Abstract: An upper of an article of footwear comprises a plurality of stretch zones each having a respective stretching capability. Suitable example stretch zones may include four-way stretch zones, two-way stretch zones, and/or lock-out zones. In some examples, an upper having a plurality of stretch zones comprises a single continuous piece of material configured to have regions of different stretching capability. The single piece of material may comprise a layered material having two stretchable outer layers, wherein a plurality of stretch zones of the piece of material are defined by corresponding intermediate layers disposed at selected locations between the outer layers. Examples of intermediate layers providing two-way stretch, four-way stretch, and little or no stretch are disclosed.

Abstract: An upper of an article of footwear comprises a plurality of stretch zones each having a respective stretching capability. Suitable example stretch zones may include four-way stretch zones, two-way stretch zones, and/or lock-out zones. In some examples, an upper having a plurality of stretch zones comprises a single continuous piece of material configured to have regions of different stretching capability. The single piece of material may comprise a layered material having two stretchable outer layers, wherein a plurality of stretch zones of the piece of material are defined by corresponding intermediate layers disposed at selected locations between the outer layers. Examples of intermediate layers providing two-way stretch, four-way stretch, and little or no stretch are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention comprises a packaging structure which hermetically encloses a product prior to initial opening. The packaging structure comprises a line of weakness which defines a removable portion and a marginal region circumscribing the removable portion. A flap having a central region and a peripheral region is affixed to the packaging structure. At least a portion of the central region of the flap is affixed to the packaging structure via permanent adhesive and is aligned with the removable portion of the packaging structure. The peripheral region of the flap is affixed to the packaging structure via peelable adhesive and is aligned with the marginal region of the packaging structure.

Abstract: A recyclable flexible laminate for use in a packaging structure, and method of manufacture, comprising a first structure having an inner surface and an outer surface. The first structure comprises machine-direction oriented polyethylene or biaxially oriented polyethylene. The laminate also comprises a second structure having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the second structure is machine-direction oriented polyethylene or biaxially oriented polyethylene. The first structure and the second structure are adhesively laminated together using an adhesive.

Abstract: A valve, such as a throttle valve plate, which is suitable for use with a throttle assembly, and is able to withstand a backpressure test. The throttle valve plate includes a flat plate, and a plastic material overmolded onto a portion of the valve plate. The plate includes at least one rib, and may include a plurality of ribs, allowing for a thinner and lighter weight plate which is manufactured at a lower cost. The valve may also be a two-piece valve plate having an overlap portion. The two pieces of the valve plate overlap at the portion of the valve plate which interfaces with the shaft of the throttle assembly. The remaining portion of the plate surface includes at least one ribbed feature, and may include a plurality of ribbed features which reduce material usage and therefore reduce weight and cost, but also provide the required strength and rigidity.

Abstract: A segmented sole for an article of footwear comprises a forefoot region, a heel region, and a segmentation zone disposed between the forefoot and heel region. The segmentation zone includes a plurality of segments separated from each other and from the forefoot and heel by a plurality of sipes, cuts, or gaps. The segmented sole produces bending along a segmentation axis disposed along an arch of a wearer of an article of footwear including the sole, allowing for arch support and natural foot movement.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include an elastic membrane suspended within an interior of an upper of the article of footwear and spaced above the sole, such that a wearer's foot contacts the membrane and is cradled by the membrane as the membrane is stretched toward an underlying midsole. In some examples, the 5 membrane may contact the midsole for a discrete length of a contact area, e.g., selected by the manufacturer. In some examples, a void between the membrane and the sole is filled, at least in part, with a selected filler material. In some examples, the membrane comprises a material having tailored stretch characteristics.

Abstract: An upper of an article of footwear comprises a plurality of stretch zones each having a respective stretching capability. Suitable example stretch zones may include four-way stretch zones, two-way stretch zones, and/or lock-out zones. In some examples, an upper having a plurality of stretch zones comprises a single continuous piece of material configured to have regions of different stretching capability. The single piece of material may comprise a layered material having two stretchable outer layers, wherein a plurality of stretch zones of the piece of material are defined by corresponding intermediate layers disposed at selected locations between the outer layers. Examples of intermediate layers providing two-way stretch, four-way stretch, and little or no stretch are disclosed.

Abstract: An upper of an article of footwear comprises a plurality of stretch zones each having a respective stretching capability. Suitable example stretch zones may include four-way stretch zones, two-way stretch zones, and/or lock-out zones. In some examples, an upper having a plurality of stretch zones comprises a single continuous piece of material configured to have regions of different stretching capability. The single piece of material may comprise a layered material having two stretchable outer layers, wherein a plurality of stretch zones of the piece of material are defined by corresponding intermediate layers disposed at selected locations between the outer layers. Examples of intermediate layers providing two-way stretch, four-way stretch, and little or no stretch are disclosed.

Abstract: A throttle control assembly which includes a housing, an adapter integrally formed with the housing, an anti-rotation feature integrally formed with the housing and the adapter, and a scallop. The scallop substantially surrounds the anti-rotation feature, and the anti-rotation feature and the scallop are integrally formed with the housing and the adapter during a molding process, such as a metal injection molding process, or a casting process. A first groove is integrally formed as part of the adapter, a second groove is integrally formed as part of the housing, and a rib portion is disposed between the first groove and the second groove. A lower wall portion is integrally formed as part of the housing, such that the lower wall portion is adjacent the scallop. A portion of the scallop is integrally formed as part of the housing, and a portion of the scallop is integrally formed as part of the adapter.

Abstract: A valve, such as a throttle valve plate, which is suitable for use with a throttle assembly, and is able to withstand a backpressure test. The throttle valve plate includes a flat plate, and a plastic material overmolded onto a portion of the valve plate. The plate includes at least one rib, and may include a plurality of ribs, allowing for a thinner and lighter weight plate which is manufactured at a lower cost. The valve may also be a two-piece valve plate having an overlap portion. The two pieces of the valve plate overlap at the portion of the valve plate which interfaces with the shaft of the throttle assembly. The remaining portion of the plate surface includes at least one ribbed feature, and may include a plurality of ribbed features which reduce material usage and therefore reduce weight and cost, but also provide the required strength and rigidity.

Abstract: An upper of an article of footwear comprises a plurality of stretch zones each having a respective stretching capability. Suitable example stretch zones may include four-way stretch zones, two-way stretch zones, and/or lock-out zones. In some examples, an upper having a plurality of stretch zones comprises a single continuous piece of material configured to have regions of different stretching capability. The single piece of material may comprise a layered material having two stretchable outer layers, wherein a plurality of stretch zones of the piece of material are defined by corresponding intermediate layers disposed at selected locations between the outer layers. Examples of intermediate layers providing two-way stretch, four-way stretch, and little or no stretch are disclosed.

Abstract: A seat accessory device having a body including a seat member and an attachment member. The seat member includes a cushion element. The attachment member includes a pair of strap elements attached to each end of the seat member, and a pair of hook elements attached to each pair of strap elements. Each pair of hook elements is positioned at an opposite end of the seat member from one another. Each pair of hook elements includes mating components to connect to one another. The seat member attachably connects to an object by extending the opposite positioned strap elements around the object and connecting the opposite positioned hook elements to one another.

Abstract: A throttle control assembly which includes a housing, and an adapter and an anti-rotation feature integrally formed with the housing. A scallop is integrally formed as part of the housing and substantially surrounds the anti-rotation feature. A first tapered portion and a second tapered portion are both integrally formed with the adapter. A first groove and a rib portion are also integrally formed as part of the adapter. A plurality of outer scallops are also integrally formed as part of the adapter. The anti-rotation feature, the scallop, and each of the plurality of outer scallops are integrally formed with the housing. A portion of the plurality of outer scallops are formed as part of the second tapered portion, and a portion of the plurality of outer scallops are formed as part of the rib portion.

Abstract: A hydroponic growing system is disclosed herein. The hydroponic growing system includes a plurality of plant containers, a nutrient reservoir, a nutrient control tower, a plumbing means, a pump, and an overflow tube. The hydroponic growing system is useful for pumping a nutrient solution to the plurality of plant containers from the nutrient reservoir. A method is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A throttle control assembly which includes a housing, and an adapter and an anti-rotation feature integrally formed with the housing. A scallop is integrally formed as part of the housing and substantially surrounds the anti-rotation feature. A first tapered portion and a second tapered portion are both integrally formed with the adapter. A first groove and a rib portion are also integrally formed as part of the adapter. A plurality of outer scallops are also integrally formed as part of the adapter. The anti-rotation feature, the scallop, and each of the plurality of outer scallops are integrally formed with the housing. A portion of the plurality of outer scallops are formed as part of the second tapered portion, and a portion of the plurality of outer scallops are formed as part of the rib portion.

Abstract: A throttle control assembly which includes a housing, an adapter integrally formed with the housing, an anti-rotation feature integrally formed with the housing and the adapter, and a scallop. The scallop substantially surrounds the anti-rotation feature, and the anti-rotation feature and the scallop are integrally formed with the housing and the adapter during a molding process, such as a metal injection molding process, or a casting process. A first groove is integrally formed as part of the adapter, a second groove is integrally formed as part of the housing, and a rib portion is disposed between the first groove and the second groove. A lower wall portion is integrally formed as part of the housing, such that the lower wall portion is adjacent the scallop. A portion of the scallop is integrally formed as part of the housing, and a portion of the scallop is integrally formed as part of the adapter.

Abstract: The present invention provides water dilutable silicone emulsions comprising a silicone and a silicone polyether; a coating composition comprising the emulsions; a process of making the emulsions; and uses of the emulsions.