Patents by Inventor Jan Hill

Jan Hill 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).

  • Publication number: 20230157413
    Abstract: Described are shoes, in particular a sports shoe, wherein at least a portion of an upper of the shoe includes a first layer and a functional second layer, wherein the functional second layer is directly printed onto the first layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Bruno Jean Antonelli, Nina Ludwig, Timothy Kelvin Robinson, Daniel Stephen Price, Jan Hill
  • Patent number: 11589652
    Abstract: Described are shoes, in particular a sports shoe, wherein at least a portion of an upper of the shoe includes a first layer and a functional second layer, wherein the functional second layer is directly printed onto the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Bruno Jean Antonelli, Nina Ludwig, Timothy Kelvin Robinson, Daniel Stephen Price, Jan Hill
  • Patent number: 11350700
    Abstract: A shoe, in particular an athletic shoe, comprising a heel portion that includes an adaptive heel element arranged in the heel portion of the shoe, wherein the adaptive heel element comprises a stretch material. A heel counter is arranged in the heel portion, wherein the heel counter comprises a lateral portion and a medial portion for supporting the heel of a wearer's foot and a posterior gap therebetween wherein the posterior gap forms an essentially vertical split portion, wherein the split portion is adapted such that the adaptive heel element can move and deform within the split portion, and wherein the adaptive heel element within the split portion is adapted to contour to the anatomical shape of the heel of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Paul Leonard Michael Smith, Stuart David Reinhardt, Angus Wardlaw, Jan Hill, James Tarrier, Falk Bruns, Andreas Thieret, Oliver Wendel, Maximilian Grüttner, Bernhard Schuster
  • Patent number: 11330870
    Abstract: Described are methods for the manufacture of a shoe, an apparatus to perform such method, as well as a shoe manufactured by such method. According to certain examples, the method for the manufacture of a shoe includes providing a three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component and processing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component, wherein the processing includes an individually controllable succession of processing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Gerd Rainer Manz, Jan Hill, Brian Hoying, Angus Wardlaw, Marco Kormann, Christian Lott
  • Patent number: 11197517
    Abstract: Described are shoe uppers for a sports shoe with a first layer with a first surface and an opposing second surface, a first yarn section with a first diameter, wherein the first yarn section is arranged on the first surface of the first layer, and a second yarn section with a second diameter, wherein the second yarn section is arranged on the first surface of the first layer. The first yarn section and the second yarn section have at least one parallel portion in which the first yarn section is substantially parallel to the second yarn section, and wherein a distance between the first yarn section and the second yarn section is smaller than a larger value of the first diameter and the second diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Gerd Rainer Manz, Paul Leonard Michael Smith, Stuart David Reinhardt, Jan Hill, Clemens Paul Dyckmans, Carl Arnese, III, Alexander Taylor, Edward Robinson
  • Publication number: 20210370561
    Abstract: The invention refers to a method for producing expanded polymer pellets, which comprises the following steps: melting a polymer comprising a polyamide; adding at least one blowing agent; expanding the melt through at least one die for producing an expanded polymer; and pelletizing the expanded polymer. The invention further concerns polymer pellets produced with the method as well as their use, e.g. for the production of cushioning elements for sports apparel, such as for producing soles or parts of soles of sports shoes. A further aspect of the invention concerns a method for the manufacture of molded components, comprising loading pellets of an expanded to polymer material into a mold, and connecting the pellets by providing heat energy, wherein the expanded polymer material of the pellets or beads comprises a chain extender. The molded components may be used in broad ranges of application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Holmes, Tru Huu Minh Le, Sabrina Kerling, Dharan Kirupanantham, Volker Altstädt, Amir Fathi, Daniel Raps, Clemens Keilholz, Thomas Koeppl, Paul Smith, Jan Hill, Angus Wardlaw, Daniel Stephen Price, James Tarrier, Christopher Robertson
  • Patent number: 11117294
    Abstract: The invention refers to a method for producing expanded polymer pellets, which comprises the following steps: melting a polymer comprising a polyamide; adding at least one blowing agent; expanding the melt through at least one die for producing an expanded polymer; and pelletizing the expanded polymer. The invention further concerns polymer pellets produced with the method as well as their use, e.g. for the production of cushioning elements for sports apparel, such as for producing soles or parts of soles of sports shoes. A further aspect of the invention concerns a method for the manufacture of molded components, comprising loading pellets of an expanded polymer material into a mold, and connecting the pellets by providing heat energy, wherein the expanded polymer material of the pellets or beads comprises a chain extender. The molded components may be used in broad ranges of application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Holmes, Tru Huu Minh Le, Sabrina Kerling, Dharan Kirupanantham, Volker Altstädt, Amir Fathi, Daniel Raps, Clemens Keilholz, Thomas Koeppl, Paul Leonard Michael Smith, Jan Hill, Angus Wardlaw, Daniel Stephen Price, James Tarrier, Christopher Robertson
  • Publication number: 20200391417
    Abstract: The invention refers to a method for producing expanded polymer pellets, which comprises the following steps: melting a polymer comprising a polyamide; adding at least one blowing agent; expanding the melt through at least one die for producing an expanded polymer; and pelletizing the expanded polymer. The invention further concerns polymer pellets produced with the method as well as their use, e.g. for the production of cushioning elements for sports apparel, such as for producing soles or parts of soles of sports shoes. A further aspect of the invention concerns a method for the manufacture of molded components, comprising loading pellets of an expanded polymer material into a mold, and connecting the pellets by providing heat energy, wherein the expanded polymer material of the pellets or beads comprises a chain extender. The molded components may be used in broad ranges of application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Paul Leonard Michael Smith, Jan Hill, Angus Wardlaw, Daniel Stephen Price, James Tarrier
  • Publication number: 20200345100
    Abstract: Described are methods for the manufacture of sporting goods, in particular a shoe, sporting goods manufactured by such methods, for example a shoe, as well as a device for performing such methods. The method for the manufacture of sporting goods, in particular a shoe, is provided, wherein the sporting goods has a first component with a first connection surface and a second component with a second connection surface. The method includes activating at least one portion of the first connection surface by providing heat energy without contact, and connecting the first component with the second component by joining the first connection surface and the second connection surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Holmes, Jan Hill, Clemens Paul Dyckmans, Giridharan Kirupanantham, Gerd Rainer Manz, Dietmar Klaus Drummer
  • Patent number: 10791793
    Abstract: A sole for a shoe, such as a sports shoe, includes a plurality of essentially jointly extruded plastic strands. A method for the manufacture of a sole for a shoe includes essentially jointly extruding a plurality of plastic strands and connecting the plurality of extruded plastic strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Christopher Robertson, Clemens Paul Dyckmans, Huu Minh Tru Le, Jan Hill, Christopher Edward Holmes, Giridharan Kirupanantham
  • Patent number: 10759096
    Abstract: The invention refers to a method for producing expanded polymer pellets, which comprises the following steps: melting a polymer comprising a polyamide; adding at least one blowing agent; expanding the melt through at least one die for producing an expanded polymer; and pelletizing the expanded polymer. The invention further concerns polymer pellets produced with the method as well as their use, e.g. for the production of cushioning elements for sports apparel, such as for producing soles or parts of soles of sports shoes. A further aspect of the invention concerns a method for the manufacture of molded components, comprising loading pellets of an expanded polymer material into a mold, and connecting the pellets by providing heat energy, wherein the expanded polymer material of the pellets or beads comprises a chain extender. The molded components may be used in broad ranges of application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Paul Leonard Michael Smith, Jan Hill, Angus Wardlaw, Daniel Stephen Price, James Tarrier
  • Patent number: 10750814
    Abstract: Described are methods for the manufacture of sporting goods, in particular a shoe, sporting goods manufactured by such methods, for example a shoe, as well as a device for performing such methods. The method for the manufacture of sporting goods, in particular a shoe, is provided, wherein the sporting goods has a first component with a first connection surface and a second component with a second connection surface. The method includes activating at least one portion of the first connection surface by providing heat energy without contact, and connecting the first component with the second component by joining the first connection surface and the second connection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Holmes, Jan Hill, Clemens Paul Dyckmans, Giridharan Kirupanantham, Gerd Rainer Manz, Dietmar Klaus Drummer
  • Patent number: 10698474
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus for designing a pattern for a wearable item, comprising: (a.) position detector adapted to detect a position of at least a portion of a body of a user; and (b.) data processor adapted to compute at least one intersection of at least one virtual object and the portion of the body of the user, and pattern data representative of a pattern for the wearable item based on the intersection. In addition, described is a method for designing a pattern for a wearable item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Matteo Colaianni, Jan Hill, Anna Wilhelmi, Jochen Björn Süßmuth, David Joseph Gareth O'Mahony
  • Publication number: 20190373987
    Abstract: Described are methods for the manufacture of a shoe, an apparatus to perform such method, as well as a shoe manufactured by such method. According to certain examples, the method for the manufacture of a shoe includes providing a three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component and processing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component, wherein the processing includes an individually controllable succession of processing steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Gerd Rainer Manz, Jan Hill, Brian Hoying, Angus Wardlaw, Marco Kormann, Christian Lott
  • Patent number: 10463113
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for the manufacture of sporting goods, in particular shoes, comprising the steps of providing a plurality of components in one of a plurality of predefined shapes, and placing the plurality of components onto a two-dimensional or three-dimensional carrier surface to create the sporting good or a part thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Gerd Rainer Manz, Jan Hill, Clemens Paul Dyckmans, Paul Leonard Michael Smith, Zachary Clinton Coonrod, Stuart David Reinhardt, Thomas Hoewelmann, Peter Aul, Stefan Kallfass, Thomas Betzitza, Jan Keller, Martin Steyer
  • Patent number: 10463114
    Abstract: Described are methods for the manufacture of a plurality of shoes, an apparatus to perform such method, as well as shoes manufactured by such method. According to certain examples, the method for the manufacture of a plurality of shoes includes providing a plurality of first shoe components for the manufacture of the plurality of shoes, and moving the plurality of first shoe components with a transport means which is at least partially comprised of the plurality of first shoe components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Gerd Rainer Manz, Jan Hill, Brian Hoying, Angus Wardlaw, Marco Kormann, Christian Lott
  • Patent number: 10426230
    Abstract: Described are methods for the manufacture of a shoe, an apparatus to perform such method, as well as a shoe manufactured by such method. According to certain examples, the method for the manufacture of a shoe includes providing a three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component and processing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component, wherein the processing includes an individually controllable succession of processing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Gerd Rainer Manz, Jan Hill, Brian Hoying, Angus Wardlaw, Marco Kormann, Christian Lott
  • Publication number: 20190082789
    Abstract: A shoe, in particular an athletic shoe, comprising a heel portion that includes an adaptive heel element arranged in the heel portion of the shoe, wherein the adaptive heel element comprises a stretch material. A heel counter is arranged in the heel portion, wherein the heel counter comprises a lateral portion and a medial portion for supporting the heel of a wearer's foot and a posterior gap therebetween wherein the posterior gap forms an essentially vertical split portion, wherein the split portion is adapted such that the adaptive heel element can move and deform within the split portion, and wherein the adaptive heel element within the split portion is adapted to contour to the anatomical shape of the heel of the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Paul Leonard Michael SMITH, Stuart David REINHARDT, Angus WARDLAW, Jan HILL, James TARRIER, Falk BRUNS, Andreas THIERET, Oliver WENDEL, Maximilian GRÜTTNER, Bernhard SCHUSTER
  • Patent number: 10228682
    Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing a piece or apparel. According to an aspect of the invention, a method for the manufacture of a piece of apparel comprises the steps of: (a) obtaining body data corresponding to at least one dimension of at least a part of the user's body, (b) obtaining pattern data corresponding to at least one pattern of the piece of apparel to be manufactured, (c) generating, based on the body data and the pattern data, manufacturing data adapted to be processed by a manufacturing machine, and (d) transmitting the manufacturing data to a manufacturing machine. When the manufacturing data is received at the manufacturing machine, the manufacturing data is processed and at least part of the piece of apparel is manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Matteo Colaianni, Jan Hill, Anna Wilhelmi, Jochen Björn Süßmuth, David Joseph Gareth O'Mahony, Christian Lott
  • Patent number: D869830
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Timothy David Lucas, Gerd Rainer Manz, Jan Hill, Paul Leonard Michael Smith, John Whiteman