US 6,402,879 B1 · Method of making bladder with inverted edge seam

Abstract

A bladder which is particularly useful for a sole assembly of a shoe is formed of multiple layers of barrier film to provide multiple pressurized layers of cushioning fluid or gas when the bladder is filled. A multiple gas layer bladder enhances cushioning response by relying more on the response characteristics of the gas and reducing the amount of foam and the dependence on foam as a cushioning material. The internal film layers provide a truss-like geometry in cross section and act as tensile members to impart a generally smooth surface contour to the bladder. The bladder is constructed to provide complex regionalized cushioning profiles which are coupled to the anatomy of the foot and expected loads at known points. The sidewalls of the bladder can be constructed with an inverted seam construction to eliminate finishing steps in the manufacture of cushioning bladders and alternatively to provide a clean, seamless appearance along the side walls. The inverted seam can be formed by attaching the peripheral edges of inner barrier layers to the outer barrier layers adjacent a weld between inner barrier layers to provide an inside-out inverted seam appearance. An inverted seam can also be formed by providing separate sidewall elements attached to the barrier layers of the bladder to provide a seam displaced from the center of the sidewall.

Claims37

Dependent claims

A method of forming a footwear bladder for providing cushioning for an article of footwear, said method comprising the steps of:

providing first, second, third, and fourth sheets of barrier material, each said sheet having a peripheral edge;
positioning said second and third sheets between said first and fourth sheets such that said second sheet is adjacent said first sheet and said third sheet is adjacent said fourth sheet, said second and third sheets being positioned such that at least a portion of each of said second and third sheets extends within the peripheral edge of each of said first and fourth sheets;
configuring a sealed chamber for containing a fluid, said configuring step including
securing said first and second sheets together proximate the peripheral edge of said first sheet,
securing said third and fourth sheets together proximate the peripheral edge of said fourth sheet, and
forming an inverted seam on a sidewall of said bladder and between said second and third sheets, said forming step including securing said second and third sheets together at locations spaced inwardly from said peripheral edges of said first, second, third and fourth sheets.

3 more elements

A method of forming a cushioning bladder for use in an article of footwear, said method comprising the steps of:

providing first, second, third, and fourth sheets of a barrier material, each having first and second side edges;
positioning said first side edges of said first and second sheets of barrier material such that they are coextensive with one another;
positioning said second and third sheets of barrier material between said first and fourth sheets;
positioning said first side edges of said third and fourth sheets such that they are coextensive with each other and extend beyond the first side edges of said first and second sheets in a direction away from the second side edge of said first sheet;
configuring a sealed inner chamber within said bladder for receiving a fluid, said configuring step including
securing said first and second sheets together along their first side edges, forming an inverted seam between said second and third sheets including the step of securing said second and third sheets together at a location spaced inwardly from the first side edge of said third sheet in the direction of said second side edge of said third sheet and said second side edge of said second sheet,
securing said third and fourth sheets together along their first side edges, and
operatively securing said first and fourth sheets together along their remaining edges;
and
introducing said fluid within said chamber to form a cushioning bladder.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of making bladder with inverted edge seam

Life of this patent

Method of making bladder with inverted edge seam

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims37