IES87225Y1 - Ventilated shoe - Google Patents

Abstract

A ventilated shoe which comprises an upper, a water vapor permeable insole and an outsole, which outsole has a side edge. Between the insole and the outsole, 5 there is a water vapor permeable honeycomb, and the outsole has ventilation channels with a first end opening into the honeycomb and a second end opening into the side edge of the outsole. <Figure 1>

Description

Ventilated shoe Field of the invention The invention relates to a ventilated shoe comprising an upper, a water vapor permeable insole and an outsole having a side edge.

Prior art Most shoes have a non—venti|ated sole structure made of rubber, polyurethane or PVC or a mixture of the above materials. Such footwear may have a water vapor permeable upper through which the footwear can be ventilated. However, in foot- wear made for work use, and especially in so—ca||ed safety footwear, the upper of the footwear has to be made very thick and strong, which reduces its water vapor permeability. In addition, work shoes are usually worn throughout the working day, which means the foot has to remain inside a poorly ventilated and humid space for a very long time. Poor ventilation of the shoe is thus a major problem for footwear users.

EP 382904 B1 describes a shoe with a perforated insole and a perforated outsole.

Between the insole and the outsole, there is a waterproof but water vapor perme- able membrane. Vertical holes that open onto the lower surface of the outsole form ventilation channels between the interior and exterior of the shoe. The prob- lem with the shoe described in EP 382904 is that the holes opening onto the lower surface of the outsole are easily blocked by grains of sand and gravel, so that they no longer act as ventilation channels. In addition, sharp objects can get into the holes, breaking the waterproof membrane and allowing water to enter the shoe.

The through holes in the sole structure allow, for example, a nail to penetrate the sole structure, which is why the solution is not at all suitable for use in so—ca||ed safety footwear.

The object of the present invention is to provide a ventilated shoe which can re- duce the problems associated with the prior art. The objects of the invention are achieved by a shoe which is characterized by what is set out in the independent claim. Some preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the depend- ent claims.

Brief summary of the invention The invention relates to a ventilated shoe which comprises an upper, a water va- por permeable insole and an outsole having a side edge. Between the insole and the outsole, there is a water vapor permeable honeycomb, and the outsole has ventilation channels with a first end opening into the honeycomb and a second end opening into the side edge of the outsole.

In a preferred embodiment of the shoe according to the invention, the outsole has ventilation channels on the medial side edge of the shoe. Alternatively or in addi- tion, the outsole may have ventilation channels on the lateral side edge of the shoe.

In another preferred embodiment of the shoe according to the invention, the hon- eycomb is in the forefoot area of the shoe.

In another preferred embodiment of the shoe according to the invention, the hon- eycomb is a separate piece attached to the outsole and/or insole. Preferably, the outsole has a recess into which the honeycomb is fitted.

In another preferred embodiment of the shoe according to the invention, the hon- eycomb is a fe|t—|ike body made of a fibrous material, such as wool. The honey- comb made of a fibrous material may be impregnated with an impregnating agent to be water—impermeab|e and/or non—water—absorbent. Alternatively, the honey- comb may be a body made of a moldable material, such as rubber, polyurethane or PVC, with grooves and/or recesses communicating with the ventilation chan- nels. Between the insole and the honeycomb there may be a substantially water impermeable, water vapor permeable membrane.

An advantage of the invention is that the shoe is effectively ventilated and external moisture cannot enter the shoe.

Brief description of the drawings The invention is described in detail below. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 shows a shoe according to the invention in a vertical sectional view, the upper part of the shoe cut away, Fig. 2 shows a cross—sectiona| view of the front part of the shoe shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is an exploded view of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of the shoe according to the invention in a vertical sectional view, the upper part of the shoe cut away, Fig. 5 shows a cross—sectiona| view of the front part of the shoe shown in Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is an exploded view of Fig. 5, Fig. 7 shows a side view of the shoe according to Fig. 1 or Fig. 4, Fig. 8 shows by way of example a honeycomb of a shoe according to the invention in a vertical section and perspective view, Fig. 9 shows a second preferred embodiment of the shoe according to the invention in a vertical sectional view, the upper part of the shoe cut away, Fig. 10 shows a cross—sectiona| view of the front part of the shoe shown in Fig. 9, and Fig. 11 is an exploded view of Fig. 10.

Detailed description of the invention Fig. 1 shows a shoe 10 according to the invention in a vertical sectional view, the upper part of the shoe cut away, and Fig. 2 shows a cross—sectiona| view of the front part of the shoe shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an exploded view of Fig. 2. In the following, all the above—mentioned images are described simultaneously.

The shoe 10 comprises an upper 1, an insole 2, an outsole 4 and a water vapor permeable vapor membrane 3 between the insole and the outsole. The insole is a resilient and flexible fabric—|ike piece with through holes 5. The vapor membrane may be any water vapor permeable but substantially water impermeable mem- brane material, for example a membrane sold under the tradename Gore—Tex®.

The vapor membrane is located immediately below the insole. At the edges of the outsole there is a welt part 6 which is raised against the lower part of the upper.

The edge portions 7 of the upper are folded under the insole 2.

Under the vapor membrane there is an air permeable body of material made of fibers, a so—ca||ed honeycomb 8. The honeycomb is approximately the same shape and size as the vapor membrane 3. The thickness of the honeycomb may vary. What is essential for the honeycomb is that its ventilation capacity, i.e. its ability to allow water vapor and air to pass through, is sufficient. The honeycomb preferably extends into the forefoot area of the insole of the shoe and to the edges of the upper of the shoe at the tip of the shoe. The honeycomb can be made of a natural fiber, such as wool, or some suitable man—made fiber formed into a felt- Iike, air—permeab|e piece of material. A fe|t—|ike honeycomb is especially suitable for footwear intended for dry conditions. The honeycomb may be impregnated with an impregnating agent used in the textile and clothing industry to be water- impermeable and/or non—water—absorbent. In the case of a honeycomb impregnat- ed with an impregnating agent, a water vapor permeable vapor membrane is not necessarily required. Below the honeycomb there is puncture protection. The purpose of the puncture protection is to prevent sharp external objects from pene- trating the sole structure of the shoe. The puncture protection can be a shaped metal plate.

The side edges of the outsole 4 have ventilation channels 9 substantially parallel to the lower surface of the outsole, which extend from the outer surfaces of the side edges to the side edges of the honeycomb 8. The ventilation channels to- gether with the honeycomb 8, the vapor membrane 3 and the holes 5 of the in- soles 2 form a ventilation connection from the outside air to the interior of the shoe.

When the shoe is used, the water vapor formed inside the shoe escapes through the holes 5 in the insole, the vapor membrane 3 and the honeycomb 8 into the ventilation channels 9 and further into the outside air. With each step, the honey- comb undergoes some compression and, during the leg lifting phase, the honey- comb returns to its original size. The back—and—forth movement of the honeycomb when it compresses and decompresses produces a pumping effect which enhanc- es the ventilation of the shoe. The outsde and puncture protection provide good protection for the honeycomb and the vapor membrane against external mechani- cal stresses and penetration by various materials, so that sand, dirt or sharp grit cannot damage the honeycomb orthe vapor membrane.

The embodiment described in Figs. 1-3 is particularly suitable for mainly dry con- ditions of use. In wet conditions, the shoe and the honeycomb in the shoe can get wet, and the honeycomb will require a long time to dry. In completely dry condi- tions, for example in paper mills, it is possible to use footwear without a vapor membrane. In dry interiors, the sole structure of the shoe is not required to be waterproof and water vapor permeability is achieved by means of a perforated insole.

Fig. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of the shoe according to the invention in a vertical sectional view, the upper part of the shoe cut away, and Fig. 5 shows a cross—sectiona| view of the front part of the shoe shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an ex- ploded view of Fig. 5. In the following, all the above—mentioned images are de- scribed simultaneously.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 4-6, the honeycomb is formed by a piece of material made from a moldable material, for example rubber, polyurethane or PVC. A channel system is formed in the honeycomb, which is open on the upper surface of the honeycomb and connected to the vapor membrane 3 and connect- ed to the ventilation channels 9 from the side edges of the honeycomb. Such a honeycomb is particularly suitable for footwear used in wet conditions, as it does not absorb moisture in the same way as the fe|t—|ike honeycomb described above.

In other respects, the shoe is similar to that shown in Figs. 1-3, with the same reference numerals being used in the figures for identical parts.

The honeycomb shown in Figs. 4-6 has grooves 20 and ridges 21 in the longitudi- nal direction of the shoe. The honeycomb is surrounded by an edge 22 and an edge groove 23 inside it. Openings 11 are formed as extensions of the ventilation channels 9 of the outsole at respective points on the longitudinal edges of the honeycomb, which extend into the edge groove 23 surrounding the honeycomb.

The honeycomb can be manufactured, for example, by direct injection molding.

In a shoe equipped with such a honeycomb structure, the air inside the shoe can escape from the shoe through the holes 5 in the insole 2 and the vapor membrane 3 into the grooves 20 and the edge groove 23 and further through the ventilation channels 9 and openings 11 to the outside a'r. Also in this honeycomb, there oc- curs a venti|ation—enhancing pumping effect when the honeycomb is slightly com- pressed when taking a step and returns to the normal position during the leg lifting phase. Puncture protection 24 is attached under the honeycomb. The shoe can also be made without puncture protection, if the conditions of use of the shoe do not require it.

In the shoe described above, the venti|ation—producing portion extends only to the area under the ball of the foot inserted in the shoe, the so—ca||ed forefoot area, which is the part most prone to moisture caused by perspiration. However, the venti|ation—producing portion can be extended over the entire area of the sole of the foot, with the insole having perforations over its entire area and the vapor membrane and honeycomb covering substantially the entire lower surface of the insole.

Fig. 7 shows a side view of both of the shoe embodiments described above. The figure shows the openings 11 opening into the side edges of the outsole of the shoe.

Fig. 8 shows by way of example a preferred embodiment of a honeycomb suitable for the shoe according to the invention in vertical section and in perspective view.

The honeycomb is surrounded by an edge in which openings 11 have been formed as extensions to the ventilation channels 9. The honeycomb comprises truncated cone—shaped bumps 25 with intersecting recesses 27 in two directions that allow the air to flow.

Fig. 9 shows another preferred embodiment of the shoe according to the invention in a vertical sectional view, the upper part of the shoe cut away, and Fig. 10 shows a cross—sectiona| view of the front part of the shoe shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is an exploded view of Fig. 10. In the following, all the above—mentioned images are described simultaneously.

The shoe shown in Figs. 9-11 does not have avapor membrane at all, but in other respects the shoe is similar in structure to the shoe shown in Figs. 1-3. The vapor membrane can be omitted from the shoe if the shoe will only be used in dry condi- tions, such as in a paper mill, printing house, or similar premises. This structure of the outsole of the shoe is well suited for sandals, for example. The honeycomb may be a fibrous fe|t—|ike honeycomb shown in Figs. 1-3 or a honeycomb made from a moldable material shown in Figs. 5-8.

The outsole 4 of the shoe according to the invention can be manufactured by a conventional injection molding method which has been used in the manufacture of footwear for decades. The manufacture of the shoe according to Figs. 1-3 takes place in such a way that an upper 1 is f'rst formed on the last used in the manufac- ture of the shoe, the edges 7 of which are folded under the insole 2 and fastened to the insole. A vapor membrane 3, honeycomb 8 and puncture protection 24 are attached to the lower surface of the structure thus obtained. The mold of the out- sole of the shoe is fixed around the last and the outsole material is injected into the mold. The puncture protection and honeycomb attach to the outsole as the injec- tion molding material hardens. On the sides of the mold there are pins which form the ventilation channels 9 that open onto the side surfaces of the outsole.

Alternatively, the shoe sole structure can be formed in two different stages by first forming the outsole, for example by injection molding or assembling from sheets.

The honeycomb is then attached to a recess formed in the outsole or the lower surface of the insole. Finally, the outsole is glued to the upper structure. The same alternative manufacturing methods are suitable for the manufacture of footwear according to Figs. 4-6 and footwear according to Figs. 9-11.

Some preferred embodiments of the ventilated shoe according to the invention have been described above. The invention is not limited to the solutions described above, but the inventive idea can be applied in various ways within the scope set by the claims.

List of reference numbers: 3 4 6 7 8 9 21 22 23 24 26 27 upper insole vapor membrane outsole hole welt part edge honeycomb ventilation channel shoe opening groove ndge edge edge groove puncture protection bump edge recess

Claims (5)

Claims

1. A ventilated shoe (10) comprising an upper (1), a water vapor permeable insole (2) and an outsole (4), which outsole (4) has a side edge, characterized in that between the insole (2) and the outsde, there is a water vapor permeable honeycomb (8), and the outsole (4) has ventilation channels (9) with a first end opening into the honeycomb (8) and a second end opening into the side edge of the outsole.

2. The shoe (10) of claim 1, characterized in that the outsole (4) has ventilation channels (9) on the medial side edge of the shoe (10) and/or on the lateral side edge of the shoe (10).

3. The shoe (10) of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the honeycomb (8) is in the forefoot area of the shoe (10).

4. The shoe (10) of any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the honeycomb (8) is a separate piece attached to the outsole (4) and/or insole (2).

5. The shoe of any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the honeycomb (8) is a fe|t—|ike body made of a fibrous material, such as wool, or the honeycomb is a body made of a moldable material, such as rubber, polyurethane or PVC, with grooves (20) and/or recesses (27) communicating with the ventilation channels (9)-