applied to various components of the sole. The terms "upward" or "upwardly" refer to a vertical direction directed toward the top of a component, which may include the instep, fastening area, and / or throat of the upper. The terms "downward" or "downwardly" refer to a vertical direction opposite to the upward direction, toward the bottom of the component, and may generally be directed toward the bottom of the sole structure of an article of footwear.

[0125] The "interior" of an article of footwear, such as a shoe, refers to the portion of the space occupied by the wearer's foot when the shoe is worn. The "interior side" of a component refers to the side or surface that faces (or will face) toward the interior of the component or article of footwear in the assembled article of footwear. The "exterior side" or "exterior" of a component refers to the side or surface of the component that is oriented (or will face) away from the interior of the shoe in the assembled shoe. In some cases, other components may be between the interior side of the component and the interior of the assembled article of footwear. Similarly, other components may be between the exterior side of the component and the space outside the assembled article of footwear. Furthermore, the terms "inward" and "inwardly" refer to directions toward the interior of an article of footwear or component, such as a shoe, and the terms "outward" and "outwardly" refer to directions toward the exterior of an article of footwear or component, such as a shoe. Additionally, the term "proximal" refers to a direction closer to the center of a footwear component or toward the foot when a user inserts their foot into the article of footwear while wearing the shoe. Likewise, the term "distal" refers to a relative position that is further away from the center of the footwear component or from the foot when the user inserts the foot into the footwear. Thus, the terms proximal and distal can be understood as providing generally opposite terms to describe relative spatial positions.

[0126] Although various embodiments have been described, this description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, any feature of any embodiment may be combined with or substituted for any other feature or element in any other embodiment. Therefore, the embodiments are not limited except in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents. Similarly, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

[0127] Although several modes for carrying out many aspects of the present teachings have been described in detail, those skilled in the art to which these teachings pertain will recognize various alternative aspects for practicing the present teachings within the scope of the appended claims. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and exemplary of the entire range of alternative embodiments, and that persons of ordinary skill will recognize the entire range of alternative embodiments that are implicit, structurally and / or functionally equivalent, or otherwise apparent based on the included content, and not limited to those embodiments explicitly shown and / or described.

Claims

1. A sole structure for an article of footwear, comprising: A midsole comprising a bladder system, the bladder system comprising a first bladder and a second bladder, the first bladder enclosing a first sealed chamber that holds fluid and serves as a first cushioning layer, the second bladder enclosing a second sealed chamber that is isolated from the first sealed chamber and holds fluid and serves as a second cushioning layer; the second bladder overlying the first bladder and having a lower surface bonded to an upper surface of the first bladder, the first bladder establishing a ground-facing surface of the bladder system, and the second bladder establishing a foot-facing surface of the bladder system; the first bladder including a first domed pod extending at a ground-facing surface and an upper surface of the first bladder, the first sealed chamber filling the first domed pod; The second bladder includes a second domed pod and an annular ring pod, the second domed pod and the annular ring pod extending at a lower surface and a foot-facing surface of the second bladder, the second sealed chamber filling the second domed pod and the annular ring pod, wherein each of the second domed pods overlies and bonds to a different one of the first domed pods to establish stacked pairs of domed pods at an outer perimeter of the bladder system; and wherein at least one stacked dome pod pair includes an eccentric joint coupling a dome upper surface of a first dome pod to a dome lower surface of a second dome pod, and the eccentric joint is closer to an interior side of the at least one stacked dome pod pair than to an outer periphery of the bladder system.

2. The sole structure according to claim 1, wherein: The eccentric joint terminates inwardly of a central axis of a first domed pod and a second domed pod of the at least one stacked domed pod pair.

3. The sole structure according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: The at least one stacked domed pod pair including an eccentric joint is in a heel region of the bladder system.

4. The sole structure according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: The bladder system comprises four stacked polymer sheets comprising: a first sheet establishing a ground-facing surface and comprising a lower portion of said first domed pod; a second sheet covering and bonded to the first sheet to enclose the first sealed chamber, the second sheet establishing an upper surface of the first bladder and including an upper portion of the first domed pod; a third sheet covering and bonded to the second sheet, the third sheet establishing a lower surface of the second bladder and including a lower portion of the second dome pod and a lower portion of the annular ring pod; and a fourth sheet covering and bonded to the third sheet to enclose the second sealed chamber and establish a foot-facing surface, the fourth sheet including an upper portion of the second dome pod projecting upwardly at the foot-facing surface, and the fourth sheet including an upper portion of the annular ring pod.

5. The sole structure according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: the first sealed chamber fluidly interconnecting the first domed pods to one another; The second sealed chamber fluidly interconnects the annular ring pods with each other and with the second dome pods.

6. The sole structure according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: The outer side of at least one stacked dome pod pair including an off-center joint has a greater stack height than the inner side.

7. The sole structure according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: The stacked dome pod pairs are arranged in an inner row at the inner side of the bladder system and in an outer row at the outer side of the bladder system, with the row of stacked dome pod pairs disposed between the inner row of stacked dome pod pairs and the outer row of stacked dome pod pairs.

8. The sole structure according to claim 7, wherein: None of the first domed pods of the stacked domed pod pairs in the inner row are directly fluidly connected to each other, and None of the first domed pods of the stacked domed pod pairs in the outer rows are directly fluidly connected to each other.

9. The sole structure according to claim 7, wherein: None of the first domed pods of the stacked domed pod pairs in the outer rows are directly fluidly connected to each other.

10. The sole structure according to claim 7, wherein: Each of the stacked domed pod pairs in the inner row includes an eccentric joint coupling a domed upper surface of a first domed pod to a domed lower surface of a second domed pod, and the eccentric joint is closer to an inner side of the at least one stacked domed pod pair than to an outer periphery of the bladder system.

11. The sole structure according to claim 7, wherein: Each of the stacked domed pod pairs in the outer rows includes an eccentric joint coupling a domed upper surface of a first domed pod to a domed lower surface of a second domed pod, and the eccentric joint is closer to an interior side of the at least one stacked domed pod pair than to an outer perimeter of the bladder system.

12. The sole structure according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: A plane passing through a first dome pod of at least one pair of stacked dome pods including an eccentric joint and perpendicular to the central axis of the first dome pod of at least one pair of stacked dome pods including an eccentric joint will diverge at the exterior side of the sac system from a plane passing through a second dome pod of at least one pair of stacked dome pods including an eccentric joint and perpendicular to the second central axis of the second dome pod of at least one pair of stacked dome pods including an eccentric joint.

13. The sole structure according to claim 1, wherein: Each annular ring pod overlies and bonds to a different one of the first dome pods that is not bonded to any second dome pod, thereby creating stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pairs.

14. The sole structure according to claim 13, wherein: stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pairs are arranged in longitudinally extending rows along the bladder system; pairs of stacked domed pods are arranged in an inboard row at an inboard side of the bladder system and in an outboard row at an outboard side of the bladder system; and The row of stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pairs is disposed between the inner row of stacked dome pod pairs and the outer row of stacked dome pod pairs.

15. The sole structure according to claim 14, wherein: Each first domed pod of the stacked domed pod pair in the inner row is directly fluidly connected to only one adjacent first domed pod of the stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair, each first domed pod of a stacked domed pod pair in an outer row is directly fluidly connected to only one adjacent first domed pod of a stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair, and Each first dome pod of the stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair is directly fluidly connected to an adjacent first dome pod of the stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair.

16. The sole structure according to claim 14, wherein: The rearmost one of the first domed pods of the stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pairs is directly fluidly connected to two of the first domed pods of the stacked domed pod pairs in the outer row and two of the first domed pods of the stacked domed pod pairs in the inner row.

17. The sole structure according to claim 14, wherein: Each second domed pod of the stacked domed pod pair in the inner row is directly fluidly connected to only one adjacent annular ring pod of the stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair, Each second domed pod of the stacked domed pod pair in the outer row is directly fluidly connected to only one adjacent annular ring pod of the stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair, and Each annular ring pod of the stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair is directly fluidly connected to an adjacent one of the annular ring pods of the stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair.

18. The sole structure according to claim 14, wherein: The rearmost of the annular ring pods of the stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair is directly fluidly connected to the second two dome pods of the stacked dome pod pair in the outer row and the second two dome pods of the stacked dome pod pair in the inner row.

19. The sole structure according to claim 14, wherein: the first bladder defining through-holes between at least some adjacent first domed pods, The second bladder defines through-holes between at least some of the second dome pods and the annular ring pods.

20. A sole structure comprising: A midsole comprising a bladder system comprising four stacked polymer sheets comprising: a first sheet establishing a ground-facing surface of the bladder system; a second sheet covering and bonded to the first sheet to enclose a first sealed chamber for retaining fluid as a first buffer layer; a third sheet covering and bonded to the second sheet; and a fourth sheet covering and bonded to the third sheet to enclose a second sealed chamber that is isolated from the first sealed chamber and retains fluid as a second cushioning layer, the fourth sheet establishing a foot-facing surface of the bladder system; wherein the first and second sheets include first dome-shaped pods extending from a ground-facing surface of the first sheet and an upper surface of the second sheet, and the first sealed chamber fills the first dome-shaped pods; wherein the third and fourth panels include both second domed pods and annular ring pods, wherein the second domed pods extend downwardly at the third panel and are joined to the second panel at the first subset of first domed pods to create stacked domed pod pairs, and wherein the second domed pods extend upwardly at a foot-facing surface of the fourth panel; and wherein the annular ring pods extend downwardly at the third sheet and join to the second sheet at the first dome pods of the second subset to create stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pairs, and the annular ring pods extend upwardly at the foot-facing surface of the fourth sheet, with the second sealed chamber filling the second dome pods and the annular ring pods.

21. The sole structure according to claim 20, wherein: The stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pairs are arranged in rows extending longitudinally along the bladder system.

22. The sole structure according to claim 20, wherein: The stacked dome pod pairs are arranged in an inner row at the inner side of the bladder system and in an outer row at the outer side of the bladder system, with the row of stacked annular ring pods / dome pod pairs disposed between the inner row of stacked dome pod pairs and the outer row of stacked dome pod pairs.

23. The sole structure according to claim 22, wherein: Each first domed pod of the stacked domed pod pair in the inner row is directly fluidly connected to only one adjacent first domed pod of the stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair, each first domed pod of a stacked domed pod pair in an outer row is directly fluidly connected to only one adjacent first domed pod of a stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair, and Each first dome pod of the stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair is directly fluidly connected to an adjacent first dome pod of the stacked annular ring pod / dome pod pair.

24. The sole structure according to claim 22, wherein: None of the first domed pods of the stacked domed pod pairs in the inner row are directly fluidly connected to each other, and None of the first domed pods of the stacked domed pod pairs in the outer rows are directly fluidly connected to each other.

25. The sole structure according to claim 20, wherein: pairs of stacked domed pods are arranged at an outer perimeter of the bladder system; and At least one stacked domed pod pair includes an eccentric joint coupling a domed upper surface of a first domed pod to a domed lower surface of a second domed pod, and the eccentric joint is closer to an interior side of the at least one stacked domed pod pair than to an outer perimeter of the bladder system.

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