Knitting of multiple uppers on a machine

Abstract

Methods for manufacturing articles of footwear including forming a first upper on a textile manufacturing machine and forming a second upper on the textile manufacturing machine at a time that at least partially overlaps with formation of the first upper. The first upper and the second upper are formed at separate locations of the textile manufacturing machine.

1 . A knitted component for an upper of an article of footwear, the upper comprising:
 a pre-folded shape after initial formation on a textile manufacturing machine; and   a folded shape that defines a final shape of the upper,
 wherein the pre-folded shape comprises a length extending between a first end and a second end, and a width generally perpendicular to the length, 
 wherein the first end comprises a forefoot region, and a central region disposed between the first and second ends comprises a heel region. 
   
     
     
         2 . The knitted component of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the second end comprises a midfoot region of the upper. 
     
     
         3 . The knitted component of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the central region comprises one of a lateral side and a medial side of the upper. 
     
     
         4 . The knitted component of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the second end comprises a tongue. 
     
     
         5 . The knitted component of  claim 1 , wherein, when folded at the central region, the second end overlaps with the forefoot region in the folded shape. 
     
     
         6 . The knitted component of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the second end comprises a gusset. 
     
     
         7 . The knitted component of  claim 6 , wherein the gusset extends underneath at least one of the forefoot region and the central region. 
     
     
         8 . The knitted component of  claim 1 , wherein the length is at least two times greater than the width. 
     
     
         9 . The knitted component of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-folded shape is asymmetrical. 
     
     
         10 . The knitted component of  claim 1 , wherein the central region comprises one or more openings or apertures. 
     
     
         11 . The knitted component of  claim 1 , further comprising a tongue region disposed between the central region and the second end in the pre-folded shape, wherein the tongue region becomes a tongue of the upper in the folded shape. 
     
     
         12 . The knitted component of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-folded shape comprises a three-dimensional curvature. 
     
     
         13 . An upper for an article of footwear, the upper comprising:
 a pre-folded shape after initial formation on a textile manufacturing machine; and   a folded shape that defines a final shape of the upper,
 wherein the pre-folded shape comprises a length along a direction of manufacture on the textile manufacturing machine, and a width generally traverse to the length, 
 wherein the upper comprises first and second ends along the length of the upper in the pre-folded shape, wherein the first end comprises a toe region, and a central region disposed between the first and second ends comprises a heel region. 
   
     
     
         14 . The upper of  claim 13 , wherein the upper is folded at the central region so that the second end overlaps with the toe region in the folded shape. 
     
     
         15 . The upper of  claim 13 , wherein the central region of the pre-folded shape becomes the heel region of the upper in the folded shape. 
     
     
         16 . The upper of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the second end comprises a gusset. 
     
     
         17 . The upper of  claim 16  wherein the gusset extends from a lateral side towards an instep in the folded configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The upper of  claim 13 , further comprising a tongue region disposed between the central region and the second end in the pre-folded shape, wherein the tongue region becomes a tongue of the upper in the folded shape. 
     
     
         19 . The upper of  claim 13 , wherein the length is at least two times greater than the width in the pre-folded shape. 
     
     
         20 . The upper of  claim 13  wherein the upper is associated with one of a right or left shoe. 
     
     
         21 . The upper of  claim 13  wherein at least a portion of the upper comprises a three-dimensional curvature in the pre-folded shape.