CA1267352A - Means for storing and distributing heat and use thereof - Google Patents
Means for storing and distributing heat and use thereofInfo
- Publication number
- CA1267352A CA1267352A CA000482619A CA482619A CA1267352A CA 1267352 A CA1267352 A CA 1267352A CA 000482619 A CA000482619 A CA 000482619A CA 482619 A CA482619 A CA 482619A CA 1267352 A CA1267352 A CA 1267352A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- layer
- thickness
- foam
- heat
- skin
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Landscapes
- Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
Abstract
MEANS FOR STORING AND DISTRIBUTING HEAT
AND USE THEREOF
Abstract of the Disclosure Means for insulating heat and for storing and distributing heat, more specifically body heat on areas of the outer skin, consist of a) a foam layer (1) having a thickness of from 0.8 to 8 mm or a skin-compatible layer (1) of a textile fabric, leather, cork or plastics;
b) a flexible heat-conductive metal layer (2); and c) a foam layer (3) having a thickness of from 0.8 to 8 mm.
The means may be in shapes suitable for use as insoles, plasters, soles of shoes, mats, cushions and as a general insulating materials.
AND USE THEREOF
Abstract of the Disclosure Means for insulating heat and for storing and distributing heat, more specifically body heat on areas of the outer skin, consist of a) a foam layer (1) having a thickness of from 0.8 to 8 mm or a skin-compatible layer (1) of a textile fabric, leather, cork or plastics;
b) a flexible heat-conductive metal layer (2); and c) a foam layer (3) having a thickness of from 0.8 to 8 mm.
The means may be in shapes suitable for use as insoles, plasters, soles of shoes, mats, cushions and as a general insulating materials.
Description
~6~
The presen-t invention relates to means for effect-ing heat insulation and for storing and distributing heat, more specifically the body heat on surfaces of the outer skin.
A series of pains, cramps and physical disorders are caused by insufficient irregular circulation of blood through the outer skin. In many cases alleviance, improve-ment or even healing are achieved by the uniform action of heat, and possibly ~y the joint action of heat and moisture.
The treatments with infrared radiation, hot-water bottles, heating pads, hot packs and cataplasms usually involve some expenditure and, thus, are not always and readily applicable.
Also cold feet result from such effects and can only be insufficiently or inconveniently treated by conventional means.
The present invention seeks to treat the local supercooling and insufficient irregular blood circulation of skin areas in a simple manner. The means therefor should be simple to attach, be not inconvenient to wear, be readily removable and, in addition be technically uncomplicated and available at a moderate price.
The present invention also seeks to provide improved means for a general heat insulation which altogether are not stab:Le and durable and will not be ruptured or broken as readily as conventionally used foam layers and foam articles are.
.-- 1 .:1 73~
Still further the present invention seeks to develop means for storing and distributing hea-t, more speeifically body heat on surfaees of the outer skin, whieh means eonsist of thicker layers of foam material. ~lamely, in the eourse of developing the produets as mentioned it has been found that foam layers having a thiekness in excess of 4 mm, although they still do exeellently store the body heat, do not result in a sufficient distribution on surfaces of the outer skin. Thus, such thicker foam layers cause the oceuranee of local accumulations of heat as well known.
However, for cer-tain applieations of the new means for storing and distributing heat on surfaees of the outer skin it is desirable to use foam layer of higher thieknesses as these provide an improved padding and eushioning upon eom-pressive stress.
~,~
73S~
In accordance with the invention means is provided consisting of a) a foam layer having a -thickness of from 0.8 to 8 mm; or a skin-compatible layer made of a textile fabric, and leather, cork or plastics;
b) a flexible heat-conducting metal layer; and c) a foam layer having a thickness of from 0.8 to 8 mm, which optionally has been surface textured.
Accordingly, the present invention provides means for storing and distributing body heat on surfaces of the outer skin comprising:
a) a polyethylene (PE) foam layer of from 0.8 to 4 mm thickness;
b) a flexible heat-conducting metal layer; and c) a further flexible foam layer of from 0.8 to 4 mm in thickness.
- 2a -~ W/GF 411 5~
The metal layer preferably consists of a foil or a wire net made of aluminum of copper. Aluminum foils are the most inexpensive. Foils or wire nets made of copper have a better heat conductivity. Moreover, nets made of copper wire are capable of bearing a higher mechanical load so that they are preferred to be used in those means which when worn will be subject to stron~er mechanical strèss.
The means according to invention can be shaped, for example, into shoe insoles which, for treatlng cold feet, are to be inserted into conventional footwear and worn under the outer skin of the sole of the foot. When the means according to the invention are to be attached to other parts of the body, they are preferably fixed on the body surface by using a self-adhesive plaster. Instead by use of a self-adhesive plaster they may of course also be held in position by way of a textile bandage or a stocking or sock. Another preferred embodiment has an additional Velcro strip fastener attached on the outer foam layer. The means according to the invention as eqùipped therewith may be attached to the body in a particularly easy way by using elastic bandages having Velcro strip fasteners themselves.
Eventually, it is possible to apply a skin-compatible self-adhesive layer to one or both of the foam layers which has been covered by a removable (strippable) protective film. Prior to use the protective film is stripped off, and the means is adhered directly onto the skin. If both foam layers are provided with a self-adhesive layer each, then the means can be used twice. If desired the surface facing the skin of the PE foam layer as well both of the foam layers can be covered with a skin-compatible layer of a textile material. This textile layer is capable of conducting heat and absorbing moisture. If it is 4~
firmly sealed to the means according to the invention, it may also contribute to effect a further mechanical stabilization of the foam material. ~s the textile materials, more specifically there may be taken into consideration those made of cotton.
Flannel or knitted fabric, as well as self-adhesive non-woven fabrics such as, e.g., the product Fixomull Stretch~ sold by Beiersdorf AG, Hamburg, West Germanyr are particularly well suitable.
The means according to the invention are altogether inexpensive, simple and convenient to wear. All embodiments of the means according to the invention give an excellent storage and distribution onto the underlying areas of the outer skin of the body heat which otherwise would dissipate into the environ-ment. Due to the good compatibility with the skin of poly-ethylene, the PE foam layers having a thickness from 0.8 to ~ mm, and preferably from 1 to 2 mm, are suitable to store the emitted heat, but also the emitted moisture. The flexible heat-conductive intermediate metal layers caùse the heat to be uni-formly distributed within the means so that skin portions suffer-ing from lower blood circulation will be heated from those skinregions having better blood circulation. The further flexible foam layer having a thickness from 0.8 to 4 mm, and preferably from 1 to 2 mm, provides a heat insulation of the metal layer from the environment and prevents the undesired loss of heat by heat irradiation outwardly from the metal layer. This further foam layer may also consist of PE foam. However, basically other foam materials, such als polyurethane (PU), are suitable as well.
The flexible heat-conductive metal layer has the further advantage of that the means according to the invention altogether are more stable and resistant to wear and does no longer undergo ~,~ T~ccl~ n~a~
`~ W/GF 411 ;~' 7 ~'' easy rupture or breakage. This effect is already attained by using simple metal foils adhesion-bonded to the foam layers.
Means to be used under higher mechnical stress preferably should comprise the me-tals layer in the form of a wire net. Wire nets made of copper are particularly suitable for this purpose. The metal foils in general have a thickness of at least 0.02 mm, and preferably from 0.08 to 0.3 mm. Weaker foils do not provide sufficient stability and also result in a deteriorated heat conduction from the warmer regions to the colder regions.
Thicker metal films, on the other hand, tend to make the means according to the invention more rigid to the extent that will no longer readily engage to the skin over the whole surface of said means.
If wire nets made of aluminum or copper are used, the wire diameter may be from 0.05 to 0.5 mm. The mesh opening is mostly from 3 to 6 times the wire diameter, while nets having wide mesh openings provide a poorer distribution of the irradiated heat.
When wire nets are employed, there is a chance that the moisture as delivered from the skin surface may evaporate through the foam which has at least partially open pores (partially open-porous or open-celled foam). When metal foils are employed, these act also such as to insulate moisture. Therefore, it is also possible by using these means to subject the skin areas covered therewith to a treatment with moist heat.
In the embodiment of the means according to the invention for use as insoles to be inserted in shoes the use of metal foils also results in an insulation of moisture so that, on the one hand, no moisture from outside can reach the foot, while, how-~ ~i73S~
ever, on the other hand, the moisture and sweat also cannotescape from the foot. Thus, it will depend on the respective intended use whether the insole embodiment will contain a metal film or a metal wire net as the intermediate heat-conductive metal layer.
Bonding of the metal layer to the two foam layers is effected in a per _ known manner by means of conventional adhesives which yield well adhering bonds to the employed synthetic material as well as to the employed metal. From the view of manufacturing engineering the use of self-adhering foam webs is particularly preferred which are bonded to the metal foils or wire nets. If wide-mesh wire nets are used, an adhesive contact between the two foam layers may occur whereby the wire net is particularly firmly bonded between the foam layers.
The thickness of the two foam layers may be varied depending on the respective intended use. Thicker foam layers in insoles provide a cushioning action to t`he sole of the foot and often an additionally desired massage effect.
In an application as means according to the invention for the treatment of the neck and shoulder region thinner embodiments are preferred, since they will less bulge out and, hence, will provide a better look. Furthermore, for this purpose the embodi-ments comprising a self-adhesive layer are advantageously usable.
For use on the skin of arms and legs again embodiments are pre-ferred to be used which in a simple manner may be attached by use of bandages, stockings etc. or Velcro~strip fastener bandages and, thereby, are convenient to wear.
~7~ W/GF 411 The polythylene foam as preferred to be used is not only compatible with the skin but also water-resistant so that for hygiencal reasons it can be cleaned after use with hot water and a de-tergent and then be re-used. The same is applicable to the insoles which in order to remove sweat deposited thereon may be readily washed and re-used. Also in these procedures the re-inforcing and stabilizing effect of the metal layer is rather beneficial, since the foam layers having thicknesses of from 0.8 to 4 mm or even taken together of from 1.6 to 8 mm might be easily ruptured or broken during the cleaning operations. In insoles of course the foam layers may additionally be covered with a textile fabric.
It is a particular advantage of the insoles according to the invention that they do well engage to the contours of the foot as well as to the contours inside the shoe and thereby provide an optimum and most direct contact between the sole of the foot and the shoe.
If the outer foam layer has also been made of poly-ethylene (PE), the means according to the invention can also be used from both sides one after another, so that the number of required cleaning steps can be reduced.
If both foam layers are to be provided with self-adhesive layers, then PE will as well be used as the material for both of the layersn The means according to the invention can of course be applied not only on the human skin but also on animals, the embodiments comprising bandages, stockings or Velcro strip 735~
fasteners being preferred for use on hairy parts of the hide and on pelt.
Further investigation of the means as described herein-above has resulted in the finding that they are suitable not only for storing and distributing body heat but also for effecting heat insulation in general. More specifically, it has been shown that the flexible heat-conductive metal layer implies the particular advantage of that the means according to the invention altogether become more stable and resistant to wear and will no longer undergo rupture or breakage as easily as layers do which consist only of foam. Particularly suitable to serve the purpose of heat insulation are those means which consist of two closed-porous PE foam layers adhesion-bonded to an intermediate aluminum foil.
Due to the presence of the aluminum foil the means according are not only heat-insulating, but they also act as steam barriers. If, however, it is desired that the insulating material is permeable to steam, then the means according to the invention can be provided with spaced perforations. The perforation holes allow the water vapor to penetrate the means.
Nevertheless the heat insulation is almost completely maintained.
Fields of application for the means according to the invention, thus, are civil engineering and building activities where the means can be used to insulate floors, walls and roofs.
Furthermore, it can be employed in automotive assembly, in the textile industry, in the sports articles industry, in the assembly of refrigerators and the like.
~.2~i'735;~
Further fields of application are the insulations of swimming pools, pipes, heating units as well as a general insulation against moisture. The means are further suitable as inserts for paddings and in aircraft construction and ship-building. Eventually, the new means can also be used as disposable sheets and coverings in hospitals, more specifically in the isolation wards thereof, and for patients suffering from strong excretion of liquids.
If the means according to the invention are to be used as means for providing heat insulation in general, a closed-porous foam layer which preferably comprises a self-adhesive layer may be combined with an open-porous foam layer on the surface facing the room. Hereby, in addition, an excellent sound insulation can be accomplished. The self-adhesive layer is preferably covered with a strippable protective film, for example one made of oiled paper, which is removed immediately prior to laying in place. If these layers are to be made permeable to moisture and steam, they are perforated as described above.
Depending on the intended use the volume weight of the closed-porous PE foam as well as the thickness of the aluminum foil can be varied. ~t all events the materials according to the invention can be produced, rolled, stored, transported and sub-sequently process at extraordinarily reasonable costs. Also in the processed state it continues to have excellent mechanical properties so that it provides the desired heat insulation for a long period of time.
Bonding the PE foams to the aluminum foils is preferably effected by using hot-melt adhesives or by flame-laminating.
However, basically any other adhesive capable of adhering to aluminum and to polyethylene can be used.
_g_ ~L~6;~7;3~
If an aeration is necessary, the means according to the invention will be perforated. The holes are preferably spaced apart from each other at distances of from 10 to 20 mm. Then, the hole dimensions are preferable in diameter ranges of between 1 and 5 mm.
The volume weights of the used PE foams may be subject to variations within wide limits. They may be between 20 and 150 kg/m3. For insoles, volume weights between 30 and 120 kg/m3 have proven to be particularly useful. For use as mere heat insulation material with low mechanical stress there may also be used lower volume densities. In cases of higher stress it is recommended to employ higher volume densities. Another criterion for the selection is the demanded degree of heat insulation. In particular cases such as a use for insoles it may be advantageous that pre-fabricated laminates are subsequently molded under the action of heat and pressure and thereby the volume density of the material is increased.
Further investigation of the means as described herein-above has resulted in the finding that a further improvement can be accomplished by replacing the foam layer (1) facing the skin with a skin-compatible layer made of textile fabric, leather, cork or plastics, so that the flexible heat-conductive metal layer (2) is brought into contact with the outer skin without a heat-insulating PE foam layer being present. Hereby, the heat as emitted from the body surface is distributed more rapidly and more uniformly, and any local accumulation of heat is avoided.
The storage of the heat having been uniformly distributed then is again effected by the flexible foam layer (3) having a thickness of from 0.8 to 4 mm.
~6~
More speci.Eically, if the means accorcling to the invention are to be used as insoles or as integrated con-stituent of a sole of a shoe, it has proven to be parti-cularly expedient to provide a further flexible heat-con-ductive metal layer and a further flexible foam layer made of closed-porous polyethylene foam and having a thickness of from 0.~ to 4 mm contiguous to the foam layer.
Such insoles or constituents of a sole of a shoe according to the invention have the following essential advantages:
1. A uniform constant surface temperature of the foot contact surface is obtained and rapidly adjùsted. The heat as delivered from the foot contact surface is stored to an optimum degree and, thus, the feet durably and all over will feel comfortably warm.
The presen-t invention relates to means for effect-ing heat insulation and for storing and distributing heat, more specifically the body heat on surfaces of the outer skin.
A series of pains, cramps and physical disorders are caused by insufficient irregular circulation of blood through the outer skin. In many cases alleviance, improve-ment or even healing are achieved by the uniform action of heat, and possibly ~y the joint action of heat and moisture.
The treatments with infrared radiation, hot-water bottles, heating pads, hot packs and cataplasms usually involve some expenditure and, thus, are not always and readily applicable.
Also cold feet result from such effects and can only be insufficiently or inconveniently treated by conventional means.
The present invention seeks to treat the local supercooling and insufficient irregular blood circulation of skin areas in a simple manner. The means therefor should be simple to attach, be not inconvenient to wear, be readily removable and, in addition be technically uncomplicated and available at a moderate price.
The present invention also seeks to provide improved means for a general heat insulation which altogether are not stab:Le and durable and will not be ruptured or broken as readily as conventionally used foam layers and foam articles are.
.-- 1 .:1 73~
Still further the present invention seeks to develop means for storing and distributing hea-t, more speeifically body heat on surfaees of the outer skin, whieh means eonsist of thicker layers of foam material. ~lamely, in the eourse of developing the produets as mentioned it has been found that foam layers having a thiekness in excess of 4 mm, although they still do exeellently store the body heat, do not result in a sufficient distribution on surfaces of the outer skin. Thus, such thicker foam layers cause the oceuranee of local accumulations of heat as well known.
However, for cer-tain applieations of the new means for storing and distributing heat on surfaees of the outer skin it is desirable to use foam layer of higher thieknesses as these provide an improved padding and eushioning upon eom-pressive stress.
~,~
73S~
In accordance with the invention means is provided consisting of a) a foam layer having a -thickness of from 0.8 to 8 mm; or a skin-compatible layer made of a textile fabric, and leather, cork or plastics;
b) a flexible heat-conducting metal layer; and c) a foam layer having a thickness of from 0.8 to 8 mm, which optionally has been surface textured.
Accordingly, the present invention provides means for storing and distributing body heat on surfaces of the outer skin comprising:
a) a polyethylene (PE) foam layer of from 0.8 to 4 mm thickness;
b) a flexible heat-conducting metal layer; and c) a further flexible foam layer of from 0.8 to 4 mm in thickness.
- 2a -~ W/GF 411 5~
The metal layer preferably consists of a foil or a wire net made of aluminum of copper. Aluminum foils are the most inexpensive. Foils or wire nets made of copper have a better heat conductivity. Moreover, nets made of copper wire are capable of bearing a higher mechanical load so that they are preferred to be used in those means which when worn will be subject to stron~er mechanical strèss.
The means according to invention can be shaped, for example, into shoe insoles which, for treatlng cold feet, are to be inserted into conventional footwear and worn under the outer skin of the sole of the foot. When the means according to the invention are to be attached to other parts of the body, they are preferably fixed on the body surface by using a self-adhesive plaster. Instead by use of a self-adhesive plaster they may of course also be held in position by way of a textile bandage or a stocking or sock. Another preferred embodiment has an additional Velcro strip fastener attached on the outer foam layer. The means according to the invention as eqùipped therewith may be attached to the body in a particularly easy way by using elastic bandages having Velcro strip fasteners themselves.
Eventually, it is possible to apply a skin-compatible self-adhesive layer to one or both of the foam layers which has been covered by a removable (strippable) protective film. Prior to use the protective film is stripped off, and the means is adhered directly onto the skin. If both foam layers are provided with a self-adhesive layer each, then the means can be used twice. If desired the surface facing the skin of the PE foam layer as well both of the foam layers can be covered with a skin-compatible layer of a textile material. This textile layer is capable of conducting heat and absorbing moisture. If it is 4~
firmly sealed to the means according to the invention, it may also contribute to effect a further mechanical stabilization of the foam material. ~s the textile materials, more specifically there may be taken into consideration those made of cotton.
Flannel or knitted fabric, as well as self-adhesive non-woven fabrics such as, e.g., the product Fixomull Stretch~ sold by Beiersdorf AG, Hamburg, West Germanyr are particularly well suitable.
The means according to the invention are altogether inexpensive, simple and convenient to wear. All embodiments of the means according to the invention give an excellent storage and distribution onto the underlying areas of the outer skin of the body heat which otherwise would dissipate into the environ-ment. Due to the good compatibility with the skin of poly-ethylene, the PE foam layers having a thickness from 0.8 to ~ mm, and preferably from 1 to 2 mm, are suitable to store the emitted heat, but also the emitted moisture. The flexible heat-conductive intermediate metal layers caùse the heat to be uni-formly distributed within the means so that skin portions suffer-ing from lower blood circulation will be heated from those skinregions having better blood circulation. The further flexible foam layer having a thickness from 0.8 to 4 mm, and preferably from 1 to 2 mm, provides a heat insulation of the metal layer from the environment and prevents the undesired loss of heat by heat irradiation outwardly from the metal layer. This further foam layer may also consist of PE foam. However, basically other foam materials, such als polyurethane (PU), are suitable as well.
The flexible heat-conductive metal layer has the further advantage of that the means according to the invention altogether are more stable and resistant to wear and does no longer undergo ~,~ T~ccl~ n~a~
`~ W/GF 411 ;~' 7 ~'' easy rupture or breakage. This effect is already attained by using simple metal foils adhesion-bonded to the foam layers.
Means to be used under higher mechnical stress preferably should comprise the me-tals layer in the form of a wire net. Wire nets made of copper are particularly suitable for this purpose. The metal foils in general have a thickness of at least 0.02 mm, and preferably from 0.08 to 0.3 mm. Weaker foils do not provide sufficient stability and also result in a deteriorated heat conduction from the warmer regions to the colder regions.
Thicker metal films, on the other hand, tend to make the means according to the invention more rigid to the extent that will no longer readily engage to the skin over the whole surface of said means.
If wire nets made of aluminum or copper are used, the wire diameter may be from 0.05 to 0.5 mm. The mesh opening is mostly from 3 to 6 times the wire diameter, while nets having wide mesh openings provide a poorer distribution of the irradiated heat.
When wire nets are employed, there is a chance that the moisture as delivered from the skin surface may evaporate through the foam which has at least partially open pores (partially open-porous or open-celled foam). When metal foils are employed, these act also such as to insulate moisture. Therefore, it is also possible by using these means to subject the skin areas covered therewith to a treatment with moist heat.
In the embodiment of the means according to the invention for use as insoles to be inserted in shoes the use of metal foils also results in an insulation of moisture so that, on the one hand, no moisture from outside can reach the foot, while, how-~ ~i73S~
ever, on the other hand, the moisture and sweat also cannotescape from the foot. Thus, it will depend on the respective intended use whether the insole embodiment will contain a metal film or a metal wire net as the intermediate heat-conductive metal layer.
Bonding of the metal layer to the two foam layers is effected in a per _ known manner by means of conventional adhesives which yield well adhering bonds to the employed synthetic material as well as to the employed metal. From the view of manufacturing engineering the use of self-adhering foam webs is particularly preferred which are bonded to the metal foils or wire nets. If wide-mesh wire nets are used, an adhesive contact between the two foam layers may occur whereby the wire net is particularly firmly bonded between the foam layers.
The thickness of the two foam layers may be varied depending on the respective intended use. Thicker foam layers in insoles provide a cushioning action to t`he sole of the foot and often an additionally desired massage effect.
In an application as means according to the invention for the treatment of the neck and shoulder region thinner embodiments are preferred, since they will less bulge out and, hence, will provide a better look. Furthermore, for this purpose the embodi-ments comprising a self-adhesive layer are advantageously usable.
For use on the skin of arms and legs again embodiments are pre-ferred to be used which in a simple manner may be attached by use of bandages, stockings etc. or Velcro~strip fastener bandages and, thereby, are convenient to wear.
~7~ W/GF 411 The polythylene foam as preferred to be used is not only compatible with the skin but also water-resistant so that for hygiencal reasons it can be cleaned after use with hot water and a de-tergent and then be re-used. The same is applicable to the insoles which in order to remove sweat deposited thereon may be readily washed and re-used. Also in these procedures the re-inforcing and stabilizing effect of the metal layer is rather beneficial, since the foam layers having thicknesses of from 0.8 to 4 mm or even taken together of from 1.6 to 8 mm might be easily ruptured or broken during the cleaning operations. In insoles of course the foam layers may additionally be covered with a textile fabric.
It is a particular advantage of the insoles according to the invention that they do well engage to the contours of the foot as well as to the contours inside the shoe and thereby provide an optimum and most direct contact between the sole of the foot and the shoe.
If the outer foam layer has also been made of poly-ethylene (PE), the means according to the invention can also be used from both sides one after another, so that the number of required cleaning steps can be reduced.
If both foam layers are to be provided with self-adhesive layers, then PE will as well be used as the material for both of the layersn The means according to the invention can of course be applied not only on the human skin but also on animals, the embodiments comprising bandages, stockings or Velcro strip 735~
fasteners being preferred for use on hairy parts of the hide and on pelt.
Further investigation of the means as described herein-above has resulted in the finding that they are suitable not only for storing and distributing body heat but also for effecting heat insulation in general. More specifically, it has been shown that the flexible heat-conductive metal layer implies the particular advantage of that the means according to the invention altogether become more stable and resistant to wear and will no longer undergo rupture or breakage as easily as layers do which consist only of foam. Particularly suitable to serve the purpose of heat insulation are those means which consist of two closed-porous PE foam layers adhesion-bonded to an intermediate aluminum foil.
Due to the presence of the aluminum foil the means according are not only heat-insulating, but they also act as steam barriers. If, however, it is desired that the insulating material is permeable to steam, then the means according to the invention can be provided with spaced perforations. The perforation holes allow the water vapor to penetrate the means.
Nevertheless the heat insulation is almost completely maintained.
Fields of application for the means according to the invention, thus, are civil engineering and building activities where the means can be used to insulate floors, walls and roofs.
Furthermore, it can be employed in automotive assembly, in the textile industry, in the sports articles industry, in the assembly of refrigerators and the like.
~.2~i'735;~
Further fields of application are the insulations of swimming pools, pipes, heating units as well as a general insulation against moisture. The means are further suitable as inserts for paddings and in aircraft construction and ship-building. Eventually, the new means can also be used as disposable sheets and coverings in hospitals, more specifically in the isolation wards thereof, and for patients suffering from strong excretion of liquids.
If the means according to the invention are to be used as means for providing heat insulation in general, a closed-porous foam layer which preferably comprises a self-adhesive layer may be combined with an open-porous foam layer on the surface facing the room. Hereby, in addition, an excellent sound insulation can be accomplished. The self-adhesive layer is preferably covered with a strippable protective film, for example one made of oiled paper, which is removed immediately prior to laying in place. If these layers are to be made permeable to moisture and steam, they are perforated as described above.
Depending on the intended use the volume weight of the closed-porous PE foam as well as the thickness of the aluminum foil can be varied. ~t all events the materials according to the invention can be produced, rolled, stored, transported and sub-sequently process at extraordinarily reasonable costs. Also in the processed state it continues to have excellent mechanical properties so that it provides the desired heat insulation for a long period of time.
Bonding the PE foams to the aluminum foils is preferably effected by using hot-melt adhesives or by flame-laminating.
However, basically any other adhesive capable of adhering to aluminum and to polyethylene can be used.
_g_ ~L~6;~7;3~
If an aeration is necessary, the means according to the invention will be perforated. The holes are preferably spaced apart from each other at distances of from 10 to 20 mm. Then, the hole dimensions are preferable in diameter ranges of between 1 and 5 mm.
The volume weights of the used PE foams may be subject to variations within wide limits. They may be between 20 and 150 kg/m3. For insoles, volume weights between 30 and 120 kg/m3 have proven to be particularly useful. For use as mere heat insulation material with low mechanical stress there may also be used lower volume densities. In cases of higher stress it is recommended to employ higher volume densities. Another criterion for the selection is the demanded degree of heat insulation. In particular cases such as a use for insoles it may be advantageous that pre-fabricated laminates are subsequently molded under the action of heat and pressure and thereby the volume density of the material is increased.
Further investigation of the means as described herein-above has resulted in the finding that a further improvement can be accomplished by replacing the foam layer (1) facing the skin with a skin-compatible layer made of textile fabric, leather, cork or plastics, so that the flexible heat-conductive metal layer (2) is brought into contact with the outer skin without a heat-insulating PE foam layer being present. Hereby, the heat as emitted from the body surface is distributed more rapidly and more uniformly, and any local accumulation of heat is avoided.
The storage of the heat having been uniformly distributed then is again effected by the flexible foam layer (3) having a thickness of from 0.8 to 4 mm.
~6~
More speci.Eically, if the means accorcling to the invention are to be used as insoles or as integrated con-stituent of a sole of a shoe, it has proven to be parti-cularly expedient to provide a further flexible heat-con-ductive metal layer and a further flexible foam layer made of closed-porous polyethylene foam and having a thickness of from 0.~ to 4 mm contiguous to the foam layer.
Such insoles or constituents of a sole of a shoe according to the invention have the following essential advantages:
1. A uniform constant surface temperature of the foot contact surface is obtained and rapidly adjùsted. The heat as delivered from the foot contact surface is stored to an optimum degree and, thus, the feet durably and all over will feel comfortably warm.
2. Surprisingly, the uniform warming of the sole of the foot results in a reduced production of sweat, so that the foot contact surface has a lower degrèe of moisture.
3. Insoles according to the invention have a deform-ation corresponding to the form of the foot, which gives an explicitly pleasant feeling.
1~,`
7~3r~
1~,`
7~3r~
4. The sole thickness is astonishingly small, however, it provides effects which so far have not been accomplished by using subs~antially thicker materials.
The particular reasons herefor are that according to the present invention for the first time a good heat conductor has been combined with a heat insulator. A com-bination of these two entirely different types of materials has so far never been contemplated by the artisan who, in order to achieve good heat insulation, has only used heat insulators and has avoided a use ..
., . j W/GE' 411 of well heat-conductive materials. The combination which indeed appears as a paradox for the first time causes not only a good heat storage, but also a good heat distribution over the area -to be obtained. Thereby, a buildup of local superheating and local supercooling is either prevented from occurring at all or is rapidly levelled down. However, just these effects of local superheating and local supercooling are known to be causes for pains, strained muscles, local sweat formations and so-called "burning feet". Thus, the use of the means according to the invention in shoe soles for the first time the problem of the optimum shoe sole be solved which has long been sought. So far, all shoe soles in use either were insufficient with respect to heat insulation so that they yielded cold feet, or they did so well insulate the heat that local superheating effects, sweating feet and burning feet.
Since for insoles and soles of shoes a closed-porous polyethylene foam is preferred to be used, this foam cannot become filled with water or sweat, that is not even from the cut edges. Thus, the means according to the invention as to their effect are impaired neither by internal nor by external moisture.
This is why the used materials also cannot be attacked by micro-organisms such as bacteria and fungi so that they retain a neutral odor and do not bind alien odors. They are not damaged either by soap water nor by washing machines and, thus, can be easily cleaned if desired. Thus, they meet the hygiene standards of today as set for insoles and soles.
By a suitable selection of the volume weights of the employed foams, some permanent deformation can be accomplished which ensures a natural engagement of the insole or sole, re-spectively, to the individual surface of the sole of the foot.
73~
This provides an optimum comfort and pleasant feeling to the bearer.
By the use of -two flexible heat-conductive metal layers and of two foam layers contiguous thereto there have been formed two "heat chambers" with an optimum insulation and an optimum distribution of the heat, and shielding of the cold, respec-tively, is effected by the shoe sole. Measure-ments on such insoles according to the pxesent invention have shown that even in the case of larger temperature differences sensed on the one side only minimal temperature differences can be determined on the other side, whereas all prior art materials, even those having a higher insulating power, yield higher temperature variations on the other side of the layer as well. This holds for insulating materials ~uite generally and ~or all previously known insoles and soles of shoes in particular.
The means according to the present invention are also effective when applied to other parts of the outer skin.
Thus, these means can be applied onto the skin in the form of plasters designed into various shapes and thereon can display their pleasant alleviating or even healing effects. Thus, such plasters can be attached to the body by means of a self-adhesive plaster. Instead of using a self-adhesive plaster, they may of course also be attached by means of a textile bandage or a stocking or sock. Another preferred embodiment additionally has a Velcro strip fastener provided on the outer foam layer. The means in accordance with this embodiment may be most readily attached by means of an elastic bandage having a Velcro strip fastener. Eventually, it is also possible to apply a skin-compatible self-adhesive layer which has been covered by a - 13a -i'~
~,2~ ;2 removable protective film onto the skin-compatible layer.
Prior to use the protective film is stripped, and the means is directly adhered to the skin. If desired, it is possible to impregnate the skin-compatible layer with substances promoting blood circulation, more specifically those which have already proven to be valuable in conventional medical plasters. These substances promoting blood circulation include substances from mustard, paprica or Fructus Capsici, which are incorporated in these layers in amounts of from 0.5 to 5% by weigh~.
~, . ..`, For the slcin-compatible layer, all skin-compatible textile fabrics, leather, cork or synthetic materials can be employed. Particularly preferred is the use of woven or knitted textile fabrics made of cotton, wool, polyamides, polyesters and regenerated cellulose. More specifically, if the means according to the invention are incorporated in shoe soles, leather, cork or skin-compatible plastics layers may also be employed. Such skin-compatible la~er in general does not have any heat-insulating property by itself, so that the heat emitted by -the body surface is rapidly conveyed to the flexible heat-conductive metal layer and can be re-dis-tributed there. This is not, or only -to a lower degree, applicable in the case that a polyethylene oam layer is employed, so -that then still some local heat accumulation may be observed. This in the usual manner will result in sweat formation, burning feet and a non-optimized redistribution of heat. The local temperature differences will at least still be sensed as unpleasant, so that subjectively the means of the latter embodiment of the present invention will be perceived as being more pleasant.
Again the fle~ible hea-t-conductive metal layer preferably consists of a foil or a wire net of aluminum or of copper.
.. i~.
- 14a -'673~
Aluminum foils are the most inexpensive and most easily to be processed, so that they are particularly preerred. Basically, it is as well possible to use plastics films having a sufficient-ly thick metal layer thereon which has been applied by vapor deposition. However, the metal layers must be thick enough such as to be capable of laterally carry away the heat~
The flexible foam layers of from 0.8 to ~ mm in thickness preferably consist of closed-porous polyethylene foam, since this foam material is available at a particularly reasonable price, has good insulating properties, has good mechanical qualities and does not result in any undesired uptake of moisture and liquid.
However, basically any other foams such as, for example, PU
(polyurethane) are suitable.
~ nother advantage of the layers having been bonded to one another according to the present invention is the increased stability and wear resistance, so that the means according to the invention will rupture or break less readily than the individual components do.
If desired, it will of course be possible that the means of this latter embodiment in addition are perforated or slotted in order to render them permeable to moisture and water vapor.
The heat insulation and heat distribution nevertheless is almost completely retained.
These means can be used for general heat insulation purposes in the same manner as the means described before.
Eventually, in the course of further developing the products of the invention it has been found that foam layers the 3~j~
thickness oE whicll is more than ~ mm, although they still do excellently s-tore the body heat, do not result in a sufficient dis-tribution on surfaces of the external skin. Such thicker foam layers again allow the lcnown heat accumulation to occur.
However, Eor some applications oE the new means for storing and distributing heat on surfaces of the outer skin it is desirable to employ the thicker foam layers, since these provide an improved paddlng and cushioning effect upon cornpression stress.
It has been Eound that means are suitable which con-O sist ofa) a closed-porous Eoam layer of from 2 to 8 mm in thick-ness;
b) a flexible hea-t-conduc-ting metal layer; and c) a Eurther closed-porous --oam layer of from 2 to 8 mm in thic]cness, wherein one or both foam layers a) and c) are surface texturized on their outer surEace(s). The surface texture must be that of the side coming into contact with the outer skin. The surface texture is preferably formed by parallel and crossing lines of trapezoid-shaped notches 0.8 -to 3 mm in depth and spaced apart at distances from 3 to 12 mm, the depth of the notches being from 20 to 50% of the thickness of the foam layer, and the width of the notches being from 10 to 30~ of the surfaces of the surface texture.
Such tex-turized surfaces do no longer allow the un-desired accumulation of heat to occur, since the notches resul-t in some distribution of -the heat over the areas of the outer skin. It is -to be taken care of that the predominan-t part of the surface of the foam will remain planar so that only a minor par-t effects -the heat to be distribu-ted through the notches. If the portions oE the smooth surface will decrease below 70~, -this A
\
~Z~35~
will result on the one halld, in the occurence of undesired straining points which give an unpleasant feeling and, on the other hand, in an insuEEicient storage oE heat.
The dep-th of the notches should be within the range of between 20 and 50~ of -the thickness of the foam layer.
Less deep no-tches will negatively aEfect the heat distribution such as to become insufficient, while deeper notches will significantly lower the mechanical strength.
The surface texturizing procedure is preferred to be carried ou-t under action oE heat and pressure by using a pertinent heated roll. Said heat and pressure treatment results in some compression of the surface region of the foam layer which will improve the mechanical properties of the means according to the invention. Thus, the means according to the invention are surface texturized to appear waffle-like. The surEace is preferably formed by raised triangles, squares or hexagons, depending on the arrangement of the parallel and crossed lines of notches.
If the means according to the invention are only surface texturized on one surface thereof, they tend to get warped. Therefore it is preferred that both surfaces be sur-face texturized so that the products formed thereby remain smooth and in plane and do not get warped or rolled.
The foam used in the means according to the present invention preferably is closed-porous PE soft foam. However, basically other closed-porous Eoams, particularly soft foams (high-resilient foams) are suitable as well.
~ 3~
The flexible metal layer again consists of a foil or of a wire net, for example, one made of aluminum or copper. Aluminum foils are particulaxly preferred.
The new means according to the invention are particularly suitable as soles of sandals or as cushions, mats or bed overlay.
Also these means according to the present invention are hygienic and can be cleaned in a sample manner. Due to the thicker foam layer they have an improved padding effect and thus give a more pleasant feeling than smooth but thinner products.
Baby mats preferably are covered with a fabric on the one sur~ace theeof and coated with a washable layer of plastics such as PVC on the other surface thereof. They are suitable for the playing and lying as well as for the being swaddled.
~6~
In tha use of the means accord.ing to the invention gas so.les of sandals it has proven to be beneficial only to surface texturize khe surface facing the skin in accordance with the inventioll, while the opposite surface of the sole is only roughened to the degree -that it will better adhere to the floor such as to avoid an undesired slipping. For simplicity 15 sake it is also readily possible to nap the surface facing the floor of the sole as well.
The further development of the insoles has shown that insoles, but also components of soles in shoes, boots, sandals, sport shoes etc. can be further improved if they consist of a) a closed porous polyethylene foam layer having a thickness of originally from 2 to 8 mm (and preferably from 3 to 5 mm);
- 18a -!- ' ~i73Si~
b) a flexible heat-conductive metal layer having a thickness of from 0.02 to 0.08 mm (and preferably from 0.03 to 0.05 mm);
c) a closed-porous polyethylene foam layer having a thickness of originally from 2 to ~ mm (and preferably from 3 to 5 mm); and d) a skin-compatible layer of a textile fabric, all of the layers a), b), c) and d) having been laminated to adhere firmly together, and the laminates by the action of heat and pressure having been orthopedically molded in the middle foot and heel region, flatly compressed in the forefoot region and provided with naps in the areas of the layers c) and d).
Again aluminum is preferred for the metal layer.
The textile layer preferably consists of cotton tricot fabric.
- 19 ~
-,,:
.;,, .,~, ~. ,~, 673~
The orthopedic molding, more particularly, consists of a lateral lifting in the heel region, a bulging in the lnner region of the middle foot, and preferably is sigifi-cantly "broken-up". Broken up is understood to mean an S-shaped deforma-tion by which the heel region comes to be situated significantly higher than the forefoot region. This orthopedic deformation and break-up results in a particularly high wearing comfort and at the same time a permanent engage-ment of the insole to the sole of the footwear. This is of particular importance for ladies' shoes, more specifically if they have superhigh heels. Thus, the insoles according to the invention are best suited for pumps~
A particularity of the insoles according to the invention consists of that after orthopedic molding, pressing and napping, the -thickness of the laminate in the forefoot region is smaller than in the middlefoot and heel regions.
Due to the higher - l9a -6735~
compression, although -the heat insulation is lowered, the wear-ing comEort is increased. Elowever, the surEace texturizing on the surface, on the one hand, and the metal film in the inter-mediate range, on the other hand, surprisingly cause the fore-foot to be we]l ancl uniEormly heated, while it has been shown that the excess heat from the heel and middlefoot regions is conducted to the foreEoot region.
SurEace texturizing results in a microcirculation of air and moisture, on the one hand, and in a massage effect pro-moting blood circulation, on the other hand. In the insoles asmolded with the action of heat and pressure, compressed and surface texturized according to the invention, these effects are greater than in untreated laminates. Comparative measure-ments indicate that the deformation Erom spherical form to lenticular form of the gas bubbles in the closed-porous poly-ethylene foam under the action of heat and pressure is of crucial influence. Furthermore, this permanent deformation under the action of heat and pressure yields to an increased stability in shape under long-term stress of the insoles so that the use-life thereof is significantly extended.
The orthopedic deformation not only increases the wearing comfort but also the improved drain of redistribution, respectively, of heat from the heel and middlefoot region to the forefoot region where the heat insulation has per se been lowered due to the compression to make a flat layer according to the invention.
The skin-compatible textile layer also contributes to increase the wearing comfort. Moreover, it enables the air and moisture distribution to be improved~
A
:~ 6 ~3 ~
More accura-te measurements o:E the insoles modified according to the invention have further shown that due to the higher compression the heat insulation in 1he surEace texturized area c) and d) is less than that on the other side of the metal :Eoil in the area a). This leads to that lower non-surface texturized foam layer a) predominantly shields from higher temperature deviations, i.e., from cold in winter and from heat in summer. The metal layer b) causes a re-distribution of local temperature differences to occur. The upper compressed foam layer also provides some heat insulation, more specifi-cally a heat exchange at the sole of the foot in the microrange between the indiviclual naps. The nap formation causes some massage effect to be obtained, more specifically when the foot is loaded and relieved from load, whereby the blood circulation is promoted.
Comparative measurements using a commercially avail-able insole consisting of a textile fabric layer, two dif-ferent foam layers and a lattice film comprising vapor-deposited aluminum have shown that upon point-focal ~heat supply the heat insulation is improved by about the factor of lO. Thus, in order to obtain protection from cold in winter it was required to use thicker insoles. However, such thicker insoles in summer caused an increased sweat formation and burning feet.
Thus, the insoles according -to the invention for the first time can be used in summer and in winter at same thickness and all over the year provide an optimum wearing comfort.
More particularly, the effect resides in that according to the inven-tion for the first time a good heat conductor has been combined with a good hea-t insulator. In the improved 30. insoles according to the invention this effect is even enhanced by the skin-compatible textile fabric layer d) which together tl7~S~
with the layer c) has been surEace texturized and, thus, has been particularly highly compressecl, the air and moisture cir-culation in the nappecl area and the orthopedic shaping in the middlefoo-t and heel region oE the laminates. The reduced heat insulation according to -the invention in the forefoot region surprisingly is compensated by the good heat conductivity of the metal layer. The compression to form a flat sole part in the forefoot region allows particularly thin insoles to be manu-factured, more particularly for laclies' foo-twear.
Of course it will be possible to make these insoles also into permanent components oE shoes. To this end they are prefabrica-ted and adhesion-boncled to the soles of conventional shoes, boots, sandals etc. As polyethylene foam in general is very difficul-t to be permanently bonded, it is recommended that also the bottom side of such sole components is laminated with a textile fabric layer which then is bonded to the inner sole of the footwear.
The manufacture of the insoles according to the invention is preferably efEec-ted by previQusly bonding the skin-compatible textile fabric layer and, optionally, the textile fabric layer desired to be present at the bottom for bonding sole components, to the respective polyethylene Eoam layer(s).
This is possible in a particularly simple manner by flame bond-ing. Of course it is also possible to apply these materials by means of adhesives. Herefor there are suitable thermo-adhesives or hot-melt adhesives having sufficient resilience and permanent stability under load.
After the pre-manufactured laminates have been pre-pared from the layers a), b), c) and d), they are molded at a temperature from 120C to 170C under pressure, compressed and q;~5~:
surface texturized, preferably in a single step. After having been pressure-molded, compressed and surEace texturized, the laminates still have Erom 20 to 80% of the initial thickness.
Basically, although it would be possible to start with a mate-rial previously provided wi-th a surface texture, the surface texturizing would a-t ]east partially be lost again in the sub-sequent or-thopedic deformation and compression to make the flat sole par-t. In contrast -to conventional insoles, the insoles according to the inven-tion are no longer flat, hut have been given an orthopedic shape and, in a preEerred embodiment, are even broken up as mentioned above.
Some pre~erred embodiments of the present invention are further illustra-ted in closer detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 shows an insole according to the present invention;
F'ig. 2 shows means according to the invention com-prising a self-adhesive plaster;
Fig. 3 shows means according to the invention com-prising a Velcro strip fastener;
Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of means according tothe invention comprising a wire net.
Fig. 5 shows a sectional view o~ means according to the invention comprising skin-compatible self-adhesive layers and removable protective films on both sides thereof;
E'ig. 6 shows ano-ther insole;
Fig. 7 shows a corner of a rectangular cushion having rounded corners in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 8 shows a section view of the cushion of Fig. 7.
Fig. 9 shows a sectional view in the longitudinal and transversal directions of an orthopedically molded insole.
,,5,~,, , In the Figures the reEerence nume.rals have the meanings as defined hereinbelow:
1. PE foam layer or a skin-compatible layer made of textile fabric, leather, cork or plastics;
2. metal layer;
2'. a further metal layer;
3. the further flexible foam layer;
3'. a further foam layer consisting of a closed porous PE foam;
4. a self-adhesive pl-aster;
The particular reasons herefor are that according to the present invention for the first time a good heat conductor has been combined with a heat insulator. A com-bination of these two entirely different types of materials has so far never been contemplated by the artisan who, in order to achieve good heat insulation, has only used heat insulators and has avoided a use ..
., . j W/GE' 411 of well heat-conductive materials. The combination which indeed appears as a paradox for the first time causes not only a good heat storage, but also a good heat distribution over the area -to be obtained. Thereby, a buildup of local superheating and local supercooling is either prevented from occurring at all or is rapidly levelled down. However, just these effects of local superheating and local supercooling are known to be causes for pains, strained muscles, local sweat formations and so-called "burning feet". Thus, the use of the means according to the invention in shoe soles for the first time the problem of the optimum shoe sole be solved which has long been sought. So far, all shoe soles in use either were insufficient with respect to heat insulation so that they yielded cold feet, or they did so well insulate the heat that local superheating effects, sweating feet and burning feet.
Since for insoles and soles of shoes a closed-porous polyethylene foam is preferred to be used, this foam cannot become filled with water or sweat, that is not even from the cut edges. Thus, the means according to the invention as to their effect are impaired neither by internal nor by external moisture.
This is why the used materials also cannot be attacked by micro-organisms such as bacteria and fungi so that they retain a neutral odor and do not bind alien odors. They are not damaged either by soap water nor by washing machines and, thus, can be easily cleaned if desired. Thus, they meet the hygiene standards of today as set for insoles and soles.
By a suitable selection of the volume weights of the employed foams, some permanent deformation can be accomplished which ensures a natural engagement of the insole or sole, re-spectively, to the individual surface of the sole of the foot.
73~
This provides an optimum comfort and pleasant feeling to the bearer.
By the use of -two flexible heat-conductive metal layers and of two foam layers contiguous thereto there have been formed two "heat chambers" with an optimum insulation and an optimum distribution of the heat, and shielding of the cold, respec-tively, is effected by the shoe sole. Measure-ments on such insoles according to the pxesent invention have shown that even in the case of larger temperature differences sensed on the one side only minimal temperature differences can be determined on the other side, whereas all prior art materials, even those having a higher insulating power, yield higher temperature variations on the other side of the layer as well. This holds for insulating materials ~uite generally and ~or all previously known insoles and soles of shoes in particular.
The means according to the present invention are also effective when applied to other parts of the outer skin.
Thus, these means can be applied onto the skin in the form of plasters designed into various shapes and thereon can display their pleasant alleviating or even healing effects. Thus, such plasters can be attached to the body by means of a self-adhesive plaster. Instead of using a self-adhesive plaster, they may of course also be attached by means of a textile bandage or a stocking or sock. Another preferred embodiment additionally has a Velcro strip fastener provided on the outer foam layer. The means in accordance with this embodiment may be most readily attached by means of an elastic bandage having a Velcro strip fastener. Eventually, it is also possible to apply a skin-compatible self-adhesive layer which has been covered by a - 13a -i'~
~,2~ ;2 removable protective film onto the skin-compatible layer.
Prior to use the protective film is stripped, and the means is directly adhered to the skin. If desired, it is possible to impregnate the skin-compatible layer with substances promoting blood circulation, more specifically those which have already proven to be valuable in conventional medical plasters. These substances promoting blood circulation include substances from mustard, paprica or Fructus Capsici, which are incorporated in these layers in amounts of from 0.5 to 5% by weigh~.
~, . ..`, For the slcin-compatible layer, all skin-compatible textile fabrics, leather, cork or synthetic materials can be employed. Particularly preferred is the use of woven or knitted textile fabrics made of cotton, wool, polyamides, polyesters and regenerated cellulose. More specifically, if the means according to the invention are incorporated in shoe soles, leather, cork or skin-compatible plastics layers may also be employed. Such skin-compatible la~er in general does not have any heat-insulating property by itself, so that the heat emitted by -the body surface is rapidly conveyed to the flexible heat-conductive metal layer and can be re-dis-tributed there. This is not, or only -to a lower degree, applicable in the case that a polyethylene oam layer is employed, so -that then still some local heat accumulation may be observed. This in the usual manner will result in sweat formation, burning feet and a non-optimized redistribution of heat. The local temperature differences will at least still be sensed as unpleasant, so that subjectively the means of the latter embodiment of the present invention will be perceived as being more pleasant.
Again the fle~ible hea-t-conductive metal layer preferably consists of a foil or a wire net of aluminum or of copper.
.. i~.
- 14a -'673~
Aluminum foils are the most inexpensive and most easily to be processed, so that they are particularly preerred. Basically, it is as well possible to use plastics films having a sufficient-ly thick metal layer thereon which has been applied by vapor deposition. However, the metal layers must be thick enough such as to be capable of laterally carry away the heat~
The flexible foam layers of from 0.8 to ~ mm in thickness preferably consist of closed-porous polyethylene foam, since this foam material is available at a particularly reasonable price, has good insulating properties, has good mechanical qualities and does not result in any undesired uptake of moisture and liquid.
However, basically any other foams such as, for example, PU
(polyurethane) are suitable.
~ nother advantage of the layers having been bonded to one another according to the present invention is the increased stability and wear resistance, so that the means according to the invention will rupture or break less readily than the individual components do.
If desired, it will of course be possible that the means of this latter embodiment in addition are perforated or slotted in order to render them permeable to moisture and water vapor.
The heat insulation and heat distribution nevertheless is almost completely retained.
These means can be used for general heat insulation purposes in the same manner as the means described before.
Eventually, in the course of further developing the products of the invention it has been found that foam layers the 3~j~
thickness oE whicll is more than ~ mm, although they still do excellently s-tore the body heat, do not result in a sufficient dis-tribution on surfaces of the external skin. Such thicker foam layers again allow the lcnown heat accumulation to occur.
However, Eor some applications oE the new means for storing and distributing heat on surfaces of the outer skin it is desirable to employ the thicker foam layers, since these provide an improved paddlng and cushioning effect upon cornpression stress.
It has been Eound that means are suitable which con-O sist ofa) a closed-porous Eoam layer of from 2 to 8 mm in thick-ness;
b) a flexible hea-t-conduc-ting metal layer; and c) a Eurther closed-porous --oam layer of from 2 to 8 mm in thic]cness, wherein one or both foam layers a) and c) are surface texturized on their outer surEace(s). The surface texture must be that of the side coming into contact with the outer skin. The surface texture is preferably formed by parallel and crossing lines of trapezoid-shaped notches 0.8 -to 3 mm in depth and spaced apart at distances from 3 to 12 mm, the depth of the notches being from 20 to 50% of the thickness of the foam layer, and the width of the notches being from 10 to 30~ of the surfaces of the surface texture.
Such tex-turized surfaces do no longer allow the un-desired accumulation of heat to occur, since the notches resul-t in some distribution of -the heat over the areas of the outer skin. It is -to be taken care of that the predominan-t part of the surface of the foam will remain planar so that only a minor par-t effects -the heat to be distribu-ted through the notches. If the portions oE the smooth surface will decrease below 70~, -this A
\
~Z~35~
will result on the one halld, in the occurence of undesired straining points which give an unpleasant feeling and, on the other hand, in an insuEEicient storage oE heat.
The dep-th of the notches should be within the range of between 20 and 50~ of -the thickness of the foam layer.
Less deep no-tches will negatively aEfect the heat distribution such as to become insufficient, while deeper notches will significantly lower the mechanical strength.
The surface texturizing procedure is preferred to be carried ou-t under action oE heat and pressure by using a pertinent heated roll. Said heat and pressure treatment results in some compression of the surface region of the foam layer which will improve the mechanical properties of the means according to the invention. Thus, the means according to the invention are surface texturized to appear waffle-like. The surEace is preferably formed by raised triangles, squares or hexagons, depending on the arrangement of the parallel and crossed lines of notches.
If the means according to the invention are only surface texturized on one surface thereof, they tend to get warped. Therefore it is preferred that both surfaces be sur-face texturized so that the products formed thereby remain smooth and in plane and do not get warped or rolled.
The foam used in the means according to the present invention preferably is closed-porous PE soft foam. However, basically other closed-porous Eoams, particularly soft foams (high-resilient foams) are suitable as well.
~ 3~
The flexible metal layer again consists of a foil or of a wire net, for example, one made of aluminum or copper. Aluminum foils are particulaxly preferred.
The new means according to the invention are particularly suitable as soles of sandals or as cushions, mats or bed overlay.
Also these means according to the present invention are hygienic and can be cleaned in a sample manner. Due to the thicker foam layer they have an improved padding effect and thus give a more pleasant feeling than smooth but thinner products.
Baby mats preferably are covered with a fabric on the one sur~ace theeof and coated with a washable layer of plastics such as PVC on the other surface thereof. They are suitable for the playing and lying as well as for the being swaddled.
~6~
In tha use of the means accord.ing to the invention gas so.les of sandals it has proven to be beneficial only to surface texturize khe surface facing the skin in accordance with the inventioll, while the opposite surface of the sole is only roughened to the degree -that it will better adhere to the floor such as to avoid an undesired slipping. For simplicity 15 sake it is also readily possible to nap the surface facing the floor of the sole as well.
The further development of the insoles has shown that insoles, but also components of soles in shoes, boots, sandals, sport shoes etc. can be further improved if they consist of a) a closed porous polyethylene foam layer having a thickness of originally from 2 to 8 mm (and preferably from 3 to 5 mm);
- 18a -!- ' ~i73Si~
b) a flexible heat-conductive metal layer having a thickness of from 0.02 to 0.08 mm (and preferably from 0.03 to 0.05 mm);
c) a closed-porous polyethylene foam layer having a thickness of originally from 2 to ~ mm (and preferably from 3 to 5 mm); and d) a skin-compatible layer of a textile fabric, all of the layers a), b), c) and d) having been laminated to adhere firmly together, and the laminates by the action of heat and pressure having been orthopedically molded in the middle foot and heel region, flatly compressed in the forefoot region and provided with naps in the areas of the layers c) and d).
Again aluminum is preferred for the metal layer.
The textile layer preferably consists of cotton tricot fabric.
- 19 ~
-,,:
.;,, .,~, ~. ,~, 673~
The orthopedic molding, more particularly, consists of a lateral lifting in the heel region, a bulging in the lnner region of the middle foot, and preferably is sigifi-cantly "broken-up". Broken up is understood to mean an S-shaped deforma-tion by which the heel region comes to be situated significantly higher than the forefoot region. This orthopedic deformation and break-up results in a particularly high wearing comfort and at the same time a permanent engage-ment of the insole to the sole of the footwear. This is of particular importance for ladies' shoes, more specifically if they have superhigh heels. Thus, the insoles according to the invention are best suited for pumps~
A particularity of the insoles according to the invention consists of that after orthopedic molding, pressing and napping, the -thickness of the laminate in the forefoot region is smaller than in the middlefoot and heel regions.
Due to the higher - l9a -6735~
compression, although -the heat insulation is lowered, the wear-ing comEort is increased. Elowever, the surEace texturizing on the surface, on the one hand, and the metal film in the inter-mediate range, on the other hand, surprisingly cause the fore-foot to be we]l ancl uniEormly heated, while it has been shown that the excess heat from the heel and middlefoot regions is conducted to the foreEoot region.
SurEace texturizing results in a microcirculation of air and moisture, on the one hand, and in a massage effect pro-moting blood circulation, on the other hand. In the insoles asmolded with the action of heat and pressure, compressed and surface texturized according to the invention, these effects are greater than in untreated laminates. Comparative measure-ments indicate that the deformation Erom spherical form to lenticular form of the gas bubbles in the closed-porous poly-ethylene foam under the action of heat and pressure is of crucial influence. Furthermore, this permanent deformation under the action of heat and pressure yields to an increased stability in shape under long-term stress of the insoles so that the use-life thereof is significantly extended.
The orthopedic deformation not only increases the wearing comfort but also the improved drain of redistribution, respectively, of heat from the heel and middlefoot region to the forefoot region where the heat insulation has per se been lowered due to the compression to make a flat layer according to the invention.
The skin-compatible textile layer also contributes to increase the wearing comfort. Moreover, it enables the air and moisture distribution to be improved~
A
:~ 6 ~3 ~
More accura-te measurements o:E the insoles modified according to the invention have further shown that due to the higher compression the heat insulation in 1he surEace texturized area c) and d) is less than that on the other side of the metal :Eoil in the area a). This leads to that lower non-surface texturized foam layer a) predominantly shields from higher temperature deviations, i.e., from cold in winter and from heat in summer. The metal layer b) causes a re-distribution of local temperature differences to occur. The upper compressed foam layer also provides some heat insulation, more specifi-cally a heat exchange at the sole of the foot in the microrange between the indiviclual naps. The nap formation causes some massage effect to be obtained, more specifically when the foot is loaded and relieved from load, whereby the blood circulation is promoted.
Comparative measurements using a commercially avail-able insole consisting of a textile fabric layer, two dif-ferent foam layers and a lattice film comprising vapor-deposited aluminum have shown that upon point-focal ~heat supply the heat insulation is improved by about the factor of lO. Thus, in order to obtain protection from cold in winter it was required to use thicker insoles. However, such thicker insoles in summer caused an increased sweat formation and burning feet.
Thus, the insoles according -to the invention for the first time can be used in summer and in winter at same thickness and all over the year provide an optimum wearing comfort.
More particularly, the effect resides in that according to the inven-tion for the first time a good heat conductor has been combined with a good hea-t insulator. In the improved 30. insoles according to the invention this effect is even enhanced by the skin-compatible textile fabric layer d) which together tl7~S~
with the layer c) has been surEace texturized and, thus, has been particularly highly compressecl, the air and moisture cir-culation in the nappecl area and the orthopedic shaping in the middlefoo-t and heel region oE the laminates. The reduced heat insulation according to -the invention in the forefoot region surprisingly is compensated by the good heat conductivity of the metal layer. The compression to form a flat sole part in the forefoot region allows particularly thin insoles to be manu-factured, more particularly for laclies' foo-twear.
Of course it will be possible to make these insoles also into permanent components oE shoes. To this end they are prefabrica-ted and adhesion-boncled to the soles of conventional shoes, boots, sandals etc. As polyethylene foam in general is very difficul-t to be permanently bonded, it is recommended that also the bottom side of such sole components is laminated with a textile fabric layer which then is bonded to the inner sole of the footwear.
The manufacture of the insoles according to the invention is preferably efEec-ted by previQusly bonding the skin-compatible textile fabric layer and, optionally, the textile fabric layer desired to be present at the bottom for bonding sole components, to the respective polyethylene Eoam layer(s).
This is possible in a particularly simple manner by flame bond-ing. Of course it is also possible to apply these materials by means of adhesives. Herefor there are suitable thermo-adhesives or hot-melt adhesives having sufficient resilience and permanent stability under load.
After the pre-manufactured laminates have been pre-pared from the layers a), b), c) and d), they are molded at a temperature from 120C to 170C under pressure, compressed and q;~5~:
surface texturized, preferably in a single step. After having been pressure-molded, compressed and surEace texturized, the laminates still have Erom 20 to 80% of the initial thickness.
Basically, although it would be possible to start with a mate-rial previously provided wi-th a surface texture, the surface texturizing would a-t ]east partially be lost again in the sub-sequent or-thopedic deformation and compression to make the flat sole par-t. In contrast -to conventional insoles, the insoles according to the inven-tion are no longer flat, hut have been given an orthopedic shape and, in a preEerred embodiment, are even broken up as mentioned above.
Some pre~erred embodiments of the present invention are further illustra-ted in closer detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 shows an insole according to the present invention;
F'ig. 2 shows means according to the invention com-prising a self-adhesive plaster;
Fig. 3 shows means according to the invention com-prising a Velcro strip fastener;
Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of means according tothe invention comprising a wire net.
Fig. 5 shows a sectional view o~ means according to the invention comprising skin-compatible self-adhesive layers and removable protective films on both sides thereof;
E'ig. 6 shows ano-ther insole;
Fig. 7 shows a corner of a rectangular cushion having rounded corners in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 8 shows a section view of the cushion of Fig. 7.
Fig. 9 shows a sectional view in the longitudinal and transversal directions of an orthopedically molded insole.
,,5,~,, , In the Figures the reEerence nume.rals have the meanings as defined hereinbelow:
1. PE foam layer or a skin-compatible layer made of textile fabric, leather, cork or plastics;
2. metal layer;
2'. a further metal layer;
3. the further flexible foam layer;
3'. a further foam layer consisting of a closed porous PE foam;
4. a self-adhesive pl-aster;
5. a Velcro strip fastener;
6. a self-adhesive layer;
7. a removable protective film;
8. a surface texturized foam layer;
S. a layer of a textile material.
One preferred embodiment of the insole according to the invention as shown in Fig. 6, for example, comprises the components '~
7;~5'~
1. layer made of highly absorbing cotton fabric;
2. metal layer consisting of an aluminum foil of 20um in thickness;
3. layer of a closed-porous polyethylene foam having a thickness of 2 mm and a volume weight of 67 kg/m ;
2'. layer again consisting of an aluminum Eoil having a thickness of 20um; and 3'. layer of closed-porous polyethylene foam having a thickness of 1 mm and a volume weight of 100 kg~m3~ Besides, the foam layer 3' is colored and thus readily distinguishable from the bright surface of the cotton fabric. Hereby it i9 ensured that the - 24a -J ~
~3~
insole is always in the correct position inserted in the shoe.
In a plaster according to the invention the numerals accordingly denote the layers l layer made of a cotton fabric;
2 layer made of an aluminum foil having a thickness of 30 ~m; and 3 layer of closed-porous polyethylene foam having a thickness of 3 mm and a volume weight of von 30 kg/m 3 .
: ' Comparative temperature measurements carried out with products according to the invention and with a commercially available product consisting of a textile fabric, a layer of open-porous foam, a layer of closed-porous foam and a plastics film bearing an aluminum layer vapor-deposited thereon revealed that with an initial local temperature differences of 5.6C at a distance of 2 cm on one side of the test specimens, the respect-ive temperature difference on the reverse side of the insole according to the invention was just 0.1C, whereas the tempera-ture difference measured on the reverse side of the commercially available insole was still 0~7C. In contrast to the insole according to the present invention, in the commercial product the plastics film bearing the aluminum layer vapor-deposited thereon is on the surface remote from the skin, while according to the invention the well heat-conducting aluminum foil is immediately beneath the textile layer. The total thickness of the insole according to the invention is little more than 3 mm, whereas the commercial product is 5.5 mm in thickness.
~L;~67~35~
In another preferred embodimen-t the surface is provided with naps in the form of parallel notches perpendi-cular to one another at distances of 7 mm. The notches are trapezoid in shape with a top width of 2 mm and a bottom width of 1 mm and a depth of 1.5 cm. The foam layer has a regular thickness of 5 mm and, thus, is 3.5 mm in thickness at the bottom of the notches. The aluminum foil is 30um in thickness. The material on both sides is a closed-porous PE
soft foam having a volume weight of 50 kg/m3.
The material may be inked in different colors in the upper and lower foam layers. Sandals are formed by that in the front part a fabric or foam strap of suitable size is turned over and is ~ither adhesioh-bonded between the two layers or laterally attached by fusion or adhesion-bonding, respectively. The sole surface may be surface texturized in the same manner or be provided with a finer profile.
~L;2673~
In Figure 9, the larger arrows in the heel and middlefoot regions indicate the heat flow from the Eoot into the insole. The smaller arrows in the forefoot region indicate that there heat is delivered from the insole to the foot. The surface facing the sole of the foot preferably is provided with a surface texture in a square or rhomboid pattern, the surface texture being spaced apart by about 5 mm and in the form of wedge-shaped indents of about from 0.5 to 1 mm.
As the starting materials there were used for the polyethylene foam layers 1) and 3) self-adhesive layers of 3 mm in thickness, namely made of polyethylene foam No. 1503 of the Company of Alveo having an original volume weight of 67 kg/m . In the finished insole the thickness of the total laminate is - 26a -~ .
.~, 7;~2 still from 2.8 to 3.2 mm in the forefoot part and from 4.2 to 4.6 mm in the heel part. In the edge and margin zones the thickness of the polyethylene foam layer (1) is even more than 3 mm.
It will be apparent from the sectional view in the longitudinal direction that the insole has been shaped in to an S
curve and, thus, is broken up.
It will be apparent from the cross-sectional view that the lower oam layer (1) is smooth and i5 well suitable to be adapted to the sole of a shoe. In contrast, the side edges of the insoles have been elevated and are tapered in wedge-shape so that in the orthopedic deformation they provide a particularly pleasan sensation of wearing.
In this embodiment the metal layer (2) consists of an aluminum foil having a thickness of 40 ~m. Optionally, said aluminum foil may be perforated so that upon pressure and heat molding a gas exchange will be possible. In addition, the foam layers (1) and (3) may be perforated as well.
S. a layer of a textile material.
One preferred embodiment of the insole according to the invention as shown in Fig. 6, for example, comprises the components '~
7;~5'~
1. layer made of highly absorbing cotton fabric;
2. metal layer consisting of an aluminum foil of 20um in thickness;
3. layer of a closed-porous polyethylene foam having a thickness of 2 mm and a volume weight of 67 kg/m ;
2'. layer again consisting of an aluminum Eoil having a thickness of 20um; and 3'. layer of closed-porous polyethylene foam having a thickness of 1 mm and a volume weight of 100 kg~m3~ Besides, the foam layer 3' is colored and thus readily distinguishable from the bright surface of the cotton fabric. Hereby it i9 ensured that the - 24a -J ~
~3~
insole is always in the correct position inserted in the shoe.
In a plaster according to the invention the numerals accordingly denote the layers l layer made of a cotton fabric;
2 layer made of an aluminum foil having a thickness of 30 ~m; and 3 layer of closed-porous polyethylene foam having a thickness of 3 mm and a volume weight of von 30 kg/m 3 .
: ' Comparative temperature measurements carried out with products according to the invention and with a commercially available product consisting of a textile fabric, a layer of open-porous foam, a layer of closed-porous foam and a plastics film bearing an aluminum layer vapor-deposited thereon revealed that with an initial local temperature differences of 5.6C at a distance of 2 cm on one side of the test specimens, the respect-ive temperature difference on the reverse side of the insole according to the invention was just 0.1C, whereas the tempera-ture difference measured on the reverse side of the commercially available insole was still 0~7C. In contrast to the insole according to the present invention, in the commercial product the plastics film bearing the aluminum layer vapor-deposited thereon is on the surface remote from the skin, while according to the invention the well heat-conducting aluminum foil is immediately beneath the textile layer. The total thickness of the insole according to the invention is little more than 3 mm, whereas the commercial product is 5.5 mm in thickness.
~L;~67~35~
In another preferred embodimen-t the surface is provided with naps in the form of parallel notches perpendi-cular to one another at distances of 7 mm. The notches are trapezoid in shape with a top width of 2 mm and a bottom width of 1 mm and a depth of 1.5 cm. The foam layer has a regular thickness of 5 mm and, thus, is 3.5 mm in thickness at the bottom of the notches. The aluminum foil is 30um in thickness. The material on both sides is a closed-porous PE
soft foam having a volume weight of 50 kg/m3.
The material may be inked in different colors in the upper and lower foam layers. Sandals are formed by that in the front part a fabric or foam strap of suitable size is turned over and is ~ither adhesioh-bonded between the two layers or laterally attached by fusion or adhesion-bonding, respectively. The sole surface may be surface texturized in the same manner or be provided with a finer profile.
~L;2673~
In Figure 9, the larger arrows in the heel and middlefoot regions indicate the heat flow from the Eoot into the insole. The smaller arrows in the forefoot region indicate that there heat is delivered from the insole to the foot. The surface facing the sole of the foot preferably is provided with a surface texture in a square or rhomboid pattern, the surface texture being spaced apart by about 5 mm and in the form of wedge-shaped indents of about from 0.5 to 1 mm.
As the starting materials there were used for the polyethylene foam layers 1) and 3) self-adhesive layers of 3 mm in thickness, namely made of polyethylene foam No. 1503 of the Company of Alveo having an original volume weight of 67 kg/m . In the finished insole the thickness of the total laminate is - 26a -~ .
.~, 7;~2 still from 2.8 to 3.2 mm in the forefoot part and from 4.2 to 4.6 mm in the heel part. In the edge and margin zones the thickness of the polyethylene foam layer (1) is even more than 3 mm.
It will be apparent from the sectional view in the longitudinal direction that the insole has been shaped in to an S
curve and, thus, is broken up.
It will be apparent from the cross-sectional view that the lower oam layer (1) is smooth and i5 well suitable to be adapted to the sole of a shoe. In contrast, the side edges of the insoles have been elevated and are tapered in wedge-shape so that in the orthopedic deformation they provide a particularly pleasan sensation of wearing.
In this embodiment the metal layer (2) consists of an aluminum foil having a thickness of 40 ~m. Optionally, said aluminum foil may be perforated so that upon pressure and heat molding a gas exchange will be possible. In addition, the foam layers (1) and (3) may be perforated as well.
Claims (42)
1. Means for insulating heat and for storing and dis-tributing heat, more specifically body heat on areas of the outer skin, consisting of -a) a layer selected from:
i) a foam layer having a thickness of from 0.8 to 8mm, and ii) a skin-compatible layer of a textile fabric, leather, cork or plastics;
b) a flexible heat-conductive metal layer; and c) a foam layer having a thickness of from 0.8 to 8 mm.
i) a foam layer having a thickness of from 0.8 to 8mm, and ii) a skin-compatible layer of a textile fabric, leather, cork or plastics;
b) a flexible heat-conductive metal layer; and c) a foam layer having a thickness of from 0.8 to 8 mm.
2. Means for storing and distributing body heat on areas of the outer skin consisting of -a) a polyethylene foam layer having a thickness of from 0.8 to 4 mm;
b) a flexible heat-conductive metal layer; and c) a further flexible foam layer having a thickness of from 0.8 to 4 mm.
b) a flexible heat-conductive metal layer; and c) a further flexible foam layer having a thickness of from 0.8 to 4 mm.
3. Means for storing and distributing body heat on areas of the outer skin consisting of -a) a skin-compatible layer of a textile fabric, leather, cork or plastics, b) a flexible heat-conductive metal layer; and c) a flexible foam layer having a thickness of from 0.8 to 4 mm.
4. Means for storing and distributing heat on areas of the outer skin consisting of -a) a closed-porous foam layer having a thickness of from 2 to 8 mm;
b) a flexible heat-conductive metal layer; and c) a further closed-porous foam layer having a thick-ness of from 2 to 8 mm, one or both of the foam layers a) and c) having been surface texturized on their outer surface(s).
b) a flexible heat-conductive metal layer; and c) a further closed-porous foam layer having a thick-ness of from 2 to 8 mm, one or both of the foam layers a) and c) having been surface texturized on their outer surface(s).
5. Means according to claim 1, wherein said metal layer is a foil or a wire net made of aluminum or copper.
6. Means according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein said metal layer is a foil or a wire net made of aluminum or copper.
7. Means according to claim 1, wherein said foam layer c) is surface texturized.
8. Means according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said foam layer c) consists of closed-porous polyethylene foam.
9. Means according to claim 2 or 5, in the form of an insole.
10. Means according to claim 2 or 5, attached to the body by means of a self-adhesive plaster.
11. Means according to claim 2 or 5, attached to the body by means of a textile bandage or a stocking or sock.
12. Means according to claim 2 or 5, including a Velcro strip fastened on said foam layer c).
13. Means according to claim 2 or 5, wherein at least one of said foam layers a) and c) comprises a skin-compatible self-adhesive layer, which has been covered by a removable pro-tective film.
14. Means according to claim 2, wherein a surface facing the skin of the polyethylene foam layer a) is covered with a skin-compatible layer of a textile material.
15. Means according to claim 2 or 5, wherein said foam layers a) and c) have been covered with skin-compatible layers of a textile material.
16. Means according to claim 1, additionally comprising a further flexible, heat-conductive metal layer and a further flexible foam layer of closed-porous polyethylene foam having a thickness of from 0.8 to 4 contiguous to said foam layer c).
17. Means according to claim 14, in the form of an insole.
18. Means according to claim 14, as a component of a sole of a shoe.
19. Means according to claim 3, attached to the body by means of a self-adhesive plaster.
20. Means according to claim 3, attached to the body by means of a textile bandage or a stocking or sock.
21. Means according to claim 3, including a Velcro strip fastener on said foam layer c).
22. Means according to claim 3, wherein at least one of said foam layers a) and c) comprise a skin-compatible self-adhesive layer, which has been covered by a removable pro-tective film.
23. Means according to claim 4, in which the surface textures have been formed by parallel and crossing lines of trapezoid-shaped notches 0.8 to 3 mm in depth and spaced apart at distances from 3 to 12 mm, the depth of the notches being from 20 to 50% of the thickness of the foam layer, and the width of the notches being from 10 to 30% of the surfaces of the surface textures.
24. Means according to claim 4 or 23, shaped to form the soles of sandals.
25. Means according to claim 4 or 23, formed as cushions, mats or bed overlays.
26. Heat insulation comprising the means according to claim 1, 2 or 3.
27. Heat insulation means consisting of -a) a polyethylene foam layer having a thickness of from 0.8 to 4 mm;
b) a flexible heat-conductive metal layer; and c) a further flexible foam layer having a thickness of from 0.8 to 4 mm.
b) a flexible heat-conductive metal layer; and c) a further flexible foam layer having a thickness of from 0.8 to 4 mm.
28. A material consisting of -a) a closed-porous foam layer having a thickness of from 2 to 8 mm;
b) a flexible heat-conductive metal layer; and c) a further closed-porous foam layer having a thick-ness of from 2 to 8 mm, one or both of the foam layers a) and c) having been surface texturized on their outer surface(s).
b) a flexible heat-conductive metal layer; and c) a further closed-porous foam layer having a thick-ness of from 2 to 8 mm, one or both of the foam layers a) and c) having been surface texturized on their outer surface(s).
29. A material according to claim 28, in the form of soles of sandals, cushions, mats or bed overlay.
30. Insoles and components of soles, consisting of -a) a closed-porous polyethylene foam layer having a thickness of originally from 2 to 8 mm;
b) a flexible heat-conductive metal layer having a thickness of from 0.02 to 0.08 mm;
c) a closed-porous polyethylene foam layer having a thickness of originally from 2 to 8 mm; and d) a skin-compatible layer of a textile fabric, wherein all of the layers a), b), c) and d) are laminated to adhere firmly together, the laminate by the action of heat and pressure have been ortho-pedically molded in the middle foot and heel region, flatly compressed in the forefoot region and pro-vided with a surface texture in the areas of the layers c) and d).
b) a flexible heat-conductive metal layer having a thickness of from 0.02 to 0.08 mm;
c) a closed-porous polyethylene foam layer having a thickness of originally from 2 to 8 mm; and d) a skin-compatible layer of a textile fabric, wherein all of the layers a), b), c) and d) are laminated to adhere firmly together, the laminate by the action of heat and pressure have been ortho-pedically molded in the middle foot and heel region, flatly compressed in the forefoot region and pro-vided with a surface texture in the areas of the layers c) and d).
31. Insoles and components of soles according to claim 30, wherein said metal layer b) consists of aluminum.
32. Insoles and components of soles according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the textile fabric layer d) consists of cotton tricot.
33. Insoles and components of soles according to claim 30 or 31, in which the laminate is broken up.
34. Insoles and components of soles according to claim 30 or 31, in which the laminates after molding, compressing and surface texturizing have a thickness of from 20 to 80%
of the initial thickness.
of the initial thickness.
35. A process for manufacturing insoles and components of insoles consisting of -a) a closed-porous polyethylene foam layer having a thickness of originally from 2 to 8 mm;
b) a flexible heat-conductive metal layer having a thickness of from 0.02 to 0.08 mm;
c) a closed-porous polyethylene foam layer having a thickness of originally from 2 to 8 mm; and d) a skin-compatible layer of a textile fabric, comprises:
laminating layers a), b), c) and d) to adhere firmly together as a laminate, orthopedically molding the laminate under pres-sure at a temperature of from 120° to 170°C. in middle foot and heel regions, flatly compressing in a fore-foot region, and providing with a surface texture in the regions of the layers c) and d) so that, after said molding, compressing and surface texturizing, the laminate has a thickness of from 20 to 80% of the initial thickness.
b) a flexible heat-conductive metal layer having a thickness of from 0.02 to 0.08 mm;
c) a closed-porous polyethylene foam layer having a thickness of originally from 2 to 8 mm; and d) a skin-compatible layer of a textile fabric, comprises:
laminating layers a), b), c) and d) to adhere firmly together as a laminate, orthopedically molding the laminate under pres-sure at a temperature of from 120° to 170°C. in middle foot and heel regions, flatly compressing in a fore-foot region, and providing with a surface texture in the regions of the layers c) and d) so that, after said molding, compressing and surface texturizing, the laminate has a thickness of from 20 to 80% of the initial thickness.
36. A laminate for storing and distributing heat on areas of the outer surfaces of human skin, comprising -i) a closed-porous polyethylene foam layer having a thickness of from 2 to 8 mm;
ii) a flexible heat conductive metal layer of a foil made of one of aluminum and copper, and iii) a second closed-porous polyethylene layer having a thickness of from 2 to 8 mm, one or both said foam layers having been texturized on the outer surfaces thereof.
ii) a flexible heat conductive metal layer of a foil made of one of aluminum and copper, and iii) a second closed-porous polyethylene layer having a thickness of from 2 to 8 mm, one or both said foam layers having been texturized on the outer surfaces thereof.
37. A laminate as defined in claim 36, wherein said metal layer ii) is of a wire net made of one of aluminum and copper.
38. A laminate as defined in claim 36, wherein said foam layers i) and iii) further comprise skin-compatible self adhesive layers which have been covered by a removable pro-jective film.
39. A laminate as defined in claim 36, where one of said foam layers i) and iii) is covered with a skin compatible layer of a textile material.
40. A laminate as defined in claim 36, wherein the texturizing of said foam layers comprises parallel and crossing lines of trapezoidal-shaped notches 0.8 to 3 mm in depth and spaced apart distances of from 3 to 12 mm, the depth of the notches being from 20-50% of the thickness of the foam layer and the width of the notches being from 10-30%
of the surfaces of the texturized portions.
of the surfaces of the texturized portions.
41. A laminate as defined in claim 36, formed as a sole of a sandal.
42. Insoles and components thereof, comprising -a pair of closed porous polyethylene foam layers having, respectively, thicknesses of from 2 to 8 mm;
a flexible heat conductive metal layer interposed between said foam layers and having a thickness of from 0.02 to 0.08 mm; and a skin compatible layer of a textile fabric, wherein said foam layers, said metal layer and said skin com-patible layer are laminated to adhere firmly together with said skin compatible layer being laminated to an outer surface of one of said foam layers, said laminates by action of heat and pressure being orthopedically molded to a shape corresponding with that of the middle of the human foot and a heel and a flatly compressed forefoot region, one of said foam layers being exposed and said skin compatible layer being surface texturized.
a flexible heat conductive metal layer interposed between said foam layers and having a thickness of from 0.02 to 0.08 mm; and a skin compatible layer of a textile fabric, wherein said foam layers, said metal layer and said skin com-patible layer are laminated to adhere firmly together with said skin compatible layer being laminated to an outer surface of one of said foam layers, said laminates by action of heat and pressure being orthopedically molded to a shape corresponding with that of the middle of the human foot and a heel and a flatly compressed forefoot region, one of said foam layers being exposed and said skin compatible layer being surface texturized.
Applications Claiming Priority (12)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19843420121 DE3420121A1 (en) | 1984-05-30 | 1984-05-30 | Means for storing and distributing body heat |
| DEP3420121.1 | 1984-05-30 | ||
| DEP3422783.0 | 1984-06-20 | ||
| DE19843422783 DE3422783A1 (en) | 1984-06-20 | 1984-06-20 | Means for heat insulation |
| DE19843431474 DE3431474A1 (en) | 1984-08-27 | 1984-08-27 | Means of storing and distributing body heat |
| DEP3431474.1 | 1984-08-27 | ||
| DE19843439727 DE3439727A1 (en) | 1984-10-30 | 1984-10-30 | Means for storing and distributing heat |
| DEP3439727.2 | 1984-10-30 | ||
| EP85103619.4 | 1985-03-27 | ||
| EP85103619A EP0163045B1 (en) | 1984-05-30 | 1985-03-27 | Means to accumulate and to distribute heat |
| EP85105047.6 | 1985-04-25 | ||
| EP85105047A EP0163133B1 (en) | 1984-05-30 | 1985-04-25 | Orthopaedic sole and constituent part of a sole, and process for producing it |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1267352A true CA1267352A (en) | 1990-04-03 |
Family
ID=27544371
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000482619A Expired - Fee Related CA1267352A (en) | 1984-05-30 | 1985-05-28 | Means for storing and distributing heat and use thereof |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1267352A (en) |
| DD (1) | DD237789A5 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2017040910A1 (en) * | 2015-09-02 | 2017-03-09 | Nike Innovate C.V. | Footbed with cork foot-contacting surface |
-
1984
- 1984-05-24 DD DD27667984A patent/DD237789A5/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1985
- 1985-05-28 CA CA000482619A patent/CA1267352A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2017040910A1 (en) * | 2015-09-02 | 2017-03-09 | Nike Innovate C.V. | Footbed with cork foot-contacting surface |
| US9961961B2 (en) | 2015-09-02 | 2018-05-08 | Nike, Inc. | Footbed with cork foot-contacting surface |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DD237789A5 (en) | 1986-07-30 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4887368A (en) | Means for storing and distributing heat and use thereof | |
| CA1062459A (en) | Cold insulating insole | |
| US4461099A (en) | Molded odor-absorbing laminate | |
| US4729179A (en) | Shoe insole | |
| US4685224A (en) | Insole | |
| US4469740A (en) | Foam plastic material with moisture removing properties | |
| KR20080102178A (en) | Cooling or heating sheet | |
| US1926283A (en) | Sanitary and protective insert for footwear | |
| AU769945B2 (en) | Breathable articles and fabrics | |
| RU183681U1 (en) | SEAT PILLOW | |
| CA1267352A (en) | Means for storing and distributing heat and use thereof | |
| JPS618048A (en) | Heat accumulating and distributing tool and its use | |
| JP2955547B2 (en) | Method of preparing insoles for shoes | |
| JPH0451602Y2 (en) | ||
| JP3024127U (en) | Socks | |
| JPH06238784A (en) | Heat-insulating and moisture-absorptive sheet and bonding agent for medical treatment | |
| JPH0625128Y2 (en) | Insole for footwear | |
| JP3133341U (en) | Insulated socks with slippers | |
| JP2000051013A (en) | Mattress | |
| JPS6322881Y2 (en) | ||
| JPH0122490Y2 (en) | ||
| JPS6122482Y2 (en) | ||
| JP2001000205A (en) | Insole | |
| JPH0226885Y2 (en) | ||
| JPH0650483Y2 (en) | Inner socks |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |