WO2008083734A1

WO2008083734A1 - Bactericidal, fungicide and/or deodorising sole for shoes

Info

Publication number: WO2008083734A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/008654
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aristeidis Tsiantos
Original assignee: Voltabo Anstalt
Priority date: 2007-01-08
Filing date: 2007-10-05
Publication date: 2008-07-17
Also published as: ITMI20070016A1

Abstract

A bactericidal, fungicide and/or deodorising sole for shoes has a solid body provided with a tread and with an upper surface which is connected to the inside of a shoe to which the sole is applied. The sole has one or more seats formed in the upper surface of the solid body and adapted to accommodate a member containing a fungicide and/or bactericidal and/or deodorant agent.

Description

BACTERICIDAL, FUNGICIDE AND/OR DEODORISING SOLE FOR SHOES

The present invention relates to a bactericidal, fungicide, and/or deodorising sole for shoes.

It is known that feet are subject to various disorders due to contagion with fungi and bacteria.

In particular, there is a considerable diffusion of fungal dermatitides, namely tinea pedis, commonly known as "athlete's foot", a fungal infection which tends to be increasingly common because of the use of collective facilities such as locker rooms, showers and saunas that are the ideal terrain for reproduction of mycetes. The factors that facilitate the transmission of mycoses in the foot are at least three: first of all, the very anatomical structure of the toes, due to which the interdigital spaces are large and the fissures are deep; the position of the toes, which are forced into a hooked configuration by tight shoes; a particular humid microclimate.

Contagion is of the interhuman type, by means of the thin flakes produced by skin peeling which are dispersed onto the floor or present in socks, towels, mats and platforms of showers.

Dermatological therapy is based essentially on the use of fungicide substances in the form of powders, creams and ointments with treatments which must be continued for some time. Fungal onicopathies are a frequent complication in athlete's foot and are difficult to treat.

Bacterial dermatitides are more rare but still a problem to be solved. A typical bacterial infection is constituted by whitlows. Periungual and subungual whitlows precede the typical ingrown toenail. In general, these bacterial infections tend to be located at the pilosebaceous follicles of the dorsal region of the forefoot or, more frequently, at the tips of the first and second toes.

These bacterial infections are treated with medications based on alcohol baths, local antibiotic creams and antibiotic treatment also administered orally. Another problem which affects the foot is hyperhidrosis. In hyperhidrosis, the skin appears whitish because of a deficit in blood supply and is cold and slimy. Excessive perspiration often causes skin maceration especially in some areas of the sole, where mycoses are also more present, constituted by regions which do not make contact with the ground. Another severe problem is constituted by the diabetic foot, which is an extremely high podological risk, since ulcers and infections form easily and therefore the foot must be protected adequately with plantar inserts and felts. The possibility of hyperkeratosis also must be reduced by means of suitable shoes.

It has been estimated that 6% of world population is diabetic and therefore the diabetic foot, which ensues in the most advanced forms of diabetes, may potentially affect a large number of individuals.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a sole which has antimycotic and antibacterial functions.

An object of the invention is to provide a sole which can be applied to any type of shoe.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sole which can be produced with machines and materials that are already commercially available.

Another object is to provide a sole which is simple and easy to use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sole which can be produced at competitive costs.

This aim and these and other objects, which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a bactericidal, fungicide, and/or deodorising sole for shoes, comprising a solid body provided with a tread and with an upper surface which is connected to the inside of a shoe to which said sole is applied; characterized in that it comprises at least one cavity which is formed in said solid body and is adapted to contain gas including a fungicide and/or bactericidal and/or deodorising agent.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sole according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a side section view of a shoe provided with the sole of the preceding figure, shown in use according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a top view of the sole of the preceding figures; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a sole according to a further aspect of the invention;

Figure 5 is a side section view of a shoe provided with the sole of the preceding figure, shown in use according to the invention;

Figure 6 is a top view of the sole of figures 4 and 5; Figure 7 is a bottom view of a sole according to a further aspect of the invention;

Figure 8 is a top view of the sole of the preceding figure;

Figure 9 is a partially exploded sectional perspective view of a sole according to a further aspect of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a longitudinally sectional side view of the sole of the preceding figure; Figure 11 is a longitudinally sectional side view of the use of the sole of figures 9 and 10;

Figure 12 is a schematic top view of the use of the sole of figures 9-11 ;

Figure 13 is a schematic top view of a sole according to a further aspect of the invention; Figure 14 is a schematic top view of a sole according to a further aspect of the invention.

With reference to the cited figures, a bactericidal and fungicide sole according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, may be associated with an upper 2 or the like, in a per se known manner, and includes a solid body 12 which is provided with a tread 3 in order to form a shoe 13.

The solid body 12, which constitutes the sole, can be for example made of rubber.

An insole 4, made of breathable material, is arranged above the sole.

According to the invention, the solid body 12 has a shaped cavity 5 adapted to receive a front or toe bladder member 6 and optionally a rear or heel bladder member 7. The toe and heel bladders are respectively connected with a toe duct 8 and a heel duct 9 each ending with a respective feed valve, 10 and 11, arranged outside the solid body 12.

The toe bladder 6 is provided with a plurality of front openings 14 while the heel bladder 7 is provided with a plurality of rear openings 15. The front and rear openings 14 and 15 are preferably constituted by one way valves adapted to allow air to exit the bladder and reach the inside of the shoe by passing through the insole 4.

The feed valves 10 and 11 allow to feed the bladders with gas, such as air, containing either a bactericidal, or fungicide or deodorising agent, or a combination thereof.

The bladders 6 and 7 are made of an elastic or resilient material such that, during the walking process, the foot exerts pressure on the bladder thus causing it to release the gas contained therein through the openings 14 and 15.

Preferably, the front openings 14 of the toe bladder 6 are arranged in a region corresponding to the root of the toes 17 of the foot, as shown in Figure 2.

This is in fact the region of the foot which is most subject to the onset of fungal and bacterial infections.

The arrangement of the openings in the forefoot region and in the heel region allows in any case to distribute the active ingredients contained in the bladder to the entire foot because of the presence of the breathable insole 4 and because of the active pumping action exerted by the foot while walking.

The bladder or bladders 6 and 7 may be fed with treated by gas for example by means of a pressurised canister, of the type readily commercially available, containing the active ingredient or ingredients. The active ingredient may be any substance which is useful as an antimycotic, such as for example clotrimazole, a broad-spectrum antimycotic which also has trichomonocidal activity, and is indicated for the treatment of dermatomycoses. Clotrimazole has good local tolerability, has no contraindications and no resistance, and is also odourless, non-greasy and non-staining. Other antifungal agents can in any case be used, such as fatty acids, tolnaftate, dimazol, amorolfine hydrochloride, econazole nitrate, ketoconazole, terbinafine, tolciclate, fenticonazole nitrate, and any other agent useful for the specific purpose.

The active substance may also include an antibacterial agent chosen among aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as neomycin sulfate, kanamycin sulfate, paromomycin, framycetin and among the group of polymixins, such as polymixin B sulfate, polymixin E sulfate.

Other agents which can be used are bacitracin, vancomycin, rifamycin, tyrothrycin, lincomycin and clindamycin, novobiocin.

In addition to talc (magnesium silicate) it is also possible to use other powders, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Plant-derived substances known for their antibacterial and antimycotic action, such as for example grapefruit seed extract, can also be used.

It is also possible to add aromatic or scented substances adapted to reduce or eliminate the odour generally caused by infections. Figures 4-6 illustrate a sole, according to a further aspect of the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 401 , that may be associated with an upper 402 or the like in a per se known manner and comprises a solid body 412 which is provided with a tread 403 in order to form a shoe 413.

The solid body 412, which constitutes the sole, can be for example made of rubber.

A flat member 404, made of impermeable material, is arranged above the sole.

According to the invention, the solid body 412 has a shaped cavity which, when closed by the flat member 404 is adapted to form a bladder 405.

The bladder 405 is connected with the outside environment by means of a feed valve 410.

A vent valve 41 1 is also provided in the heel region of the sole and is adapted to vent the gas contained in the bladder 405 in case of overpressure.

The bladder 405 is provided with a plurality of front openings 414 and a plurality of rear openings 415. The front and rear openings 414 and 415 are preferably constituted by one way valves adapted to allow air to exit the bladder and reach the inside of the shoe.

The feed valve 410 allows to feed the bladder with gas, such as air, containing either a bactericidal, or fungicide or deodorising agent, or a combination thereof.

The solid body 412 and the flat member 404 are made of an elastic or resilient material such that, during the walking process, the foot exerts pressure on the bladder 405 thus causing it to release the gas contained therein through the openings 414 and 415.

Preferably, the front openings 414 are arranged in a region corresponding to the root of the toes 417 of the foot, as shown in Figure 5. Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a sole, according to a further aspect of the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 501 , that may be associated with an upper or the like, in a per se known manner, and includes a solid body 512 which is provided with a tread 503 in order to form a shoe.

The solid body 512, which constitutes the sole, can be for example made of rubber.

According to this aspect of the invention, the solid body 512 has a cavity adapted to contain a gas canister or container 505, preferably made of a plastic transparent material.

The container 505 has a feed valve 510, connected with the outside environment. The feed valve 510 allows to feed the container 505 with gas, such as air, containing either a bactericidal, or fungicide or deodorising agent, or a combination thereof.

The container also has a delivery valve which is connected to a plurality of openings 514 adapted to allow air to exit the container 505 and reach the inside of the shoe, in a manner similar to the embodiments described above. The openings 514 are connected to the delivery valve through suitable ducts 544.

A dip tube 521 , arranged inside the container and connected to the delivery valve allows to draw the contents from the container.

The delivery valve is actuated by a bar 520 which is operated by a motor 524 which is controlled by a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The CPU is connected to a weight sensor 525 and to a distance sensor 523. The CPU may be constituted by an electronic board which also comprises the sensors 523 and 525.

The distance sensor may be constituted by an infrared sensor which is adapted to sense the distance of the sole from the surface and therefore to sense the motion of the shoe, i.e. whether the user is walking.

The weight sensor may be constituted by a photo-resistance.

The system may be powered by a battery, a 3 volt lithium battery for example, or by an electromagnetic recharge device, similar to that of an automatic wrist-watch, whereby a capacitor accumulates energy through the walking action. The various components of the device may be inserted in a protective casing having suitable apertures for inspecting the device.

The ducts 544, connecting the delivery valve to the plurality of openings 514 in the inner sole of the shoe, branch out of such protective casing.

The inner sole may be removed from the shoe for cleaning. A window 522, provided in the tread 503, allows the visual inspection of the contents of the container 505.

The operation of the sole according to this aspect of the invention is the following.

The electronic apparatus of the sole is automatically activated when the user puts on the shoes as the weight sensor activates the CPU, acting as an on/off power switch. The distance sensor indicates every time the sole is lifted from the ground and therefore every step taken by the user.

The CPU is programmed to activate the delivery valve, through the motor and bar assembly, after a selected number of steps and according to a selected step sequence.

The CPU may also be programmed to dose the amount of gas delivered into the shoe according to a time sequence rather than the number of steps, or according to a combination of time and number of steps.

Figures 9-12 illustrate a sole 301 according to a further aspect of the invention, that may be associated with an upper 302 or the like in a per se known manner and includes a solid body 31 1 , made of rubber, leather or other suitable material, which is provided with a tread 303 in order to form a shoe 307. The solid body 311 which constitutes the sole can be for example of the so-called breathable type, made of rubber and including holes or passages for the circulation of air between the outside and the inside of the shoe.

An insole 304, made of breathable material, is arranged above the sole. The solid body 311 has at least one seat 305 which is open upward and accommodates a member 306, constituted by a tablet or pellet, which contains an active ingredient with bactericidal and/or fungicide functions.

Preferably, the seat 305 is arranged in the region of the tip of the shoe 307 and more preferably in the region of the root of the toes 308, as shown in Figures 11 and 12. This is in fact the region of the foot which is most subject to the onset of fungal and bacterial infections.

The arrangement of the tablet 306 in the forefoot region allows in any case to distribute the active ingredients contained in the tablet also in the other regions of the foot because of the presence of the breathable insole 304. This distribution of the active ingredients is further facilitated by the optional use of soles provided with systems for forced circulation of air; such soles comprises holes or horizontal passages or a combination thereof.

The tablet 306 can be constituted by an active ingredient of the pharmacological type, associated with talc or other substances that are useful in the antimycotic and bactericidal action.

A substance which is useful as an antimycotic is for example clotrimazole, a broad- spectrum antimycotic which also has trichomonocidal activity, and is indicated for the treatment of dermatomycoses. Clotrimazole has good local tolerability, has no contraindications and no resistance, and is also odourless, non-greasy and non-staining. Other antifungal agents can in any case be used, such as fatty acids, tolnaftate, dimazol, amorolfine hydrochloride, econazole nitrate, ketoconazole, terbinafine, tolciclate, fenticonazole nitrate, and any other agent useful for the specific purpose.

The member 306 may also include an antibacterial agent chosen among aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as neomycin sulfate, kanamycin sulfate, paromomycin, framycetin and among the group of polymixins, such as polymixin B sulfate, polymixin E sulfate.

It is also possible to add aromatic or scented substances adapted to reduce or eliminate the odour generally caused by infections. The use of the sole according to the present invention entails inserting the tablet

306 in the seat 305 by lifting the insole 304.

The tablet is left in the seat 305 for the required time and can be replaced by the user after a preset expiration time.

It is evident that this type of sole can be used in any type of shoe. The action of the active substances of the tablet can be increased by integrating the seat in sole ventilation systems that are already commercially available and are adapted to facilitate the circulation of air inside the shoe.

According to techniques known in pharmacology, the tablet 306 can be of the type with slow release of the active substance. The figures illustrate an embodiment of the invention which is constituted by a single elongated tablet which is arranged in the region of the forefoot, particularly in the region of the root of the toes, since this region is more subjected to fungal and bacterial infections.

The sole according to the invention, however, can include one or more seats arranged in different positions for respective tablets having various shapes and dimensions according to requirements.

Figure 13 is a view of a sole according to a further aspect of the invention, designated by the reference numeral 101 , and having at least one seat 105 which is formed in the solid body 111 and is constituted by an air-filled chamber provided with an external valve 112 in order to supply the chamber with gas which contains bactericidal and/or fungicide agents in spray form.

The air chamber 105 is connected to the inside of the shoe by means of openings 113 provided with valves which are preferably arranged at the root of the toes 8.

The pressure applied by the feet to the sole while walking compresses the air-filled chamber so that a small amount of air mixed with fungicide/bactericidal agent slowly escapes through the openings.

The sole 101 may also have a second seat 115 which is arranged in the region of the heel of the solid body 111 and is constituted by an air-filled chamber provided with an external valve 122 in order to supply the chamber with gas which contains bactericidal and/or fungicide agents in spray form.

The chamber 115 is connected to the inside of the shoe by openings 123 provided with valves.

The central region of the solid body 111 may have a chamber with air under pressure in order to make the shoe comfortable. Figure 14 is a view of a sole according to a further aspect of the invention, designated by the reference numeral 201 , and having at least one seat 205 which is formed in the solid body 211 and is constituted by an air-filled chamber which surrounds the entire sole.

The air-filled chamber 205 is provided with at least one external valve 212 and preferably with a second external valve 222 for supplying the chamber with gas containing bactericidal and/or fungicide agents in spray form.

The air-filled chamber 205 is connected to the inside of the shoe by means of openings 213 provided with valves; some of the valves are preferably arranged at the root of the toes. The pressure applied by the feet to the sole while walking compresses the air- filled chamber so that a small amount of air, mixed with fungicide/bactericidal agent, slowly escapes through the openings.

The central region of the solid body 211 may have a chamber with air under pressure in order to make the shoe comfortable. This embodiment of the sole is indicated for a foot with advanced forms of infections extended in all regions.

The sole provided with an air-filled chamber allows to dose the amount of active substance introduced in the shoe by adjusting the valves.

By adjusting the valves it is possible to create a ventilation system which is suitable for the type of antibacterial and/or antimycotic substance being used.

In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, a sole having been provided which can be applied to any shoe and is capable of preventing the onset of fungal and bacterial disorders and of assisting the treatment of disorders already in progress. The bactericidal and fungicide sole according to the invention is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, within the scope of the appended claims. All the details may be replaced with technically equivalent elements.

For example, the sole according to the present invention can be advantageously used also to deodorise the shoe, without using pharmacologically active agents but by using simple deodorising agents.

The materials used, as well as the dimensions, may of course be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Claims

1. A bactericidal, fungicide, and/or deodorising sole for shoes, comprising a solid body provided with a tread and with an upper surface which is connected to the inside of a shoe to which said sole is applied; characterized in that it comprises at least one cavity

S which is formed in said solid body and is adapted to contain gas including a fungicide and/or bactericidal and/or deodorising agent.

2. The bactericidal and fungicide sole according to claim 1 , characterized in that said cavity is connected to the inside of a shoe through openings provided in an inner sole, said opening being constituted by one way valves adapted to allow said gas0 contained in said cavity to enter said inside of said shoe.

3. The sole according to claim 2, characterized in that said cavity is formed in an elastic member whereby a pressure exerted on said elastic member by the foot causes the gas contained in said cavity to exit through said openings.

4. The sole according to claim 3, characterized in that said solid body has a5 shaped cavity adapted to receive a front or toe bladder member and a rear or heel bladder member, said bladders containing said gas; said toe and heel bladders being respectively connected with a toe duct and a heel ducteach ending with a respective feed valve, arranged outside said solid body; said toe bladder being provided with a plurality of front openings, said heel bladder being provided with a plurality of rear0 openings; said front and rear openings being constituted by one way valves adapted to allow air to exit the bladders and reach the inside of the shoe by passing through an insole; said feed valves allowing to feed the bladders with gas, such as air, containing either a bactericidal, or fungicide or deodorising agent, or a combination thereof.

5. The sole according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that5 said bladders are made of an elastic or resilient material such that, during the walking process, the foot exerts pressure on the bladder thus causing it to release the gas contained therein through said openings.

6. The sole according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said front openings of said toe bladder are arranged in a region corresponding to the0 root of the toes of the foot,

7. The sole according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said solid body is made of an impermeable resilient material, such as rubber, a flat member, made of impermeable material, being arranged above said sole; said solid body having a shaped cavity which, when closed by the flat member is adapted to form a bladder; said bladder being connected with the outside environment by means of a feed valve; a vent valve being provided in the heel region of said sole and being adapted to vent the gas contained in said bladder in case of overpressure; said bladder being provided with a plurality of front openings and a plurality of rear openings; said front and rear openings being constituted by one way valves adapted to allow air to exit the bladder and reach the inside of the shoe; said feed valve allowing to feed the bladder with gas, such as air, containing either a bactericidal, or fungicide or deodorising agent, or a combination thereof.

8. The sole according to claim 2, characterized in that said cavity is formed in a member provided with a delivery valve connected to said openings through branching ducts, said delivery valve being operated by motor means.

9. The sole according to claim 8, characterized in that said cavity is adapted to contain a gas canister or container, made of a plastic transparent material; said container having a feed valve connected with the outside environment; said feed valveallowing to feed the container with gas, such as air, containing either a bactericidal, or fungicide or deodorising agent, or a combination thereof; said container also having a delivery valve which is connected to a plurality of openings adapted to allow air to exit the container and reach the inside of the shoe; a dip tube being arranged inside said container and connected to the delivery valve to allows to draw the contents from the container; said delivery valve being actuated by a bar which is operated by a motor which is controlled by a CPU (Central Processing Unit); said CPU being connected to a weight sensor and to a distance sensor; said distance sensor being adapted to sense the distance of the sole from the surface and therefore to sense the motion of the shoe, i.e. whether the user is walking, said system being powered by a battery or by an electromagnetic recharge device; the components of said system being inserted in a protective casing having apertures for inspecting the system; said inner sole being removable from the shoe for cleaning; said sole comprising a window, provided in the tread, for allowing the visual inspection of the contents of the container.

10. The sole according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises an insole which can be detachably associated with the upper surface of the solid body and is arranged between said solid body and the foot, said insole being breathable and detachably associated with said upper surface at least in the region of said seat in order to access said seat.

11. The sole according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said solid body which constitutes the sole can be made of rubber of the so-called breathable type which comprises holes or passages for the circulation of air between the outside and the inside of the shoe.

12. The bactericidal and fungicide sole according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said solid body comprises a system for forced air circulation which is constituted by holes in the sole and/or by horizontal passages or ducts or a combination thereof.

13. The sole according to claim 1 , characterized in that said seat formed in said solid body is constituted by an air-filled chamber provided with an external valve in order to supply said chamber with gases which contain bactericidal and/or fungicide agents in spray form, said chamber being connected to the inside of the shoe by means of openings provided with valves so that pressure applied by the feet to the sole while walking compresses said chamber so that a small amount of air mixed with fungicide/bactericidal agent escapes slowly through said openings.

14. The sole according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises a second seat which is arranged in the region of the heel of the solid body and is constituted by an air-filled chamber provided with an external valve for supplying said chamber with gas which contains bactericidal and/or fungicide agents in spray form; said air-filled chamber being connected to the inside of the shoe by virtue of openings provided with valves.

15. The sole according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central region of said solid body is provided with a chamber with air under pressure in order to make the shoe comfortable.

16. The sole according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said seat formed in said solid body is constituted by an air-filled chamber which surrounds the entire sole; said chamber being provided with at least one or more external valves for supplying said air chamber with gas containing bactericidal and/or fungicide agents in spray form; said air-filled chamber being connected to the inside of the shoe by virtue of openings which are arranged around the sole and are provided with valves, at least some of said openings being arranged at the root of the toes.

17. The sole according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said agent comprises an antimycotic chosen among fatty acids, tolnaftate, dimazol and any other agent useful for the specific purpose.

18. The sole according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said agent comprises clotrimazole.

19. The sole according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said agent comprises an antibacterial agent chosen among, aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as neomycin sulfate, kanamycin sulfate, paromomycin, framycetin and among the group of polymixins, such as polymixin B sulfate, polymixin E sulfate.

20. Thesole according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said agent comprises one or more substances chosen among bacitracin, vancomycin, rifamycin, tyrothrycin, lincomycin and clindamycin, novobiocin.

21. The sole according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said agent comprises powders chosen among talc (magnesium silicate), zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

22. The sole according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said agent comprises vegetable substances which have an antimycotic and/or antibacterial action.

23. The sole according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said agent comprises a grapefruit seed extract.

24. The sole according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said agent comprises one or more aromatic or scented substances.