Knitted article with at least one scallop element and methods of manufacture

Abstract

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to an article at least partially formed by a knitted component. In some embodiments, the article may include an upper for an article of footwear. The knitted component may include a seamless portion extending from a toe area, through a midfoot area, and to a heel area of the upper on at least one of a lateral and a medial side of the upper. A first course may at least partially form the knitted component, and the first course may extend from the heel area to the toe area of the upper. The knitted component may include one or more scallop elements at least partially overlapping.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A textile, comprising:
 a first scallop element;   a second scallop element; and   a third scallop element comprising a centerline, wherein the first scallop element and the second scallop element are positioned on opposite sides of the centerline, and wherein the third scallop element at least partially overlaps the first scallop element and at least partially overlaps the second scallop element.   
     
     
         2 . The textile of  claim 1 , wherein the third scallop element at least partially overlaps a fourth scallop element positioned below the third scallop element and at least partially between the first scallop element and the second scallop element. 
     
     
         3 . The textile of  claim 1 , wherein the textile comprises a knitted textile comprising a plurality of courses extending in a first direction. 
     
     
         4 . The textile of  claim 3 , wherein the textile comprises at least part of an upper for an article of footwear, and wherein the first direction is an approximately horizontal direction of the upper. 
     
     
         5 . The textile of  claim 1 , wherein the first scallop element, the second scallop element, and the third scallop element each comprise a first layer and a second layer. 
     
     
         6 . The textile of  claim 5 , wherein an apex of each second layer slants in an outward direction. 
     
     
         7 . The textile of  claim 5 , wherein the second layer of the first scallop element, the second scallop element, and the third scallop element comprises more courses than the first layer of the first scallop element, the second scallop element, and the third scallop element, such that the second layer sags. 
     
     
         8 . An upper comprising a textile comprising:
 a first scallop element;   a second scallop element; and   a third scallop element comprising a centerline, wherein the first scallop element and the second scallop element are positioned on opposite sides of the centerline, and wherein the third scallop element at least partially overlaps the first scallop element and at least partially overlaps the second scallop element.   
     
     
         9 . The upper of  claim 8 , wherein the third scallop element at least partially overlaps a fourth scallop element that is positioned below the third scallop element and at least partially between the first scallop element and the second scallop element. 
     
     
         10 . The upper of  claim 8 , wherein the textile is a knitted textile that comprises a plurality of courses extending in a first direction. 
     
     
         11 . The upper of  claim 10 , wherein the first scallop element, the second scallop element, and the third scallop element at least partially comprise a thermoplastic polymeric material. 
     
     
         12 . The upper of  claim 10 , wherein the textile comprises at least part of an upper for an article of footwear, and wherein the first direction is an approximately horizontal direction in relation to the upper. 
     
     
         13 . The upper of  claim 8 , further comprising an article of footwear that includes the upper. 
     
     
         14 . An article of footwear comprising an upper formed from a textile, the textile comprising:
 a first scallop element;   a second scallop element; and   a third scallop element comprising a centerline, wherein the first scallop element and the second scallop element are positioned on opposite sides of the centerline, and wherein the third scallop element at least partially overlaps the first scallop element and at least partially overlaps the second scallop element.   
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the third scallop element at least partially overlaps a fourth scallop element positioned below the third scallop element and at least partially between the first scallop element and the second scallop element. 
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the textile is a knitted textile that comprises a plurality of courses extending in a first direction. 
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 16 , wherein the first direction is approximately a horizontal direction extending between a heel area and a toe area of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the first scallop element, the second scallop element, and the third scallop element are empty. 
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the first scallop element, the second scallop element, and the third scallop element are filled with a filler material. 
     
     
         20 . The article of footwear of  claim 19 , wherein the filler material comprises a foam.