US 11,700,915 B2
Article of footwear and method of manufacture
Francesca Capone, Portland, OR (US); Laura Papp, Portland, OR (US); and S H Park, Portland, OR (US)
Assigned to NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed by NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed on Sep. 17, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/23,797.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/950,192, filed on Dec. 19, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0186158 A1, Jun. 24, 2021
Int. Cl. A43B 23/02 (2006.01); B29D 35/14 (2010.01)
CPC A43B 23/0255 (2013.01) [A43B 23/0215 (2013.01); A43B 23/0235 (2013.01); B29D 35/146 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An article of footwear comprising:
an upper at least partially surrounding an interior volume operative to receive a foot of a wearer, wherein the upper comprises:
a one-piece inner layer, a one-piece outer layer, and an insert; wherein an inner surface of the outer layer defines a preformed recess such that the outer layer extends outwardly and away from the inner layer at the preformed recess independently of the inner layer and the insert;
wherein each of the inner layer and the outer layer having a medial side portion extending in a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the upper, and a lateral side portion extending in the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the heel region of the upper; wherein the inner layer is disposed between the interior volume and the outer layer; wherein the outer layer is coupled to the inner layer at a plurality of bonded areas such that the inner layer and the outer layer define a sealed closed pocket therebetween at the preformed recess, the sealed closed pocket entirely surrounded and enclosed by the bonded areas;
wherein the insert is disposed entirely in the sealed closed pocket between the inner layer and the outer layer entirely inward of the bonded areas and such that the outer layer protrudes outwardly from the inner layer at the sealed closed pocket;
wherein an entire outer perimeter of the inner layer is coincident with an entire outer perimeter of the outer layer; and
wherein the outer layer is formed of an at least partially transparent material, such that the insert is at least partially visible through the outer layer.