Article with at least one layered pod

Abstract

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides knitted component comprising with a first surface and a second surface, the first surface facing opposite the second surface. A pod may have the first surface and the second surface, and an edge region may have the first surface and the second surface, where the edge region at least partially demarcates the pod. A first yarn may substantially form the first surface of the pod, where the first yarn is a fusible yarn. A second yarn may substantially form the second surface of the pod, and the second yarn may substantially form the first surface of the edge region.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A knitted component having a first surface and an opposite-facing second surface, the knitted component comprising:
 a plurality of pods comprising the first surface and the second surface; and   a plurality of edge regions comprising the first surface and the second surface, any of the plurality of edge regions at least partially demarcating at least one of the plurality of pods, wherein the plurality of pods and the plurality of edge regions define a pattern across the knitted component,   wherein the first surface of any of the plurality of pods comprises a fused material, and   wherein any of the plurality of edge regions comprises a non-fused material that has a higher degree of flexibility than the fused material.   
     
     
         2 . The knitted component of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface of any of the plurality of pods comprises a first yarn, and wherein the first yarn comprises a fusible material that is fused. 
     
     
         3 . The knitted component of  claim 2 , wherein any of the plurality of edge regions comprises a second yarn, and wherein the second yarn has a higher melting point than the fusible material of the first yarn. 
     
     
         4 . The knitted component of  claim 3 , wherein any of the plurality of pods includes a pocket located between the first surface and the second surface. 
     
     
         5 . The knitted component of  claim 4 , further comprising a third yarn positioned in the pocket. 
     
     
         6 . The knitted component of  claim 5 , wherein the fused material is at least partially translucent or transparent. 
     
     
         7 . The knitted component of  claim 6 , wherein the third yarn is a different color than the fused material. 
     
     
         8 . The knitted component of  claim 1 , wherein the knitted component forms at least part of an upper for an article of footwear. 
     
     
         9 . The knitted component of  claim 1 , wherein the knitted component forms part of an article of footwear. 
     
     
         10 . The knitted component of  claim 1 , wherein the pattern comprises a substantially repeating pattern. 
     
     
         11 . A method of forming a knitted component having a first surface and an opposite-facing second surface, the method comprising:
 forming a plurality of pods comprising the first surface and the second surface; and   forming a plurality of edge regions comprising the first surface and the second surface, any of the plurality of edge regions at least partially demarcating at least one of the plurality of pods, wherein the plurality of pods and the plurality of edge regions define a pattern across the knitted component,   wherein the first surface of any of the plurality of pods comprises a fused material, and   wherein any of the plurality of edge regions comprises a non-fused material that has a higher degree of flexibility than the fused material.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first surface of any of the plurality of pods comprises a first yarn, and wherein the first yarn comprises a fusible material. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising heat-processing at least the first yarn to fuse the fusible material. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein any of the plurality of edge regions comprises a second yarn, and wherein the second yarn has a higher melting point than the fusible material of the first yarn. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the fused material is at least partially translucent or transparent. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the knitted component forms at least part of an upper for an article of footwear. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising integrating the knitted component into an article of footwear. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the pattern comprises a substantially repeating pattern. 
     
     
         19 . A method of manufacturing a knitted component having a first surface and an opposite-facing second surface, the method comprising:
 forming a plurality of pods comprising the first surface and the second surface; and   forming a plurality of edge regions comprising the first surface and the second surface, any of the plurality of edge regions at least partially demarcating at least one of the plurality of pods,   wherein the plurality of pods and the plurality of edge regions define a pattern across the knitted component,   wherein a first yarn substantially forms the first surface of any of the plurality of pods, wherein the first yarn is fused, defining a fused area along the first surface,   wherein a second yarn substantially forms the second surface of any of the plurality of pods, and the second yarn substantially forms the first surface of any of the plurality of edge regions and substantially forms the second surface of any of the plurality of edge regions, and   wherein any of the plurality of edge regions has a first degree of flexibility, and the fused area has a second degree of flexibility, the first degree of flexibility being greater than the second degree of flexibility.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising integrating the knitted component into an article of footwear.