Patents by Inventor Zachary C. Wright

Zachary C. Wright 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: 20230094966
    Abstract: Resin compositions composed of a polyolefin copolymer, a polymeric resin modifier, and a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) are provided herein. A variety of sole structures for footwear, including plates, are provided including the polyolefin-based resin compositions described herein. Articles of footwear formed therefrom are also provided. Methods of making the polyolefin-based resin compositions, plates, sole structures, and articles of footwear and sporting equipment are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Carmen Davis, Isaac Farr, Devon Frazier, Jeremy D. Walker, Zachary C. Wright
  • Publication number: 20230100218
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to articles of footwear (100) and components thereof, including outsoles (112), which can be used in conditions normally conducive to the accumulation of soil on the outsoles (112). In particular, the disclosure relates to articles of footwear (100) and components thereof including an outsole (112) with a material (116) including a polymeric network formed of a plurality of polymer chains, where the material (116) defines external ground-facing surface or side of the outsole (112). The outsoles (112) can prevent or reduce the accumulation of soil on the footwear (100) during wear on unpaved surfaces such as sporting fields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Hossein A. Baghdadi, Caleb W. Dyer, Myron Maurer, Denis Schiller, Jeremy D. Walker, Zachary C. Wright
  • Patent number: 11540591
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Hossein A. Baghdadi, Jay Constantinou, Caleb W. Dyer, Myron Maurer, Denis Schiller, Jeremy D. Walker, Richard L. Watkins, Zachary C. Wright
  • Publication number: 20220408875
    Abstract: Sole structures including a plate including a first polyolefin resin, and an edge portion comprising a second resin are disclosed herein. The edge portion is more flexible or less rigid than the plate. Articles of footwear formed from the sole structures are also provided. Methods of making the polyolefin resin compositions, plates, edge portions, sole structures, and articles of footwear are also provided. In some aspects, the first polyolefin resin composition includes an effective amount of a polymeric resin modifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Isaac Farr, Devon Frazier, Jeremy D. Walker, Zachary C. Wright
  • Publication number: 20220402236
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for composite textiles that can include a coating layer that is compatible with textiles such as those comprising polyolefins. The coating layer, as well as the precursor coating layer composition, the coating mixture, or resin composition used to form the coating layer, include a mixture of a polyolefin resin and a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV). It is believed that the use of the coating layer in the disclosed composite textiles can promote better bonding between other components or materials used in articles, such as articles of footwear or articles of clothing, while resisting or preventing creasing and bagging. This allows the use of cost-effective materials such as polyolefins in the composite textiles that have adequate physical and mechanical properties, while also having sufficient chemical bonding properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Isaac Farr, Zachary C. Wright, Chih-Yin Chou, Chun-Wei Kuo
  • Publication number: 20220395059
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are articles of footwear including an upper, a plate including a first polyolefin resin, and a rand are disclosed herein. The rand is coupled with the surface of the upper, the surface of the plate, or both. The rand is more flexible or less rigid than the plate. Methods of making articles of footwear are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Isaac Farr, Devon Frazier, Jeremy D. Walker, Zachary C. Wright
  • Publication number: 20220386740
    Abstract: An article of footwear (100), apparel (500, 600), and/or sporting equipment (300, 400), and methods of manufacturing thereof, having a hydrogel present on at least a portion of an externally-facing side of the article. The hydrogel is effective in reducing soil accumulation on the article, and/or for reducing soil adhesion to the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Hossein A. Baghdadi, Caleb W. Dyer, Eun Kyung Lee, Myron Maurer, Denis Schiller, Jeremy D. Walker, Zachary C. Wright
  • Patent number: 11517071
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to articles of footwear (100) and components thereof, including outsoles (112), which can be used in conditions normally conducive to the accumulation of soil on the outsoles (112). In particular, the disclosure relates to articles of footwear (100) and components thereof including an outsole (112) with a material (116) including a polymeric network formed of a plurality of polymer chains, where the material (116) defines external ground-facing surface or side of the outsole (112). The outsoles (112) can prevent or reduce the accumulation of soil on the footwear (100) during wear on unpaved surfaces such as sporting fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Hossein A. Baghdadi, Caleb W. Dyer, Myron Maurer, Denis Schiller, Jeremy D. Walker, Zachary C. Wright
  • Patent number: 11503875
    Abstract: Sole structures including a plate including a first polyolefin resin, and an edge portion comprising a second resin are disclosed herein. The edge portion is more flexible or less rigid than the plate. Articles of footwear formed from the sole structures are also provided. Methods of making the polyolefin resin compositions, plates, edge portions, sole structures, and articles of footwear are also provided. In some aspects, the first polyolefin resin composition includes an effective amount of a polymeric resin modifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Isaac Farr, Devon Frazier, Jeremy D. Walker, Zachary C. Wright
  • Patent number: 11470914
    Abstract: Sole structures including a plate including a first polyolefin resin, and an edge portion comprising a second resin are disclosed herein. The edge portion is more flexible or less rigid than the plate. Articles of footwear formed from the sole structures are also provided. Methods of making the polyolefin resin compositions, plates, edge portions, sole structures, and articles of footwear are also provided. In some aspects, the first polyolefin resin composition includes an effective amount of a polymeric resin modifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Isaac Farr, Devon Frazier, Jeremy D. Walker, Zachary C. Wright
  • Patent number: 11445782
    Abstract: An article of footwear (100), apparel (500, 600), and/or sporting equipment (300, 400), and methods of manufacturing thereof, having a hydrogel present on at least a portion of an externally-facing side of the article. The hydrogel is effective in reducing soil accumulation on the article, and/or for reducing soil adhesion to the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Hossein A. Baghdadi, Caleb W. Dyer, Eun Kyung Lee, Myron Maurer, Denis Schiller, Jeremy D. Walker, Zachary C. Wright
  • Publication number: 20220211141
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: HOSSEIN A. BAGHDADI, JAY CONSTANTINOU, CALEB W. DYER, MYRON MAURER, DENIS SCHILLER, JEREMY D. WALKER, RICHARD L. WATKINS, ZACHARY C. WRIGHT
  • Publication number: 20220151336
    Abstract: A variety of plates for footwear are provided including a polyolefin resin. Sole structures and articles of footwear formed therefrom are also provided. Methods of making the polyolefin resin compositions, plates, sole structures, and articles of footwear are also provided. In some aspects, the polyolefin resin composition includes an effective amount of a polymeric resin modifier. The effective amount can be an amount effective to allow the resin composition to pass a flex test, and in particular to pass a flex test without significant change in abrasion loss. In some aspects, the resin composition also includes a clarifying agent to improve optical clarity of the plate. In some aspects, the plates include a textile disposed on one or both of a first side and the second side of the plate. The textile can provide for improved bonding of the plate to other components such as a chassis or an upper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Isaac Farr, Devon Frazier, Jeremy D. Walker, Zachary C. Wright
  • Patent number: 11272758
    Abstract: A variety of plates for footwear are provided including a polyolefin resin. Sole structures and articles of footwear formed therefrom are also provided. Methods of making the polyolefin resin compositions, plates, sole structures, and articles of footwear are also provided. In some aspects, the polyolefin resin composition includes an effective amount of a polymeric resin modifier. The effective amount can be an amount effective to allow the resin composition to pass a flex test, and in particular to pass a flex test without significant change in abrasion loss. In some aspects, the resin composition also includes a clarifying agent to improve optical clarity of the plate. In some aspects, the plates include a textile disposed on one or both of a first side and the second side of the plate. The textile can provide for improved bonding of the plate to other components such as a chassis or an upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Isaac Farr, Devon Frazier, Jeremy D. Walker, Zachary C. Wright
  • Publication number: 20220071345
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Jay Constantinou, Caleb W. Dyer, Jeremy D. Walker, Zachary C. Wright
  • Publication number: 20220015505
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Jay Constantinou, Isaac Farr, Jeremy D. Walker, Zachary C. Wright
  • Patent number: 11213091
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Constantinou, Caleb W. Dyer, Jeremy D. Walker, Zachary C. Wright
  • Publication number: 20210379859
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in general, provides for elastomeric materials which, when they contact water, take up water reversibly, and undergo a dry to wet “character change” in which the appearance of the elastomeric material, its physical properties, or both, is altered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: JAY CONSTANTINOU, CALEB W. DYER, JEREMY D. WALKER, ZACHARY C. WRIGHT
  • Patent number: 11178933
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to articles of footwear and components thereof, including outsoles, which can be used in conditions normally conducive to the accumulation of soil on the outsoles. In particular, the disclosure relates to articles of footwear and components thereof including an outsole having a dispersion present on a ground facing surface of the outsole. The dispersion compositionally includes a polymeric continuous phase and a hydrophilic dispersant, and exhibits a water uptake rate greater than 20 grams/(meter2-minutes1/2). The outsoles can prevent or reduce the accumulation of soil on the footwear during wear on unpaved surfaces such as sporting fields. When the outsoles are wetted with water, the outsoles can become more compliant and/or can rapidly uptake and/or expel water, which can prevent soil from adhering to the outsole and/or can assist in shedding soil present on the outsole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb W. Dyer, Myron Maurer, Denis Schiller, Jeremy D. Walker, Zachary C. Wright
  • Patent number: 11130309
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in general, provides for elastomeric materials which, when they contact water, take up water reversibly, and undergo a dry to wet “character change” in which the appearance of the elastomeric material, its physical properties, or both, is altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Constantinou, Caleb W. Dyer, Jeremy D. Walker, Zachary C. Wright