Patents by Inventor Chad E. Howard

Chad E. Howard 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).

  • Thermoforming sheet loading apparatus and method
    Patent number: 9522497
    Abstract: A thermoforming system includes a vacuum device operable to simultaneously hold a first object and a second object that are overlapped and abutted against each other. The system also includes a thermoforming machine that simultaneously receives the first object and the second object from the vacuum device. The thermoforming machine is further configured to heat the first and second objects. The thermoforming machine is further configured to attach the first and second objects together. Moreover, the thermoforming machine is configured to form the first and second objects into a thermoformed article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad E. Howard, Zvi Rapaport
  • Thermoforming Sheet Loading Apparatus And Method
    Publication number: 20140252689
    Abstract: A thermoforming system includes a vacuum device operable to simultaneously hold a first object and a second object that are overlapped and abutted against each other. The system also includes a thermoforming machine that simultaneously receives the first object and the second object from the vacuum device. The thermoforming machine is further configured to heat the first and second objects. The thermoforming machine is further configured to attach the first and second objects together. Moreover, the thermoforming machine is configured to form the first and second objects into a thermoformed article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad E. Howard, Zvi Rapaport
  • Thermoforming sheet loading apparatus and method
    Patent number: 8709332
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article includes simultaneously holding, with a vacuum device, a first object and a second object that are overlapped and abutted against each other. The method also includes simultaneously transporting the first and second objects relative to a machine. Still further, the method includes attaching the first and second objects together with the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Zvi Rapaport, Chad E. Howard
  • THERMOFORMING SHEET LOADING APPARATUS AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20130020743
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article includes simultaneously holding, with a vacuum device, a first object and a second object that are overlapped and abutted against each other. The method also includes simultaneously transporting the first and second objects relative to a machine. Still further, the method includes attaching the first and second objects together with the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Zvi Rapaport, Chad E. Howard