Abstract: Scrap material having both a thermoplastic polyurethane and a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl alcohol is recycled by blending the scrap material into a thermoplastic polyurethane composition and preparing a barrier membrane from theblended material. The virgin thermoplastic polyurethane and the thermoplastic polyurethane of the scrap material are polymerized using at least about 60 percent by weight, based on the weight of the polyurethane produced, of a polyester diol having a weight average molecular weight of at least about 500 and having from four to five carbon atoms between substantially all of the ester [—O—C(═O)—] groups. The blend material containing the virgin thermoplastic urethane and the scrap material is formed into a layer of a barrier membrane. The resulting membrane has a haze of no more than about 12%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to membranes including an urethane including a polyester polyol, wherein the membrane has a gas transmission rate of 15.0 or less for nitrogen gas wherein the membrane has an average thickness of approximately 20.0 mils. Under certain embodiments, the membranes include blends of one or more polyester polyol based thermoplastic urethanes and one or more barrier materials. The membranes can be employed in a variety of applications and can be used as either monolayers or multi-layered laminates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to membranes including an urethane including a polyester polyol, wherein the membrane has a gas transmission rate of 15.0 or less for nitrogen gas wherein the membrane has an average thickness of approximately 20.0 mils. Under certain embodiments, the membranes include blends of one or more polyester polyol based thermoplastic urethanes and one or more barrier materials. The membranes can be employed in a variety of applications and can be used as either monolayers or multi-layered laminates.

Abstract: A pressurized ventilation system for providing air to the body of an individual wearing the ventilation system to regulate the individual's body temperature is provided. The ventilation system includes the use of an air bladder defining an enclosed volume wherein there is located a plurality of channels for permitting airflow throughout the air bladder. The channels include a plurality of spaced apart apertures, which permit the escape of air out of the air bladder to the body of the individual wearing the ventilation system.

Abstract: An article of headgear is provided which includes a pair of flaps that are releasably coupled with one another to form a cap shaped to cover the head of a wearer. The flaps are coupled with the sides of a headband, and a brim extends from the headband.

Abstract: There is disclosed an internal sizing apparatus comprising a pneumatically activated probe that moves axially within a shoe and non-destructively measures the interior dimensions of the shoe. A linear pneumatic actuator is mounted between a heel piece and a probe. A linear potentiometer is mounted above the actuator and also connects to the probe. The apparatus is inserted into a shoe with the heel piece seated against the interior heel portion of the shoe. A computer system controlling the actuator extends the probe linearly into the shoe until the probe contacts the toe portion of the shoe. The potentiometer then measures the linear distance traveled by the probe and thus determines the internal linear dimension of the shoe. Depending on the type of probe, three-dimensional internal measurements of the shoe can also be quantified.

Abstract: There is disclosed a golf shoe having a plurality of first and second traction projections extending out from the outsole to define a ground engaging surface. The first traction projections are arranged around a first pivot point located in the forefoot portion and a second pivot point located in the rearfoot portion of the outsole. The first traction projections have a body orientated lengthwise toward the pivot points. The second traction projections extend out from the outsole along the periphery of the outsole. The first and second traction projections define a ground engaging surface which, in use, enhance the traction of the outsole during the full golf swing motion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cleat or spike receptacle for an athletic shoe, particularly for a track shoe. The cleat receptacle comprises a cylinder, an integral annular plate, and ribs which extend upward from the annular plate and define openings through which the plastic spike plate material flows during formation of the outsole spike plate. The annular plate has a plurality of slots through which the plastic material also flows during the spike plate formation. The holes and slots of the three-dimensional shape cleat receptacle, through which the plastic spike plate material flows, provide an additional bond of the cleat receptacle to the outsole spike plate. In addition, more plastic spike plate material is below the annular plate of the cleat receptacle resulting in greater holding strength for the attached spikes. Either a detachable cleat, or an integrally formed cleat, is carried by the cylinder of the cleat receptacle.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials chemically bonded together is disclosed. In one embodiment, the relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials are arranged in such a fashion to impart flexibility to the article of footwear. In particular, plastic and rubber materials are bonded together to improve the flexibility of an outsole of an article of footwear. The invention also is directed to the fabrication of new or improved devices and elements for use in articles of footwear and their associated methods of construction such as closure mechanisms comprising relatively elastic straps bonded to relatively inelastic anchor portions and vice versa, articulating inelastic and elastic exoskeleton constructions useful in skates and ski boots, and elastic or inelastic eyelets surrounded by inelastic or elastic materials.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials chemically bonded together is disclosed. In one embodiment, the relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials are arranged in such a fashion to impart flexibility to the article of footwear. In particular, plastic and rubber materials are bonded together to improve the flexibility of an outsole of an article of footwear. The invention also is directed to the fabrication of new or improved devices and elements for use in articles of footwear and their associated methods of construction such as closure mechanisms comprising relatively elastic straps bonded to relatively inelastic anchor portions and vice versa, articulating inelastic and elastic exoskeleton constructions useful in skates and ski boots, and elastic or inelastic eyelets surrounded by inelastic or elastic materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article of footwear having an upper and a non-clogging sole attached to the upper. The sole includes a generally planar ground engaging surface and at least one traction member or cleat projecting from the generally planar ground engaging surface. The traction member or cleat is attached with a base surface adjacent the generally planar ground engaging surface, side surfaces projecting downwards, and a tip attached at a bottom end of the traction member. At least a portion of the base surface and the side surfaces of the traction member or cleat and at least a portion of the ground engaging surface of the sole includes an adhesion prevention material having both a low coefficient of friction and a low wettability with respect to water in a preferred embodiment. However, the tip of the traction member remains substantially free of the adhesion prevention material. The adhesion prevention material has a coefficient of friction of less than 0.4, preferably between 0.1 and 0.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials chemically bonded together is disclosed. In one embodiment, the relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials are arranged in such a fashion to impart flexibility to the article of footwear. In particular, plastic and rubber materials are bonded together to improve the flexibility of an outsole of an article of footwear. The invention also is directed to the fabrication of new or improved devices and elements for use in articles of footwear and their associated methods of construction such as closure mechanisms comprising relatively elastic straps bonded to relatively inelastic anchor portions and vice versa, articulating inelastic and elastic exoskeleton constructions useful in skates and ski boots, and elastic or inelastic eyelets surrounded by inelastic or elastic materials.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials chemically bonded together is disclosed. In one embodiment, the relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials are arranged in such a fashion to impart flexibility to the article of footwear. In particular, plastic and rubber materials are bonded together to improve the flexibility of an outsole of an article of footwear. The invention also is directed to the fabrication of new or improved devices and elements for use in articles of footwear and their associated methods of construction such as closure mechanisms comprising relatively elastic straps bonded to relatively inelastic anchor portions and vice versa, articulating inelastic and elastic exoskeleton constructions useful in skates and ski boots, and elastic or inelastic eyelets surrounded by inelastic or elastic materials.

Abstract: A composite mixture of spherical objects and lubricant useful for its cushioning properties is disclosed and claimed. The composite mixture may be composed of microspheres typically less than 2000 microns in diameter with inert atmospheres sealed within their interiors and any of a variety of lubricants facilitating sliding and rolling movement between microspheres. Typically the composite mixture includes lubricant in a quantity sufficient to substantially coat the exterior surface of essentially all of the spherical objects, but in a quantity less than would cause dispersion of the spherical objects in the lubricant sufficient to physically separate the spherical objects from each other and substantially reduce the sliding and rolling contact of the spherical objects with each other. The preferred lubricant is a visco-elastic fluid that has a principle molecule and a cross-linking agent.

Abstract: A cushion that includes a base and numerous bladders locatable on the base is disclosed and claimed. Each bladder contains a quantity of filler insufficient to completely fill the bladder, and each bladder has a loose or elastomeric skin to accommodate its conforming to the shape of an object to be supported by the cushion. The top surface of each bladder acts as a hammock when supporting a cushioned object, and the bladders interact with each other to accommodate protuberance and crevices of the cushioned object. Other embodiments of the invention include a cushion that is pre-shaped in a form complementary to the shape of the object to be cushioned, and a cushion that re-shapes itself to maintain supporting forces that are generally equal across the contact surface of the supported object.