Footwear Upper Biodegradable Layer for Dynamic Customization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manufacturers face challenges in creating customizable and dynamic articles of footwear or clothing that cater to individual user preferences, as customization often increases costs and manufacturing time, and incorporating dynamic features is difficult.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a biodegradable layer with a biologically active agent in the footwear, such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) and Ideonella sakaiensis, which can degrade to reveal patterns or change color, allowing for customizable and dynamic features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If bespoke manufacturing processes are used to create customizable footwear, then the article can be specific to individual user needs, but production time and costs significantly increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization to user needsVSAvoidproduction time and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates biodegradable layers and biologically active agents during the initial manufacturing process, so that customization occurs automatically over time through biodegradation rather than requiring separate bespoke manufacturing steps for each user

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The footwear automatically adapts to the user through self-driven biodegradation processes triggered by exposure to light, moisture, or microbial activity, eliminating the need for manual customization or frequent manufacturing interventions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic features are incorporated into articles to allow them to alter in appearance, then user experience is enhanced, but manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic appearance changeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes biologically active agents that cause color changes or pattern revelations through biodegradation of specific layers, providing dynamic visual effects without complex mechanical or electronic systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The footwear incorporates composite structures with biodegradable layers containing biologically active agents, allowing dynamic appearance changes through material transformation rather than complex assembly of multiple functional components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables cost-effective customization and dynamic changes in footwear appearance, providing a personalized user experience without significant manufacturing inefficiencies.

Implementation Method 1

The exterior layer includes a biologically active agent and a biodegradable layer. Further, the biologically active agent is capable of biodegrading the biodegradable layer.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentUS12611007B2Article of footwear having a degradable component

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 PUMA SE

AI summary

An article of footwear is provided that includes a sole structure and an upper attached to the sole structure. The upper includes an exterior layer and a base layer, and the exterior layer includes a biodegradable layer and a biologically active agent capable of biodegrading the biodegradable layer. The article of footwear has a first state in which the biodegradable layer is not biodegraded.