Patents by Inventor Aaron Bender

Aaron Bender has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11957202
    Abstract: Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment are provided including a high energy return foam having improved abrasion resistance. A variety of foams and foam components and compositions for forming the foams are provided. In some aspects, the foams and components including the foams can have exceptionally high energy return while also having improved durability and softness and an improved abrasion resistance. In particular, midsoles including the foams are provided for use in an article of footwear. Methods of making the compositions and foams are provided, as well as methods of making an article of footwear including one of the foam components. In some aspects, the foams and foam components can be made by injection molding or injection molding followed by compression molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Bender, Eric Lee
  • Patent number: 11918072
    Abstract: Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment are provided including a high energy return foam having improved abrasion resistance. A variety of foams and foam components and compositions for forming the foams are provided. In some aspects, the foams and components including the foams can have exceptionally high energy return while also having improved durability and softness and an improved abrasion resistance. In particular, midsoles including the foams are provided for use in an article of footwear. Methods of making the compositions and foams are provided, as well as methods of making an article of footwear including one of the foam components. In some aspects, the foams and foam components can be made by injection molding or injection molding followed by compression molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Bender, Eric Lee
  • Publication number: 20230058144
    Abstract: Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment are provided including a high energy return foam having improved abrasion resistance. A variety of foams and foam components and compositions for forming the foams are provided. In some aspects, the foams and components including the foams can have exceptionally high energy return while also having improved durability and softness and an improved abrasion resistance. In particular, midsoles including the foams are provided for use in an article of footwear. Methods of making the compositions and foams are provided, as well as methods of making an article of footwear including one of the foam components. In some aspects, the foams and foam components can be made by injection molding or injection molding followed by compression molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Aaron Bender, Eric Lee
  • Patent number: 11523655
    Abstract: Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment are provided including a high energy return foam having improved abrasion resistance. A variety of foams and foam components and compositions for forming the foams are provided. In some aspects, the foams and components including the foams can have exceptionally high energy return while also having improved durability and softness and an improved abrasion resistance. In particular, midsoles including the foams are provided for use in an article of footwear. Methods of making the compositions and foams are provided, as well as methods of making an article of footwear including one of the foam components. In some aspects, the foams and foam components can be made by injection molding or injection molding followed by compression molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Bender, Eric Lee
  • Publication number: 20200170334
    Abstract: Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment are provided including a high energy return foam having improved abrasion resistance. A variety of foams and foam components and compositions for forming the foams are provided. In some aspects, the foams and components including the foams can have exceptionally high energy return while also having improved durability and softness and an improved abrasion resistance. In particular, midsoles including the foams are provided for use in an article of footwear. Methods of making the compositions and foams are provided, as well as methods of making an article of footwear including one of the foam components. In some aspects, the foams and foam components can be made by injection molding or injection molding followed by compression molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Aaron Bender, Eric Lee
  • Patent number: 10519114
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds useful for modulating the mu-opioid receptor (“MOR”) and/or delta-opioid receptor (“DOR”), and methods of using these compounds to treat diseases and conditions, such as pain. In particular, disclosed herein are compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein the substituents are as described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Henry Mosberg, Deanna Montgomery, Aaron Bender, Anthony Nastase, Sean Henry, Aubrie Harland
  • Patent number: 10155137
    Abstract: A golf ball core for use in a multi-piece golf ball includes a solid sphere and between 100 and 300 spaced polygonal protrusions extending from the solid sphere in a radially outward direction. The sphere is substantially formed from an ionomeric material, and has a diameter (D) of between 24 mm and 32 mm. The polygonal protrusions extend from the sphere by a maximum distance of between 0.15 mm and 1.0 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Feng Tay Enterprises Co., LTD
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Aaron Bender, Nicholas A. Leech, Nicholas Yontz, Jun Ichinose, Chen-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu, Shih-Kai Lin
  • Publication number: 20180072677
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds useful for modulating the mu-opioid receptor (“MOR”) and/or delta-opioid receptor (“DOR”), and methods of using these compounds to treat diseases and conditions, such as pain. In particular, disclosed herein are compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein the substituents are as described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Henry Mosberg, Deanna Montgomery, Aaron Bender, Anthony Nastase, Sean Henry, Aubrie Harland
  • Patent number: 9586096
    Abstract: A multi-layer golf ball includes a core having an outer surface, and intermediate layer surrounding the core, and a cover surrounding the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer defines a radially inward facing surface that is flush with the outer surface of the core, and the cover defines the outermost surface of ball. The outer surface of the core includes a plurality of polygonal land portions aligned on a common sphere. The outer surface of the core further defines a first plurality of annular grooves disposed about a first axis, a second plurality of annular grooves disposed about a second axis, and a third plurality of annular grooves disposed about a third axis. The first axis, the second axis, and the third axis are mutually orthogonal, and each groove respectively extends from the common sphere and is concave relative to the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Aaron Bender, Nicholas A. Leech, Jun Ichinose, Chien-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu, Shih-Kai Lin
  • Patent number: 9573024
    Abstract: A method of forming a golf ball includes forming a core using a 3D printer, and molding a cover in a surrounding position over the core through at least one of compression molding and injection molding. The core may be formed by printing a first core portion, printing a second core portion, and fusing the first core portion with the second core portion to form the core. Each of the first and second core portions may respectively include a plurality of concentric shells that are sequentially constructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Bender
  • Patent number: 9492714
    Abstract: A method and system for making a golf ball core is disclosed. The method may generally include forming a golf ball core out of a raw core material. The golf ball core may be rapidly heated to begin curing (or vulcanizing) from the outermost surface toward the center of the golf ball core. Before curing the entire golf ball core, the golf ball core may be quenched to stop the curing process. As a result, the golf ball core may include an outer cured zone and an inner uncured zone. In this state, the golf ball core may be incorporated into a finished golf ball to be sold to consumers. Following a set of instructions provided with the golf ball, the consumer may heat the golf ball and a cure indicator to customize the properties of the golf ball core, and, thus, the characteristics of the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Bender
  • Patent number: 9468814
    Abstract: A multi-layer golf ball includes a core, and intermediate layer, and a cover. The core has an outer surface that includes a plurality of depressions extending from a spherical land portion. Each depression has a maximum depth relative to the spherical land portion of between 0.15 mm and 2.0 mm. The intermediate layer surrounds the core and has a radially inward surface that is flush with the outer surface of the core. The cover layer surrounds the intermediate layer and defines an outermost portion of ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Aaron Bender, Nicholas Yontz, Jun Ichinose, Chien-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu
  • Patent number: 9339975
    Abstract: A three dimensional printer includes a work surface, an arcuate track disposed within in a track plane that is orthogonal to the work surface, a carriage slidably disposed on the track and translatable relative thereto, and a print head supported by the carriage. The track has a constant radius of curvature extending from a point on the work surface. The print head is translatable in a radial direction relative to the track, and includes a nozzle defining a print orifice, a mixing cavity disposed within the nozzle and in fluid communication with the orifice, and both a first and second filament feeder, each configured to controllably advance a respective filament into the mixing cavity at a respective feed rate. The print head further includes a heating element in thermal communication with the mixing cavity and configured to melt each of the first filament and the second filament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Molinari, Aaron Bender
  • Publication number: 20150343269
    Abstract: A golf ball includes a core, one or more inlaid portions formed into the core, and a second layer disposed radially outward of both the core and the one or more inlaid portions. The core and the one or more inlaid portions cooperate to define a continuous spherical surface, and the core and the second layer cooperate to surround each of the one or more inlaid portions. The one or more inlaid portions are formed by over-molding the core, and then removing the over-molded material back to at least the outer surface of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Bender, Arthur Parker Molinari, Chen-Tai Liu, John C. Chen
  • Publication number: 20150283431
    Abstract: Golf ball comprising core, cover, and optional intermediate layer(s) has the core and/or intermediate layer(s) made by crosslinking a rubber composition including at least (a) 100 parts by weight polybutadiene having 85% to 100% cis-1,4 bond content; (b) about 10 to about 50 parts by weight of (i) a zinc, magnesium, or calcium salt of a first carboxylic acid with least two ethylenically unsaturated bonds and (ii) a zinc, magnesium, or calcium salt of a second carboxylic acid with one ethylenically unsaturated bond that is ?,? to a carbonyl of a carboxyl group, wherein (b)(i) is about 50% by weight to 100% by weight of the combination of (b)(i) and (b)(ii); (c) a free radical initiator; and (d) an inorganic zinc, magnesium, or calcium compound. Further disclosed is a method of making this golf ball by molding and crosslinking the rubber composition to make the core or intermediate layer(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Bender, Seisuke Tomita
  • Publication number: 20150182811
    Abstract: A method of forming a golf ball includes forming a core using a 3D printer, and molding a cover in a surrounding position over the core through at least one of compression molding and injection molding. The core may be formed by printing a first core portion, printing a second core portion, and fusing the first core portion with the second core portion to form the core. Each of the first and second core portions may respectively include a plurality of concentric shells that are sequentially constructed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Bender
  • Publication number: 20150183167
    Abstract: A three dimensional printer includes a work surface, an arcuate track disposed within in a track plane that is orthogonal to the work surface, a carriage slidably disposed on the track and translatable relative thereto, and a print head supported by the carriage. The track has a constant radius of curvature extending from a point on the work surface. The print head is translatable in a radial direction relative to the track, and includes a nozzle defining a print orifice, a mixing cavity disposed within the nozzle and in fluid communication with the orifice, and both a first and second filament feeder, each configured to controllably advance a respective filament into the mixing cavity at a respective feed rate. The print head further includes a heating element in thermal communication with the mixing cavity and configured to melt each of the first filament and the second filament.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Molinari, Aaron Bender
  • Publication number: 20150183161
    Abstract: A print head for a three dimensional printer includes a nozzle defining a print orifice, a mixing cavity disposed within the nozzle, and a first and second filament feeder. The first filament feeder is configured to controllably advance a first filament into the mixing cavity at a first feed rate, and the second filament feeder configured to controllably advance a second filament into the mixing cavity at a second feed rate. The print head further includes a heating element in thermal communication with the mixing cavity that is configured to melt each of the first filament and the second filament.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Molinari, Aaron Bender
  • Patent number: 9050739
    Abstract: A method of making and recycling a golf ball is disclosed. The method may include processing a used golf ball to make the materials of the used golf ball reusable in a new golf ball. As a result, the disclosed method may decrease the waste of disposing of used golf balls and the costs associated with acquiring and/or processing new materials. The method may include melting a golf ball made of layers each having a different melting point. The materials may be separated by melting the different layers one by one. The method of recycling a golf ball may generally include pulverizing used golf balls made of materials having differing amounts of magnetic additive into particles. The particles may be separated by a magnetic field. At least a portion of the particles may be reused to make a new golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Aaron Bender, Yasushi Ichikawa, Bradley C. Tutmark, Nicholas Yontz, Hsin Cheng
  • Patent number: 8979675
    Abstract: A golf ball having a golf ball core, one or more intermediate layers and a cover layer is disclosed. The golf ball core may include an inner core having radial appendages. The radial appendages may protrude from the inner core in a spherically symmetrical pattern. The radial appendages may be formed from the same material as the inner core. The one or more intermediate layers may surround the inner core and fill the voids between the radial appendages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Bender, Kerby LaVar Maxwell