RU2521313C2 - Water-proof ventilated footwear sole - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: personal use articles.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a water-proof ventilated footwear sole that consists of at least the following: a support element (1) of a polymer material (that essentially represents part of the footwear sole and includes at least the sole walking surface with a protector and the footwear sole lateral parts, at least one elastic element (2) a polymer material (that is positioned and fixed on the walking surface of the said support element (1), within at least part of its extension), at least one flexible perforated layer (3) of a polymer material (that is positioned over the said elastic element (2) and tightly connected, along the perimeter, to at least the lateral parts of the said support element (1)); at least one release valve (4)(that is embedded into the lateral part of the said support element (1) so that the valve inlet hole is under the said flexible perforated layer (3) while the valve outlet hole is outside the footwear sole), an air-permeable or perforated insole (5) positioned over at least the said perforated layer (3).

EFFECT: ensuring ventilation of the footwear inner part with preservation of the sole durability.

15 cl, 8 dwg

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to a waterproof shoe sole providing ventilation to the inside of the shoe.

State of the art

The present invention also relates to shoes provided with such a sole.

It is known that the shoe market is constantly in search and determination of technical solutions by which it would be possible to provide optimal comfort when wearing shoes.

It is well known that the convenience of shoes depends not only on whether they are sitting anatomically correctly on their feet, but also on the water resistance and the proper release of water vapor generated inside the shoes due to perspiration.

For many years, shoes with vapor-permeable elements and water-impermeable shoes made of plastic material have been manufactured. The purpose of such shoes is to ensure the release of water vapor generated by sweating feet. This sweat, as you know, is more between the foot and sole.

This version of the sole is disclosed in Italian patent No. 1282196.

The shoe sole presented in this patent has in its structure a sole substrate provided with a membrane made of such a material that is impermeable to water and permeable to water vapor, and attached to a lower protective layer consisting of such a material that is resistant to hydrolysis, water-repellent, vapor-permeable and / or perforated, and the running surface of the sole made of perforated elastomer and hermetically attached to this substrate of the sole around its perimeter.

Italian patent No. 1293474 discloses technical innovations related to the implementation of the aforementioned shoe soles.

This patent discloses a shoe sole made by a special production method, which allowed to reduce price costs and make the production process more perfect.

Such a sole is made up of the running surface of the sole, which is molded to the insert in the mold and consisting of a section made of perforated plastic material, to which a felt and membrane made of a material that is impermeable to water and permeable to water are rigidly attached to the top vapor. Such a membrane is attached hermetically around the perimeter to the aforementioned section made of perforated plastic material, which in practice acts as the sole substrate and provides support functions (together with the sole running surface) for the foot in the section that corresponds to the location of this membrane (vapor transmission section) .

Typically, this insert is sized to occupy the front of the sole, i.e. the part that corresponds to the area where the foot sweats the most. Moreover, the molded running surface of the sole has many holes in the region of such an insert.

However, the area for removing water vapor is limited by the specific number and size of the holes of the running surface of the sole and this insert; to increase this area of vapor removal, it is necessary to increase the number of holes, while maintaining their small diameter, to prevent the penetration of sharp objects, which, piercing the felt, can damage the membrane.

One solution to this problem is demonstrated, for example, in publication WO 2004/028284 from the same applicant.

This solution involves the use of a sole in which there is a backing layer with a large portion having diffusion perforation or having any other possibilities for providing vapor permeability (for example, of a size that is comparable to the length of the sole); however, the existing felt and membrane of impervious to water and permeable to water vapor material are located above this large area. Such a support layer is performed, for example, when assembling a shoe insole on which a shoe sole is superimposed.

Having a support function, the shoe substrate is molded along the perimeter to a large portion of the support layer (prefabricated insole), and, in turn, the running surface of the sole is molded onto it along the perimeter; this running surface of the sole may include studs for contact with the ground, which are molded directly onto a given support layer.

However, this solution is not ideal in terms of ease of adaptability of the production to the requirements of manufactured shoes having vapor-permeable and waterproof soles that are structurally very different from each other (depending on technical requirements).

The disadvantages of this technical solution are insufficient ventilation of the shoes, the difficulty in manufacturing the sole, since many complex and expensive elements are used in the production, the use of a very thin waterproof vapor-permeable membrane makes the sole vulnerable to punctures and various damages that negatively affect the waterproofness of the shoe sole.

Disclosure of invention

The present invention is the creation of a simple and cheap method of waterproof ventilated shoe soles, through the use of which would be solved the problems of insufficient ventilation of the already known shoe soles.

Another objective of the present invention is the creation of a waterproof ventilated shoe sole, which could provide the most efficient ventilation of the inside of the shoe than the well-known soles.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a waterproof ventilated shoe sole, consisting of fewer components than known soles.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a waterproof ventilated shoe sole that can be manufactured using known systems and technologies.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a waterproof ventilated shoe sole that is resistant to wear and damage.

Another objective of the present invention is the creation of a waterproof ventilated shoe sole, allowing some freedom in design.

These tasks will become more apparent when reading a detailed description of the invention and are achieved due to the fact that the claimed waterproof ventilated shoe sole, at least in terms of options, consists of at least:

a support element made of a polymeric material, which is essentially the main part of the shoe sole, and which includes at least the running surface of the sole with the tread and the side parts of the shoe sole;

at least one elastic element made of a polymeric material located and fixed on the running surface of the specified supporting element, at least in part of its length;

at least one flexible perforated layer made of a polymeric material located above said elastic element and hermetically attached around the perimeter to at least the side parts of said supporting element;

at least one exhaust valve embedded in the side of said support element so that the valve inlet is below said flexible perforated layer and the valve outlet is outside the shoe sole;

a breathable or perforated insole located at least above said flexible perforated layer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Additional characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent when reading a description of some preferred, but not exclusive embodiments of the invention, in the illustrated examples which do not cover and moreover do not limit the entire scope of the claims of this technical solution, which are only illustrative materials of a particular case of execution:

Figure 1 - section of the front of the shoe according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an embodiment of the front of the shoe sole in section, shown in figure 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the front of a shoe sole according to another embodiment of the invention, an alternative to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 having a removable block A;

Figure 4 - removable block A, made separately from the remaining parts of the shoe sole shown in figure 3;

5 is a sectional view of an exhaust valve assembly with a valve body according to the invention;

Fig.6 is an embodiment of a protective grille of the exhaust valve shown in Fig.5;

7 is a top view of a shoe sole with a depiction of an arrangement of a flexible perforated layer according to the invention;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a shoe with an arrangement of exhaust valves according to the invention.

The implementation of the invention

Figure 1 shows a section of the front of the shoe, the sole of which is made according to the present invention.

The support element 1 is made of a polymeric material, such as thermoplastic polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic rubber, and other known polymer bases used for the manufacture of soles, and is the main part of the shoe sole, consisting of the running surface of the sole with the tread and the side parts.

In the lateral parts of the support element 1, there are exhaust valves 4 made of a polymeric material having elasticity and flexibility, such as polyvinyl chloride or other similar material. To impart a strong connection to the support member 1 and to increase rigidity, the outlet valve 4 may have an outlet valve body 11 shown in FIG. 5 made of hard plastic, such as polystyrene or hard polyvinyl chloride, or other hard plastics or metals.

An embodiment of the exhaust valve 4 shown in FIG. 5 is, for example, a flexible elastic PVC pipe having a cup shape, near the “bottom” of which there is a transverse section of approximately 3/5 of the tube circumference, forming an opening, by bending bottom "of the tube with air pressure on the inside of the tube. In the absence of air pressure, the valve, due to the flexibility and elasticity of the tube, is tightly closed.

The exhaust valves 4 can be mounted in the support element 1 during the casting of the sole itself, by installing the exhaust valves 4 in the mold, and after casting, in the holes provided. In order for the exhaust valves 4 to be tightly fixed in the holes, a relief of various configurations is provided on the outer side and on it on the body of the exhaust valve 11. Other types of exhaust valves may be used in the invention in accordance with the technical requirements of this invention.

From the outside, to protect the valves, protective nets or grilles 8, shown in FIG. 6, made of both polymers and metals and composite materials that are attached to the body of the exhaust valve 11 or to the support element 1 by any of the technically known methods can be used compounds, for example, such as heat sealing, adhesive bonding and others.

On the support element 1, at least in its front part, elastic elements 2 are made of elastic polymers such as polyvinyl chloride, rubber, polyurethane, silicone, and other similar polymers that are connected to it, for example, by adhesive bonding. Elastic elements 2 can, as one of the options, be made in the process of forming the support element 1 in the mold and be components of the specified support element 1, as shown in figure 2. The elastic elements 2 may have a different shape and quantity depending on the specific purpose of the claimed shoe sole. For example, when using one elastic element 2 in the shoe sole, its shape can be zigzag or spiral, occupying a significant area on the supporting element 1, and when using more than one elastic element 2, it can take the form of a cone, ball, and other forms that are resistant to transverse breakage. It is preferable to use more than one elastic element 2 in the shoe sole.

A flexible perforated layer 3 is laid on the elastic elements 2, having perforation over the entire surface for air passage, and hermetically connected around the perimeter with the side parts of the support element 1, for example, by means of adhesive bonding, heat sealing, and other technically known methods. The flexible perforated layer 3 is made of plastic material capable of bending and bending under the load and taking its original shape after unloading, for example, such as capron, polyethylene tetraflurate, and others.

A breathable or perforated insole 5 made of materials used for the manufacture of insoles, for example, such as latex foam, felt, leather, leather or equivalent materials, is laid on a flexible perforated layer 3.

Figure 2 presents the embodiment of figure 1 of the shoe sole, in which the elastic elements 2 are made in conjunction with the supporting element 1, which in this embodiment has no side parts. The flexible perforated layer 3 is hermetically fixed on the contour element 6, in which the outlet valves 4 are located. The contour element 6 essentially replaces the side parts of the support element 1 and is fastened to it by, for example, an adhesive joint. The elastic elements 2 have compression limiters 7 made of hard plastic, designed to prevent excessive compression of the elastic elements 2 and excessive deflection of the flexible perforated layer 3 as a result of exceeding the permissible load on them, for example, when running, when, as you know, the load on the sole increases repeatedly.

Figure 3 presents a variation of the shoe sole of figure 1, in which part of the elements is presented in the form of a single unit, which is removable, manufactured and assembled separately from the support element 1 and exhaust valves 4. A single block A sealed around the perimeter with a sealant 9 with holes for the air passage to the exhaust valves 4 consists of elastic elements 2 fixed between the flexible perforated layer 3 and the lower layer 10. Alternatively, block A can only be formed by a flexible perforated layer 3 and elastic elements 2, which are made in the form of the blister to form the side portions that are in effect act as the seal 9 and is hermetically connected to said flexible perforated layer 3 around its perimeter. Block A is interchangeable with similar such blocks.

In all three of the drawings, the shoe sole has a shoe upper 12.

7 shows a variant of the location of the flexible perforated layer 3 on the shoe sole. As one of the options, the flexible perforated layer 3 can be located only in front of the shoe sole.

On Fig presents options for the location of the exhaust valves 4, which can be located around the perimeter of the side parts of the support element 1, as well as in the heel region and in the area of connection of the front and rear parts of the shoe sole.

The operation of the invention of the claimed patent is as follows and is described by the example of figure 1.

When wearing shoes in the interior, a moist environment is created mainly between the foot and the insole, caused by sweating of the foot.

When walking or running, the foot rests on a breathable or perforated insole 5, which in turn presses on a flexible perforated layer 3, in which the perforation is blocked by a breathable or perforated insole 5, and pores or perforation in the insole due to its partial deformation and foot, preventing passage air, and then with increasing load, the flexible perforated layer 3 bends, causing pressure on the elastic elements 2. They are deformed due to their elasticity, which leads to a decrease in volume air saturated in vapor, located between the flexible perforated layer 3 and the support element 1. As a result of reducing the air volume creates a pressure on the corresponding part of the exhaust valves 4 to open them, after which the air saturated with vapor from the natural evaporation of the sweat of the foot, extends outwardly.

When removing the load caused by the foot, the elastic elements 2 take their original shape, while exerting pressure on the flexible perforated layer 3, which in turn takes its original position together with a breathable or perforated insole 5. In this case, between the flexible perforated layer 3 and the supporting element 1 creates a vacuum, the exhaust valves 4 are closed, eliminating the ingress of air and moisture from the surrounding space. The foot releases pores on the breathable or perforated insole 5 and a fresh portion of air, through the upper part of the shoe, blowing the foot and penetrating through the breathable or perforated insole 5 and the flexible perforated layer 3, tends to occupy the volume between the flexible perforated layer 3 and the supporting element 1. Thus , at each step, steam-saturated air will come out of the shoe and fresh air will enter, therefore, constant air circulation solves the problem of accumulation of water vapor in the foot location.

In addition, thanks to the elastic elements 2, the shoe sole acquires additional cushioning properties.

In addition, to obtain this technical result and to reduce the number of components of the claimed shoe sole, it is possible to abandon a breathable or perforated insole 5 if the flexible perforated layer 3 is made of a composite material, for example, a flexible bottom and an elastic top. In this case, the functions of the breathable or perforated insole 5 will be performed by the elastic top of the flexible perforated layer 3, since when the load caused by the foot is applied, it will partially deform, blocking the perforated holes on the flexible lower layer, preventing the passage of air.

Since the exhaust valves 4 in the course of their work are located at a relatively large distance from the soil, they practically do not come into contact with it, which favorably affects their work, due to the fact that they do not clog, therefore, they are able to withstand moisture from the environment. Also, the exhaust valves 4 are capable of self-cleaning, since through them, at each step, air comes out under pressure, blowing out any specks and moisture that may have got into them.

Obviously, these shoe soles can be composed of various layers and components, even those that, according to the requirements put forward, differ from those listed in this text. These components, according to the requirements put forward, can have different sizes and therefore, in the accompanying drawings, the size indicators do not have any restrictive function.

It is also possible to make shoe soles with a stiffening insert protecting against twisting deformation, or without this insert.

Various elements of the shoe sole may be made of polyvinyl chloride, a foamed copolymer of ethyl and vinyl acetate, a foamed polyurethane, rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, latex foam and other known polymers suitable for the manufacture of shoe soles.

In the course of practice, it was found that the invention thus disclosed solves the problems identified during the operation of known types of waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe soles. In particular, the present invention provides a waterproof ventilated shoe sole, which provides the most efficient ventilation of the inside of the shoe, consists of a small number of components, is resistant to wear and damage, and allows you to assemble it in a simple and inexpensive way, allowing freedom of design.

According to the present invention, such a waterproof ventilated shoe sole can in fact be used in a very large number of types of soles from sports to walking, ensuring excellent ventilation of the interior of the shoe.

In addition, this design of shoe soles makes it easy to make waterproof ventilated shoe soles, using elements that have different technical characteristics and can be used according to the requirements of a particular model.

Thus compiled, the present invention may have numerous modifications and variations, all of which do not go beyond the scope of the claims, while all its details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

As for the materials used in practice, provided they correspond to a specific purpose of use and suitable sizes, they can be any, if they comply with the requirements and the level of technology in this field.

Claims (15)

1. A waterproof ventilated shoe sole consists of at least one of:
a support element (1) made of a polymeric material, which essentially is the main part of the shoe sole, and which includes at least the running surface of the sole with the tread and the side parts of the shoe sole;
at least one elastic element (2) made of a polymeric material located and fixed on the running surface of said support element (1), at least in part of its length;
at least one flexible perforated layer (3) made of a polymeric material located above said elastic element (2) and hermetically connected around the perimeter to at least the side parts of said supporting element (1);
at least one outlet valve (4) embedded in the side of said support element (1) so that the valve inlet is below said flexible perforated layer (3) and the valve outlet is outside the shoe sole;
breathable or perforated insoles (5) located at least above said flexible perforated layer (3). 2. A shoe sole according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a contour element (6) attached to the support element (1), essentially replacing its side parts, to which a flexible perforated layer (3) is hermetically connected around the perimeter, and an outlet valve (4). 3. A shoe sole according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic element (2) is an integral part of the support element (1) and they are made as a whole during the molding of the sole in the mold. 4. A shoe sole according to claim 1, characterized in that it has, at least in part, its length, a removable block (A), interchangeable with similar such blocks, consisting of a flexible perforated layer (3) and a lower flexible layer (10 ), hermetically connected around the perimeter by an elastic seal (9) made of a polymeric material, with an opening for air passage to the exhaust valve (4), and an elastic element (2) fixed between the specified flexible perforated layer (3) and the lower flexible layer ( 10). 5. A shoe sole according to claim 4, characterized in that the removable block (A) is composed of a flexible perforated layer (3) and an elastic element (2), which is made in the form of a blister with the formation of its side parts that perform the functions of a sealant (9) in which a hole is made for the passage of air to the exhaust valve (4) and which are hermetically connected to the specified flexible perforated layer (3) around its perimeter. 6. The shoe sole according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic element (2) is made in the form of a blister with the formation of its side parts, which are the side parts of the shoe sole, at least for part of its length and in which a hole for installation is made exhaust valve (4) or for the passage of air to the exhaust valve (4). 7. A shoe sole according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the flexible perforated layer (3) is made of a composite polymer material, in which at least two layers are present, of which the lower layer is made of flexible perforated material, and the top layer is made of breathable or perforated elastic material. 8. A shoe sole according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it has more than one exhaust valve (4). 9. A shoe sole according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it has more than one elastic element (2). 10. A shoe sole according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it has more than one flexible perforated layer (3). 11. A shoe sole according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it has a shoe upper (12). 12. A shoe sole according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the elastic element (2) has a compression limiter (7) made of hard plastic. 13. A shoe sole according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the outlet valve (4) is a polymer tube of various sections, having elasticity and flexibility, having the shape of a cup, near the bottom of which there is a transverse section of a portion of the circumference of the tube forming an opening due to bending the bottom, with air pressure from the inside of the tube. 14. A shoe sole according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the exhaust valve (4) has an exhaust valve body (11) made of hard plastic or metal. 15. Shoe sole according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the exhaust valve (4) has a protective grille (8) made of plastic or metal and attached to the valve body (11), or to the support element (1) , or to the contour element (6).

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