EP1524925A1

EP1524925A1 - Insole

Info

Publication number: EP1524925A1
Application number: EP03766298A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rainer Mangold; Angela Römpp; Jana Michelmann
Original assignee: Paul Hartmann AG
Current assignee: Paul Hartmann AG
Priority date: 2002-07-29
Filing date: 2003-07-25
Publication date: 2005-04-27
Anticipated expiration: 2023-07-25
Also published as: DE50310375D1; WO2004012549A1; ATE405186T1; AU2003250178A1; JP2005534386A; JP4490814B2; EP1524925B1; DE10235511A1; US20060035061A1

Abstract

An insole (for shoes) is in the form of a disposable product having a maximum thickness of 3 mm and consisting essentially of a liquid-absorbing fiber fleece material made of or based on cellulose fiber. The insole is formed by a single wadding fleece layer ( 4 ) made of cellulose fiber material having 25% by weight of heat meltable binding fibers, the layer being compacted by means of embossing calendaring and having highly compacted embossed areas ( 9 ) as well as other areas ( 10 ) which are less compacted in comparison therewith.

Description

Title: Insole

Besehreibung

The invention relates to an insole for shoes as a disposable product, with a thickness of at most 3 mm, with a liquid-absorbent nonwoven layer with or based on cellulosic fiber material.

Such an insole is known from EP 0 414 634 B1. The insole comprises a liquid-absorbent nonwoven layer based on cotton fibers, to which heat-fusible binding fibers can also be added. Furthermore, a stabilizing layer is mandatory, which faces the insole of the shoe and gives the sole rigidity and has an anti-slip effect. A cover layer is also provided on the side of the nonwoven layer opposite the stabilization layer. The insole 2 has a total of a plurality of holes or openings extending through all layers.

From EP 0 033 448 AI an insole made of an absorbent paper material with bactericidal and / or fungicidal and / or odor-killing active ingredients is known.

EP 0 216 727 A2 discloses and teaches an insole made of at least four layers, namely a non-slip bottom foam covering, an intermediate layer made of a non-woven material, an absorption layer made of multi-layer cotton material and a cover layer, again made of non-woven material.

Another multi-layer structure of a disposable EP 0 272 690 A2 discloses an insole with a nonwoven layer based on cellulose with heat-fusible polypropylene or polyester staple fibers.

The present invention is based on the object of proposing an insole which is simple in terms of process technology and can be produced economically and which is distinguished by good usage properties.

This object is achieved by an insole with the features of claim 1.

It was found according to the invention that an adequately consolidated structure for use as an insole with excellent properties can be obtained by embossing calendering only a single fiber fleece layer in the form of a cotton fleece layer according to claim 1. In contrast to EP 0 033 448 AI, it should be pointed out that paper products, despite their designation as paper fleece in the publication mentioned, are not to be referred to as nonwoven or nonwoven products in accordance with the definition and standard of EDAA or (ISO 9092-En2902). The definition of EDANA as of February 1999 for nonwoven or nonwoven materials excludes paper products expressis verbis.

An insole according to the invention advantageously has a thickness of 1 to 3 mm, in particular of 1.1 to 1.4 mm, the thickness being determined under a test pressure of 20 g / cm ² . For this purpose and also to calculate the density from the thickness and the basis weight of flat specimens of the embossed calendered cotton fleece layer, the specimens are previously stored in a drying cabinet at 105 ° C for 24 hours and then allowed to cool in a desiccator. Then they are weighed and then under the test pressure of 20 g / cm ^{2 mentioned} Thickness measured. Densities of 0.1 to 0.5 g / cm ³ , in particular 0.2 to 0.3 g / cm ^{3, of} the embossed calendered cotton fleece layer are preferred. The weight per unit area of the cotton fleece layer is preferably 200 to 500 g / m ² .

In the embossing calendering of the cotton fleece layer, calender embossing rollers with elevations forming the embossing structure are used, the proportion of which makes up 8 to 20%, in particular 10 to 16%, of the roller surface or the surface of the insole. The engraving depth and thus the height of the elevations is at least 0.5 mm. The smallest dimensions of the elevations or the embossing structures formed thereby, from 0.3 to 0.6 mm, have proven to be advantageous and preferred. These can also be punctiform structures or elongate webs in the calender roll, which then form elongated, highly compressed, embossed regions with a longitudinal extension of a few millimeters, in particular 2 to 6 mm in length.

The maximum tensile force with an insole according to the invention in the longitudinal direction in the dry state is advantageously 35 to 100 N / 25 mm, in particular 50 to 80 N / 25 mm and in the transverse direction 40 to 100 N / 25 mm, in particular 55 to 80 N / 25 mm. This maximum tensile force can be determined using a standardized tensile testing machine in accordance with DIN 51221. Samples with a clamping width of 25 mm and a clamping length of 30 mm are taken from the embossed calendered cotton fleece layer to be tested. The specimens clamped in the clamp recordings of the standardized tensile testing machine are then moved apart at a test speed of 100 mm / min in the plane of their extent and the tensile force acting in this direction is measured. When measuring the longitudinal and transverse directions, which correspond to the machine direction or the direction transverse thereto, it is advantageously possible to carry out various, in particular five, individual measurements and to calculate their mean value. The maximum tensile force is understood as the maximum force at which the cotton pad tears. If higher force peaks are measured in the course of the stretch, these represent the maximum tensile force in the sense of this test.

Furthermore, the insole according to the invention has a maximum tensile force in the wet state, which is 20 to 80 N / 25 mm, in particular 35 to 70 N / 25 mm in the longitudinal direction and 30 to 80, in particular 40 to 55 N / 25 mm in the transverse direction. To determine the maximum tensile force when wet, the sample in question is soaked in water and then allowed to drain for 5 seconds.

Furthermore, it proves to be advantageous that the insole according to the invention has a water absorption capacity of 1 to 4 g / g, preferably 1.5 to 3 g / g (g liquid per gram of nonwoven cotton layer). Around

To determine water absorption capacity in accordance with DIN 53923, samples of 100 mm x 100 mm are punched out of the cotton fleece layer. Before the test, the samples are air-conditioned for at least 24 hours at 23 ° C and 50% relative humidity. The dry weight of the sample is then determined (Ml). (If a single sample weighs less than 1 g, several samples are stacked together to form a sample stack that should weigh at least one gram). The sample thus obtained is placed in a wire basket and loaded with a flat steel plate (100 x 100 x 2 mm). The wire basket, together with the sample and the plate, is immersed in demineralized water. The sample remains under the load on the plate for 30 seconds. The plate is then lifted off and the sample remains in the liquid for a further 30 seconds without this load. The wire basket is then removed from the liquid together with the sample, and the liquid is allowed to drain over a corner for 120 seconds. The sample is then weighed again (M2). The water absorption capacity is then in accordance with the DIN standard 53923 according to (M2 - Ml) / Ml x 100 calculated in percent.

It also proves to be particularly advantageous that the insole according to the invention has a very high internal strength of> 170 N / 25 cm ² , in particular> 180 g / 25 cm ² , preferably> 190 N / 25 cm ² , which in the following described way: It is to be checked with this method whether and under which conditions insoles are destroyed. A tensile testing machine according to DIN 51221, class 1 as well as two auxiliary plates and double-sided adhesive tape are used for this. A flat, circular disk-shaped sample with a diameter of 57 mm is glued between an upper and a lower auxiliary sheet by means of the double-sided adhesive tape, from which a clampable retaining web protrudes vertically (T-shape). The two auxiliary sheets are clamped in the tensile testing machine and then moved apart at a speed of 100 mm / min. The maximum tensile force is determined. Again, the maximum tensile force is understood to mean the maximum force at which the cohesion of the cotton pad is destroyed. If higher force peaks are measured in the course of the stretch, these represent the maximum tensile force in the sense of this test.

The double-sided adhesive tape is an adhesive tape from 3M (Tape 410) with natural rubber as an adhesive coating and a defined adhesive force of 19.3 +/- 2.2 N / 25 mm according to the German Pharmacopoeia from 1996 (peeling method described there) ,

For sample preparation, a section of the double-sided adhesive tape mentioned above is glued on top and bottom of the cotton fleece layer of the insole according to the invention or also of another sole to be tested. For this purpose, a laminate is expediently made first Cotton fleece layer or insole and adhesive tape are formed and then round cotton pads made of fleece are punched out of this laminate with double-sided adhesive tape. The composite thus obtained is (after peeling off the outer cover layers of the adhesive tape) between the two auxiliary sheets and positioned centrally. The auxiliary sheets are then weighted with 30 kg for 2 minutes, so that the composite of insole and double-sided adhesive tape and auxiliary sheets is intimately connected to one another. This assembly is then clamped in the tensile testing machine according to DIN 51221, and the clamps are pulled apart at the aforementioned speed of 100 mm / min and the tensile force is determined in the process. The mean value is formed from at least five individual measurements and is given in N.

For the reproducible implementation of measurements, the adhesive strength of the double-sided adhesive tape is specified or standardized according to the pull-off method of the German Pharmacopoeia 1996. For this, the force is measured that is required to pull adhesive tapes (e.g. plaster) off a flat surface at an angle of 180 ° at a constant speed. Again, a tensile testing machine according to DIN 51221 class 1 is used for this. Panels made of stainless steel, 150 x 50 x 2 mm mechanically polished and roughened in the longitudinal direction are used.

The test is carried out at 23 ° C and 50% relative humidity. The samples must be stored under these standard conditions for 24 hours beforehand. Before starting, the steel plates are cleaned with a cotton ball soaked in toluene, then they are brought into contact with the vapors of boiling toluene in a suitable container, but without touching the liquid directly. The vapors thus obtained sweep along the surface of the plates for 5 minutes. The plates are then left to cool in the standard atmosphere for 30 minutes. Strips of 400 mm length and predetermined width are then cut from the roll of 12.5 or 25 mm and applied to the cleaned metal plates in such a way that air pockets are avoided. Using a "tape applicator", the adhesive tape strip is rolled on under a pressure of 20 N / cm sample width (whereby the backing paper of the adhesive tape has not yet been removed). The measurement is then carried out after a waiting time of 10 minutes.

For the measurement, the upper free end of the sample strip is pushed back and pulled off about 25 mm from the upper end of the steel plate. This end of the steel plate is clamped in the upper clamp of the tensile testing machine and the folded back end of the sample strip is clamped in the lower clamp of the tensile testing machine. The pull-off angle is therefore 180 °, whereby care must be taken that the back of the sample is parallel to one another, but does not rub against one another. The tensile testing machine is set to a take-off speed of 300 +/- 30 mm / min.

To determine the adhesive force, the force curve must be determined and recorded. From the force peaks obtained, the average adhesive force is then to be evaluated according to one of the methods A) to C) described below.

In the case of deviating curve profiles, the method A or B described in the appendix may have to be used. In these cases, the evaluation procedure must be specified when the results are specified.

Evaluation method C:

This procedure should be used when the diagram is more than

20 clearly recognizable force peaks.

The prerequisite is that the within the diagram occurring fluctuations do not occur periodically. If this is the case, evaluation method B must be used.

Starting from the middle of that diagram length 1, which extends from the first peak of force to demolition, four vertical lines are to be submitted on both sides at equal intervals of 1/10 of this diagram length.

These distances are rounded up to whole millimeters. The nine peak values closest to these lines should be used to determine the adhesive strength.

Individual peak values that stand out extremely from the curve are not taken into account in the evaluation.

The result should be given as the average of at least five tests in N / 25 mm rounded to one decimal place.

Further details are permitted.

The adhesive strength is calculated as follows:

E = n

F. = force peaks F., F ₂ F _n n = number of force peaks evaluated

The evaluation can also be done with a suitable PC program respectively.

Evaluation method A:

This procedure is to be used if the diagram has up to five clearly distinguishable force peaks. The

The mean value from the values of these force peaks is to be determined.

In the event that only one peak of force occurs in the diagram, the corresponding value is to be regarded as the "mean value".

Evaluation method B:

This procedure is to be used when six to ten clearly distinguishable force peaks appear in the diagram.

The peak values of the middle 80% of the diagram area, which begins with the first peak of force and ends with the tear, are used to determine the adhesive strength.

The above description of the adhesive force serves, as already mentioned, to create standardized reproducible conditions for the adhesive tape to be used in the internal strength test described above.

It proves to be particularly advantageous that internal strengths of> 170, preferably> 180 and in particular> 190 N / 25 cm ² have been obtained in the insole according to the invention. While in known multi-layer products both the layer on the upper side of the sole and the layer on the lower side of the sole detached at inner strength values of significantly below 170 N / 25 cm ² , the insole according to the invention only detached at higher values of an average of approximately 220 N / 25 cm ² with a standard deviation of 29 N / 25 cm ^{2 from} the adhesive tape together with only individual fibers of the cotton fleece layer, no separation of the layers being observed. The insole according to the invention is distinguished by excellent internal strength, that is to say good internal cohesion of the cotton fleece layer.

Furthermore, it proves advantageous that the insole according to the invention also proves advantageous in an abrasion test using a crock meter (a friction device) as described in DIN EN ISO 105-xl2. Here a fleece layer is rubbed with a defined standard test fabric. The damage to the sample surfaces that occurs is assessed visually. Here three sections of 14 x 5 cm are removed from the fleece to be tested, the longer side running in the machine direction. The pin of the above-mentioned friction device is covered with the friction fabric. A test fabric, namely fine rib from Schiesser No. 4467, was used for this. The sample is fixed on the mentioned friction device with the help of holding clips. The cone is then moved back and forth over a distance of 10 cm until the first fluff forms. After a total of 10 scouring cycles, the first visual assessment of the sample surface is carried out, after 30 cycles the second assessment follows. The load on the pin is 400 g / cm ² . When testing in the wet state, the friction fabric is set to 100% moisture absorption, with humidification taking place in accordance with DIN EN ISO 105-X12.

Carrying out this abrasion test showed no fluff formation after 30 scrubbing cycles in the cotton fleece layer of the insole according to the invention.

Further details, advantages and features of the invention emerge from the attached patent claims and from the drawing and the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention. The drawing shows: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an insole according to the invention;

FIG. 2a shows a top view of the embossed structure of a quay roll;

Figure 2b shows a detail of Figure 2a;

FIGS. 3-5 different surface structures in insoles according to the invention;

6 - 8 top views and detailed representation of different surface structures;

9a u. 9b illustrate the experimental setup for measuring the internal strength of nonwoven layers.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an insole 2 according to the invention. The insole 2 is formed from a single cotton fleece layer 4 made of 50% by weight cotton fibers and 50% by weight polyethylene / polypropylene bicomponent fibers (PE / PP). The cotton fleece layer 4 is consolidated by being embossed, i.e. it was passed between a heated calender roll with protruding embossing projections and a counter pressure roll. In this way, the surface structure shown in the figure was formed with punctiform and web-shaped embossed structures 6 in the case shown.

Figure 2a shows a top view of the corresponding structure of the calender roll on a scale of 5: 1, and Figure 2b shows a detail of the surface structure in section. The Engraving depth, that is, the height of the elevations 8 on the roller surface, is 0.7 mm in the case shown. The portion of the elevations 8 on the roller surface, namely the so-called pressing surface portion, is approximately 17 to 18% in the case shown.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of a surface structure similar to FIG. 2, likewise obtained by embossing calendering, with an insole 2 as shown in FIG. 1. The elevations on the calender roller formed highly compressed embossed areas 9 in addition to less compressed areas 10. The proportion of highly compressed areas 9, in the total area, in this case is 10 to 11%.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show further embossed structures which have proven to be advantageous in the production of an insole according to the invention. The proportion of press area is approximately 12.5% in FIG. 4 and approximately 13.3% in FIG.

Through the process of embossing calendering by means of a heated calender roll having the aforementioned elevations 8, the heat-fusible binding fibers are partially melted, at least on their surface, and a thermally bonded nonwoven fleece layer is thereby formed. It has surprisingly been found that in this way an insole with excellent internal strength in the sense of the definition given at the beginning can be obtained, namely from above 190 N / 25 cm ² . With a known insole from Flawa, only values of significantly below 170 N / 25 cm ^{2 could} be determined when determining the internal strength, the mean value being below 130 N / cm ² . In the known shoe sole, both the layer on the upper side of the sole and a layer on the lower side of the sole detached, while in the insole according to the invention described above, only the adhesive tape detached together with individual fibers. A separation of the single cotton fleece layer, however, did not occur. The basis weight of the cotton fleece layer is 200-500 g / m ² . The compaction of the cotton fleece layer by embossing calendering is such that the density of the entire cotton fleece layer is between 0.1 to 0.5 g / cm ³ , preferably between 0.2 and 0.3 g / cm ³ , with the test specimens in sections of 100 x 100 mm were initially stored in a drying cabinet at 105 ° C. for 24 hours and then left to cool in a desiccator. They were then weighed to the nearest 0.1 g. The thickness of the test specimens was then measured to the nearest 0.1 mm in a thickness measuring device under a test pressure of 20 g / cm ^2, and the density was then calculated from this.

On the side facing away from the foot sole ^■ and the insole of a shoe bottom facing 12 of the insole 2 are very fine inseiförmige spaced studs 14 in the screen printing or rotary printing process applied. These knobs are made from natural or synthetic rubber, from aqueous dispersions based on acrylate or from an acrylate / latex mixture, in particular from acrylate-nitrile latex mixture or from polyurethane or from polyurethane-acrylate mixture or from nitrile latex and also rise in color from the bottom 12 of the insole. The knobs are point or circular in the case shown with a diameter of less than 1 mm. They form an anti-slip agent for the insole 2. Line-like anti-slip agents would also be conceivable.

The insole is also soaked with a methyl-β-cyclodextrin fragrance complex solution. The solution is farnesol or another active ingredient, for example essential oils, aldehydes or combinations of aldehydes which have a deodorising effect, a deodorising ester of aromatic alcohols and aromatic carboxylic acids added, which has an antimicrobial effect. Such an active ingredient can also be complexed together with the fragrance and the mentioned methyl-β-cyclodextrin if, as in the case of farnesol, it can easily volatilize.

To reduce the tendency to develop athlete's foot, the complex solution can contain a fungicidal active ingredient, e.g. Undecylenamide (DEA) can be added.

If, in the case shown, the fragrance is introduced in the form of methyl-β-cyclodextrin complexes, this prevents the fragrance from evaporating quickly and a long-lasting fragrance is guaranteed. The fragrance is released from the methyl-ß-cyclodextrin complexes when heat, moisture (foot sweat) is added and the shoes are removed. There is then advantageously the ability that organic components of the foot sweat are complexed on the cyclodextri molecules released, in particular when the shoe sole is drying. In this way, the development of an unpleasant smell can be prevented.

By adding Farnesol or another antimicrobial agent, those bacteria that break down foot sweat and thus trigger the smell of foot sweat are inhibited in their effect. It is pointed out that the addition of the above-mentioned agents can be used with any insole according to the invention, regardless of the specific embossing structure 6 of the insole 2.

It proves to be particularly advantageous that the insole according to the invention is formed from the single cotton fleece layer 4 mentioned and that no further cover layer facing the foot is provided. In this way, a thin, yet non-fluffing (abrasion test) and having a high internal strength can be obtained.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 show different ones

Surface structures in the insole according to the invention, with FIG. 6 being a surface structure as shown in FIG. 3. The surface structure according to FIGS. 7 and 8 differ slightly from this. The arrangement and dimensioning of the highly compressed, embossed regions 9 and, in contrast, the less densely compressed regions 10 can also be seen in an enlarged detailed illustration.

Furthermore, FIG. 9 schematically shows the experimental setup of the test method described at the outset for the internal strength of the non-woven cotton layer or the insole. One recognizes the circular disk-shaped test specimen of the cotton fleece layer 4, as well as the double-sided adhesive tape 20 and the auxiliary sheets 22, which are clamped with their projecting web 24 into clamping receptacles 26 of the tensile testing machine.

According to a preferred embodiment of the described shoe sole 2 according to the invention of the composition mentioned, the single cotton fleece layer 4 has been embossed with an embossing pressure of 400 N / mm. Based on a basis weight of 303 g / m ² , the fleece thickness in the embossed calendered state of the insole is 1.28 mm. A maximum tensile force in the dry state of 54.6 N / 25 mm in the longitudinal direction and 68.9 N / 25 mm in the transverse direction was determined. The water holding capacity was 1.7 g liquid per g cotton fleece layer.

Exactly the same measurements were then carried out on an insole which, moreover, was charged with a fragrance mixture in the manner described above and has the knobs 14 described on the underside 12. The The basis weight determined in this case was 338 g / m ² . The fleece thickness was measured at 1.22 mm. The maximum tensile force values determined were 49.9 N / 25 mm in the longitudinal direction and 63.7 N / 25 mm in the transverse direction. The wet values were 36.0 N / 25 mm in the longitudinal direction and 47.0 N / 25 mm in the transverse direction. The water holding capacity was 1.8 g / g. The mean of at least 5 measurements was taken in each case.

Claims

claims

1. Insole (2) for shoes as a disposable product, with a thickness of at most 3, with a liquid-absorbent non-woven layer with or based on cellulosic fiber material, characterized in that the sole consists of a single non-woven layer (4) made of cellulosic fiber material with at least 25 % By weight of heat-fusible binding fibers is formed, which layer is consolidated by embossing calendering and has highly compressed embossed areas (9) and, in contrast, less compressed areas (10).

2. Insole according to claim 1, characterized in that its thickness is 1-3 mm, in particular 1-2 mm.

3. Insole according to claim 1, characterized in that its density is 0.1-0.5 g / cm ³ , in particular 0.2-0.3 g / cm ³ .

4. Insole according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the highly compressed embossed areas (9) make up a proportion of 8-20% of the surface of the non-woven cotton layer (4).

5. Insole according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the highly compressed embossed areas (9) have a depth of at least 0.5 mm and a smallest dimension in the plane direction of 0.3-0,

6 mm.

β. Insole according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the maximum tensile force of the non-woven cotton web (4) in the dry state is 35-100 N / 25 mm in the longitudinal direction and 40-100 N / 25 mm in the transverse direction.

7. Insole according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the maximum tensile force of the cotton fleece web (4) in the wet state is 20-100 N / 25 mm in the longitudinal direction and 30-80 N / 25 mm in the transverse direction.

8. Insole according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a

Has a water absorption capacity of 1 - 4 g liquid per g of the cotton fleece layer.

9. Insole according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has an internal strength of> 170 N / 25 cm ² , preferably of> 180 N / 25 mm ² .

10. Insole according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cotton fleece layer (4) comprises cotton fibers.

11. Insole according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat-fusible binding fibers, in particular multi-component fibers, have polyethylene (PE) and / or polypropylene (PP) and / or polyester (PES).

12. Insole according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the insole of a shoe facing in use (12) of the insole (2) an island or line-shaped anti-slip means (14) is provided.

13. Insole according to claim 12, characterized in that the anti-slip means (14) has a largest dimension of at most 1.5 mm, in particular of at most 1 mm.