Patents by Inventor Arthur P. Molinari
Arthur P. Molinari 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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Patent number: 11738240Abstract: An inflatable sports ball is provided. The sports ball includes an interior bladder and a cover disposed about the interior bladder. The cover may include an outer substrate and an intermediate structure. The cover may further include an outer substrate surface, defined by the outer substrate, and a feature surface radially spaced apart from the outer substrate surface. Together the outer substrate surface and the feature surface cooperate to define an exterior surface of the cover. A mechanoluminescent material may be embedded in a portion of the cover. The mechanoluminescent material may be disposed at only one of the outer substrate surface and the feature surface, such that it is positioned to form a predetermined design on the cover. The mechanoluminescent material emits visible light in response to an externally-applied stress, such that the predetermined design illuminates when an external stress or mechanical stimulus is exerted upon the cover.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Arthur P. Molinari
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Publication number: 20210128987Abstract: An inflatable sports ball is provided. The sports ball includes an interior bladder and a cover disposed about the interior bladder. The cover may include an outer substrate and an intermediate structure. The cover may further include an outer substrate surface, defined by the outer substrate, and a feature surface radially spaced apart from the outer substrate surface. Together the outer substrate surface and the feature surface cooperate to define an exterior surface of the cover. A mechanoluminescent material may be embedded in a portion of the cover. The mechanoluminescent material may be disposed at only one of the outer substrate surface and the feature surface, such that it is positioned to form a predetermined design on the cover. The mechanoluminescent material emits visible light in response to an externally-applied stress, such that the predetermined design illuminates when an external stress or mechanical stimulus is exerted upon the cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2021Publication date: May 6, 2021Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Arthur P. Molinari
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Patent number: 10918914Abstract: An inflatable sports ball is provided. The sports ball includes an interior bladder and a cover disposed about the interior bladder. The cover may include an outer substrate and an intermediate structure. The cover may further include an outer substrate surface, defined by the outer substrate, and a feature surface radially spaced apart from the outer substrate surface. Together the outer substrate surface and the feature surface cooperate to define an exterior surface of the cover. A mechanoluminescent material may be embedded in a portion of the cover. The mechanoluminescent material may be disposed at only one of the outer substrate surface and the feature surface, such that it is positioned to form a predetermined design on the cover. The mechanoluminescent material emits visible light in response to an externally-applied stress, such that the predetermined design illuminates when an external stress or mechanical stimulus is exerted upon the cover.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2019Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Arthur P. Molinari
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Publication number: 20190184242Abstract: An inflatable sports ball is provided. The sports ball includes an interior bladder and a cover disposed about the interior bladder. The cover may include an outer substrate and an intermediate structure. The cover may further include an outer substrate surface, defined by the outer substrate, and a feature surface radially spaced apart from the outer substrate surface. Together the outer substrate surface and the feature surface cooperate to define an exterior surface of the cover. A mechanoluminescent material may be embedded in a portion of the cover. The mechanoluminescent material may be disposed at only one of the outer substrate surface and the feature surface, such that it is positioned to form a predetermined design on the cover. The mechanoluminescent material emits visible light in response to an externally-applied stress, such that the predetermined design illuminates when an external stress or mechanical stimulus is exerted upon the cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2019Publication date: June 20, 2019Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Arthur P. Molinari
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Patent number: 10258836Abstract: An inflatable sports ball is provided. The sports ball includes an interior bladder and a cover disposed about the interior bladder. The cover may include an outer substrate and an intermediate structure. The cover may further include an outer substrate surface, defined by the outer substrate, and a feature surface radially spaced apart from the outer substrate surface. Together the outer substrate surface and the feature surface cooperate to define an exterior surface of the cover. A mechanoluminescent material may be embedded in a portion of the cover. The mechanoluminescent material may be disposed at only one of the outer substrate surface and the feature surface, such that it is positioned to form a predetermined design on the cover. The mechanoluminescent material emits visible light in response to an externally-applied stress, such that the predetermined design illuminates when an external stress or mechanical stimulus is exerted upon the cover.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Arthur P. Molinari
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Publication number: 20180339202Abstract: An inflatable sports ball is provided. The sports ball includes an interior bladder and a cover disposed about the interior bladder. The cover may include an outer substrate and an intermediate structure. The cover may further include an outer substrate surface, defined by the outer substrate, and a feature surface radially spaced apart from the outer substrate surface. Together the outer substrate surface and the feature surface cooperate to define an exterior surface of the cover. A mechanoluminescent material may be embedded in a portion of the cover. The mechanoluminescent material may be disposed at only one of the outer substrate surface and the feature surface, such that it is positioned to form a predetermined design on the cover. The mechanoluminescent material emits visible light in response to an externally-applied stress, such that the predetermined design illuminates when an external stress or mechanical stimulus is exerted upon the cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2017Publication date: November 29, 2018Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Arthur P. Molinari
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Publication number: 20160303429Abstract: A golf ball is provided that may include one or more structural layers, including an outermost structural layer having an outer surface. The ball may also include a primer coating applied to the entire outer surface of the outermost structural layer. In addition, the ball may include indicia applied on the primer coating in a localized area. Further, the ball may include an intermediate coating applied in the localized area over the indicia, wherein the intermediate coating is formulated to prevent alteration of the indicia by the application of the intermediate coating. A top coating may be applied over the entire ball, including the primer coating and the localized area including the intermediate coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Arthur P. Molinari
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Patent number: 9403064Abstract: A golf ball is provided that may include one or more structural layers, including an outermost structural layer having an outer surface. The ball may also include a primer coating applied to the entire outer surface of the outermost structural layer. In addition, the ball may include indicia applied on the primer coating in a localized area. Further, the ball may include an intermediate coating applied in the localized area over the indicia, wherein the intermediate coating is formulated to prevent alteration of the indicia by the application of the intermediate coating. A top coating may be applied over the entire ball, including the primer coating and the localized area including the intermediate coating.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Arthur P. Molinari
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Publication number: 20160136485Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a golf ball and a method for manufacturing a golf ball including a bladder core. In at least one embodiment, the bladder core includes an ethyl vinyl alcohol copolymer layer combined with multiple layers of thermoplastic polyurethane or other material to prevent leakage. In addition, it is contemplated that the bladder core may include a one-way valve for adjusting the pressure of a fluid within the bladder core to produce different performance characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2016Publication date: May 19, 2016Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Arthur P. Molinari
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Patent number: 9283437Abstract: A golf ball may include a UV curable coating layer that is only partially cured upon finishing. The golf ball may be used in its partially cured state in a game of golf, where the partially cured state may be advantageous for play under wet conditions. The coating layer may then further cure upon exposure to UV light, such as ambient environmental light from the sun during a game of golf in sunny conditions. As a result of this further curing, the coating may transition to a cured state that is associated with play characteristics that are advantageous for play under sunny dry conditions.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2011Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Arthur P. Molinari, Bradley C. Tutmark
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Patent number: 9272188Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a golf ball and a method for manufacturing a golf ball including a bladder core. In at least one embodiment, the bladder core includes an ethyl vinyl alcohol copolymer layer combined with multiple layers of thermoplastic polyurethane or other material to prevent leakage. In addition, it is contemplated that the bladder core may include a one-way valve for adjusting the pressure of a fluid within the bladder core to produce different performance characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2012Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Arthur P. Molinari
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Patent number: 8986137Abstract: A ball includes a core, a cover, and cracking element or cracking layer. The cracking layer may be deformed or actuated to create discontinuities in the cover. The creation of discontinuities allows for easier recycling of the ball parts. The cracking layer may include one of a bladder or a hydrophilic material that expand upon the introduction of a fluid, a shape memory polymer that deforms upon application of a stimulus, or two materials that react chemically to form a gas.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Derek A. Fitchett, Arthur P. Molinari
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Patent number: 8974313Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining an angle of attack of a golf swing based on multiple ball hitting is disclosed. Multiple golf balls of different known constructions are hit by a golfer. Club head speed and backspin data associated with each of the hit golf balls is measured. Based on a correlation between an angle of attack and measured data associated with the golf balls of different known constructions, an angle of attack of a golf swing can be determined. Different sets of golf balls of known constructions can be provided based on characteristics of a golfer. A kit including at least three golf balls of different known constructions and a database containing the correlation between data associated with the at least three golf balls and an angle of attack is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Arthur P. Molinari, Nicholas A. Leech, Yutaka Kabeshita
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Patent number: 8905860Abstract: A ball includes a core, a cover, and an intermediate layer between the core and the cover. The intermediate layer may be deformed or actuated to create discontinuities in the cover. The creation of discontinuities allows for easier recycling of the ball parts. The intermediate layer may include one of a bladder or a hydrophilic material that expand upon the introduction of a fluid, a shape memory polymer that deforms upon application of a stimulus, or two materials that react chemically to form a gas.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Derek A. Fitchett, Arthur P. Molinari, Jung Gyu Moon
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Publication number: 20140357424Abstract: A golf ball has a diameter of at least about 43.6 mm and a density of from about 0.85 g/cm3 to 1.05 g/cm3. The golf ball can be made of ionomer resin or a combination of ionomer resins, including highly neutralized polymers and highly resilient polymers as disclosed. The golf ball may have a solid core made of a highly neutralized polymer or highly resilient polymer and a cover of an ionomer resin.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Arthur P. Molinari, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
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Patent number: 8828292Abstract: An apparatus and method of creating a dimple on a golf ball comprises the positioning of a runner and gate in a mold in a location where it is desired to form a dimple. A polymer is injected into a mold cavity in the mold. A cutter is placed adjacent the mold. When the cutter is actuated to cut the polymer, a pocket is formed between the cutter and the polymer in the mold, thereby creating a dimple on the molded golf ball.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Arthur P. Molinari
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Publication number: 20130225324Abstract: A ball includes a core, a cover, and cracking element or cracking layer. The cracking layer may be deformed or actuated to create discontinuities in the cover. The creation of discontinuities allows for easier recycling of the ball parts. The cracking layer may include one of a bladder or a hydrophilic material that expand upon the introduction of a fluid, a shape memory polymer that deforms upon application of a stimulus, or two materials that react chemically to form a gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Derek A. Fitchett, Arthur P. Molinari
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Publication number: 20130225323Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a golf ball and a method for manufacturing a golf ball including a bladder core. In at least one embodiment, the bladder core includes an ethyl vinyl alcohol copolymer layer combined with multiple layers of thermoplastic polyurethane or other material to prevent leakage. In addition, it is contemplated that the bladder core may include a one-way valve for adjusting the pressure of a fluid within the bladder core to produce different performance characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Arthur P. Molinari
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Publication number: 20130225322Abstract: A ball includes a core, a cover, and an intermediate layer between the core and the cover. The intermediate layer may be deformed or actuated to create discontinuities in the cover. The creation of discontinuities allows for easier recycling of the ball parts. The intermediate layer may include one of a bladder or a hydrophilic material that expand upon the introduction of a fluid, a shape memory polymer that deforms upon application of a stimulus, or two materials that react chemically to form a gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Derek A. Fitchett, Arthur P. Molinari, Jung Gyu Moon
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Publication number: 20130165245Abstract: A golf ball may include a UV curable coating layer that is only partially cured upon finishing. The golf ball may be used in its partially cured state in a game of golf, where the partially cured state may be advantageous for play under wet conditions. The coating layer may then further cure upon exposure to UV light, such as ambient environmental light from the sun during a game of golf in sunny conditions. As a result of this further curing, the coating may transition to a cured state that is associated with play characteristics that are advantageous for play under sunny dry conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Arthur P. Molinari, Bradley C. Tutmark