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).

  • Patent number: 11946818
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tina M. Casillas, James Meschter, Richard L. Watkins
  • Patent number: 11938703
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Diya Bandyopadhyay, Narayanan Ashwin Kumar Bharadwaj, Yihua Chang, Christopher J. Dimitriou, Nancy D. Eisenmenger, Sharon Oba, Richard L. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20240067826
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Yihua Chang, Christopher J. Dimitriou, Jeremy Gantz, Adam Kohn, Richard L. Watkins, Mary Austin
  • Patent number: 11903440
    Abstract: Multi-layered structures and methods for producing them are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Diya Bandyopadhyay, Yihua Chang, Christopher J. Dimitriou, Fred Lamar, Richard L Watkins, John R. Wright
  • Patent number: 11891521
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Yihua Chang, Christopher J. Dimitriou, Jeremy Gantz, Adam Kohn, Richard L Watkins, Mary Austin
  • Publication number: 20230407537
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
  • Patent number: 11846053
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
  • Patent number: 11844397
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
  • Patent number: 11766093
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20230272215
    Abstract: Multi-layered structures and methods for producing them are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Yihua Chang, Richard L. Watkins
  • Patent number: 11685816
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20230182357
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20230148714
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20230091558
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20230082467
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
  • Patent number: 11603445
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Yihua Chang, Lyle R. Hanson, Petr Khlyabich, Richard L. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20230042813
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Diya Bandyopadhyay, Narayanan Ashwin Kumar Bharadwaj, Yihua Chang, Christopher J. Dimitriou, Nancy D. Eisenmenger, Adrian M. Lahsene, Sharon Oba, Richard L. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20230043845
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Diya Bandyopadhyay, Narayanan Ashwin Kumar Bharadwaj, Yihua Chang, Christopher J. Dimitriou, Nancy D. Eisenmenger, Adrian M. Lahsene, Sharon Oba, Richard L. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20230042037
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Diya Bandyopadhyay, Narayanan Ashwin Kumar Bharadwaj, Yihua Chang, Christopher J. Dimitriou, Nancy D. Eisenmenger, Sharon Oba, Richard L. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20230041247
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Diya Bandyopadhyay, Narayanan Ashwin Kumar Bharadwaj, Yihua Chang, Christopher J. Dimitriou, Nancy D. Eisenmenger, Sharon Oba, Richard L. Watkins