Article of footwear incorporating particulate matter
A sole structure for an article of footwear is provided and includes a midsole having a first surface, a second surface formed on an opposite side of the midsole than the first surface, a first cavity formed in the first surface and tapering in a direction from the first surface toward the second surface, and a second cavity formed in the second surface and tapering in a direction from the second surface toward the first surface. A first quantity of particulate matter is disposed within the first cavity and a second quantity of particulate matter is disposed within the second cavity.
1. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
a midsole including a first surface, a second surface formed on an opposite side of the midsole than the first surface, a first cavity formed in the first surface and tapering in a direction from the first surface toward the second surface, and a second cavity formed in the second surface and tapering in a direction from the second surface toward the first surface;
a first cushioning member formed from a first barrier member and a second barrier member joined together to define a first inner void, the first cushioning member received within the first cavity;
a second cushioning member formed from a third barrier member and a fourth barrier member joined together to define a second inner void, the second cushioning member received within the second cavity;
a first quantity of particulate matter disposed within the first inner void; and
a second quantity of particulate matter disposed within the second inner void.
2. The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the first cavity and the second cavity include substantially the same shape.
3. The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the first cavity and the second cavity are spaced apart from one another in a direction extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the midsole.
4. The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the first cavity and the second cavity overlap one another in a direction extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the midsole.
5. The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the first cavity and the second cavity include one of the shapes selected from a group consisting of a semi-spherical shape, an oval shape, and a trapezoidal shape.
6. The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the first cavity includes a first passageway in fluid communication with the first cavity and extending from the first cavity to the second surface.
7. The sole structure of claim 6 , wherein the second cavity includes a second passageway in fluid communication with the second cavity and extending from the second cavity to the first surface.
8. The sole structure of claim 7 , wherein the first passageway includes a different shape than the first cavity and the second passageway includes a different shape than the second cavity.
9. The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first quantity of particulate matter and the second quantity of particulate matter includes foam beads.
10. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
a midsole including a first surface, a second surface formed on an opposite side of the midsole than the first surface, a first cavity formed in the first surface and including a first shape, and a second cavity formed in the second surface and including the first shape, the second cavity being inverted relative to the first cavity;
a first cushioning member formed from a first barrier member and a second barrier member joined together to define a first inner void, the first cushioning member received within the first cavity;
a second cushioning member formed from a third barrier member and a fourth barrier member joined together to define a second inner void, the second cushioning member received within the second cavity;
a first quantity of particulate matter disposed within the first inner void; and
a second quantity of particulate matter disposed within the second inner void.
11. The sole structure of claim 10 , wherein the first cavity tapers in a direction from the first surface toward the second surface and the second cavity tapers in a direction from the second surface toward the first surface.
12. The sole structure of claim 10 , wherein the first cavity and the second cavity are spaced apart from one another in a direction extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the midsole.
13. The sole structure of claim 10 , wherein the first cavity and the second cavity overlap one another in a direction extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the midsole.
14. The sole structure of claim 10 , wherein the first cavity and the second cavity include one of the shapes selected from a group consisting of a semi-spherical shape, an oval shape, and a trapezoidal shape.
15. The sole structure of claim 10 , wherein the first cavity includes a first passageway in fluid communication with the first cavity and extending from the first cavity to the second surface.
16. The sole structure of claim 15 , wherein the second cavity includes a second passageway in fluid communication with the second cavity and extending from the second cavity to the first surface.
17. The sole structure of claim 16 , wherein the first passageway includes a different shape than the first cavity and the second passageway includes a different shape than the second cavity.
18. The sole structure of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first quantity of particulate matter and the second quantity of particulate matter includes foam beads.