Patent Publication Number: US-2023146597-A1

Title: Footwear Uppers Including Bladders, Articles of Footwear Including Bladders in the Upper, and Methods of Forming Such Uppers and/or Articles of Footwear

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
     This application is a U.S. Non-Provisional Application based on (a) U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/277,916 filed Nov. 10, 2021 and entitled “Footwear Uppers Including Bladders and Articles of Footwear Including Bladders in the Upper” and (b) U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/277,932 filed Nov. 10, 2021 and entitled “Footwear Uppers Including Bladders and Articles of Footwear Including Bladders in the Upper.” Each of U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/277,916 and U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/277,932 is entirely incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to bladders for footwear uppers, footwear uppers including the bladders, articles of footwear including the bladders, and/or methods of making and using such bladders, uppers, and/or articles of footwear. In some aspects of this technology, the bladders will be engaged with a footwear upper component in an adhesive free manner or with an adhesive based bond. Additionally or alternatively, in some aspects of this technology, the bladders will include texturing, e.g., imprinted by surface contour features of the attached footwear upper component and/or imprinted from a mold surface during molding or during another process. The present technology may be used to create footwear upper components and articles of footwear of the types described in concurrently filed U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/277,903, filed Nov. 10, 2021 and entitled “Bladders, Footwear Uppers Including Bladders, and Articles of Footwear Including Bladders in the Upper” and U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/277,941, filed Nov. 10, 2021 and entitled “Bladders, Footwear Uppers Including Bladders, and Articles of Footwear Including Bladders in the Upper,” each of which is entirely incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional articles of athletic footwear include two primary elements, an upper and a sole structure. The upper may provide a covering for the foot that securely receives and positions the foot with respect to the sole structure. In addition, the upper may have a configuration that protects the foot and provides ventilation, thereby cooling the foot and removing perspiration. The sole structure may be secured to a lower surface of the upper and generally is positioned between the foot and any contact surface. In addition to attenuating ground reaction forces and absorbing energy, the sole structure may provide traction and control potentially harmful foot motion, such as over pronation. 
     The upper forms a void on the interior of the footwear for receiving the foot. The void has the general shape of the foot, and access to the void is provided at an ankle opening. Accordingly, the upper extends over the instep and toe areas of the foot, along the medial and lateral sides of the foot, and around the heel area of the foot. A lacing system often is incorporated into the upper to allow users to selectively change the size of the ankle opening and to permit the user to modify certain dimensions of the upper, particularly girth, to accommodate feet with varying proportions. In addition, the upper may include a tongue that extends under the lacing system to enhance the comfort of the footwear (e.g., to moderate pressure applied to the foot by the laces). The upper also may include a heel counter to limit or control movement of the heel. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce some general concepts relating to this technology in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the invention. 
     Aspects of this technology relate to bladders for footwear uppers, footwear uppers including the bladders, articles of footwear including the bladders, and/or methods of making and using such bladders, uppers, and/or articles of footwear, e.g., of the types described and/or claimed below and/or of the types illustrated in the appended drawings. The bladders may be engaged with a fabric component of the upper in any desired manner. In some aspects of this technology, the bladders will be engaged with a fabric component of the upper in an adhesive free manner (e.g., by melt bonding, by welding techniques (e.g., RF welding, ultrasonic welding, etc.), etc.) or with an adhesive based bond. Additionally or alternatively, in some aspects of this technology, the bladder (e.g., its perimeter seam surface and/or its bladder chamber surface) will include texturing formed thereon, e.g., imprinted by the surface of the fabric material with which it is engaged, imprinted from a mold surface, applied in a different manner, etc. Such bladders, uppers, and/or articles of footwear may include any one or more structures, parts, features, properties, and/or combination(s) of structures, parts, features, and/or properties of the examples described and/or claimed below and/or of the examples illustrated in the appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing Summary, as well as the following Detailed Description, will be better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements in all of the various views in which that reference number appears. 
         FIG.  1    provides a view of a portion of a footwear upper component having an engaged bladder in accordance with some examples of this technology; 
         FIGS.  2 A- 2 J  provide cross sectional views, e.g., along line  2 - 2  in  FIG.  1   , showing various alternative structures in accordance with some aspects of this technology; 
         FIGS.  3 A- 5 C  show various example footwear upper constructions and methods of controlling bladder expansion in accordance with some aspects of this technology; 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 E  show various examples of pressing techniques that may be used to form footwear upper components in accordance with at least some aspects of this technology; 
         FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  illustrate structures and methods for forming interconnected bladder chambers in accordance with some aspects of this technology; 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a footwear upper blank that may be included in footwear components and structures in accordance with at least some examples of this technology; 
         FIGS.  9 A- 9 E  illustrate footwear uppers, footwear components, articles of footwear, and footwear manufacturing methods in accordance with at least some examples of this technology; 
         FIGS.  10 - 12 B  illustrate additional features of bladders and/or footwear upper components in accordance with at least some examples of this technology; 
         FIGS.  13 A- 13 D  illustrate texturing features for bladders and/or footwear upper components in accordance with at least some examples of this technology; 
         FIGS.  14 A- 14 K  illustrate additional examples and features of bladders, footwear upper components, and methods of making them that include texturing in accordance with some examples of this technology. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description of various examples of bladders, footwear uppers, and/or articles of footwear according to the present technology, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures and environments in which aspects of this technology may be practiced. It is to be understood that other structures and environments may be utilized and that structural and functional modifications may be made to the specifically described structures, functions, and methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     I. General Description of Aspects of this Technology 
     As noted above, aspects of this technology relate to bladders, footwear uppers including such bladders, and articles of footwear including such bladders, e.g., of the types described and/or claimed below and/or of the types illustrated in the appended drawings. Such bladders, footwear uppers, and articles of footwear may include any one or more structures, parts, features, properties, and/or combination(s) of structures, parts, features, and/or properties of the examples described and/or claimed below and/or of the examples illustrated in the appended drawings. 
     This application and/or claims use the adjectives, e.g., “first,” “second,” “third,” and the like, to identify certain components and/or features relating to this technology. These adjectives are used merely for convenience, e.g., to assist in maintaining a distinction between components and/or features of a specific structure. Use of these adjectives should not be construed as requiring a specific order or arrangement of the components and/or features being discussed. Also, use of these specific adjectives in the specification for a specific structure does not require that the same adjective be used in the claims to refer to the same part (e.g., a component or feature referred to as the “third” in the specification may correspond to any numerical adjective used for that component or feature in the claims). 
     This application describes footwear components (e.g., upper components (including fabric components), bladder components, sole structures, etc.) that are “bonded” together. The term “bonded” (and derivatives thereof) means that the components are joined securely to one another. The term “bonded” encompasses bonds formed using adhesives or cements (including hot melt adhesives) as well as bonds formed in an “adhesive free” manner, i.e., without use of a separate adhesive component. “Adhesive free” bonds include bonds formed by fusing or melting components together (e.g., if the components include compositions that are compatible to mix and join together to form a bond, such as two components including a thermoplastic polyurethane component); bonds formed by welding techniques (e.g., RF welding, ultrasonic welding, high-frequency welding, laser welding, impulse welding, etc.); bonds formed by heat sealing; etc. Some adhesive free bonds may form a seamless joint between the two previously separate components (e.g., the materials mix and join together and then re-harden with no discernible junction). The term “melt bond” and variations thereof, as used herein, mean bonds formed where localized melting of each component occurs (e.g., melting of the thermoplastic polymer present in each component), the melted components combine together, and then the combined components harden to thereby “fuse” and “bond” the two components together. Such melt bonded joints are adhesive free and may be seamless. The term “engaged with” is used herein as a generic term and includes both adhesive based bonds and adhesive free bonds within its scope as well as other potential types of engagement that fix two (or more) components together in a “non-bonded” manner (including through the use of mechanical connectors or fasteners, through the use of sewing or stitching, etc.). 
     The term “bladder precursor” as used herein means at least some portion of a final bladder structure (e.g., a portion of bladder  200 ), such as one of a first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and/or a second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B discussed in more detail below. A “bladder precursor” also may be considered all bladder components in an unsealed condition (e.g., before seam  200 S is formed) or a completely sealed bladder before it is inflated and/or fully inflated. 
     Some aspects or examples of this technology relate to footwear uppers that include: (a) a first fabric element (e.g., a first knit fabric element) that includes a first thermoplastic polyurethane component; and (b) a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid. This bladder component includes an outer perimeter seam that extends at least partially around the sealed interior chamber. At least a portion of the outer perimeter seam is engaged (e.g., bonded, melt bonded, etc.) to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first fabric element. The bladder component may include a first thermoplastic sheet and a second thermoplastic sheet facing the first thermoplastic sheet, wherein the outer perimeter seam fixes the first thermoplastic sheet to the second thermoplastic sheet. In such structures, a first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, a first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet, and the outer perimeter seam define the sealed interior chamber. Additionally, in some examples of this technology, the first thermoplastic sheet will include a first major exterior surface opposite its first major interior surface, and at least a portion of this first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet will be engaged (e.g., bonded, melt bonded, etc.) to the first fabric element (e.g., the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first fabric element). In some aspects of this technology, the first fabric element and the bladder component (the outer perimeter seam and/or the first major exterior surface) will be joined together, optionally in an adhesive free manner (e.g., by melt bonding). 
     Additionally or alternatively, some aspects of this technology relate to footwear upper components that include: (a) a first fabric element (e.g., a first knit fabric element) that includes a first surface having texturing; and (b) a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid. In this aspect of this technology, the bladder component will include: (a) a first major surface engaged with (e.g., bonded to) the first surface of the first fabric element, wherein the first major surface defines at least part of a first perimeter seam surface and at least part of a first surface of the sealed interior chamber, (b) a second major surface opposite the first major surface, wherein the second major surface defines at least part of a second perimeter seam surface opposite the first perimeter seam surface and at least part of a second surface of the sealed interior chamber opposite the first surface of the sealed interior chamber, and (c) a fluid chamber located between the first major surface and the second major surface. At least a portion of the first major surface (e.g., at least part of the first perimeter seam surface and/or at least part of the first surface of the sealed interior chamber) will include texturing having surface contour features corresponding to (e.g., imprinted by) the texturing present on the first surface of the first fabric element. 
     Additional aspects of this technology relate to methods of forming footwear upper components that include: (a) placing a bladder or a bladder precursor on a first fabric element (e.g., a first knit fabric element), wherein the first fabric element includes a first thermoplastic polyurethane component (the bladder or the bladder precursor includes at least a first thermoplastic polymer layer and optionally a second thermoplastic polymer layer overlapping the first thermoplastic polymer layer); and (b) applying heat and pressure to form a seam to engage (e.g., bond) the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the second thermoplastic polymer layer (if a second thermoplastic polymer layer is present) and/or to engage (e.g., bond) at least a portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first fabric element. Alternatively, the second thermoplastic polymer layer may be bonded to the first thermoplastic polymer layer after the first fabric element and the first thermoplastic polymer layer are bonded together. The seam, the first thermoplastic polymer layer, and the second thermoplastic polymer layer define a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid (e.g., a gas). Once the bladder is fully formed, the sealed interior chamber may be filled with fluid (e.g., inflated with a gas). In at least some examples of this technology, the first fabric element and the bladder or bladder precursor (the seam and/or at least some portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer) will be joined together in an adhesive free manner (e.g., by melt bonding the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first fabric element with the first thermoplastic polymer layer of the bladder or bladder precursor). 
     Still additional aspects of this technology relate to methods of forming footwear upper components that include: (a) placing a bladder or a bladder precursor on a first fabric element, wherein the first fabric element includes a first surface having texturing, and wherein the bladder or the bladder precursor includes at least a first thermoplastic polymer layer, and optionally a second thermoplastic polymer layer overlapping the first thermoplastic polymer layer; and (b) forming texturing on at least a portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer by applying heat and pressure to form at least one of: (i) a seam that engages (e.g., bonds) the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the second thermoplastic polymer layer (if present) and/or (ii) an engagement of (e.g., a bond between) at least the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the first fabric element. The second thermoplastic polymer layer may be bonded to the first thermoplastic polymer layer after the first fabric element and the first thermoplastic polymer layer are bonded. The bladder (or the bladder precursor) defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid such as a gas (in a volume inside the seam and between the first and second thermoplastic polymer layers). The texturing formed on at least the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer corresponds in surface contour features to (and is imprinted by) the texturing included on the first surface of the first fabric element. 
     Still additional aspects of this technology relate to footwear upper components that include: (a) a first fabric element; and (b) a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid (e.g., as gas). This example bladder component includes: (i) a first major surface engaged with the first fabric element, wherein the first major surface defines at least part of a first perimeter seam surface and at least part of a first surface of the sealed interior chamber, (ii) a second major surface opposite the first major surface, wherein the second major surface defines at least part of a second perimeter seam surface opposite the first perimeter seam surface and at least part of a second surface of the sealed interior chamber opposite the first surface of the sealed interior chamber, and (iii) and a fluid chamber located between the first major surface and the second major surface, and wherein at least a portion of the second major surface includes molded-in texturing (e.g., a plurality of raised ridges, a plurality of raised grid elements, a plurality of recessed grid elements, a herringbone pattern, a plurality of rounded elements (e.g., with raised rounded elements, recessed rounded elements, a combination of both, circular elements, oval elements, elliptical elements, teardrop shaped elements, etc.), etc.). Texturing may be different in different areas of the bladder (e.g., the molded-in texturing may include a first portion having a first pattern, a second portion having a second pattern different from the first pattern, etc.). The term “molded-in” texturing means texturing applied using a mold component irrespective of the particular process used (e.g., molding a bladder alone, molding a bladder while attaching to a fabric, formed in a vacuum forming process, forming in a thermoforming process, etc.). The term “molded-in” texturing, unless otherwise noted, includes texturing applied during an embossing or calendering process or a rolling process using a textured roller. 
     Further aspects of this technology relate to articles of footwear including the bladders and/or footwear uppers of the various types described above and described in more detail below. Still additional aspects of this technology relate to methods of making the bladders, footwear upper components, footwear uppers, and/or articles of footwear described above and described in more detail below. 
     Given the general description of features, examples, aspects, structures, and methods according to examples of the technology provided above, a more detailed description of specific example bladders, footwear upper components, footwear uppers, articles of footwear, and methods in accordance with this technology follows. 
     II. Detailed Description of Example Bladders, Footwear Uppers, Articles of Footwear, and Other Components/Features According to this Technology 
     As described above, aspects of the present technology relate to footwear upper components that include a bladder engaged with a fabric component that will form a portion of the footwear upper (e.g., a tongue portion, an instep portion, a heel and/or ankle support portion, etc.).  FIG.  1    illustrates a portion of an example footwear upper component  100  that includes a fabric component  110  engaged with (e.g., bonded to) a bladder component  200 . The bladder component  200  of this example includes an outer perimeter seam  200 S that extends continuously around (as a closed loop) and defines an entire outer perimeter of a sealed interior chamber  2001  for containing a gas or other fluid. The sealed interior chamber  2001  may comprise a single chamber that is in open fluid communication throughout its interior (e.g., a single sealed interior chamber  2001 ). While other shapes and arrangements are possible, in this illustrated example, the bladder component  200  includes an instep and/or tongue based region  200 T, a heel and/or ankle support region  200 H and a fluid line  206  connecting the instep and/or tongue based region  200 T with the heel and/or ankle support region  200 H (and placing these regions in fluid communication with one another). The bladder  200  of this example may be flat pressed onto and engaged with the fabric component  110  using heat and pressure in an inflated or uninflated condition. The structure of the bladder  200  and its incorporation into a footwear upper component  100 , an overall footwear upper, and/or a footwear structure will be described in more detail below. 
       FIGS.  2 A- 2 J  are cross sectional views, e.g., taken along line  2 - 2  in  FIG.  1   . These cross sectional views show several example variations in footwear upper components  100 , fabric components  110 , bladder components  200 , and their engagements in accordance with examples of this technology. As shown in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 J , the bladder component  200  is formed from a first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A (e.g., a thermoplastic polyurethane or TPU) engaged with a second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B (e.g., a thermoplastic polyurethane or TPU), e.g., at a bonded outer perimeter seam  200 S. The sealed interior chamber  2001  is provided in the area bounded by the outer perimeter seam  200 S and by the first and second sheets or layers of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A,  200 B. The outer perimeter seam  200 S may be used for engaging the bladder component  200  with a fabric component of the footwear upper base  102 , e.g., by stitching through the outer perimeter seam  200 S into the fabric component  110 ; by an adhesive connection; by a melt bond, welded, or other adhesive-free bonded connection; etc. 
     The example footwear upper component  100  of  FIG.  2 A  includes a complete adhesive free bond between: (a) the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B (bonding bladder  200  interior surfaces  200 AI and  200 BI) and (b) the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the fabric component  110  (bonding bladder exterior surface  200 AX with fabric surface  110 I). Small gaps between components are provided in the depictions shown in  FIG.  2 A  (as well as in  FIGS.  2 B- 2 J ) so that the different components of the structure can be more readily discerned. In this illustrated example, fabric component  110  may comprise a TPU material, such as a fabric material (including a knit fabric material) in which one or more yarns is/are formed by and/or coated with a TPU material. This type of adhesive free bonding may be accomplished, for example, by melt bonding components  110  and  200 A to one another and melt bonding components  200 A and  200 B to one another; by welding components  110  and  200 A to one another and welding components  200 A and  200 B to one another; etc. In at least some of these adhesive free bonds, heat and pressure may be applied to the desired seam area  200 S and/or any desired areas where the fabric component  110  is to be connected to the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A (e.g., along at least a portion of the seam  200 S area, along at least a portion of the surface of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A forming the sealed interior chamber  2001 , etc., and/or where the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A is to be connected to the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B (e.g., at the seam  200 S, at internal welds, etc.), etc.). Each of components  110 ,  200 A, and  200 B may include a TPU material that will melt and/or soften at the location(s) where adequate heat and pressure are applied. This localized melting and/or softening will allow the melted and/or softened materials of the components  110 ,  200 A, and  200 B to mix and combine together. Then, after the heat and/or pressure are removed or adequately relaxed, the materials of components  110 ,  200 A,  200 B will harden to form bonded components  110 / 200 A and/or bonded components  200 A/ 200 B. If sufficient melting and/or softening took place during the bonding step, the resultant joints between components  110 / 200 A and/or components  200 A/ 200 B may appear seamless. 
     The adhesive free bonds in the structure of  FIG.  2 A  between: (a) the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B and (b) the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the fabric component  110  may be formed in a single step or they may be formed in separate steps (in either order). Further, the sealed interior chamber  2001  may be inflated with gas or filled with other fluid before the bladder  200  is bonded to the fabric component  110  or after the bladder  200  is bonded to the fabric component  110 . In some examples of this technology, at least 50% (and in some examples, at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even 100%) of the surface area of an exterior surface  200 AX of the outer perimeter seam  200 S (formed from first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A) will be bonded to the fabric component  110 . Additionally or alternatively, in some examples of this technology, at least 25%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even 100% of the overall surface area of exterior surface  200 AX of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A will be bonded to fabric component  110 . 
     The example footwear upper component  100  of  FIG.  2 B  is similar to that shown in  FIG.  2 A  except the interior surfaces  200 AI,  200 BI of both the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B have a hot melt adhesive  210 A and  210 B, respectively, applied to or otherwise included with it. Thus, in this overall structure: (i) the bond between the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A (its exterior surface  200 AX) and the fabric component  110  (its surface  110 I) constitutes an adhesive free bond of the types described above and (ii) the bond between the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A (its interior surface  200 AI) and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B (its interior surface  200 BI) constitutes an adhesive bond from the hot melt material  210 A,  210 B. The interior chamber  2001  may be formed (e.g., left unbonded) by using a pressing device that has a hole through it and/or otherwise does not apply sufficient heat and/or pressure to the thermoplastic polymer materials  200 A,  200 B located at the interior chamber  2001  area. Again, in this illustrated example, fabric component  110  may comprise a TPU material, such as a fabric material (including a knit fabric material) in which one or more yarns is/are formed by and/or coated with a TPU material that is compatible to bond with a TPU material included in the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A. 
     The bonds in the structure of  FIG.  2 B  between: (a) the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B and (b) the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the fabric component  110  may be formed in a single step or they may be formed in separate steps (in either order). Further, the sealed interior chamber  2001  may be inflated with gas or filled with other fluid before the bladder  200  is bonded to the fabric component  110  or after the bladder  200  is bonded to the fabric component  110 . The surface area of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A forming the bond with fabric component  110  may be within any of the ranges described above for  FIG.  2 A . 
     The example footwear upper component  100  structures of  FIGS.  2 C and  2 D  are similar to that shown in  FIG.  2 B  except the interior surfaces  200 AI,  200 BI of only one of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A ( FIG.  2 C ) or the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B ( FIG.  2 D ) has a hot melt adhesive  210 A and  210 B, respectively, applied to or otherwise included with it. Thus, in these overall structures, the bond between the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the fabric component  110  (joining surfaces  200 AX and  110 I) constitutes an adhesive free bond of the types described above and the bond between the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B (joining surfaces  200 AI and  200 BI) constitutes an adhesive bond from the hot melt material  210 A or  210 B. The interior chamber  2001  may be formed (e.g., left unbonded) by using a pressing device that has a hole through it and/or otherwise does not apply sufficient heat and/or pressure to the thermoplastic polymer materials  200 A,  200 B located at the interior chamber  2001  area. Again, in these illustrated examples, fabric component  110  may comprise a TPU material, such as a fabric material (including a knit fabric material) in which one or more yarns is/are formed by and/or coated with a TPU material that is compatible to bond with a TPU material included in the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A. 
     The bonds in the structures of  FIGS.  2 C and  2 D  between: (a) the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B and (b) the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the fabric component  110  may be formed in a single step or they may be formed in separate steps (in either order). Further, the sealed interior chamber  2001  may be inflated with gas or filled with other fluid before the bladder  200  is bonded to the fabric component  110  or after the bladder  200  is bonded to the fabric component  110 . The surface area of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A forming the bond with fabric component  110  may be within any of the ranges described above for  FIG.  2 A . 
       FIGS.  2 E and  2 F  show different arrangements of footwear upper components  100  in which a fabric component  110  is located between a first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and a second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B forming a bladder  200  having an interior chamber  2001 . In the example of  FIG.  2 E , both the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B have a hot melt adhesive  210 A,  210 B, respectively, applied to it and engaging the fabric component  110  as an adhesive bond. In the example of  FIG.  2 F , on the other hand, neither of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A nor the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B has a hot melt adhesive applied to it. Thus, fabric component  110  engages the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B in an adhesive free manner in the example of  FIG.  2 F . The interior chamber  2001  may be formed (e.g., left unbonded) by using a pressing device that has a hole through it and/or otherwise does not apply sufficient heat and/or pressure to the thermoplastic polymer materials  200 A,  200 B located at the interior chamber  2001  area. In at least the example of  FIG.  2 F , fabric component  110  may comprise a TPU material, such as a fabric material (including a knit fabric material) in which one or more yarns is/are formed by and/or coated with a TPU material that is compatible to bond with a TPU material included in the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B. In the examples of  FIGS.  2 E and  2 F  (as well as  FIGS.  2 A- 2 D ), the fabric component  110  may extend to locations beyond the seam  200 S. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples of this technology, the fabric component  110  need not completely span the interior chamber  2001  (e.g., the fabric component  110  may present just at the seam  200 S area). 
     As an alternative, the hot melt material  210 A may be omitted from the example of  FIG.  2 E , e.g., provided the material of fabric component  110  can bond with the material of the first thermoplastic polymer material  200 A in an adhesive free manner. As a further alternative, the hot melt material  210 B may be omitted, e.g., provided the material of fabric component  110  can bond with the material of the second thermoplastic polymer material  200 B in an adhesive free manner. As yet further alternatives, if desired, one or both surfaces of the fabric component  110  may have a hot melt adhesive applied to it, in which case, hot melt material  210 A and/or  210 B can be omitted from the facing sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and/or  200 B. 
     The bonds in the structures of  FIGS.  2 E and  2 F  between: (a) the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the fabric component  110  and (b) the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B and the fabric component  110  may be formed in a single step or they may be formed in separate steps (in either order). 
     Bladder  200  structures may include various features to control the shape of the bladder  200  once it is inflated or filled and/or to control bladder expansion features when fluid pressure and/or volume changes. For example, internal welds (e.g., spot welds, straight and/or curved weld lines, etc.) joining the interior surface  200 AI of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A with the interior surface  200 BI of the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B may be used control the inflated or filled bladder shape  200 . Additionally or alternatively, interior components may be included within the interior chamber  2001  and engaged with the interior surfaces  200 AI,  200 BI of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B. The interior component(s) may limit the distance that the interior surfaces  200 AI,  200 BI of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B can separate from one another when the bladder  200  is inflated or filled. Such interior component structures, shape control methods, and shape control structures may be used with bladder components  200  in accordance with at least some examples of this technology. 
     Other shape control and/or bladder expansion control structures and methods also may be used with this technology.  FIG.  2 G  illustrates an example footwear upper component  100  including a bladder structure  200  of the type shown in  FIG.  2 B . Specifically, the example of  FIG.  2 G  shows a footwear upper component  100  in which: (a) the interior surface  200 AI,  200 BI of each of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B includes a hot melt adhesive  210 A,  210 B and (b) the fabric component  110  (e.g., a TPU material, such as a TPU knit material) is applied to the exterior surface  200 AX of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic material  200 A in an adhesive free manner. Alternatively, however, any of the footwear upper component  100  structures of  FIGS.  2 A- 2 D  could be used. In the example footwear upper component  100  of  FIG.  2 G , at least a portion of the fabric component  110  is formed from a soluble material (e.g., water soluble, organic soluble, etc.).  FIG.  2 G  shows broken lines in a region  112  where a solvent is applied to the fabric component  110  to dissolve at least a portion of the fabric component  110  in this example. This dissolution opens a hole and/or weakens the fabric component  110  in region  112 , thereby allowing a bulged region  212  of the bladder  200  to be formed when the bladder  200  is inflated and/or when pressure and/or volume is increased in that area of the bladder  200 . Thus, in this example, the fabric component  110  partially covers the exterior surface  200 AX of the sealed interior chamber  2001  or is weakened in region  112 . This type of selective dissolution and/or weakening of fabric component  110  can control the shape of the inflated bladder  200  and/or provide a controlled direction of expansion of the bladder  200  under a fluid pressure applied in the interior chamber  2001  at this area. In a final footwear product, if desired, the bulged region  212  may face inward with respect to the footwear upper to contact and/or apply force to the wearer&#39;s foot. The bulging and/or contacting actions may increase support for the area of the foot and/or improve comfort or fit of the footwear (e.g., by eliminating excess space within the upper). Alternatively, the bulged region  212  could face outward and away from a wearer&#39;s foot. 
       FIG.  2 H  illustrates an example of controlling the shape and/or direction of expansion of a bladder  200  using the properties of the fabric component  110 . In the example of  FIG.  2 H , the footwear upper component  100  includes a hot melt adhesive  210 A,  210 B on the interior surfaces  200 AI,  200 BI of each of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B. The fabric component  110  (e.g., a TPU material, such as a TPU knit material) is applied to the exterior surface  200 AX of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic material  200 A in an adhesive free manner in this illustrated example. Alternatively, however, any of the footwear upper component  100  structures of  FIGS.  2 A- 2 D  could be used. In the example footwear upper component  100  of  FIG.  2 H : (i) one or more portions  114 A,  114 B of the fabric component  110  are formed from a looser structure (e.g., by forming portions  114 A,  114 B using a looser knit or weave structure, by forming portions  114 A,  114 B from a more stretchable or more elastic material, and/or by forming portions  114 A,  114 B from a more stretchable knit or weave pattern, etc.) and/or (ii) one or more portions  114 C,  114 D,  114 E of the fabric component  110  are formed from a tighter structure (e.g., by forming portions  114 C,  114 D,  114 E using a tighter knit or weave structure, by forming portions  114 C,  114 D,  114 E from a less stretchable or less elastic material, and/or by forming portions  114 C,  114 D,  114 E from a less stretchable knit or weave pattern, etc.). Selectively locating relatively dense or relatively unstretchable portions (e.g., fabric portions  114 C,  114 D,  114 E) and relatively loose or relatively stretchable portions (e.g., fabric portions  114 A,  114 B) of the fabric component  110  at desired locations allows one or more bulged regions (e.g., bulged regions  214 A,  214 B) of the bladder  200  to be formed when the bladder  200  is inflated. This type of selective placement of regions (e.g., fabric portions  114 A- 114 E) of fabric component  110  can control the shape of the inflated bladder  200  and/or provide a controlled direction of expansion of the bladder  200  under a fluid pressure applied in the interior chamber  2001  at this area. In a final footwear product, if desired, the bulged region(s)  214 A,  214 B may face inward with respect to the footwear upper to contact and/or apply force to the wearer&#39;s foot. The bulging and/or contacting actions may increase support for the area of the foot and/or improve comfort or fit of the footwear (e.g., by eliminating excess space within the upper). Alternatively, the bulged region(s)  214 A,  214 B could face outward and away from a wearer&#39;s foot. 
     In the examples of  FIGS.  2 A- 2 H  described above, the fabric component  110  was formed of and/or included a material (e.g., a TPU material) that was compatible with the material(s) of at least one of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and/or the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B. This enables the fabric component  110  to bond with the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and/or the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B in an adhesive free manner. In some examples of this technology, however, a fabric component  120  may be used that is not formed of and/or formed to include a material (e.g., a TPU material) compatible with the material(s) of at least one of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and/or the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B to form an adhesive free bond (at least under the heat and pressure conditions to be used). Rather, such a fabric component  120  may be engaged with at least one of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and/or the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B by an adhesive bond.  FIG.  2 I  illustrates an example footwear upper component  100  similar to the structure described above in conjunction with  FIG.  2 D  but where fabric component  120  is engaged with the exterior surface  200 AX of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A via an adhesive layer  220  (e.g., a hot melt adhesive layer). Heat and pressure may be applied to engage (adhesively bond) fabric component  120  to the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A. The application of heat and pressure to bond fabric component  120  to the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A may take place simultaneous with or separate from steps used to bond the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A with the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B. When performed separately, the various components may be bonded with one another in any desired order. Additionally, the application of heat and pressure to bond fabric component  120  to the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A may take place before or after the interior bladder chamber  2001  is inflated. 
     In a similar manner, the material of fabric component  120  may be used in place of fabric component  110  in any of the various footwear upper component  100  structures shown in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 G , e.g., provided a suitable adhesive (e.g., hot melt adhesive) is used to bond fabric component  120  with one or both of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and/or the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B. The second hot melt layer  210 B shown in  FIG.  2 I  may not be needed in all examples of this structure  100 , e.g., if the interior surfaces  200 AI,  200 BI of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B are capable of forming an adhesive free bond under the conditions used to form footwear upper component  100 . 
       FIG.  2 J  illustrates a footwear upper component  100  similar to the structure described above in conjunction with  FIG.  2 I , but in this illustrated structure, the opposite side of the bladder  200 /bladder interior chamber  2001  also has a fabric component  110  and/or  120  engaged with its exterior surface (the exterior surface  200 BX of second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B in this illustrated example). While  FIG.  2 J  shows this additional fabric component as a fabric component  110  capable of forming an adhesive free bond with the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B, an adhesive based bond and/or a fabric component like fabric component  120  also may be used in the structure of  FIG.  2 J  in place of fabric component  110 . Either or both fabric components  110 ,  120  of  FIG.  2 J  may include an opening defined through it (e.g., of the types described above in region  112  of  FIG.  2 G ), and at least a portion of an exterior surface  200 AX,  200 BX of the sealed interior chamber  2001  may be exposed through that opening. Additionally or alternatively, the second hot melt layer  210 B shown in  FIG.  2 J  may not be needed in all examples of this structure  100 , e.g., if the interior surfaces  200 AI,  200 BI of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B are capable of forming an adhesive free bond under the conditions used to form the bladder  200  and/or the footwear upper component  100 . 
     Heat and pressure may be applied to: (a) engage (adhesively bond) fabric component  120  to the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and (b) engage (adhesively bond or adhesive free bond) fabric component  110  to the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B. The application of heat and pressure to bond these components may take place simultaneously or separately. Further, the application of heat and pressure to bond these components may take place simultaneously or separately from the steps used to form the bladder  200  (e.g., the steps to form seam  200 S between the interior surfaces  200 AI,  200 BI of layers  200 A,  200 B). Additionally, the application of heat and pressure to bond the fabric components  110 ,  120  to the sheets or layers of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A,  200 B may take place before or after the interior bladder chamber  2001  is inflated. 
     As shown in the examples of  FIGS.  2 A- 2 J , the outer perimeter seam  200 S includes: (a) a first seam portion engaging a first side of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A with a first side of the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B (e.g., the left sides of  FIGS.  2 A- 2 J ) and (b) a second seam portion engaging a second side of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A with a second side of the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B (e.g., the right sides of  FIGS.  2 A- 2 J ), wherein the first seam portion is located on an opposite side of the sealed interior chamber  2001  from the second seam portion. In some examples of this technology, the portion of the first major exterior surface  200 AX of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A that is bonded to the fabric component  110  or  120  (e.g., a knit fabric element including a thermoplastic polyurethane component) may extend continuously from the first seam portion to the second seam portion. In such structures, at least some portion of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A that forms the sealed interior chamber  2001  of the bladder  200  will be bonded to the fabric component  110  or  120  (e.g., an adhesive bond, an adhesive free bond, etc.). As some more specific examples, at least 25%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even 100% of the surface area of the exterior major surface  200 AX of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A that forms the sealed interior chamber  2001  of the bladder  200  will be bonded to the fabric component  110  or  120  (e.g., an adhesive bond, an adhesive free bond, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, when the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B is bonded to a fabric component  110 ,  120  (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  2 J ), its exterior major surface  200 BX may be bonded to the fabric component  110 ,  120  over any of the same surface area ranges described above for exterior major surface  200 AX. 
     As mentioned above (e.g., in conjunction with  FIGS.  2 G and  2 H ), features of the fabric components (e.g., fabric components  110  and/or  120 ) may be structured and/or controlled to enable control of the shape and/or expansion direction of bladder  200  under fluid pressure applied in the interior chamber  2001 .  FIGS.  3 A- 3 B  illustrate an additional example of “one way” bladder  200  expansion.  FIG.  3 A  illustrates a footwear upper  300  including a footwear upper blank  302  (e.g., made from one or more fabric components) having a footwear upper component  100  with an attached bladder  200  of the types described above ( FIGS.  1 - 2 J ) engaged with it. If desired, a component of footwear upper blank  302  may comprise one of fabric components  110 ,  120  shown in  FIG.  2 J . 
       FIG.  3 B  provides a cross sectional view of one example footwear upper component  100  as a separate component from footwear upper blank  302 . While  FIG.  3 B  shows fabric component  110  as a TPU material engagable with the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A by an adhesive free bond, an adhesive based bond may be used in at least some examples of this technology. In this illustrated example, the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A is mounted to the footwear upper blank  302  such that the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A forms an exterior layer of the overall footwear upper component  100  and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B forms an interior layer facing the wearer&#39;s foot. At least the portion of fabric component  110  extending across the exterior surface  200 AX of the bladder interior chamber  2001  may be formed to have high tenacity (e.g., high strength, high abrasion resistance, etc.) and/or high resistance to stretch. In this manner, as shown in  FIG.  3 B , fluid pressure inside interior chamber  2001  will tend to cause the bladder  200  to displace inwardly (downwardly in  FIG.  3 B ; see arrow  310 ), away from the fabric component  110  and toward a wearer&#39;s foot (particularly if fabric component  110  has higher tenacity and/or higher resistance to stretch than any fabric material engaged with the bladder  200  at the bottom side shown in  FIG.  3 B  (if any). 
     When the example footwear upper  300  of  FIG.  3 A  is incorporated into an article of footwear (e.g., see  FIG.  9 E ), the interior chamber  2001  may be in open fluid communication at all areas inside perimeter seam  200 S. In use, force applied to the instep oriented bladder chamber(s)  200 T, e.g., via a footwear securing strap, by bending of the wearer&#39;s foot (when taking a step, initiating or landing a jump, etc.), etc., may cause fluid to move to the heel and/or ankle support chamber(s)  200 H via fluid line  206 . If the fabric component  110  applied over the heel and/or ankle support chamber(s)  200 H has high tenacity and/or stretch resistance, this movement of fluid from instep chamber  200 T to heel and/or ankle support chamber(s)  200 H will cause the bladder interior surface (formed by the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymeric material  200 B in this example) to deflect downward and inward into the overall footwear upper  300  and toward a wearer&#39;s foot (see arrow  310 ). This deflection of the bladder  200 ′s second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymeric material  200 B provides additional fluid to support the wearer&#39;s heel and/or ankle. 
     In some examples of this technology, features of the footwear upper component  100  may be controlled to allow for “two way” expansion.  FIGS.  4 A- 4 B  illustrate an example of “two way” bladder  200  expansion.  FIG.  4 A  illustrates a footwear upper  400  including a footwear upper blank  302  (e.g., made from one or more fabric components) having a footwear upper component  100  with an attached bladder  200  of the types described above ( FIGS.  1 - 2 J ) engaged with it. If desired, a component of footwear upper blank  302  may comprise one of fabric components  110 ,  120  shown in  FIG.  2 J . 
       FIG.  4 B  provides a cross sectional view of one example footwear upper component  100  as a separate component from footwear upper blank  302 . While  FIG.  4 B  shows fabric components  110 A,  110 B as TPU materials engagable with the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic material  200 B, respectively, by adhesive free bonds, either or both of these fabric engagements shown in  FIG.  4 B  may be adhesive based bonds. In this illustrated example, fabric component  110 A is mounted to the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A (e.g., only at the seam  200 S area) such that both of fabric component  110 A and the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A form the exterior layer of the footwear upper component  100 . The exterior surface  200 AX of the bladder  200  (formed by first sheet or layer of thermoplastic material  200 A) is exposed at areas inside the outer perimeter seam  200 S in this illustrated example. Also, in this illustrated example, fabric component  110 B is mounted to the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B (e.g., only at the seam  200 S area) such that both of fabric component  110 B and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B form the interior layer of the footwear upper component  100 . The exterior surface  200 BX of the bladder  200  (formed by second sheet or layer of thermoplastic material  200 B) is not covered by fabric component  110 B at areas inside the outer perimeter seam  200 S in this illustrated example. Fabric components  110 A,  110 B extend outward beyond outer perimeter seam  200 S in this illustrated example (although one or both of the fabric components  110 A,  110 B need not do so in some examples of this technology). 
     Thus, in this illustrated example, at least some portions of the bladder  200 &#39;s first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and second sheet or layer of thermoplastic material  200 B will be exposed in the footwear upper  300  in areas defining the sealed interior chamber  2001 . In this manner, as shown in  FIG.  4 B , fluid pressure inside interior chamber  2001  will tend to cause the bladder  200  to displace outwardly (upwardly and downwardly in  FIG.  4 B ; see arrow  410 ). When the example footwear upper  400  of  FIG.  4 A  is incorporated into an article of footwear (e.g., see  FIG.  9 E ), the interior chamber  2001  may be in open fluid communication at all areas inside perimeter seam  200 S. In use, force applied to the instep oriented bladder chamber(s)  200 T, e.g., via a footwear securing strap, by bending of the wearer&#39;s foot (when taking a step, initiating or landing a jump, etc.), etc., may cause fluid to move to the heel and/or ankle support chamber(s)  200 H via fluid line  206 . Such movement of fluid: (a) will cause the bladder  200  upper or outer surface (formed by the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymeric material  200 A in this example) to deflect upward and outward and (b) will cause the bladder  200  lower or inner surface (formed by the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymeric material  200 B in this example) to deflect downward and inward into the overall footwear upper  300 . See double headed deflection arrow  410 . This deflection of the bladder  200  provides additional fluid to support the wearer&#39;s heel and/or ankle and may provide a visual indication of the movement of fluid (due to the bladder  200 &#39;s outer surface deflection). 
       FIGS.  5 A- 5 C  illustrate additional examples of “two way” bladder  200  expansion.  FIG.  5 A  illustrates a footwear upper  500  including a footwear upper blank  302  (e.g., made from one or more fabric components) having a footwear upper component  100  with an attached bladder  200  of the types described above ( FIGS.  1 - 2 J ) engaged with it. If desired, a component of footwear upper blank  302  may comprise one of fabric components  110 ,  120  shown in  FIG.  2 J . 
       FIG.  5 B  provides a cross sectional view of one example of this type of footwear upper component  100  as a separate component from footwear upper blank  302 . While  FIG.  5 B  shows fabric components  110 A,  110 B as TPU materials engagable with the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic material  200 B, respectively, by adhesive free bonds, either or both of these fabric engagements shown in  FIG.  5 B  may be adhesive based bonds. In this illustrated example, fabric component  110 A is mounted to the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A (e.g., only at the seam  200 S area) such that both of fabric component  110 A and the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A form the exterior layer of the footwear upper component  100 . The exterior surface  200 AX of the bladder  200  (formed by first sheet or layer of thermoplastic material  200 A) is exposed at areas inside the outer perimeter seam  200 S in this illustrated example. Also, in this illustrated example, fabric component  110 B is mounted to the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B. Fabric component  110 B of this example includes an elastic component  110 E (e.g., a fabric component) that extends at least partially across (and at least partially covers (and optionally completely covers)) the exterior surface  200 BX of bladder  200  component (formed by the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B). Fabric components  110 A,  110 B extend outward beyond outer perimeter seam  200 S in this illustrated example (although one or both of the fabric components  110 A,  110 B need not do so in some examples of this technology). Also, in some examples of this technology, the elastic component  110 E may be provided on the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymeric material  200 A rather than on the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymeric material  200 B as shown in  FIG.  5 B  (i.e., elastic component  110 E may be flipped vertically from its position shown in  FIG.  5 B ). The elastic component  110 E may be positioned at locations where increased displacement of the bladder  200  is desired. For example, in a final footwear product, if desired, the elastic component  110 E of  FIG.  5 B  may face inward with respect to the footwear upper to contact and/or apply force to the wearer&#39;s foot, e.g., at the heel and/or ankle area. 
     The structure of  FIG.  5 C  is similar to that shown in  FIG.  5 B , but in  FIG.  5 C , the exterior surface of the bladder  200 ′s sealed interior chamber  2001  (formed by exterior surface  200 AX) also is at least partially covered (and optionally completely covered) with an elastic component  110 E. 
     In the illustrated examples of  FIGS.  5 A- 5 C , fluid pressure inside interior chamber  2001  will tend to cause the bladder  200  to displace outwardly (upwardly and downwardly in  FIGS.  5 B and  5 C ; see arrows  510 ) and stretch the elastic component  110 E adjacent the interior chamber  2001 . When the example footwear upper  500  of  FIG.  5 A  is incorporated into an article of footwear (e.g., see  FIG.  9 E ), the interior chamber  2001  may be in open fluid communication at all areas inside perimeter seam  200 S. In use, force applied to the instep oriented bladder chamber(s)  200 T, e.g., via a footwear securing strap, by bending of the wearer&#39;s foot (when taking a step, initiating or landing a jump, etc.), etc., may cause fluid to move to the heel and/or ankle support chamber(s)  200 H via fluid line  206 . Such movement of fluid: (a) will cause the bladder  200  upper (exterior) surface to deflect outward and (b) will cause the bladder  200  lower (interior) surface to deflect inward into the overall footwear upper  300 . See double headed deflection arrows  510  in  FIGS.  5 B and  5 C . This deflection of the bladder  200  will stretch elastic component(s)  110 E and provides additional fluid to support the wearer&#39;s heel and/or ankle and/or may improve comfort and fit (e.g., by eliminating excess space in the shoe interior and/or reducing foot movement within the shoe). This deflection also may provide a visual indication of the movement of fluid (due to the bladder  200 &#39;s outer surface deflection). The elasticity of fabric component(s)  110 E may be selected and/or altered to control the amount and/or direction of displacement of the bladder  200 &#39;s sealed interior chamber  2001 . Additionally or alternatively, when top and bottom elastic fabric components  110 E are provided as in  FIG.  5 C , the relative elasticity of these two elastic fabric components  110 E may be selected and/or altered (i.e., their elasticities may be the same or different and the differences may be controlled) to control the relative amounts of displacement of the surfaces  200 AX and  200 BX of the bladder  200 &#39;s sealed interior chamber  2001 . 
     As described above, the bladder  200  and fabric components  110 ,  120  may be engaged together (e.g., by an adhesive based bond, by an adhesive free bond, etc.) using heat and pressure (e.g., to activate a hot melt adhesive, to perform localized melting, etc.).  FIGS.  6 A- 6 E  provide information regarding various pressing techniques that may be used in some examples of this technology.  FIG.  6 A  illustrates an example of a full press in which a silicone press pad  600  is applied over the bladder  200 . The bottom of the bladder  200  can be supported at the seam  200 S area to allow application of heat and pressure at the seam  200 S. In some methods, the bottom of interior chamber  2001  of the bladder  200  may be unsupported (e.g., mounted over a hole or recess) so that the interior surfaces  200 AI,  200 BI of the bladder  200 &#39;s interior chamber  2001  do not bond together. 
       FIG.  6 B  illustrates a zonal press technique. In this instance, the silicone press pad  602  is shaped as a closed loop or ring (not necessarily round, but forming a closed perimeter have the shape of the desired bladder  200  seam  200 S) and presses a fabric component  110 ,  120  to bond fabric component  110 ,  120  to the bladder  200  at the seam  200 S area. Because little pressure is applied to the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer  200 A by the fabric component  110 ,  120  outside of the press pad  602 , the bladder  200 &#39;s interior chamber  2001  remains unbonded and open. The fabric component  110 ,  120  attaches (adhesively or adhesive free) to the bladder  200  at the seam  200 S (due to the ring shaped press pad  602 ), but the fabric component  110 ,  120  remains unattached at other locations. This pressing technique also bonds the first and second sheets or layers of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A,  200 B together (adhesively or in an adhesive free manner). 
       FIG.  6 C  illustrates a pressing technique where a full press (e.g.,  FIG.  6 A ) is provided on one side and a zonal press (e.g.,  FIG.  6 B ) is provided on the opposite side. A ring shaped silicone press pad  602  of this example is shaped to form the shape of the bladder  200 &#39;s interior chamber  2001 . In this manner, fabric component  110 ,  120  can be bonded with the bladder  200  at the seam  200 S and the two sheets or layers of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A,  200 B can be bonded together in a manner similar to that described above in  FIG.  6 B . 
       FIG.  6 D  illustrates an example pressing technique in which the silicone pressure pad  610  includes an opening  612  (e.g., shaped like the desired bladder  200 &#39;s sealed interior chamber  2001 ). When heat and pressure are applied by the silicone pressure pad  610 , the outer perimeter seam  200 S is formed and the remainder of the bladder  200 &#39;s layers (the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymeric material  200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymeric material  200 B) remain unattached to thereby form the sealed interior chamber  2001 . 
       FIG.  6 E  illustrates an example pressing technique using a ring shaped silicone pressure pad  602  and a fabric component  110 ,  120  that each has an opening  122  formed in it. The opening  122  and the ring shaped silicone pressure pad  602  may be shaped to correspond to the desired bladder  200 &#39;s seam  200 S and/or sealed interior chamber  2001 . The opening  122  (as well as any opening used to form bulged region  112  discussed above) may be formed as a cutout, may be formed directly in the pressure pad  602  and/or fabric component  110 ,  120  during its fabrication (e.g., during knitting of fabric component  110 ,  120 ), etc. When heat and pressure are applied by the silicone pressure pad  602 , the outer perimeter seam  200 S is formed and the remainder of the bladder  200 &#39;s layers (the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymeric material  200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymeric material  200 B) remain unattached to thereby form the sealed interior chamber 
     Under any of the pressing techniques described above in conjunction with  FIGS.  6 A to  6 E , one or more fabric components  110 ,  120  may be included in the pressing step. If a fabric component  120  is to be used that will not itself create an adhesive free bond with the bladder  200  under the pressing conditions, an adhesive (e.g., a hot melt adhesive) may be applied to the fabric component  120  and/or to the first and/or second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and/or  200 B. In some aspects of this technology, a single heating and pressing step will be used to create both the sealed bladder  200  and join it to the fabric component(s)  110 / 120  to form the overall footwear upper component  100  (e.g., of the types shown in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 J ). 
       FIG.  7 A  provides a cross sectional view of a portion of the bladder  200  with a fabric component  110  attached to it. In this illustrated example, the bladder  200  includes a first chamber (e.g., an instep chamber like chamber  200 T shown in  FIGS.  3 A,  4 A, and  5 A  and like chamber  202 A shown in  FIGS.  9 A,  9 C- 9 E ), another chamber (e.g., a heel and/or ankle support chamber like chamber  200 H shown in  FIGS.  3 A,  4 A, and  5 A  and like chamber  210 L shown in  FIGS.  9 A,  9 C- 9 E ), and a fluid line (e.g., like fluid line  206  shown in  FIGS.  3 A,  4 A,  5 A,  9 A, and  9 C- 9 E ) interconnecting the other two chambers ( 202 A,  210 L) and placing the other two chambers in fluid communication with one another. The fabric component  110  shown in  FIG.  7 A  may be engaged with the entire exterior surface of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A (e.g., in an adhesive free manner) or it may just be engaged with the exterior surface of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A at the locations of the seam  200 S. During the pressing step (when applying heat and pressure), the pressing pad (e.g., see  FIGS.  6 A- 6 E ) may include a gap at locations corresponding to chamber  202 A, chamber  210 L, and fluid line  206 . As another option, adhesive material may be omitted on the interior surfaces of the bladder chamber  2001  at locations where the chambers  202 A,  210 L and/or fluid line  206  are to be produced (so the interior surfaces  200 AI,  200 BI do not bond where the interior chamber(s) is (are) desired). Sealed and interconnected fluid chambers  202 A,  210 L are provided by the illustrated structures and methods. The bonds forming the seam  200 S and the bonds forming the junction between the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the fabric component  110  may be adhesive free and/or adhesive based. 
       FIG.  7 B  provides a cross sectional view of another portion of a bladder  200  with two different types of fabric components  110 ,  120  engaged with it. In this illustrated example, fabric component  110  represents a fabric component (e.g., a knit component) made from or including a TPU component that is capable of forming an adhesive free bond with the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A under the heat and pressure conditions to be used. Fabric component  120 , on the other hand, represents a fabric component (e.g., a polyester knit component) that is not capable of forming an adhesive free bond with the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A under the heat and pressure conditions to be used. Fabric component  110  is provided at the seam areas  200 S. If desired, fabric component  110  also may be provided over a fluid line area  206 . Fabric component  120  is provided at locations corresponding to the exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber  2001  of the various fluid chambers  202 A,  210 L,  210 M. Because fabric component  120  does not bond with the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A at these areas, the fabric component  120  may move with respect to the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A, it may stretch, etc. Fabric component  120  also is provided in areas between bladder chambers (e.g., between bladder chambers  210 L and  210 M in this example) and outside of the bladder seam  200 S. Fabric components  110 ,  120  may form distinct portions of a single and continuous piece of fabric. 
       FIG.  8    illustrates an upper blank  700  showing different potential fabrics or other materials for components of a footwear upper base  102  in accordance with some examples of this technology. Such a combination of components may be used, for example, in the uppers and/or articles of footwear described above (e.g., the uppers  300 ,  400 , and  500  of  FIGS.  3 A,  4 A, and  5 A ) and those described in more detail below.  FIG.  8    shows an upper blank  700  formed from five different fabric components  702 A,  702 B,  702 C,  702 D, and  702 E that are fixed together in any appropriate manner (e.g., by one or more of sewing, adhesives, melt bonding, etc.). Fabric component  702 A forms a base component of the footwear upper base  102 , and this fabric component  702 A may be formed, for example, from a fabric comprising a chenille fabric with medium sized mesh openings. This fabric component  702 A forms instep and heel regions of the footwear upper base  102 . If desired, the fabric component  702 A may underlie some or all of other fabric components, e.g., some or all of fabric components  702 B- 702 D). 
     A denser chenille fabric component  702 B is engaged with the front and midfoot-to-forefoot sides of fabric component  702 A in this example. This denser fabric component  702 B provides enhanced durability and abrasion resistance and provides a stable and/or strong base for engaging one or more components of a sole structure. Another dense chenille fabric component  702 C with small mesh openings is engaged with fabric component  702 A at the heel-containing region  102 H of the footwear upper base  102 . Fabric component  702 C also may provide durability, abrasion resistance, and/or a stable and/or strong base for engaging one or more sole structure  104  components. 
     Fabric component  702 D of this example comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”) containing fabric component, e.g., a fabric component, optionally a knit fabric component, including at least one yarn formed from a TPU material and/or coated with a TPU material. This fabric component  702 D forms a base for engaging components of a bladder  200 , e.g., in an adhesive free manner (e.g., in melt bonded or welded manners, using heat and pressure, or the like, as described above). Fabric component  702 D may be formed as a mesh with relatively large openings, e.g., to enhance breathability. 
     Fabric component  702 E of this example upper blank  700  is located at a medial side of the upper blank  700 . Fabric component  702 E may comprise an elastic or elastomeric component, such as a stretchable chenille fabric, that helps provide comfort, stretches to enable easy donning and doffing, and/or helps hold the overall footwear upper to a wearer&#39;s foot. 
       FIG.  9 A  illustrates an overall footwear upper  800  as footwear upper blank  700  with additional footwear components attached to it.  FIGS.  9 B- 9 E  illustrate various component parts of the overall footwear upper  800  and features of the manner of making it. In a first step, the footwear upper blank  700  is formed, e.g., to the structure shown in  FIG.  9 B  (and similar to the structure shown and described above in conjunction with  FIG.  8   ). In this example, six component parts of a footwear upper blank  700  are engaged together, e.g., by one or more of sewing, adhesives, melt bonding (using heat and pressure), mechanical connectors (e.g., rivets, crimped metal rings, etc.), and the like. The six parts include components  702 A (as a base component),  702 B (as a forefoot and midfoot reinforcing component),  702 C (as a heel reinforcing component),  702 D (as a bladder support base component),  702 E (as a stretch component to support foot insertion/removal), and heel loop  620 . The component parts  702 A- 702 E may be made from the materials described above in conjunction with  FIG.  8    or from one or more different materials. 
       FIG.  9 C  shows an example bladder  200  component for this upper  800  and article of footwear. The bladder  200  includes a first thermoplastic sheet (e.g., the top sheet) and a second thermoplastic sheet (e.g., a bottom sheet) facing the first thermoplastic sheet as described above. The two thermoplastic sheets (which may be formed from two (or more) separate sheets or a single sheet (e.g., folded over at one edge) are sealed together by a continuous outer perimeter seam  200 S. This sealed engagement can be accomplished using adhesives (e.g., a hot melt adhesive) or in an adhesive free manner, e.g., using any of the techniques described above. 
     The first thermoplastic sheet  200 A, the second thermoplastic sheet  200 B (not shown in  FIG.  9 C  but shown in other figures), and the continuous outer perimeter seam  200 S define a sealed interior volume  2001  for containing a gas or other fluid. The continuous outer perimeter seam  200 S forms the outermost exterior perimeter of the bladder  200  in this example. As illustrated in  FIG.  9 C , the continuous outer perimeter seam  200 S extends continuously to form the sealed interior volume to include: (i) at least one fluid supply chamber (two chambers  202 A and  202 B shown connected by a connecting portion  202 C) having a first major surface formed by the first thermoplastic sheet (an outermost exterior surface  200 AX of the bladder  200 ), (ii) a first heel and/or ankle support chamber (lateral heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L in this example), (iii) a first fluid line  206  connecting the fluid supply chamber(s)  202 A,  202 B and the first heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L through the sealed interior volume  200 I, (iv) a second heel and/or ankle support chamber (medial heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M in this example), and (v) a second fluid line  208  connecting the first heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L and the second heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M through the sealed interior volume  200 I. In the illustrated example bladder  200 , all portions of the sealed interior volume  200 I defined by the first thermoplastic sheet, the second thermoplastic sheet, and the continuous outer perimeter seam  200 S are in fluid communication with one another. Also, while  FIG.  9 C  shows bladder  200 &#39;s thermoplastic sheets engaged together only by the continuous perimeter seam  200 S, other seams may be provided, such as interior weld lines, interior weld dots, or interior weld regions, e.g., to provide shape control to the bladder  200 . 
     As further shown in  FIG.  9 C , the first heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L and the second heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M are in fluid communication only via the second fluid line  208 . In at least some examples of bladders  200 , the bladder chambers and the sealed interior volume  200 I may be sized and shaped such that one or both of a first volume defined by the first heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L and a second volume defined by the second heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M is/are at least 5 times greater than a third volume defined by the second fluid line  208  connecting chambers  210 L and  210 M. In still other examples, the first volume and/or the second volume will be at least 8 times greater, at least 10 times greater, at least 12 times greater, or even at least 15 times greater than the third volume. Additionally or alternatively, in at least some examples of bladders  200 , an axial length of the second fluid line  208  from the first heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L to the second heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M will be less than 35 mm, and in some examples, less than 30 mm, less than 25 mm, less than 20 mm, or even less than 15 mm. The second fluid line  208  may have a length of at least 4 mm in the example ranges provided above. 
       FIG.  9 D  illustrates the step of engaging the bladder  200  (e.g., of  FIG.  9 C ) with the footwear upper base  102  (e.g., with component  702 D shown in  FIG.  9 B ). In some examples, this step may occur when the footwear upper base  102  is in the form of the upper blank  700  (e.g., a flat upper blank  700 ) and the bladder  200  is in an uninflated condition. As some more specific examples, the uninflated bladder  200  can be positioned atop footwear upper base  102  fabric component  702 D, which, as noted above, may be formed at least in part from a TPU containing fabric component, e.g., a fabric component, optionally a knit fabric component, including at least one yarn formed from a TPU material and/or coated with a TPU material. Heat and pressure may be applied, e.g., to locally melt or soften the thermoplastic materials of the fabric component  702 D and the bladder  200  to thereby melt or soften and/or bond fabric component  702 D and bladder  200  together in an adhesive free manner. Additionally or alternatively, other ways of engaging the footwear upper base  102  materials and the bladder  200  may be used, including adhesive based engagement, mechanical fasteners, sewn seams, or the like. 
       FIG.  9 E  illustrates the upper  800  engaged with a sole structure  104  to form an overall article of footwear  900 . The overall article of footwear  900  of this example further includes two straps  320 A,  320 B of a strap system  300 . As shown in  FIG.  9 A , these straps  320 A,  320 B may be incorporated into the footwear upper  800  (e.g., engaged with one or more of the footwear upper base  102  components, such as one or more of components  702 A,  702 B, and/or  702 C). Engagement may occur via one or more of sewn seams  322 A,  322 B (see  FIG.  9 A ), adhesives, mechanical fasteners, or the like. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, the ends of either or both straps  320 A,  320 B may be engaged with the sole structure  104  of the article of footwear  900  and/or sandwiched between the footwear upper  800  (e.g., a bottom surface of the upper  800 , one of components  702 A- 702 D, etc.) and the sole structure  104 .  FIG.  9 A  illustrates the footwear upper  800  as an upper blank (including footwear upper base  102  components), the attached bladder  200 , and the attached strap system  300 . This footwear upper  800  optionally may be engaged with an upper bottom component (e.g., a strobel) by stitching. Then, the overall footwear upper  800  (including the bottom component) may be engaged with a sole structure  104  (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  9 E ), e.g., in conventional manners as are known and used in the footwear art (e.g., by one or more of adhesives, mechanical connectors, sewn seams, etc.). 
     As previously described,  FIG.  1    illustrates a bladder  200  engaged with a fabric component  110  in an adhesive free manner (or with adhesive based bonding, if desired).  FIG.  1    shows the bladder  200  engaged in a deflated condition, e.g., flat pressed using heat and pressure to form at least seam  200 S.  FIGS.  10  and  11    illustrate portions of additional example bladder  200  components engaged with fabric components  110 . Like the example of  FIG.  1   , the bladders  200  of  FIGS.  10  and  11    may be engaged with the fabric component  110  in a deflated condition (e.g., by flat pressing using heat and pressure). The bladders  200  then may be inflated, e.g., via an inflation port, to the conditions shown in  FIGS.  10  and  11   . Once inflated, the inflation port may be sealed, cut off, and discarded. A small portion of the inflation line  1000  for the bladder  200  is shown in  FIG.  10   . 
       FIGS.  10  and  11    illustrate relatively distinct bladder edges  200 E at the outer edge of the outer perimeter seam  200 S, i.e., where the bladder  200  ends and uncovered fabric component  110  begins.  FIG.  1   , on the other hand, shows somewhat less of a distinct edge. The heat and pressing conditions (e.g., pressing force, pressing temperature, pressing time) and/or the material specifications (e.g., thickness of the first and/or second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A/ 200 B) may affect the degree to which the distinct edge  200 E disappears in a final bladder  200 /fabric component  110  (or  120 ) product. For example, as compared to the distinct edges  200 E shown in  FIGS.  10  and  11   ,  FIGS.  12 A and  12 B  illustrate a bladder  200 /fabric component  110  combination in which it is more difficult to discern exactly where the physical edge of the bladder  200  is located. Longer press times, higher press temperatures, higher pressing forces, and/or thinner bladder materials may enable the bladder  200  material (e.g., first and/or second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A/ 200 B) and/or any meltable material in the fabric component  110  (e.g., a TPU material) to melt and mix to a greater extent, thereby eliminating or reducing the prominence of a distinct and/or regular edge (like edge  200 E shown in  FIGS.  10  and  11   ). In some examples, the material of the outer perimeter seam  200 S and at least some of the fabric component  110  will mix and/or intermingle together under the pressing conditions to engage the bladder  200  and fabric component  110  together. 
     Examples of methods of making footwear upper components  100  now will be described in more detail. As an initial step, the bladder  200  (in an inflated or uninflated condition) or a bladder precursor is placed on a fabric component  110  or  120 . In some examples, the fabric component  110  (e.g., a knit fabric element such as component  702 D) will include a first thermoplastic polyurethane component that is capable of forming an adhesive free bond with the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic material (e.g., thermoplastic elastomer material) in the bladder  200  or the bladder precursor. In other examples, the fabric component  120  (e.g., a knit fabric element) will not be capable of forming an adhesive free bond with the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic material (e.g., thermoplastic elastomer material) in the bladder  200  or the bladder precursor under the pressing conditions, and thus an adhesive material (e.g., a hot melt adhesive) may be applied to at least one of the fabric component  120  and the bladder  200  (or bladder precursor). 
     Heat and pressure then are applied, in one step or in multiple steps: (a) to form a seam  200 S to engage the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A with the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B and (b) to engage at least a portion of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A with fabric component  110 ,  120 , e.g., in an adhesive free manner, in an adhesive based bond, etc. The seam  200 S, the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A, and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B define a sealed interior chamber  2001  for containing a fluid (e.g., a gas, such as air, nitrogen, etc.). 
     Once the bladder  200  or bladder precursor is attached to the fabric component  110 / 120 , the sealed interior chamber  2001  may be inflated (if it was not already inflated). If necessary, the inflation port may be sealed after inflation is complete, and the port may be trimmed off. Footwear upper components  100  formed by these methods may have any of the specific structures, properties, features, and/or options described above in conjunction with  FIGS.  1  to  12 B . 
     In some examples of these methods, a second fabric component will be engaged with the bladder  200  or bladder precursor, e.g., to make a structure like that shown in  FIG.  2 J . The second fabric component also may be applied using heat and pressure (e.g., with an adhesive based bond or an adhesive free bond), in the same heat and pressing steps described above or in a separate heat and pressing step. 
     Once the footwear upper component  100  is formed, it may be combined with other footwear upper component parts (if needed, e.g., a strobel or other bottom member) and/or other footwear parts (e.g., a strap system), to form an overall upper  800  like that shown in  FIG.  9 A . The resulting upper  800  then may be engaged with a footwear sole structure  104 , e.g., of the type shown in  FIG.  9 E . 
       FIGS.  13 A- 13 D  illustrate additional features of bladders  200  and/or footwear upper components  100  with texturing features in accordance with at least some examples of this technology.  FIGS.  13 A- 13 C  show various views of bladders  200  engaged with fabric components  110 ,  120 .  FIG.  13 D  provides a partial cross sectional view of a footwear upper component  100  showing a portion of the bladder  200  at the sealed interior chamber  200 I to illustrate potential layering and texturing features. As shown in these figures, in some examples of this technology, the fabric component  110 ,  120  may form a mesh structure (e.g., with mesh openings or recesses  120 R defined within a matrix formed by the fabric component  110 ,  120 ) or otherwise have surface texture on the surface  120 A to be engaged with the bladder  200 . During the heating and pressing steps, the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A (and, if present, the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B) may become softened, e.g., to enable formation of the adhesive free bond(s). If at least a portion of the fabric component  110 ,  120  (e.g., a portion that forms the texturing) does not significantly soften or melt under the heating and pressing conditions, then the heating and pressing step may alter the softened surfaces of at least one (and potentially both) of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and/or the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B to include texturing (e.g., recesses  220 R). The texturing recesses  220 R are formed from (imprinted or embossed into material  200 A and/or  200 B by) the openings or recesses  120 R in surface  120 A of fabric component  110 ,  120 . The texturing is shown in the diamond shaped recess patterns and surface irregularities formed on the exterior surface  200 BX of second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B in  FIGS.  13 A- 13 D . 
       FIGS.  13 A- 13 C  show the exposed exterior surface  200 BX of the bladder  200  with texturing having surface contour features corresponding to the texturing present on the surface  120 A of the first fabric component  110 ,  120 . That texturing may be present on one or more of the surfaces of the bladder  200  forming the seam  200 S and/or on one or more of the surfaces of the bladder  200  forming the sealed interior chamber  200 I. Further, as shown in  FIG.  13 D , as a result of the heating and pressing step(s), the texturing  220 R may be present on one or more of: (a) an exterior surface  200 AX of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A (e.g., the surface that directly contacts and bonds with the textured surface  120 A of the fabric component  110 ,  120 ), (b) an interior surface  200 AI of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A (e.g., the surface that forms the bond for seam  200 S and the interior of the sealed interior chamber  200 I), (c) an interior surface  200 BI of the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B (e.g., the other surface that forms the bond for seam  200 S and the interior of the sealed interior chamber  200 I), and/or (d) an exterior surface  200 BX of the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B (e.g., the exposed exterior surface of the footwear upper  100  in the illustrated examples of  FIGS.  13 A- 13 C ). The texturing can be formed on all of these surfaces, e.g., if the sheets or layers of the first and second polymer materials  200 A and  200 B of the bladder precursor are flat pressed against textured surface  120 A before the bladder  200  is inflated. 
     The texturing may help provide feel differential when contacted by a user, e.g., to help locate the bladder  200  and/or to provide proprioceptive feedback. In addition, the texturing may provide an interesting aesthetic, as texturing may create different lighting, reflecting, and/or shadowing effects. Also, in some examples of this technology, at least one of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and/or the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B (e.g., at least the second sheet or layer  200 B in  FIG.  13 D ) may be formed from an at least partially transparent material (e.g., a clear or colored thermoplastic polyurethane material). In such structures, texturing (e.g., recesses  220 R) present on the interior sheet (e.g., on the interior surface  200 A 1  and/or the exterior surface  200 AX of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A in the example of  FIG.  13 D ) may be visible at the exterior of the bladder  200  through the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B and through the sealed interior chamber  200 I of the bladder  200 . Further, as shown in  FIGS.  13 A- 13 C , in these examples of this technology, the underlying fabric component  110 ,  120  is visible through the at least partially transparent materials forming the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B. At least portions of either or both of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 A and/or the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material  200 B may be tinted to provide additional color palette and color combination choices. 
       FIGS.  13 A- 13 D  relate to examples in which texturing is applied to one or more surfaces of a bladder  200  from texture present on a fabric component  110 ,  120  with which the bladder  200  is engaged (e.g., from a mesh structure of fabric component  110 ,  120 ). Texture may be applied to bladders  200  in other manners as well.  FIGS.  14 A- 14 K  illustrate additional examples and features of bladders, footwear upper components, and methods of making them that include texturing (e.g., at least on an exposed surface of the bladder  200 ) in accordance with some examples of this technology. 
     As some more specific examples, texturing may be applied to a bladder  200  surface  200 BX using molding processes (e.g., when the bladder  200  is formed, when the bladder  200  is inflated, and/or when the bladder  200  or a bladder precursor is engaged with a fabric component  110 ,  120 ), using a thermoforming process, using a vacuum forming process, using an embossing process, etc.  FIG.  14 A  shows an example mold assembly  1400  and molding and pressing process, e.g., for forming a bladder  200  from two thermoplastic sheets  200 A,  200 B and engaging the bladder  200  with a fabric component  110 ,  120 . In this example, the thermoplastic sheets  200 A,  200 B are placed in a mold cavity  1400 C (defined between top mold plate  1400 A and bottom mold plate  1400 B). In this example, a fabric component  110 ,  120  extends into the area of the mold cavity  1400 C between the mold plates  1400 A,  1400 B to engage the bottom surface  200 AX of thermoplastic sheet  200 A. Alternatively, in some examples of this technology, the fabric component  110 ,  120  could be omitted in this process (e.g., and engaged with the bladder  200  or bladder precursor at a later time). 
     In this illustrated example, the mold plates  1400 A,  1400 B are pressed together (shown by arrows  1410 ) with sufficient heating to soften the thermoplastic sheets  200 A,  200 B, form the outer perimeter seam  200 S (e.g., by an adhesive free bond or by an adhesive based bond (if an adhesive has been applied to one or both of sheets  200 A,  200 B)), and engage thermoplastic sheet  200 A with fabric component  110 ,  120  (e.g., by an adhesive free bond or by an adhesive based bond (if an adhesive has been applied to one or both of sheet  200 A and fabric component  110 ,  120 )). Because of the cavity  1400 C in top mold plate  1400 A in this example, the thermoplastic sheets  200 A,  200 B will not bond in the area adjacent and within the cavity  1400 C (as no compressive force is applied to the sheets  200 A,  200 B in the cavity  1400 C area). 
     As shown in  FIG.  14 A , the interior surface  1400 S of the top plate  1400 A in the cavity  1400 C area includes texturing  1400 T. While the plates  1400 A,  1400 B remain pressed together and the thermoplastic sheets  200 A,  200 B remain softened, a vacuum may be applied to the cavity  1400 C (see vacuum arrows  1400 V). The vacuum force pulls at least the top thermoplastic sheet  200 B against interior surface  1400 S of the cavity  1400 C. Due to its softened state, this action applies texturing  1400 T from the cavity  1400 C surface  1400 S onto at least the incident surface  200 BX of the top thermoplastic sheet  200 B. Additionally or alternatively, the bladder  200  could be inflated while in the mold assembly  1400  (e.g., if a fluid inlet is present to introduce fluid between thermoplastic sheets  200 A and  200 B after the seam  200 S is made). 
     Alternatively, if desired, the cavity  1400 C could be omitted such that the applied force  1410  from pressing the mold plates  1400 A,  1400 B together also presses mold surface  1400 S (with its texturing  1400 T) against surface  200 BX of the second thermoplastic sheet  200 B. In such examples, the vacuum force  1400 V may not be present and/or needed to apply texturing to surface  200 BX. In such examples, texturing may be applied to thermoplastic sheet  200 A as well. 
     Any type of texturing pattern may be applied to the bladder  200 .  FIG.  14 B  shows an example of a mold plate  1400 A in which surface  1400 S includes texturing  1400 T in the form of wavy raised ridges separated by wavy recessed curves.  FIG.  14 C  shows an example of a mold plate  1400 A in which surface  1400 S includes texturing  1400 T in the form of a matrix (e.g., rows and columns, staggered rows and/or columns, etc.) of raised polygons separated by wavy recessed curves.  FIG.  14 D  shows an example of a mold plate  1400 A in which surface  1400 S includes texturing  1400 T in the form of a herringbone pattern. 
       FIGS.  14 E- 14 K  show views of bladders  200  and/or portions thereof that include texturing  220 R at least on exposed exterior surface  200 BX of the bladder  200 , e.g., formed by one or more of the methods described above in conjunction with  FIGS.  14 A- 14 D .  FIG.  14 E  shows a portion of bladder  200  formed in a deflated condition. Note the texturing  220 R, which in this example generally corresponds to the mold plate  1400 A shown in  FIG.  14 B . The bladder  200  is engaged with a fabric component  110 ,  120  while the bladder  200  was formed (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  14 A ) or in a separate step.  FIG.  14 F  shows this same bladder  200  portion in an inflated condition, and  FIG.  14 G  shows the overall bladder  200  (e.g., forming an instep and/or tongue based region  200 T and a heel and/or ankle support region  200 H of the types described above in conjunction with  FIGS.  3 A,  4 A,  5 A,  9 A, and  9 C- 9 E ). 
       FIG.  14 H  illustrates a portion of an example bladder  200  formed separate from a fabric component and inflated. In this illustrated example, the bladder  200  has texturing  220 R on exposed exterior surface  200 BX in the form of raised polygons in a matrix pattern separated by curved recesses (e.g., arranged in rows and columns, arranged in staggered rows and/or columns, etc.).  FIG.  14 I  illustrates a portion of an example bladder  200  formed separate from a fabric component and inflated in which the bladder  200  has texturing  220 R on exposed exterior surface  200 BX in the form of raised rounded elements (e.g., circular elements, oval elements, elliptical elements, teardrop shaped elements, etc.) in a matrix pattern (e.g., arranged in rows and columns, arranged in staggered rows and/or columns, etc.).  FIG.  14 J  illustrates a portion of an example bladder  200  formed separate from a fabric component and inflated in which texturing  220 R on exposed exterior surface  200 BX is in the form of recessed polygons in a matrix pattern (e.g., arranged in rows and columns, arranged in staggered rows and/or columns, etc.). Such a pattern may be formed, for example, using mold plate  1400 A of the type shown in  FIG.  14 C .  FIG.  14 K  illustrates an example bladder  200  formed separate from a fabric component and in an uninflated condition. This example bladder  200  has different texturing at different locations on its exterior surface  200 BX. Any desired number and/or types of different texturing patterns may be provided. In this illustrated example, the instep and/or tongue based region  200 T has one texturing pattern (e.g., recessed polygons in a matrix arrangement) and the heel and/or ankle support region  200 H as a different texturing pattern (e.g., a matrix of smaller raised and recessed elements). The bladders  200  of  FIGS.  14 H- 14 K  may be attached to a fabric component  110 ,  120  at any desired time (e.g., before or after inflation), e.g., by engaging seam  200 S with the fabric component  110 ,  120 , e.g., in any of the manners described above. 
     The texturing  220 R may help provide feel differential when contacted by a user, e.g., to help locate the bladder  200  with one&#39;s fingers and/or to provide proprioceptive feedback. The texturing  220 R may face toward the interior of the shoe (e.g., to contact the wearer&#39;s foot or leg at least in the heel and/or ankle support area  200 H), toward the exterior of the shoe (e.g., to enable easy location of the bladder  200  parts by feel), or in both directions in all or part of the bladder  200  (e.g., in one direction in one area of the bladder  200  and in the other direction in another area of the bladder  200 ). In addition, the texturing  220 R may provide an interesting aesthetic, as texturing may create different lighting, reflecting, and/or shadowing effects. The bladder  200  also may have any of the transparency and/or other properties of the bladders described above in conjunction with  FIGS.  13 A- 13 D . 
     As other alternatives, if desired, texturing may be applied to one or more bladder surfaces (e.g.,  200 AX,  200 BX) in other processes. For example, with one or both of the first and/or second thermoplastic sheets  200 A,  200 B softened (e.g., by application of heat), the sheet(s)  200 A,  200 B could be pressed by one or more rollers having a textured surface (e.g., passed between rollers, one of which may have a textured surface), e.g., in an embossing, calendaring, or rolling process. 
     While  FIGS.  1 - 14 K  illustrate various different bladder sizes, shapes, and specific configurations, many variations in bladder sizes, shapes, and/or configurations are possible without departing from this technology. The specifically illustrated bladders could be varied widely in size, shape, and/or configuration while still providing the desired functions and/or properties described above. 
     III. Conclusion 
     The present invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of example structures. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide examples of the various features and concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims. 
     For the avoidance of doubt, the present application includes at least the subject matter described in the following numbered Clauses: 
     Clause 1. A footwear upper component, comprising:
         a first knit fabric element that includes a first thermoplastic polyurethane component; and   a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid, wherein the bladder component includes an outer perimeter seam that extends at least partially around the sealed interior chamber, and wherein at least a portion of the outer perimeter seam is bonded to or otherwise engaged with the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element.       

     Clause 2. The footwear upper component according to Clause 1, wherein the bladder component includes a first thermoplastic sheet and a second thermoplastic sheet facing the first thermoplastic sheet, wherein the outer perimeter seam fixes the first thermoplastic sheet to the second thermoplastic sheet, and wherein a first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, a first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet, and the outer perimeter seam define the sealed interior chamber. 
     Clause 3. The footwear upper component according to Clause 2, wherein the first thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet that defines the sealed interior chamber is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner, and wherein the portion of the outer perimeter seam that is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element is bonded in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 4. The footwear upper component according to Clause 3, wherein the outer perimeter seam includes a first seam portion engaging a first side of the first thermoplastic sheet with a first side of the second thermoplastic sheet and a second seam portion engaging a second side of the first thermoplastic sheet with a second side of the second thermoplastic sheet, wherein the first seam portion is located on an opposite side of the sealed interior chamber from the second seam portion, and wherein the portion of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet that is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element extends continuously from the first seam portion to the second seam portion. 
     Clause 5. The footwear upper component according to Clause 2, wherein the first thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, and wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 6. The footwear upper component according to Clause 2, wherein the first thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, and wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 7. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 2 to 6, further comprising: a second knit fabric element engaged with at least one of the first knit fabric element or the bladder component. 
     Clause 8. The footwear upper component according to Clause 7, wherein the second knit fabric element includes a second thermoplastic polyurethane component, wherein the second thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the second thermoplastic polyurethane component of the second knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 9. The footwear upper component according to Clause 8, wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the second thermoplastic polyurethane component of the second knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 10. The footwear upper component according to Clause 8, wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the second thermoplastic polyurethane component of the second knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 11. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 7 to 10, wherein the second knit fabric element includes an opening defined through it, and wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed through the opening. 
     Clause 12. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 2 to 6, further comprising: a fabric component engaged with the second thermoplastic sheet. 
     Clause 13. The footwear upper component according to Clause 12, wherein the second thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is fixedly bonded to the fabric component. 
     Clause 14. The footwear upper component according to Clause 13, wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is fixedly bonded to the fabric component. 
     Clause 15. The footwear upper component according to Clause 13, wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is fixedly bonded to the fabric component. 
     Clause 16. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 12 to 15, wherein the fabric component includes an opening defined through it, and wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed through the opening. 
     Clause 17. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 12 to 15, wherein a portion of the fabric component partially covers an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber. 
     Clause 18. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 1 to 17, wherein the outer perimeter seam extends continuously and completely around the sealed interior chamber. 
     Clause 19. The footwear upper component according to Clause 18, wherein at least 90% of a surface area of one surface of the outer perimeter seam is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element. 
     Clause 20. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 1 to 19, wherein the outer perimeter seam includes a thermoplastic polyurethane material that melts under heat and pressure to bond with melted material of the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element. 
     Clause 21. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 1 to 11 or Clauses 18 to 20, further comprising: a fabric component engaged with the bladder component. 
     Clause 22. The footwear upper component according to Clause 21, wherein at least a portion of an exterior major surface of the bladder component forming the sealed interior chamber is fixedly bonded to the fabric component. 
     Clause 23. The footwear upper component according to Clause 22, wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the exterior major surface of the bladder component is fixedly bonded to the fabric component. 
     Clause 24. The footwear upper component according to Clause 22, wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the exterior major surface of the bladder component is fixedly bonded to the fabric component. 
     Clause 25. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 21 to 24, wherein the fabric component includes an opening defined through it, and wherein at least a portion of an exterior major surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed through the opening. 
     Clause 26. The footwear upper component according to Clause 25, wherein a portion of the fabric component is dissolved to form the opening. 
     Clause 27. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 21 to 26, wherein a portion of the fabric component partially covers an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber. 
     Clause 28. The footwear upper component according to Clause 27, wherein at least a portion of an exterior major surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed at an exterior surface of the footwear upper component. 
     Clause 29. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 21 to 28, wherein at least a portion of the fabric component that engages the sealed interior chamber is formed from a dissolvable material. 
     Clause 30. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 1 to 29, wherein the outer perimeter seam forms a closed loop, and wherein a perimeter of the closed loop encloses a single sealed interior chamber which consists of the sealed interior chamber. 
     Clause 31. An article of footwear, comprising:
         a footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 1 to 30; and   a sole structure engaged with the footwear upper component.       

     Clause 32. A method of forming a footwear upper component, comprising:
         placing a bladder or a bladder precursor on a first knit fabric element, wherein the first knit fabric element includes a first thermoplastic polyurethane component, and wherein the bladder or the bladder precursor includes a first thermoplastic polymer layer and a second thermoplastic polymer layer overlapping the first thermoplastic polymer layer;   applying heat and pressure to form a seam to engage the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the second thermoplastic polymer layer and to engage at least a portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element, wherein the seam, the first thermoplastic polymer layer, and the second thermoplastic polymer layer define a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid; and   inflating the sealed interior chamber.       

     Clause 33. The method according to Clause 32, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer layer and the second thermoplastic polymer layer are formed as separate sheets. 
     Clause 34. The method according to Clause 32 or 33, wherein the sealed interior chamber includes a first major exterior surface formed from the first thermoplastic polymer layer and a second major exterior surface formed from the second thermoplastic polymer layer opposite the first major exterior surface, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element. 
     Clause 35. The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 34, wherein the seam comprises an outer perimeter seam that completely surrounds the sealed interior chamber. 
     Clause 36. The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 35, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer layer includes a first major interior surface and a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface, and wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 37. The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 35, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer layer includes a first major interior surface and a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface, and wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 38. The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 37, further comprising: engaging a fabric component with the second thermoplastic polymer layer. 
     Clause 39. The method according to Clause 38, wherein the step of engaging the fabric component with the second thermoplastic polymer layer takes place simultaneous with the step of applying heat and pressure. 
     Clause 40. The method according to Clause 39, wherein the second thermoplastic polymer layer includes a first major interior surface and a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to a thermoplastic polyurethane component included in the fabric component. 
     Clause 41. The method according to Clause 40, wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the thermoplastic polyurethane component of the fabric component in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 42. The method according to Clause 40, wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the thermoplastic polyurethane component of the fabric component in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 43. The method according to any one of Clauses 38 to 42, wherein the fabric component includes an opening defined through it, and wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed through the opening. 
     Clause 44. The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 37, further comprising: (i) engaging a fabric component with the second thermoplastic polymer layer; and (ii) forming an opening through the fabric component, wherein a portion an exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is exposed through the opening. 
     Clause 45. The method according to Clause 44, wherein the portion of the exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer exposed through the opening includes a portion that forms an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber. 
     Clause 46. The method according to Clause 44 or 45, wherein the step of forming the opening includes dissolving a portion of the fabric component to form the opening. 
     Clause 47. The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 46, wherein the step of applying heat and pressure to form the seam includes localized melting to bond the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element. 
     Clause 48. The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 47, wherein the step of applying heat and pressure to form the seam includes localized melting to bond the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the second thermoplastic polymer layer. 
     Clause 49. The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 48, wherein the step of inflating the sealed interior chamber takes place after the step of applying heat and pressure. 
     Clause 50. The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 48, wherein the step of inflating the sealed interior chamber takes place before the step of applying heat and pressure. 
     Clause 51. A footwear upper component formed by the method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 50. 
     Clause 52. A method of making an article of footwear, comprising:
         forming a footwear upper component using the method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 50; and   engaging a sole structure with the footwear upper component.       

     Clause 53. An article of footwear formed by the method according to Clause 52. 
     Clause 54. A footwear upper component, comprising:
         a first fabric element; and   a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid, wherein the bladder component includes an outer perimeter seam that extends at least partially around the sealed interior chamber, and wherein at least a portion of the outer perimeter seam is bonded to the first fabric element.       

     Clause 55. The footwear upper component according to Clause 54, wherein the bladder component includes a first thermoplastic sheet and a second thermoplastic sheet facing the first thermoplastic sheet, wherein the outer perimeter seam fixes the first thermoplastic sheet to the second thermoplastic sheet, and wherein a first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, a first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet, and the outer perimeter seam define the sealed interior chamber. 
     Clause 56. The footwear upper component according to Clause 55, wherein the first thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet that defines the sealed interior chamber is bonded to the first fabric element in an adhesive free manner, and wherein the portion of the outer perimeter seam that is bonded to the first fabric element is bonded in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 57. The footwear upper component according to Clause 56, wherein the outer perimeter seam includes a first seam portion engaging a first side of the first thermoplastic sheet with a first side of the second thermoplastic sheet and a second seam portion engaging a second side of the first thermoplastic sheet with a second side of the second thermoplastic sheet, wherein the first seam portion is located on an opposite side of the sealed interior chamber from the second seam portion, and wherein the portion of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet that is bonded to the first fabric element extends continuously from the first seam portion to the second seam portion. 
     Clause 58. The footwear upper component according to Clause 55, wherein the first thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, and wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the first fabric element in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 59. The footwear upper component according to Clause 55, wherein the first thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, and wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the first fabric element in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 60. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 55 to 59, further comprising: a second fabric element engaged with at least one of the first fabric element or the bladder component. 
     Clause 61. The footwear upper component according to Clause 60, wherein the second thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the second fabric element in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 62. The footwear upper component according to Clause 61, wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the second fabric element in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 63. The footwear upper component according to Clause 61, wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the second fabric element in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 64. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 60 to 63, wherein the second fabric element includes an opening defined through it, and wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed through the opening. 
     Clause 65. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 54 to 64, wherein the outer perimeter seam extends continuously and completely around the sealed interior chamber. 
     Clause 66. The footwear upper component according to Clause 65, wherein at least 90% of a surface area of one surface of the outer perimeter seam is bonded to the first fabric element. 
     Clause 67. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 54 to 66, wherein the outer perimeter seam includes a thermoplastic material that melts under heat and pressure to bond with melted material of the first fabric element. 
     Clause 68. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 54 to 67, wherein the outer perimeter seam forms a closed loop, and wherein a perimeter of the closed loop encloses a single sealed interior chamber which consists of the sealed interior chamber. 
     Clause 69. An article of footwear, comprising:
         a footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 54 to 68; and   a sole structure engaged with the footwear upper component.       

     Clause 70. A method of forming a footwear upper component, comprising:
         placing a bladder or a bladder precursor on a first fabric element, wherein the bladder or the bladder precursor includes a first thermoplastic polymer layer and a second thermoplastic polymer layer overlapping the first thermoplastic polymer layer;   applying heat and pressure to form a seam to engage the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the second thermoplastic polymer layer and to engage at least a portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the first fabric element, wherein the seam, the first thermoplastic polymer layer, and the second thermoplastic polymer layer define a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid; and   inflating the sealed interior chamber.       

     Clause 71. The method according to Clause 70, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer layer and the second thermoplastic polymer layer are formed as separate sheets. 
     Clause 72. The method according to Clause 70 or 71, wherein the sealed interior chamber includes a first major exterior surface formed from the first thermoplastic polymer layer and a second major exterior surface formed from the second thermoplastic polymer layer opposite the first major exterior surface, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the first fabric element. 
     Clause 73. The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 72, wherein the seam comprises an outer perimeter seam that completely surrounds the sealed interior chamber. 
     Clause 74. The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 73, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer layer includes a first major interior surface and a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface, and wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the first fabric element in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 75. The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 73, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer layer includes a first major interior surface and a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface, and wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the first fabric element in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 76. The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 75, further comprising: engaging a fabric component with the second thermoplastic polymer layer. 
     Clause 77. The method according to Clause 76, wherein the step of engaging the fabric component with the second thermoplastic polymer layer takes place simultaneous with the step of applying heat and pressure. 
     Clause 78. The method according to Clause 77, wherein the second thermoplastic polymer layer includes a first major interior surface and a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the fabric component. 
     Clause 79. The method according to Clause 78, wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the fabric component in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 80. The method according to Clause 78, wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the fabric component in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 81. The method according to any one of Clauses 76 to 80, wherein the fabric component includes an opening defined through it, and wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed through the opening. 
     Clause 82. The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 75, further comprising: (i) engaging a fabric component with the second thermoplastic polymer layer; and (ii) forming an opening through the fabric component, wherein a portion an exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is exposed through the opening. 
     Clause 83. The method according to Clause 82, wherein the portion of the exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer exposed through the opening includes a portion that forms an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber. 
     Clause 84. The method according to Clause 82 or 83, wherein the step of forming the opening includes dissolving a portion of the fabric component to form the opening. 
     Clause 85. The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 84, wherein the step of applying heat and pressure to form the seam includes localized melting to bond the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the first fabric element. 
     Clause 86. The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 85, wherein the step of applying heat and pressure to form the seam includes localized melting to bond the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the second thermoplastic polymer layer. 
     Clause 87. The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 86, wherein the step of inflating the sealed interior chamber takes place after the step of applying heat and pressure. 
     Clause 88. The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 86, wherein the step of inflating the sealed interior chamber takes place before the step of applying heat and pressure. 
     Clause 89. A footwear upper component formed by the method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 88. 
     Clause 90. A method of making an article of footwear, comprising:
         forming a footwear upper component using the method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 88; and   engaging a sole structure with the footwear upper component.       

     Clause 91. An article of footwear formed by the method according to Clause 90. 
     Clause 92. A footwear upper component, comprising:
         a first fabric element that includes a first surface having texturing; and   a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid, wherein the bladder component includes: (a) a first major surface engaged with the first surface of the first fabric element, wherein the first major surface defines at least part of a first perimeter seam surface and at least part of a first surface of the sealed interior chamber, (b) a second major surface opposite the first major surface, wherein the second major surface defines at least part of a second perimeter seam surface opposite the first perimeter seam surface and at least part of a second surface of the sealed interior chamber opposite the first surface of the sealed interior chamber, and (c) and a fluid chamber located between the first major surface and the second major surface, and wherein at least a portion of the first major surface includes texturing having surface contour features corresponding to the texturing present on the first surface of the first fabric element.       

     Clause 93. The footwear upper component according to Clause 92, wherein the texturing on the first major surface of the bladder component includes texturing on the first surface of the sealed interior chamber. 
     Clause 94. The footwear upper component according to Clause 92 or 93, wherein the texturing on the first major surface of the bladder component includes texturing on the first perimeter seam surface. 
     Clause 95. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 92 to 94, wherein at least a portion of the second major surface includes texturing corresponding to the texturing present on the first surface of the first fabric element. 
     Clause 96. The footwear upper component according to Clause 95, wherein the texturing on the second major surface of the bladder component includes texturing on the second surface of the sealed interior chamber. 
     Clause 97. The footwear upper component according to Clause 95 or 96, wherein the texturing on the second major surface of the bladder component includes texturing on the second perimeter seam surface. 
     Clause 98. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 92 to 97, wherein the first major surface of the bladder component is formed from a first thermoplastic sheet and the second major surface of the bladder component is formed from a second thermoplastic sheet. 
     Clause 99. The footwear upper component according to Clause 98, wherein the second thermoplastic sheet is formed from an at least partially transparent or translucent material such that the texturing present on at least a portion of the first major surface is visible through the second thermoplastic sheet. 
     Clause 100. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 92 to 99, wherein the first surface of the first fabric element has a mesh structure. 
     Clause 101. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 92 to 99, wherein the first surface of the first fabric element has a mesh structure with openings defined within a matrix formed by the first fabric element, and wherein the mesh structure and openings produce the surface contour features on the first major surface of the bladder component. 
     Clause 102. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 92 to 101, wherein the first fabric element is a knit fabric element. 
     Clause 103. An article of footwear, comprising:
         a footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 92 to 102; and   a sole structure engaged with the footwear upper component.       

     Clause 104. A method of forming a footwear upper component, comprising:
         placing a bladder or a bladder precursor on a first fabric element, wherein the first fabric element includes a first surface having texturing, and wherein the bladder or the bladder precursor includes a first thermoplastic polymer layer and a second thermoplastic polymer layer overlapping the first thermoplastic polymer layer; and   forming texturing on at least a portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer by applying heat and pressure to form at least one of: (a) a seam that engages the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the second thermoplastic polymer layer and (ii) an engagement of at least the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the first fabric element, wherein the bladder or the bladder precursor defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid, and wherein the texturing formed on the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer corresponds in surface contour features to the texturing included on the first surface of the first fabric element.       

     Clause 105. The method according to Clause 104, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer layer and the second thermoplastic polymer layer are formed as separate sheets. 
     Clause 106. The method according to Clause 104 or 105, wherein the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer on which the texturing is formed comprises at least a portion of the seam. 
     Clause 107. The method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 106, wherein the sealed interior chamber includes a first major exterior surface formed by the first thermoplastic polymer layer and a second major exterior surface formed by the second thermoplastic polymer layer, and wherein the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer on which the texturing is formed comprises at least a portion of the first major exterior surface. 
     Clause 108. The method according to Clause 107, wherein the step of forming the texturing forms texturing on at least a portion of the second major exterior surface. 
     Clause 109. The method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 106, wherein the sealed interior chamber includes a first major exterior surface formed by the first thermoplastic polymer layer and a second major exterior surface formed by the second thermoplastic polymer layer, and wherein the step of forming the texturing forms texturing on at least a portion of the second major exterior surface. 
     Clause 110. The method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 109, wherein the seam comprises an outer perimeter seam that completely surrounds the sealed interior chamber. 
     Clause 111. The method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 110, further comprising: engaging a second fabric element with the second thermoplastic polymer layer. 
     Clause 112. The method according to Clause 111, wherein the step of engaging the second fabric element with the second thermoplastic polymer layer takes place simultaneous with the step of applying heat and pressure to form the texturing on at least the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer. 
     Clause 113. The method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 112, wherein the step of forming the texturing further includes forming texturing on at least a portion of the second thermoplastic polymer layer by applying heat and pressure to the second thermoplastic polymer layer, and wherein the texturing formed on the portion of the second thermoplastic polymer layer corresponds in surface contour features to the texturing included on the first surface of the first fabric element. 
     Clause 114. The method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 113, wherein the second thermoplastic polymer layer is formed at least in part from an at least partially transparent or translucent material, and wherein the texturing present on at least a portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer is visible through the second thermoplastic polymer layer. 
     Clause 115. The method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 114, further comprising: inflating the sealed interior chamber after the step of forming the texturing. 
     Clause 116. The method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 114, further comprising: inflating the sealed interior chamber before the step of forming the texturing. 
     Clause 117. The method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 116, wherein the first surface of the first fabric element has a mesh structure. 
     Clause 118. The method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 116, wherein the first surface of the first fabric element has a mesh structure with openings defined within a matrix formed by the first fabric element, and wherein the mesh structure and openings produce the surface contour features on the first thermoplastic polymer layer. 
     Clause 119. The method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 118, wherein the first fabric element is a knit fabric element. 
     Clause 120. A footwear upper component formed by the method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 119. 
     Clause 121. A method of making an article of footwear, comprising:
         forming a footwear upper component using the method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 119; and   engaging a sole structure with the footwear upper component.       

     Clause 122. An article of footwear formed by the method according to Clause 121. 
     Clause 123. A footwear upper component, comprising:
         a first fabric element; and   a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid, wherein the bladder component includes: (a) a first major surface engaged with the first fabric element, wherein the first major surface defines at least part of a first perimeter seam surface and at least part of a first surface of the sealed interior chamber, (b) a second major surface opposite the first major surface, wherein the second major surface defines at least part of a second perimeter seam surface opposite the first perimeter seam surface and at least part of a second surface of the sealed interior chamber opposite the first surface of the sealed interior chamber, and (c) and a fluid chamber located between the first major surface and the second major surface, and wherein at least a portion of the second major surface includes molded-in texturing.       

     Clause 124. The footwear upper component according to Clause 123, wherein the molded-in texturing on the second major surface of the bladder component includes texturing on at least a portion of the second surface of the sealed interior chamber. 
     Clause 125. The footwear upper component according to Clause 123 or 124, wherein the molded-in texturing on the second major surface of the bladder component includes texturing on the second perimeter seam surface. 
     Clause 126. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 125, wherein the first major surface of the bladder component is formed from a first thermoplastic sheet and the second major surface of the bladder component is formed from a second thermoplastic sheet. 
     Clause 127. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 126, wherein the molded-in texturing includes a plurality of raised ridges. 
     Clause 128. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 126, wherein the molded-in texturing includes a plurality of raised grid elements. 
     Clause 129. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 126, wherein the molded-in texturing includes a plurality of recessed grid elements. 
     Clause 130. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 126, wherein the molded-in texturing includes a herringbone pattern. 
     Clause 131. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 126, wherein the molded-in texturing includes a plurality of rounded elements. 
     Clause 132. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 126, wherein the molded-in texturing includes a first portion having a first pattern and a second portion having a second pattern different from the first pattern. 
     Clause 133. An article of footwear, comprising:
         a footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 132; and   a sole structure engaged with the footwear upper component.