Nike, Inc.

Feng Tay Enterprises Co., Ltd.

Aaron Bender

Hideyuki Ishii

Chen-Tai Liu

Jun Ichinose

Nicholas Yontz

Nicholas A Leech

Chien-Hsin Chou

Eric Y Lee

Shih-Kai Lin

Arthur Parker Molinari

Yasushi Ichikawa

Bradley C Tutmark

Hsin Cheng

Kerby LaVar Maxwell

Chen-Hsin Chou

Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment are provided including a high energy return foam having improved abrasion resistance. A variety of foams and foam components and compositions for forming the foams are provided. In some aspects, the foams and components including the foams can have exceptionally high energy return while also having improved durability and softness and an improved abrasion resistance. In particular, midsoles including the foams are provided for use in an article of footwear. Methods of making the compositions and foams 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.

High energy return foam compositions having improved abrasion resistance and uses thereof

A golf ball core for use in a multi-piece golf ball includes a solid sphere and between 100 and 300 spaced polygonal protrusions extending from the solid sphere in a radially outward direction. The sphere is substantially formed from an ionomeric material, and has a diameter (D) of between 24 mm and 32 mm. The polygonal protrusions extend from the sphere by a maximum distance of between 0.15 mm and 1.0 mm.

Golf ball core

A multi-layer golf ball includes a core having an outer surface, and intermediate layer surrounding the core, and a cover surrounding the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer defines a radially inward facing surface that is flush with the outer surface of the core, and the cover defines the outermost surface of ball. The outer surface of the core includes a plurality of polygonal land portions aligned on a common sphere. The outer surface of the core further defines a first plurality of annular grooves disposed about a first axis, a second plurality of annular grooves disposed about a second axis, and a third plurality of annular grooves disposed about a third axis. The first axis, the second axis, and the third axis are mutually orthogonal, and each groove respectively extends from the common sphere and is concave relative to the core.

Multi-layer golf ball

A method of forming a golf ball includes forming a core using a 3D printer, and molding a cover in a surrounding position over the core through at least one of compression molding and injection molding. The core may be formed by printing a first core portion, printing a second core portion, and fusing the first core portion with the second core portion to form the core. Each of the first and second core portions may respectively include a plurality of concentric shells that are sequentially constructed.

3D printed golf ball core

A method and system for making a golf ball core is disclosed. The method may generally include forming a golf ball core out of a raw core material. The golf ball core may be rapidly heated to begin curing (or vulcanizing) from the outermost surface toward the center of the golf ball core. Before curing the entire golf ball core, the golf ball core may be quenched to stop the curing process. As a result, the golf ball core may include an outer cured zone and an inner uncured zone. In this state, the golf ball core may be incorporated into a finished golf ball to be sold to consumers. Following a set of instructions provided with the golf ball, the consumer may heat the golf ball and a cure indicator to customize the properties of the golf ball core, and, thus, the characteristics of the golf ball.

Method and kit for customizing a golf ball

A multi-layer golf ball includes a core, and intermediate layer, and a cover. The core has an outer surface that includes a plurality of depressions extending from a spherical land portion. Each depression has a maximum depth relative to the spherical land portion of between 0.15 mm and 2.0 mm. The intermediate layer surrounds the core and has a radially inward surface that is flush with the outer surface of the core. The cover layer surrounds the intermediate layer and defines an outermost portion of ball.

A three dimensional printer includes a work surface, an arcuate track disposed within in a track plane that is orthogonal to the work surface, a carriage slidably disposed on the track and translatable relative thereto, and a print head supported by the carriage. The track has a constant radius of curvature extending from a point on the work surface. The print head is translatable in a radial direction relative to the track, and includes a nozzle defining a print orifice, a mixing cavity disposed within the nozzle and in fluid communication with the orifice, and both a first and second filament feeder, each configured to controllably advance a respective filament into the mixing cavity at a respective feed rate. The print head further includes a heating element in thermal communication with the mixing cavity and configured to melt each of the first filament and the second filament.

3D printer with native spherical control

A method and system for making a golf ball core is disclosed. The method may generally include forming a golf ball core out of a raw core material. The golf ball core may be rapidly heated to begin curing (or vulcanizing) from the outermost surface toward the center of the golf ball core. Before curing the entire golf ball core, the golf ball core may be quenched to stop the curing process. As a result, the golf ball core may include an outer cured zone and an inner uncured zone. In this state, the golf ball core may be incorporated into a finished golf ball to be sold to consumers. Following a set of instructions provided with the golf ball, the consumer may heat the golf ball to customize the properties of the golf ball core, and, thus, the characteristics of the golf ball.

Method of making a golf ball core

A method of making and recycling a golf ball is disclosed. The method may include processing a used golf ball to make the materials of the used golf ball reusable in a new golf ball. As a result, the disclosed method may decrease the waste of disposing of used golf balls and the costs associated with acquiring and/or processing new materials. The method may include melting a golf ball made of layers each having a different melting point. The materials may be separated by melting the different layers one by one. The method of recycling a golf ball may generally include pulverizing used golf balls made of materials having differing amounts of magnetic additive into particles. The particles may be separated by a magnetic field. At least a portion of the particles may be reused to make a new golf ball.

Method of recycling a golf ball

A golf ball having a golf ball core, one or more intermediate layers and a cover layer is disclosed. The golf ball core may include an inner core having radial appendages. The radial appendages may protrude from the inner core in a spherically symmetrical pattern. The radial appendages may be formed from the same material as the inner core. The one or more intermediate layers may surround the inner core and fill the voids between the radial appendages.

Growing community of inventors

Portland, OR, United States of America

Aaron Bender