FR2547705A1 - Ventilated footwear with simpler ventilation system - Google Patents

Abstract

The ventilated footwear has an air intake circuit running from the outside to the inside of the shoe, an air compression circuit and a resilient pump mounted between the intake duct and the compression duct. This pump comprises at least one foam cushion formed from synthetic foam with open cells set in one or more recesses (1,2,3) which are provided specifically for this purpose level with the foot sole and possibly the heel in the shoe sole. The or each foam cushion is covered by an air-permeable insole which directly contacts the foot or sock of the wearer.

Description

ventilated footwear "
The present invention relates to an aerated footwear comprising a suction and delivery circuit of outside air towards the inside of the shoe formed by a suction channel formed in the sole assembly and opening out through at least one orifice. suction in the heel, the rear part or the periphery of the shoe, or even extended by a vertical tube running along the rear of the upper to its upper part in the case of boots, and a delivery channel opening out through air discharge holes towards the inside of the shoe, as well as an elastic pumping means placed between the suction channel and the discharge channel, deforming under the effect of the periodic pressures of the foot during walking or running, unidirectional passage members allowing the passage of air in the direction going from the outside of the shoe towards the inside, and an adjustable shutter member or suction orifices.

 It is well known that, in particular in hot weather, the wearing of shoes results in very unpleasant perspiration for the users, or even, in the case of prolonged use, in particular in the case of the practice of sports, may cause the origin of the formation of very unpleasant odors.

 Some people are unfortunately much more sensitive than others to the appearance and development of such phenomena, which are further accentuated in the case of wearing shoes totally or partially made of synthetic material and, we have so far found no pharmaceutical treatment capable of remedying these drawbacks.

 Consequently, to improve the comfort of the users and in particular of the sportsmen brought to provide efforts of long durations, the manufacturers of the shoe have already developed different types of models intended to decrease, even to stop perspiration.

Unfortunately, none of the models currently on the market is likely to be entirely satisfactory.

 Among the footwear which has given the best results in freeing users from the problems associated with sweating of the feet, there may be mentioned those described in French patents 81 20 264, .82 00 109 and 82 14 614 which are the result of research. made by the applicants.

 These patents all relate to ventilated footwear of the type mentioned above.

 At first glance, such articles seem to be very effective since they provide for constant renewal of the air surrounding the user's foot. Unfortunately, it has turned out in practice that the results obtained were insufficient, in particular in the event of prolonged use or profuse sweating, where a certain moistness of the sock was still observed after removal of the shoe.

 In addition to the drawback mentioned above, the articles of the prior art have the drawback of being relatively sophisticated, therefore expensive, and of an uneasy manufacture, since they require the presence of a pocket. elastically deformable enclosed in the entire sole assembly, but, nevertheless, in contact with the sole of the user's foot thanks to the presence of a certain number of one-way valves placed downstream of the pumping means.

 The present invention proposes, starting from the prior art constituted by the footwear described above, to develop an airy footwear giving any satisfaction as regards the fight against the phenomena of perspiration and allowing, in addition, to be able to eliminate the presence of one-way valves at the level of the pumping means, which represents a significant saving both from the point of view of the cost price and that of the manufacture itself.

 To this end, the invention relates to a footwear item characterized in that the pumping means consists of at least one cushion of synthetic foam with open cells incorporated in one or more cavities specially provided for this purpose in the sole assembly of the shoe, at the level of the sole of the foot, and where appropriate, the heel, this or these foam cushions being covered by a first breathable interior directly in contact with the foot or the sock of the user.

 Of course, the foam cushion can either be integrated in the sole, or else be partly integrated in the sole and partly in the first assembly, or even simply rest on the first assembly at the end of manufacture. In all cases, the foam cushion corresponds to the surface of the skate or to the total interior surface of the shoe.

 As an open-cell material, use will be made, for example, of a polyurethane comprising approximately 60% of open cells. For this, it is possible to simply use products currently available on the market, the number of open cells of which is guaranteed by the manufacturer at 10 % near.

 The use of the foam cushion makes it possible to obtain a significant improvement both from the point of view of comfort and that of the ventilation of the foot, since there is a multitude of ventilation channels corresponding to the multitude of open cells.

 In addition, thanks to the particular type of material used, this results in articles of particularly low weight, therefore very pleasant to use.

However, and despite its inherent qualities, the article described above may prove to be insufficient in the case of people whose sweating of the feet is particularly profuse and in the event of severe use: very hot weather, sport
To this end, in accordance with the invention, it has been thought to combine with the pumping means described above, a first interior of a particular type.

 According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, this first interior consists of a hydrophobic layer, in particular a layer of a synthetic material with solid fibers, directly in contact with the foot or the sock of the user, and of a hydrophyle layer, in particular a layer of a synthetic material with hollow fibers capable of absorbing about 180% of its volume of water, placed on the side of the foam cushion constituting the pumping means, the hydrophobic layer and the hydrophyle layer being, the if necessary, separated by a layer of synthetic material having very many perforations.

 As hydrophobic material, it is possible to use synthetic products currently available commercially, in particular products based on solid fibers. These solid fibers have the property of being hydrophobic and, therefore, of pumping the water coming from the user's perspiration, towards the part which calls it, and in particular the hydrophyle layer which can be a material similar to that currently used. used in infant diapers, in conjunction with cellulose foam.

 The presence of this first interior therefore removes the moisture resulting from the perspiration of the sole of the foot, and consequently considerably reduces the water retention at the level of the sock.

 However, to be able to function efficiently and prevent the first interior from quickly exhausting its absorption capacities, and is completely wet (which would require removing the shoe to let it dry in the open air), it is necessary to improve the ventilation of the whole, to be able to dry the first interior as and when it is used.

 To this end, and according to another characteristic of the invention, the first interior has through perforations provided in line with the foam cushion (s).

 To further improve the ventilation of the assembly, and another characteristic of the invention, the hydrophilic layer of the first interior is covered, on the foam cushion side, with a perforated ventilation layer constituted by a synthetic material of the same type as that used by the foam cushion.

 To obtain good ventilation of the layer of hollow fibers, as it is humidified, it is advantageous to provide, in the aeration layer, air circulation corridors.

 When the design of the treated shoe lends itself to it, an analogous result can be obtained by making in the cushion acting as pumping means and over a variable depth of 3 to 5 mm a set of corridors connecting together the perforations existing on the cushion.

 This arrangement has, when possible, the advantage of reducing the thickness of the first interior and therefore improving the aesthetics of the shoe.

 I1 is however possible, by increasing the number of through perforations, to be able to remove these corridors while obtaining good ventilation of the foot.

 With the combination of the open cell foam cushion and the first interior described above, it is possible to create, around the foot of the user, an air circulation approximately equal to 1.5 liters / minute, which, even in abundant perspiration and prolonged use in sports conditions, keeps the socks of the user dry.

 One of the problems encountered during the manufacture of the first interior described above, is related to the need to fix to each other the different layers constituting this first, without using glue which would risk obstructing the passage of the 'air.

 To this end, we have thought of using a machine to prick all over the periphery and across the first interior. Another possibility consists in placing this first on a plate provided with an infinity of needles which, by penetrating into the various layers1 cause a displacement of material allowing connections. It is also possible to combine these two possibilities.

To facilitate the evacuation of the air around the user's foot, and according to another characteristic of the invention, the upper part of the upper of the shoe, in particular in its lateral part, is added either an eyelet covered by a fine mesh likely to prevent the penetration of dirt, or even water, as a result of capillarity phenomena, in the event of precipitation or walking in wet ground, i.e. some perforations under which a fabric will be fixed waterproof and breathable
The invention also seeks to remedy the impractical but essential nature of the shutter member of the air intake orifice.

 To this end, and according to another characteristic of the invention, this member is constituted by a first hollow obturation cylinder, intended to be inserted into the suction channel in line with the suction orifice, of which a first side is open and the second side is half closed. This first obturation cylinder has on its external periphery an annular groove in which a corresponding rib is engaged provided at one end of a second obturation cylinder around the first, and whose face opposite the rib is half closed and is likely, depending on the position of the second cylinder relative to the first, to partially or completely close the suction port.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the half-closed face of the second cylinder is provided with a fine mesh grid, acting as a filter.

 This shutter cylinder can be removed easily to more easily clean the filter or introduce in particular using a dropper a few drops of a deodorant liquid.

 Also, according to the invention, it is possible to offer users an aerated footwear of simple and inexpensive manufacture, and giving any satisfaction from the point of view of comfort, by its lightness and the elasticity of its sole.

The ventilated footwear which is the subject of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of the sole assembly of the shoe,
FIG. 2 is a section of the first interior along the axis Il-Il of FIG. 3,
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the first interior,
- the fifes 4a and 4b are sectional views of the two constituent elements of the shutter member,
- Figure 5 is a perspective view of the shutter member.

 According to FIG. 1, the sole assembly of the footwear which is the subject of the invention comprises, at the level of the sole or a First assembly three cavities 1, 2, 3 which are separated by two bars 4 and 5 .

The central cavity 2 is kept empty while the extreme cavities 1 and 3 are intended to receive pumping means intended to allow the ventilation of the footwear. These pumping means will be described in more detail later in this presentation.

 According to Figure 1, the sole of the foot and the heel of the user are each provided with a means of ventilation. Of course there could be no cavity 3 at the heel without departing from the scope of the invention.

 In the soot of this presentation, only the ventilation of the part included below the sole of the foot of the user will be taken into account.

 Of course, similar items could be provided at the heel of the user.

 According to Figure 1, the central cavity 2 which constitutes the suction circuit of the outside air towards the inside of the shoe, opens outwards via an aspiration opening @ provided with an adjustable shutter member. 7 which is rep- .resent- schematically in the figure, and will be described in detail in the rest of this presentation. Furthermore, the bar 4 separating the cavity 2 from the cavity 1 is provided with perforations 8 intended to allow air to pass from the cavity @ to the cavity 1 according to the arrow A.

 These cavities 8 are provided with perforations which allow the passage of air in the direction of arrow A but prevent its circulation in the opposite direction.

 The cavity 1 is occupied by a cushion of synthetic foam comprising about 60% of open cells, which deforms elastically under the effect of the periodic pressures of the foot during walking or running, to create a call for air according to arrow B at the suction port 6. This air then enters the cavity 2 before entering the foam cushion 9 by the arrow A. For the air entering the cavity 1 through the holes 8, the air cushion foam 9 behaves, by its multitude of open cells, like a labyrinth allowing air to pass outside.

 Each of these open cells is in itself capable of simultaneously constituting a delivery channel capable of bringing air into the interior of the shoe.

 To further improve the pumping effect of the air by arrows A and B, and its circulation inside the cushion 9, the latter is provided with multiple perforations and passages not shown in the figure.

 According to Figures 2 and 3, the foam cushion 4 is sewn together by a first interior 10 permeable to air which is directly in contact with the foot or the sock of the user.

 According to FIG. 2, this first interior 10 is constituted by a hydrophobic layer 11 in particular a layer made of a synthetic material with solid fibers directly in contact with the foot or the sock of the user and, with a hydrophyle layer 12, in particular a layer of a synthetic material with hollow fibers, capable of absorbing about 180 t of its volume of water.

The layer II and the layer 12 are separated by a layer of synthetic material 13 having very many perforations, in particular a layer called "perforated thousand holes".

 Between the layer 12 and the first mounting or sole assembly of the footwear, there is provided an aeration layer 14 constituted by a foam similar to that which constitutes the cushion 9.

 The effect of this first interior is as follows: when a drop of water 15 coming from the perspiration of the user arrives at the surface of the hydrophobic layer 11, the latter is immediately called according to arrow C by the hydrophyle layer 12 which absorbs it. However, as this absorption takes place, the air expelled by the multiple cells of the foam cushion 9 and collected by the perforations described above comes through the foam layer 14 to dry out this moisture from the layer 12 as soon as it is formed. , which prevents the latter from rapidly exhausting its absorption capacity and is completely wet.

To improve the ventilation of the shoe at the level of the foot of the user, the first interior 10 comprises through perforations 16. These perforations also cooperate with a network of channels 17 provided in the ventilation layer 14 which has as its object to increase the ventilation of the hydrophilic layer 15 and therefore to accelerate its drying.

 The geometry of the through perforations 16 as well as the channels 17 shown in Figure 3, is of course indicated only by way of example, and cannot be limiting of the invention. It should however be noted that these perforations and these channels always have an interest in following lines corresponding to the places of the foot where perspiration is most abundant.

 Likewise and as indicated above, the channels 17 could also be provided in the cushion 9, which would make it possible to remove the aeration layer 14 and therefore to reduce the thickness of the first interior 10.

 According to FIGS. 4a, 4b and 5, the adjustable shutter member of the suction orifice 6 is constituted by a first hollow shutter cylinder 18 shown in FIG. 4a, a first face 19 of which is open, while the opposite face 20 is half closed. This first shutter cylinder 18 has, on its outer periphery, an annular groove 21 into which a corresponding rib 22 is snapped provided at one end 23 of a second shutter cylinder 24 of corresponding dimensions shown on Figure 4b. This second sealing cylinder 24 is rotatable around the first cylinder 18, by sliding in the groove 21, and its face 25 opposite the rib 23 is also half closed. To prevent dirt from penetrating inside the footwear during use, the free surface of the semi-closed face 25 of the cylinder 24 is provided with a fine mesh grid 26. This grid 26 also has the object of preventing, as a result of capillary phenomena, any moisture from penetrating inside the footwear and therefore allows the use of this article on wet ground.

 As shown in FIG. 5, the position of the second cylinder 24 relative to the first cylinder 18 conditions partial or total closure of the suction orifice 6.

 In the case shown in Figure 5, only the neighborhood I is likely to let air pass. This configuration can be adapted in particular in cold weather.

Claims (9)

R E V E N D I C A T I O N S  1) ventilated footwear comprising a suction and discharge circuit of air outside towards the interior of the shoe, formed by a suction channel made in the sole and opening out through at least one suction orifice in the heel, the rear part or the periphery of the shoe, or even extended by a vertical tube running along the rear of the upper up to its upper part in the case of boots, and a delivery channel opening out through orifices air delivery towards the inside of the shoe, as well as an elastic pump means placed between the suction channel and the delivery channel, deforming under the effect of periodic pressures of the foot during walking or the race, unidirectional passage members allowing the passage of air in the direction going from the outside of the shoe towards the inside, and an adjustable shutter member of the suction orifice (s), footwear characterized in what the pumping means is c formed by at least one cushion of synthetic foam (9) with open cells incorporated in one or more cavities (1, 2, 3) specially provided for this purpose in the sole assembly of the shoe, at the level of the sole of the foot, and the if necessary of the heel, this or these foam cushions (9) being covered by a first interior (10) permeable to air directly in contact with the foot or the sock of the user  2) Footwear according to claim 1, characterized in that the synthetic foam constituting the pumping means (9) comprises about-60 open cells.  3) Footwear according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the first interior (10) consists of a hydrophobic layer (11), in particular a layer of a synthetic material with solid fibers directly in contact with the foot or the sock of the user, and a hydrophilic layer (12), in particular a layer of a synthetic material with hollow fibers capable of absorbing approximately 180% of its volume of water, placed on the side of the foam cushion (9) constituting the pumping means, the hydrophobic layer (11) and the hydrophyle layer (12) being, if necessary, separated by a layer of synthetic material (13) having very numerous perforations.  4) Footwear according to claim 3, c-aractérisé in that the first interior (10) has through perforations, provided at the right or foam cushions (9) to improve ventilation.  5) Footwear according to any one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the hydrophyle layer (12) of the first interior (10) is covered, on the foam cushion side (9), with a ventilation layer (14) perforated constituted by a synthetic material of the same type as that used for the foam cushion (9).  6) Footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ventilation layer (14) comprises air circulation corridors (17).  7) Footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the upper is provided, in particular. in its lateral part, - with an eyelet covered by a fine mesh - or with perforations under which is fixed a fabric impermeable to water and permeable to air.  8) Footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the adjustable closure member (7) of the closure orifice (6) is constituted by a first closure cylinder (18 ) hollow intended to be inserted into the suction channel (19) in line with the suction orifice (6), a first face (198 of which is open, and the second face (20) of which is half closed, this first shutter cylinder (18) comprising, on its outer periphery, an annular groove (21) into which is snapped in, by a corresponding rib (22) provided at one of its ends (23), a second shutter cylinder (24) of corresponding dimensions, movable in rotation around the first (18) and whose face opposite (25) to the rib (23) is half closed, and is susceptible, depending on the position, of the second cylinder (24) relative to the first, to partially or completely close the suction port.  9) Footwear according to claim 8, characterized in that the half-closed face of the second cylinder is provided with a grid (26) with fine mesh acting as a filter.