Patent Description:
In various manufacturing contexts, textiles or fabric might be initially provided in some bulk form, such as on rolls or in blanks (e.g., standard rectangular sizes). Parts are cut from the bulk form into smaller pieces, thereby leaving remnants. Often, these textile or fabric remnants are not used in subsequent manufacturing and are simply discarded as waste. Document <CIT> describes a felt composite comprising at least one first felt layer, a multi-element second felt layer disposed on the first felt layer and comprising at least one first felt form element and one second felt form element, wherein the first felt form element has a first edge and the first felt form element is sewn up with the first felt layer by means of a first seam along the first edge, and wherein the second felt form element has a second edge running along the first edge of the first felt form element and the second felt form element is sewn up with the first felt layer by means of a second seam along the second edge.

Document <CIT> describes a flexible material including a plurality of separate resilient elements joined to a flexible, resiliently stretchable substrate. Such a material is suitable for providing protective war for human and animal bodies. Preferably, the elements include a foam material such as a closed cell polyethylene foam and the substrate includes a knitted fabric. A second flexible substrate is bonded over the elements to sandwich them between the two layers of substrate.

<CIT> relates to a fabric assembly which can be used as the upper outer portion of a footwear.

The subject matter of this disclosure is described in detail herein with reference to various figures, which are briefly described below and are submitted together with this written description.

The claimed invention is defined by the features set forth in the appended independent claims. Particular embodiments of the claimed invention are defined by the dependent claims.

At a high level, this disclosure describes a multi-layer textile in which fabric tiles are bonded to a base textile layer. In one aspect the fabric tiles are cut from one or more larger fabric pieces, which are textile remnants or scraps from prior manufacturing processes. For example, large fabric blanks or rolls might be used to construct footwear articles, upper body or lower body garments, bags, or the like, and the manufacturing of these articles might create fabric remnants. Absent subject matter described in this disclosure, the fabric remnants might be discarded as waste. However, in accordance with an aspect of this disclosure, fabric tiles are cut from the waste fabric pieces and are used to construct a multi-layer textile. In another aspect, the fabric tiles are bonded to the base textile layer in a manner that reduces the susceptibility of the fabric tiles to peel away from the base textile layer.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an exemplary footwear article <NUM> is depicted having an upper <NUM> constructed at least partially from a multi-layer textile <NUM> (identified in <FIG>). To aid in the description of, and parts identification of, the multi-layer textile <NUM>, a portion of the upper has been cut away in <FIG> to reveal layers of the multi-layer textile <NUM>. For example, <FIG> depicts a base textile layer <NUM>, a bonding layer <NUM>, and a tiled fabric layer <NUM>. The tiled fabric layer <NUM> includes a plurality of fabric tiles 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22D that are bonded to the base textile layer <NUM>. The footwear article <NUM> is just one example of the type of item that might be constructed using the multi-layer textile, and in other aspects, the multi-layer textile might be used to construct bags and other garments and apparel, such as pants, shirts, outerwear, gloves, hats, and the like.

Referring now to <FIG>, the multi-layer textile <NUM> is schematically depicted in an exploded view, in which the base textile layer <NUM> is depicted decoupled from the bonding layer <NUM> and the tiled fabric layer <NUM>. <FIG> also includes reference arrows 2B and 2C that identify a reference point of view for <FIG> for viewing surfaces of a fabric tile 22A and a bonding portion 19A, respectively.

In general, the base textile layer <NUM> includes a first surface <NUM>, a second surface <NUM>, and a thickness <NUM> between the first and second surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>. The base textile layer <NUM> might include a variety of different substrates, including one or more fabrics, textiles, cloths, and the like. For example, the base textile layer <NUM> might include a canvas or other woven textile, a non-woven textile, a knit textile, a braided textile, leather, and the like. Furthermore, the base textile layer <NUM> might include various material properties collectively or alternatively, such as air and moisture permeability, thermal insulation, moisture wicking, moisture repellant, and the like. The material properties might operate in various capacities to render the base textile layer <NUM> suitable to function in various contexts. For example, in one aspect the material properties of the base textile layer <NUM> operate collectively to render the base textile layer <NUM> suitable as an interior liner of the upper of a footwear article. Although <FIG> depicts the base textile layer <NUM> as a single layer, in other aspects the base textile layer may include a plurality of layers combined in a laminate or other multi-layer, base textile layer.

The bonding layer <NUM> is coupled directly with the first surface <NUM> of the base textile layer <NUM>, and the tiled fabric layer <NUM> includes the plurality of discrete fabric tiles 22A-22D affixed to the first surface <NUM> of the base textile layer <NUM> by way of the bonding layer <NUM>. The bonding layer <NUM> might include various bonding agents, including hot-melt bonding agents (e.g., TPU), pressure-sensitive bonding agents, water-based bonding agents, chemically cured agents, UV cured agents, and the like. Furthermore, additional agents might be combined in the bonding layer <NUM> in order to improve a strength of the bond between the fabric tiles 22A-22D and the base textile layer <NUM>. For example, a primer might be combined with any of the above-listed bonding agents, and in one aspect of the disclosure, the bonding layer <NUM> includes a primer comprising <NUM> parts polyurethane resin and <NUM> parts hardener (e.g., Guarandure E-766R from ZhongBu Adhesive & Chemical Co.

The composition of the bonding layer <NUM> might vary depending on the type of fabric tiles making up the tiled fabric layer <NUM>. For example, a bonding layer affixing heavierweight tiles, such as leather, to the base textile layer <NUM> might include the bonding agent (e.g., <NUM> hot-melt film) and the primer, whereas a bonding layer affixing lighter-weight tiles, such as woven canvas, to the base textile layer <NUM> might only include the bonding agent (e.g., <NUM> hot-melt film).

The bonding layer <NUM> might comprise various forms. For example, as depicted in <FIG>, the bonding layer <NUM> (or portions of the bonding layer <NUM>) might have a relatively uniform thickness <NUM> across each of the discrete bonding-layer portions 19A-19D and across the entirety of the bonding layer <NUM>. This relatively uniform thickness might arise from a preactivated form of the bonding layer <NUM>, and in one aspect, the bonding layer <NUM> includes a hot-melt film that, when activated, provides a relatively uniform bonding layer <NUM>. The hot-melt film might include various thicknesses, and in one aspect, the hot-melt film includes a preactivated thickness in a range of about <NUM> to about <NUM>. The hot-melt film might take various forms, such as a solid sheet or a mesh. In other aspects, the bonding layer <NUM> might include a brush-on form or spray-on form that could also be applied in a relatively uniform manner to yield a relatively uniform thickness. The bonding layer <NUM> also includes a plurality of discrete bonding-layer portions 19A-19D, and these will be described in more detail in other portions of this disclosure.

Continuing with <FIG>, the tiled fabric layer <NUM> includes the plurality of discrete fabric tiles 22A-22D. As previously mentioned, in one aspect of this disclosure the discrete fabric textiles 22A-22D are cut from larger pieces of textile or fabric that would otherwise be discarded as scrap or waste after having been previously used to manufacture a different article. The larger pieces of fabric, and hence the discrete fabric tiles 22A-22D, might include various fabrics, textiles, cloths, and the like. For example, the fabric tiles 22A-22D might include canvas or other woven textiles, a non-woven textile, a knit textile, a braided textile, leather, and the like. The fabric tiles 22A-22D might all comprise the same textile type or might include various different textile types. In one aspect, all of the fabric tiles are leather. In another aspect, all of the fabric tiles are canvas.

As used in this disclosure, the term "fabric tile" describes a piece of fabric having a first planar surface, a second planar surface, and a body having a thickness between the planar surfaces. Furthermore, a tile perimeter edge extends continuously and entirely around the body to outline, and form a perimeter boundary of, the fabric tile. The tile perimeter edge also forms perimeter edges around the first and second planar surfaces. Although the tile perimeter edge could include a continuous surface entirely around the fabric tile, the tile perimeter edge could also comprises threads or fibers that collectively from the rest of the fabric tile and that each terminates at a continuous and consistent position around the periphery of the fabric tile to form the tile perimeter edge. As such, a leather fabric tile, a knit fabric tile, and a woven fabric tile each includes a tile perimeter edge that continuously extends around the entire body of the fabric tile. The perimeter edge of each planar surface generally defines a two-dimensional planar shape, and the two-dimensional planar shapes of the planar surfaces are generally congruent (i.e., substantially same shape and substantially same size). The thicknesses fabric tiles (e.g., the thickness <NUM> of the fabric tile 22A) may vary, and in some aspects the thickness of a fabric tile is in a range of about <NUM> to about <NUM>. However, the thickness may be larger or smaller in some aspects. Furthermore, the surface area of each planar surface may also vary, and in some aspects, the surface area may be in a range between approximately <NUM><NUM> and <NUM><NUM>. In one or more of these respects, a fabric tile is distinguishable from ground, powdered, or other particulate forms of recycled textiles.

To help illustrate these elements of a fabric tile, in <FIG> the fabric tile 22A has been labeled with reference numerals to include a first planar surface <NUM> (i.e., outward facing surface) and a second planar surface <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), and a body <NUM> having a thickness <NUM> between the first and second planar surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>. The fabric tile 22A also includes a tile perimeter edge <NUM> that extends continuously and entirely around the body <NUM>, and the tile perimeter edge <NUM> also forms the perimeter edges <NUM> and <NUM> of the planar surfaces. As previously described, the tile perimeter edge <NUM> could be formed of fibers, threads, or other material forms depending on the material-type of the fabric, and in some aspects, the fabric is a woven canvas or a leather. As shown in <FIG>, the planar-surface perimeter edge <NUM> forms a two-dimensional planar shape including a chevron. The chevron is merely one example, and in other aspects, the two-dimensional shape might include a triangle, square, rectangle, or any other polygon or other plane figure having a complete external boundary comprised of a continuous perimeter edge.

Continuing with <FIG>, the surface <NUM> of the discrete fabric tile 22A is a bonded surface that faces towards the bonding layer <NUM> and the first surface <NUM> of the base textile layer <NUM>, and as previously mentioned, the surface <NUM> includes a two-dimensional shape. Furthermore, the bonding layer <NUM> includes discrete bonding-layer portions 19A-19D. The discrete bonding-layer portion 19A is layered between the discrete fabric tile 22A, and the base textile layer <NUM> and also includes a two-dimensional shape, which is a same shape as the two-dimensional shape of the discrete fabric tile 22A. That is, <FIG> depicts a plan view of the discrete bonding-layer portion 19A and illustrates a two-dimensional chevron shape substantially congruent to the two-dimensional chevron shape of the discrete fabric tile 22A. As will be described in more detail in other portions of this disclosure, the area of the two-dimensional shape of the discrete bonding-layer portion (e.g., the area of the chevron in <FIG>) may change in different stages of the manufacturing process. For example, when the discrete bonding-layer portion is initially cut, the area of the two-dimensional shape may include a first dimensional quantity, and after activation (e.g., after application of heat and pressure), the area may slightly increase if the discrete bonding-layer portion flattens out.

The plurality of fabric tiles 22A-22D make up the tiled fabric layer <NUM>, and as such, the tiled fabric layer <NUM> includes a second discrete fabric tile 22D, which also includes a bonded surface <NUM> facing towards the bonding layer <NUM>. The bonded surface <NUM> includes a two-dimensional shape, which is also a chevron similar to <FIG>; however, in other aspects of this disclosure, the two-dimensional shapes might vary among the fabric tiles forming the tiled fabric layer. Continuing with <FIG> the bonding layer <NUM> includes another discrete bonding-layer portion 19D layered between the discrete fabric tile 22D and the base textile layer <NUM> and having a two-dimensional shape. The two-dimensional shape of the discrete bonding-layer portion 19D is the same shape as the two-dimensional shape of the discrete fabric tile 22D.

The discrete bonding-layer portions 19A-19D technically operate in various manners to bond the plurality of fabric tiles 22A-22D to the base textile layer <NUM>. For example, when attached to the bonded surfaces (e.g., <NUM> and <NUM>) of the fabric tiles prior to coupling with the base textile layer <NUM>, the discrete bonding-layer portions 19A-19D may in some instances add rigidity to the fabric tiles, thereby making the fabric tiles easier to manipulate on the base textile layer <NUM> prior to bond activation (e.g., heat and pressure application). The additional rigidity might also reduce the likelihood that perimeter edges of adjacent fabric tiles will pucker away from the base textile layer when the adjacent fabric tiles are slid into an abutting relationship prior to bond activation, since this pucker could reduce the bond strength between the perimeter edge and the base textile layer. Furthermore, the discrete bonding-layer portions 19A-19D allow for customized spacing between adjacent fabric tiles, while still allowing for the surface <NUM> of the base textile layer <NUM> to remain exposed. Some of these aspects will be described in more detail below with respect to <FIG>, <FIG>.

Absent an aspect of the present disclosure, leather fabric tiles might be susceptible to peeling away from the base textile layer <NUM>. However, as indicated in other portions of this disclosure, in at least one aspect of this disclosure, the bonding layer <NUM> comprises elements that have been shown to include a peel strength that meets or exceeds a threshold. For example, in one aspect, the fabric tiles include leather fabric tiles, and the bonding layer <NUM> includes a hot-melt film combined with a primer. For example, the hot-melt film might include a thickness in a range of about <NUM> to about <NUM> and might include various compositions, such as TPU. The primer might include various compositions, and in one aspect, the primer includes <NUM> parts polyurethane resin and <NUM> parts hardener (e.g., Guarandure E-766R from ZhongBu Adhesive & Chemical Co. Testing has shown that when a bonding layer <NUM> having a <NUM> TPU hot-melt film with the primer is used to affix the leather fabric tiles to the base textile layer, the bonding layer <NUM> includes a peel strength that meets or exceeds <NUM>. In a further aspect, the peel strength is tested pursuant to SATRA TM401 (formerly AM1), dated July <NUM>.

When constructed into a multi-layer textile, the plurality of fabric tiles 22A-22D might include various positions and spacing of one fabric tile relative to an adjacent fabric tile. For example, in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the fabric tiles have relatively minimal spacing therebetween. In other words, when the fabric tiles are coupled to the base textile layer by way of the bonding layer, the perimeter edges of adjacent fabric tiles abut, or nearly abut, one another. In one aspect, in this type of abutting arrangement, the perimeter edges of the fabric tiles are spaced apart by less than <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the fabric tiles 322C and 322D are coupled to the base textile layer <NUM> by way of the discrete bonding-layer portions 319C and 319D, respectively. The fabric tile 322C includes a perimeter edge <NUM> and corresponding discrete bonding-layer portion 319C, and the fabric tile 322D includes a perimeter edge <NUM> and corresponding discrete bonding-layer portion 319D. The perimeter edges <NUM> and <NUM> abut one another, and as previously explained, the discrete bonding-layer portions 319C and 319D might contribute some rigidity to the fabric tiles to impede puckering prior to bond activation.

The depiction in <FIG> includes a distinct boundary division 350A between the discrete bonding-layer portions 319C and 319D, and this indicates that in some aspects after bond activation (e.g., heat and pressure application) the discrete bonding-layer portions 319C and 319D may abut and not meld together. In an alternative aspect depicted by <FIG>, a partial boundary division 350B is depicted with a small bridge <NUM> of bonding agent connecting the discrete bonding-layer portion 319C and 319D, and this indicates that the discrete bonding-layer portions 319C and 319D may abut and at least partially meld together when the bonding agent is activated. But in the aspect depicted by <FIG>, the construction still includes discrete bonding-layer portions, which would be identifiable by the partial boundary division 350B.

In <FIG>, discrete bonding-layer portions 319C and 319D having an abutting relationship provide various advantages. For example, the interface between the bonding-layer portions 319C and 319D may operate as a flex line along which the textile might more easily bend or fold (as compared to a solid bonding-layer with no discrete portions), thereby contributing to the overall flexibility of the textile. In addition, the usage of discrete bonding-layer portions 319C and 319D may contribute to the breathability of the textile, since fluid (e.g., air, vapor, etc.) may more easily pass through the textile at the interface between the discrete bonding-layer portions.

Referring now to <FIG>, in other aspects of this disclosure, when the fabric tiles are coupled to the base textile layer by way of the bonding layer, the perimeter edges of adjacent fabric tiles are spaced apart by a distance without any portion of the tiled fabric layer being positioned therebetween. The distance between perimeter edges may vary, and in one aspect, in a spaced-apart arrangement, the distance is in a range of about <NUM> to about <NUM>. In this type of construction, the fabric tiles are still connected to one another by a portion of the base textile layer spanning the distance.

For example, the multi-layer textile <NUM> includes the fabric tiles 422C and 422D, which are coupled to the base textile layer <NUM> by way of the discrete bonding-layer portions 419C and 419D, respectively. The fabric tile 422C includes a perimeter edge <NUM> and corresponding discrete bonding-layer portion 419C, and the fabric tile 422D includes a perimeter edge <NUM> and corresponding discrete bonding-layer portion 419D. The perimeter edges <NUM> and <NUM> are facing towards one another (e.g., <FIG>) and are spaced apart from one another, and in one aspect of the disclosure, the perimeter edges <NUM> and <NUM> are spaced apart from one another by a distance <NUM> (<FIG>) in a range of about <NUM> to about <NUM> in a spaced-apart arrangement. Furthermore, the fabric tiles 422C and 422D are connected to one another by a portion <NUM> of the base textile layer <NUM>, and the portion <NUM> includes an exposed surface <NUM> not covered by the bonding layer or the tiled fabric layer.

The spaced-apart arrangement might include various features that contribute to technical operation of the multi-layer textile <NUM>. For example, in one aspect a fabric-tile thickness <NUM> between the outward-facing surface <NUM> and the bonded surface <NUM> is in a range of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and the distance is in a range of about <NUM> to about <NUM>. In a further aspect, a ratio of the distance <NUM> to thickness <NUM> is in a range of about <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>. In addition, the spaced-apart arrangement may increase the flexibility of the multi-layer textile, which is more bendable along the portions <NUM> between the fabric tiles. Furthermore, the spaced-apart arrangement may increase the breathability of the textile, which might be more breathable along the portions <NUM> having fewer stacked layers. Further still, because the bonding layer includes discrete bonding-layer portions, the exposed portion <NUM> may not be coated with any bonding agent that might change color with aging (e.g., yellowing). As such, the discrete-bonding layer construction may preserve the appearance of the textile. Moreover, by spacing the fabric tiles apart in a non-abutting relationship, adjacent tiles may be less likely to interfere with one another when the bonding layer is activated, and as such, may be less susceptible to peeling away from the base textile layer <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, in another aspect of the disclosure, a multi-layer textile includes an overlay coupled to the outward-facing surface of the fabric tiles. For example, in <FIG> the multi-layer textile <NUM> includes an overlay <NUM> coupled to the outward-facing surface of the fabric tiles. The overlay <NUM> might include various features. For example, the overlay <NUM> might be transparent, as illustrated by the oblique line shading. Or, in alternative aspects, the overlay <NUM> might include a tint, color, or design. In another aspect, the overlay includes a hot-melt film that is constructed into the multi-layer textile <NUM> at simultaneously with the bonding of the fabric tiles to the base textile layer. Among other things, the overlay <NUM> might reduce the likelihood that fabric tiles will peel away from the base textile layer. The hot-melt film <NUM> might be a solid sheet, as depicted in <FIG>, or alternatively, the hot-melt film might have vent apertures positioned at various locations across the film to improve breathability. One example of a hot-melt film with apertures is a mesh film with regularly positions apertures arranged in a grid. Although <FIG> depicts a multi-layer textile <NUM> with fabric tiles in an abutting relationship (similar to <FIG>), a multi-layer textile having fabric tiles in a spaced-apart arrangement (similar to <FIG>) might also include an overlay.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flow diagram illustrates a series of steps that might be carried out when executing a method <NUM> of manufacturing a multi-layer textile having discrete fabric tiles. Step <NUM> includes affixing a hot-melt film to a first surface (i.e., bonded surface) of a fabric piece. For example, a hot-melt film (e.g. solid sheet or mesh) could be affixed to a first surface of a fabric remnant that is left over from a prior manufacturing process. The hot-melt film could be affixed to the first surface by overlaying the hot-melt film onto the first surface and heating the combined hot-melt film and fabric remnant in a heat press for about <NUM> to <NUM> seconds at approximately <NUM> degrees C. In one aspect of the disclosure, this heating step provides a partial activation of the hot-melt film that causes the hot-melt film to affix to the fabric piece, such that the hot-melt film and fabric piece can be further processed in later subsequent steps of the method. In another aspect of the disclosure, the affixing of the hot-melt film to the fabric piece includes applying a primer mix (e.g., <NUM> parts polyurethane resin with <NUM> parts hardener) to the bonded surface prior to applying the hot-melt film and heating the primer and fabric piece for <NUM> to <NUM> seconds at approximately <NUM> degrees C.

After the hot-melt film has been affixed to the first surface, step <NUM> includes cutting a plurality of discrete fabric tiles from the fabric piece. Each discrete fabric tile included among the plurality of discrete fabric tiles now includes a portion of the first surface and a discrete portion of the hot-melt film affixed to the portion of the first surface. The fabric tiles might be cut from the fabric piece using a variety of different techniques. For example, the fabric tiles might be cut using oscillating knife cutting, a die, laser cutting, and the like.

At step <NUM>, the plurality of discrete fabric tiles are arranged with a base textile layer with the portion of the first surface facing towards the base textile layer and the discrete portion of the hot-melt film arranged between the discrete fabric tile and the base textile layer. The plurality of discrete fabric tiles might be arranged using various techniques. For example, in one aspect a jig having a guide pattern is laid on top of the base textile layer. The jig might be constructed of a variety of different materials, and in one aspect, the jig includes silicone. In addition, the jig might have various dimensions, patterns, guide sizes, etc. For example, in one aspect, the tile-spacing dividers that space apart adjacent fabric tiles have a thickness in a range between <NUM> and <NUM>. Although the jig might be placed directly on top of the base textile layer, in other aspects, the fabric tiles are first arranged in the jig with the discrete bonding-layer portions facing upward, and the base textile layer is then positioned on top of the fabric tiles with the discrete bonding-layer portions therebetween.

The arranging step might include other stages in other aspects of the disclosure. For example, if an abutting relationship is desired, then the jig might be used to lay out an initial pattern of the fabric tiles, and after the initial pattern is set, then jig is removed and the fabric tiles may be manually slid into an abutting relationship. As indicated previously, the bonding layer that is already affixed to the fabric tiles may increase the rigidity of the fabric tiles to make them easier to slide and to reduce the likelihood that the edges of the fabric tiles will pucker when slid into an abutting relationship. When the fabric tiles will be slid together, a jig with narrower guides (e.g., <NUM> width guides) might be selected in order to reduce the distance the fabric tiles need to be slid to abut an adjacent fabric tile. In other aspects, a spaced-apart arrangement might be desired, in which case the fabric tiles might be left in the fabric-tile pattern dictated by the jig. Furthermore, the fabric tiles might be left in the jig during the subsequent heating and pressing step to help hold the fabric tiles in position until fully secured to the base textile layer.

Step <NUM> includes applying an amount of heat to the base textile layer, the discrete portions of the hot-melt film, and the plurality of discrete fabric tiles. For example, as previously mentioned, the base textile layer might be placed on the fabric tiles with the discrete bonding-layer portions sandwiched therebetween. The combination of layers might be heated and pressed in a range of about <NUM> to <NUM> seconds and at a temperature of approximately <NUM> degrees C. Once the multi-layer textile has cooled, portions of an upper can be cut from the multi-layer textile, such as the vamp, tongue, quarters, and the like.

Claim 1:
A multi-layer textile (<NUM>) comprising: a base textile layer (<NUM>) having a first surface (<NUM>), a second surface (<NUM>), and a thickness (<NUM>) between the first surface (<NUM>) and the second surface (<NUM>); a bonding layer (<NUM>) coupled directly with the first surface (<NUM>) of the base textile layer (<NUM>); a tiled fabric layer (<NUM>) having a plurality of discrete fabric tiles (22A-22D) affixed to the first surface (<NUM>) of the base textile layer (<NUM>) by way of the bonding layer (<NUM>), wherein the plurality of discrete fabric tiles (22A-22D) includes a first discrete fabric tile (22A) including a first bonded surface (<NUM>) facing towards the bonding layer (<NUM>) and the first surface (<NUM>) of the base textile layer (<NUM>) and having a first two-dimensional shape; and wherein the bonding layer (<NUM>) includes a first discrete bonding-layer portion (19A) layered between the first discrete fabric tile (22A) and the base textile layer (<NUM>) and having a second two-dimensional shape that is a same shape as the first two-dimensional shape, wherein the multi-layer textile (<NUM>) is at least part of an upper (<NUM>) for a footwear article.