Patent Publication Number: US-2023141325-A1

Title: Bladders, Footwear Uppers Including Bladders, and Articles of Footwear Including Bladders in the Upper

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
     This application is a U.S. Non-Provisional Application based on (a) 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 (b) 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 U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/277,903 and U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/277,941 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 include bladder chambers and fluid lines configured to move fluid to locations to provide support for a wearer&#39;s foot, e.g., heel and/or ankle support. 
     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. In some aspects of this technology, the bladders will include bladder chambers and fluid lines configured to move fluid (e.g., when the footwear is secured to a wearer&#39;s foot) to locations to provide support for a wearer&#39;s foot, e.g., heel and/or ankle support. 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. 
     Some more specific aspects of this technology relate to bladders, e.g., for inclusion in footwear uppers, that include: (a) a first thermoplastic sheet; (b) a second thermoplastic sheet facing the first thermoplastic sheet; and (c) a continuous outer perimeter seam sealing the first thermoplastic sheet to the second thermoplastic sheet. The continuous outer perimeter seam defines a sealed interior volume between the first thermoplastic sheet and the second thermoplastic sheet. In some examples of this technology, this continuous outer perimeter seam extends continuously to form the sealed interior volume to include a bladder chamber that underlies at least a portion of a footwear securing system (e.g., straps, laces, etc.) at an instep area of the footwear upper to moderate force applied to a wearer&#39;s instep by the securing system. 
     Additionally or alternatively, in some examples of this technology, the continuous outer perimeter seam of the bladder may extend to form the sealed interior volume to include: (i) one or more fluid supply chambers having at least a first major surface formed by the first thermoplastic sheet, (ii) one or more heel and/or ankle support chambers, and (iii) one or more fluid lines connecting the fluid supply chamber(s) and the one or more heel and/or ankle support chambers through the sealed interior volume. In use, fluid may move from the fluid supply chamber(s) to at least one heel and/or ankle support chamber (via at least one fluid line) to increase fluid volume and/or pressure in the heel and/or ankle support chamber(s). The increased fluid volume and/or pressure provides additional support for the heel and/or ankle area(s) of a wearer&#39;s foot and/or may improve comfort and/or fit (e.g., by eliminating at least some excess open space within the footwear upper). The sealed interior volume may contain a fixed mass of fluid (e.g., the interior volume may be a closed volume with no functional fluid inlet or fluid outlet to/from the interior volume). The fluid may move in the sealed interior volume without the need of a pump (e.g., without a manual, mechanical, and/or electronic pump device). 
     Additional aspects of this technology relate to footwear uppers incorporating bladders, e.g., of the types described above, to moderate the feel of the footwear securing system and/or to provide heel and/or ankle support. The footwear upper may include a strap system that applies force to the first major surface of the fluid supply chamber(s) and moves fluid from the fluid supply chamber(s) (e.g., located at an instep area of the footwear upper) to the one or more heel and/or ankle support chambers. Such bladders, footwear uppers, and articles of footwear may operate to move fluid in a pump-free manner (i.e., no pump is used with and/or included in such products). 
     While aspects of this technology are described in terms of bladders, footwear uppers including such bladders, and articles of footwear including such bladders, additional aspects of this technology relate to methods of making such bladders, footwear uppers, and/or articles of footwear and/or methods of using such bladders, footwear uppers, and/or articles of footwear, e.g., to provide additional support for a wearer&#39;s heel and/or ankle. 
    
    
     
       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. 
         FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  provide side views of an article of footwear in accordance with some aspects of this technology; 
         FIGS.  2 A- 2 D  illustrate components of articles of footwear in accordance with some aspects of this technology and features of their engagement with a wearer&#39;s foot; 
         FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  provide interior views of articles of footwear in accordance with some aspects of this technology; 
         FIGS.  4  and  5    illustrate other example upper blank and bladder structures in accordance with some aspects of this technology; 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 D  provide various views of another article of footwear in accordance with some aspects of this technology; 
         FIG.  7    provides information regarding materials and construction of a footwear upper base in accordance with some aspects of this technology; 
         FIGS.  8 A- 8 E  provide information relating to the structure of components and methods of making footwear uppers and articles of footwear in accordance with some aspects of this technology; 
         FIGS.  9 A- 9 C  provide various views of another example upper blank, footwear upper, and article of footwear in accordance with some aspects of this technology; and 
         FIGS.  10 A- 10 C  provide various views of another example upper blank, footwear upper, and article of footwear in accordance with some aspects 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 the 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 including such bladders, and articles of footwear including such bladders 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.). 
     Some more specific aspects or examples of this technology relate to footwear uppers that include:
         (a) a footwear upper base formed from one or more component parts (e.g., one or more fabric components and/or other components) and including: (i) an instep region including at least one of a tongue base region or an instep base region and (ii) a heel-containing region; and   (b) a bladder including: (i) a first instep chamber engaged with (e.g., bonded to) the instep region of the footwear upper base, (ii) a first heel and/or ankle support chamber engaged with (e.g., bonded to) the heel-containing region of the footwear upper base, and (iii) a first fluid line connecting the first instep chamber and the first heel and/or ankle support chamber and placing the first instep chamber in fluid communication with the first heel and/or ankle support chamber.       

     In some examples of these aspects of this technology, a strap system may be provided to secure the upper to a wearer&#39;s foot. 
     Additional aspects or examples of this technology relate to footwear uppers that include:
         (a) a footwear upper base formed from one or more component parts (e.g., one or more fabric components and/or other components) and including: (i) an instep region including at least one of a tongue base region or an instep base region and (ii) a heel-containing region;   (b) a bladder including: (i) a first instep chamber engaged with (e.g., bonded to) the instep region of the footwear upper base, (ii) a first heel and/or ankle support chamber engaged with (e.g., bonded to) the heel-containing region of the footwear upper base, and (iii) a first fluid line connecting the first instep chamber and the first heel and/or ankle support chamber and placing the first instep chamber in fluid communication with the first heel and/or ankle support chamber; and   (c) a strap system including a first strap portion structured and configured to extend across a first major surface of the first instep chamber.       

     When tightened, strap systems provided in footwear uppers according to the above aspects or examples of this technology may apply a force to the first instep chamber to move fluid from the first instep chamber through the first fluid line to the first heel and/or ankle support chamber. This movement of fluid increases the fluid pressure and/or volume in the heel and/or ankle support chamber. In this manner, the increased fluid pressure and/or volume applies additional support to the wearer&#39;s heel and/or ankle and/or may improve comfort and/or fit (e.g., by eliminating at least some excess open space within the footwear upper). The fluid may move within the bladder without the use of and/or need for a pump (manually operated or powered) to move the fluid. 
     In some footwear uppers in accordance with the above aspects or examples of this technology, the bladder will be directly engaged with a fabric component (e.g., a knit fabric component) that forms at least one of the component parts of the footwear upper base. This direct engagement may include bonding the fabric component and the bladder in an adhesive-free manner, e.g., by joining a thermoplastic material included as part of the fabric component(s) with a thermoplastic material included as part of the bladder using heat and pressure (e.g., to melt bond the thermoplastic materials together). 
     Additional aspects and examples of this technology include bladders, e.g., for inclusion in footwear uppers, that include: (a) a first thermoplastic sheet; (b) a second thermoplastic sheet facing the first thermoplastic sheet; and (c) a continuous outer perimeter seam sealing the first thermoplastic sheet to the second thermoplastic sheet. The first and second thermoplastic sheets may be provided as separate components or as portions of a single thermoplastic component (e.g., as two layers formed from a folded sheet). The continuous outer perimeter seam defines a sealed interior volume between the first thermoplastic sheet and the second thermoplastic sheet. In some examples of this technology, this continuous outer perimeter seam extends continuously to form the sealed interior volume to include a bladder chamber that underlies at least a portion of a footwear securing system (e.g., straps, laces, etc.), e.g., to moderate force applied to a wearer&#39;s instep by the securing system. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples of this technology, this continuous outer perimeter seam extends continuously to form the sealed interior volume to include: (i) a fluid supply chamber having a first major surface formed by the first thermoplastic sheet, (ii) a first heel and/or ankle support chamber, (iii) a first fluid line connecting the fluid supply chamber and the first heel and/or ankle support chamber through the sealed interior volume, (iv) a second heel and/or ankle support chamber, and (v) a second fluid line connecting the first heel and/or ankle support chamber and the second heel and/or ankle support chamber through the sealed interior volume. Such bladders may be used in footwear uppers, e.g., of the various aspects and examples described above. 
     Still additional aspects and examples of this technology include bladders, e.g., for inclusion in footwear uppers, that include: (a) a first thermoplastic sheet; (b) a second thermoplastic sheet facing the first thermoplastic sheet; and (c) a continuous outer perimeter seam sealing the first thermoplastic sheet to the second thermoplastic sheet. The first and second thermoplastic sheets may be provided as separate components or as portions of a single thermoplastic component (e.g., as two layers formed from a folded sheet). The continuous outer perimeter seam defines a sealed interior volume between the first thermoplastic sheet and the second thermoplastic sheet. In some examples of this technology, this continuous outer perimeter seam extends continuously to form the sealed interior volume to include a bladder chamber that underlies at least a portion of a footwear securing system (e.g., straps, laces, etc.), e.g., to moderate force applied to a wearer&#39;s instep by the securing system. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples of this technology, this continuous outer perimeter seam extends continuously to form the sealed interior volume to include: (i) a fluid supply chamber having a first major surface formed by the first thermoplastic sheet, (ii) a first heel and/or ankle support chamber, (iii) a first fluid line connecting the fluid supply chamber and the first heel and/or ankle support chamber through the sealed interior volume, (iv) a second heel and/or ankle support chamber, and (v) a second fluid line connecting the fluid supply chamber and the second heel and/or ankle support chamber through the sealed interior volume. The first and second fluid lines may extend along opposite sides of the footwear upper. Such bladders may be used in footwear uppers, e.g., of the various aspects and examples described above. 
     Further aspects of this technology relate to articles of footwear including the bladders and/or footwear uppers of the various types described above. Still additional aspects of this technology relate to methods of making the bladders, footwear uppers, and/or articles of footwear described above. 
     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 footwear uppers, bladders, articles of footwear, and methods in accordance with this technology follows. 
     II. Detailed Description of Example Bladders, Footwear Uppers, Articles of Footwear, Heel and/or Ankle Support Systems, and Other Components/Features According to this Technology 
       FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  show lateral and medial side views, respectively, of an article of footwear  100  in accordance with some aspects of this technology. The article of footwear  100  includes a footwear upper base  102  formed from one or more component parts. The term “footwear upper base” as used herein means a footwear upper, optionally made from one or more conventional parts and/or made in conventional manners. Other components, such as a bladder system and a footwear securing system (e.g., a strap system) may be engaged with (e.g., bonded to) or otherwise associated with the footwear upper base  102 . While other options are possible, the illustrated footwear upper base  102  is formed from multiple fabric components (e.g., one or more knit components) that are engaged together by sewn seams, by melt bonds, by welding techniques, by mechanical connectors, etc. 
     In this illustrated example, the footwear upper base  102  includes: (i) an instep region  102 T including at least one of a tongue base region or an instep base region and (ii) a heel-containing region  102 H. The footwear upper base  102  further defines a foot-receiving opening  106 . A sole structure  104 , including one or more component parts, engages the footwear upper base  102 . The sole structure  104  may have any desired construction and/or component parts and/or may be engaged with the footwear upper base  102  in any desired manner, including conventional constructions and/or component parts and/or conventional engagement methods as are known and used in the footwear arts. 
     This example article of footwear  100  includes a bladder  200  (e.g., a gas or other fluid-filled bladder) engaged with (e.g., bonded to, sewn to, etc.) the footwear upper base  102 . The bladder  200  includes at least one instep chamber engaged with (e.g., bonded to) the instep region  102 T of the footwear upper base  102 . This specific example bladder  200  includes a first instep chamber  202 A having multiple “bulbs” (or lobes)  202 A 1 ,  202 A 2  in fluid communication with one another and a second instep chamber  202 B also having multiple “bulbs”  202 B 1 ,  202 B 2  (or lobes) in fluid communication with one another. Note also  FIGS.  2 A and  2 C . One end of the first instep chamber  202 A and one end of the second instep chamber  202 B in this illustrated example are placed in fluid communication with one another via a connecting fluid line  204 . An exposed portion  110  of one or more footwear upper base  102  components is exposed at an exterior of the article of footwear  100  (e.g., potentially underlying one or more straps to be discussed in more detail below) at locations between the first instep chamber  202 A and the second instep chamber  202 B (e.g., at a gap  210 G in the bladder  200 ). Note also  FIGS.  2 A and  2 C . 
     This example bladder  200  further includes at least one heel and/or ankle support chamber engaged with (e.g., bonded to, sewn to, etc.) the heel-containing region  102 H of the footwear upper base  102 . This specific example bladder  200  includes a first heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M (e.g., on a medial side of the footwear upper base  102 ) and a second heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L (e.g., on a lateral side of the footwear upper base  102 ). In this example, a first fluid line  206  (which is an extension of the connecting fluid line  204 ) connects the first instep chamber  202 A and the second instep chamber  202 B with the first heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M. In this manner, both the first instep chamber  202 A and the second instep chamber  202 B are in fluid communication with the first heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M via first fluid line  206 . Also, a second fluid line  208  extends between and places the first heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M in fluid communication with the second heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L. In the example bladder  200  shown in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , the second heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L receives fluid only through the second fluid line  208  that connects with the first heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M. The second fluid line  208  wraps around a rear heel and/or ankle portion of the footwear upper base  102 , extending from the medial side of the footwear upper base  102  to its lateral side. Thus, in the illustrated bladder  200 , the entire interior chamber of the bladder  200  (the first instep chamber  202 A, the second instep chamber  202 B, the first heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M, and the second heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L) are in open fluid communication with one another (via connecting fluid line  204 , first fluid line  206 , and second fluid line  208 ). 
     The bladder  200  may be engaged with the footwear upper base  102  component(s) in any desired manner. As some more specific examples, the bladder  200  may be engaged with one or more footwear upper base  102  components at least in part by adhesives. Additionally or alternatively, the bladder  200  may be engaged with one or more footwear upper base  102  components at least in part by one or more mechanical connectors (e.g., rivets, crimped metal ring connectors, sewn seams, etc.). Still additionally or alternatively, bladder  200  may be engaged with one or more footwear upper base  102  components at least in part by a melt bonded or welded connection (e.g., bonding a thermoplastic material of the bladder  200  with a thermoplastic material present in a footwear upper base  102  component part (e.g., a knitted part including a thermoplastic component in one or more yarns)), by heat and pressure, by localized melting, by welding techniques (e.g., RF welding, ultrasonic welding, etc.), etc. In some examples of this technology, the bladder  200  will be engaged with one or more footwear upper base  102  components (including a knit footwear upper base  102  component) at least in part in an adhesive-free manner. Concurrently filed U.S. Patent Appln. No. 63/277,916, filed Nov. 10, 2021 and U.S. Patent Appln. No. 63/277,932, filed Nov. 10, 2021—each entitled “Footwear Uppers Including Bladders and Articles of Footwear Including Bladders in the Upper” and each of which is entirely incorporated herein by reference—describe various ways that a bladder may be bonded to a footwear upper component that may be used in accordance with this technology. 
       FIG.  1 B  shows the first fluid line  206  extending along and proximate to a medial side edge  106 M of the foot-receiving opening  106  defined by the footwear upper base  102  (i.e., the top edge of the foot-receiving opening  106  on the medial side of the article of footwear  100 ). Alternatively, if desired, the bladder  200  structure can be flip-flopped on the footwear upper base  102  such that: (a) the first heel and/or ankle support chamber is located on the lateral side of the footwear upper base  102 , (b) the second heel and/or ankle support chamber is located on the medial side of the footwear upper base  102 , and (c) the first fluid line  206  extends along and proximate to a lateral side edge  106 L of the foot-receiving opening  106  (i.e., the top edge of the foot-receiving opening  106  on the lateral side of the article of footwear  100 ), e.g., at a similar position on the lateral side as shown on the medial side in  FIG.  1 B . Thus, in the figures,  FIG.  1 A  could constitute a medial side view and  FIG.  1 B  could constitute a lateral side view. The term “proximate to” as used herein in this context with respect to the location of the first fluid line  206  with respect to the top side edge of the foot-receiving opening  106  means that at least a 20 mm length of the first fluid line  206  is located within 30 mm of the respective top side edge ( 106 M,  106 L) of the foot-receiving opening  106 . Also, in at least some examples of this technology, the first fluid line  206 , the second fluid line  208 , and/or the connecting fluid line  204  will have a transverse cross sectional area of less than 160 mm 2 , and in some examples, less than 100 mm 2 , less than 80 mm 2 , less than 65 mm 2 , or even less than 50 mm 2  over at least a 20 mm length (and in some examples, over at least a 30 mm length, at least a 40 mm length, or even at least a 50 mm length). 
       FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  further illustrate that this example article of footwear  100  includes a footwear securing system in the form of a strap system  300  having one or more straps. In the specifically illustrated example, the strap system  300  includes a single strap  302  having a first strap portion  302 A that extends over a first major surface of the second instep chamber  202 B and a second strap portion  302 B that extends over a first major surface of the first instep chamber  202 A. The strap system  300  includes a strap  302  having its first end  304 A fixedly secured (e.g., by stitching, by adhesive, by mechanical connector, etc.) to at least one of the footwear upper base  102  and/or the sole structure  104  (optionally sandwiched between the footwear upper base  102  and the sole structure  104 ) at one side (e.g., the lateral side) of the article of footwear  100  structure. From its first end  304 A, the strap  302  includes the first strap portion  302 A that extends over a first major surface of the second instep chamber  202 B (e.g., over both of its “bulbs”  202 B 2  and  202 B 1  in this example). At the other side (e.g., the medial side) of the footwear upper base  102  and the article of footwear  100 , the strap  302  includes an intermediate strap portion  302 C that engages a retaining device  310  (e.g., a strap “direction change” device). In this illustrated example, the retaining device  310  includes a ring through which the intermediate strap portion  302 C extends, and this ring is attached to the footwear upper base  102  and/or sole structure by a strap  310 A. Strap  310 A optionally is sandwiched between and/or engaged with at least one of the footwear upper base  102  and the sole structure  104 , e.g., by stitching, by adhesive, by mechanical connector, etc. At the retaining device  310 , the strap  302  changes direction such that the second strap portion  302 B extends over a first major surface of the first instep chamber  202 A (e.g., over both of its “bulbs”  202 A 2  and  202 A 1  in this example). A securing system  312  secures the second strap portion  302 B, e.g., to one of the footwear upper base  102 , to the sole structure  104 , and/or to the second strap portion  302 B. While the illustrated example shows each of the free end  302 E of the second strap portion  302 B and the footwear upper base  102  including portions  312 P of a hook-and-loop type fastener, other securing systems may be used without departing from this technology, including, for example, a buckle system, a button system, a snap fastener system, a zipper system, a mechanical fastener extending between openings in the two strap portions  302 A,  302 B, another retaining device  310 , etc. 
     In use, a wearer dons the article of footwear  100  by placing his/her foot inside the foot-receiving opening  106 . The strap system  300  is tightened around the foot by pulling the second strap portion  302 B tightly against the retaining device  310  and securing its free end  302 E using the securing system  312 . Force applied to the instep chamber(s) (e.g., first instep chamber  202 A and/or the second instep chamber  202 B) by the strap system  300  moves fluid contained within the bladder  200  from the instep chamber(s) (e.g.,  202 A,  202 B) to the heel and/or ankle support chamber(s) (e.g., first heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M and/or second heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L) to increase fluid pressure and/or fluid volume in the heel and/or ankle support chamber(s). The increased fluid pressure and/or fluid volume in the heel and/or ankle support chamber(s) (e.g., first heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M and/or second heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L) provides additional support for the wearer&#39;s heel and/or ankle. Additionally or alternatively, in at least some examples of this technology, increased fluid pressure and/or fluid volume the heel and/or ankle support chamber(s) may improve comfort and/or fit (e.g., by eliminating at least some excess open space within the footwear upper). 
       FIGS.  2 A- 2 D  illustrate various parts and/or features of a footwear upper base  102  in accordance with some aspects of this technology.  FIG.  2 A  shows the footwear upper base  102  as an upper blank  130  (i.e., before it is attached to a footwear sole structure  104 ) with various other components attached to it.  FIG.  2 A  illustrates how the first strap portion  302 A extends over major surfaces of the second instep chamber  202 B (e.g., over both of its “bulbs”  202 B 2  and  202 B 1 ) and how the intermediate strap portion  302 C extends through retaining device  310 . It also is readily evident from  FIG.  2 A  how the intermediate strap portion  302 C turns against retaining device  310  so that the second strap portion  302 B can extend over the first major surface of the first instep chamber  202 A (e.g., over both of its “bulbs”  202 A 2  and  202 A 1 ). From there, portion  312 P of the securing system  312  provided on the free end  302 E of the second strap portion  302 B can engage the portion  312 P of the securing system  312  provided on the lateral side of the footwear upper base  102 . 
     Footwear upper base  102  may be made from one or more component parts, e.g., including fabric parts, such as knitted fabric components. When the footwear upper base  102  component(s) include a thermoplastic material (e.g., a knitted fabric component with at least one thermoplastic yarn), this may enable engagement of the footwear upper base  102  with the bladder  200  in an adhesive free manner, e.g., as described above. The footwear upper base  102  shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 2 A  further includes a stretchable fabric component  120  (e.g., an elastic or elastomeric component, such as a stretchable chenille fabric) around the foot receiving opening  106  and along a lateral side of the instep region  102 T to provide comfort, to enable easy donning and doffing, and to help hold the overall footwear upper to a wearer&#39;s foot. 
       FIG.  2 B  illustrates areas  10 M,  10 L of a human foot  10  that may receive additional support from the first and second heel and/or ankle support chamber(s)  210 M,  210 L in some examples of this technology (the support “pod” locations with respect to a wearer&#39;s foot). As described above, force applied to the instep chamber(s) (e.g., first instep chamber  202 A and/or the second instep chamber  202 B) by the strap system  300  compresses the instep chamber(s)  202 A/ 202 B and moves fluid contained within the bladder  200  from the instep chamber(s)  202 A/ 202 B toward the heel and/or ankle support chamber(s) (e.g., first heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M and/or second heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L) to increase fluid pressure and/or fluid volume in the heel and/or ankle support chamber(s)  210 M/ 210 L. The increased fluid pressure and/or fluid volume in the heel and/or ankle support chamber(s)  210 M/ 210 L provides additional support for the medial side  10 M and lateral side  10 L of a wearer&#39;s heel and/or ankle, in the areas shown in  FIG.  2 B  and/or may improve comfort and/or fit. 
       FIGS.  2 C and  2 D  illustrate the bladder  200  separated from the footwear upper base  102 .  FIG.  2 D  is a cross-sectional view, e.g., taken along line  2 D- 2 D in  FIG.  2 C . As shown in these figures, the bladder  200  is formed with a single, continuous outer perimeter seam  200 S that extends completely around the exterior perimeter of the bladder  200 . The seam  200 S may be formed by heat and pressure and/or welding techniques (e.g., RF welding, ultrasonic welding, etc.) to join two thermoplastic sheets  200 A,  200 B of material together. An interior chamber  2001  is provided in the space defined between the two thermoplastic sheets and the seam  200 S. As shown in  FIG.  2 C , the space defined between the two thermoplastic sheets and the seam  200 S defines a single, interconnected, fluid chamber  2001 , which in this example has all interior chamber portions in fluid communication with one another. In other words, fluid can freely move within the bladder  200 &#39;s sealed interior chamber  2001 , e.g., depending on external forces applied to the bladder  200 . The outer perimeter seam  200 S may be used for engaging the bladder  200  with a fabric (or other) component of the footwear upper base  102 , e.g., by stitching through the outer perimeter seam  200 S into the fabric (or other) component, by an adhesive connection, by a melt bond or other adhesive-free bonded connection, etc. 
     As further shown in  FIG.  2 C , the outer perimeter seam  200 S includes an extended single continuous seam portion  210 S that separates the first portion  202 A 1  of the first instep chamber  202 A from the first portion  202 B 1  of the second instep chamber  202 B. Further, the instep region of the bladder  200  is shaped such that a gap  210 G exists between the second portion  202 A 2  of the first instep chamber  202 A and the second portion  202 B 2  of the second instep chamber  202 B. The gap  210 G corresponds to a space between the outer edge of two portions of the outer perimeter seam  200 S. As described above, one or more footwear upper base  102  components may be exposed in the gap  210 G (note the discussion of exposed portion  110  above). See also  FIGS.  1 A and  2 A . 
     In the illustrated example of  FIG.  2 C , the first instep chamber  202 A and the second instep chamber  202 B are oriented and configured so that their longitudinal center lines  220 CL meet at an acute angle α. The angle α in this example is selected to generally correspond to the angle created by securing the strap system  300  around the wearer&#39;s foot so that the strap  302  will apply compressing force to relatively large areas of the first instep chamber  202 A and the second instep chamber  202 B. Force applied in the direction into the page of  FIG.  2 C  will move fluid from the second instep chamber  202 B through connecting fluid line  204  and from the first instep chamber  202 A in the direction of arrows  212  toward and to the first heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M and the second heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L. The angle α may be within a range of 10 degrees to 65 degrees, and in some examples, from 12 degrees to 60 degrees or from 15 degrees to 55 degrees. 
       FIGS.  1 A,  1 B, and  2 A  illustrate an example article of footwear  100  in which the bladder  200  is provided at the exterior surface of the footwear upper base  102  and article of footwear  100 . Other arrangements are possible. For example, in some examples of this technology, at least a majority of a surface area of the bladder  200  (and in some examples, at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 95%, or even 100% of the surface area of the bladder  200 ) may be located inside an outermost layer of the footwear upper base  102 .  FIG.  3 A  shows a heel-containing region  102 H of an article of footwear  100  in which at least the first heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M, the second heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L, the first fluid line  206 , and the second fluid line  208  are located inside the outermost layer  1020  of the footwear upper base  102 . Similarly,  FIG.  3 B  shows an instep region  102 T of an article of footwear  100  in which at least the first instep chamber  202 A and the second instep chamber  202 B (including the chamber bulbs  202 A 1 ,  202 A 2 ,  202 B 1 ,  202 B 2 , and the connecting fluid line  204 ) are located inside the outermost layer  1020  of the footwear upper base  102  (e.g., engaged with an interior side of the footwear tongue or other instep-covering component). In the examples of  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B , the illustrated portions of bladder  200  are located inside an interior-most layer or component of the footwear upper base  102 . Alternatively, if desired, at least a portion of the bladder  200  could be located between layers of the footwear upper base  102  (e.g., between an innermost and an outermost layer of a footwear upper). 
       FIG.  4    illustrates another example upper blank  400  with attached bladder  450  in accordance with some aspects of this technology. Where the same reference numbers are used in  FIG.  4    as are used in  FIGS.  1 A- 3 B , those reference numbers refer to the same or similar parts (with any of the options, alternatives, etc. as described for the parts above) and a more detailed description may be omitted. The description of  FIG.  4    below will primarily focus on at least some areas of distinction between the structure of  FIG.  4    and the other structures described above. 
     First, as readily evident from a comparison of  FIG.  2 A  and  FIG.  4   , the upper blank  400  of  FIG.  4    includes a bottom medial portion  402 M and a bottom lateral portion  402 L that will fold around and form at least a portion of a bottom surface of the upper when the final article of footwear is constructed. The upper blank  400  of  FIG.  4    also is more symmetric, especially in the heel-containing region  102 H, as compared to the upper blank  130  of  FIG.  2 A . For example, the medial and lateral sides of the heel-containing region  102 H of the upper blank  400  of  FIG.  4    will meet at a rear heel seam (e.g., joining edges  410 M and  410 L), whereas the upper blank  130  of  FIG.  2 A  has one elongated side heel-containing region  102 H (extending from the medial side) that wraps around the rear heel area to be joined to the other side (the lateral side) along the side surface of the upper. 
     The more symmetric upper blank  400  construction of  FIG.  4    accommodates a more symmetric bladder  450  structure as compared to the bladder  200  structure of  FIGS.  1 A to  3 B . The bladder  450  of  FIG.  4    includes a separate lateral fluid line  206 L that connects the bladder chamber(s)  202 A,  202 B in the instep region  102 T with the lateral (or second) heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L. Thus, in the example of  FIG.  4   , the medial (or first) heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M is not directly connected to the lateral (or second) heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L by a fluid line (second fluid line  208  in the example of  FIGS.  1 A to  3 A  is not present in the example of  FIG.  4   ). In the illustrated example, lateral fluid line  206 L connects the second instep chamber  202 B with the lateral (or second) heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L. Lateral fluid line  206 L extends along and proximate to the lateral side edge  106 L of the foot-receiving opening  106  defined by the footwear upper base  102  (i.e., the top edge of the foot-receiving opening  106  on the lateral side of the upper blank  400 ). The term “proximate to” as used herein in this context has the same meaning and refers to the same ranges described above for fluid line  206 . Also, in at least some examples of this technology, the lateral fluid line  206 L will have a transverse cross sectional area of less than 160 mm 2 , and in some examples, less than 100 mm 2 , less than 80 mm 2 , less than 65 mm 2 , or even less than 50 mm 2  over at least a 20 mm length (and in some examples, over at least a 30 mm length, at least a 40 mm length, or even at least a 50 mm length). While other arrangements are possible, in this illustrated bladder  450 , the fluid supply chamber ( 202 A,  202 B) and the first heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M are in fluid communication only via the first (medial) fluid line  206 , and the fluid supply chamber ( 202 A,  202 B) and the second heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L are in fluid communication only via the second (lateral) fluid line  206 L. 
     The example bladder  450  structure of  FIG.  4    further includes a medial (or first) heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M and a lateral (or second) heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L that have multi-bulbed (or multi-lobed) constructions in which the bulbs (or lobes) on an individual side are in fluid communication with one another. While other shapes and arrangements are possible, in the example of  FIG.  4   , each of the medial (or first) heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M and the lateral (or second) heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L has three interconnected bulbs (or lobes)—bulbs  212 MA,  212 MB, and  212 MC on the medial side heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M and bulbs  212 LA,  212 LB, and  212 LC on the lateral side heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L. Such multi-bulbed (or lobed) fits can be advantageous to provide better fit around the bones and other structures in a wearer&#39;s heel and/or ankle and/or to produce greater supported surface area around a wearer&#39;s heel and/or ankle. 
     The portions of the bladder  450  located in the instep region  102 T of the upper blank  400  of  FIG.  4    also have some differences from the bladder  200  shown in  FIG.  2 A . While the upper blank  400  continues to include a first instep chamber  202 A and a second instep chamber  202 B, the instep chambers  202 A,  202 B are located somewhat more forward in instep region  102 T as compared to their locations in the bladder  200  of  FIG.  2 A . Also, the first instep chamber  202 A and second instep chamber  202 B of  FIG.  4    are more symmetrically arranged as compared to the instep chambers shown in  FIG.  2 A . More specifically, as shown in  FIG.  4   , the first instep chamber  202 A defines a first central axial direction or center line direction  220 CL and the second instep chamber  202 B defines a second central axial direction or center line direction  220 CL. The first central axial direction or center line direction  220 CL and the second central axial direction or center line direction  220 CL may be parallel or substantially parallel. The term “substantially parallel” as used herein in this context means that the two directions are either parallel or within 5 degrees of parallel (i.e., oriented at an angle from 85 degrees to 95 degrees). Additionally or alternatively, as also shown in  FIG.  4   , the free ends  202 AE and  202 BE of one or both of the first instep chamber  202 A and/or the second instep chamber  202 B, respectively, may form a forwardmost extent of the bladder  450  on the footwear upper base  102 . 
     Further, each of the first instep chamber  202 A and the second instep chamber  202 B of the example bladder  450  of  FIG.  4    includes a multi-bulbed (or multi-lobed) construction. In addition to the two bulbs or lobes  202 A 1 ,  202 A 2  and  202 B 1 ,  202 B 2  shown in the example of  FIG.  2 A , each of the first instep chamber  202 A and the second instep chamber  202 B of the example bladder  450  of  FIG.  4    includes a third bulb or lobe  202 A 3 ,  202 B 3 , respectively. The bulbs or lobes on each individual side are in fluid communication with one another. Additionally, the overall instep chambers  202 A,  202 B are in fluid communication with one another via connecting fluid line  204 . Indeed, the entire sealed interior chamber  2001  of the bladder  450  comprises an open interior chamber that is in fluid communication throughout. At least some of the bulbs or lobes  202 A 1 - 202 A 3  and/or  202 B 1 - 202 B 3  may be arranged to interact with one or more straps present in a footwear securing system (e.g., akin to strap system  300  discussed above), e.g., to receive an applied force from the strap system  300  and move fluid toward and to the heel and/or ankle support chambers  210 M,  210 L. Additionally or alternatively, force for moving fluid toward and to the heel and/or ankle support chambers  210 M,  210 L may be applied as a wearer bends his/her foot, e.g., when taking a step, when initiating or landing a jump, etc. Bending of a wearer&#39;s foot at the instep area can move fluid from the instep based chamber(s)  202 A,  202 B to the heel and/or ankle support chambers  210 M,  210 L in all of the example structures described herein (e.g., in the examples of  FIGS.  1 A- 10 C ). Additionally or alternatively, such bending can move fluid in all of the example structures described herein with or without the presence of a strap system and/or with or without force being applied to the instep chamber by a strap system. 
     As also shown in  FIG.  4   , bladder  450  is formed with a single, continuous outer perimeter seam  200 S that extends completely around the exterior perimeter of the bladder  450 . The seam  200 S may be formed by heat and pressure and/or welding techniques (e.g., RF welding, ultrasonic welding, etc.) to join two thermoplastic sheets of material (e.g., layers  200 A and  200 B in  FIG.  2 D ) together (optionally in an adhesive free manner). The two thermoplastic sheets of material forming the bladder  450  may be formed from two separate thermoplastic sheets or from a single sheet (e.g., that is folded at one edge). The sealed interior chamber  2001  is provided in the space defined between the two thermoplastic sheets and the seam  200 S. As shown in  FIG.  4   , the space defined between the two thermoplastic sheets and the seam  200 S defines a single, interconnected, fluid chamber  2001 , which in this example has all interior chamber portions in fluid communication with one another. In some aspects of this technology, the outer perimeter seam  200 S may constitute the sole connection between the two thermoplastic sheets. In other examples, internal weld spots or weld lines may be provided within the interior chamber  2001 , e.g., to provide bladder shape control. 
     As further shown in  FIG.  4   , the outer perimeter seam  200 S defines a gap  210 G between the third bulb or lobe  202 A 3  of the first instep chamber  202 A and the third bulb or lobe  202 B 3  of the second instep chamber  202 B. The gap  210 G corresponds to a space between the free ends  202 AE and  202 BE of the instep chambers  202 A,  202 B, respectively. One or more footwear upper base  102  components may be exposed in the gap  210 G, to produce an exposed portion  110  of the footwear upper base  102  as described above.  FIG.  4    further shows that the seam  200 S in the bladder  450  separates one bulb (e.g., bulb  202 A 2 ) of the first instep chamber  202 A from one bulb (e.g., bulb  202 B 2 ) of the second instep chamber  202 B. Between bulbs  202 A 2  and  202 B 2 , the continuous perimeter seam  200 S extends directly and completely from bulb  202 A 2  to bulb  202 B 2 . Finally, the seam  200 S further defines a through hole  250  through the bladder  450  seam  200 S, and another exposed portion  110 B of the footwear upper base  102  is exposed in this through hole  250 . The gap  210 G and/or opening  250  may help improve flexibility and/or reduce stiffness of the upper and/or help promote more natural motion. 
       FIG.  5    illustrates another example upper blank  500  with attached bladder  550  in accordance with some aspects of this technology. Where the same reference numbers are used in  FIG.  5    as are used in  FIGS.  1 A- 4   , those reference numbers refer to the same or similar parts (with any of the options, alternatives, etc. as described for the parts above) and a more detailed description may be omitted. The description of  FIG.  5    below will primarily focus on at least some areas of distinction between the structure of  FIG.  5    and the other structures described above. 
     First, like the upper blank  400  of  FIG.  4   , the upper blank  500  of  FIG.  5    includes a bottom medial portion  402 M and a bottom lateral portion  402 L that will fold around and form at least a portion of a bottom surface of the upper when the final article of footwear is constructed. Alternatively, if desired, the upper blanks  400 ,  500  of  FIGS.  4  and/or  5   , respectively, could omit the bottom medial and lateral portions  402 M,  402 L (e.g., a separate strobel component could be provided to close the bottom of the upper). As another alternative, if desired, the upper blank  130  shown in  FIG.  2 A  could include material to form at least some portion of the upper bottom. Also, like the upper blank  400  of  FIG.  4   , the upper blank  500  of  FIG.  5    is more symmetric, especially in the heel-containing region  102 H, including medial and lateral sides of the heel-containing region  102 H that will meet at a rear heel seam along edges  410 M and  410 L. 
     The bladder  550  of  FIG.  5    includes a separate lateral fluid line  206 L that connects the bladder chamber(s) in the instep region  102 T with the lateral (or second) heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L. Thus, in the example of  FIG.  5   , the medial (or first) heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M is not directly connected to the lateral (or second) heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L by a fluid line (second fluid line  208  in the example of  FIGS.  1 A- 2 C  is not present in the bladder  550  of  FIG.  5   ). In the illustrated example, lateral fluid line  206 L connects the first instep chamber  502 A with the lateral (or second) heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L. Lateral fluid line  206 L extends along and proximate to the lateral side edge  106 L of the foot-receiving opening  106  defined by the footwear upper base  102  (i.e., the top edge of the foot-receiving opening  106  on the lateral side of the upper blank  500 ). Again, the term “proximate to” as used herein in this context has the same meaning as described above with respect to  FIG.  4   . Also, in at least some examples of this technology, the lateral fluid line  206 L will have a transverse cross sectional area of less than 160 mm 2 , and in some examples, less than 100 mm 2 , less than 80 mm 2 , less than 65 mm 2 , or even less than 50 mm 2  over at least a 20 mm length (and in some examples, over at least a 30 mm length, at least a 40 mm length, or even at least a 50 mm length). 
     The example bladder  550  structure of  FIG.  5    further includes a medial (or first) heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M and a lateral (or second) heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L that each comprises a single enlarged bulb or lobe structure. Alternatively, if desired, either or both of the medial (or first) heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M and/or the lateral (or second) heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L may have a multi-bulbed (or multi-lobed) structure, e.g., of the type shown in  FIG.  4   . 
     The portions of the bladder  550  located in the instep region  102 T of the upper blank  500  of  FIG.  5    have some differences from the bladder  400  shown in  FIG.  4   . Upper blank  500  includes a first instep chamber  502 A having multiple bulbs or lobes located more rearward in the tongue area of the instep region  102 T as compared to the instep chamber  202 A,  202 B locations in the bladder  450  of  FIG.  4   . More specifically, as shown in  FIG.  5   , the first instep chamber  502 A of this example includes five interconnected bulbs or lobes  502 A 1 - 502 A 5  arranged in series. At least some of these bulbs or lobes  502 A 1  to  502 A 5  and/or other part(s) of first instep chamber  502 A are located directly on tongue component  520 . Bulb (or lobe)  502 A 1  forms the free end of the first instep chamber  502 A in this example, and this bulb  502 A 1  is located most rearward, toward the lateral side, and/or toward the top edge of the footwear tongue  520 . A fluid line  504 A connects bulb  502 A 1  to bulb  502 A 2 , and bulb  502 A 2  is located more toward a medial side of the upper blank  500  and/or more toward a medial side of the tongue  520  than is bulb  502 A 1 . Fluid line  504 B connects bulb  502 A 2  to bulb  502 A 3 , and bulb  502 A 3  is located more toward the lateral side of the upper blank  500  and/or more toward a lateral side of the tongue  520  than is bulb  502 A 2 . Fluid line  504 C connects bulb  502 A 3  to bulb  502 A 4 , and bulb  502 A 4  is located more toward the medial side of the upper blank  500  and/or toward the medial side of the tongue  520  than is bulb  502 A 3 . Bulb  502 A 4  of this illustrated example is in fluid communication with two fluid lines in addition to fluid line  504 C. Fluid line  206  connects to bulb  502 A 4  and places bulb  502 A 4  in fluid communication with medial heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M. Fluid line  504 D connects to bulb  502 A 4  and places bulb  502 A 4  in fluid communication with bulb  502 A 5 . Fluid line  206 L connects to bulb  502 A 5  and places bulb  502 A 5  in fluid communication with lateral heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L. 
     The bulbs  502 A 1 - 502 A 5  of first instep chamber  502 A in this illustrated example are arranged in a staggered or zigzag manner—having the bulb centers staggered from the lateral side to the medial side of the footwear tongue  520 . Lines connecting the centers of bulbs  502 A 1 - 502 A 2 - 502 A 3  form an angle within a range of 50 degrees to 110 degrees. Lines connecting the centers of bulbs  502 A 2 - 502 A 3 - 502 A 4  form an angle within a range of 50 degrees to 110 degrees. Lines connecting the centers of bulbs  502 A 3 - 502 A 4 - 502 A 5  form an angle within a range of 50 degrees to 110 degrees. At least some of the bulbs  502 A 1 - 502 A 5  may be arranged to interact with one or more straps present in a footwear securing system (e.g., akin to strap system  300  discussed above), e.g., to receive an applied force and move fluid toward and to the heel and/or ankle support chambers  210 M,  210 L. In this illustrated example, bulb  502 A 3  and/or bulb  502 A 4  is/are somewhat larger in size and/or volume than one or more of bulb  502 A 1 , bulb  502 A 2  and/or bulb  502 A 5 , e.g., in some examples, 20% to 80% larger in size and/or volume. Bulb  502 A 3  may be the same size or different size from bulb  502 A 4 . In the illustrated example, bulb  502 A 3  is somewhat larger in size and/or volume than bulb  502 A 4  (e.g., in some examples, 5% to 30% larger in size and/or volume). These larger bulbs  502 A 3  and  502 A 4  may be arranged in the upper structure to directly interact with (e.g., underlie) the strap system  300 . 
     Other arrangements of multiple bulbs or lobes in a first instep chamber  502 A may be provided in some examples of this technology. For example, more or fewer bulbs or lobes may be present (e.g., from 2 bulbs or lobes to 10 bulbs or lobes). As another example, a single fluid-filled bladder chamber (non-lobed) may be used. Also, while the example of  FIG.  5    shows bulb  502 A 4  as having three fluid line connections (for fluid lines  504 C,  504 D and  206 ), any bulb present may include three connections in a similar manner. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, a single bulb may directly connect to both fluid lines  206 ,  206 L that supply fluid to the medial heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M and the lateral heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L, respectively. In the example of  FIG.  5   , the various bulbs (e.g.,  502 A 1 - 502 A 5 ) and the overall instep chamber  202 A are in fluid communication with one another. 
     As also shown in  FIG.  5   , bladder  550  is formed with a single, continuous outer perimeter seam  200 S that extends completely around the exterior perimeter of the bladder  550 . The seam  200 S may be formed by heat and pressure and/or welding techniques (e.g., RF welding, ultrasonic welding, etc.) to join two thermoplastic sheets of material (e.g.,  200 A,  200 B) together (see  FIG.  2 D ). The sealed interior chamber  2001  is provided in the space defined between the two thermoplastic sheets  200 A,  200 B and the seam  200 S. As shown in  FIG.  5   , the space defined between the two thermoplastic sheets and the seam  200 S defines a single, interconnected, fluid chamber  2001 , which in this example has all interior chamber portions in fluid communication with one another. 
       FIGS.  6 A- 10 C  provide various views of other example articles of footwear and/or components thereof in accordance with at least some aspects of this technology. Where the same reference numbers are used in  FIGS.  6 A- 10 C  as are used in  FIGS.  1 A- 5   , those reference numbers refer to the same or similar parts (with any of the options, alternatives, etc. as described for the parts above) and a more detailed description may be omitted. 
       FIGS.  6 A- 6 D  provide a lateral side view, a medial side view, a front, medial perspective view, and a rear view, respectively, of an article of footwear  600  in accordance with some examples of this technology. One feature of the bladder  200  of this example that differs from the bladders  200 ,  450 ,  550  of the figures described above relates to the location of the first fluid line  206  that connects the first instep bladder chamber  202 A with the heel and/or ankle support chamber. First, the first fluid line  206  extends proximate to a lateral side edge  106 L of the foot-receiving opening  106  and connects the first instep bladder chamber  202 A directly with the lateral side heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L (rather than to the medial side heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M as shown in the examples of  FIGS.  1 A- 2 A and  2 C ). The term “proximate to” as used herein in this context has the same meaning as described above in conjunction with  FIGS.  1 A- 5   . The first fluid line  206  also may have the same cross-sectional size features as described above for fluid lines  206  and  206 L. Alternatively, if desired, the bladder  200  structure of  FIGS.  6 A- 6 D  can be flip-flopped on the footwear upper base  102  such that the first fluid line  206  extends along and proximate to a medial side edge  106 M of the foot-receiving opening  106  (i.e., the top edge of the foot-receiving opening  106  on the medial side of the article of footwear  600 ), e.g., at a similar position on the medial side as shown on the lateral side in  FIG.  6 A . Thus, in the figures,  FIG.  6 A  could constitute a medial side view and  FIG.  6 B  could constitute a lateral side view. 
     Second, as shown in  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B , at least a portion of the first fluid line  206  of this example is unsupported by any footwear upper base component  102  along a portion of its length (and thus that unsupported portion of the first fluid line  206  may consists of only bladder  200  material and/or may consist only of bladder material with a base backing layer). In this illustrated example, the footwear upper base  102  defines a foot-receiving opening  106  of the article of footwear  600  (and the footwear upper), and the first fluid line  206  extends above the foot-receiving opening  106  over at least a portion of a length of the first fluid line  206  (when the article of footwear  600  is oriented on a horizontal support surface on the ground-facing surface of its sole structure  104 ). In some examples of this technology, at least a 20 mm continuous length of the fluid line  206  will be located above the foot-receiving opening  106  and/or will be unsupported by the footwear upper base component(s)  102 . This unsupported continuous length of the fluid line  206  may extend at least 25 mm, at least 30 mm, at least 40 mm, or even at least 50 mm in some examples. Further, in the example of  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B , a gap  600 G (e.g., an enclosed area defining an opening) is defined between: (a) the outer perimeter seam  200 S of the bladder  200  along the first fluid line  206  and (b) the top edge  106 L of the foot-receiving opening  106 . 
       FIG.  6 C  further illustrates that the bladder  200  includes an inflation port  650  for introducing gas (or other fluid) into the sealed interior chamber  2001  of the bladder  200 . Such an inflation port  650  could remain in the final article of footwear  600  product, e.g., to allow changes to fluid volume, fluid mass, and fluid pressure in the article of footwear  600 . But in some examples of this technology, after the bladder  200  is inflated to a desired pressure, the fluid line  652  extending between the bladder interior chamber  2001  (at instep bladder chamber  202 B in this example) and the inflation port  650  will be permanently sealed (e.g., by applying heat and pressure to close and seal fluid line  652 ). Then the inflation port  650  can be cut off. In such example structures, after the bladder  200  is inflated and sealed, the bladder  200  will include no fluid inlet and no fluid outlet, and thus the bladder  200  will contain a fixed mass of gas (or other fluid) within the sealed interior volume  2001 . In other words, the bladder  200  will be a closed system in that no fluid enters or exits the overall bladder interior chamber  2001 . The bladder  200  can be inflated before or after it is engaged with the footwear upper base  102 . 
     Article of footwear  600  further includes a rear heel loop  620  (e.g., made from fabric and/or plastic materials) or other type of handle or grasping element, e.g., to assist in donning and doffing the article of footwear  600  on a wearer&#39;s foot. 
     The strap system  300  of the example of  FIGS.  6 A- 6 D  differs from the strap system  300  described above in conjunction with  FIGS.  1 A- 2 C . Rather than a one-piece strap that turns through a retaining device  310 , the strap system  300  of  FIGS.  6 A- 6 D  includes two separate straps—strap  320 A (e.g., a lateral anchored strap) and strap  320 B (e.g., a medial anchored strap). Each of strap  320 A and  320 B includes (a) a first end fixedly secured (e.g., by stitching, by adhesive, by mechanical connector, etc.) to at least one of the footwear upper base  102  and/or the sole structure  104  (optionally sandwiched between the footwear upper base  102  and the sole structure  104 ) and (b) a free end that includes a portion  312 P of a securing system  312  to secure the two straps  320 A,  320 B together in a tightened condition around a wearer&#39;s foot. Any type of securing system  312  may be used, such as a hook-and-loop type fastener, a buckle system, a button system, a snap fastener system, a zipper system, a mechanical fastener extending between openings in the two straps  320 A,  320 B (shown in  FIG.  6 B ), etc. Additionally or alternatively, any type of material(s) may be used for the strap(s)  320 A,  320 B (and/or strap portions  302 A,  302 B of strap  302  discussed above), including textiles, plastics, webbing, etc. Stretchable material may be used for at least some portion(s) of the straps  302 ,  320 A,  320 B, or strap portions  302 A,  302 B, if desired, e.g., to allow the strap(s)/strap portion(s) to be pulled tight around a wearer&#39;s foot. In some examples of this technology, one or more straps  302 ,  320 A,  320 B, or strap portions  302 A,  302 B may include one or more rigid plates that is/are positionable to apply force to at least some portion of the bladder  200  (e.g., one or more of bladder chambers  202 A,  202 B) when the strap  302 ,  320 A,  320 B is positioned (e.g., tightened) around a wearer&#39;s foot. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples of this technology, a rigid plate could be provided as a separate component from the strap(s)  302 ,  320 A,  320 B, or strap portion(s)  302 A,  302 B, e.g., positioned between the strap(s)  302 ,  320 A,  320 B, or strap portion(s)  302 A,  302 B and a surface of the bladder  200 . When present, the one or more rigid plates may be separated from the wearer&#39;s foot (e.g., instep) by fluid within the bladder  200  (e.g., to have the effect that the rigid plate(s) at the instep area is/are “floating” on the fluid in the bladder  200 ). The rigid plate(s), when present, may help spread out the force applied to the bladder  200  surface and/or moderate the feel of the strap(s)  302 ,  320 A,  320 B, or strap portion(s)  302 A,  302 B on the wearer&#39;s foot. Note also the discussion of rigid plate(s)  820  in conjunction with  FIG.  8 D  below. 
     In the same general manner described above, in use, at least one of the two straps  320 A,  320 B may be tightened around a wearer&#39;s foot to a sufficient degree to apply force to a first major surface of at least one of the first instep chamber  202 A or second instep chamber  202 B. In this illustrated example, one strap (e.g., lateral anchored strap  320 A) applies force to both the first and second instep chambers  202 A,  202 B, but other arrangements of the straps and instep chambers are possible. This force moves fluid within the bladder  200  toward and to the first heel and/or ankle support chamber (lateral chamber  210 L in this example) and toward and to the second heel and/or ankle support chamber (medial chamber  210 M in this example). Rear heel fluid line  208  moves fluid between the first heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L and the second heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M in this example. The movement of fluid increases fluid pressure and/or fluid volume in the lateral heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 L and the medial heel and/or ankle support chamber  210 M to thereby provide additional support for the wearer&#39;s heel and/or ankle and/or may improve comfort and/or fit. Notably, in this example structure, the fluid moves within the bladder  200  without the use of and/or need for a pump (manually operated or powered) to move the fluid. 
       FIG.  7    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 articles of footwear  100  and  600  described above.  FIG.  7    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 and engaged 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  104 . 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 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 (e.g., bladders  200 ,  450 ,  550  discussed above), 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 . Like fabric component  120  described above, 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.  8 A  illustrates an overall footwear upper  800  as a footwear upper blank  700  with additional footwear components attached to it.  FIGS.  8 B- 8 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.  8 B  (and similar to the structure shown and described above in conjunction with  FIG.  7   ). In this example, six component parts of the 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.  7    or with one or more other materials. 
       FIG.  8 C  shows an example bladder  200  component for this article of footwear (e.g., article of footwear  600 ). The bladder  200  includes a first thermoplastic sheet  200 A (e.g., the top sheet; see  FIG.  2 D ) and a second thermoplastic sheet  200 B (e.g., a bottom sheet; see  FIG.  2 D ) facing the first thermoplastic sheet  200 A. The two thermoplastic sheets  200 A,  200 B (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., using a hot melt adhesive) or in an adhesive free manner, e.g., using welding techniques (e.g., RF welding, ultrasonic welding), by melt bonding, etc. 
     The first thermoplastic sheet  200 A, the second thermoplastic sheet  200 B, 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.  8 C , the continuous outer perimeter seam  200 S extends continuously to form the sealed interior volume  2001  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  200 A (an outermost exterior surface of the bladder), (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  2001 , (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  2001 . In the illustrated example bladder  200 , all portions of the sealed interior volume  2001  defined by the first thermoplastic sheet  200 A, the second thermoplastic sheet  200 B, and the continuous outer perimeter seam  200 S are in fluid communication with one another. Also, while  FIG.  8 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, weld dots, or weld regions, e.g., to provide shape control to the bladder  200 . 
     As further shown in  FIG.  8 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  2001  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.  8 D  illustrates the step of engaging the bladder  200  (e.g., of  FIG.  8 C ) with the footwear upper base  102  (e.g., of  FIG.  8 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 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. Heat and pressure may be applied, e.g., to locally melt the thermoplastic materials of the fabric component  702 D and the bladder  200  to thereby melt 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. Bonded engagement of bladder  200  with footwear upper base component  102  also may take place in any of the manners described in U.S. Patent Appln. No. 63/277,916, filed Nov. 10, 2021 and U.S. Patent Appln. No. 63/277,932, filed Nov. 10, 2021. 
       FIG.  8 D  further shows an optional rigid plate  820  (in broken lines) that may be provided (e.g., between one or more straps and a surface of the bladder  200  (e.g., in the instep area). One or more rigid plates  820  (e.g., one shown in  FIG.  8 D ) may be engaged with one or more of the bladder  200 , a strap  300 , an upper base component (e.g.,  702 A,  702 D), etc. The rigid plate(s)  820  may be at least partially covered by the strap(s)  302 ,  320 A,  320 B, or strap portion(s)  302 A,  302 B when the shoe is engaged with a wearer&#39;s foot. As described above, the rigid plate(s)  820  (which may be made from plastic, metal, etc.), when present, may help spread out the force applied to the bladder  200  surface and/or moderate the feel of the strap(s)  302 ,  320 A,  320 B, or strap portion(s)  302 A,  302 B on the wearer&#39;s foot. One or more rigid plates of the types described herein may be provided in any of the example structures of  FIGS.  1 A- 10 C . 
       FIG.  8 E  illustrates two straps  320 A,  320 B of a strap system  300  that may be incorporated into a 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.  8 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 and/or sandwiched between the footwear upper (e.g., a bottom surface of the upper, one of components  702 A- 702 D, etc.) and the sole structure  104 .  FIG.  8 A  illustrates the footwear upper  800  as an upper blank  700  (including footwear upper base  102  components  702 A- 702 E) with 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 and/or in another manner. Then, the overall footwear upper (including the bottom component) may be engaged with a sole structure  104  (e.g., as shown in  FIGS.  6 A- 6 D ), 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.). Alternatively, as shown in the example of  FIGS.  4  and  5   , the footwear upper blank  700  may have a bottom component included as part of its structure (e.g., note bottom medial portion  402 M and bottom lateral portion  402 L in  FIGS.  4  and  5   ). 
       FIGS.  9 A- 9 C  illustrate another example article of footwear  900  and components thereof in accordance with some examples of this technology. Where the same reference numbers are used in  FIGS.  9 A- 9 C  as are used in  FIGS.  1 A- 8 E , those reference numbers refer to the same or similar parts (with any of the options, alternatives, etc. as described for the parts above) and a more detailed description may be omitted. The following discussion of  FIGS.  9 A- 9 C  will focus on differences from the examples above and/or features of the technology not fully discussed above. 
       FIG.  9 A  shows a footwear upper  800  including a footwear upper base  102  and attached bladder  200  but before the strap system  300  is attached. The medial side stretchable fabric component  702 E,  120  in this illustrated example is somewhat larger than other examples described above, e.g., to allow greater stretch.  FIGS.  9 B and  9 C  show lateral and medial side views, respectively, of this footwear upper  800  engaged with a sole structure  104  to form the article of footwear  900 . As illustrated in the example of  FIGS.  9 B and  9 C , when attached to the footwear upper base  102  and the sole structure  104 , the bladder  200  of this example is uninflated. Inflation through inflation port  650  can occur after the article of footwear  900  is assembled (and the inflation fluid line  652  can be sealed and the inflation port  650  removed, if desired).  FIGS.  6 A- 6 D  provide various views of a similar article of footwear  600  after the bladder  200  is inflated. 
       FIGS.  10 A- 10 C  illustrate another example article of footwear  1000  and components thereof in accordance with some examples of this technology. Where the same reference numbers are used in  FIGS.  10 A- 10 C  as are used in  FIGS.  1 A- 9 C , those reference numbers refer to the same or similar parts (with any of the options, alternatives, etc. as described for the parts above) and a more detailed description may be omitted. The following discussion of  FIGS.  10 A- 10 C  will focus on differences from the examples above and/or features of the technology not fully discussed above. 
       FIG.  10 A  shows a footwear upper  800  including a footwear upper base  102  and attached bladder  200  but before the strap system  300  is attached.  FIGS.  10 B and  10 C  show lateral and medial side views, respectively, of this footwear upper  800  engaged with a sole structure  104  to form the article of footwear  1000 . The example upper  800  of  FIGS.  10 A- 10 C  has heel reinforcing component  702 C removed (or reduced in size) and the rear heel area (or much of it) is formed by fabric component  702 A. Further, in this example upper  800 , in addition to the medial side stretchable fabric component  702 E,  120  located adjacent the medial side tongue area of the upper  800 , this upper  800  includes a lateral side stretchable component  702 L located adjacent the lateral side tongue area of the upper  800 . Lateral side stretchable component  702 L may be made from the same material as stretchable fabric component  702 E,  120 , if desired (e.g., an elastic or elastic-containing material). These stretchable components  702 E,  702 L provide adequate stretch to accommodate insertion and removal of a wearer&#39;s foot while still providing a good fit when the article of footwear  1000  is being worn. 
     Aspects of this technology are advantageous, e.g., because the footwear provides additional heel and/or ankle support using a simple system. In at least some examples of this technology, the interior bladder chamber  2001  will be completely open to allow free movement of fluid under the applied forces. In the completed and inflated upper/article of footwear in accordance with some examples of this technology, no pumps (manually operated or powered), valves, electronics, and/or complicated and/or expensive mechanical/electrical parts are needed to provide the added heel and/or ankle support. Rather, the additional support can be activated simply by tightening the footwear to the wearer&#39;s foot. 
     While  FIGS.  1 - 10 C  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, comprising:
         a footwear upper base formed from one or more component parts and including: (i) an instep region including at least one of a tongue base region or an instep base region and (ii) a heel-containing region; and   a bladder including: (i) a first instep chamber engaged with the instep region of the footwear upper base, (ii) a first heel and/or ankle support chamber engaged with the heel-containing region of the footwear upper base, and (iii) a first fluid line connecting the first instep chamber and the first heel and/or ankle support chamber and placing the first instep chamber in fluid communication with the first heel and/or ankle support chamber.       

     Clause 2. The footwear upper according to Clause 1, wherein the bladder further includes a second heel and/or ankle support chamber and a second fluid line connecting the first heel and/or ankle support chamber and the second heel and/or ankle support chamber and placing the first heel and/or ankle support chamber in fluid communication with the second heel and/or ankle support chamber. 
     Clause 3. The footwear upper according to Clause 2, wherein the first fluid line extends proximate to a medial side edge of a foot-receiving opening of the footwear upper base. 
     Clause 4. The footwear upper according to Clause 2 or 3, wherein the second fluid line extends around a rear heel and/or ankle portion of the footwear upper base, and wherein the second heel and/or ankle support chamber is located at a lateral heel and/or lateral ankle side of the footwear upper base. 
     Clause 5. The footwear upper according to Clause 2, wherein the first fluid line extends proximate to a lateral side edge of a foot-receiving opening of the footwear upper base. 
     Clause 6. The footwear upper according to Clause 5, wherein the second fluid line extends around a rear heel and/or ankle portion of the footwear upper base, and wherein the second heel and/or ankle support chamber is located at a medial heel and/or medial ankle side of the footwear upper base. 
     Clause 7. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 1 to 6, wherein the bladder further includes a second instep chamber engaged with the instep region of the footwear upper base, wherein the second instep chamber is in fluid communication with at least one of the first fluid line and the first instep chamber. 
     Clause 8. The footwear upper according to Clause 7, wherein a single continuous seam separates a first portion of the first instep chamber from a first portion of the second instep chamber. 
     Clause 9. The footwear upper according to Clause 8, wherein a second portion of the first instep chamber is separated from a second portion of the second instep chamber by an exposed portion of at least one of the one or more component parts of the footwear upper base. 
     Clause 10. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 7 to 9, wherein the bladder further defines a connecting fluid line, wherein a first end of the first instep chamber and a first end of the second instep chamber are in fluid communication with the connecting fluid line. 
     Clause 11. The footwear upper according to Clause 10, wherein the first instep chamber includes a second end located opposite the first end of the first instep chamber, wherein the second instep chamber includes a second end located opposite the first end of the second instep chamber, wherein the second end of the first instep chamber is separated from the second end of the second instep chamber by a gap defined in the bladder, and wherein at least one of the one or more component parts of the footwear upper base is exposed in the gap. 
     Clause 12. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 7 to 9, further comprising: a strap including a first strap portion that extends over a first major surface of the second instep chamber and a second strap portion that extends over a first major surface of the first instep chamber. 
     Clause 13. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 7 to 9, further comprising: (i) a retaining device located on a first side of the footwear upper base; and (ii) a strap including a first end located at a second side of the footwear upper base, wherein the strap includes a first strap portion that extends from the first end and over a first major surface of the second instep chamber, a second strap portion that engages the retaining device, and a third strap portion that extends over a first major surface of the first instep chamber. 
     Clause 14. The footwear upper according to Clause 13, further comprising: a securing system for securing the strap with respect to the footwear upper base. 
     Clause 15. The footwear upper according to Clause 13, further comprising: a securing system engaged with the third strap portion and/or located proximate a second end of the strap, wherein the second end of the strap is an opposite end from the first end, the securing system configured to hold the strap in a tightened condition. 
     Clause 16. The footwear upper according to Clause 14 or 15, wherein the securing system includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of: a hook-and-loop fastener, a button fastener, a snap fastener, and a buckle fastener. 
     Clause 17. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 13 to 16, wherein the first side is a medial side of the footwear upper and the second side is a lateral side of the footwear upper. 
     Clause 18. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 12 to 17, wherein force applied to the first instep chamber and/or the second instep chamber by the strap moves fluid within the bladder to increase fluid pressure and/or fluid volume at least in the first heel and/or ankle support chamber. 
     Clause 19. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 1 to 6, wherein the bladder further includes: (i) a second instep chamber engaged with the instep region of the footwear upper base, and (ii) a second heel and/or ankle support chamber engaged with the heel-containing region of the footwear upper base and in fluid communication with the second instep chamber. 
     Clause 20. The footwear upper according to Clause 19, wherein the bladder further includes a fluid transfer line connecting the second instep chamber and the second heel and/or ankle support chamber, wherein the first fluid line extends along a first side of the footwear upper and the fluid transfer line extends along a second side of the footwear upper. 
     Clause 21. The footwear upper according to Clause 19 or 20, wherein the first instep chamber defines a first central axial direction and the second instep chamber defines a second central axial direction. 
     Clause 22. The footwear upper according to Clause 21, wherein the first central axial direction and the second central axial direction are substantially parallel. 
     Clause 23. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 19 to 22, wherein the first instep chamber includes a first free end, and wherein the second instep chamber includes a second free end. 
     Clause 24. The footwear upper according to Clause 23, wherein at least one of the first free end and the second free end forms a forwardmost extent of the bladder on the footwear upper base. 
     Clause 25. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 19 to 22, wherein the second instep chamber is a multi-bulbed chamber having a plurality of fluid bulbs in fluid communication with one another. 
     Clause 26. The footwear upper according to Clause 25, wherein the first instep chamber is a multi-bulbed chamber having a plurality of fluid bulbs in fluid communication with one another, and wherein a single continuous seam in the bladder separates one bulb of the first instep chamber from one bulb of the second instep chamber. 
     Clause 27. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 1 to 26, wherein the first instep chamber is a multi-bulbed chamber having a plurality of fluid bulbs in fluid communication with one another. 
     Clause 28. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 1 to 27, wherein the first heel and/or ankle support chamber is located at a medial heel and/or medial ankle side of the footwear upper base. 
     Clause 29. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 1 to 27, wherein the first heel and/or ankle support chamber is located at a lateral heel and/or lateral ankle side of the footwear upper base. 
     Clause 30. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 1 to 29, wherein the bladder is located inside an outermost layer of the footwear upper base. 
     Clause 31. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 1 to 29, wherein at least a majority of a surface area of the bladder is located inside an outermost layer of the footwear upper base. 
     Clause 32. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 1 to 31, wherein one or more of the component parts of the footwear upper base comprise a first knit component, and wherein at least a first portion of the bladder is engaged with the first knit component. 
     Clause 33. The footwear upper according to Clause 32, wherein the first portion of the bladder is engaged with the first knit component in an adhesive-free manner. 
     Clause 34. An article of footwear, comprising:
         a footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 1 to 33; and   a sole structure engaged with the footwear upper.       

     Clause 35. A bladder, comprising:
         a first thermoplastic sheet;   a second thermoplastic sheet facing the first thermoplastic sheet; and   a continuous outer perimeter seam sealing the first thermoplastic sheet to the second thermoplastic sheet, wherein the continuous outer perimeter seam defines a sealed interior volume between the first thermoplastic sheet and the second thermoplastic sheet, and wherein the continuous outer perimeter seam extends continuously to form the sealed interior volume to include: (i) a fluid supply chamber having a first major surface formed by the first thermoplastic sheet, (ii) a first heel and/or ankle support chamber, (iii) a first fluid line connecting the fluid supply chamber and the first heel and/or ankle support chamber through the sealed interior volume, (iv) a second heel and/or ankle support chamber, and (v) a second fluid line connecting the fluid supply chamber and the second heel and/or ankle support chamber through the sealed interior volume.       

     Clause 36. The bladder according to Clause 35, wherein the continuous outer perimeter seam extends to form the fluid supply chamber as a multi-bulbed chamber. 
     Clause 37. The bladder according to Clause 36, wherein the first fluid line connects to a first bulb of the multi-bulbed chamber and the second fluid line connects to a second bulb of the multi-bulbed chamber. 
     Clause 38. The bladder according to any one of Clauses 35 to 37, wherein the continuous outer perimeter seam extends to form the first heel and/or ankle support chamber as a multi-bulbed chamber. 
     Clause 39. The bladder according to any one of Clauses 35 to 38, wherein the continuous outer perimeter seam extends to form the second heel and/or ankle support chamber as a multi-bulbed chamber. 
     Clause 40. The bladder according to any one of Clauses 35 to 39, wherein the continuous outer perimeter seam extends to form the fluid supply chamber as two parallel chamber regions. 
     Clause 41. The bladder according to any one of Clauses 35 to 39, wherein the continuous outer perimeter seam extends to form the fluid supply chamber as at least two parallel chamber regions each having multiple bulbs. 
     Clause 42. The bladder according to any one of Clauses 35 to 40, wherein the continuous outer perimeter seam extends to form the fluid supply chamber as a first chamber region having multiple bulbs including a first bulb and a second chamber region having multiple bulbs including a second bulb, and wherein the continuous perimeter seam extends directly from the first bulb to the second bulb. 
     Clause 43. The bladder according to Clause 42, wherein a hole is defined through the bladder at a location adjacent a location where the continuous perimeter seam extends directly from the first bulb to the second bulb. 
     Clause 44. The bladder according to any one of Clauses 35 to 42, wherein the first thermoplastic sheet and the second thermoplastic sheet are connected only by the continuous outer perimeter seam. 
     Clause 45. The bladder according to any one of Clauses 35 to 42, wherein the continuous outer perimeter seam connects the first thermoplastic sheet and the second thermoplastic sheet in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 46. The bladder according to any one of Clauses 35 to 45, wherein all portions of the sealed interior volume defined by the first thermoplastic sheet, the second thermoplastic sheet, and the continuous outer perimeter seam are in fluid communication. 
     Clause 47. The bladder according to any one of Clauses 35 to 46, wherein the first thermoplastic sheet and the second thermoplastic sheet are formed from a single thermoplastic sheet. 
     Clause 48. The bladder according to any one of Clauses 35 to 46, wherein the first thermoplastic sheet and the second thermoplastic sheet are formed from separate thermoplastic sheets. 
     Clause 49. The bladder according to any one of Clauses 35 to 48, wherein the fluid supply chamber and the first heel and/or ankle support chamber are in fluid communication only via the first fluid line. 
     Clause 50. The bladder according to any one of Clauses 35 to 49, wherein the fluid supply chamber and the second heel and/or ankle support chamber are in fluid communication only via the second fluid line. 
     Clause 51. The bladder according to any one of Clauses 35 to 50, further comprising: an inflation port that is permanently sealed after the bladder is inflated, wherein after inflation and sealing, the bladder includes no gas inlet and no gas outlet and contains a fixed mass of gas within the sealed interior volume. 
     Clause 52. A footwear upper, comprising:
         a footwear upper base formed from one or more component parts and including: (i) an instep region including at least one of a tongue base region or an instep base region and (ii) a heel-containing region; and   a bladder according to any one of Clauses 35 to 51 engaged with the footwear upper base, wherein the fluid supply chamber is engaged at the instep region, the first heel and/or ankle support chamber is engaged at a lateral side of the heel-containing region, and the second heel and/or ankle support chamber is engaged at a medial side of the heel-containing region.       

     Clause 53. The footwear upper according to Clause 52, wherein the one or more component parts of the footwear upper base includes a first component part, and wherein at least a portion of the bladder is engaged with the first component part. 
     Clause 54. The footwear upper according to Clause 53, wherein the portion of the bladder engaged with the first component part is engaged in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 55. The footwear upper according to Clause 53 or 54, wherein the first component part is a knit component. 
     Clause 56. An article of footwear, comprising: (i) a footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 52 to 55; and (ii) a sole structure engaged with the footwear upper. 
     Clause 57. A footwear upper, comprising:
         a footwear upper base formed from one or more component parts and including: (i) an instep region including at least one of a tongue base region or an instep base region and (ii) a heel-containing region;   a bladder including: (i) a first instep chamber engaged with the instep region of the footwear upper base, (ii) a first heel and/or ankle support chamber engaged with the heel-containing region of the footwear upper base, and (iii) a first fluid line connecting the first instep chamber and the first heel and/or ankle support chamber and placing the first instep chamber in fluid communication with the first heel and/or ankle support chamber; and   a strap system including a first strap portion structured and configured to extend across a first major surface of the first instep chamber.       

     Clause 58. The footwear upper according to Clause 57, wherein the bladder further includes a second heel and/or ankle support chamber and a second fluid line connecting the first heel and/or ankle support chamber and the second heel and/or ankle support chamber and placing the first heel and/or ankle support chamber in fluid communication with the second heel and/or ankle support chamber. 
     Clause 59. The footwear upper according to Clause 58, wherein the first fluid line extends proximate to a lateral side edge of a foot-receiving opening of the footwear upper base. 
     Clause 60. The footwear upper according to Clause 58 or 59, wherein the second fluid line extends around a rear heel and/or ankle portion of the footwear upper base, and wherein the second heel and/or ankle support chamber is located at a medial heel and/or medial ankle side of the footwear upper base. 
     Clause 61. The footwear upper according to Clause 58, wherein the first fluid line extends proximate to a medial side edge of a foot-receiving opening of the footwear upper base. 
     Clause 62. The footwear upper according to Clause 58 or 59, wherein the second fluid line extends around a rear heel and/or ankle portion of the footwear upper base, and wherein the second heel and/or ankle support chamber is located at a lateral heel and/or lateral ankle side of the footwear upper base. 
     Clause 63. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 58 to 62, wherein the bladder further includes a second instep chamber engaged with the instep region of the footwear upper base, wherein the second instep chamber is in fluid communication with at least one of the first fluid line and the first instep chamber. 
     Clause 64. The footwear upper according to Clause 63, wherein force applied to at least one of the first instep chamber and the second instep chamber by the strap system moves fluid within the bladder to increase fluid pressure and/or fluid volume in at least one of the first heel and/or ankle support chamber and the second heel and/or ankle support chamber. 
     Clause 65. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 58 to 63, wherein force applied to the first instep chamber by the strap system moves fluid within the bladder to increase fluid pressure and/or fluid volume in at least one of the first heel and/or ankle support chamber and the second heel and/or ankle support chamber. 
     Clause 66. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 58 to 63, wherein force applied to the first instep chamber by the strap system moves fluid within the bladder to increase fluid pressure and/or fluid volume in the first heel and/or ankle support chamber. 
     Clause 67. The footwear upper according to Clause 57, wherein the bladder further includes: (i) a second instep chamber engaged with the instep region of the footwear upper base, and (ii) a second heel and/or ankle support chamber engaged with the heel-containing region of the footwear upper base and in fluid communication with the second instep chamber. 
     Clause 68. The footwear upper according to Clause 67, wherein the bladder further includes a fluid transfer line connecting the second instep chamber and the second heel and/or ankle support chamber, wherein the first fluid line extends along a first side of the footwear upper and the fluid transfer line extends along a second side of the footwear upper. 
     Clause 69. The footwear upper according to Clause 67 or 68, wherein force applied to at least one of the first instep chamber and the second instep chamber by the strap system moves fluid within the bladder to increase fluid pressure and/or fluid volume in at least one of the first heel and/or ankle support chamber and the second heel and/or ankle support chamber. 
     Clause 70. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 57 to 69, wherein at least a portion of the first fluid line is unsupported by any footwear upper base component and consists of only bladder material. 
     Clause 71. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 57 to 70, wherein the footwear upper base defines a foot-receiving opening of the footwear upper, and wherein the first fluid line extends above the foot-receiving opening over at least a portion of a length of the first fluid line. 
     Clause 72. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 57 to 71, wherein the strap system includes a first strap and a second strap, wherein at least one of the first strap or the second strap is structured and arranged to apply force to a first major surface of the first instep chamber. 
     Clause 73. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 57 to 71, wherein the strap system includes at least a first strap that is structured and arranged to apply force to the first major surface of the first instep chamber. 
     Clause 74. The footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 57 to 73, wherein one component of the one or more component parts of the footwear upper base comprises a first knit component, and wherein at least a first portion of the bladder is engaged with the first knit component. 
     Clause 75. The footwear upper according to Clause 74, wherein the first portion of the bladder is engaged with the first knit component in an adhesive-free manner. 
     Clause 76. An article of footwear, comprising: (i) a footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 57 to 75; and (ii) a sole structure engaged with the footwear upper. 
     Clause 77. A bladder, comprising:
         a first thermoplastic sheet;   a second thermoplastic sheet facing the first thermoplastic sheet; and   a continuous outer perimeter seam sealing the first thermoplastic sheet to the second thermoplastic sheet, wherein the continuous outer perimeter seam defines a sealed interior volume between the first thermoplastic sheet and the second thermoplastic sheet, and wherein the continuous outer perimeter seam extends continuously to form the sealed interior volume to include: (i) a fluid supply chamber having a first major surface formed by the first thermoplastic sheet, (ii) a first heel and/or ankle support chamber, (iii) a first fluid line connecting the fluid supply chamber and the first heel and/or ankle support chamber through the sealed interior volume, (iv) a second heel and/or ankle support chamber, and (v) a second fluid line connecting the first heel and/or ankle support chamber and the second heel and/or ankle support chamber through the sealed interior volume.       

     Clause 78. The bladder according to Clause 77, wherein each of a first volume defined by the first heel and/or ankle support chamber and a second volume defined by the second heel and/or ankle support chamber is at least 5 times greater than a third volume defined by the second fluid line. 
     Clause 79. The bladder according to Clause 77 or 78, wherein an axial length of the second fluid line from the first heel and/or ankle support chamber to the second heel and/or ankle support chamber is less than 25 mm. 
     Clause 80. The bladder according to any one of Clauses 77 to 79, wherein the continuous outer perimeter seam extends to form the fluid supply chamber as a multi-bulbed chamber. 
     Clause 81. The bladder according to any one of Clauses 77 to 80, wherein the continuous outer perimeter seam joins the first thermoplastic sheet and the second thermoplastic sheet in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 82. The bladder according to any one of Clauses 77 to 80, wherein the first thermoplastic sheet and the second thermoplastic sheet are connected only by the continuous outer perimeter seam. 
     Clause 83. The bladder according to any one of Clauses 77 to 82, wherein all portions of the sealed interior volume defined by the first thermoplastic sheet, the second thermoplastic sheet, and the continuous outer perimeter seam are in fluid communication. 
     Clause 84. The bladder according to any one of Clauses 77 to 83, wherein the first thermoplastic sheet and the second thermoplastic sheet are formed from a single thermoplastic sheet. 
     Clause 85. The bladder according to any one of Clauses 77 to 83, wherein the first thermoplastic sheet and the second thermoplastic sheet are formed from separate thermoplastic sheets. 
     Clause 86. The bladder according to any one of Clauses 77 to 85, wherein the first heel and/or ankle support chamber and the second heel and/or ankle support chamber are in fluid communication only via the second fluid line. 
     Clause 87. The bladder according to any one of Clauses 77 to 86, further comprising: an inflation port that is permanently sealed after the bladder is inflated, wherein after inflation and sealing, the bladder includes no gas inlet and no gas outlet and contains a fixed mass of gas within the sealed interior volume. 
     Clause 88. A footwear upper, comprising:
         a footwear upper base formed from one or more component parts and including: (i) an instep region including at least one of a tongue base region or an instep base region and (ii) a heel-containing region; and   a bladder according to any one of Clauses 77 to 87 engaged with the footwear upper base, wherein the fluid supply chamber is engaged at the instep region, the first heel and/or ankle support chamber is engaged at a lateral side of the heel-containing region, and the second heel and/or ankle support chamber is engaged at a medial side of the heel-containing region.       

     Clause 89. The footwear upper according to Clause 88, wherein the one or more component parts of the footwear upper base includes a first component part, and wherein at least a portion of the bladder is engaged with the first component part. 
     Clause 90. The footwear upper according to Clause 89, wherein the portion of the bladder engaged with the first component part is engaged in an adhesive free manner. 
     Clause 91. The footwear upper according to Clause 89 or 90, wherein the first component part is a knit component. 
     Clause 92. An article of footwear, comprising: (i) a footwear upper according to any one of Clauses 88 to 91; and (ii) a sole structure engaged with the footwear upper.