WO2011010298A2

WO2011010298A2 - Shoe with forced exchange of air and air flow through the sides of the vamp

Info

Publication number: WO2011010298A2
Application number: PCT/IB2010/053381
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giancarlo De Giacomi
Original assignee: General Building S.A.S. Di De Giacomi Giancarlo
Priority date: 2009-07-24
Filing date: 2010-07-26
Publication date: 2011-01-27
Also published as: ITMI20091315A1; WO2011010298A3; IT1395460B1

Abstract

It is disclosed a shoe comprising of a vamp (2) assembled with a sole (1) and an insole (3) made of expanded plastic material, with open and/or closed cells, able to transpire, provided with a plurality of bumps (3a) on the lower side, able to be alternately pressed and expanded during movement, in correspondence with two front (4) and rear (5) areas defining air chambers flow communicating each other, whrein communication channels toward a side portion leading to exit holes (6a and 7a) pierced on a side part of the vamp (2) at least in a baricentric area are further provided, the air being communicated between said front (4) and rear (5) chambers and said holes (6a and 7a) through a single communication channel (C1-C7) for each direction of transit which is arranged.

Description

SHOE WITH FORCED EXCHANGE OF AIR AND AIR FLOW THROUGH THE SIDES

OF THE VAMP

Field of the Invention

The presented invention regards a shoe with forced exchange of air. In particular, it regards a shoe with the exchange of air from the centre toward the sides of the vamp. Backgroud art

Other shoes have been patented and put on the market in the past, these shoes with soles being provided with a number of channels and holes which should have the function of exchanging the air between the inside and outside of the shoe to provide better ventilation and transpiration, and reduce perspiration of the feet. Traditionally, in these shoes an insole is placed above the sole, internally to the vamp, fed by numerous micro- holes which allow the air molecules to pass through but prevent the entry of water molecules. For example, the insoles are made of Goretex® material .

During use, the micro-holes in the internal insole tend to occlude due to the numerous external agents, this means the passage of air becomes obstructed and the functionality is drastically compromised. It should also be noted that the holes in the sole, as a result of being very close to the surface of the ground, also tend to obstruct due to the mud, dust, dirty water, organic animal residue, etc. and over time become an unhygienic receptacle of dirt and bacteria.

In the past, other patent applications have been presented, for shoes with self-ventilation and transpiration through the vamp and/or the sole, but without providing the possibility of being able to remove the internal insole to allow it to dry out any perspiration and humidity present after wearing the shoe, allowing the insole to air out, and eventually allowing it to be washed and dried conveniently.

Further, the shoes of the prior art are generally provided with means of air escape (for example one-directional or bidirectional valves and/or large openings or holes) in mistaken positions and poorly functioning, since they are placed either in the sole, with the inconveniences already mentioned, or in a rear position, in the heel of the shoe, hence in a not- baricentric position and not near to the center position of the foot where the majority of the perspiration originates.

On the other hand, these solutions appear practical despite the existing complications in the production of the shoe. To understand which components form a shoe and the complexity of assembly, in the following brief indication of a typical construction process, with specific attention to the ventilation aspect, is given.

1. A model is created, with preparation of the relative cardboard templates in order to create the various parts of the shoe and, in particular, the vamp. 2. Templates are constructed to cut the pieces of the vamp, including the buttress which is the rigid support inserted in the heel of the shoe, to give a certain robustness to the rear part and to ease putting on the shoe. 3. With the templates constructed, the cutting of the pieces of the vamp begins, and they are sewn and glued together. 4. The completed vamp is positioned and wrapped around a mould, typically a plastic mould, sideways and in the rear part of the heel, where the external vamp, the buttress and the internal lining or sock-saver, must be glued together and turned up under the heel of the plastic mould. The various components, once they have been folded under the mould, become glued with the sole and are submitted to "preforming" or curvature of the rear part or heel of the shoe, which reproduces the form of the heel of the foot. 6. The gluing and/or sewing of the sole of the vamp, positioned and wrapped around the mould, is carried on by the inclusion of the external rear vamp, the buttress and the internal lining, already glued to each other and turned up under the mould.

The insertion of the ventilation elements is obviously not simple and their effectiveness and the economics of implementation can depend greatly on even the minimal construction details. To counter the noted technical inconveniences, the same Applicant has already proposed a solution in which the entire structure of the air flow is in the insole. This solution is disclosed in the application PCT/IT05/83. A similar solution is disclosed in CN201175013 in the name of the same Applicant.

This solution, although allows to remove the insole, with the entire structure of the air flow, to re-clean and restore it to an efficient state, is not yet completely satisfactory because it affects the whole length of the shoe (therefore with a friction loss of the air flow) and influences the rear construction. On account of the specific construction, some difficulties in the removal of the insole remain.

In this solution, like in other shoes, to increase the transpiration of the feet, it has been suggested that holes are made in the vamp, in a higher position and in particular in the heel area. However, the air which should exit from the holes to give origin to an. effective exchange, exits in low quantity and with low pressure, because even if pushed by the pressure generated by the movement of the foot inside the shoe, it shall run a long tortuous journey.

US2002/0095819 describes another solution of this type, in which an insole endowed with a plurality of small air distribution channels, devised to channel and transfer air toward the side upper part of the vamp, this theoretically enhancing the ventilation further on. However, the insole is substantially flat and the structure of the channels has a complex, even distribution: consequently, other than creating an unpleasant feeling for the foot while walking, it creates an excessive turbulence and friction loss to the detriment of the air pressure and the relative air exchange. The numerous channels render the insole excessively weak - unless it is made of rigid materials (and therefore uncomfortable while walking) - and therefore they close under the weight of the foot, totally compromising the efficiency of the ventilation.

An object of the present invention is to provide a shoe with forced air flow, that overcomes the technical inconveniences of prior art. In particular, it aims to provide a shoe in which the ventilation is occurring in a baricentric position with evacuation holes on the upper side of the vamp, thought ensuring a pleasant sensation while walking and maintaining effectiveness of the ventilation over time.

Summary of the Invention

The above object is achieved through a device as described in its essential features in the attached main claim. Other inventive aspects are described in the dependent claims.

The shoe subject of the presented application is constructed in such a way to overcome the difficulties found in the construction of the previous shoes and with improved ventilation and regulated air flow. It has a homogenous distribution of air exchange, divided in an even way between the front part near the bottom of the foot and the rear part near the heel of the foot, with the air escape concentrated in the baricentric area, on the sides of the vamp.

In this shoe it is above all possible to remove the insole after use.

In particular, according to a first aspect of the invention, it is provided a shoe comprising a vamp assembled with a sole and an insole made of open and/or closed cells expanded plastic material with transpiration of air, equipped below with a plurality of swellings, apt to be alternatively pressed and expanded during movement, in correspondence of two front and back areas defining air chambers having a fluid communication between each other, in the insole being provided channels communicating with a side area leading to exit holes pierced on the sides of the vamp, at least in the baricentric area, wherein air is made to flow between the aforementioned front and rear chambers and holes by means of a single communication channel for each direction of transit which is established.

With the "direction of transit" it is meant a direction from or toward the functional elements of the insole, that is the two front and rear chambers and the exit holes on the vamp. Therefore, a direction of transit is that between one chamber and another, or between a chamber and one of the holes, and so on.

According to a preferred aspect, above the insole, a light lining is laid down with numerous holes for the exchange of air.

According to another aspect, the holes of the vamp are also provided in the front part of the shoe, in correspondence of the respective channels in the insole itself.

Preferably, other lower supports in the insole are also provided in the shape of a rhomboid which act as flow deflectors .

According to a peculiar and particularly effective aspect the channels is provided between front and rear chambers and a couple of holes on one side of the vamp, as well as between the aforementioned front and rear chambers and a single hole at the front and rear respectively on the opposite side of the vamp.

According to a last aspect the sole, or a reinforced insole laid on top, preferably has one or a plurality of lateral recesses, baricentrically located in correspondence of communication channels in the above insole.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the device according to the invention will appear more evident in the detailed description of a preferred embodiment which follows, given as example and illustrated in the drawings in the annex, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plane view of the insole of the shoe according to a first embodiment of the invention,-

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section view of a shoe constructed according to the invention;

Fig. 3 is a top plane view of an insole according to another embodiment of in the invention:

Fig. 4 is a top plane view of an insole according to a third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation view of the shoe according to the first embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 6 is a top plane view of a reinforced insole according to a preferred embodiment .

Detailed Description of Some Preferred Embodiments

A shoe is composed of, in a manner known per se,

a) a lower sole 1, of any adequate material, for example leather, rubber, plastic or another alternative, without any holes or channels;

b) a vamp 2, also made of any suitable material and known per se, such as leather, plastic, fabric or another alternative, glued and/or sewn to the sole 1;

c) an optional upper sole, possibly reinforced with a metal or plastic foil, glued on top of the sole to give more strenght;

d) an internal insole 3, inserted above the glued area of the vamp, therefore above the sole and the optional reinforced upper sole (typically material produced by Texon™) .

According to a first preferred embodiment (figs. 1, 2 and 5), the insole 3 is formed of one or more layers of expanded material with open or closed cells, with a memory shape, provided with a series of bumps 3a, protruding from the lower surface onto a defined area of the same insole. The plurality of bumps 3a is in fact arranged in correspondence with two areas of the insole, one at the front 4 (the ball of the foot) and one at the back 5 (the heel of the foot) , that are slightly concave when seen from the lower side (upper and lower are being used here with reference to the position taken on during everyday use of the shoe) so as to define two compressible and expandable chambers .

Above the insole 3 of a certain thickness, a thin lining 3b is placed, leather for example, equipped with numerous holes 3b for the passage of air.

The bumps 3a have the function of sustaining the insole 3 in correspondence with the ball of the foot 4 and the heel of the foot 5, which, being recessed, define air chambers that can be compressed or expanded, according to the pressure applied from above during walking. The bumps 3a can be arranged according to a regular pattern (as shown in fig. 1) or in a random way. The distance between these bumps is such to define air passage channels, without rendering the upper vault of the air chamber excessively- weak, i.e. it is comprised between 2 and 3 millimetres.

The bumps or protuberance 3a localised below the insole, are made preferably according to a semispheric template, with the function of reinforcing against collapsing the compression phase and contributing to the reaction in the expansion phase of the air chamber: the semispheric form is preferable as it has no sharp edges which would produce friction loss of air power internally, thus reducing the pressure and flow rate.

The two front and rear air chambers - in correspondence with areas 4 and 5, are designed to be alternatively pressed and expanded, during walking, in a way which creates air ventilation inside the shoe.

In particular, the air is moved between the two chambers and the holes, which lead to the outside of the shoe, with one single communication channel for each direction of transit. According to the invention, air exit holes 6a and 7a are provided along the sides, in the upper part of the vamp above the sole (fig. 5), in correspondence with the arched zone, or baricentric, of the foot. Therefore, the communication channels are also provided close to the arch of the foot.

The communication channels are made within the thickness of the insole 3 and extend, in the baricentric area, to the external perimeter, where there are provided extension areas of the insole intended to rise sideways lying against the vamp, in the internal side part of the shoe. The channels end with a circular area (6, 7) intended to come in contact with the vamp (on the internal side part of the shoe) in correspondence with the holes in the vamp 6a and 7a leading to the outside of the shoe.

In the embodiment of fig. 1 two holes 6a and 7a for each side are provided and the front and rear chambers of the insole communicate with both of the holes on one side, but only with one of the two on the opposite side. Therefore, since only one channel is provided for each direction of transit, it is possible to find (fig. 1) :

a communication channel Cl between the front and rear chambers ;

a communication channel C2 between the rear chamber and a rear right side hole 6a;

a communication channel C3 between the front chamber and a front right side hole 7a;

similarly, channels C4-C7 between the front and rear chambers and the two holes (6a and 7a) in the left side.

In the embodiment of fig. 3 each of the front and rear chambers communicates directly with only one of the holes on the two opposite sides, in particular the front chamber communicates with the two front holes 17 through channels C3 and C7, while the rear chamber communicates with the two rear holes 16 through channels C2 and C6.

In this case, however, between the two front and rear chambers a connection tunnel 18 is provided, within which a series of longitudinal ribs 19 are provided which sustain the vault of the tunnel, in a way which has a similar function to the bumps 3a in the two front and rear chambers . The ribs aligned according to the connection tunnel 18 also provide a certain rigidness to folding, the tunnel 18 therefore does not become squashed during walking.

As stated, on the left and right sides of the vamp 2 of the shoe, in a forward or backward position, and preferably in a baricentric position, one or more openings or holes 6a, 7a are provided, across which the air can enter, in the expansion phase of the relative chambers under the insole 3 , and can exit in the compression phase of chambers during walking. The preferable position of the side openings or holes is baricentric, i.e. around half the length of the shoe, to reduce the inner pattern of the exhaust air, in a way which reduces friction loss which would reduce the flow rate, and facilitates the expulsion. Such openings 6a and 7a can be closed externally using appropriate additional horizontal or vertical straps, applied from above, in a way which allows adjustment of the ventilation air flow rate. Alternatively, shaped plugs can be used, which can be inserted and partially or totally close the side openings as a function of their number.

To avoid that in the case of rain, water can penetrate the holes, a particular construction of the shoe and of the vamp can be used. In fact, the vamp being made of different pieces sewn and glued together, a zigzag can be sewn in a upper portion of the vamp, which surmounts the lower portion of the vamp comprising the openings or holes, so that folds or pockets can be created through which the air would flow but the rain would not.

In fig. 4 a third embodiment of insole is shown. In this case, there are provided two exit areas 26, directed toward the corresponding holes in the two sides of the vamp, in baricentric positions and two exit areas 27 in a forward position, at the extreme front of the front air chamber 4.

To favour the deviation of the air toward channels leading to the exit holes, flow deflectors are also provided. In particular, to direct the air flow coming from the rear part of the heel and the front part at the tip of the shoe, under the front portion of the foot have been arranged projecting rhomboid elements 28 and 29, these having the function of directing the air flow toward the side exits 26 and 27. Other smaller deflectors can be provided in the form of projecting elements 30 in addition to the central element 28, still with the function of directing the air flow and reinforcing the central support of the insole under the weight of the person wearing the shoe.

As can be well understood from the above description, the solution proposed here allows perfect achievement of the objects stated in the introduction. The shoe provided with the insole according to the invention has lateral aeration holes in the vamp, therefore with hygienic air exchange because it is away from the ground. The shoe is also simple to be made industrially, since the holes are created in the vamp, in variable positions with regards to the model and shape of the shoe, without having to resort to different expensive moulds for manufacturing different soles. Moreover, with this solution it is clear that the internal insole can be inserted at the end of the construction of the shoe itself, with the air passage channels in correspondence of the side holes, and the same insole can be removed after use in order to be washed and cleaned easily. Finally, the configuration of the channels in the insole, combined with the design of the insole (made of expandable material supported by the semispheric bumps) make the ventilation effective and, at the same time, make the shoe comfortable for the foot during walking.

It is intended that the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated, that constitute only non-limiting examples, but that numerous variations are possible, all within the reach of a skilled in the field, without departing from the scope of the invention itself.

For example, it can be envisaged that under the insole, on contact with the sole, a stiffening insole 100, for example made of materials produced by Texon™, is provided. In this case, to guarantee that the air channels in the baricentric part are not obstructed during the folding stage of the shoe, the insole has recesses or cuts. In other words, to avoid that baricentric lateral sections, intended for air exit and exchange, are excessively obstructed due to squashing of insole during walking (in relation to the weight of the person wearing the shoes and the way they walk) , cuts or recesses 101 in the reinforced upper sole 100 (fig. 6) are provided which leave space for folding of the insole and which prevent excessive squashing. Even if the reinforced upper sole 100 is not used, the recesses can be provided directly into the body of the sole 1.

Claims

1. A shoe comprising of a vamp (2) assembled with a sole (1) and an insole (3) made of expanded plastic material, with open and/or closed cells, able to transpire, provided with a plurality of bumps (3a) on the lower side, able to be alternately- pressed and expanded during movement, in correspondence with two front (4) and rear (5) areas defining air chambers flow communicating each other, characterised in that communication channels toward a side portion leading to exit holes (6a and 7a) pierced on a side part of the vamp (2) at least in a baricentric area are further provided, the air being communicated between said front (4) and rear (5) chambers and said holes (6a and 7a) through a single communication channel (C1-C7) for each direction of transit which is arranged.

2. The shoe as in claim 1), wherein above said insole (3) a thin lining (3b) is laid down with numerous holes (3b') to allow the passage of air.

3. The shoe as in claim 1) or 2), wherein said insole (3) is removable from the shoe.

4. The shoe as in claims 1), 2) or 3), wherein said holes (6a, 7a) in the vamp (2) are provided also in the front part of the shoe, in correspondence of the respective communication channels (27) in the insole (3).

5. The shoe as in any one of the previous claims, wherein lower supports of the insole in the shape of a rhomboid (28, 29) are provided which act as air flow deflectors.

6. The shoe as in any one of the previous claims, wherein aid communication channels (C4-C7) are provided between said front (4) and rear (5) chambers and a couple of holes (6a, 7a) on one side of the vamp, as well as (C2, C3) between the front (4) and rear (5) chambers and respectively a single front hole (7a) and a single rear hole (6a) on the opposite side of the vamp.

7. The shoe as in any one of the previous claims, wherein the sole (1) or a reinforced upper sole (100) laid on the sole, has one or more lateral baricentric recesses (101) in correspondence of communication channels (C1-C7) in the above insole.