WO2006070421A1

WO2006070421A1 - Biodegradable shoe having natural anti-bacterial action

Info

Publication number: WO2006070421A1
Application number: PCT/IT2004/000744
Authority: WO
Inventors: Madrisano Catinari
Original assignee: Madrisano Catinari
Priority date: 2004-12-31
Filing date: 2004-12-31
Publication date: 2006-07-06
Also published as: EP1676493A1

Abstract

A shoe is described, comprising a sole (3), an insole (2), an internal coating and an upper (1), wherein sole (3), insole (2), internal coating and upper (1) are made of a biodegradable material. Furthermore, the parts contacting the foot are anti-bacterial, with no smell, anallergic, comfortable and biocompatible.

Description

BIODEGRADABLE SHOE HAVING NATURAL ANTI-BACTERIAL ACTION ooo§ooo FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally refers to a biodegradable shoe, which has very small problems in disposal after wearing and which is anti-bacterial, anti-allergic, with no smell and comfortable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disposal of wastes is involving more and more problems. In Italy, most wastes are put in tips, with ecological and space problems.

A differentiated waste collection allows to recycle some wastes, particularly the biodegradable ones. Usually, they are compounded and degraded to products which are not harmful for environment. Nowadays, most shoe components are manufactured with synthetic materials (e.g. elastomers, such as soles, uppers of sport shoes and insoles) or in tanned materials. All of this materials are not biodegradable. Furthermore, shoe inside is subject to bacteria, fungi, nasty smells and dermatological problems for the user.

It is object of the present invention, -to provide a biodegradable shoe, which can be compounded and disposed of with no waste and that, possibly, overcomes bacteria and fungi problems, so as to improve comfort and human health. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Such an object is achieved by this invention, relating to a shoe, comprising a sole, an insole, an internal coating and an upper, characterised in that sole, insole, internal coating and upper are made of a biodegradable material .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig . 1 is a side view of a shoe , according to this invention;

Fig . 2 is an elevation view of a sole for a shoe of this invention; and

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a shoe according to this invention.

BEST WAY TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION As usual, a shoe, like the one of the present invention, includes an upper 1, an insole 2 and a sole 3. According to the present invention, such components are all made of a biodegradable material. For instance, the sole 3 is produced of a plastic biodegradable material, designed with the aim of a low environmental impact, while maintaining the features of a normal plastic and which can be processed with the same technologies. Also the insole 2 can be produced with a similar biodegradable plastic material, with the proviso that it is more resilient than the one of the sole 3. The upper 1 and the internal coating can be produced in a material which can be spun and then formed into a fabric or web. Examples of such materials are fibrous biopolymers, such as cellulose derivatives, lignin derivatives, soybean proteins and derivatives, polysaccharides (polysaccharides derived from fungi and bacteria are particularly preferred) , chitin and derivatives, hydroxyalkanoates. Chitin and derivatives

(particularly chitosane) are particularly preferred, because they exhibit an antibacterial action. A material which proved particularly advantageous is a complex chitin-chitosane, known under the name Crabyon. Such a material exhibits strong, beneficial effects on the human health, it has natural origin and it is usually produced in absence of organic solvents. The most important function of this natural polymer is to activate the enzymes lysozime and chitinase, which decompose the cellular membrane, so as to inhibit bacteria growth and development. Moreover, the chemical structure of chitin-chitosane is quite similar to cellulose one, so that textiles of this material exist which can be easily produced. Chitin- chitosane can be admixed to other fibres at any ratio.

Advantageously, the insole 2 can be formed in two layers, a base 4 in biodegradable, light, plastic material, which is flexible and comfortable, and a coating which contacts the foot and is made of a special fibre, which is based on chitin-chitosane. Preferably, the layer based on chitin-chitosane includes 5 to 40 wt . % of Crabyon and 60 to 95 wt .% of a cellulose material, for instance the one sold under the name ModalMicro. Preferably, Crabyon is 10 to 35 wt .% and ModalMicro 65 to 90wt.%, yet more preferably Crabyon is 15 to 25 wt . % and ModalMicro 75 to 85 wt . % .

As per colours, natural, non-toxic, well known dyes can be used on the special anti-bacterial fibre, while on the plastic, biodegradable materials, biodegradable master- batches are used, in an percent amount of 1 to 5 wt.%, for instance 3 wt.%.

After using, the shoe according to this invention can be disposed of by composting, such as any 'biodegradable material . Using the special natural fibre, the shoe exhibits anti-bacterial activity and it is particularly advantageous, because it eliminates nasty smells and keeps the internal coating tidy. Furthermore, it prevents uncomfortable dermatological problems; it has been shown that, in some cases, such a coating can heal wounds.

Therefore, such a fibre proves to be sure and comfortable, even for particularly sensitive skins, such as children skin.

It is a basic point that such features > remain stable with the time, since chitin-chitosane, acting as an active substance, is fully part of the fibre structure, from which cannot be cleaved with external actions.

Claims

1) A shoe, comprising a sole (3) , an insole (2), an internal coating and an upper (1) , characterised in that sole (3) , insole (2) internal coating and upper (1) are made of a biodegradable material .

2) A shoe as claimed in claim 1) , characterised in that the insole (2) is made with the same material of the sole (3) , after a process which makes it more resilient.

3) A shoe according to claim 1) or 2) , characterised in that the insole (2) is formed in two layers, one (4) in a plastic, biodegradable material, the other one in a material which can be spun and then formed into a fabric or web.

4) A shoe according to any previous claim, characterised in that the upper (1) is made of a material which can be spun and then formed into a fabric or web.

5) A shoe as claimed in any previous claim, characterised in that the internal coating is made of a material which can be spun and then formed into a fabric or web.

6) A shoe according to any claim 3)- to 5) , characterised in that such material to be spun is chosen from the group consisting of fibrous biopolymers, such as cellulose derivatives, lignin derivatives, soybean proteins and derivatives, polysaccharides, chitin and derivatives, hydroxyalkanoates.

7) A shoe according to claim 6) , characterised in that such material to be spun is a polysaccharide derived from fungi and/or bacteria. 8) A shoe according to claim 6) , characterised in that such material to be spun is chitin or derivatives.

9) A shoe according to claim 8) , characterised in that such chitin derivatives are chitin-chitosane.

10) A shoe according to claim 9) , characterised in that such chitin-chitosane is admixed with other natural fibres.

11) A shoe according to claim 10) , characterised in that chitin-chitosane is admixed with a cellulo'se material.

12) A shoe according to claim 11) , characterised in that such cellulose material is ModalMicro.

13) A shoe according to any claim 10) to 12), characterised in that the said chitin chitosane is present in an amount of 5 to 40 wt.%, rom 60 to 95 wt . % being cellulose material. 14) A shoe as claimed in claim 13) , characterised in that the said chitin-chitosane is present in an amount of 10 to 35 wt.% and the cellulose material of 65 to 90 wt.%.

15) A shoe as claimed in claim 14) , characterised in that the said chitin-chitosane is present in -an amount of 15 to 25 wt.% and the cellulose material of 75 to 85 wt.%

16) A shoe as claimed in any previous claim, characterised in that it is coloured with natural, nontoxic dyes.

17) A shoe as claimed in any claim 1) to 15) , characterised in that it is coloured with biodegradable master-batches.

18) A shoe as claimed in claim 16) or 17) , characterised in that the said dyes are present in an amount of 1 to 5 wt. %. 19) A shoe as claimed in claim 18) , characterised in that the said dye is present in an amount of 3 wt.%.