Bladder Systems with Closable Fluid Line and Foot Supports Including Such Bladder Systems

Abstract: bladder systems include a fluid line formed between layers of thermoplastic elastomer. the fluid line may include: (i) a first fluid line region extending in a direction away from a main interior bladder chamber, (ii) a second fluid line region extending from the first fluid line region and in the direction away from the main interior bladder chamber, and (iii) a third fluid line region extending from the second fluid line region. the first and third fluid line regions have a larger transverse cross sectional area than that of the second fluid line region. the fluid line may connect a foot support bladder portion and a fluid reservoir portion in a sole structure/article of footwear. also, the fluid line may be formed within a flap that extends outward from the main interior bladder chamber (e.g., one of the foot support bladder portion or the fluid reservoir portion).

Inventor(s): Devin Bailly, Levi J. Patton, Eric A. Schmalzer

CPC Classification: A43B13/206 (CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR)

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