US 12,458,103 B2
Foamed sole components and method for making a sole with foamed sole components
Kurt Stockbridge, Palos Verdes Estates, CA (US); Chih Hsiang Hsu, Taoyuan (TW); and Anthony Dean, Kennesaw, GA (US)
Assigned to Skechers U.S.A., Inc. II, Manhattan Beach, CA (US)
Filed by Skechers U.S.A., Inc. II, Manhattan Beach, CA (US)
Filed on Nov. 5, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/675,086.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/728,549, filed on Sep. 7, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2020/0281314 A1, Sep. 10, 2020
Int. Cl. A43B 13/18 (2006.01); A43B 13/04 (2006.01); B29C 44/02 (2006.01); B29D 35/00 (2010.01); B29D 35/12 (2010.01); B29D 35/14 (2010.01); C08J 9/12 (2006.01); B29C 43/02 (2006.01); B29K 23/00 (2006.01); B29L 31/50 (2006.01)
CPC A43B 13/187 (2013.01) [A43B 13/04 (2013.01); B29C 44/02 (2013.01); B29D 35/0054 (2013.01); B29D 35/122 (2013.01); B29D 35/142 (2013.01); C08J 9/122 (2013.01); B29C 43/02 (2013.01); B29K 2023/083 (2013.01); B29L 2031/504 (2013.01); C08J 2203/06 (2013.01); C08J 2203/08 (2013.01); C08J 2207/00 (2013.01); C08J 2323/08 (2013.01); C08J 2331/04 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sole for footwear comprising:
a. a foam constructed from a polymer material comprising EVA wherein the polymer material is expanded by supercritical fluid (SCF) to form the foam;
b. the foam comprising a first surface and a second surface wherein the first surface is opposite of the second surface; and
c. the foam having a plurality of holes or cavities introduced into the first surface of the polymer material prior to supercritical fluid expansion, wherein a relative proportion of the plurality of holes or cavities increases with a thickness of the polymer material.