Patents by Inventor Bradley C. Tutmark
Bradley C. Tutmark 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: 20240117136Abstract: Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment including a foam are provided. The foam portion of the components and articles include a composition which includes a thermoplastic copolyester, the composition having a foam structure. A polymer layer is provided on at least on surface of the foam portion. The polymer layer can control or reduce the water uptake of the foam portion. Methods of making the compositions, foams, and components 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: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Hossein A. Baghdadi, Jay Constantinou, Joseph Thomas Muth, Brian G. Prevo, Bradley C. Tutmark
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Publication number: 20240117135Abstract: A system including an injector, a press, and a robotic conveyance is used to form a physically foamed article of footwear component from a single-phase solution of a polymeric composition and a supercritical fluid. The parameters and features of the system are configured for the formation of the footwear component in an automated manner with enhanced throughput by the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Paul Irving Archer, Hossein Allen Baghdadi, Jay Constantinou, Gregory Paul Dufour, Sami Mohamad Fakhouri, Floyd Whitney Miles, Joseph Thomas Muth, Bradley C. Tutmark
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Publication number: 20240084088Abstract: Tooling and components of an injection-molding system may be used to mold a foam article. The tooling and components may include features that control parameters of the injection-molding and foaming process, such as temperature, pressure, shot size, shot placement, and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Hossein Allen Baghdadi, Sami Mohamad Fakhouri, Floyd Whitney Miles, Joseph Thomas Muth, Bradley C. Tutmark
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Publication number: 20240084087Abstract: Tooling and components of an injection-molding system may be used to mold a foam article. The tooling and components may include features that control parameters of the injection-molding and foaming process, such as temperature, pressure, shot size, shot placement, and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Hossein Allen Baghdadi, Sami Mohamad Fakhouri, Floyd Whitney Miles, Joseph Thomas Muth, Bradley C. Tutmark
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Patent number: 11884791Abstract: A system including an injector, a press, and a robotic conveyance is used to form a physically foamed article of footwear component from a single-phase solution of a polymeric composition and a supercritical fluid. The parameters and features of the system are configured for the formation of the footwear component in an automated manner with enhanced throughput by the system.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Paul Irving Archer, Hossein Allen Baghdadi, Jay Constantinou, Gregory Paul Dufour, Sami Mohamad Fakhouri, Floyd Whitney Miles, Joseph Thomas Muth, Bradley C. Tutmark
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Patent number: 11866566Abstract: Tooling and components of an injection-molding system may be used to mold a foam article. The tooling and components may include features that control parameters of the injection-molding and foaming process, such as temperature, pressure, shot size, shot placement, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Hossein Allen Baghdadi, Sami Mohamad Fakhouri, Floyd Whitney Miles, Joseph Thomas Muth, Bradley C. Tutmark
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Patent number: 11859067Abstract: Tooling and components of an injection-molding system may be used to mold a foam article. The tooling and components may include features that control parameters of the injection-molding and foaming process, such as temperature, pressure, shot size, shot placement, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Hossein Allen Baghdadi, Sami Mohamad Fakhouri, Floyd Whitney Miles, Joseph Thomas Muth, Bradley C. Tutmark
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Publication number: 20230407033Abstract: A foam article, such as a cushioning element for an article of footwear, apparel or sporting equipment is provided that comprises a foam component, such as a midsole, having a number of beneficial physical characteristics. The cushioning element is a low-density foamed component with a surface skin that encases the remaining foam volume. The cushioning element has a number of foam volumes, arranged to achieve a more consistent foam component. Additionally, the cushioning element includes a series of concentric ridges extending radially outwardly from injection gate vestige locations, and a number of striation bands near the perimeter of the cushioning element. The location of the gate vestiges can be beneficially arranged to produce intersecting flow boundaries that are located away from key strain areas of the cushioning element. The cushioning element is more environmentally-friendly, requiring less energy to produce while still providing acceptable energy return and low density.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Paul Irving Archer, Hossein Allen Baghdadi, Jay Constantinou, Sami Mohamad Fakhouri, Floyd Whitney Melis, Joseph Thomas Muth, Bradley C. Tutmark
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Publication number: 20230397694Abstract: Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment including a foam are provided. The foam portion of the components and articles include a composition which includes a thermoplastic copolyester, the composition having a foam structure. A polymer layer is provided on at least on surface of the foam portion. The polymer layer can control or reduce the water uptake of the foam portion. Methods of making the compositions, foams, and components 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: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: Hossein A. Baghdadi, Jay Constantinou, Joseph Thomas Muth, Brian G. Prevo, Bradley C. Tutmark
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Patent number: 11780134Abstract: A molding system and a method for operation of the molding system are provided. The method includes flowing a molten polymeric material into a shot tuning chamber from an upstream device, adjusting a temperature of and/or pressure applied to the molten polymeric material in the shot tuning chamber, and flowing the molten polymeric material from the shot tuning chamber into a mold cavity.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2022Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Hossein Allen Baghdadi, Sami Mohamad Fakhouri, Joseph Thomas Muth, Bradley C. Tutmark, H. Kenneth Hanson, III, Danny David Lumpkin, Robert L Ritchie, Shawn J. Schnee
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Publication number: 20230303796Abstract: Physical foaming a footwear component with a single-phase solution of a polymeric composition and a supercritical fluid is provided. The method include temperature conditioning a mold and then engaging the mold with a robot that conveys the mold to a press. At the press a gas counter pressure is applied to a cavity of the mold before injecting a single-phase solution of a polymeric composition and a supercritical fluid into the cavity of the mold. The process continues with releasing the gas counter pressure from the cavity of the mold and then removing the footwear component from the cavity of the mold. The parameters of the method are configured for the formation of the footwear component in an automated manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2023Publication date: September 28, 2023Inventors: Paul Irving Archer, Hossein Allen Baghdadi, Jay Constantiou, Gregory Paul Dufour, Sami Mohamad Fakhouri, Floyd Whitney Miles, Joseph Thomas Muth, Bradley C. Tutmark
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Patent number: 11702527Abstract: A foam article, such as a cushioning element for an article of footwear, apparel or sporting equipment is provided that comprises a foam component, such as a midsole, having a number of beneficial physical characteristics. The cushioning element is a low-density foamed component with a surface skin that encases the remaining foam volume. The cushioning element has a number of foam volumes, arranged to achieve a more consistent foam component. Additionally, the cushioning element includes a series of concentric ridges extending radially outwardly from injection gate vestige locations, and a number of striation bands near the perimeter of the cushioning element. The location of the gate vestiges can be beneficially arranged to produce intersecting flow boundaries that are located away from key strain areas of the cushioning element. The cushioning element is more environmentally-friendly, requiring less energy to produce while still providing acceptable energy return and low density.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Paul Irving Archer, Hossein Allen Baghdadi, Jay Constantinou, Sami Mohamad Fakhouri, Floyd Whitney Miles, Joseph Thomas Muth, Bradley C. Tutmark
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Patent number: 11702526Abstract: Physical foaming a footwear component with a single-phase solution of a polymeric composition and a supercritical fluid is provided. The method include temperature conditioning a mold and then engaging the mold with a robot that conveys the mold to a press. At the press a gas counter pressure is applied to a cavity of the mold before injecting a single-phase solution of a polymeric composition and a supercritical fluid into the cavity of the mold. The process continues with releasing the gas counter pressure from the cavity of the mold and then removing the footwear component from the cavity of the mold. The parameters of the method are configured for the formation of the footwear component in an automated manner.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Paul Irving Archer, Hossein Allen Baghdadi, Jay Constantinou, Gregory Paul Dufour, Sami Mohamad Fakhouri, Floyd Whitney Miles, Joseph Thomas Muth, Bradley C. Tutmark
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Publication number: 20230002577Abstract: Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment including a foam are provided. The foam portion of the components and articles include a composition which includes a thermoplastic copolyester, the composition having a foam structure. A polymer layer is provided on at least on surface of the foam portion. The polymer layer can control or reduce the water uptake of the foam portion. Methods of making the compositions, foams, and components 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: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: Hossein A. Baghdadi, Jay Constantinou, Joseph Thomas Muth, Brian G. Prevo, Bradley C. Tutmark
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Publication number: 20220388207Abstract: A molding system and a method for operation of the molding system are provided. The method includes flowing a molten polymeric material from an upstream device into an in-mold tuning chamber in a filling position where the in-mold tuning chamber is positioned at least partially within a mold cavity. The method also includes adjusting at least one of a temperature of and a pressure applied to the molten polymeric material in the in-mold tuning chamber to create a first tuned molten polymeric material and releasing the tuned molten polymeric material into the mold cavity from the in-mold tuning chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Hossein A. Baghdadi, Joseph Thomas Muth, Bradley C. Tutmark, H. Kenneth Hanson, III, Danny David Lumpkin, Robert L. Ritchie, Shawn J. Schnee
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Patent number: 11447615Abstract: Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment including a foam are provided. The foam portion of the components and articles include a composition which includes a thermoplastic copolyester, the composition having a foam structure. A polymer layer is provided on at least on surface of the foam portion. The polymer layer can control or reduce the water uptake of the foam portion. Methods of making the compositions, foams, and components 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: GrantFiled: September 11, 2020Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Hossein A. Baghdadi, Jay Constantinou, Joseph Thomas Muth, Brian G. Prevo, Bradley C. Tutmark
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Patent number: 11433579Abstract: A molding system and a method for operation of the molding system are provided. The method includes flowing a molten polymeric material from an upstream device into an in-mold tuning chamber in a filling position where the in-mold tuning chamber is positioned at least partially within a mold cavity. The method also includes adjusting at least one of a temperature of and a pressure applied to the molten polymeric material in the in-mold tuning chamber to create a first tuned molten polymeric material and releasing the tuned molten polymeric material into the mold cavity from the in-mold tuning chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2019Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Hossein A. Baghdadi, Joseph Thomas Muth, Bradley C. Tutmark, H. Kenneth Hanson, III, Danny David Lumpkin, Robert L. Ritchie, Shawn J. Schnee
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Publication number: 20220258393Abstract: A molding system and a method for operation of the molding system are provided. The method includes flowing a molten polymeric material into a shot tuning chamber from an upstream device, adjusting a temperature of and/or pressure applied to the molten polymeric material in the shot tuning chamber, and flowing the molten polymeric material from the shot tuning chamber into a mold cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: Hossein Allen Baghdadi, Sami Mohamad Fakhouri, Joseph Thomas Muth, Bradley C. Tutmark, H. Kenneth Hanson, III, Danny David Lumpkin, Robert L Ritchie, Shawn J. Schnee
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Patent number: 11370155Abstract: A molding system and a method for operation of the molding system are provided. The method includes flowing a molten polymeric material into a shot tuning chamber from an upstream device, adjusting a temperature of and/or pressure applied to the molten polymeric material in the shot tuning chamber, and flowing the molten polymeric material from the shot tuning chamber into a mold cavity.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: NIKE, IncInventors: Hossein A. Baghdadi, Sami Mohamad Fakhouri, Joseph Thomas Muth, Bradley C. Tutmark, H. Kenneth Hanson, III, Danny David Lumpkin, Robert L. Ritchie, Shawn J. Schnee
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Publication number: 20210354345Abstract: Physical foaming a footwear component with a single-phase solution of a polymeric composition and a supercritical fluid is provided. The method include temperature conditioning a mold and then engaging the mold with a robot that conveys the mold to a press. At the press a gas counter pressure is applied to a cavity of the mold before injecting a single-phase solution of a polymeric composition and a supercritical fluid into the cavity of the mold. The process continues with releasing the gas counter pressure from the cavity of the mold and then removing the footwear component from the cavity of the mold. The parameters of the method are configured for the formation of the footwear component in an automated manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2021Publication date: November 18, 2021Inventors: Paul Irving Archer, Hossein Allen Baghdadi, Jay Constantinou, Gregory Paul Dufour, Sami Mohamad Fakhouri, Floyd Whitney Miles, Joseph Thomas Muth, Bradley C. Tutmark