EP1250859A1 - Sole for a shoe - Google Patents

Abstract

The insole (1) consists of a support (2) with apertures (5) covered by a draining and aerating material (8) such as a three-dimensional woven fabric, fastened to the support by high-frequency welding. The support is made from a foam-type shock absorbing material, and the covering material can be a three-dimensional woven fabric that is thicker where it covers the apertures than where it covers the support, or an open-cell foam over-moulded onto the support.

Description

The present invention relates to a sole fitted with means facilitating ventilation of the foot and drainage of the sweat. In particular, the invention relates to a sole said internal and which is inserted in a footwear element.

Whatever the type of footwear, i.e. a shoe or slipper to insert into a shell, and what that either the way it is made, it is better provide an internal sole, which will be inserted after mounting and can be glued or not. In the case of a mounting on form or a conventional mounting on said sole first mounting, the top surface of this first of mounting is studded with rod fixing means such as nail, rivet, or sewing thread. This surface is therefore unsuitable to receive the user's foot. Similarly, in the case of a Strobel assembly or a so-called "couture" assembly sandalette ", we often have an interest in covering the sole ensuring the assembly by an internal sole which is called sometimes first of cleanliness.

This sole also performs more functions important for the comfort of the user. If it is done of a foam-like material, it provides part of depreciation. In this case, it is usually covered of a fabric or an assembly of nonwoven fibers for hygienic reasons.

In a shoe or slipper intended for the practice of sport, such an insole has no effect on a adequate ventilation of the foot.

To improve the ventilation of the foot, it is common to pierce small holes in the insole. These holes are largely insufficient and apart from these holes the rest of the sole does not drain perspiration.

Document US 5,022,168 describes an insert made of a fabric 3 Dimensions to promote circulation of air and dissipation of moisture. This insert is placed in a cavity in the midsole, the assembly being then covered by an insole. Such a construction does little to improve ventilation and evacuation sweating in the shoe as a whole because putting in place of an insert in a cavity makes it necessary the use of an internal sole covering the whole. In in practice, such an arrangement is complex and therefore expensive without provided real benefits in terms of ventilation.

The object of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks previous, in particular to provide a sole ensuring a perfect comfort for the user's feet.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sole favoring ventilation of the foot and evacuation of perspiration by drainage.

One of the objectives of the invention is also to provide a sole that improves shock absorption suffered by the foot.

An additional objective is to provide a sole which also provides the user with a contact surface texture over its entire surface.

One of the objectives of the invention is also to provide a draining and ventilated sole that can be used as a sole for mounting on form, Strobel mounting or mounting known as "sandalette stitching".

An additional objective of the invention is to manufacture an insole from a strip of three-dimensional fabric flat and give it a non-flat final shape, that is to say which in particular has a bowl shape at the level heel and / or arch support at arch level plantar.

The object of the invention is achieved by providing a sole for a footwear element comprising a frame which defines at least one recess surrounded by a frame, on which is fixed a sheet made of a draining material and ventilated, so that the sheet covers the recesses and at at least partially the frame.

Preferably, the sole is an insole whose upper surface will be in contact with the foot of the user, or rather with the sock he wears.

The portions of the sheet which cover the recess (s) provide optimal ventilation and drainage, while the frame of the frame gives the sole a little structure deformable. The portions of the tablecloth that cover at least partially the frame ensure continuity of the surface of sole / foot contact between the recesses and the frame.

In a preferred embodiment, the tablecloth is a fabric woven in 3 Dimensions.

In an alternative embodiment, the web is a open cell foam including PU foam.

In another embodiment, the sheet comprises several layers, a comfort layer, a draining layer or an abrasion resistant layer, it being understood that the the layer formed by all of these layers is draining and breathable to promote ventilation.

The tablecloth is attached to the frame by gluing, by welding or by any other equivalent means. advantageously, the frame ensures the holding of the sheet, which is chosen in particular for its characteristics permeability and drainage, but not for its great mechanical resistance. On the other hand, the frame can also ensuring the shaping of the sole such as giving to this one a bowl shape for the heel area, or a arch form under the arch of the foot. Preferably thermoformable materials such as HDPE will be used. However, we can also take materials of the type felt, renoflex, gutta, PVC foam or even materials injected such as PU, PP or Compound.

The fixing of the tablecloth on the frame can be done by bonding, welding by high frequency, or by overmolding. Of preferably we use high frequency welding because we can so in a single operation fix the tablecloth on the frame and tamp the portions of tablecloths that are on the frame of the armature. The portions of tablecloth directly located on the frame of the frame are packed so as to ensure a substantially uniform thickness of the sole.

Advantageously the use of the sole according to the invention as a mounting base makes insertion unnecessary a sockliner, or insole. improvements ventilation function is also due to the decrease in the number of elements underfoot of the user and therefore the decrease in thickness.

Of course, we will understand the economic importance of the manufacture of the sole according to the invention because a sole of high technicality which can combine properties shock absorbing, draining and aeration is carried out with a minimum of elements and a minimum of operations. The advantage economical being increased tenfold when the sole according to the invention is used as a fitting element for the footwear element because the insole is no longer necessary.

The object of the invention is also achieved by applying, on a sheet of three-dimensional fabric, a reinforcement, then by welding the reinforcement to the ply by passage in a so-called high-frequency machine, the welding having for effect of packing the fabric and "amalgamating" the material therein the armature.

Finally, the objective of the invention is also achieved by the manufacture of a sole according to the method claimed in claim 7.

• la figure 1 est une vue de dessous d'une semelle interne selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe de la semelle interne de la figure 1, selon le plan II-II de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective d'un chausson comportant une semelle de montage selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• les figures 4, 5 et 6 sont des vues de dessous d'alternative d'armature,
• la figure 7 est une vue de dessus d'une semelle selon un sixième mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• les figures 8, 9 et 10 représentent des coupes transversales de la semelle de la figure 7.

The invention will be better understood with reference to the appended drawing which describes, by way of nonlimiting example, some embodiments of the invention and in which:

• FIG. 1 is a bottom view of an inner sole according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the insole of FIG. 1, along the plane II-II of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a liner comprising a mounting sole according to a second embodiment of the invention,
• FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are views from below of an armature alternative,
• FIG. 7 is a top view of a sole according to a sixth embodiment of the invention,
• Figures 8, 9 and 10 show cross sections of the sole of Figure 7.

Figure 1 shows the bottom view of an insole 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. Fittings 2 also called skeleton defines a frame 4 and a plurality of recesses 5 which cross at least on both sides partially the frame 2. The frame 4 is made of PE (polyethylene) and includes a peripheral band 6 as well as several interior zones 7. On this frame we come fix a sheet of draining and ventilated fabric such as for example a 3-D fabric. This layer covers the recesses 5 and the zones inside the frame. It also covers the largest part of the peripheral zone, possibly leaving discovery that a thin strip around the edge of the strip peripheral.

Figure 2 shows a cross section of the sole internal of Figure 1. There are two portions of the peripheral band 6 of the frame 4 framing a recess 5. The sheet of fabric 8 completely covers both the recess 5 and the peripheral strip 6. The thickness of the sheet is not constant over the entire width of the sole, this being less thick in its regions which cover frame 4. The sole 1 thus formed of frame 2 and ply 8, therefore has a substantially constant thickness. This thickness difference is obtained after fixing the sheet of fabric on the frame. High frequency welding allows to the different threads making up the tablecloth to amalgamate between them and get closer to each other. There is thus a packing of the sheet in all the fixing areas of this one on frame 4. In this way, it is possible to make a sole of constant thickness from a tablecloth itself of constant thickness, that is to say which can be simply cut flat.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a slipper comprising a sole according to a second embodiment of the invention. In this case, the sole according to the invention is used as mounting plate, Strobel mounting, i.e. that the mounting base and the upper are sewn end to end end. According to the invention, the sole includes a reinforcement 2 defining recesses surrounded by a frame 4 on which a draining and ventilated sheet 8 is fixed. Tablecloth 8 ensures direct contact with the foot, or the sock of user, and an additional insole is superfluous. The frame defines two recesses; the first in a central area of the arch and the second under the phalanges of the toes. At the heel, the sole has a bowl-shaped while under the arch of the foot it resumes a complementary shape of the foot.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show embodiments alternatives of the reinforcement of a sole according to the invention.

The frame 2 of the sole of Figure 4 shows, in addition to large recesses located under the phalanxes of the meta and under the central area of the arch, various holes and smaller slots. Such a frame can be made of a relatively light material.

The frame of Figure 5 has a simplified form in which the recesses are maximum. Frame 4 includes a peripheral part which will give the sole as a whole her outfit. It also includes a heel area 11 which will give the sole a bowl shape and will take over some heel cushioning and finally a plantar arch area 12. The frame 4 is around the sole, the heel area for the support of the latter and a plantar arch area.

Figure 6 shows a reinforcement that differs from previous in that it only covers part of the sole. So the entire front area of the sole does not include than the draining and ventilated groundwater. We will use this type of reinforcement in the case where the draining and aerated sheet will have a sufficient mechanical strength not to require a frame in the front part, the frame having in the rear part among others for the role of giving a three-dimensional form to the sole.

Figure 7 shows a sixth embodiment of the invention in which the armature consists only of a frame fixed on a three-dimensional fabric sheet 13, only around the edge of it. The material of the frame is PU or PVC foam. The frame is fixed to the sheet along two strips of solder, one strip of solder outside along the periphery of the tablecloth and defining the outer edge of the sole 1 and an inner strip 15 in withdrawal compared to the previous one. In a whole part before the sole, these two bands merge while in the rear part they are distant from each other.

Figures 8, 9, 10 show three sections of the sole of Figure 7.

In FIG. 8, the two interior weld strips and exterior are one and are present on each side of the sole. The tablecloth and the material of the frame are packed by the weld then giving the edge of the sole a reinforced rigidity.

In Figure 9, which shows a section in the area central sole, the two weld strips 14 and 15 are distant from each other. In the lateral side, on the left in the figure, the distance between the two is small and the material of the frame defines a bead 16. Due to the proximity of the two welding strips, the fabric sheet is not only compacted at the level of said bands but also, well that to a lesser extent between them. In the side medial, the distance between the two welding strips is more important. The portion located between the two bands 14, 15 will define the support of the plantar arch 12.

Figure 10 shows a section of the sole at the level of the heel. On each side of the cup we can see that the two solder strips 14 and 15 are sufficiently distant one of the other in such a way that a portion of the frame 2 is not not compacted during welding and define a bead of foam. Here also the fixing between them of the frame 2 and of the ply 8 solidifies the entire periphery of the sole. On the other hand the presence of a bead all around the area heel advantageously gives it a bowl shape.

To improve user comfort and facilitate inserting the insole of Figure 7 in a footwear element, it will be appreciated that the entire periphery of it is tilted upwards. In all areas where a bead is present, this inclination of the periphery accentuates the shaping of the sole. So although the sole is made from a single portion of flat fabric, the final shape of it is not flat.

To make such a sole, we will proceed from three-dimensional fabric that will be cut so as to have a tablecloth having the shape of the sole. This tablecloth is put in a mold. We then deposit the material of the reinforcement on the tablecloth. The mold is closed and passed through a high frequency. The high frequency machine heats and presses certain well defined areas of the whole so that the fabric is packed and glued to the frame only in certain places.

The invention is not limited to the few modes of realization presented here for information only and many variants can be considered which do not come out of the scope of the invention.

NOMENCLATURE

1-

Sole

2-

armature

4-

Frame

5-

Obviously

6

Peripheral band

7-

Interior areas

8-

Tablecloth

9-

Chausson

10-

stem

11-

Heel area

12-

Plantar arch area

13-

Three-dimensional fabric

14-

Outer welding strip

15-

Inner welding strip

16-

bead

Claims (13)

Sole (1) for footwear comprising: a frame (2), which defines at least one recess (5) surrounded by a frame (4), a sheet (8) of draining and ventilated material, which being fixed to the frame (2) so that it covers the recesses (5) and at least partially the frame (4). Sole (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the ply (8) is made of a three-dimensional fabric. Sole (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the ply (8) is fixed by welding in a high frequency machine on the frame (2). Sole (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of the ply (8) covering the recesses (5) is greater than the thickness of the ply (8) covering the frame (4). Sole (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the reinforcement (2) is made of a cushioning material of the foam type. Footwear element comprising a sole (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said sole is an inner sole inserted in the shoe in a removable manner after the assembly of the various constituents of the shoe. Footwear element comprising a sole (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said sole is a mounting sole on which the upper (10) is assembled. Liner (9) intended to be inserted into a rod external including a flexible rod and a mounting sole according to one of claims 1 to 5. Method of manufacturing a sole (1) for a footwear element comprising the following steps: molding of a frame (2) comprising at least one recess (5) surrounded by a frame (4), obtaining a sheet (8) of draining and ventilated material having the same shape as the sole (1), fixing the ply (8) on the frame (4) so that the sole thus formed of the ply and the frame has a constant thickness. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the sheet (8) is made of a 3-dimensional fabric, that it is obtained by flat cutting and that it is fixed by high frequency welding. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the sheet (8) is made of an open cell foam and that this is obtained and fixed by overmolding on the frame (2). Method of manufacturing a sole (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: cutting a sheet (8) of three-dimensional fabric, application on the ply (8) of a frame (2) having the contours of the sole (1), fixing of the frame (2) on the sheet of fabric by welding carried out in a high frequency machine. Method of manufacturing a sole (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that said welding is carried out over the entire periphery of the sole (1) and that it compacts the three-dimensional structure of the fabric.

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