US 12,404,615 B2
Thermoplastic non-woven textile elements
Bhupesh Dua, Portland, OR (US); and Karen A. Hawkinson, Portland, OR (US)
Assigned to NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed by NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed on Apr. 2, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/624,946.
Application 13/426,361 is a division of application No. 12/367,274, filed on Feb. 6, 2009, abandoned.
Application 18/624,946 is a continuation of application No. 18/308,728, filed on Apr. 28, 2023.
Application 18/308,728 is a continuation of application No. 16/160,259, filed on Oct. 15, 2018, abandoned.
Application 16/160,259 is a continuation of application No. 13/426,361, filed on Mar. 21, 2012, abandoned.
Prior Publication US 2024/0247417 A1, Jul. 25, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A43B 1/00 (2006.01); A41B 1/08 (2006.01); A41D 1/06 (2006.01); A43B 1/02 (2022.01); A43B 1/028 (2022.01); A43B 3/00 (2022.01); A43B 9/16 (2006.01); A43B 23/02 (2006.01); A43B 23/24 (2006.01); B29C 65/00 (2006.01); B29C 65/02 (2006.01); B29C 65/18 (2006.01); B29D 35/00 (2010.01); B32B 3/26 (2006.01); B32B 3/30 (2006.01); B32B 5/02 (2006.01); B32B 5/04 (2006.01); B32B 5/06 (2006.01); B32B 5/08 (2006.01); B32B 5/14 (2006.01); B32B 5/22 (2006.01); B32B 5/24 (2006.01); B32B 5/26 (2006.01); B32B 7/12 (2006.01); B32B 27/12 (2006.01); D04H 1/52 (2006.01); D04H 1/558 (2012.01); D04H 3/14 (2012.01); D04H 3/153 (2012.01); D04H 5/08 (2012.01); D04H 13/00 (2006.01); D06H 5/00 (2006.01); B29L 31/48 (2006.01); B29L 31/50 (2006.01)
CPC D04H 3/14 (2013.01) [A41B 1/08 (2013.01); A41D 1/06 (2013.01); A43B 1/00 (2013.01); A43B 1/0063 (2013.01); A43B 1/028 (2022.01); A43B 3/0078 (2013.01); A43B 9/16 (2013.01); A43B 23/0255 (2013.01); A43B 23/026 (2013.01); A43B 23/027 (2013.01); A43B 23/0275 (2013.01); A43B 23/24 (2013.01); B29C 65/022 (2013.01); B29C 65/18 (2013.01); B29C 66/1122 (2013.01); B29C 66/1282 (2013.01); B29C 66/12841 (2013.01); B29C 66/133 (2013.01); B29C 66/14 (2013.01); B29C 66/244 (2013.01); B29C 66/303 (2013.01); B29C 66/30326 (2013.01); B29C 66/43 (2013.01); B29C 66/431 (2013.01); B29C 66/433 (2013.01); B29C 66/45 (2013.01); B29C 66/472 (2013.01); B29C 66/4722 (2013.01); B29C 66/4724 (2013.01); B29C 66/71 (2013.01); B29C 66/723 (2013.01); B29C 66/7294 (2013.01); B29C 66/7392 (2013.01); B29C 66/73921 (2013.01); B29C 66/8226 (2013.01); B29C 66/83221 (2013.01); B29C 66/8362 (2013.01); B29D 35/00 (2013.01); B32B 3/263 (2013.01); B32B 3/30 (2013.01); B32B 5/02 (2013.01); B32B 5/022 (2013.01); B32B 5/024 (2013.01); B32B 5/04 (2013.01); B32B 5/06 (2013.01); B32B 5/08 (2013.01); B32B 5/142 (2013.01); B32B 5/22 (2013.01); B32B 5/24 (2013.01); B32B 5/245 (2013.01); B32B 5/26 (2013.01); B32B 7/12 (2013.01); B32B 27/12 (2013.01); D04H 1/52 (2013.01); D04H 1/558 (2013.01); D04H 3/153 (2013.01); D04H 5/08 (2013.01); D04H 13/00 (2013.01); D06H 5/00 (2013.01); A41D 2500/30 (2013.01); B29C 66/727 (2013.01); B29C 66/729 (2013.01); B29C 66/7394 (2013.01); B29C 66/81422 (2013.01); B29C 66/81423 (2013.01); B29C 66/81435 (2013.01); B29L 2031/4842 (2013.01); B29L 2031/4857 (2013.01); B29L 2031/50 (2013.01); B32B 2262/02 (2013.01); B32B 2262/0253 (2013.01); B32B 2262/0261 (2013.01); B32B 2262/0269 (2013.01); B32B 2262/0276 (2013.01); B32B 2262/0292 (2013.01); B32B 2262/106 (2013.01); B32B 2262/12 (2013.01); B32B 2262/14 (2013.01); B32B 2266/02 (2013.01); B32B 2266/0214 (2013.01); B32B 2307/50 (2013.01); B32B 2307/51 (2013.01); B32B 2437/00 (2013.01); B32B 2437/02 (2013.01); D10B 2331/10 (2013.01); D10B 2403/033 (2013.01); Y10T 428/19 (2015.01); Y10T 428/2481 (2015.01); Y10T 428/24826 (2015.01); Y10T 442/608 (2015.04); Y10T 442/652 (2015.04); Y10T 442/69 (2015.04)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An article of footwear, comprising:
an upper comprising a textile that defines at least a top area, a rear area, and a lateral area of the upper, wherein the textile includes a plurality of filaments, wherein the textile comprises:
(i) a first fused region forming a heel counter at the rear area;
(ii) a second fused region at the lateral area;
(iii) a plurality of lace apertures formed adjacent to the lateral area; and
(iv) a tongue positioned adjacent to the top area;
a sole structure extending between an upper surface and a lower surface, the sole structure comprising a foam, the upper surface of the sole structure being thermally coupled to the upper;
an outsole coupled to the lower surface of the sole structure on an opposite side of the sole structure relative to the upper;
a plurality of apertures at least partially formed in the sole structure;
and a lace coupled to the upper at the textile and received through the plurality of lace apertures;
wherein each of the plurality of filaments of the textile, the foam of the sole structure, the outsole, and the lace comprises a thermoplastic polymer material such that substantially all of the article of footwear comprises the thermoplastic polymer material, wherein the thermoplastic polymer material comprises a thermoplastic polyamide, and at least a portion of the thermoplastic polyamide comprises a material extracted or recycled from another article of footwear;
and wherein the plurality of filaments positioned at the first fused region and the second fused region are fused together to form non-filamentous portions along the upper, and the textile has a smaller thickness at the first fused region and/or the second fused region relative to remaining regions of the textile.