Patents by Inventor Richard L. Watkins
Richard L. Watkins 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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Patent number: 11946818Abstract: A method of forming an article of apparel having a sensor system includes extruding one or more polymeric materials onto the article of apparel to form one or a plurality of sensors. The polymeric material(s) may have a conductive particulate material dispersed therein. Conductive leads connecting the sensors to a port may also be formed of a polymeric material having a conductive particulate material dispersed therein. The conductive material may be dispersed in the sensor(s) at a first dispersion density and in the leads at a second dispersion density. Each of the sensors is configured to increase in resistance when deformed under pressure, which is detected by a module connected to the port. The second dispersion density is such that each of the leads has sufficient conductivity that the leads are configured to conduct an electronic signal between each sensor and the port in any state of deformation.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tina M. Casillas, James Meschter, Richard L. Watkins
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Patent number: 11938703Abstract: Airsoles or bladders for articles of footwear comprising multi-layered films are provided herein. In one aspect, the airsoles or bladders comprise a first sheet and a second sheet, wherein a first side of the first sheet faces a second side of the second sheet, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are bonded together to form an internal cavity in a space between the first side of the first sheet and the second side of the second sheet, forming a bladder capable of retaining a gas in the internal cavity at a pressure above atmospheric pressure, at atmospheric pressure, or below atmospheric pressure; and wherein each of the first sheet and the second sheet comprise a multi-layered film comprising: a core region comprising at least 20 gas barrier layers and a plurality of elastomeric layers, wherein the gas-barrier layers alternate with the elastomeric layers.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2022Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Diya Bandyopadhyay, Narayanan Ashwin Kumar Bharadwaj, Yihua Chang, Christopher J. Dimitriou, Nancy D. Eisenmenger, Sharon Oba, Richard L. Watkins
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Publication number: 20240067826Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to color compositions and methods of making a printed layer using the color composition as well as an article that can include the printed layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: Yihua Chang, Christopher J. Dimitriou, Jeremy Gantz, Adam Kohn, Richard L. Watkins, Mary Austin
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Patent number: 11903440Abstract: Multi-layered structures and methods for producing them are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Diya Bandyopadhyay, Yihua Chang, Christopher J. Dimitriou, Fred Lamar, Richard L Watkins, John R. Wright
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Patent number: 11891521Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to color compositions and methods of making a printed layer using the color composition as well as an article that can include the printed layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2020Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Yihua Chang, Christopher J. Dimitriou, Jeremy Gantz, Adam Kohn, Richard L Watkins, Mary Austin
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Publication number: 20230407537Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating the articles are provided. One exemplary method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable fibrous element and carbon dioxide in a vessel, the foamable fibrous element comprising a plurality of filaments, fibers, and/or yarns, wherein each member of the plurality comprises a foamable material; maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material; optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure; and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Patent number: 11846053Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating the articles are provided. One exemplary method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable fibrous element and carbon dioxide in a vessel, the foamable fibrous element comprising a plurality of filaments, fibers, and/or yarns, wherein each member of the plurality comprises a foamable material; maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material; optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure; and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Patent number: 11844397Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating the articles are provided. One exemplary method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, the foamable material; maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material; optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure; and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Patent number: 11766093Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating the articles are provided. One exemplary method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, the foamable material; maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material; optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure; and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Publication number: 20230272215Abstract: Multi-layered structures and methods for producing them are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Inventors: Yihua Chang, Richard L. Watkins
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Patent number: 11685816Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the foamed articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating such foamed articles are provided. In one aspect, a method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material, optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure, and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2022Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Publication number: 20230182357Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the foamed articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating such foamed articles are provided. In one aspect, a method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, maintaining the vessel at an infusing pressure and infusing temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material, optionally exposing the infused article to a first intermediary holding temperature and first intermediary holding pressure, and subjecting the article to an expanding pressure and expanding temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2022Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Publication number: 20230148714Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the foamed articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating such foamed articles are provided. In one aspect, a method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material, optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure, and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2022Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Publication number: 20230091558Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating the articles are provided. One exemplary method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable fibrous element and carbon dioxide in a vessel, the foamable fibrous element comprising a plurality of filaments, fibers, and/or yarns, wherein each member of the plurality comprises a foamable material; maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material; optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure; and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Publication number: 20230082467Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating the articles are provided. One exemplary method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, the foamable material; maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material; optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure; and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2022Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Patent number: 11603445Abstract: Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the foamed articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating such foamed articles are provided. In one aspect, a method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material, optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure, and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2022Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
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Publication number: 20230042813Abstract: Airsoles or bladders for articles of footwear comprising multi-layered films are provided herein. In one aspect, the airsoles or bladders comprise a first sheet and a second sheet, wherein a first side of the first sheet faces a second side of the second sheet, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are bonded together to form an internal cavity in a space between the first side of the first sheet and the second side of the second sheet, forming a bladder capable of retaining a gas in the internal cavity at a pressure above atmospheric pressure, at atmospheric pressure, or below atmospheric pressure; and wherein each of the first sheet and the second sheet comprise a multi-layered film comprising: a core region comprising at least 20 gas-barrier layers and a plurality of elastomeric layers, wherein the gas-barrier layers alternate with the elastomeric layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2022Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventors: Diya Bandyopadhyay, Narayanan Ashwin Kumar Bharadwaj, Yihua Chang, Christopher J. Dimitriou, Nancy D. Eisenmenger, Adrian M. Lahsene, Sharon Oba, Richard L. Watkins
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Publication number: 20230043845Abstract: Airsoles or bladders for articles of footwear comprising multi-layered films are provided herein. In one aspect, the airsoles or bladders comprise a first sheet and a second sheet, wherein a first side of the first sheet faces a second side of the second sheet, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are bonded together to form an internal cavity in a space between the first side of the first sheet and the second side of the second sheet, forming a bladder capable of retaining a gas in the internal cavity at a pressure above atmospheric pressure, at atmospheric pressure, or below atmospheric pressure; and wherein each of the first sheet and the second sheet comprise a multi-layered film comprising: a core region comprising at least 20 gas-barrier layers and a plurality of elastomeric layers, wherein the gas-barrier layers alternate with the elastomeric layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2022Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventors: Diya Bandyopadhyay, Narayanan Ashwin Kumar Bharadwaj, Yihua Chang, Christopher J. Dimitriou, Nancy D. Eisenmenger, Adrian M. Lahsene, Sharon Oba, Richard L. Watkins
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Publication number: 20230042037Abstract: Airsoles or bladders for articles of footwear comprising multi-layered films are provided herein. In one aspect, the airsoles or bladders comprise a first sheet and a second sheet, wherein a first side of the first sheet faces a second side of the second sheet, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are bonded together to form an internal cavity in a space between the first side of the first sheet and the second side of the second sheet, forming a bladder capable of retaining a gas in the internal cavity at a pressure above atmospheric pressure, at atmospheric pressure, or below atmospheric pressure; and wherein each of the first sheet and the second sheet comprise a multi-layered film comprising: a core region comprising at least 20 gas barrier layers and a plurality of elastomeric layers, wherein the gas-barrier layers alternate with the elastomeric layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2022Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventors: Diya Bandyopadhyay, Narayanan Ashwin Kumar Bharadwaj, Yihua Chang, Christopher J. Dimitriou, Nancy D. Eisenmenger, Sharon Oba, Richard L. Watkins
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Publication number: 20230041247Abstract: Airsoles or bladders for articles of footwear comprising multi-layered films are provided herein. In one aspect, the airsoles or bladders comprise a first sheet and a second sheet, wherein a first side of the first sheet faces a second side of the second sheet, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are bonded together to form an internal cavity in a space between the first side of the first sheet and the second side of the second sheet, forming a bladder capable of retaining a gas in the internal cavity at a pressure above atmospheric pressure, at atmospheric pressure, or below atmospheric pressure; and wherein each of the first sheet and the second sheet comprise a multi-layered film comprising: a core region comprising at least 20 gas barrier layers and a plurality of elastomeric layers, wherein the gas-barrier layers alternate with the elastomeric layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2022Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventors: Diya Bandyopadhyay, Narayanan Ashwin Kumar Bharadwaj, Yihua Chang, Christopher J. Dimitriou, Nancy D. Eisenmenger, Sharon Oba, Richard L. Watkins