Patents by Inventor Lyle R. Hanson
Lyle R. Hanson 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).
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Publication number: 20230407537Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating the articles are provided. One exemplary method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable fibrous element and carbon dioxide in a vessel, the foamable fibrous element comprising a plurality of filaments, fibers, and/or yarns, wherein each member of the plurality comprises a foamable material; maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material; optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure; and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Patent number: 11846053Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating the articles are provided. One exemplary method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable fibrous element and carbon dioxide in a vessel, the foamable fibrous element comprising a plurality of filaments, fibers, and/or yarns, wherein each member of the plurality comprises a foamable material; maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material; optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure; and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Patent number: 11844397Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating the articles are provided. One exemplary method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, the foamable material; maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material; optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure; and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Patent number: 11766093Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating the articles are provided. One exemplary method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, the foamable material; maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material; optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure; and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Patent number: 11685816Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the foamed articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating such foamed articles are provided. In one aspect, a method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material, optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure, and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2022Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Publication number: 20230182357Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the foamed articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating such foamed articles are provided. In one aspect, a method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, maintaining the vessel at an infusing pressure and infusing temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material, optionally exposing the infused article to a first intermediary holding temperature and first intermediary holding pressure, and subjecting the article to an expanding pressure and expanding temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2022Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Publication number: 20230148714Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the foamed articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating such foamed articles are provided. In one aspect, a method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material, optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure, and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2022Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Publication number: 20230091558Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating the articles are provided. One exemplary method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable fibrous element and carbon dioxide in a vessel, the foamable fibrous element comprising a plurality of filaments, fibers, and/or yarns, wherein each member of the plurality comprises a foamable material; maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material; optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure; and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Publication number: 20230082467Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating the articles are provided. One exemplary method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, the foamable material; maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material; optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure; and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2022Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Patent number: 11603445Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the foamed articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating such foamed articles are provided. In one aspect, a method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material, optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure, and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2022Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Publication number: 20220274297Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the foamed articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating such foamed articles are provided. In one aspect, a method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material, optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure, and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2022Publication date: September 1, 2022Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Publication number: 20220267554Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the foamed articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating such foamed articles are provided. In one aspect, a method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material, optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure, and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Publication number: 20220267556Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the foamed articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating such foamed articles are provided. In one aspect, a method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material, optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure, and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Publication number: 20220267555Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the foamed articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating such foamed articles are provided. In one aspect, a method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material, optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure, and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Publication number: 20220212377Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the foamed articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating such foamed articles are provided. In one aspect, a method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material, optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure, and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2022Publication date: July 7, 2022Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Publication number: 20160346807Abstract: A system and process for maintaining a quiescent surface of a fluid in a fluid container is disclosed. A fluid container has a weir structure for capturing fluid when objects are dipped. The captured fluid is returned to the fluid container at a flow rate that maintains an essentially horizontal fluid surface, regardless of the volume of objects dipped.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2015Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Charles R. Edwards, Lyle R. Hanson
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Patent number: 9144927Abstract: A mold rotator with a first section and a second section that are engaged approximately perpendicularly to each other to produce a base and an L-shaped platform for receiving the article. The base of the article rotator may have a curved section at the intersection of the first section and the second section and the article rotator may rotate on its curved section between a first position wherein the article rotator is supported on its first section and a second position wherein the article rotator is supported on its second section. Further, the article rotator allows an article to be safely rotated simply by lowering the article onto the article rotator so that the article rotator automatically rotates approximately 90° from a first position and a second, rotated position. The article rotator may include a stabilizing system.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2012Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Lyle R. Hanson
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Patent number: 9107479Abstract: An adjustable last that may be inserted into an article includes provisions so that the position of an adjustable portion of the adjustable last can be changed according to the size of the article. In some embodiments, the adjustable last includes an inflatable member that can be filled with fluid according to the size of the article, and may be used to adjust the size of the article. Other embodiments do not include an inflatable member. The adjustable last can include an adjustment assembly for adjusting the adjustable portion. The adjustment assembly can include a wedge member.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2013Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Lyle R. Hanson, Elizabeth Langvin
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Publication number: 20130291317Abstract: An adjustable last that may be inserted into an article includes provisions so that the position of an adjustable portion of the adjustable last can be changed according to the size of the article. In some embodiments, the adjustable last includes an inflatable member that can be filled with fluid according to the size of the article, and may be used to adjust the size of the article. Other embodiments do not include an inflatable member. The adjustable last can include an adjustment assembly for adjusting the adjustable portion. The adjustment assembly can include a wedge member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Lyle R. Hanson, Elizabeth Langvin
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Publication number: 20120292798Abstract: A mold rotator with a first section and a second section that are engaged approximately perpendicularly to each other to produce a base and an L-shaped platform for receiving the article. The base of the article rotator may have a curved section at the intersection of the first section and the second section and the article rotator may rotate on its curved section between a first position wherein the article rotator is supported on its first section and a second position wherein the article rotator is supported on its second section. Further, the article rotator allows an article to be safely rotated simply by lowering the article onto the article rotator so that the article rotator automatically rotates approximately 90° from a first position and a second, rotated position. The article rotator may include a stabilizing system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventor: Lyle R. Hanson