Knitted component with a fused surface region located on a tubular knit structure

Abstract

A knitted component may include a first side and an opposite second side and a first tubular knit structure having a first portion on the first side and a second portion on the second side, where the first portion is at least partially formed with a first yarn and where the second portion is at least partially formed with a different second yarn, and where the first yarn includes a thermoplastic polymer material with a melting point of about 200° C. or less. The knitted component may further include a fused surface region on the first side of the knitted component formed with the thermoplastic polymer material of the first yarn. The knitted component may further include an inlaid strand extending through a passage formed by the first tubular knit structure between the first portion and the second portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 a knitted component, comprising:
 a tubular knit structure; 
 a strand extending through the tubular knit structure; and 
 a webbed region located adjacent to the tubular knit structure, the webbed region comprising an irregular pattern, wherein the strand further extends through the webbed region. 
   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the knitted component further comprises a fused surface region. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein the fused surface region terminates at the webbed region. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 3 , wherein the fused surface region comprises a fused thermoplastic polymer material. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 4 , wherein the webbed region comprises a single-jersey knit structure, a double-jersey knit structure, or a ribbed knit structure. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the strand comprises a cushioning yarn. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 6 , wherein the cushioning yarn extends through the webbed region in a compacted state, such that the cushioning yarn has a reduced diameter in the webbed region. 
     
     
         8 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 a knitted component, comprising:
 a tubular knit structure with a fused surface region; 
 a strand extending through the tubular knit structure; and 
 a non-tubular region adjacent to the tubular knit structure with the fused surface region, wherein the strand further extends through the non-tubular region. 
   
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the strand comprises a cushioning yarn. 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear of  claim 9 , wherein the cushioning yarn is compressed in the non-tubular region. 
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the fused surface region terminates at the non-tubular region, and wherein the non-tubular region comprises a single-jersey knit structure. 
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the fused surface region terminates at the non-tubular region, and wherein the non-tubular region comprises a double-jersey knit structure. 
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the knitted component comprises a front side and a back side, wherein a first yarn comprises a thermoplastic polymer material, wherein the first yarn extends on the back side of the non-tubular region and extends on the front side of the tubular knit structure where it is fused to form the fused surface region, and wherein a second yarn that is different from the first yarn extends on the front side of the non-tubular region. 
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the non-tubular region is a webbed region, and wherein the webbed region comprises an irregular pattern. 
     
     
         15 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 a knitted component, comprising:
 a tubular knit structure; 
 a yarn extending through the tubular knit structure; 
 a fused surface region covering at least part of the tubular knit structure; and 
 a non-fused region located adjacent to the fused surface region, wherein the yarn extends through the tubular knit structure under the fused surface region, and further extends through the non-fused region. 
   
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear of  claim 15 , wherein the yarn comprises a cushioning yarn that is inlaid into the tubular knit structure and that is compacted in the non-fused region. 
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 15 , wherein the fused surface region comprises a fused thermoplastic polymer material. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 17 , wherein the non-fused region comprises a single-jersey knit structure. 
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  claim 17 , wherein the non-fused region comprises a double-jersey knit structure. 
     
     
         20 . The article of footwear of  claim 15 , wherein the non-fused region comprises a knit structure forming an irregular pattern that at least partially surrounds the fused surface region of the knitted component.