Nike, Inc.

Eric L Fliss

Samuel Heinzman

Lee D Peyton

Zachary M Elder

Frederick J Dojan

Troy C Lindner

Eric Steven Schindler

Fidencio Campos, Ii

Benjamin J Monfils

Melanie N Moteberg

Scott Ryan Berggren

Mark McNamee

Scott W Johnson

Kenneth William Fricke

Samuel Peter Levno

A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole including a polymeric bladder element enclosing a fluid-filled interior cavity, a first outsole component secured to a bottom surface and to a side surface of the polymeric bladder element, and a second outsole component. The first outsole component includes a first base, and a wall integral with the first base. The second outsole component includes a second base secured to the first base, and a wall integral with the second base and secured to the outer surface of the wall of the first outsole component. A method of manufacturing the article of footwear includes thermoforming the bladder element and the first outsole component, and securing the second outsole component to the first outsole component.

Article of footwear with first and second outsole components and method of manufacturing an article of footwear

A fluid chamber for a shoe may be formed using pressure channels in a forming mold, eliminating the need to insert a nozzle or needles into the chamber for inflation. A fluid chamber so formed may have a smaller seal area than a chamber formed using an inflation needle, making the chamber more visually pleasing. Apparatus and methods for forming a fluid chamber in this fashion are also disclosed.

Mold and method for forming a pressurized fluid chamber

A fluid chamber () for a shoe may be formed using pressure channels () in a forming mold (A), eliminating the need to insert a nozzle or needles into the chamber for inflation. A fluid chamber so formed may have a smaller seal area than a chamber formed using an inflation needle, making the chamber more visually pleasing. Apparatus and methods for forming a fluid chamber in this fashion are disclosed.

A sport ball may include a casing, a bladder, and a valve. The casing forms at least a portion of an exterior surface of the ball. The bladder is located within the casing for enclosing a pressurized fluid, and the bladder may be formed from a material that includes a first layer of thermoplastic polymer material and a second layer of a barrier material. The valve is for introducing the fluid to the bladder, and the valve is secured to the bladder and accessible from an exterior of the casing. A tie layer may be located between the flange and a surface of the bladder to join the flange to the bladder.

Sport ball with an inflation-retention bladder

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Vancouver, WA, United States of America

Eric L Fliss