Patents by Inventor Jay CONSTANTINOU
Jay CONSTANTINOU 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: 20230286194Abstract: A mold, a molding apparatus, and a method for manufacturing articles or components is used to manufacture an article or component of the article that at least partially comprises an ultraviolet (UV) curable material. The mold and apparatus comprise at least one mold wall formed of a cyclic olefin copolymer, which is in contact with UV radiation curable material and allows the article or component of the article to be exposed to UV radiation for a period of time in order to provide for at least partial cure thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventor: Jay Constantinou
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Patent number: 11732102Abstract: Methods for manufacturing articles, including articles of footwear, apparel, and sporting equipment are provided. The methods comprise decorating a plurality of foam particles. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles, or embossing or debossing the foam particles, or both. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles by printing, painting, dyeing, applying a film, or any combination thereof. The plurality of foam particles are affixed utilizing aspects of additive manufacturing methods. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2022Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Jay Constantinou, Harleigh Doremus, Luis Folgar, Brandon Kvamme, Joseph Thomas Muth, Denis Schiller
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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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Patent number: 11673294Abstract: A mold, a molding apparatus, and a method for manufacturing articles or components is used to manufacture an article or component of the article that at least partially comprises an ultraviolet (UV) curable material. The mold and apparatus comprise at least one mold wall formed of a cyclic olefin copolymer, which is in contact with UV radiation curable material and allows the article or component of the article to be exposed to UV radiation for a period of time in order to provide for at least partial cure thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: NIKE, INC.Inventor: Jay Constantinou
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Publication number: 20230097038Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear can include a midsole and an outsole. The outsole can include one or more layers, and the one or more layers can be printed material deposited directly onto the midsole. In some instances, the outsole can include a base layer and an outermost layer. The base layer can include a first printed material deposited directly onto the midsole and includes a first width. The outermost layer can include a second printed material deposited onto the base layer and includes a second width, and the second width can less than or greater than the first width.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jay Constantinou, Sami M. Fakhouri, Laura C. Marshala, Thea Moshofsky, Jill D. Murfin, David A. Stasiuk, Randall S. Wolfe, Tianhan Zhang
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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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Patent number: 11540591Abstract: The disclosure relates to articles and components thereof, including outsoles, which can be used in conditions normally conducive to the accumulation of soil. In particular, the articles have substrate body, a tie layer secured to the substrate body, and a material including a hydrogel secured to the tie layer. The material can prevent or reduce the accumulation of soil during use. The presence of the tie layer can minimize or prevent delamination of the hydrogel containing material during normal use.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2019Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Hossein A. Baghdadi, Jay Constantinou, Caleb W. Dyer, Myron Maurer, Denis Schiller, Jeremy D. Walker, Richard L. Watkins, Zachary C. Wright
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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: 11401396Abstract: Methods for manufacturing articles, including articles of footwear, apparel, and sporting equipment are provided. The methods comprise decorating a plurality of foam particles. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles, or embossing or debossing the foam particles, or both. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles by printing, painting, dyeing, applying a film, or any combination thereof. The plurality of foam particles are affixed utilizing aspects of additive manufacturing methods. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2019Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jay Constantinou, Harleigh Doremus, Luis Folgar, Brandon Kvamme, Joseph Thomas Muth, Denis Schiller
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Publication number: 20220211141Abstract: The disclosure relates to articles and components thereof, including outsoles, which can be used in conditions normally conducive to the accumulation of soil. In particular, the articles have substrate body, a tie layer secured to the substrate body, and a material including a hydrogel secured to the tie layer. The material can prevent or reduce the accumulation of soil during use. The presence of the tie layer can minimize or prevent delamination of the hydrogel containing material during normal use.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2019Publication date: July 7, 2022Inventors: HOSSEIN A. BAGHDADI, JAY CONSTANTINOU, CALEB W. DYER, MYRON MAURER, DENIS SCHILLER, JEREMY D. WALKER, RICHARD L. WATKINS, ZACHARY C. WRIGHT
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Patent number: 11345793Abstract: Methods for manufacturing articles, including articles of footwear, apparel, and sporting equipment are provided. The methods comprise decorating a plurality of foam particles. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles, or embossing or debossing the foam particles, or both. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles by printing, painting, dyeing, applying a film, or any combination thereof. The plurality of foam particles are affixed utilizing aspects of additive manufacturing methods. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2019Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jay Constantinou, Harleigh Doremus, Luis Folgar, Brandon Kvamme, Joseph Thomas Muth, Denis Schiller
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Publication number: 20220162416Abstract: Methods for manufacturing articles, including articles of footwear, apparel, and sporting equipment are provided. The methods comprise decorating a plurality of foam particles. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles, or embossing or debossing the foam particles, or both. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles by printing, painting, dyeing, applying a film, or any combination thereof. The plurality of foam particles are affixed utilizing aspects of additive manufacturing methods. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2022Publication date: May 26, 2022Inventors: Jay Constantinou, Harleigh Doremus, Luis Folgar, Brandon Kvamme, Joseph Thomas Muth, Denis Schiller
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Publication number: 20220153950Abstract: Methods for manufacturing articles, including articles of footwear, apparel, and sporting equipment are provided. The methods comprise decorating a plurality of foam particles. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles, or embossing or debossing the foam particles, or both. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles by printing, painting, dyeing, applying a film, or any combination thereof. The plurality of foam particles are affixed utilizing aspects of additive manufacturing methods. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2022Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Jay Constantinou, Harleigh Doremus, Luis Folgar, Brandon Kvamme, Joseph Thomas Muth, Denis Schiller
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Patent number: 11312836Abstract: Methods for manufacturing articles, including articles of footwear, apparel, and sporting equipment are provided. The methods comprise decorating a plurality of foam particles. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles, or embossing or debossing the foam particles, or both. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles by printing, painting, dyeing, applying a film, or any combination thereof. The plurality of foam particles are affixed utilizing aspects of additive manufacturing methods. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jay Constantinou, Harleigh Doremus, Luis Folgar, Brandon Kvamme, Joseph Thomas Muth, Denis Schiller
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Publication number: 20220111586Abstract: Methods for manufacturing articles of footwear are provided. In various aspects, the methods comprise utilizing additive manufacturing methods with foam particles. In some aspects, the additive manufacturing methods comprise increasing the temperature of a plurality of foam particles with actinic radiation under conditions effective to fuse a portion of the plurality of foam particles comprising one or more thermoplastic elastomers. Increasing the temperature of the foam particles can be carried out for one or multiple iterations. The disclosed methods can be used to manufacturer articles with sub-regions that exhibit differing degrees of fusion between the foam particles, thereby resulting in sub-regions with different properties such as density, resilience, and/or flexural modulus. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Inventors: Jay Constantinou, Harleigh Doremus, Luis Folgar, Brandon Kvamme, Denis Schiller, Krissy Yetman
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Publication number: 20220071345Abstract: The present disclosure, in general, provides for a layered material that can be incorporated in to textiles (e.g., footwear, apparel, sporting equipment, or components of each). In an aspect, the layered material includes an externally facing layer and a thermoplastic hot melt adhesive layer and optionally one or more inner layers between the externally facing layer and the thermoplastic hot melt adhesive layer. The present disclosure provides for articles including the layered material such as footwear, apparel, sporting equipment, a component of an article of sporting equipment, apparel or footwear, including a outsole structure for footwear.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2021Publication date: March 10, 2022Inventors: Jay Constantinou, Caleb W. Dyer, Jeremy D. Walker, Zachary C. Wright
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Publication number: 20220040916Abstract: Methods for manufacturing articles of footwear are provided. In various aspects, the methods comprise utilizing additive manufacturing methods with foam particles. In some aspects, the disclosed methods comprise selectively depositing a binding material on foam particles in a target area such that the binding material coats at least a portion of defining surfaces of the foam particles with the binding material. The binding material is then cured to affix foam particles in the target area to one another. In various aspects, the disclosed methods can be used to manufacturer articles with sub-regions that differential levels of affixing between the foam particles, and thereby resulting in sub-regions with different properties such as density, resilience, and/or flexural modulus. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Inventors: Jay Constantinou, Harleigh Doremus, Luis Folgar, Brandon Kvamme, Denis Schiller
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Patent number: 11241826Abstract: Methods for manufacturing articles of footwear are provided. In various aspects, the methods comprise utilizing additive manufacturing methods with foam particles. In some aspects, the additive manufacturing methods comprise increasing the temperature of a plurality of foam particles with actinic radiation under conditions effective to fuse a portion of the plurality of foam particles comprising one or more thermoplastic elastomers. Increasing the temperature of the foam particles can be carried out for one or multiple iterations. The disclosed methods can be used to manufacturer articles with sub-regions that exhibit differing degrees of fusion between the foam particles, thereby resulting in sub-regions with different properties such as density, resilience, and/or flexural modulus. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2019Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jay Constantinou, Harleigh Doremus, Luis Folgar, Brandon Kvamme, Denis Schiller, Krissy Yetman
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Publication number: 20220015505Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composite element comprising a textile and a hydrogel layer comprising a hydrogel material that is operably coupled to the textile, wherein a portion of the hydrogel layer extends through a first side of the textile, and at least partially into a core of the textile, but does not extend onto a second side of the textile. Also disclosed are sole structures and articles of athletic footwear incorporating the composite element, as well as methods of manufacturing such composite elements, sole structures, and articles of footwear.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventors: Jay Constantinou, Isaac Farr, Jeremy D. Walker, Zachary C. Wright