A waterproof breathable sole for shoes, which comprises, for at least part of its extension, at least two structural layers, a lower one provided with a supporting structure so as to form the tread, and an upper one that is permeable to water vapor. The lower layer has portions that are open onto the upper layer. A coating obtained by means of a plasma deposition treatment for waterproofing is provided on the upper layer. A layer is thus obtained that has structural functions and characteristics of resistance to damage and is at the same time waterproof and breathable.

An inlay sole for shoes is made up of sole pieces of varying Shore hardness which engage with each other on abutting edges, the width of which corresponds to the thickness of the sole pieces, with matching sinuous projections and matching recesses. The projections form extensions which engage in backcuts in the recesses, the inlay sole being made of several layers of sole pieces assembled as above. The abutting edges are offset with relation to each other from layer to layer.

In one embodiment, an article of footwear includes a sole and an upper attached to the sole. The upper and sole and configured to envelop at least a portion of human foot. The upper further includes a forefoot member attached to a forefoot portion of the sole and a heel member attached to a heel portion of the sole. The forefoot member and heel member are detached from each other at a location above the sole to enable individual adjustment of the forefoot member and the heel member.

An interchangeable cleat system for an article of footwear includes an outer sole member with a plurality of fixed cleat members and a plurality of removable cleat members. The spacing between the removable cleat members and the fixed cleat members may be approximately constant in at least one portion of the article of footwear. The differences in height between the removable cleat members and the fixed cleat members may be approximately constant within a portion of the outer sole member. The cleat system can include at least three sets of cleat members that can be interchanged over different portions of the outer sole member.

Systems and methods for toning footwear include a combination of a support ring, an insole with a cushioning material configured to contact a user's foot, and an outsole with one or more convex regions to create instability in the footwear. The support ring or stiffener band can be coupled to the outsole between the insole on one side and the forefoot and heel toning convexities on the other side. In some embodiments, the stiffener band can be formed of a material different from and stiffer than the material of the outsole. In accordance with various embodiments, when a user wears the toning footwear while walking, an increase in both the toning and strengthening of the calves, hamstrings and/or glutes results.

An article of footwear includes an upper and a midsole positioned beneath the upper. The midsole includes an upper portion formed of a first material and a lower portion formed of a second material and positioned beneath the upper portion. The lower portion includes a plurality of support members spaced from adjacent support members. A plurality of connecting members extend between and are connected to adjacent support members, with the connecting members having a height that is less than a height of the support members to which the connecting members are connected, and an upper surface that is substantially flush with an upper surface of the support members to which the connecting members are connected.

An inner sole board having varying regions of flexibility is provided for use in an article of footwear. The inner sole board may include different materials along its length at different locations that vary its flexibility. An inner sole board is manufactured in an injection molding process requiring only one mold. The process includes a first step of providing a mold, a second step of providing an injection molding assembly, a third step of preparing an injection molding assembly and mold, a fourth step of injecting material into the mold, and a fifth step of establishing the dimensions of a first portion. During the injection molding process, the flow rate of at least one material may be controlled by a nozzle gate to control the shape and size of the flex zone it creates. In this manner, the inner sole board may be customized for a specific sport or individual.

A sole for dance footwear such as a dance sneaker includes an outsole having forefoot, arch and heel portions and which contains openings in the forefoot and arch portions. The bottom surface of the outsole further includes a plurality of laterally extending spaced grooves. The grooves and openings provide increased flexure of the outsole from heel to toe and from side to side about a longitudinal axis of the outsole. A shank between the openings in the arch portion of the outsole supports the foot during dance movements, maintains the integrity of the shoe, and improves the aesthetics and ergonomic movement of the footwear.

An article of footwear with a hydroplaning-resistant outsole and camouflaged toe cap is disclosed. In one example, an article of footwear includes an outsole with a ground contacting surface including a first and second plurality of angled channels angled relative to longitudinal and lateral axes of the footwear. Each angled channel in the first plurality of angled channels extends from the toe to an outer edge of a mid-foot region of the outsole, and each angled channel in the second plurality of angled channels extends from a back portion of the heel to a front portion of the heel. The ground contacting surface also includes a plurality of lateral waved grooves intersecting the first and second plurality of angled channels, and a plurality of lateral waved sipes intersecting the plurality of lateral waved grooves and the first and second plurality of angled channels.

A sole structure for an article of footwear and a method of making the sole structure is disclosed. The sole structure can include an outsole and a midsole. The midsole includes a cavity with a protruding portion. A U-shaped transparent member is configured to cover the cavity so that the protruding portion remains visible from within the cavity.

An article of footwear with a ball contacting member is disclosed. The ball contacting member enhances the ability of a wearer to kick a ball with a low trajectory. The ball contacting member can be attached to the article of footwear in various different ways.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for applying reduced pressure to a tissue site on a foot are provided. An apparatus may include an insole and a tissue contacting surface covering at least a portion of the insole. At least one portion of the tissue contacting surface is removable to form a void. The apparatus may also include a reduced-pressure interface for receiving reduced pressure from a reduced-pressure source, and at least one flow channel fluidly coupled to the reduced-pressure interface and the void.

A shoe ornament structure, comprises: a base layer, a sub-base layer, a ground color layer, a ornamental layer, a blocking wall and a transparent layer. The ground color layer has a predetermined thickness and is formed on the sub-base layer. The ornamental layer is formed with different grains or color or materials and located on the ground color layer. The blocking wall of a height 0.5-0.7 mm is formed on ornamental layer, and the transparent layer is formed in the area defined by the blocking wall.

A shoe (1) is disclosed comprising: an insole (1) fixed to the upper (T) and comprising a slot (10) in the heel area and a plurality of holes (11) in the plantar surface area. A ventilation system (2) comprises: a pump (4) disposed in the slot (10) of the insole, a membrane (3) fixed in the lower surface of the insole (1) under the holes (11), a connection pipe (20) connecting the chamber (40) of the pump with the spaces (32) of the membrane and an outlet conduit (21) connecting the chamber of the pump (40) with the outside to exhaust air. An outsole (9) obtained by directly injecting expandable material in a mold covers the ventilation system, insole and lower part of the upper (T). A mold (S) for performing said direct injection is also disclosed.

An article of footwear with an undulating sole provides a different and unique ride and/or feel to the article of footwear, while also providing a unique aesthetic appeal and adequate cushioning and support. The midsole has an undulating shape substantially similar to a sine wave with a series alternating peaks and troughs, and may include one or more support elements disposed on the midsole to provide desired stiffness or cushioning properties to the midsole.

The sole section of a shoe includes a midsole and an outsole, with the midsole being made from a translucent material. An illumination system is located inside the translucent midsole, causing the translucent midsole to be internally illuminated when the illumination system is active. Due to the translucent nature of the midsole light from the illumination system reflects internally throughout the midsole, increasing illumination. The light will also illuminate adjacent translucent components, such as the outsole if it is also made from a translucent material. Light from the illumination system can be blocked, such as by an opaque outsole or colored mold injection, and used to form an illuminated design or logo. By blacking out or covering sections of the translucent midsole, shapes and letters of visible light can be created in the negative space of the obstruction sections. This allows illuminated designs to easily be incorporated into footwear.

Systems and methods of measuring feet and designing and creating orthopedic inserts are described. The method can include measuring a pressure the foot exerts during a stride at a plurality of points over a period of time, and analyzing a pressure at the plurality of points over the period of time and designing the orthopedic inserter based on the analysis. The system can include a device that measures a pressure exerted by foot at a plurality of times at each of a plurality of points and a computer connected to the device, the computer having a memory that stores the measured pressures and a program operable to analyze the measured pressures to create a design of an orthopedic insert.

A fluid-filled chamber, which may be incorporated into articles of footwear and other products, may include an outer barrier and a tensile member. The outer barrier may have an upper portion, an opposite lower portion, and a peripheral edge. The upper portion and lower portion may be bonded together in a bonded region spaced inward from the peripheral edge. The bonded region may have a convex shape. The tensile member may be located within the outer barrier, and may be formed to have at least one gap. The bonded region may extend at least partially into the gap.

Footwear according to the present disclosure includes an upper and a sole assembly coupled to the upper, with the sole assembly including an outsole with a ground-contacting surface and a midsole positioned above the outsole. The midsole includes a peripheral lasting member that defines a central aperture, and a cushioning member positioned at least above the peripheral lasting member. In some embodiments, the footwear further includes a heel and the midsole includes a heel strike projection that engages the heel. In some embodiments, the midsole further includes a shank. In some embodiments, the cushioning member defines the optional heel strike projection, and in other embodiments, the optional shank defines the optional heel strike projection. In some embodiments, the footwear includes a spur support.

An outer sole for a golf shoe includes a plurality of cleats distributed along a forefoot area and a heel area. The cleats are integrated with the outer sole and extend from a surface of the outer sole that faces away from the shoe. The plurality of cleats includes at least a larger sized set of cleats and a smaller sized set of cleats. Such outer sole for a golf shoe gives good traction on the golf course but is also useable as a casual shoe off the golf course.

A waterproof breathable boot is disclosed. The boot includes an outsole, a three-piece bootie, a toe cap, a heel cap, a center front panel, an instep panel and a rear panel.

An article of footwear has an upper that includes a knitted component and a sole structure secured to the upper. The knitted component may define a tube formed of unitary knit construction, and a strand may extend through a length of the tube. As another example, the knitted component may have a pair of at least partially coextensive knitted layers formed of unitary knit construction, and a plurality of floating yarns may extend between the knitted layers. In some configurations, the knit type or yarn type may vary in different regions of the knitted component to impart different properties. Additionally, the knitted component may incorporate a thermoplastic yarn that is fused in different regions of the knitted component to impart different properties. A flat knitting process or a variety of other knitting processes may be utilized to form the knitted component.

A smartphone app that causes a smartphone device to actively control a configuration of footwear structural elements located in a footwear sole or removable inner sole insert of a user of the smartphone device, and one or more sensors located in either one or both of the sole or the removable inner sole insert the user's footwear and a sensor including a gyroscope and/or an accelerometer in the smartphone device; and the footwear structural elements being configured for computer control by the smartphone device when the smartphone app is operating on the smartphone device; and wherein instructions of the smartphone app, when executed, cause the smartphone device to, first, process measurement data received from the footwear and smartphone sensors and, second, use the processed measurement data to alter a configuration of the footwear structural elements based on the output from processing measurement data.

A traction-enhancing cleaning kit for allowing sports players to clean and dry the soles of their court shoes while in-play. The cleaning kit comprises a gellified shoe cleaning fluid (3), and a shoe-attachable cleaning and drying device (1) comprising a gel-absorbent cleaning/drying cartridge (2) removably secured by hook-and-loop to a carrier platform (4), which is in turn secured along the forefoot of the sneaker by its laces. The cartridge (2) includes an encapsulated viscose rayon microfiber panel (20) backed by a moisture-impermeable layer (30), and held captive in a plastic frame (10). The frame (10) includes a raised wiping lip (114) surrounding the panel (20). In use, the player need only swipe one foot over the top of the cleaning and drying device (1) attached to the other foot, brushing the sole. One swipe wets and squeegees dry, and the process is repeated for the other foot.

An insert for vapor-permeable and waterproof soles, which has a monolithic sheet-like structure, made of a polymeric material that is impermeable to water in the liquid state and permeable to water vapor. At least one functional portion of the insert for soles has such a thickness as to give it a penetration resistance of more than approximately 10 N, assessed according to the method presented in chapter 5.8.2 of the ISO 20344-2004 standard.

An article of footwear may include an upper and a sole structure fixedly attached to a bottom portion of the upper. The sole structure may include a sole component including a baseplate having a bottom surface and at least a first ground engaging member extending substantially downward from the bottom surface of the baseplate, the first ground engaging member having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. In addition, the sole structure may also include a tapered support structure having a substantially pyramidal shape and extending substantially downward from the bottom surface of the baseplate, abutting the first ground engaging member at a side portion, and partially surrounding the first ground engaging member such that a portion of the first ground engaging member is exposed between edges of the tapered support structure. Also, the tapered support structure may extend downward from the baseplate less than the first ground engaging member.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a footwear sole including a midsole and an outsole. The midsole includes of a plurality of protrusions extending downwardly from a bottom surface of the midsole toward the outsole. The outsole may include a plurality of recesses positioned to mate with a corresponding protrusion from the midsole. The outsole may also include one or more protrusion extending downwardly from the bottom of the outsole. The outsole protrusions may correspond with an associated recess of the outsole top surface. The protrusions may be hemispherical in shape at their distal ends so that a portion of the distal end may be received by the corresponding recess of the outsole top surface.

A footwear accessory comprising a reversible footwear cover, the cover adapted to cover an article of footwear's uppers, sole and heel counter; a two sided sole attached to the cover, the sole adapted to provide both a frictional surface between the footwear and the cover and between a walking surface and the footwear; and, a cover retainer for securing the footwear cover to the footwear, the retainer being integral to the cover and adapted to be inserted into the footwear and positioned between a user's foot and the footwear.

An article of footwear with an integral upper and sole and a method of assembling the article of footwear are disclosed. The method includes folding the article of footwear from a flat configuration and attaching top and bottom lateral edges to form the article of footwear. A kit of parts containing an article of footwear with an integral upper and sole and a set of instructions is also disclosed.

An article of footwear includes a first ball control portion, a second ball control portion and a third ball control portion. Each ball control portion includes a group of gripping members configured to facilitate various types of ball control. Each group of gripping members is arranged so that the ball control portions present a series of approximately continuous edges to a ball, which can help maintain a smooth trajectory for a ball.

A composition comprising a refrigerant and a lubricant is disclosed, wherein the refrigerant comprises (i) a fluorocarbon selected from the group consisting of R125, R134a, R32, R152a, R143a, R218 and mixtures thereof, and (ii) a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propane, n-butane, isobutane, n-pentane, isopentane, dimethyl ether, and mixtures thereof; the lubricant comprises (iii) a hydrocarbon-based lubricant component; and (iv) a synthetic lubricant component; and the synthetic lubricant component is less than 30% by weight of the total lubricant. Also disclosed are methods of replacing refrigerants in refrigeration or air conditioning systems containing a refrigerant comprising a CFC or HCFC and a lubricant. The methods involve adding to the system (a) a replacement refrigerant comprising (i) a fluorocarbon selected from the group consisting of R125, R134a, R152a, R32, R143a, R218 and mixtures thereof, and (ii) a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propane, n-butane, isobutane, n-pentane, isopentane, dimethyl ether, and mixtures thereof; and (b) a synthetic lubricant component; wherein after refrigerant replacement the synthetic lubricant component is less than 30% by weight of the total amount of lubricant in the system.

An electrochemical energy storage device includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte disposed between the cathode and the anode. The anode includes a capacitive material as a majority component, and further includes an electrochemically active material as a minority component, such that an operating potential of the anode is configured according to a reaction potential of the electrochemically active material.

A heating apparatus for heating a subcompartment in a compartment of an appliance is disclosed. The heating apparatus includes an electromagnetic member disposed in the compartment, and a metal member thermally coupled to the subcompartment. The metal member is magnetically coupled to the electromagnetic member to generate an eddy current in the metal member in response to a magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic member for heating the subcompartment. A related heating method and a refrigerator incorporating such a heating apparatus are also disclosed.

An air conditioner and control method thereof is provided which may be controlled to adapt operation to changes in power rates. The method may include receiving electric power related information, determining whether a current power rate included in the received information is higher than a preset reference value, determining occupancy of a space to be air conditioned if the current power rate is higher than the preset reference value, and controlling a flow rate of air supplied to the space based on the determined occupancy.

Methods are provided for cooling data centers based on a cooperative system including a plurality of Indirect Air-Side Economizers, also referred to as Recirculation Air Cooling Units, that are advantageously operated in conjunction with one or more Side Stream Filtration Units or filters inclusive to a portion of the IASE/RACUs, and one or more Make-Up Air Dehumidification/Humidification Units for the introduction of ventilation air and control of humidity within the enclosed space. An objective of the systems and methods according to this disclosure is to provide the necessary rejection of heat, removal of particulate from the air, and control of the absolute moisture content of the air within a data center.

An ice maker for a refrigerator appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The ice maker includes a mold body that is rotatable relative to an ejector. The ejector is configured for selective receipt within the mold body to assist with removal of ice from the mold body. The ice maker also includes at least two sensors for monitoring rotational motion of the mold body. Utilizing the at least two sensors, the ice maker can monitor ice removal from the mold body.

Obtained is an air-conditioning apparatus that is capable of saving energy. A pressure in a passage of the second refrigerant flow switching device in which a refrigerant from an outdoor unit flows into is higher than a pressure in a passage of the second refrigerant flow switching device in which the refrigerant flows out to the outdoor unit regardless of switching states of a first refrigerant flow switching device, the second refrigerant flow switching devices, and a third refrigerant flow switching device.

An industrial fluid circulating system having at least one fluid circulation circuit, includes a plurality of pumps connected in parallel to circulate the fluid through each of the fluid circulation circuit, a separate motor driving each pump, a load detector to sense operating loads on the system and each circuit, and a speed control to vary the speed of each motor to thereby vary the pumping capacity of each pump in response to the detected load on the system, each pump of each respective circuit running simultaneously at a substantially similar speed or a predetermined equal reduced speed of the respective circuit or an almost equal reduced speed or a similar reduced speed.

This invention relates to a multi-room air conditioning system with a plurality of indoor expansion valves. A method for sequencing the initialization of each indoor expansion valve upon system startup is disclosed. The method includes the following steps: 1. Initializing expansion valves corresponding to active indoor units,2. Turning on the compressor,3. Adjusting the indoor expansion valves corresponding to active indoor units,4. Initializing and adjusting indoor expansion valves corresponding to inactive indoor units.

A variable capacity screw compressor for use in a refrigeration system is provided. Compressed refrigerant gas from the compressor is expelled into a discharge port in fluid communication with the refrigeration circuit. The volume associated with the discharge port can be periodically varied, allowing the efficiency of the compressor to be varied periodically. The discharge port volume includes a penetration that houses a movable member or plug that permits the volume to be periodically varied. This movable member is accessible from the exterior of the compressor housing to adjust the position of the movable member within the discharge port volume. The movable member may be adjusted to a full open position in which the discharge port volume is maximized, to a full closed position in which the discharge port volume is minimized, and to any position between full open and full closed.

A system and method for controlling automatic defrost of a refrigerator device adaptively moves the defrost cycle to a time period of comparatively low compressor activity based on an evaluation of compressor usage over a cyclically recurring time interval. An adaptive defrost controller (ADC) analyzes stored data to develop a profile for compressor activity vs. time. From this profile, high compressor activity times of the time interval are distinguished from low compressor activity times in the time interval and a defrost cycle is scheduled based on the results of the analyzed data.

A refrigeration system that induces lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow from a flooded or falling film evaporator by means of the lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow adsorbing heat from an electronic component.

A refrigeration system that induces lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow from a flooded or falling film evaporator by means of the lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow adsorbing heat from an electronic component.

A slide assembly for a drawer inside a refrigerator employs both side and central rollers which control both horizontal and vertical movement of the drawer through a first set of rollers employed at front and rear portions at each side of the drawer to control vertical movement within side tracks while the drawer is moved between an extended position and a retracted position. A second set of rollers is mounted along axes which are arranged 90 degrees relative to the first set of rollers and underneath the drawer. This second set of rollers control side-by-side movement of the drawer as it is opened and closed. In one embodiment, the second set of rollers is mounted in a refrigerated compartment and travel within a track or guideway mounted on the bottom of the drawer.

Systems and methods for transferring and optionally storing and/or retrieving thermal energy are disclosed. The systems and methods generally include a heat engine and a heat pump, the heat engine including first isothermal and gradient heat exchange mechanisms, and the heat pump including second isothermal and gradient heat exchange mechanisms. The heat engine and the heat pump exchange heat with each other countercurrent across the first and second gradient heat exchange mechanisms, the first isothermal heat exchange mechanism transfers heat to an external heat sink, and the second isothermal heat exchange mechanism receives heat from an external heat source.

The invention relates to a beverage cooler having an in-line operating cooling unit for instant cooling of beverage flowing through the same, comprising a cooling container (5) having an inlet (10) and an outlet (11), for feeding the beverage to and from the cooling container, respectively, and a cooling tube (14) located inside the cooling container. The cooling container (5) is adapted to be located in an ambient temperature which is above the freezing point for the beverage, wherein the cooling tube (14) is adapted to carry a cooling fluid having a temperature below the freezing point of the beverage and is located such that the beverage can pass between the cooling tube and an outer wall of the cooling container (5). Hence, the beverage will pass by the cooling tube and be cooled from it and freeze to solid phase in the area closest to the cooling tube, whereas the outside of the cooling container, having a temperature above the freezing point of the beverage, will ensure a free passage of non-frozen beverage closest to the outside wall of the cooling container.

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for separating droplets from vaporized refrigerant. The droplet separator according to the invention has a separation vessel, where the droplets gravitationally separate from the vaporized refrigerant. A partition plate has been arranged in the separation vessel, which partition plate divides the separation space into two separation parts. Thereby the refrigerant is arranged—to pass firstly through the first separation space on the first side of the partition plate, —then to transfer to the second side of the partition plate, i.e. to the second separation space—then to pass through the second separation space on the second side of the partition plate.

A vacuum insulated door structure comprises a first wall having a first edge, outer sidewalls that extend from the first edge to a perimetrical lip, a first inner surface and a first outer surface. A second wall has a second inner surface, a second outer surface and a second edge coupled to the perimetrical lip forming a cavity volume. The second wall includes inner sidewalls defining a second wall opening. The inner sidewalls extend to a back wall and define a second wall offset. A tubular member includes a first end coupled to a first conduit opening in the first wall and a second end coupled to a second conduit opening in the second wall offset. A barrier layer is disposed on the first and second walls and the tubular member. A cavity insulation material is disposed within the cavity volume which is hermetically sealed.

A cooling system has a cabinet and a plurality of separate cooling stages including an upstream cooling stage and a downstream cooling stage. At least the upstream cooling state is a variable capacity cooling stage. Each cooling stage has a cooling circuit. Evaporators of the cooling circuits are arranged in the cabinet so that air passes over them in serial fashion. A controller when a Call for Cooling first reaches a point where cooling is needed, operating the upstream cooling circuit to provide cooling and not the downstream cooling circuit. When the Call for Cooling has increased to a second point, the controller additionally operates the downstream cooling circuit to provide cooling. The cooling capacity at which the upstream cooling circuit is being operated is less than its full capacity when the Call for Cooling reaches the second point.

The electronic control has an electric control which incorporates circuitry which will generate heat in use. A cooling channel placed in contact with at least one surface on the electric control. The cooling channel has a portion which receives an enhanced heat transfer surface. At least one electrode pair is mounted on an inlet channel portion upstream of the portion of the channel that receives the enhanced heat transfer surface. A source of current is provided for the electrode. The electrode induces an electric field in the inlet channel, to drive a dielectric fluid across the enhanced heat transfer surfaces.