Patents by Inventor C. McFarland

C. McFarland 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: 11560652
    Abstract: A knitted component may include a molded thermoplastic polymer element surrounded by a knit element, where the knit element includes a first layer forming a first side and a second layer forming a second side facing opposite the first side, the first layer and the second layer being coextensive and secured via interlooped knit loops that form at least a portion of the molded thermoplastic polymer element. The first side may include the molded thermoplastic polymer element, where the second layer is coextensive with the thermoplastic polymer element, and where the second side faces opposite the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. McFarland, II, Leah Resneck
  • Patent number: 11525197
    Abstract: A knitted textile (2) having a first layer (4) including a first yarn (12) with a thermoplastic composition integrally formed with a second layer (6) including a second yarn (14), the first yarn (12) forming an array of knitted patterns (16) defining voids (8) through the first layer (4) to the second layer (6). The first layer (4) may be heat treated to form a film. (24). Treatment of the first layer (4) may change zonal and directional tensile properties of the knitted textile (2). The Poisson's ratio of the knitted textile (2) may be greater than or equal to zero in a first axis (32) and/or a second axis (30), before and/or after treatment. Articles of apparel, including articles of footwear (26) and garments incorporating the knitted textile (2), and methods of forming the knitted textiles (2) and articles are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. MacGilbert, William C. McFarland, II
  • Publication number: 20220275544
    Abstract: A knitted component may include a first side and an opposite second side and a first tubular knit structure having a first portion on the first side and a second portion on the second side, where the first portion is at least partially formed with a first yarn and where the second portion is at least partially formed with a different second yarn, and where the first yarn includes a thermoplastic polymer material with a melting point of about 200° C. or less. The knitted component may further include a fused surface region on the first side of the knitted component formed with the thermoplastic polymer material of the first yarn. The knitted component may further include an inlaid strand extending through a passage formed by the first tubular knit structure between the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: William C. McFarland, II, Leah M. Resneck, Nikita A. Troufanov
  • Publication number: 20220259780
    Abstract: A knitted component having a first region located adjacent to a perimeter edge of the article, where the first region of the knitted component includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface may include a fused area formed with a thermoformed thermoplastic material included with a first yarn. The inner surface may be at least partially formed with the second yarn and may substantially exclude the thermoplastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Jessica Green, Chun-Ying Hsu, Jaroslav J. Lupinek, Darryl Matthews, William C. McFarland, II, Chun-Yao Tu, Yi-Ning Yang, Cheng-Ying Han
  • Publication number: 20220259779
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides knitted component comprising with a first surface and a second surface, the first surface facing opposite the second surface. A pod may have the first surface and the second surface, and an edge region may have the first surface and the second surface, where the edge region at least partially demarcates the pod. A first yarn may substantially form the first surface of the pod, where the first yarn is a fusible yarn. A second yarn may substantially form the second surface of the pod, and the second yarn may substantially form the first surface of the edge region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: William C. McFarland, II, Leah M. Resneck, Nikita A. Troufanov
  • Patent number: 11365494
    Abstract: A knitted component may include a first side and an opposite second side and a first tubular knit structure having a first portion on the first side and a second portion on the second side, where the first portion is at least partially formed with a first yarn and where the second portion is at least partially formed with a different second yarn, and where the first yarn includes a thermoplastic polymer material with a melting point of about 200° C. or less. The knitted component may further include a fused surface region on the first side of the knitted component formed with the thermoplastic polymer material of the first yarn. The knitted component may further include an inlaid strand extending through a passage formed by the first tubular knit structure between the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. McFarland, II, Leah M. Resneck, Nikita A. Troufanov
  • Patent number: 11346025
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides knitted component comprising with a first surface and a second surface, the first surface facing opposite the second surface. A pod may have the first surface and the second surface, and an edge region may have the first surface and the second surface, where the edge region at least partially demarcates the pod. A first yarn may substantially form the first surface of the pod, where the first yarn is a fusible yarn. A second yarn may substantially form the second surface of the pod, and the second yarn may substantially form the first surface of the edge region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. McFarland, II, Leah M. Resneck, Nikita A. Troufanov
  • Patent number: 11346026
    Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear may include a knitted component having a first region located adjacent to an outer edge of the upper, where the first region of the knitted component includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface may include a fused area formed with a thermoformed thermoplastic material included with a first yarn. The inner surface may be at least partially formed with the second yarn and may substantially exclude the thermoplastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jessica Green, Chun-Ying Hsu, Jaroslav J. Lupinek, Darryl Matthews, William C. McFarland, II, Chun-Yao Tu, Yi-Ning Yang, Cheng-Ying Han
  • Publication number: 20220134703
    Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to a printed composite nonwoven textile suitable for use in apparel and other articles and methods of making the same. In example aspects, the printed nonwoven textile includes an interior layer with a printed component that is visible on a first facing side of the printed nonwoven textile that is formed, at least in part, from a first entangled web of fibers, fibers of the interior layer, and/or a colored substance the forms the printed component. When incorporated into an article of apparel, the first facing side is an outer-facing surface of the article of apparel that includes the printed component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Baron C. Brandt, Dallas Lund, William C. McFarland, II, Yang-Hua Ou, Andrea J. Staub, David Turner
  • Publication number: 20220134702
    Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to a recyclable, asymmetrical-faced composite nonwoven textile suitable for use in apparel and other articles and methods of making the same. In example aspects, the asymmetrical-faced composite nonwoven textile includes a first face formed, at least in part from a first entangled web of fibers and an opposite second face formed, at least in part from a second entangled web of fibers. When incorporated into an article of apparel, the first face forms an outer-facing surface of the article of apparel, and the second face forms an inner-facing surface of the article of apparel. The first face includes features making it suitable to form the outer-facing surface such as resistance to abrasion, and the second face includes features making it suitable to form an inner-facing surface such as a soft hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Dallas Lund, William C. McFarland, II, Yang-Hua Ou, Joshua Patrick Williams
  • Publication number: 20220047041
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing articles of footwear including forming a first upper on a textile manufacturing machine and forming a second upper on the textile manufacturing machine at a time that at least partially overlaps with formation of the first upper. The first upper and the second upper are formed at separate locations of the textile manufacturing machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: William C. McFarland, II, Kristen Orme
  • Publication number: 20210381142
    Abstract: A knitted textile (2) having a first layer (4) including a first yarn (12) with a thermoplastic composition integrally formed with a second layer (6) including a second yarn (14), the first yarn (12) forming an array of knitted patterns (16) defining voids (8) through the first layer (4) to the second layer (6). The first layer (4) may be heat treated to form a film. (24). Treatment of the first layer (4) may change zonal and directional tensile properties of the knitted textile (2). The Poisson's ratio of the knitted textile (2) may be greater than or equal to zero in a first axis (32) and/or a second axis (30), before and/or after treatment. Articles of apparel, including articles of footwear (26) and garments incorporating the knitted textile (2), and methods of forming the knitted textiles (2) and articles are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. MacGilbert, William C. McFarland, II
  • Patent number: 11142851
    Abstract: A method of knitting a knitted component for an upper of an article of footwear is provided. The method may include using a flat knitting machine. The upper may be configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The method may include performing a pass of at least one yarn feeder along the longitudinal axis relative to first and second needle beds, feeding at least one yarn with the at least one feeder during the pass, forming, during the pass, a plurality of first loops with the first needles to define a first portion of the knitted component, and forming, during the pass, a plurality of second loops with the second needles to define a second portion of the knitted component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. MacGilbert, William C. McFarland, II
  • Patent number: 11129440
    Abstract: An article of footwear may include an inner knit layer forming a void dimensioned for receipt of at least a portion of a foot, along with an outer knit layer, where the outer knit layer at least partially surrounds the inner knit layer. The outer knit layer may define window for viewing of the inner knit layer, the window being located at an overfoot portion of the article of footwear, and the window exposing a portion of the inner knit layer. The inner knit layer may be movable relative to the outer knit layer at the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant R. Klug, Timothy K. Liles, John S. MacGilbert, William C. McFarland, II
  • Publication number: 20210167079
    Abstract: Methods of improving adhesion between a photoresist and conductive or insulating structures. The method comprises forming a slot through at least a portion of alternating conductive structures and insulating structures on a substrate. Portions of the conductive structures or of the insulating structures are removed to form recesses in the conductive structures or in the insulating structures. A photoresist is formed over the alternating conductive structures and insulating structures and within the slot. Methods of improving adhesion between a photoresist and a spin-on dielectric material are also disclosed, as well as methods of forming a staircase structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Rohit Kothari, Jason C. McFarland, Jason Reece, David A. Kewley, Adam L. Olson
  • Patent number: 10930659
    Abstract: Methods of improving adhesion between a photoresist and conductive or insulating structures. The method comprises forming a slot through at least a portion of alternating conductive structures and insulating structures on a substrate. Portions of the conductive structures or of the insulating structures are removed to form recesses in the conductive structures or in the insulating structures. A photoresist is formed over the alternating conductive structures and insulating structures and within the slot. Methods of improving adhesion between a photoresist and a spin-on dielectric material are also disclosed, as well as methods of forming a staircase structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Rohit Kothari, Jason C. McFarland, Jason Reece, David A. Kewley, Adam L. Olson
  • Publication number: 20200367602
    Abstract: A method for forming a plate includes attaching a first strand portion to a flexible substrate to form a first layer on the substrate and positioning a second strand portion on the first layer to form a second layer on the first layer in a plurality of discrete regions on the substrate. The method also includes positioning a plurality of traction elements into corresponding cavities formed into a first mold surface and positioning the substrate on the first mold surface to change a shape of the substrate. At least one of heat and pressure is applied to the first strand portion, the second strand portion, the substrate, and the traction elements to conform the substrate to the shape of the first mold surface and form the traction elements into the substrate at each of the discrete regions. The method also includes incorporating the substrate into an article of footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam Amis, Aaron Bartel, Stefan E. Guest, Sam Lacey, William C. McFarland, II, Christian Alexander Steinbeck, Yoav Sterman, Adam Thuss, Todd A. Waatti
  • Publication number: 20200291555
    Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear may include a knitted component having a first region located adjacent to an outer edge of the upper, where the first region of the knitted component includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface may include a fused area formed with a thermoformed thermoplastic material included with a first yarn. The inner surface may be at least partially formed with the second yarn and may substantially exclude the thermoplastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jessica Green, Chun-Ying Hsu, Jaroslav J. Lupinek, Darryl Matthews, William C. McFarland, II, Chun-Yao Tu, Yi-Ning Yang, Cheng-Ying Han
  • Patent number: 10743607
    Abstract: A method for forming a plate includes attaching a first strand portion to a flexible substrate to form a first layer on the substrate and positioning a second strand portion on the first layer to form a second layer on the first layer in a plurality of discrete regions on the substrate. The method also includes positioning a plurality of traction elements into corresponding cavities formed into a first mold surface and positioning the substrate on the first mold surface to change a shape of the substrate. At least one of heat and pressure is applied to the first strand portion, the second strand portion, the substrate, and the traction elements to conform the substrate to the shape of the first mold surface and form the traction elements into the substrate at each of the discrete regions. The method also includes incorporating the substrate into an article of footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam Amis, Aaron Bartel, Stefan E. Guest, Sam Lacey, William C. McFarland, II, Christian Alexander Steinbeck, Yoav Sterman, Adam Thuss, Todd A. Waatti
  • Patent number: 10669656
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an upper for an article of footwear. The upper may include a knitted component having a first yarn and a second yarn, where the first yarn comprises a core with a sheath, the sheath being formed of a thermoplastic material having a melting temperature. The second yarn may be substantially free of the thermoplastic material. The knitted component may further comprise a first layer having a first surface and a second layer having a second surface, where the first layer and the second layer are secured via a knit structure of the knitted component, and where the knitted component further comprises a first region and a second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jessica Green, Chun-Ying Hsu, Jaroslav J. Lupinek, Darryl Matthews, William C. McFarland, II, Chun-Yao Tu, Yi-Ning Yang, Cheng-Ying Han