ES2732234A1 - Polarized Flip Flops (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Polarized flip flops. They are flip flops that prevent their own overheating by direct exposure to sunlight and, therefore, protect from the possibility of burning the sole of the foot when they have been exposed to radiation by forgetfulness. Especially indicated for children or people with high skin sensitivity. For this, an unusual material has been combined in flip-flops, of translucent or transparent color, parts with a certain strategically located brightness and a prismatic geometric structure that act in conjunction with optical filters. In addition, they are anti-mold, anti-bacteria, embedded anti-stains and do not degrade like most flip flops, since it does not use plastics or polymers whose main molecular chain is formed by carbon (materials considered organic), extending its useful life and maintaining benefits for longer. All this without losing or offering mechanical damping and comfort properties that this type of footwear requires and even improving them. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

D E S C R I P C I Ó N

POLARIZED CHANCLAS

SECTOR OF THE TECHNIQUE

The present invention pertains to the footwear sector and more specifically to open-toe shoes such as flip-flops and beach sandals.

The main object of the invention is a flip flop that avoids its own overheating by direct exposure to the sun's rays and therefore protects us from the possibility of burning the sole of the foot when they are forgotten to be exposed to solar radiation, especially designed for children or people with high skin sensitivity. In addition, they are anti-mold, anti bacteria and do not degrade like most flip flops or sandals designed to date, extending their useful life and maintaining their benefits for longer. Another quality to highlight, is that they prevent liquids or fats from staining them permanently, since it prevents these substances from being embedded, since they are also easily cleaned and can even be boiled for sanitation without suffering damage or transformation.

All this without losing or offering the mechanical damping and comfort properties required by footwear of this type and even improving them in most cases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The chancha is a footwear specially designed for the beach and therefore places or seasons of the year whose heat makes it appropriate to keep the foot more airy and cooler than closed shoes. In addition, most flip flops are designed so that they can get wet and therefore not have to take off their shoes to perform any aquatic activity, whether for the shower, bath or pool environments and maritime environments.

Throughout the history of the flip flops, many different models and types have been developed, finding thousands of patents in the current state of the art. Therefore, although the external design and aesthetics of the invention that is recommended, is in itself a sign of important differentiation between those existing today, it is necessary to speak and focus on the characteristic of main improvement and technical solution that it solves.

Direct exposure of the sun's rays on objects generally not only causes them to increase in temperature but also accelerates the degradation process. The footwear and in our case, the flip flops, have been designed of almost all the materials that we find around us, from wood to plastics composed with elastic materials. The incidence of solar radiation on the surface of objects basically affects 3 ways; reflection, the part that reflects the surface and that dissipates. Transmission, the part that crosses the surface and passes behind and absorption; the part that absorbs the surface and that heats up. Therefore, the amount of solar radiation administered by an object depends largely on the thickness, density and color of the object.

To date, the materials used to make the flip flops prevent the transmission at the foot of the temperature of the surface they step on, either because they have a sufficient thickness, because of the same insulating characteristics of the material or simply because the ground does not reach extreme temperatures , but have not taken into account the temperature increase under direct exposure of the sun's rays on the part of direct contact with the foot. That is why small forgetfulness for a few minutes in the sun can cause great discomfort and even in some cases burn the skin, especially in young children or people with special skin sensitivity. The invention that is recommended does not use any of the current materials, or organic or thermoplastic polymers such as PVC and also the most recently developed, TPE (thermoplastics with elastomer mixture), EVA rubber, etc. In addition, given the use of this type of materials and the use that is given to it, they are often very easily stained against liquids or greases because they are porous foams that absorb the substances so that they are permanently embedded or almost impossible to remove Without damaging the material. That is why, most are made of cheap and low quality materials. Likewise, the invention uses a special elastomer that until now has not been contemplated for shoe soles or foams for flip flops, because its density or weight, damping and intrinsic mechanical properties in the rough or with the traditional physical-chemical transformation of gasification, in addition to making it more expensive, could not make it favorable or ideal for use in the sector that the invention advocates. However, it is the same combination of the material used, the color and brightness that is made as an optical property and the novel internal structural design, which in combination solve the technical problems described, even preventing overheating and therefore burning of other advantages and improvements over the rest of flip flops, such as; anti-mold, anti proliferation of bacteria, anti stains of greasy liquids and in general more resistant to the weather than any flip flop done so far.

In addition, by not using plastics or polymers whose main molecular chain is carbon (organic) or that is simply not present in the material object of the invention, the anti-corrosion and anti-degradation factor is significantly improved, whether in saline environments, places with extreme temperatures or as already mentioned, areas of direct exposure to sunlight. The result is flip flops that filter and administer the light as if it were polarized lenses, but in this case, suitable and comfortable for the foot.

After searching for the current state of the art, the following patents are considered the closest; US 17818 / ES 2177576, refers to an elastic footwear material to reduce pressure characterized by a variety of elastic and independent sections forming a grid design. The grid seems to be formed by prism and open cells. The most important technical differences that are found with respect to the invention that is recommended, is that the material does not contain hermetic air chambers and does not refer to optical properties as a technical quality necessary for its function, nor does it mention any special color for its realization . Its use is therapeutic and mainly serves as a pad. In the patent corresponding to IT number 545/90, the first reference is described which is found on a template provided with several air pads comprised within cells of a reticular support structure, a one-piece and soft plastic forming. Although in its claims it refers to soft plastic material, that is, it refers to the degree of hardness and not to the degree of elasticity. The most important difference is not just the nature of the material but also the color, of which it makes no reference or reference. In the following US 5381607 and US 761930 / ES 2365140 the first describes a shoe sole that is mounted with an outer sole and a cushioning midsole whose matrix is shaped like a honeycomb, the second describes a multilayer honeycomb sole in direct allusion to the previous patent and its method of manufacturing it. In both the material is thermoplastic and opaque, indicating it as the main difference with respect to the invention that is recommended since the thermoplastic used is an organic polymer and also does not transmit, reflect or refract the light. Another technical difference is in the face that faces the sole of the so-called multilayer honeycomb sole, speaks of a relief or inclusion of dimples as open cells to promote comfort but its edges maintain the angles and therefore not softened, which technically does not prevent the possible windy effect of the foot, or at least not designed for that purpose. However, on said surface there is no reference to any type of element or embodiment that may reflect the light or the sun's rays as the invention will describe later, in order to reduce the heating and protect the flip flop from the sun's rays. The rest of related patents, for example, speak of other structures, such as those of zircon and other forms of air chambers, such as in tubular form thinking about cushioning, insulation and protection of the foot or introduce more current materials in their designs, such as referred to above. But in addition to not using elastic inorganic polymers, they also do not technically confer optical properties by means of color or reflective surfaces with a relief. For completing the background study and allusion to transparent or translucent materials, flip flops and sandals such as those of crab type of these colors, made of PVC (organic polymer) and that at a distance or simpe sight, have been in the market for many years they could be confused with the flip flops that the invention advocates, but in addition to differentiating themselves in internal structure with closed and hermetic chambers as will be seen later in the explanation, they cannot avoid overheating so much to the direct exposure of the sun's rays, even being necessary wet them to incorporate them into the foot if they suffered a few minutes of radiation. Nor do they have elastic cushioning, that is, they are plastics that, at best, are called soft.

It is concluded that the existing flip flops, soles or sandals that indicated the prior art, either due to its technical design and internal or external structure, or because of the materials used in its realizations, had not taken into account or had not resolved the overheating they suffer from direct exposure to sunlight. Thus, it can be said that the flip-flops object of the invention are the ones that least increase in temperature due to the solar radiation factor and also the ones that suffer the least corrosion and degradation due to external phenomena or environmental agents.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is about polarized flip flops. Either with the external shape of the finger type with strips or with other forms of attachment to the foot, such as by bands or plates that go from one side end to the other, polarized flip flops are characterized by; a sole with footprint and non-slip design made of elastic inorganic polymer and of a translucent or transparent color in its entirety, a template whose part facing the foot has a reflective shine and a slight rough relief without corners and with smoothed contours that do not protrude more than 1 mm, and on the back, multi-cells or cavities in geometric form of open prisms below and tiling the surface, also made entirely with the same elastic inorganic polymer described above for the sole and translucent or transparent color, and hermetically sealed multi-chambers covering the entire area of the flip flop, these being obtained as a result of the union of both parts, sole and insole, through a fusion process that gives rise to a single piece of said elastic inorganic polymer and Translucent or transparent color.

The use of an inorganic polymer prevents or improves the degradation or corrosion index suffered by the rest of the materials used in the footwear industry. It also predisposes the flip flop to be under direct exposure of the sun's rays in better conditions than those already mentioned; the TPE, visco elastic or the current foam. That it is also elastic, is decisive and necessary, since the sole, in addition to performing the insulating function between the floor surface and the foot, must provide cushioning and a certain comfort. That is why, preferably, the sole and the rest of the flip flop has been made of silicone, fulfilling the characteristic of being an inorganic elastic polymer.

To confer desired optical properties it is used; transparency or translucency, brightness and a geometric structure of prisms similar to those called Crystal structures in combination. It is interesting to remember that the color itself does not exist since rather it is produced as a consequence of the reflection of light on objects. In this way the transparent or translucent flip flop manages to transmit the light more easily through it and avoid heating by absorption. This improves the radiation anti-heating performance of the inorganic polymer.

The upper part, that is, the one that faces the sole of the foot is bright. This also makes another light filter and increases the reflective factor. It is usually the part of the flip flop that is most exposed to the sun when we take off our shoes, for example, on the beach. The relief but without smoothed corners and contours that do not protrude more than 1 millimeter, becomes a small elevation of the upper edges of the prisms and therefore, likewise, tightens the surface of the flip flop, so that the sole of the foot does not can adhere to such a surface. In addition, although barely noticeable, said relief offers a minimum massage every time the crush-recovery game of the multi-air chambers occurs while we walk.

The structure and internal geometry of prisms that is carried out as a result of the merged union in mono piece, sole and template, and its color, also act as an optical filter and therefore also polarizes, refracting the light that affects to a greater or lesser extent and according to the angle to which they are exposed. At the same time, the hermetically sealed multi-chambers, not only reduce the weight and density of a material, in principle not used in footwear, but also offer mechanical damping features that make it suitable and favorable.

The flip flop can be made in any color of the range either to maintain translucency or to make it opaque. That is, depending on the amount of pigment we add in the elastic inorganic polymer we will obtain one or the other result.

The game of varying; the color, size of the cells and thickness of the walls, also allows to vary all its benefits without changing the material used. That is, for example; Look for more or less transparency, increase or reduce the ability of the flip flop to transmit the light and therefore to stay cooler. Increase or decrease the cell size leaving air inside, reduce or increase its density and weight respectively but also increases or reduces damping. Increasing the air inside offers cooling and thermal insulation. Increase the thickness of the walls, increases the weight but offers greater rigidity and consistency respectively.

In another preferred embodiment, the flip flops have 2 or more insoles stacked and fused together, which gives greater height without the tread losing stability and balance. In some cases where the degree of elasticity chosen of the silicone is higher, the flip flop loses consistency and becomes softer, bends more easily. That is why this realization with several templates stacked and fused together, make you gain consistency.

The strips or irons and therefore the part that holds the foot to the sole of the flip flop, also does not get rid of overheating. That is why in another preferred embodiment, the strap has said part made of elastic inorganic polymer and more specifically, also of silicone. In this case, its resistance, hardness and elasticity is comparable to those currently made, whether they are PVC or TPE, or rubber so that they can withstand the tension produced by the foot when walking and pulling it without breaking. This also allows the possibility of choosing that the strips can remain as a separable part of the rest of the flip flop or, where appropriate, joined in a single piece by fusion.

Other preferred embodiments allowed by this flip flop consist in replacing the air of the multi-chambers with another element; Either a noble gas, a liquid or cooling gel to contribute to providing the flip flop with lower density and / or higher thermal resistivity index as a whole. Also, the elastic inorganic polymer, specifically silicone, makes the use, either mixed in the material or incorporating it in the hermetic chambers, of luminescent substances favorable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, where illustrative and non-limiting nature has been represented. next:

Figure 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d.- Shows perspective views of the invention.

Figure 2.- Shows a side view of another preferred embodiment of the object of the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

For the preferred embodiment, with figures 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d, it has been wanted to represent the polarized flip flop in several perspectives and those called finger type. In it, the sole part (1) with a footprint and non-slip design is observed, the template (2) differentiating the surface of the upper part with a slight relief (3) rough but smooth and without angular corners. This part also has brightness, which in this case is indicated with a legend on the same surface of the flip flop that contains it due to the difficulty with only black and white colors to draw it. The part below the template is fused in a single piece with the sole to leave inside the multi-cavities (4) or multi-cameras that can be seen in the image. Being that the material is translucent or transparent allows to see said content and structure of the interior. Likewise, the strips (5) are pointed out that, as can be seen in this preferred embodiment, they are also translucent or transparent and made of elastic inorganic polymer. In each figure, there is a legend with the material used given the importance and novelty that it implies in the state of the art of footwear and also because of its difficulty of being able to offer a differentiating graphic drawing of other materials. Figure 2 is another preferred embodiment, in this case a polarized finger-type flip flop consisting of two templates (2) and therefore multi-floor and multi-chambers (4), appreciating the increase in thickness and conferring on the larger flip flop consistency and rigidity with respect to figure 1.

Claims (10)

1 Polarized flip flops, either with the traditional external shape of the finger-type with strips or with other forms of attachment to the foot such as with bands or plates that go from one side end to the other, characterized by a sole with a footprint and non-slip design made in elastic inorganic polymer and of a translucent or transparent color in its entirety. A template whose part that faces the foot has brightness and a slight relief without smoothed corners and contours that do not protrude more than 1 millimeter, and on the back, multi-cells or cavities in geometric form of open prisms below and tiling the surface, also made entirely with the same elastic inorganic polymer described above for the sole and translucent or transparent color, and hermetically sealed multi-cavities or multi-chambers covering the entire area of the flip flop, these being obtained as a result of the union of both parts, sole and insole, by fusion process that gives rise to a single piece of said elastic inorganic polymer and of translucent or transparent color. 2. - Polarized flip flops according to claim 1, characterized in that the templates have any color of the range either to maintain translucency or to make it opaque. 3. - Polarized flip flops according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by stacking two or more templates fusing them together. 4. - Polarized flip flops according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the templates have different sizes of the prismatic cells as well as different thicknesses of the walls. 5. - Polarized flip flops according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic inorganic polymer used is translucent or transparent silicone. 6. - Polarized flip flops according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the strips, bands, plates or other fasteners of the foot with the flip flop that are used, have also been made of elastic inorganic polymer, and specifically of translucent or transparent silicone. 7. - Polarized flip flops according to claim 6, characterized in that; the strips, bands, irons or other fasteners of the foot with the flip flop that are used, are attached to the rest of the flip flop in mono-piece. 8. - Polarized flip flops according to claim 6, characterized in that; The silicone used for said strips, plates or other fasteners is of a higher degree of hardness and less elasticity than that used for the rest of the components. 9.- Polarized flip flops according to the preceding claims, characterized in that; the multi-cavities or multi-chambers have been filled with a noble gas other than air, some liquid or cooling gel or a mixture of said substances. 10.- Polarized flip flops according to the preceding claims, characterized in that; Luminescent substances have been incorporated, either within multicavities or multi-chambers or mixed with the same elastic inorganic polymer.