Articles with structures formed from sequins

Abstract

Hot melt sequins and methods of applying these sequins are disclosed. The sequins may be stitched to a layer of an article in a pattern to form a relatively rigid structure. The sequins may be made of a hotmelt material and melted to form a continuous structure. The sequins may be located along a lacing region and used as eyelets to secure laces.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of forming a structural component on an article, comprising:
 stitching a plurality of sequins into a predetermined pattern on the article; and   thereby forming the structural component on the article.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the article is an article of footwear. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of sequins are stitched onto an upper of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the structural component is a heel counter. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the structural component is a toe bumper. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the structural component is a lace cage. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the structural component is a piece of trim. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 each sequin in the plurality of sequins is comprised of a hot melt material; and   the method further comprising melting the plurality of sequins to form the structural component.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the hot melt material is a polyurethane material. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the hot melt material is a thermoplastic polyurethane material. 
     
     
         11 . An article of footwear, including:
 a sequin attached to a lacing region of the article of footwear, the sequin including a central opening; and   a lace extending through the central opening of the sequin.   
     
     
         12 . The article according to  claim 11 , wherein the sequin is a hotmelt sequin. 
     
     
         13 . The article according to  claim 11 , wherein the sequin is attached to the lacing region by at least one stitch. 
     
     
         14 . A method of making an article of footwear, comprising:
 stitching a sequin to the article of footwear; and   inserting a lace through an opening in the sequin.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the sequin is comprised of a hot melt material. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein stitching the sequin to the article of footwear is followed by melting the sequin to bond the sequin with the article of footwear. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein:
 the sequin is comprised of a first layer including a hot melt material and a second layer including at least one different material from the first layer; and   wherein stitching the sequin to the article of footwear is followed by melting the first layer to adhere the first layer and the second layer to the article of footwear.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the hot melt material is a polyurethane material. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the hot melt material is a thermoplastic polyurethane material. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the second layer is comprised of polyurethane.