Method for making a tread assembly

A method of making an article of footwear comprising the steps of:

• associating a matrix lining with a first side of a central mold, a first surface of the matrix lining confronting the first side of the central mold, the matrix lining also including a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, the matrix lining defining at least two holes;
• associating a molding base with the second surface of the matrix lining, the molding base defining a first lug cavity having a first lug cavity rim surrounding the first lug cavity and a second lug cavity having a second lug cavity rim surrounding the second lug cavity, each lug cavity rim pressing against the matrix lining against the first side of the central mold;
• placing a first rubber forming block proximate a second side of the central mold;
• placing a second rubber forming block proximate the second side of the central mold, wherein the second rubber forming block is different than the first rubber forming block;
• compressing the first rubber forming block and causing a first portion of the first rubber forming block to become viscous and flow through a first injection cavity disposed in the central mold and through at least one injection tip aligned with and inserted into one of the at least two holes in the matrix lining;
• compressing the second rubber forming block and causing a second portion of the second rubber forming block to become viscous and flow through a second injection cavity disposed in the central mold and through a second at least one injection tip aligned with and inserted into a second one of the at least two holes in the matrix lining;
• wherein the first portion of the first rubber forming block fills the first lug cavity and contacts the second surface of the matrix lining, and wherein the second portion of the second rubber forming block fills the second lug cavity and contacts the second surface of the matrix lining.

A method of making an article of footwear comprising the steps of:

• positioning a molding base adjacent a first side of a central mold, a matrix lining being positioned between the central mold and the molding base, the mold in base defining at least one cavity having a rim surrounding the cavity, the rim pressing the matrix lining against the central mold;
• placing a first rubber forming block proximate a second side of the central mold and placing a second rubber forming block proximate the second side of the central mold, wherein the second rubber forming block is different than the first rubber forming block;
• compressing both the first rubber forming block and the second rubber forming block simultaneously;
• thereby causing a first portion of the first rubber forming block to become viscous and flow through an injection tip aligned with and positioned in a corresponding hole in the matrix lining and also causing a second portion of the second rubber forming block to become viscous and flow through a second injection tip aligned with and positioned in a second corresponding hole in the matrix lining.

A method of making an article of footwear comprising the steps of:

• associating a matrix lining with a first side of a central mold, a first surface of the matrix lining confronting the first side of the central mold, the matrix lining also including a second surface disposed opposite the first surface;
• associating a molding base with the second surface of the matrix lining, the molding base including at least one lug cavity and at least one lug cavity rim surrounding the at least one lug cavity, the at least one lug cavity rim pressing against the second surface of the matrix lining;
• placing a rubber forming block proximate a second side of the central mold;
• compressing the rubber forming block and causing a portion of the rubber forming block to become viscous and flow through at least one injection cavity disposed in the central mold;
• the portion of the rubber forming block continuing to flow through a hole disposed in the matrix lining and flowing into the at least one lug cavity;
• wherein the portion of the rubber forming block fills the lug cavity and contacts the second surface of the matrix lining, the matrix lining extending beyond the rim of the at least one lug cavity;
• and
• wherein an edge of the matrix lining remains exposed.

A method of making an article of footwear comprising the steps of:

• associating a matrix lining with a first side of a central mold, a first surface of the matrix lining confronting the first side of the central mold, the matrix lining also including a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, the matrix lining defining at least one hole;
• associating a lug cavity with the second surface of the matrix lining, the lug cavity having a lug cavity rim surrounding the lug cavity and pressing the matrix lining against the central mold;
• placing a rubber forming block proximate a second side of the central mold;
• compressing the rubber forming block and causing a portion of the rubber forming block to become viscous and flow through at least one injection cavity disposed in the central mold and through at least one injection tip aligned with and inserted into the at least one hole in the matrix lining;
• the portion of the rubber forming block continuing to flow through the at least one hole disposed in the matrix lining and flowing into the lug cavity;
• and
• wherein the portion of the rubber forming block fills the lug cavity and contacts the second surface of the matrix lining, the matrix lining extending beyond the rim of the lug cavity.

A method of making an article of footwear comprising the steps of:

• associating a matrix lining with a first side of a plurality of injection cavities, a first surface of the matrix lining confronting the first side of each injection cavity, the matrix lining also including a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, the matrix lining defining at least one hole;
• associating a lug cavity with the second surface of the matrix lining, the lug cavity having a lug cavity rim surrounding the lug cavity and pressing against the matrix lining;
• placing a corresponding plurality of rubber forming blocks proximate a second side of each injection cavity;
• compressing the rubber forming blocks and causing a portion of each rubber forming block to become viscous and flow through at least one injection cavity and through at least one injection tip aligned with and inserted into a corresponding at least one hole in the matrix lining;
• and
• the portion of the corresponding rubber forming block continuing to flowing through the at least one hole disposed in the matrix lining and flowing into the lug cavity.