Footwear Sole Structure With Visible Bladder and Insert Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing footwear sole structures lack transparency and visibility of internal components, limiting the ability to showcase the functional elements such as fluid-filled bladders and inserts, which are typically hidden within opaque materials.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a strobel made of translucent or transparent materials, allowing visibility through the upper of the footwear, and using a fluid-filled chamber visible through openings in the upper, along with a transparent or translucent insole to reveal the sole structure's components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If opaque materials are used for the strobel and insole, then the structural integrity and traditional appearance are maintained, but the visibility of internal components such as fluid-filled bladders and inserts is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of internal componentsVSAvoidmaterial selection flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The strobel and insole are constructed with translucent or transparent materials specifically in regions where visibility of internal components is desired, while maintaining traditional opaque materials in other areas. This allows selective transparency to showcase functional elements like fluid-filled bladders and inserts without requiring complete transparency of the entire footwear structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes materials with varying degrees of translucency and transparency as optical properties, allowing the strobel and insole to transition from traditional opaque appearance to visually revealing internal components. This material property change enables the visualization of functional elements while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If translucent or transparent materials are used for the strobel and insole, then the aesthetic appeal and visual showcasing of functional elements is enhanced, but the traditional appearance and material durability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appealVSAvoidmaterial durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The strobel and insole are constructed using composite material structures that combine translucent or transparent materials with traditional durable materials. This composite approach allows the footwear to showcase internal components through translucent regions while maintaining durability through reinforced structures and selective material placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different material properties are applied to different regions of the strobel and insole. Translucent or transparent materials are used specifically in areas where aesthetic appeal and visibility are priorities, while more durable traditional materials are used in areas requiring enhanced strength and wear resistance, creating a functionally optimized composite structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12604946B2Sole structure for article of footwear

Publication Date: 2026.04.21 NIKE INC

AI summary

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a bladder and at least one insert. The bladder includes an upper surface having a first portion defining a chamber and a second portion defining at least one recess adjacent to the chamber. The at least one insert is disposed within the at least one recess and has a top surface that is substantially flush with the first portion of the upper surface of the bladder. The first portion of the upper surface is exposed to the at least one insert.