CA2153952A1

CA2153952A1 - Sole arrangement for a shoe and insole and filler material for a sole arrangement

Info

Publication number: CA2153952A1
Application number: CA 2153952
Authority: CA
Inventors: Ueli Luthy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: TESS IMMOBILIEN AG
Priority date: 1994-07-17
Filing date: 1995-07-14
Publication date: 1996-01-18
Also published as: JPH0838210A; CH686215A5; EP0693259A3; EP0693259A2

Abstract

A sole arrangement for a shoe, an insole as well as a filler material for a solearrangement. The sole arrangement (21) comprises one or a plurality of partial soles and can have an additional insole (24). A recess (28, 29) is formed in one of the surfaces of the sole arrangement or between two partial soles, preferably in the area of the ball of the foot, in which a flat and flexible filler material (26, 27) is placed, which preferably is a section of a hygroscopic fleece material containing fragrances or other active ingredients. In most cases the filler material has a self-adhesive surface for fastening to the sole arrangement (21). Several sections of the filler material can be offered, connected with each other, if desired, in a booklet- or block-like combination.

Description

The invention relates to a sole arrangement for a shoe in accordance with the preamble of claim 1, an insole for a sole arrangement in the Form of a foot and a filler material for use with the sole a,lange",ent.
A sole arrangement is understood to be the entire part of a shoe located underneath the sole of the foot. Depending on quality, intended use and material, these can be single-layer or multi-layer sole arrangements. Multi-layer sole arrangements are intended to identify those wherein a plurality of partial soles are embodied to be integrated, i.e. fastened to each other. Sole arrangements wherein an additional loose sole, i.e. an insole which can be removed from the shoe, comes to rest on single-layer or multi-layer integrated partial soles, are also called multi- layer sole arrangements. While single-layer sole arrangements extend of course over the entire area of the sole of the foot, partial soles can be embodied such that they only cover a portion of the sole of the foot, for example the area of the heel or the ball of the foot. The term "shoe" is not intended to include only shoes in the sense of the word, but also, boots, sandals, wooden sandals and other footwear of similar types.
It has been shown that human feet act as lemperature sensors, so to speak. This becomes apparent, for example, in that the feet quickly perspire at high temperatures. It is known that there is a high density of sweat glands in the human foot, particularly in the area of the sole of the foot and even more so in the area oF the ball of the foot. Because the foot is often enclosed for hours inside the shoe, which after all is designed to protect the foot from moisture in case of rain and therefore conducts hardly any moisture, the secreted 20 perspiration remains in the interior of the shoe and impregnates it, so to speak. Not only the decomposing perspiration, but also the material taking up this perspiration, develop a very unpleasant odor which, in turn, is transferred tn the socks or stockings and to the foot itself. Although all this takes place every day in connection with street shoes, it occurs to a greater extent in connection with athletic shoes and ruhber hoots.
Although the developing odor is unpleasant, the release of perspiration by the foot has even worse effects. Blisters are formed more often in moist shoes than in dry shoes duril1g prolonged walking or running, and small injuries do not heal easily in a moist atmosphere~

21s3952 since they often become infected. The fact that fungus increases very rapidly in a moist and warm environment is also particularly unpleasant.
A number of steps are taken to prevent the unpleasant effect of perspiration of the feet.
For e~a"lp'c, allt:n,pts can be made to reduce the release of perspiration and to neutralize the u"Fleas~nt odor by powder or special agents which are applied to the feet or the shoes.
Also, insoles are used, for example made of leather or cork, which can be replaced after a certain time by new ones, but this is comparatively expensive. Insoles made of foam "~alerials are also being offered, which are washable and can therefore be used longer, but which have been shown to lose their shape during washing. Finally, athletic shoes have 10 been available for quite some time which can be washed in washing machines. However, since as a rule people do not like to wash athletic shoes together with other wash, and since several pairs of shoes seldom need washing at the same time, a disproportionally large amount of water, electricity and detergents is used up for washing a single pair of shoes. Such a washing method is not applicable to leather shoes anyway.
Insoles are known from orthopedic technology, which consist of two approximate!ycongruent partial soles which are partially connected along the edges and between which a filler is placed. The filler material mostly consists of rigid, orthopedically shaped parts of metal or plastic, while the partial soles are used for increasing the walking comfort and can possibly also absorb the perspiration from the feet. The purpose which these insoles, which 20 are also called inserts, are intended to serve is an orthopedic and not a hygienic one.
The above remarks only relate to problems of perspiration of the feet which generally occurs with heat. However, the mentioned temperature sensor property of the feet acts not only at high, but also at low temperatures, so that people quickly suffer from cold feet when it is cold. To prevent this, particularly warm socks, perhaps even several pair simultaneously, and lined shoes are worn. However, such foot covering does have its limits, because such voluminous foot covering considerably hampers rapid walking.
In summary it can be said that there are no shoes with practical and econom:cal sole arrangements at all, which in hot weather absorb perspiration, are hygienic and neutralize odor or, in cold weather, are warming and which therefore are comfortable, healthy and 30 pleasant for the wearer as well as the environment under all circumstances.
It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a sole arrangement of the previously mentioned type which offers a high degree of comfort in hot as well as cold weather, and to propose an insole for use with such a sole arrangement, and finally an appropriate filler material.
These objects are attained in accordance with the invention by the features of the characterizing parts of claims 1, 12 and 14.
Advantageous further developments of the subjects of the invention are described by means of the features of the characterizing parts of the dependent claims.

21 539s2 In accordance with the invention, a surface of a sole arrangement which, of course is not the tread of the sole, has a recess which is filled by a replaceable, flexible filler material.
The dimensions of the filler material are determined in conformity with the recess in such a way that the filler material exactly fits the recess. No ledge should be formed at the respective surface of the sole arrangement as a result of too thin ot too thick filler material, and no bead should be created as a result of filler material with too large a surface, nor a gap as a result of filler material with too small a surface.
The recess and therefore the filler material can extend over an arbitrary portion of the sole a,ldnge")ent. Because of the concentration of sweat glands at the ball of the foot it is 10 particularly pr~lical if the filler material is located in this area, of course especially if a filler material is used to combat perspiration of the foot. It is also possible to provide several a~acently located recesses and filler materials.
The surface of the sole a"~llgement in which the recess is disposed can be the inner surface of a siny!c layer sole ar~nge",e"l which faces the foot. Less expensive shoes, particulariy women's shoes, often have si"g'~ ~ayer sole arrangements made of plastic and therefore cause the wearer to develop heavy perspiration of the foot and strong odors, so that the arF';c .'ion of an odor-neutralizing insole is particularly recommended.
The recess can also be provided on the surface of a multi- layer integrated solearrangement which is intended to rest against the foot. This is particularly recommended 20 for athletic and hiking shoes, wherein an insole couid easily slip which, of course, would increase the danger of blister formation and is therefore undesirable.
The recess can furthermore also be provided on a loose insole constituting a part of the entire sole arrangement. It is possible in this way to retrofit, so to speak, in a simple manner shoes which originally had not been intended to be equipped with filler material. The recess and the filler material can be disposed on the surface facing the foot as well as on the surface facing away from the foot. When applying the recess and the filler material to the surface facing away from the foot, the surface on which the foot rests remains undisturbed and com,~' lely smooth so that there is no danger of blister formation in this case, even if the filler material does not fit exactly into the recess.
30 Finally, the recess can also be bordered by two adjoining partial soles of an insole, whose edge areas are partially fastened on each other and between which the filler material is inserted. A colll~..ldlion of two partial soles is particularly advantageous, wherein one is made of foam material and the other of a fleece, such as felt. Both partial soles can be open-worked.
The use of insoles also permits the provision of two recesses on oppositely located surface of the insole, which can be filled with different types of filler material, which will be described further down below.

21539~2 For fastening the filler material in the recess, it is possible to make one or both of the surfaces resting on each other entirely or partially self-adhesive, for example by means oF
an adhesive or an adhesive or burry tape, known by the name Velcro. Until a surface which was pretreated witll an adhesive is used, it must be provided with a removable protective foil.
Another option of fastening the filler material in the recess corlsists in providing ~he outer surface of the filler material with a porous foil or fabric section which is adhesive on one side and extends past the edge of the filler material. The function of this arrangement corresponds to that of the known first-aid bandages. A foil or fabric section can of course 10 also be used separately of the filler material. In particular, it is possible to use a perforated foil made of copper or having a copper surface, since copper is valued as insole material for shoes for various reasons. The adhesive side of the foil or fabric section should of course also be provided with a removable protective foil until it is used. It would also be possible t~
produce the foil or fabric section in a larger size and to cut it to fit only when needed.
In order to absorb perspiration from the feet in a warm environment in particular, a filler made of a hygloscopic material, such as paper, cardboard, a fabric material, porous plastic or fleece, is used, wherein the latter is particularly advantageous.
A particularly prefe"~d filler material is a combination of felt and paper in the form of felt-reinforced paper.
20 $uch a filler material can be saturated with a fungicidal or bacteriostatic material for combating fungus as well as preventing small wounds from becoming infected.
Neut,. ' ~tion of unpleasant odors is possible by providing the filler material with a long-acting rl~y,~,-ce. In a particularly advantageous manner it is possible to introduce the fragrance into a cotton-wool-like base material of fleece, which is subsequently compressed to fomm a fleece, wherein the aro"latic material is pressed into the fleece. The already mentioned filler material of felt-reinforced paper is particularly advantageous as an extended rray,s.lce carrier. Various scents are conceivable, but it is recon,mended to use respectively only one scent in a shoe.
A sort of passive foot ",assage for improving the circulation can be achiaved when the 30 surface of the insole in contact with the foot is embodied to be structured, for example ribbed or nubbed.
In order to obtain a shoe which is pleasantly warm in cold weather, a filler material is used which is embodied as a flat bag in which there are materials which react exothermally when moving against each other or under pressure. Such bags, although of larger dimensions, have been used up to now for warming the hands in gloves or pockets of outer clo~hing .
Since sometimes perspiration of the feet is exuded even when suffering from cold reei, it is possible, as already mentioned, to use a sole arrangement with an insole, which has recesses on opposite sides, wherein a fleece-like, perspiration- absorbing and/or fragrance-conl..;, ling material is provided on the surface facing the foot and a filler material in the form of a heat-releasing bag on the surface facing away from the foot. The two differently acting filler ",alerials can also be used placed next to each other, so that the desired double effect can also be ach:~ved with shoes without an insole.
A particularly preferred embodiment of the insole in accordance with the invention has a recess in which a fleece-like filler material has been replaceably glued. This filler material con' ' ,s a fragrance. The insole, the recess and the filler material are in the area of the ball of the foot, the insole is multi-layered, wherein the filler material is located between two 10 layers. This insole can be produced in the customary shoe sizes and can have an edge area which can be cut, so that the adaptation to arbitrarily shaped shoes can be performed by the user by cutting the edge areas without the insole being damaged.
In accordance with the invention the replaceable filler material is offered for sale ready-to-use in packages of at least two ready-to-wear pieces. The individual pieces themselves or projecting edges of the removable protective foils of their adhesive surfaces can be connected with each other in the form of sheets or blocks.
The invention will be extensively described in what follows by means of exemplary embc 'il"ents, making reference to the drawings. Shown are in:
Fig. 1, a first shoe with an integrated sole arrangement in a graphic representation;
20 Fig. 2, a second shoe with a sole arrangement with a loose insole in a graphic representation;
Fig. 3, a single-layer sole arrangement in vertical section in the area of the ball of the foot;
Fig. 4, a multi-layer, integrated sole arrangement in vertical section in the area of the ball of the foot;
Fig. 5, an insole in vertical section in the area of the ball of the foot;
Fig. 6, a further insole with two filler materials in vertical section in the area of the ball of the foot;
Fig. 7, a fleece-like filler material with a fragrance in a graphic representation;
30 Fig. 8, a filler material in the form of a bag, a corner portion of which has been omitted, which contains materials which act exothermally upon movement or pressure, in a graphic ~epr~senl~tion;
Fig. 9, several filler materials connected with each other, in a graphic representation;
and Fig. 10, an insole extending only over the ball of the foot, whose recess is bounded by two congruent partial soles, in a graphic representation.

Fig. 1 shows a shoe 10 with a sole arrangement 11 and uppers 12, a part of which has been left off. A filler material 13 disposed in a recess 14 of the surface facing the foot, not shown, of the sole arrangement 11 is partially visible.
Fig. 2 shows a further shoe 20, wherein the sole arrangement 21 not only includes a fixed part 23 connected with the uppers 22, but also a loose insole 24.
In its surface 25 facing the foot, the insole 24 has recesses 28, 29, provided with filler material 26, 27 in the area of the heel of the foot or of the shoe and in the area of the ball of the foot.
The shoe 30 represented in Fig. 3 has a single layer sole arrangement 31 in the shape l0 of a foot, in which a recess 32 was disposed which is provided with a filler material 33. On its surface 34 facing away from the foot, the filler material 33 is provided with an adhesive 35 in the form of co"~pl~te strips or in spots, so that on the one hand it adheres firmly to the recess 32 and, on the other hand, can be easily removed from the recess 32 when it has become ineffective. The dimensions of the filler material 33 exactly fit the recess 32, so that neither beads nor gaps are created at its edge 36.
I l~,//cver, filler material which is too large can also easily be cut by means of scissors or a knife in such a way that it is given the exact size. The thickness t of the filler material 34 exactly corresponds to the depth of the recess 32, so that the surface of the sole arrangement 31 i~lended for placement against the foot, not shown, is completely flat and zo without gaps.
A shoe 40 with a multi-layer integrated sole arrangement 41 is represented in Fig. 4, wherein several partial soles 41a, 41b, 41c are fastened on each other. The uppermost partial sole 41a is provided with a recess 42, into which a filler material 43 has been placed.
On its upper surface 44 the filler material 43 fitted into the recess has a porous foil section 45 which projects past the edge 46 of the filler material 43 and has a removable adhesive 47 on its ~",derside, by means of which it sticks to the partial sole 41a.
As described in connection with Fig. 3, the filler material 43 can be glued to the sole arrangement 41 by means of the foil section 45 and removed again following use. The foil section 45 is so thin that it does not hamper the walking comfort. A thin fabric section, 30 adhesive on one side and provided with the filler material 43 on the underside, can also be used in place of the foil section, by means of which a structure similar to a first aid bandage is created.
Fig. 5 illustrates an insole 50, whose surface 51 facing away from the foot has a recess 52 with a filler material. The insole 50 consists of several layers 50a, 50b, 50c, of which the lower layer 50c has been partially removed for forming the recess 52. With this configuration the exact fitting of the filler material 53 into the recess 52 is of lesser importance, because the filler material 53 does not touch the sole of the foot. The filler material is fastened to the insole 50 either as in the arrangement accordi,1g to Fig. 3 or the -~1 539S2 arrangement in acco,dance with Fig. 4. The insole 50 makes it possible to employ filler material in any type of closed shoes, even if they had not been previously equipped for this.
A similar insole 60 is shown in Fig. 6. On its oppositely located surfaces 61 and 62 it has recesses 63 and 64 which are provided with filler materials 65 and 66.
The filler material 70 shown in Fig. 7 essentially consists of a fleece. Cardboard, stiff paper or a stiff fabric could also be used, it is only important that the filler material be hygroscopic. The fleece contains a fragrance which can be imparted to it while it still is in the form of cotton wool and which is pressed into it in the course of compressing it into a fleece. This fleece-like filler material 70 has a multiple effect; first, the fleece soaks up 10 perspiration of the foot when it occurs, so that the foot remains dry, which results in comfort and the prevention of blister formation; secondly, the fragrance neutralizes the unpleasant odor of the perspiration and the per~pi, alion-soaked shoe material. If the fleece is addilion 'Iy treated with fungicidal or bacteriostatic agents, it is also used to prevent athlete's foot or the infection of small wounds. Filler materials with fragrances can be produced in various scents, but it is recommended to use only one scent in a shoe. The filler materials can be marked in different colors in accorda,1ce with the scent. It is possible to embody a side of the filler material which touches the foot in a structured manner, i.e. to provide it with ribs or grooves. By means of this step a passive foot massage is created during use, which can increase well-being or improve circulation.
20 An opposite effect is generated by the filler material 80 shown in Fig. 8, which has a bag 81 in which l"d(erials 82 are cont- led which react exothermally with each other as soon as they are moved against each other or subjected to pressure. The inside of a shoe can be heated with such a material. Otherwise, handling is the same as with fleece-like filler materials.
It is possible to apply simultaneously a fleece-like filler material in accordance with Fig.
7 as well as a thermal filler material in accordance with Fig. 8 to the insole in acco,dance with Fig. 6. This can prove to be advantageous, since some people also perspire when their feet are cold. With sole arrangements having only on recess it is possible to change seasonally between a fleece-like and a thermal filler material.
30 In accordance with ~ig. 9, the filler materials, in particular the fleece-like ones, can be made in the shape of a foot, for example, so that they clearly differ from other, similar fragrance conla;.1er~ such as are often sold as air fresheners for rooms or vehicles. Fig. 9 clearly shows in detail how several filler materials 90 can be packed together in a block-shape. As previously mentioned, it is necessary that the filler materials which are provided with adhesives, similar to first aid bandages, are supplied with a removable protective foil 91 until they are used. The protective foils 91 now can be connected with each other in a booklet or block configuration, so that every time a filler material 90 is needed, it can be pulled off the protective foil 91 and fastened to the recess from which the used-up filler 215~952 material has been removed. It is also possible to fasten the fleece-like filler materials themselves, which have been provided with protective foils, to each other, possibly along a preperforated edge area which can be separated prior to use.
A particularly preferred embodiment of a subject in accordance with the invention is represented in Fig. 10. The insole 100 illustrated there is intended for wear in a shoe under the ball of a foot. The insole 100 is essentially comprised of two congruent partial soles 101, 102, the first one of which, 101, consists of a foam material and the second, 102, of a felt material. The partial sole 101 has several perforations 103 and the partial sole 102 is also provided with pe,~ur~lions, not shown. The partial soles 101, 102 are connected with lO each other along a large portion of their edges with the exceplion of sections 101a, 102a of the edge areas which are not connected with each other and in this way form an insertion opening of a recess 104 delimited by the partial soles 101, 102, in which a filler material 105 is received. The filler material 105 consists of a combination of felt and paper material reinforcing each other and is used as a long-term fragrance carrier.
It should further be mentioned that the fleece-like filler material provided with fragrance and other active materials can be offered not only ready-made, but also in large flat units from which the user himself can cut the required pieces.
Although the fleece-like filler material is basically conceived for a single use, i.e. as a throw-away article, it can also be washable, wherein it can be provided with fresh fragrance 20 or other active materials during or after the washing operation.
It is also provided to manufacture the fleece-like filler material packaged in plastic containers and with a particularly intense scent. This is for the purpose of placing it into the shoes when they are not being worn. In this case the plastic packaging can be opened, exposing the fleece-like filler material to a greater or lesser degree, depending on the desired scent intensity, and it can be achieve by this that the shoe is regenerated to a become a fl~u,(~nl shoe while not being worn. Before putting the shoe on, the plastic container is closed again and in this way the fleece-like filler material can be used several times for this purpose.
The sole arrangement, the insole and the filler material in accordance wi~h the invention 30 make it possible not only to obtain nice-smelling shoes free of perspiration odor, but they also increase wearing comfort by means of their pe,spi. alion absorbing effect or their thermal effect and improve sanitation when fungicidal and bacteriostatic agents are used.
Use of the filler materials is simple and economical as well as ecological, since it considerably increases the life of the shoes or insoles.

Claims

1. A sole arrangement for a shoe in which a filler materials is replaceably received, characterized in that the flat, flexible filler material (13; 26, 27; 33; 43; 53; 65, 66; 70; 80; 90; 105) fills up a recess (14; 28, 29, 33; 42; 52; 63, 64; 104) extending over an area of a surface (15; 25; 34;
44; 51; 61, 62) of the sole arrangement (11; 21; 31; 41; 100).

2. A sole arrangement in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the recess ((14; 29, 33; 42; 52; 63, 64) is located in the area of the ball of the foot (Fig.
1).

3. A sole arrangement in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the recess (14) is located on the surface (15) of the single-layer or multi-layer, integrated sole arrangement (11) facing the foot (Fig. 1).

4. A sole arrangement in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the recess (28, 29) is located on the surface facing away from the foot of a loose insole (24) of the sole arrangement (Fig. 2).

5. A sole arrangement in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the recess (104) is bordered by two at least approximately congruent partial soles (101, 102), which are fastened together along a portion of their edges, and has an insertion opening for the filler material (105) (Fig. 10).

6. A sole arrangement in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the filler material (33) and, if desired the recess (32), are self-adhesive at their touching surfaces (Fig. 3).

7. A sole arrangement in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the filler material (43) is maintained in the recess (42) by means of a foil or fabric section (45) projecting past its edge (46) (Fig. 4).

8. A sole arrangement in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the filler material is constituted by a hygroscopic fleece or fabric (70).

9. A sole arrangement in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that the fleece or fabric (70) contains an active ingredient which is bacteriostatic and/or fungicidal.

10. A sole arrangement in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that the fleece (70) contains a fragrance.

11. A sole arrangement in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the filler material (80) is embodied as a flat bag (81) in which materials (82) are placed which react exothermally with each other when moved against each other (Fig. 8).

12. An insole for a sole arrangement of a shoe, which is put together from a plurality of partial soles and has a filler material, characterized in that at least the lower partial sole (50c) is removed in the area of the ball of the foot for forming a recess (52) for the flexible, fleece-like, hygroscopic filler material (53) provided with a fragrance (Fig. 5).

13. An insole in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that it has two at least approximately congruent partial soles (101, 102), which delimit the recess (104) for the filler material (105).

14. A filler material for a sole arrangement of a shoe, characterized in that it is embodied as a fleece (90), which can be fastened in a recess of the sole arrangement, is hygroscopic and contains a fragrance and has a self-adhesive surface, which is covered by a removable protective foil (90) until it is fastened in the recess.

15. A filler material in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that it is embodied in the shape of a smaller foot for being fastened in a corresponding recess of the sole arrangement (Fig. 7).

16. A filler material in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that it is formed by a section (105) preferably shaped like the backflap of a purse and made of reinforcing felt/paper material (Fig. 10).

17. A filler material in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that it is connected with at least one further filler material (90) in an edge area or a projecting area of the protective foil (91) in the form of a booklet or block (Fig. 9).