ITPD20020061U1 - OPEN TYPE FOOTWEAR STRUCTURE, ESPECIALLY FOR SLIPPERS, SANDALS, SABO AND SIMILAR - Google Patents

Description

P 22510

"OPEN-TYPE FOOTWEAR STRUCTURE,

ESPECIALLY FOR SLIPPERS, SANDALS, SAB AND SIMILAR "

On behalf: EXO ITALIA S.pA.

Based in RUBANO (Padua)

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an open-type shoe structure, particularly for slippers, sandals, sabos and the like.

Today, the trend in the footwear market is increasingly oriented towards the use of insoles in soft material, in order to make the fit more comfortable.

This trend also affects the segment of open footwear, such as "beach" slippers, sabò, sandals, etc.

Considering the product "ciabatta" it can be said that currently for its production different paths are followed.

One of these roads provides for example the slipper consisting of soft material with expanded material and substantially formed by an upper upper, by an insole and by the sole with the tread.

In this case, first of all, the insole is produced by thermoforming and subsequent blanking from a plate of a certain size.

Currently, insoles are generally produced in ÈVA (ethyl vinyl acetate), which guarantees high standards of softness and resistance and also allows non-absorption of water in the case of slippers or sandals like the sea

After its production, the insole must be

coupled with the previously formed sole.

Currently the only way used to couple the insole to the sole is the interposition of glue between the two.

The gluing process of the insole to the sole is extremely complex and difficult; in the case of EVA soles, for example, the washing of the two components with solvents, the application of the primer, the irradiation with UV rays to activate the primer, the application of adhesives on the two parts, the subsequent phase of tempering in the oven and finally coupling with subsequent pressing.

It is important that the fastening between the insole and the sole is as strong as possible, as these shoes are used in extremely challenging environments, such as sea water, sand, chlorinated swimming pool water, etc.

The upper can be produced separately and fixed at the same time as gluing the insole and the sole, possibly by inserting its side edges between the insole and the sole, or by gluing these side edges on the sides of the sole; generally with this procedure the external side of the insole is visible and must therefore guarantee aesthetic finishes.

A further possibility of fixing the upper to the sole is of a mechanical type and involves the use of mushroom-shaped appendages protruding from the edges of the upper itself and inserted in special undercut hollows obtained on the sole; in the latter case the insole is glued to the inside of a pocket, counter-shaped to the insole itself and consequently the outer side of the insole does not remain in sight.

It can be noted that this production system for open-type footwear has various drawbacks.

In the first place, it is evident that the bonding process of the insole to the sole is extremely laborious, time-consuming and expensive; this is more true for materials such as EVA, which require special precautions in the gluing phases.

Secondly, the bond between the insole and the sole made with the glue is easily affected by external agents, which can therefore reduce it.

Thirdly, the materials of these shoes are difficult to recycle as it is not possible to separate, once they have been used, the insole from the sole, which typically appear to be made of different and often incompatible materials in the recycling phase.

Furthermore, the production process of the insole must lead to an excellent lateral finish of the insole, since it is visible; this process therefore has higher costs than those required for lower quality finishes.

The aim of the present invention is to provide an open-type shoe structure, particularly for slippers, sandals, sabos and the like, which solves the problems highlighted in known types of open-type footwear.

Within the scope of the above-described main aim, an important object of the present invention is to provide an open-type shoe structure, particularly for slippers, sandals, sabos and the like, which reduces the assembly steps of the various parts of the shoe.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide an open-type shoe structure, particularly for slippers, sandals, sabos and the like which facilitates shoe assembly operations.

in particular, another important object of the present invention is to

Or. Ing. ALBERTO BACCHIN Order Natimele dei Consulmti 4 tu Indnstritle Property No. 41 create an open-type shoe structure, particularly for slippers, sandals, sabos and the like that eliminates the gluing operation between insole and sole.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an open-type shoe structure, particularly for slippers, sandals, sabos and the like which allows at least part of the shoe to be recycled once its use is finished.

Not least object of the present invention is to provide an open-type shoe structure, particularly for slippers, sandals, sabos and the like, which can be manufactured with known systems and technologies.

These and still other objects, which will appear more clearly below, are achieved by an open-type shoe structure, particularly for slippers, sandals, sabos and the like, comprising an upper upper, an insole and a sole with tread, said structure being characterized due to the fact that said upper and said insole are fixed to said sole by means of mechanical coupling elements provided with their own portions arranged in opposition to parts of said sole resulting in an undercut with respect to the support surface of the foot.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 represents a side view of a first version of the shoe structure according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional side view of the shoe structure according to the invention;

Figure 3 represents a bottom-up view of a component

Dr. tng. ALBERTO BACCHIA Ofttinc Pitnionfite gods Cnntulmti iti Industrial Properties - NO. 48 -

the shoe structure according to the invention;

Figure 4 represents a front view, sectioned along the line IV-IV of Figure 1, of the structure according to the invention;

Figure 5 represents a front view, sectioned along the line V-V of Figure 1, of the structure according to the invention;

Figure 6 represents a sectional side view of a portion of an alternative embodiment with respect to the first version of the structure according to the invention represented in Figures 1 to 5;

Figure 7 is a sectional front view, according to a section plane arranged in a front position of the shoe, of one of a further alternative embodiment with respect to the first version of the structure according to the invention;

Figure 8 represents a sectional front view, according to a section plane arranged in a rear position of the shoe, of the same further alternative embodiment of Figure 7;

figure 9 represents a side view of a portion of a second version of the structure according to the invention;

Figure 10 represents a front view, sectioned along the line X-X of Figure 9, of the second version of Figure 9 of the shoe structure according to the invention.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, a first version of an open-type shoe structure, particularly for slippers, sandals, sabos and the like according to the invention, is indicated as a whole with the number 10.

This structure 10 refers in this case to a "sea" type slipper and includes an upper upper 11, for example in thermoplastic material, a

insole 12 preferably made of EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) and a sole 13 with tread also made preferably of EVA but with a higher density than the insole 12.

The upper 11 and the insole 12 are fixed to the sole 13 by means of mechanical coupling elements provided with their own portions arranged in opposition to parts of the sole which are undercut with respect to the support surface of the foot, as will be evident below.

With reference to figures 1 to 8, the insole 12 is sandwiched between the upper 11 and the sole 13.

The fastening between the upper 11 with the insole 12 and with the sole 13 is guaranteed by said mechanical coupling elements, which in this embodiment comprise four mushroom-shaped appendages 20, developing downwards in pairs from the two lateral edges 21 of the upper 11 and monolithic to it.

Each mushroom appendage 20 consists of a shank 22 protruding from the upper 11 and a head 23, larger in size than the shank 22.

These appendages 20 protrude from the insole 12 through first passages 24 obtained on the insole 12 itself; in particular, each first passage 24 and, consequently, also each stem 22 (which is arranged inside said passage 24), is inclined with respect to the development of the sole 13.

The stem 22 also partially develops inside a second passage 24a, obtained on the sole 13, which flows into a corresponding seat 25.

In practice, the mushroom-shaped appendages 20 pass through said insole 12.

The portion of the mushroom appendage 20, corresponding to the head 23,

is located inside the headquarters 25.

The seat 25 is substantially shaped like the head 23 and is open on the tread.

In practice, the bottom 26 of the seat 25 is substantially undercut with respect to the support surface of the foot and it is on this bottom 26 that the head 23 ensures locking.

During the assembly of the shoe, the mushroom appendages 20 are inserted inside the first passage 24 and the second passage 24a, deforming them elastically.

This occurs since the appendages have the heads 23 of larger dimensions than the width of the passages 24 and 24a and being of harder material than the same.

Once inserted, the shank 22 is in traction, while the insole 12 is partially compressed between the edges 21 of the upper 11 and the sole 13.

The mechanical coupling elements further comprise a mushroom-like protrusion 30, monolithic to the insole 12 and protruding from it downwards, located substantially on the portion of the shoe corresponding to the heel of the foot.

This mushroom-like protrusion 30 consists of a quarter 31 protruding from the insole 12 and a head 32, larger in size than the quarter 31.

The cuff 31 develops inside a hole 33, obtained on the sole 13, which flows into a corresponding groove 34.

The portion of the mushroom-shaped protrusion 30, corresponding to the head

32, is located inside the quarry 34.

The groove 34 is substantially shaped like the head 32 and is open on the tread.

In practice, the base 35 of the groove 34 is substantially undercut with respect to the support surface of the foot and it is on this base 35 that the head 32 ensures locking.

The assembly process is similar to that for the mushroom appendages 20 of the upper 11.

Alternative forms of such footwear can comprise others of this mushroom-like protrusion 30, located for example at the toe of the shoe or in other predefined positions.

With reference to Figure 5, in order to avoid slipping of the insole 12 from the sole 13, the structure 10 comprises three slot-shaped teeth 50, protruding downwards from the insole 12 and housed in corresponding counter-shaped housing holes 51 obtained on the sole 13.

In particular, one tooth is positioned at the tip of the shoe, while the other two are positioned on the sides of the shoe.

Each tooth 50 also has on its side, a knurling (not visible in the figures) which increases the adhesion of the tooth itself with its own housing hole 51.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4 on the structure there are drainage channels 60 obtained between the insole 12 and the sole 13.

In particular, these drainage channels 60 are formed by a network of open grooves 61 obtained on the insole 12 and closed by the sole 12.

Such drainage channels 60 comprise a plurality of holes of

Or. Ing. ALBERTO BACCHIN 9 Oritn * Nicitw * of the Comàmtl in Lodrutrisle Property - No. 43 - drainage 62 located above the insole 12 and substantially arranged on the support surface of the foot; the drainage channels 12 also comprise vent ports 63, located on the lateral edge of the shoe.

The water penetrates inside the holes 62, passes through the channels 60 and comes out of the lights 63.

In particular, in this embodiment, the drainage channels 60 are substantially flat and have a constant width and height along their length.

Consequently, the vent ports 63 also all have substantially the same dimensions; these gaps extend along an ornamental notch 65 of the lateral edge of the shoe.

Each vent port 63 is therefore arranged on the same plane as the corresponding channel 60.

With reference to Figure 6, a mechanical locking element in correspondence with the heel area of the shoe, alternative to the mushroom-shaped protrusion 30, is represented by a rivet body 40.

This rivet body 40 passes through the insole 12 and is defined by a central shaft 41 with two rounded end heads, respectively a first end head 42a arranged on the insole 12 and a second end head 42b arranged on the sole 13.

Each end head 42 is housed in a corresponding compartment; in particular, the first end head 42a is housed in a first compartment 43a, respectively on the insole 12, while the second end head 42b is housed in a second compartment 43b, respectively on the sole 13.

in this case the assembly of this rivet body 40 takes place

I

due to elastic deformation of the sole 13 and of the insole 12.

With reference to figures 7 and 8, a further alternative form of fastening the insole to the sole is characterized by the fact that the insole, now indicated with the number 212 (in this form deriving from simple shearing of a previously thermoformed EVA sheet), has, in addition to the joint with the mushroom-shaped appendages 20 and any mushroom-shaped protrusions 30 or rivet bodies 40, also portions of their edges 212a wedged within recesses 270 obtained on the sole 213 in undercut with respect to the development surface of the sole itself.

In particular, these recesses 270 are C-shaped and substantially formed along the entire upper perimeter of the sole 213.

With reference to figures 9 and 10, a second version of the shoe with respect to the previous one or to combinations of embodiments of the previous one, is indicated with the number 300.

This is characterized in that the insole 312 and the upper 311 substantially constitute a single body; in particular they are monolithic.

In this second version the mechanical coupling elements comprising four further monolithic mushroom-shaped appendages 320 to the insole 312, substantially similar to those of the first version 10 (figures 1 and 4). of the lateral edges 321 of the upper 311.

Each mushroom appendage 320 consists of a shank 322 protruding from the upper 311 and a head 323, larger in size than the shank 322.

Each stem 322 is disposed passing through a corresponding one

passage 324 of the sole 313 and flows into a corresponding seat 325.

The portion of the mushroom appendix 320, corresponding to the head 323, is arranged inside the seat 325.

The seat 325 is substantially shaped like the head 323 and is open on the tread.

In practice, the bottom 326 of the seat 325 is substantially undercut with respect to the support surface of the foot and it is on this bottom 326 that the head 323 ensures locking.

The assembly of the shoe is substantially similar to the previous variant.

Compared to the first version of the shoe, in this second version 300 there is an alternative development of the drainage channels.

In this version, the lateral notch of the shoe is now indicated with the number 365.

This notch 365 is shaped in such a way that the drainage channels, if designed as in the case of the first version (figures 3 and 4), should curve upwards, as the vent ports would be at a greater height compared to the flat development of the channels themselves, thus preventing the water from escaping.

In this embodiment, on the other hand, the vent ports, now indicated with 363, are discharged downwards, up to the same height as the drainage channels 360.

Note how the shoe of the latter version is essentially made in two main parts (upper-insole and sole), while the li (upper, insole and sole).

It should be noted how the various embodiments of the first described version (the three-part shoe) are substantially applicable also with a structure described in the second version (two-part shoe); in practice, the slot teeth 50 and the rivet body 40 can also be applied to the second version of the shoe (two-part shoe).

In practice it has been found that the invention thus described solves the problems noted in known types of open-type footwear; in particular, the present invention provides an open-type shoe structure, particularly for slippers, sandals, sabos and the like, which reduces the assembly steps of the various parts of the shoe.

Furthermore, the present invention provides an open-type shoe structure, particularly for slippers, sandals, sabos and the like, which facilitates shoe assembly operations.

It should be noted that the elimination of the gluing operation between the insole and the sole eliminates a long and unsanitary processing phase, which requires a lot of manpower and a lot of dedicated equipment, in practice an extremely expensive processing phase.

Furthermore, the present invention provides an open-type shoe structure, particularly for slippers, sandals, sabos and the like which allows water to drain from the support surface of the foot, thus avoiding loss of grip by the foot.

In this regard, it should be noted how this structure allows to easily create drainage channels between the sole and the insole, while in the Hauling case this is very difficult; in fact, in the case of gluing

of the two parts, the creation of drainage channels is made difficult due to the fact that the adhesive is distributed "by brush" on the two surfaces in contact, with the real risk of inserting adhesive inside the channels themselves, obstructing them.

Furthermore, it should be noted that with this invention the insole has a better aesthetic finish, since it can be made by injection, a technique that guarantees better finishes than cutting from a thermoformed sheet.

Last but not least, the present invention provides an open-type shoe structure, particularly for slippers, sandals, sabos and the like which allows the shoe to be recycled once its use is complete.

In practice, the materials used, as long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the needs and the state of the art.

Claims (12)

CLAIMS 1) Open-type footwear structure, particularly for slippers, sandals, sabos and the like, comprising an upper upper (11, 311), an insole (12, 212, 312) and a sole (13, 213, 313) with tread , said structure being characterized by the fact that said upper (11, 311) and said insole (12, 212, 312) are fixed to said sole (13, 213, 313) by means of mechanical coupling elements equipped with their own portions arranged in opposition to parts of said sole (13, 213, 313) resulting in an undercut with respect to the support surface of the foot. 2) Shoe structure, as in the preceding claim, characterized in that said mechanical coupling elements comprise mushroom-shaped appendages (20, 320) protruding downwards from said insole (12, 212, 312). 3) Shoe structure, as in the preceding claim, characterized in that said insole (12) is sandwiched between said upper (11) and said sole (13), said mushroom-like appendages (20) protruding downwards from said insole (12) through corresponding passages (24) obtained on the insole (12) itself, said mushroom appendages (20) being monolithic at the lateral edges (21) of said upper (11) and arranged passing through said insole (12), each mushroom appendix (20) being arranged, with its portion corresponding to the head (23) of the mushroom, inside a corresponding seat (25) obtained on said sole (13), said corresponding seat (25) being undercut with respect to the foot support surface. 4) Shoe structure, as per claim 2, characterized in that said insole (312) and said upper (311) constitute Or. Ing. ALBERTO BACCHIN 15 Ordì »* Narkmeie by Consulenti tu Profritti Inintriél * Na.41 substantially a single body, said mushroom-like appendages (320) being monolithic to said insole (312) and protruding downwards from it, each mushroom-like appendage (320) being arranged, with its own portion corresponding to the head (323) of the mushroom , inside a corresponding seat (325) obtained on said sole (313), said corresponding seat (325) being undercut with respect to the support surface of the foot. 5) Shoe structure, as per claims 3 or 4, characterized in that said mechanical coupling elements comprise at least one mushroom-like protrusion (30) integral with said insole (12, 212, 312) and protruding from it downwards, said at least one mushroom-shaped protrusion (30) being arranged, with its portion corresponding to the head (32) of the mushroom, inside a corresponding slot (34) obtained on said sole (13, 213, 313), said corresponding slot (34) being undercut with respect to the support surface of the foot. 6) Shoe structure, as in the preceding claim, characterized in that said mushroom protrusion (30) is located substantially on the portion of the shoe (10, 300) itself corresponding to the heel of the foot. 7) Shoe structure, as in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said mushroom-shaped protrusion (30) is located substantially on the portion of the shoe (10, 300) itself corresponding toe of the foot. 8) Shoe structure, as in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said mushroom protrusion (30) is a cuff (31) protruding from said insole (12, 312) and from a head (32), larger in size than said quarter (31), said quarter (31) developing inside a hole (33), obtained on said sole (13, 213, 313) and opening inside said corresponding hollow (34). 9) Shoe structure, as per one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said insole (12, 212, 312) has at least a portion of its edges (212a) wedged inside at least one recess (270) obtained on said sole (13, 213, 313) in undercut with respect to the development surface of the sole itself. 10) Shoe structure, as in the preceding claim, characterized in that said at least one recess (270) is C-shaped and is substantially formed along the entire upper perimeter of said sole (13, 213, 313). 11) Shoe structure, as in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said mechanical coupling elements comprise at least one rivet body (40) defined by a central shaft (41) with two rounded end heads (42a, 42b), said rivet body (40) developing through said insole (12, 212, 312) and said sole (13, 213, 313), with each end head (42a, 42b) being housed in a corresponding compartment (43b) obtained on said insole (12, 212, 312) and on said sole (13, 213, 313). 12) Shoe structure, as in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one shaped tooth (50) protruding downwards from said insole (12, 212, 312) and housing it in a corresponding counter-shaped housing hole (51) obtained on said sole (13, 213, 313). Dr. Ing. ALBERTO BACCHIN Tinimal Order of Consultants 17 in Industrial Prophriets - No. 43 - 13) Shoe structure, as in the preceding claim, characterized in that said at least one shaped tooth (50) has knurls on its sides. 14) Shoe structure, as in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises drainage channels (60) formed between said insole (12, 212, 312) and said sole (13, 213, 313), said channels (60) comprising a plurality of drainage holes (62) located above on said insole (12, 212, 312) and vent ports (63) on the lateral edge of said structure. 15) Shoe structure, as in the preceding claim, characterized in that said drainage channels (60) are substantially flat and have a constant width and height along their development. 16) Shoe structure, as claimed in claims 14 or 15, characterized in that each of said vent ports (63) is arranged on the same plane as the corresponding drainage channel (60). 17) Shoe structure, as in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said mushroom-shaped appendages (20, 320) each consist of a shank (22, 322) and a head (23, 323), of dimensions greater than said stem (22, 322), said head (23, 323) housing in said corresponding seat (25, 325). 18) Shoe structure, as in claims 3 and 17, characterized in that said mushroom-shaped appendages (20) are arranged passing through said passages (24) of said insole (12), said passages (24) being inclined with respect to the development of said sole (13). 19) Open-type footwear structure, particularly for slippers, Or. Ing. ALBERTO BACCHIN 18 Naloiule Order of <Q> msulenA In property laMrUt - NO. 43 - sandals, sabò and the like, as in one or more of the preceding claims, which is characterized by what is described and illustrated in the attached drawings. By assignment EXO ITALIA s.r.l. The Agent