Invented by Lysandre Follet, Douglas A. Beye, Daniel A. Podhajny, Nike Inc

Spacer textile material with multiple tensile-stranded channels is a unique and innovative product that is gaining popularity in the textile industry. This material is designed to provide superior cushioning and support, making it ideal for a wide range of applications, including automotive, furniture, and medical industries. The market for spacer textile material with multiple tensile-stranded channels is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global market for spacer fabrics is projected to reach $2.5 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2020 to 2025. One of the main drivers of this growth is the increasing demand for high-performance textiles in various industries. Spacer fabrics are known for their excellent thermal insulation, breathability, and moisture-wicking properties, making them ideal for use in automotive and sports apparel. Additionally, the medical industry is also expected to drive demand for spacer fabrics, as they are used in orthopedic braces and prosthetics. Another factor contributing to the growth of the spacer textile material market is the increasing focus on sustainability. Spacer fabrics are made from recycled materials, making them an eco-friendly alternative to traditional textiles. This is particularly important in the automotive industry, where there is a growing demand for sustainable materials. The market for spacer textile material with multiple tensile-stranded channels is also benefiting from advancements in technology. Manufacturers are developing new techniques for producing spacer fabrics, such as 3D knitting and weaving, which allow for greater flexibility and customization. This is particularly important in the furniture industry, where spacer fabrics can be tailored to meet specific design requirements. In conclusion, the market for spacer textile material with multiple tensile-stranded channels is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. The increasing demand for high-performance textiles, focus on sustainability, and advancements in technology are all contributing to this growth. As the market continues to expand, we can expect to see new applications and innovations in this exciting and dynamic industry.

The Nike Inc invention works as follows

A spacer textile material that contains at least one portion of multiple tensile-strands, located between a first and second layers of the spacer fabric material. The channels are formed by joining the first and second layers to allow the tensile fibers to move freely. The tensile strings may be placed in the same spacer textile material or separated into separate parts of the spacer fabric. The spacer textile material may also be used to make footwear.

Background for Spacer textile material with multiple tensile-stranded channels

The main elements of footwear are usually an upper and a sole. For a secure and comfortable foot-receiving experience, the upper often consists of a variety of materials (e.g. textiles, polymer sheets layers, foam layers or leather layers), that are stitched together or adhesively bonded together. The upper extends from the heel to the ankle, over the medial and lateral sides, as well as the instep and toe of the feet. An upper might also include a lacing system that adjusts the fit of footwear and allows for entry and exit of the foot from the space within it. The tongue may extend under the lacing system, allowing for greater adjustability and comfort. Additionally, the upper might include a heel counter.

The different material elements that make up the upper give specific properties to each area. Textile elements can provide breathability and absorb moisture from the feet, while foam layers can compress to give comfort and durability. Leather may also be durable and resistant to wear. The overall weight of footwear can increase as the number of materials increases. Transporting, stocking and cutting the material may take longer and cost more. As the number of material elements in an upper increases, so does the amount of waste material that is generated from cutting and sewing. Products with more material elements can be more difficult to recycle than those made from fewer elements. The number of material elements can be reduced, which will reduce the shoe’s mass and increase manufacturing efficiency.

The sole structure is attached to the lower portion of the upper to ensure that it is positioned between your foot and the ground. For example, athletic shoes have a sole structure that includes a midsole or an outsole. A polymer foam material may be used as the midsole to reduce ground reaction forces and provide cushioning during running, walking and other ambulatory activities. Fluid-filled chambers, plates and moderators may be included in the midsole to further reduce forces, improve stability, or affect the motions of your foot. The outsole is a contact point for the footwear. It is typically made from durable rubber and can be worn-resistant. To enhance comfort, the sole structure can also have a sockliner that is placed within the upper and proximal to the lower surfaces of the feet.

A spacer textile material is one that includes a first and second layer as well as a plurality connecting members that extend between the first and second layers. The channel is also made up of portions of the first and second layers that are in direct contact, as well as a first and second tensile respectively. The channel contains a portion each of the first and second tensile strings.

A spacer textile material is another aspect that includes a first and second layers and a plurality connecting members that extend between the first and second layers. The spacer textile material also contains a first tensile, second tensile and third tensile yarns as well as a channel that is bound by portions of the first and second layers that are in direct touch. The channel contains the first portion, the second tensile and the third tensile portions of the first tensile.

An article of footwear may also include an upper and sole structure. At least one portion of the upper includes a spacer material that has a first, second, and multiple connecting members. These connect between the first and second layers. The channel is also comprised of a channel that is bound by portions of the first and second layers that are directly in contact. The channel contains a portion of the first and second tensile strings.

Other systems and methods, features, and advantages of this disclosure will be or will become apparent to one with ordinary skill in art upon examination and description of the following figures. All such additional systems, methods and features, as well as the benefits, are to be included in this description and the summary. They will be covered by the following claims.

FIG. “FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a 100-spacer textile material. Spacer textile material 100 can include a first layer 110 and a second layer 120. In one embodiment, the second layer 120 is at least partially coextensive to first layer 110. Spacer textile material 100 can also include a number of connecting members 130, which extend between the first layer 110 or second layer 120.

Connecting members 130 can be organized to form a series or rows. There are various spaces between the rows of connecting members 130. The rows of connecting members 130 can be nearly parallel and distributed at approximately equal distances across the spacer textile material 100 in some embodiments. Other embodiments may have rows that are not parallel or unevenly spaced. There may be spaces within the spacer textile material 100 that connect members 130 are missing. Spaces can be defined as areas between rows formed by connecting members 130.

Spacer textile material 100 may also define at least two opposite edges, first and second edges 140 and 160. These are edges of the first layer 110 and second layers 120. In certain embodiments, each edge 140 and 160 of the first layer 140 may be substantially parallel with the rows formed by connecting members 130.

The spacer textile material can be made using any method that is suitable for making such a material. One or more yarns may be fed into a traditional knitting machine. Each layer of the knitting apparatus can be formed by mechanically manipulating yarns. The knitting apparatus can also manipulate yarns to create connecting members between the second and first layers. The first and second layers may be knitted layers. The connecting members can be sections of at most one yarn that extend between each layer. The process also creates spaces, edges and stabilization structures.

Once formed, the spacer material is removed from the knitting apparatus and collected on a roll. Once enough spacer material has been collected, the roll can be sent or transported to a manufacturer for use in the manufacture of footwear. The spacer textile material can be finished (e.g. dying or fleecing) before being collected on a roll.

Examples and methods for making spacer material are described in Chao et.al., U.S. patent Publication Number 2013/0266773, entitled?Spacer Textile Materials & Methods for Manufacturing the Spacer Textile Materials. Publication date: October 10, 2013, Goodwin et. al., U.S. Pat. No. No. 6,119,371, entitled “Resilient Bladder For Use in Footwear”, issued Sep. 19, 2000; and Goodwin U.S. Pat. No. No. 7,076,891, entitled “Flexible Fluid Filled Bladder For an Article of Footwear”,? Issued on Jul. 18 2006, all of which are incorporated by reference.

Some embodiments may contain a tensile string. One or more tensile sections may be placed between the first and second layers in some embodiments. One or more tensile sections may be placed in channels. These channels can be made by joining the first and second layers of the spacer textile materials. The tensile string can be moved freely within the channels after assembly.

As mentioned above, at least one tensile-strand may be included in the spacer textile fabric. The tensile string may be found in any part of the spacer material. FIG. FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a 200-weight spacer textile material. The tensile string 240 may be included in spacer textile material 200. Spacer textile material 200 can also include connecting members 230 which extend between the first and second layers 210 and 220. Connecting members 230 can be organized to create rows separated by different spaces. Between the first and second layers 210, 240 of tensile string 240 can be placed a portion. Tensile strand 244 may be placed in the space between connecting members 230.

Spacer textile material 200″ also refers to at least two opposite edges. First edge 250, second edge 260. The edges of the first layer 210 or 220 may also be defined by the first edge 250 and second edges 260. In certain embodiments, each edge 250 and 260 of the first layer may be parallel to rows formed by connecting members. In another embodiment, however, the first edge 250 and/or the second edge 260 might not be parallel to rows formed by connecting members.

In different embodiments, the arrangement within a spacer fabric material of a tensile string can differ. One example is that tensile material may be extended through spacer material, i.e. between a first and second layer, in parallel or at different angles to one or more edges. In some embodiments, different segments or portions of a tensile string may be aligned parallel to one another. Other embodiments allow for different segments or portions of tensile strings to be placed at different angles.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary arrangement of a tensile yarn within a spacer material. 2. FIG. FIG. 2 shows a first section 241 of tensile string 240 that may be placed between the first layer 210 of spacer textile material 200 and second layer 220. The first portion 241 can extend generally from the first edge 250 to the second edge 260. A third portion 243 may be placed between the first layer 210 of tensile yarn 240 and the second layer 220 spacer textile material 200. It may also extend between the first edge 250 to second edge 260. A second portion 242 may also be found between the first and third portions 241 and 243 of tensile string 240. Contrary to the first portion 241 or third portion 243 which may be placed between adjacent layers of spacer fabric material 200, second part 242 may extend beyond second edge 260 so that second portion 242 is not between second layer 210 and 220. In certain embodiments, the second portion 242 forms an extended loop from the second edge 260 spacer textile 200.

An exemplary arrangement is shown in which the first portion 241 (and third portion 243) are shown as extending parallel to first edge 250 and second edges 260. The first portion 241 or third portion 243 could be oriented in an orientation that is perpendicular to the first edge 250 or second edge 260. As discussed above, other embodiments may have different orientations than other portions of the tensile string or could be oriented differently relative to edges of spacer textile materials.

The tensile strings of the disclosure can be made from any material that is generally one-dimensional. The term “one-dimensional material” is used in the context of the present disclosure. The term “one-dimensional material” or its variants is used to refer to generally elongate materials with a length substantially greater than the width and thickness.

Any suitable material may be used to form the tensile strings of the disclosure. Accordingly, suitable materials can be used to make a tensile string, such as the tensile-strand 240 in FIG. 2. may include various filaments and fibers, yarns or threads. A suitable material for a Tensile Strand may include rayon, nylon and polyacrylic.

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