Patent ID: 8347438

Claim:
A method of forming a seam in an upper member for an article of footwear, comprising: applying a first thermoplastic film material to a first seam support material; applying a second thermoplastic film material to a second seam support material, wherein the second thermoplastic film material may be the same as or different from the first thermoplastic film material, and wherein the second seam support material may be the same as or different from the first seam support material; providing an upper construction for an article of footwear including a first portion having a first exposed edge of a spacer mesh material and a second portion having a second exposed edge of a spacer mesh material, wherein the upper construction is made from one or more upper pieces; cutting the first seam support material and the first thermoplastic film into a shape that includes a third exposed edge that matches at least a portion of the first exposed edge; cutting the second seam support material and the second thermoplastic film into a shape that includes a fourth exposed edge that matches at least a portion of the second exposed edge; placing the first seam support material on the first portion of the upper construction such that the first exposed edge and the third exposed edge are in a layered relationship and such that the first thermoplastic film contacts the first portion of the upper construction; placing the second seam support material on the second portion of the upper construction such that the second exposed edge and the fourth exposed edge are in a layered relationship and such that the second thermoplastic film contacts the second portion of the upper construction; exposing the layered first seam support material and the first portion of the upper construction to conditions sufficient to engage the first seam support material with the first portion of the upper construction via the first thermoplastic film to thereby provide a first exposed composite edge corresponding to a location of the layered first exposed edge and the third exposed edge; exposing the layered second seam support material and the second portion of the upper construction to conditions sufficient to engage the second seam support material with the second portion of the upper construction via the second thermoplastic film to thereby provide a second exposed composite edge corresponding to a location of the layered second exposed edge and the fourth exposed edge; and joining the first exposed composite edge to the second exposed composite edge in an abutting edge joint.