Patent Description:
Articles of footwear generally include two primary elements: an upper and a sole member. The upper is often formed from a plurality of material elements (e.g., textiles, polymer sheet layers, foam layers, leather, and synthetic leather) that are stitched or adhesively bonded together to form a void on the interior of the footwear for comfortably and securely receiving a foot. More particularly, the upper forms a structure that extends over the instep and toe areas of the foot, along medial and lateral sides of the foot, and around a heel area of the foot. The upper may also incorporate a lacing system to adjust the fit of the footwear, as well as permitting entry and removal of the foot from the void within the upper. In addition, the upper may include a tongue that extends under the lacing system to enhance adjustability and comfort of the footwear, and the upper may incorporate a heel counter.

The sole member is secured to a lower portion of the upper so as to be positioned between the foot and the ground, in athletic footwear, for example, the sole member includes a midsole and an outsole.

Articles of footwear are usually manufactured in bulk and are sold without customization. For example, articles of footwear are typically sold with only one option for heel stiffness.

Document <CIT> describes an article of footwear including an upper and a sole structure with a sole member. The sole member can be manufactured using a cushioning sole system that provides customized cushioning characteristics to different regions of a sole member. A user's foot morphology and/or preferences may be used to design the sole member. The sole member can include a set of apertures that are formed along various surfaces of the sole member.

Document <CIT> describes a sole structure including perforations penetrating the elastic layer of the sole at the heel portion. The perforated part's area decreases from the back of the heel forwards to the arch of the foot part. The unperforated part correspondingly increases in those parts of the sole's structure giving support to the foot.

Articles of footwear are conventionally manufactured in bulk and then sold without customization. Accordingly, a single style of an article of footwear typically comes with only one option for heel stability. The disclosed method provides a way to manufacture a style of an article of footwear in bulk, while providing customization for heel stability for individual customers. Moreover, the disclosed method provides a way to customize articles of footwear for a customer on an ongoing basis, such that the heel stability of the articles of footwear is refined until a tailored fit is achieved for the same customer.

For clarity, the term "customer" may be used interchangeably with "user" herein, as the term "customer," for the purposes of this disclosure, is not limited to a person purchasing a product. A "customer" may also be a user receiving an article of footwear free of charge. Similarly, the term "purchase history," as used herein, may include certain information about the history of a user receiving one or more articles of footwear in exchange for currency or free of charge.

The disclosed method includes an iterative process of using customer feedback to customize the stability of an article of footwear. In different embodiments, the article of footwear may be any type of article of footwear including, but not limited to, a running shoe, shoe with cleats, boot, slip-on shoe, high-top shoe, low-top shoe, or bootie, as well as other types of footwear. For example, the articles of footwear shown in the drawings may be running shoes.

<FIG> shows an example of a customer's purchase history that may be collected, stored, and used to customize an article of footwear. <FIG> illustrates a method of customizing an article of footwear, according to an embodiment. The method may also be considered a "customization cycle. " Generally, the method may include providing a user/customer with an article of footwear, getting evaluation information about the stability of the article of footwear from a survey (e.g., asking the user to rate the stability of the article of footwear in a smartphone app), modifying the next article of footwear provided to the user/customer according to the evaluation information, and iterating through this process to give the user an article optimized for stability. In <FIG>, the steps discussed may be steps taken by a manufacturer, retailer, or other party. As used herein, a manufacturer may be any party that sells or otherwise provides articles to customers and which receives feedback (directly or indirectly) about the articles. It may be understood that steps of manufacturing could take place at a factory and/or at a retail facility (a store, kiosk, etc.). In some embodiments, a manufacturer may supply the raw parts and materials for manufacturing the articles. In other embodiments, a manufacturer may be provided with some prefabricated components that are then assembled (e.g., in a permanent manner) to form a final article.

It is clear that method/customization cycle <NUM> is cyclical so that each step can occur multiple times over the lifetime of the customer-manufacturer (or customer-proprietor) relationship. In particular, and as discussed in further detail below, such a cycle provides for iterating customizable features in footwear until the point where a given customized feature has been deemed ideal, or close enough within some tolerance, for a user or customer. In other words, the cycle could be repeated <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and up to N times, where N is any number. Moreover, the process repeated N times provides a user or customer with N or N+<NUM> different pairs of footwear.

Although the embodiments discuss a method conducted by a manufacturer, in other embodiments the customization method described herein may more broadly be operated or conducted by a proprietor (or proprietors). A proprietor may include one or more factories, multiple offices, retailers and various other establishments associated with a business. Generally, the term "proprietor," as used here, may also refer to distributors and/or suppliers. In other words, the term proprietor may also apply to various operations on the manufacturing side, including the operations responsible for parts, labor, and/or retail of the article of footwear, as well as other manufacturing side operations.

Embodiments may include one or more of the methods, processes, structures, features and/or systems disclosed in: (a) <CIT>, and titled "Method of Customizing Heel Cushioning in Articles of Footwear;" (b) <CIT>, and titled "Method of Customizing Forefoot Cushioning in Articles of Footwear;" and (c) <CIT>, and titled "Method of Customizing Articles of Footwear".

The embodiments described herein may also include or refer to techniques, concepts, features, elements, methods, and/or components from: (a) <CIT> (previously <CIT>), titled "Article of Footwear Comprising a Sole Member with Apertures," (b) <CIT> (previously <CIT>), titled "Article of Footwear Comprising a Sole Member with Geometric Patterns," (c) <CIT> (previously <CIT>), titled "Article of Footwear Comprising a Sole Member with Regional Patterns," and (d) <CIT> (previously <CIT>), titled "Article of Footwear Comprising a Sole Member with Aperture Patterns".

<FIG> shows a computer monitor <NUM> having a screen <NUM>, displaying a purchase history of a customer, according to an embodiment. This purchase history may be recorded at the time of purchases made by the customer. In some embodiments, the purchase history may show the customer's identification information. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the purchase history may show a customer's identification information <NUM> as an identification number. The term "customer identification information" refers to any information that can be used to track a customer's purchases (and/or other information) over time. This information could include name, address, and/or other identifying information.

In some embodiments, the purchase history may show purchase data for individual purchases. For example, in some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the purchase history may show first purchase data <NUM>, second purchase data <NUM>, and third purchase data <NUM>. The example in <FIG> shows each set of purchase data showing the purchase date, which may include the date upon which the purchase was made. First purchase data <NUM> shows that the first purchase was made in April of <NUM>. Second purchase data <NUM> shows that the second purchase was made in December of <NUM>. Third purchase data <NUM> shows that the third purchase was made in May of <NUM>. In some embodiments, the purchase history may show the style of an article of footwear purchased. For example, first purchase data <NUM>, second purchase data <NUM>, and third purchase data <NUM> may show that the same style of an article of footwear (style XXXX) was purchased three times in a row. This data may help show which style is being compared with another, which may be a factor considered when determining the type of sole structure to recommend to the customer for the next purchase.

In some embodiments, the purchase history may show the type of sole structure provided by the article of footwear. For example, first purchase data <NUM> may show a "maximum firmness" midsole, second purchase data <NUM> may show a "maximum lateral cushioning" midsole, and third purchase data <NUM> may show a "medium lateral cushioning" midsole. The type of sole structure provided by each article of footwear may be a factor considered when determining the type of sole structure to recommend to the customer for the next purchase.

In some embodiments, the purchase history may show customer evaluations of particular sole structures, which may be a factor considered when determining the type of sole structure to recommend to the customer for the next purchase. For example, as shown in <FIG>, first purchase data <NUM> may show a customer evaluation of the stability of the maximum firmness midsole. Similarly, second purchase data <NUM> may show a customer evaluation of the stability of a maximum lateral firmness midsole and third purchase data <NUM> may show a customer evaluation of the stability of a medium lateral cushioning midsole. The way that the customer's evaluations are used to customize an article of footwear for the same customer is described in more detail with respect to <FIG> below.

As previously mentioned, <FIG> illustrates a method of customizing an article of footwear, according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the method may include a step <NUM>, which is a step of manufacturing a first article of footwear having a first sole structure and a first heel stiffness profile. The first article of footwear may have a toe region, a heel region opposite the toe region, and a midfoot region disposed between the toe region and the heel region. The first article of footwear may have a medial side and a lateral side opposite the medial side. In some embodiments, first sole structure may include a single layered sole structure or, as shown in the drawings, an article of footwear having multiple layers, including a midsole, outsole, and/or insole. For example, <FIG> shows an article of footwear <NUM> having a sole structure with a midsole <NUM> and an outsole <NUM> (see zoomed in view <NUM>). The first article of footwear may include other features, such as an upper. For example, <FIG> shows an article of footwear <NUM> having an upper <NUM>.

The material selected for the sole structure of the first article of footwear, as well as the sole structure of any subsequent articles of footwear (e.g., the second article of footwear) may possess sufficient durability to withstand the repetitive compressive and bending forces that are generated during running or other athletic activities. In some embodiments, the material(s) may include foams; polymers such as urethane or nylon; resins; metals such as aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, or lightweight alloys; or composite materials that combine carbon or glass fibers with a polymer material, ABS plastics, PLA, glass-filled polyamides, stereolithography materials (epoxy resins), silver, titanium, steel, wax, photopolymers, and polycarbonate. The sole structure may also be formed from a single material or a combination of different materials. For example, one side of a sole structure may be formed from a polymer whereas the opposing side may be formed from a foam material. In addition, specific regions may be formed from different materials depending upon the anticipated forces experienced by each region.

First heel stiffness profile may include any type of heel stiffness profile. Assigning a heel stiffness profile to the article of footwear may provide a starting point for gathering data about the customer. As explained below with respect to further steps, the customer will try out the first article of footwear and provide feedback that is used to prepare the next article of footwear to the customer. In some embodiments, including the example used in the drawings, the first article of footwear may include a maximum firmness profile. In such an embodiment, the sole structure may include a solid block of material. For example, <FIG> shows an example of a midsole that is a solid block of material. By starting with a solid block of material, the sole structure may be at maximum firmness, and may be adjusted to be more compressible in certain regions by removing material in such regions. Removing material, or subtractive manufacturing, may be used in targeted regions to enhance stability, since stability is provided (at least in part) by differences in the compressibility of the sole structure between the lateral and medial sides. As discussed in more detail with respect to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> below, removing material (e.g., drilling or lasering horizontal apertures or grooves through the lateral sides) may create zones that compress more easily and thus change the stability of the sole structure, and thus the article of footwear.

In some embodiments, the sole structure of the first article of footwear may start with a heel stiffness profile selected by the customer. For example, a customer may already know that he or she over-pronates. Accordingly, the customer may want to first try a sole structure having a heel stiffness profile adjusted to enhance stability for a wearer who over-pronates. Such a sole structure may cause the ground reaction forces to be more concentrated in the medial side of a foot than along the lateral side of a foot, thereby reducing the probability that the foot will over-pronate. For example, as discussed in more detail below, <FIG> shows a midsole <NUM> that is modified to compensate for a wearer who over-pronates.

Generally, the disclosed method of customizing an article of footwear may include providing a user/customer with an article of footwear. For example, in some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the method may include a step <NUM>, which is a step of providing the first article of footwear to a customer. As shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments, step <NUM> may include selling first article of footwear <NUM> (e.g., inside a box) to customer <NUM> and placing the first article of footwear in the customer's possession. In this example, the first article of footwear may be a pair of running shoes with a midsole having maximum firmness.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, a salesperson <NUM> may charge customer <NUM> for the article of footwear <NUM> and hand the first article of footwear over to the customer. In another example, the customer may order the article of footwear from an Internet site, and the article of footwear may be shipped to the customer. In some embodiments, step <NUM> may include providing the customer with the article of footwear free of charge.

Generally, the disclosed method of customizing an article of footwear may include getting evaluation information about the stability of the article of footwear from a survey. For example, in some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the method may include a step <NUM>, which is a step of receiving a customer evaluation of heel stability of the first article of footwear. In some embodiments, for example, as shown in <FIG>, method/customization cycle <NUM> may include a step <NUM>, which is a step of providing an evaluation system to the customer, so that the customer may submit the customer evaluation. By specifically providing the user with an evaluation system indicating the degree to which the customer likes the stability of the current article of footwear, the feedback may be used to modify the stability of the next article of footwear.

In some embodiments, the evaluation system may be provided by a paper survey. In other embodiments, step <NUM> may include providing the user with an evaluation system via a device, such as a mobile device (e.g., smartphone) or a personal computer/computer tablet. For example, <FIG> shows customer <NUM> receiving an evaluation system via a mobile device <NUM>. <FIG> additionally shows a screen of the customer evaluation system that the customer may use to rate the first article of footwear. It is understood that such information may also be provided in other formats. For example, a paper survey may ask for the same information by providing the same options, and having the customer circle an option. In yet another example, a salesperson may verbally ask the customer for stability feedback, and the salesperson may input the feedback into a computer system to be stored as part of the customer's purchase history.

In addition to showing a customer receiving the evaluation system via a mobile device, <FIG> further shows an example screen of the way an evaluation system may look. It is understood that this screen is merely an example, and that the information may be provided to the customer in a variety of different ways. The objective of the evaluation system is to provide a way for the customer to communicate his or her rating of heel stability of the article of footwear. In some embodiments, for example, in <FIG>, the evaluation system may be used to communicate the customer's rating of the heel stability of the article of footwear. The evaluation system may include a rating of stability (e.g., heel stability) of the sole structure that is based on multiple options of ratings. In this particular example, the user may select a heel stability rating from five options of stability ratings provided as tic marks along a scroll bar <NUM>. The scroll bar may show "just right" in the middle, "rolling outwardly" to the far right, and "rolling inwardly" to the far left. The tic marks may indicate different points along the spectrum between these three ratings on the scroll bar. In some embodiments, evaluation system may include a title <NUM>, indicating which characteristic of the article of footwear is being reviewed by the customer. In some embodiments, a question <NUM> may help direct a customer in reviewing the article of footwear.

In other embodiments, the tic marks may be absent and the user may select any point along the scroll bar. In yet other embodiments, more or less options may be provided. For example, the rating/evaluation system may only offer the options of "just right," "rolling inwardly," and "rolling outwardly. " In another example, more options may be offered to indicate a lesser degree of rolling inwardly and/or rolling outwardly.

The tic mark at the far right of the scroll bar in <FIG> may correspond with "rolling a lot outwardly," while the tic mark between "just right" and tic mark on the far right of the scroll bar shown in <FIG> may correspond with "rolling a little outwardly. " The tic mark at the far left of the scroll bar in <FIG> may correspond with "rolling a lot inwardly," while the tic mark between "just right" and the tic mark on the far left of the scroll bar shown in <FIG> may correspond with "rolling a little inwardly. " In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the screen of the evaluation system may provide a selector <NUM>, and the customer may move the selector to the customer's selected option. In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the screen may confirm the customer's option by displaying the selected option in another area of the screen, such as a box <NUM>. In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the screen may offer a submit button <NUM>. Accordingly, when using the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the customer may do the following: move the selector to the selected option, verify the selected option by reviewing option appearing in box, and press the submit button.

In other embodiments, the evaluation system may include a rating of <NUM> to <NUM> with "<NUM>" being assigned as "rolling inwardly" and "<NUM>" being assigned as "perfect. " In yet another embodiment, for example, as shown in <FIG>, the general stability of the article of footwear may be evaluated by the customer. In such an embodiment, a scroll bar <NUM> may include "perfect" on the far left and "very unstable" on the far right, with tic marks indicating varying degrees of stability in between these two extreme options. Similar to the evaluation system shown in <FIG>, the evaluation system of <FIG> may include a title <NUM>, a question <NUM>, and a submit button <NUM>. It is understood that the evaluation system in other embodiments may include some or all of the features shown in the embodiments of <FIG> and <FIG>. It is also understood that the evaluation system in other embodiments may include other features instead of or in addition to the embodiments of <FIG> and <FIG>.

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the method may include a step <NUM>, which is a step of receiving a customer evaluation of heel stability of the first article of footwear. In some embodiments, the customer may test the article of footwear. For example, as shown in <FIG>, customer <NUM> may wear article of footwear <NUM> during a certain activity, such as running. In another example, the activity may be walking and/or playing a sport. After testing the article of footwear one or more times, the customer may provide a heel evaluation of the article of footwear. For example, in some embodiments, the customer may wear the article of footwear only once before filling out an evaluation of the article of footwear. In another example, in some embodiments, the customer may wear the article of footwear daily over the course of <NUM> weeks. In yet another example, in some embodiments, the customer may wear the article of footwear periodically over the course of <NUM> months. After the <NUM> months passes, the customer may be ready to purchase a new article of footwear, and may then fill out an evaluation of the article of footwear.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the customer feels that her heels (e.g., right heel <NUM>) are rolling inwardly as she runs. As a result, midsole <NUM> compresses more on a medial side <NUM> of a heel region of the midsole than a lateral side <NUM> of the heel region. Because customer <NUM> feels that her heels are rolling inwardly a lot, she selects the highest degree of "rolling inwardly" on the scroll bar of the evaluation in <FIG>. To select this option, customer <NUM> moves selector <NUM> to the tic mark that is positioned on the far left of scroll bar <NUM>. Box <NUM> may display that "rolling inwardly a lot" has been selected to allow the customer to verify which option has been selected. The customer may select the "submit" button to submit the evaluation to the entity (e.g., a footwear company) performing the method of customizing an article of footwear. Pressing the submit button may cause the customer's evaluation to be sent from mobile device <NUM> to a server <NUM> through a network <NUM> (see <FIG>). The details of communication between the mobile device and other equipment are discussed in more detail below. The information from the customer's evaluation may be stored in a database <NUM> (see <FIG>). The next time the customer purchases an article of footwear, the information from the customer's evaluation information may be retrieved from database <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, a factory worker <NUM> may retrieve the customer's evaluation information, which is shown on a screen of a monitor <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an embodiment of a configuration of communication equipment. Server <NUM> may communicate with mobile device <NUM> over network <NUM>. Server <NUM> may provide information to, and/or receive information from, mobile device <NUM>. In some embodiments, for example, evaluation information, such as a customer-selected evaluation, may be transmitted by mobile device <NUM> to server <NUM> over network <NUM>. Upon receiving the evaluation information, server <NUM> may store some or all of the information in database <NUM>. In particular, the evaluation information could be stored in one or more tables associated with a particular set of customer identification information. Furthermore, a manufacturer may access information in database <NUM>, such as evaluation information, when preparing to manufacture a new article of footwear for a customer that has provided the evaluation information and placed an order for a new pair of footwear.

Both server <NUM> and mobile device <NUM> may be considered more broadly as general "computing systems. " Generally, the term "computing system" refers to the computing resources of a single computer, a portion of the computing resources of a single computer, and/or two or more computers in communication with one another. Any of these resources can be operated by one or more human users. In some embodiments, a computing system may include one or more servers. Computing systems may include a microprocessor, RAM, ROM, and software. Both current and electronically stored signals may be processed by a central processing unit (CPU) in accordance with software stored in an electronic memory, such as ROM. A computing system can also include one or more storage devices including, but not limited to, magnetic, optical, magneto-optical, and/or memory, including volatile memory and non-volatile memory.

Network <NUM> may include any wired or wireless provisions that facilitate the exchange of information between mobile device <NUM> and server <NUM>. In some embodiments, network <NUM> may further include various components such as network interface controllers, repeaters, hubs, bridges, switches, routers, modems, and firewalls. In some cases, network <NUM> may be a wireless network that facilitates wireless communication between two or more systems, devices, and/or components of a customization system. Examples of wireless networks include, but are not limited to, wireless personal area networks (including, for example, Bluetooth), wireless local area networks (including networks utilizing the IEEE <NUM> WLAN standards), wireless mesh networks, mobile device networks as well as other kinds of wireless networks. In other cases, network <NUM> could be a wired network including networks whose signals are facilitated by twister pair wires, coaxial cables, and optical fibers. In still other cases, a combination of wired and wireless networks and/or connections could be used.

Generally, the disclosed method of customizing an article of footwear may include modifying the next article of footwear provided to the user/customer according to the customer's evaluation information. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the method may include a step <NUM>, which is a step of adjusting a second sole structure of a second article of footwear to have a second heel stiffness profile. The second article of footwear may have a toe region, a heel region opposite the toe region, and a midfoot region disposed between the toe region and the heel region. The second article of footwear may also have a lateral side and a medial side opposite the lateral side. In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the method may include a step <NUM>, which is a step of manufacturing a second article of footwear having a second sole structure. In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the method may include a step <NUM>, which is a step of using the first customer evaluation of heel stability to determine a second heel stiffness profile for the second sole structure. In some embodiments, the second heel stiffness profile may be different from the first heel stiffness profile. For example, in the exemplary embodiment discussed with respect to the drawings, the first heel stiffness profile may be maximum firmness and the second heel stiffness profile may be maximum lateral cushioning. In other embodiments, the first heel stiffness profile may be the same as the second heel stiffness profile.

Step <NUM> of manufacturing a second article of footwear having a second sole structure may include providing a midsole. For example, the midsole may be provided by being made or purchased. In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, a plurality of midsoles may be made (e.g., by the manufacturer of the second article of footwear or a third party) and stored in a bin <NUM>. For example, bin <NUM> may store a plurality of midsoles <NUM>. In such embodiments, a midsole may be selected from the bin and may be incorporated into the second article of footwear. In the example shown in <FIG>, bin <NUM> may store a plurality of midsoles <NUM> having the features of having maximum firmness and fitting a size <NUM> running shoe. In other embodiments, the stored midsoles may have different features.

The midsole for the second article of footwear may be a midsole having maximum firmness. Such a midsole may be a solid block of material. <FIG> shows an example of a midsole having maximum firmness.

In some embodiments, step <NUM> may include assembling pre-made parts of an article of footwear to make the article of footwear. For example, a midsole, upper, and outsole may be taken from a shelf inside a factory and assembled to form an article of footwear. In other embodiments, step <NUM> may further include making the parts of an article of footwear and then assembling the parts to form an article of footwear.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the method may include a step <NUM>, which is a step of using the first customer evaluation of heel stability to determine a second heel stiffness profile for the second sole structure. <FIG> illustrates factory worker <NUM> viewing the customer's information on the screen of monitor <NUM>. A zoomed in view <NUM> of the screen of monitor <NUM> shows an example of customer information from an evaluation. The customer information may include the customer ID, current heel (which is the heel of the shoe the customer is reviewing), heel evaluation, and recommended heel (which is the heel recommended in response to the customer's review).

Referring to the example of <FIG>, because the customer selected "rolling inwardly a lot," the second article of footwear may be modified to address this issue. For example, the heel stiffness profile selected for the second article of footwear may be a midsole having maximum lateral cushioning to compensate for the medial side of the customer's heel compressing the midsole unevenly. By modifying the midsole to compress more along the lateral side of the heel region than the medial side of the heel region, the midsole may compress more evenly beneath the customer's heel. For example, as discussed in more detail below, <FIG> shows modified midsole <NUM> compressing evenly beneath the customer's foot.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the method may include a step <NUM>, which is a step of adjusting the second sole structure of the second article of footwear to have the second heel stiffness profile. <FIG> shows the factory worker selecting a midsole from bin <NUM> of midsoles. Since the selected midsole <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) is a solid block of material, removing bits of material in certain regions may cause such regions to have a higher compressibility. It is understood that, in some embodiments, the midsole to be modified/adjusted for the second article of footwear may already have portions of material removed before being modified. For example, the step of adjusting the second sole structure may include removing material from the second sole structure to form at least one aperture or groove to provide the second heel stiffness profile. In some embodiments, to remove material from the second midsole, a drilling machine may be used. For example, <FIG> shows factory worker <NUM> placing midsole <NUM> into a drilling machine <NUM>. <FIG> shows how drills <NUM> may be used to drill apertures <NUM> and <NUM> into one or more surfaces of midsole <NUM>, and <FIG> shows a modified midsole <NUM> resulting from the drilling process performed on midsole <NUM>. Modified midsole <NUM> may include a lateral side <NUM> and a medial side <NUM> opposite lateral side <NUM>. Modified midsole <NUM> may additionally include a toe region <NUM> and a heel region <NUM> opposite toe region <NUM>. The example demonstrated in <FIG> shows modified midsole <NUM> as having apertures <NUM> disposed on an upper surface <NUM> of modified midsole <NUM> in heel region <NUM> and apertures <NUM> disposed on a lateral sidewall in heel region <NUM>. It is understood that the apertures may be located in different areas of the sole structure instead of or in addition to the lateral sidewall and the upper surface of the sole structure in other embodiments. For example, the apertures may be disposed on a lower surface of the midsole that is opposite the upper surface of the midsole. It is further understood that the apertures may have different shapes and sizes, as discussed with respect to <FIG> below.

In some embodiments, a dremel tool or laser can be used to remove material from a sole member in a manner that forms apertures or grooves in the sole member. For example, as shown in <FIG>, lasers may be used to form grooves in the outer surface of the sole member (modified midsole <NUM>). In this example, a first laser <NUM> and a second laser <NUM> may both be used to form a first groove <NUM>. First laser <NUM> may be angled in a first direction causing a first laser beam <NUM> to cut a surface (e.g., sidewall) of sole member <NUM> along a first wall of groove <NUM>. Second laser <NUM> may be angled in a second direction causing a second laser beam <NUM> to cut the surface of sole member <NUM> along a second wall of first groove <NUM>. The first wall and the second wall, as shown in the zoomed in cross-sectional view of <FIG>, may both be flat and may be angled with respect to each other such that first groove <NUM> has a v-shaped cross-section. In other embodiments, one or more lasers may be used to form apertures or grooves having other shapes. For example, lasers may be used to make grooves having a square-shaped cross-section.

<FIG> shows an alternative embodiment of modified midsole <NUM>, including an isometric view and a zoomed in cross-sectional view. <FIG> shows a bottom view of the modified midsole of <FIG>. <FIG> shows a lateral side view of the modified midsole of <FIG>. <FIG> shows a rear view of the modified midsole of <FIG>. <FIG> shows lasers cutting a groove into the modified midsole of <FIG>. Modified midsole <NUM> may include a lateral side <NUM> and a medial side <NUM> opposite lateral side <NUM>. Modified midsole <NUM> may additionally include a toe region <NUM>, a heel region <NUM> opposite toe region <NUM>, a top surface <NUM>, and a bottom surface <NUM> disposed opposite top surface <NUM>. The example demonstrated in <FIG> shows that modified midsole <NUM> may have a first groove <NUM>, a second groove <NUM>, a third groove <NUM>, and a fourth groove <NUM> disposed on a lateral sidewall of modified midsole <NUM>. First groove <NUM> and fourth groove <NUM> may also be disposed on bottom surface <NUM> of modified midsole <NUM> (<FIG>). The example demonstrated in <FIG> shows that first groove <NUM>, a second groove <NUM>, a third groove <NUM>, and a fourth groove <NUM> may be disposed in heel region <NUM>. It is understood that the grooves may be located in different areas of the sole structure instead of or in addition to the lateral sidewall and the bottom surface of the sole structure in other embodiments. For example, the grooves may be disposed on an upper surface of the midsole that is opposite the bottom surface of the midsole. It is further understood that the grooves may have different shapes and sizes than the shapes and sizes shown in the drawings, as discussed above. Additionally, the grooves may have different shapes and sizes from each other. For example, a first groove may have a v-shaped cross-section, while a second groove has an arcuate cross-section. In another example, as shown in <FIG>, first groove <NUM> may have a depth x. Third groove <NUM> may also have the same depth x. Yet, second groove <NUM> and fourth groove <NUM> may have different depths from first groove <NUM> and each other. For example, second groove <NUM> may have a depth of 2x (twice the value of x). In another example, fourth groove <NUM> may have a depth of 3x (three times the value of x). In some embodiments, the grooves may have a depth of up to five times the width of the groove. In some embodiments, the grooves may all have the same depth as one another.

It is even further understood that a different number of grooves may be provided on the midsole. For example, while the example demonstrated in <FIG> shows four interconnected grooves, a modified midsole may include a single groove. In another embodiment, a modified midsole may include between two and <NUM> grooves. For example, a modified midsole may include <NUM> grooves. The example demonstrated in <FIG> shows that first groove <NUM>, a second groove <NUM>, a third groove <NUM>, and a fourth groove <NUM> create a pattern of intersecting grooves. It is understood that other patterns of grooves may be included. For example, the grooves may form a pattern of concentric circles or pattern of wavy lines.

In another embodiment, a hot knife process could be used for forming apertures in a sole member. Examples of methods for forming apertures on a sole member are disclosed in McDonald, <CIT>, titled "Article of Footwear with an Articulated Sole Structure," (previously <CIT>). Examples of methods for forming apertures on a sole member are disclosed in <CIT>, titled "Article of Footwear Comprising a Sole Member with Apertures". In other embodiments, however, any other type of cutting method can be used for forming apertures. Furthermore, in some cases, two or more different techniques can be used for forming apertures. As an example, in another embodiment, apertures disposed on a side surface of a sole member can be formed using laser cutting, while apertures on a lower surface of the sole member could be formed during a molding process. Still further, different types of techniques could be used according to the material used for a sole member. For example, laser cutting may be used in cases where the sole member is made of a foam material.

<FIG> shows an exploded view of a second article of footwear incorporating modified midsole <NUM> customized in <FIG>. <FIG> discloses an assembled view of the second article of footwear <NUM> from <FIG>.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the method may include a step <NUM>, which is a step of providing the second article of footwear to the customer. Step <NUM> may include the same options as those discussed above with respect to step <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, step <NUM> may include selling the second article of footwear to a customer in a store. In another example, as shown in <FIG>, the customer may order the second article of footwear through the Internet, and the second article of footwear may be delivered to the customer.

Method/customization cycle <NUM> may be repeated multiple times to hone the fit of the article of footwear for the customer. An example of such a scenario is shown in the purchase history displayed in <FIG> shows purchase history for a customer purchasing three different articles of footwear. Repeating method/customization cycle <NUM> may include repeating step <NUM> to provide the customer with the evaluation system. Once the customer receives the second article of footwear (<FIG>), the customer may test the second article of footwear and provide a customer evaluation of the heel stability of the second article of footwear.

The customer's submission of the customer evaluation may cause step <NUM> to be repeated with an evaluation of the second article of footwear instead of the evaluation of the first article of footwear. In other words, a step of receiving the customer evaluation of the heel stability of the second article of footwear may be performed. This customer evaluation may be used to modify a third article of footwear having a toe region, a heel region opposite the toe region, a midfoot region between the toe region and heel region, a lateral side, and a medial side opposite the lateral side. For example, if the customer evaluation states that the second article of footwear rolls outwardly a little, it may be apparent that the midsole of the second article of footwear was made to be too compressible. Accordingly, a third article of footwear may be customized to have a midsole with medium lateral cushioning. In other words, the midsole of the third article of footwear may be modified in the same manner as discussed above with respect to the second article of footwear to have a lateral side of a heel region that is less compressible than the same of the maximum lateral cushioning midsole of the second article of footwear, but more compressible than the same of a maximum firmness midsole of the third article of footwear. The third article of footwear may be provided to the customer. As shown in <FIG>, the third article of footwear having a midsole with medium lateral cushioning is rated as having stability that is just right.

<FIG> shows a midsole <NUM> according to another embodiment. Midsole <NUM> may include apertures <NUM> disposed along a sidewall <NUM> of a lateral side <NUM> of a heel region <NUM>. As shown in a zoomed in cross-sectional view in <FIG>, apertures <NUM> may be cylindrical apertures.

<FIG> shows a midsole <NUM> according to another embodiment. Midsole <NUM> may include apertures, including a first aperture type <NUM> and a second aperture type <NUM>, disposed along an upper surface <NUM> of a lateral side <NUM> of a heel region <NUM>. As shown in a zoomed in cross-sectional view in <FIG>, apertures <NUM> may be cylindrical apertures. <FIG> exemplifies how apertures may be uniform in shape and size. For example, first aperture type <NUM> may be cylindrical, and second aperture type <NUM> may have the same shape and size (i.e., depth and circumference) as first aperture type <NUM>. While <FIG> shows cylindrical apertures, it is understood that the midsole may include apertures having a uniform size and shape that is different from the size and shape of the apertures shown in <FIG>. For example, the midsole may include apertures that have the same shape as those shown in <FIG>, but with a different depth. In another example, the midsole may include apertures that each has the same conical shape as one another, as well as the same size as one another. While the FIGS. show the apertures as blind holes, it is understood that the apertures may be through holes extending from a first surface of a sole structure to a second surface of the same.

<FIG> shows a midsole <NUM> according to another embodiment. <FIG> shows how midsole <NUM> compresses in response to a force (indicated by arrows) applied by the wearer's medial side of his/her heel. Midsole <NUM> may include apertures, including a first aperture type <NUM> and a second aperture type <NUM>, disposed along an upper surface <NUM> of a lateral side <NUM> of a heel region <NUM>. <FIG> exemplifies how apertures may include a variety of shapes/sizes. For example, as shown in the zoomed in cross-sectional view of <FIG>, first aperture type <NUM> may be shallower than second aperture type <NUM>. Additionally, first aperture type <NUM> may have a hemispherical shape, while second aperture type <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape. Other embodiments may include other shapes/sizes of apertures. For example, in some embodiments, one or more apertures may have a conical shape.

<FIG> show a comparison of how midsoles having different compressibility may respond to a force applied by the wearer's medial side of his/her heel. <FIG> shows a midsole <NUM> having maximum firmness responding to a force (indicated by arrows) applied by a wearer's medial side of his/her heel. Midsole <NUM> may compress the least of the three exemplary midsoles shown in <FIG>. A thickness <NUM> of midsole <NUM>, in comparison with a thickness <NUM> of compressed midsole <NUM>, is thicker. In other words, midsole <NUM> compresses more than midsole <NUM> in response to the same wearer.

Claim 1:
A system for manufacturing a sole structure for an article of footwear (<NUM>, <NUM>) having a customized heel stability, comprising:
an evaluation system that receives input data including a customer rating of a heel stability of a first article of footwear, the first article of footwear having a first sole structure (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a first heel stiffness profile;
a cutting device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to form one or more apertures (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in a footwear sole member (<NUM>); and
a second article of footwear having a second sole structure (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the cutting device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to form one or more aperture (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in the second sole structure to provide a second heel stiffness profile based on the customer rating of the heel stability of the first article of footwear, and wherein the cutting device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to remove material from a lateral side of a heel region of the second sole structure.