Knitted component having a foam surface feature

Abstract

A knitted component may include a first area, where the first area includes a plurality of knit loops comprising a first yarn. The knitted component may also include a second yarn at least partially inlaid within the first area of the knitted component such that the second yarn extends between at least a first loop and a second loop of the plurality of knit loops. The second yarn may have a foamable material comprising a blowing agent and a thermoplastic polymer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An upper, comprising:
 a knitted component, comprising:   a first area,   a second area, and   a first yarn that forms a plurality of intermeshed loops in the first area and in the second area,   wherein a second yarn is at least partially inlaid within the plurality of intermeshed loops, wherein the second yarn comprises a core material and a foamed material forming a plurality of foam protrusions on a surface of at least a portion of the first area and on a surface of at least a portion of the second area, and   wherein at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the first area are distinct in size and/or shape and/or spacing compared to at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the second area.   
     
     
         2 . The upper of  claim 1 , wherein the at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the first area are distinct in size compared to the at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the second area. 
     
     
         3 . The upper of  claim 1 , wherein the at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the first area are distinct in shape compared to the at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the second area. 
     
     
         4 . The upper of  claim 1 , wherein the at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the first area are distinct in spacing compared to the at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the second area. 
     
     
         5 . The upper of  claim 1 , wherein the second yarn includes a first exposed portion that is exposed on the surface of the first area. 
     
     
         6 . The upper of  claim 5 , wherein the second yarn further comprises a second exposed portion and a covered portion, wherein the second exposed portion is exposed on the surface of the first area, and wherein the covered portion is covered by the surface of the first area, the covered portion extending under the surface of the first area from the first exposed portion to the second exposed portion. 
     
     
         7 . The upper of  claim 1 , wherein the first area comprises a tubular knit construction with a first layer, a second layer, and a pocket located between the first layer and the second layer. 
     
     
         8 . The upper of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the first layer and the second layer comprises the first yarn, and wherein the second yarn is inlaid within the pocket between the first layer and the second layer. 
     
     
         9 . The upper of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first area is configured such that only the first yarn is present on the surface of the first area. 
     
     
         10 . The upper of  claim 1 , wherein, in at least a portion of the first area and/or in at least a portion of the second area, no foam protrusions are present. 
     
     
         11 . An article, comprising:
 a knitted component, comprising:   a first area,   a second area, and   a first yarn that forms a plurality of intermeshed loops in the first area and in the second area,   wherein a second yarn is at least partially inlaid within the plurality of intermeshed loops, wherein the second yarn comprises a foamed material forming a plurality of foam protrusions on a surface of at least a portion of the first area and on a surface of at least a portion of the second area, and   wherein at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the first area are distinct in size and/or shape and/or spacing compared to at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the second area.   
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 11 , wherein the at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the first area are distinct in size compared to the at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the second area. 
     
     
         13 . The article of  claim 11 , wherein the at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the first area are distinct in shape compared to the at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the second area. 
     
     
         14 . The article of  claim 11 , wherein the at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the first area are distinct in spacing compared to the at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the second area. 
     
     
         15 . The article of  claim 11 , wherein the article is: an article of footwear, an article of apparel, or an article of sporting equipment. 
     
     
         16 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 a knitted component, comprising:   a first area,   a second area, and   a first yarn that forms a plurality of intermeshed loops in the first area and in the second area,   wherein a second yarn is at least partially inlaid within the plurality of intermeshed loops, wherein the second yarn comprises a foamed material forming a plurality of foam protrusions on a surface of the first area and on a surface of the second area, and   wherein at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the first area are distinct in size and/or shape and/or spacing compared to at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the second area.   
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 16 , wherein the at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the first area are distinct in size compared to the at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the second area. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 16 , wherein the at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the first area are distinct in shape compared to the at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the second area. 
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  claim 16 , wherein the at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the first area are distinct in spacing compared to the at least a portion of the plurality of foam protrusions in the second area. 
     
     
         20 . The article of footwear of  claim 16 , wherein in at least a portion of the first area and/or in at least a portion of the second area, no foam protrusions are present.