Alistair Hather

Title: **Innovative Contributions of Alistair Hather in Footwear Technology**

Introduction

Alistair Hather is a notable inventor based in Portland, Oregon, known for his contributions to the footwear industry. With two patents to his name, Hather has made significant advancements in the design and manufacturing of footwear, focusing particularly on thermo-molded technologies.

Latest Patents

Hather's latest patents include "Three-dimensionally thermo-molded footwear" and "Three-dimensional thermo-molding of footwear." The first patent revolves around articles of footwear featuring a thermo-molded upper made from low melting point thermoplastic polymers. The innovative design includes a skin that may consist of a base layer and a grid layer composed of these thermoplastic polymers. The manufacturing process involves placing the skin and an inflatable bladder into a heated mold cavity, where the inflatable bladder is inflated to press the skin against the mold's interior surface, creating a well-fitted upper.

The second patent outlines methods for producing these thermo-formed uppers, emphasizing the same materials and manufacturing techniques. This method also utilizes a skin over an inflatable bladder, which is then placed in a heated mold, ensuring the skin takes on the exact shape of the mold, resulting in a precise and customizable fit for footwear.

Career Highlights

Hather currently works with Adidas AG, a leading name in the sportswear and footwear industry. His role in the company has been pivotal in integrating innovative technologies into their footwear designs, enhancing both performance and user comfort.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Alistair Hather has collaborated with other inventive minds such as Ronald Daniel Becker and Edward John Musho. These partnerships have fostered a creative environment, leading to the development of cutting-edge technologies in footwear manufacturing.

Conclusion

Alistair Hather exemplifies the spirit of innovation within the footwear industry. His patents not only reflect technical ingenuity but also highlight a commitment to improving the functionality and comfort of footwear. As he continues his work at Adidas AG, Hather’s inventive contributions will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the future of athletic footwear technology.