Nike, Inc.

Mike, Inc.

Fred Dojan

Joel L Passke

John F Swigart

K Peter Hazenberg

Peter K Hazenberg

An article of athletic footwear having an air-filled bladder disposed in a sole structure is disclosed. The air-filled bladder is in fluid communication with ambient air through a filter that permits ambient air to enter the bladder but restricts liquids and particulates from entering the bladder. In operation, the filter and bladder may be portions of a bladder system that absorb shock when the footwear contacts a playing surface. Alternatively, the filter and bladder may be portions of a bladder system that ventilates the interior of the footwear. The filter may be formed of a material such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene that is attached to a carrier.

Article of footwear incorporating a fluid system

The invention is a method for joining two components of a fluid system. The method involves forming a first flange on a first fluid component and placing the first flange in an abutting relationship with a second flange that is formed on a second fluid component. The abutting relationship may be such that conduit portions of the fluid components are axially aligned. The flanges may then be bonded together such that the bond encircles the conduits and prevents fluid from entering or exiting the system from the bond. A bond of this type also places the first and second components in fluid communication. The fluid system may be incorporated into a sole structure of an article of footwear.

Method for flange bonding

The invention is a fluid system with an internal filter assembly that prevents particulate from moving between portions of the fluid system. The internal filter assembly is located within a fluid path extending between a particle source, such as a textile tensile member, and a portion of the fluid system that may be affected by particulates from the particle source, such as a value. The fluid system, and particularly the internal filter assembly, has applicability to articles of footwear, for example.

Growing community of inventors

Vancouver, WA, United States of America

Fred Dojan