Woven Shoe Upper With Layered Pockets for Support and Breathability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Woven shoe uppers lack durability and provide insufficient support and breathability, leading to increased risk of injury and discomfort.

Innovation Solution

A shoe upper comprising a woven element with at least one single-layer portion and one multi-layer portion, where the multi-layer portion includes overlapping woven layers with protrusions, providing enhanced abrasion resistance and air circulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a pure woven upper is used, then flexible adaptation to foot shape is ensured, but support for the wearer is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexible adaptation to foot shapeVSAvoidsupport for wearer

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines woven textile material with thermoplastic material to create a composite upper structure. The thermoplastic material is integrated into the woven structure to provide additional support and stability while maintaining the flexibility and adaptability of the textile portion, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If textile surface contacts hard objects, then abrasion occurs quickly, but durability is shortened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabrasion from hard objectsVSAvoiddurability of shoe

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The thermoplastic material integrated into the woven upper provides enhanced abrasion resistance against hard objects. The composite structure combines the soft, flexible textile with the harder, more durable thermoplastic material, protecting the textile surface from quick abrasion and extending the shoe's durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If good air circulation is required for breathability, then moisture removal is improved, but structural support may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreathability and foot climateVSAvoidstructural support

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different material properties to different regions of the upper. The woven textile portions provide breathability and moisture management, while the thermoplastic Reinforcements provide structural support. This local differentiation allows the upper to simultaneously achieve good air circulation for breathability and maintain necessary structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of manufacture

If multiple seams are used to construct the upper, then assembly is easier, but blisters and abrasions are caused

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidblisters and abrasions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the thermoplastic material directly into the woven upper structure during manufacturing, creating a seamless or reduced-seam construction. This merging of materials and processes eliminates or minimizes seams that would otherwise cause blisters and abrasions, while still allowing for manufacturability through integrated production methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12364306B2Woven shoe upper with pockets and fillings

Publication Date: 2025.07.22 ADIDAS AG

AI summary

An upper for a shoe includes a woven element comprising at least one single-layer portion and at least one multi-layer portion, wherein the single-layer portion is formed from a single woven layer and the multi-layer portion is formed from at least two overlapping woven layers, wherein the at least one single-layer portion is adjacent to the at least one multi-layer portion, and wherein the multi-layer portion comprises at least one protrusion of the woven element.