Coated shoe upper

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Shoe uppers made from a single material compromise between providing adequate support and control, especially in ball sports, due to differing requirements for different regions, leading to increased weight and potential water ingress.

Innovation Solution

A composite shoe upper structure comprising two sheets of different materials with a connecting region, coated with a contiguous coating applied via screen-printing, ensuring a smooth, waterproof, and lightweight design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single-material shoe upper is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the shoe cannot satisfy different requirements for different regions (support vs. control)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to satisfy different regional requirementsVSAvoidupper structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shoe upper is divided into multiple regions with different material properties. A first region (toe area) uses a thinner material for ball control, while a second region (heel area) uses a thicker material for support. The materials are selectively applied to different zones of the upper, allowing each region to be optimized for its specific function rather than using a uniform material throughout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the shoe upper are assigned different material characteristics tailored to their specific functional requirements. The toe region receives a thinner, more flexible material for enhanced ball control, while the heel region receives a thicker, more rigid material for structural support. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between adaptability and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If thicker material is used in the heel region for support, then support is improved, but the weight of the upper increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheel supportVSAvoidupper weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The upper is segmented into zones with different thickness requirements. The heel region uses thicker material for support, while the toe region uses thinner material to minimize weight. By segmenting the material distribution rather than using uniform thickness, the design achieves necessary support without unnecessarily increasing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Material thickness is locally optimized for each region's functional needs. The heel area receives thicker material where support is critical, while the toe area uses thinner material where weight reduction is prioritized. This local quality differentiation allows the upper to achieve strength where needed without compromising weight efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If regions are sewn together, then different materials can be combined, but the connecting region creates an uneven surface that compromises ball control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial combination capabilityVSAvoidsurface smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple material regions are combined into a single integrated upper structure without traditional sewing connections. The different material zones are joined through a coating process that creates a continuous, seamless surface, eliminating the need for visible seams and maintaining surface smoothness across material transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A coating layer acts as an intermediary between different material regions, bonding them together while providing a smooth, continuous surface. This coating mediates the transition between different materials and thicknesses, eliminating surface irregularities that would otherwise result from direct material junctions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If regions are sewn together, then different materials can be combined, but the connecting region creates weak spots for water ingress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial combination capabilityVSAvoidwaterproofness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple material regions are merged into a seamless integrated structure through coating, eliminating traditional sewn connections that create waterproofing weak points. The coating process bonds different materials together while maintaining a continuous protective barrier that prevents water ingress at material junctions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The coating serves as an intermediary layer that bonds different materials together while providing a waterproof seal. This intermediate coating layer eliminates the needle holes and gaps created by sewing, creating a reliable waterproof barrier across material transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12471675B2Coated shoe upper

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 ADIDAS AG

AI summary

The present invention concerns a shoe upper, including (a) a first sheet, (b) a second sheet, (c) a connecting region in which the first sheet is connected to the second sheet, and (d) a first coating. The first coating is applied onto a first region of the first sheet, a second region of the second sheet, and a third region of the connecting region. The first region, the second region, and the third region are connected.