Columbia Sportswear has patented a high-performance composite foam for midsoles in footwear. The foam includes a pelletized expanded thermoplastic elastomer mixed with a polyurethane matrix, providing enhanced performance. The patent also covers the method of making such midsoles. GlobalData’s report on Columbia Sportswear gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
According to GlobalData’s company profile on Columbia Sportswear, was a key innovation area identified from patents. Columbia Sportswear's grant share as of February 2024 was 79%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
High performance composite foam for footwear midsoles
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11857024B2) discloses a high-performance composite foam for a midsole, designed to enhance footwear comfort and durability. The composite foam consists of a pelletized expanded thermoplastic elastomer, such as an expanded thermoplastic polyester elastomer, mixed within a polyurethane (PU) matrix. The unique composition of the foam aims to provide improved properties such as density, hardness, tear resistance, resilience, and compression set.
The patent further details the method of making the high-performance midsole, which involves mixing the pelletized expanded thermoplastic elastomer with the PU matrix and molding the mixture to form the midsole. The expanded thermoplastic elastomer can vary in composition, including expanded thermoplastic poly(ether amide) elastomer, expanded thermoplastic polyolefin, or an expanded blend of thermoplastic polymers. The method also includes preparing the PU matrix from polyisocyanates and polyols, ensuring a homogenous mixture for optimal performance. This innovative approach to midsole design offers potential benefits for footwear manufacturers looking to enhance the quality and performance of their products.
To know more about GlobalData’s detailed insights on Columbia Sportswear, buy the report here.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
