Patent ID: 8540838

Claim:
A method for manufacturing an inflatable article of footwear, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first film; (b) applying a barrier material using a screen, template or stencil to a first side of said first film in a bladder configuration; (c) providing a second film with said first film, such that said barrier material is disposed between said first film and said second film; (d) adhering said first film to said second film to form a sealed peripheral area, except in the area where said barrier material has been applied to said first film, to form at least one inflatable compartment corresponding in overall shape to said bladder configuration; (e) coupling an inflation device and a deflation device to said inflatable compartment, wherein said inflation device and said deflation device is a fitment coupled to said inflatable compartment at an opening through at least one of said first film or said second film and along a conduit formed between said first and second films; (f) cutting along said sealed peripheral area to form a bladder having said at least one inflatable compartment and a sealed peripheral edge; and (g) incorporating said bladder into footwear to form the inflatable article of footwear, wherein said inflation device and said deflation device permit selective, repeated inflation and deflation of said bladder.