WO2011124845A1

WO2011124845A1 - Thermoformable sole

Info

Publication number: WO2011124845A1
Application number: PCT/FR2011/050774
Authority: WO
Inventors: François HOCHART
Original assignee: Hochart Francois
Priority date: 2010-04-07
Filing date: 2011-04-06
Publication date: 2011-10-13
Also published as: FR2958506A1; US20130055594A1; FR2958506B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for forming an insole, able to be introduced into a shoe. It also relates to a shoe equipped with such a device. This device (1) comprises: two modules (2, 3) made of thermoformable material which is flexible, elastic and fluid-tight, such as to gas, liquid or gel, said modules consisting of at least one cavity (6, 7) able to contain said fluid; at least one channel (8) connecting at least two cavities. At least one duct (11) is arranged on the module in order to inject into or evacuate from the cavity a quantity of fluid, such as gas, liquid or gel (16) located inside the cavity.

Description

Thermoformable sole

The present invention relates to a device for the constitution of a sandal, thong or flip-flop that can be thermoformed especially in the microwave oven. The invention will be manufactured in particular in the footwear industry, and will find its application among chiropodists who realize custom orthotics, or even directly to users or customers after consulting the user manual of the device.

The device according to the invention concerns the orthopedic field, and more particularly the field of the plantar orthosis consisting in particular of implementing correction soles faithful to the foot, in order to compensate for a handicap when walking in people. presenting plantar problems for various reasons, or simply to improve their walking comfort. Indeed, such a plantar orthosis can be used by people of all ages, men or women, with a variety of foot problems. Similarly, it can be worn by people who have no pathology but seeking only comfort.

In known manner, a plantar orthosis is a custom made orthopedic insole designed to be inserted or slipped into a shoe. It allows to restore the static of the foot, that is to say to support and rebalance the foot, whether it is flat, hollow or deflected, effectively aligning the joints. It also relieves painful pressures and reduces muscle tension to improve foot comfort and slow down foot deformities. This orthosis can be applied on all or part of the plantar surface. In addition, it helps to reduce side effects such as calluses, calluses, horn, deformity of toes, hallux valgus and heel pain.

These plantar orthotics are made to measure from a positive cast or directly on the foot, depending on the material used. The material as well as the manufacturing technique is chosen according to the age, the activities and the pathology of the client or patient. The manufacture of such orthotics requires first of all to take an impression of the client's foot or patient by means of a base or box of deformable mouse constituting a mold or negative of the foot, then to constitute a positive, that is to say, a solid object faithfully representing the shapes of the foot, obtained after pouring and hardening of plaster in said mold or negative. This positive is then worked or modified for a better use of it during fitting. Rigid, semi-rigid or flexible plantar prostheses are distinguished, the manufacturing techniques of which are well known to those skilled in the art and all use said positive. These different techniques are tedious and implemented by professionals, including prosthetists or chiropodists, who must also perform retouches on the prosthesis during fitting by the patient. In case of failure or dissatisfaction with the result obtained, it is then necessary to build a new prosthesis.

According to another known technique, the plantar prosthesis is designed in a plate of thermoformable material often polyethylene or EVA which is cut in a jig in the shape of a sole. This sole is placed on a block of deformable foam. The foot is placed directly on the previously heated sole to cause the deformation thereof on the block of foam and the sole is cooled to allow the hardening of the material and retains the footprint of said foot. This sole now corresponds to the shape of the foot, it is the negative of the foot. Then it is necessary to reload the underside of this sole with material often the same and to sanding flat of the lower part so that the sole rests flat in the shoe. The constitution of a sole completely replaces the insole of the shoe. The implementation of such a prosthesis requires significant work and systematically falls within the competence of the professional who is the prosthetist or podiatrist, since the prosthesis, after cutting the plate and thermoforming of the sole, often requires to be reworked by the specialist.

Moreover, these various techniques are difficult to implement on open or airy shoes such as sandals or flip-flops.

The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of existing plantar prostheses. As such, the invention relates to a device (1, 20) for the constitution of an insole of a shoe, which consists of a thickness of thermoformable material comprising at least one system comprising at least one cavity (6 , 7, 22, 23) configured within the thickness of thermoformable material and, at least one conduit (11, 12, 13, 14, 30) connected directly or indirectly to at least one cavity and opening on the outside of the thickness of thermoformable material, at least one fluid capable of being heated at least partially filling said at least one cavity of said at least one system. The device consists of said thermoformable material being impermeable to said at least one fluid. The device (1) is constituted by said at least one system comprising a plurality of cavities (6, 7) forming at least one group of at least one cavity (6, 7), each group comprising more than one cavity comprising at least one channel (8, 9, 10), each channel being configured to interconnect two cavities (6, 7) and to allow the passage of the fluid that can be heated, at least one duct (11, 12, 13, 14 ) being connected to at least one cavity (6, 7) of each of the groups. The system comprises at least one cavity (22, 23), said at least one cavity being sprinkled with pins (25). The thickness of thermoformable material consisting of two modules (2, 3) superimposed and assembled together, said at least one system being configured on at least one of the two modules. The device may comprise at least two systems separated from each other by a wall (15) impervious to said at least one fluid capable of being heated. The fluid capable of being heated is selected from gases, liquids and gels, microwavable. The thermoformable material being selected from polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate or a combination of both. The shoe comprising an outsole, further comprises a device (1, 20) for the constitution of an insole, said device resting on said outsole. The shoe may comprise a rod configured to allow the introduction of the device (1, 20) inside said shoe. The shoe may include a stem being closed or open.

The invention relates to a device for the constitution of an insole, able to be introduced or forming part of an open or closed shoe for the constitution of a plantar prosthesis correction or comfort that will thermoform in the microwave oven. wave. This device consists of one or more layers of thermoformable material, a certain density and / or a certain identical or different hardness. In the interior of the device, in one or more layers of thermoformable material, by mechanical recess, by molding the material or any other technique allowing the recess, a number of cavities of identical or different size and shape will be created, interconnected by one or more channels of section, shape and length identical or different. The cavities have two important roles, they can contain a fluid or a microwavable gel that will heat in the microwave and they also allow to weaken the thermoformable material so as to increase its compression. These cavities can be located inside the device so as to target certain zones to be compressed. Channels preferably connect each cavity, they allow the free flow of fluid or microwavable gel between the cavities. These cavities connected by these channels form a network. In the device, there may be several networks of cavities and channels separated by a wall impermeable to fluid or microwavable gel. Each network of cavities and channels is connected to the outside of the device by one or more conduits to allow a fluid to enter the device and also to evacuate. This or these outer conduits are of the same size and section or different depending on the nature of the fluid or gel. These ducts are only necessary in the case where the thermoformable material is impervious to the fluid. Indeed, in the case where the thermoformable material and permeable to the fluid, especially the ambient air which is microwavable, said material allows to naturally form such conduits connected to each of the cavities. These cavities may be intended to be filled partially or completely, thanks to the channel or the channels connecting them and to the conduits connecting them to the outside, by a microwavable fluid or a microwavable gel or more simply ambient air because the air contains water vapor. The device is heated by stirring the water molecules contained in the fluid, the gel or the air. When heating the device in the microwave oven, the fluid, gel or air contained in the network of cavities and channels will heat and, by conduction effect, also heat the thermoformable material then allowing its deformation and therefore that of the device. Indeed, when the foot is placed on the device and under the effect of the weight of the user, the thermoformable material compresses and crushes due to its embrittlement due to cavities, channels and external ducts possibly allowing the fluid s evacuate out of the device in the case where the material is impermeable. In the case where the thermoformable material is permeable to the fluid and to the gel, only the cavities are necessary for the embrittlement, the fluids being able to evacuate by the permeability of the material out of the device.

The device according to the present invention makes it possible to take the impression of the foot, to freeze it, to try it and to repeat it a multitude of times if it does not correspond exactly to the customer's expectations. To do this, either the device is ready for use, that is to say that the manufacturer has previously filled the device with a certain amount of microwavable fluid or gel microwavable, or the user himself filled the device with a certain amount of microwaveable fluid or microwaveable gel recommended by the manufacturer by means of the conduit or conduits connecting a network or cavities and channels , or the device is used as it is because it already contains a certain volume of air inside. Then, the user places the device in the microwave oven while respecting the time and the power indicated by the manufacturer according to the composition of the fluid or gel contained in the device. At the end of the heating time, the device is placed on a flat and smooth floor or on a suitable block of foam and the user then places his foot in charge, that is to say standing, on the device in order to create a deformation of it, which allows to mold the foot; it is then possible to make a correction at that moment until reaching complete satisfaction. If the foot is too much or not enough corrected, then it is enough to start the operation again, the device will resume its original shape after being heated again in the microwave oven. In addition, this operation can be carried out by a competent person who has received training, who can be both a professional and the customer himself after following the instructions of the manufacturer.

According to one embodiment, the device consists of several layers of sheets of polyethylene and / or EVA of identical or different density and hardness, hollowed out in the thickness so as to obtain one or more networks of channels and cavities these allow a weakening of the materials which allows a better deformation of the device under the weight of the body thus giving a faithful impression of the foot. The location of these cavities may be in one or more of the layers constituting the device and in a targeted manner on certain areas of the device so as to favor the deformation of the device in these areas. Ideally, these cavities will be located on the zones of support of the foot (heel, isthmus, metatarsal and toes) in order to allow the device to adapt well to the foot of each one. The network or networks of cavities and channels connected to the outside of the device by one or more ducts allow the fluid or the microwavable gel to be well distributed in the device, which allows a better homogeneity of the heat during the heating the device in the microwave oven. Cavities, channels and ducts form a system. The cavities can be of variable dimensions in the same system or from one system to another. Channels can be of varying lengths and sections in the same system or from one system to another. The ducts can be of varying lengths and sections in the same system or from one system to another. Each system has, the outside of the device, at least one conduit to allow the evacuation of water vapor emitted during heating in the microwave oven so as not to damage the device. Ideally and for the sake of aesthetics, it is possible to have only one duct on the outside placed on the device connecting a large network of cavities and channels or a multitude of micro-perforated ducts with the aid of needles connecting one or more cavity and channel networks. A cavity can be connected directly by one or more conduits, in this case each cavity of the device is connected to the outside by at least one conduit.

Such a device has the advantage of a good distribution of heat inside the device so as to mold well to the foot, a good evacuation of the water vapor released by the heating in the microwave and also a good heat dissipation so as not to "burn" the user. Furthermore, it is also possible to heat the device without microwave by injecting a hot fluid, not necessarily microwaveable, inside the system or cavities, channels, ducts. The invention also relates to a shoe comprising a sole and a rod, said shoe being equipped with a device for the constitution of insole or plantar prosthesis, which is inserted inside the stem and rests on the insole of said shoe. The invention also relates to a ski boot comprising a bootie and a boot, said shoe being equipped with a device for the constitution of the bootie or part of the bootie, which is introduced inside the shell of the boot. ski.

According to one embodiment of the shoe, the device is removable from it.

This shoe may be provided with a closed stem, in particular a street shoe such as a shoe or a sports boot, or even unlike an open or ventilated rod, by means of a plurality of openings arranged on its outline, such as a sandal.

Other features of the invention will appear on reading a design of the device according to the invention, which is based on figures, among which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the device 1, allowing the production of an insole for a shoe, sandal or flip-flop, consists of two sheets of thermoformable material 2, 3 or modules 2, 3, having the shape a sole as illustrated in Figure 2, made of a flexible material, elastic and impermeable to fluids, such as EVA (Ethylene-vinyl acetate). Module 2 has been worked so as to create two systems 4, 5, independent of one another and separated by an impermeable wall 15, these two systems comprising cavities 6, 7, of different dimensions, channels 8, 9, 10 of different dimensions and ducts 11, 12, 13, 14, of different dimensions. The module 3 is welded on the module 2 so as to cover the two systems. These modules 2, 3 comprise the form of a sole, as shown in Figure 2 for the second embodiment. These modules 2, 3 form the device 1. In addition, this device 1 is capable of enclosing a fluid 16; for this the material of these modules 2, 3 is also impervious to said fluid. Preferably, EVA is used for the constitution of these two modules 2,3.

This device makes it possible to constitute two systems 4, 5, according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the volumes of which are preferably different. These systems 4,5, are arranged at strategic locations usually requiring a correction of the sole of the foot; however, a number of different systems can be provided to refine the correction at specific and strategic locations.

Preferably, a gel-like fluid 16 is disposed in the system 4 and ambient air in the system 5.

These systems 4,5, are implemented by means of a separating wall 15.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the device 1 comprises four ducts 11, 12, 13, 14 arranged on the module 2. The duct 11 connects the cavities 6 and the channel 8 to the outside of the device , for example at the back of it. The ducts 12, 13, 14 connect the cavities 7 and the channels 9, 10. The ducts 11, 12, 13, 14 are of different dimensions, only the ducts 12, 13 are identical. The channels 8, 9, 10 are of different dimensions. The system 4, constituted by the cavities 6, the channel 8 and the duct 11, is partially filled with fluid 16. The system 5, constituted by the cavities 7, the channels 9, 10, and the ducts 12, 13, 14, is filled with ambient air. Preferably, the fluid 16 injected or ejected through the conduit 11 into the system 4 is water or a gel based on water; However, it is possible to envisage the use of gases or even liquids suitable for microwave ovens and the elements constituting the device 1. Moreover, the injection or ejection will be carried out by means of a device adapted to fluid, so as to control the amount of fluid inside the device 1. In the case of water or gel, using a syringe, for example.

According to the variant embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the device 20 comprises two sheets of flexible, elastic and impermeable or fluid-tight thermoformable material such as used in the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. The first sheet is for example constituted in a material identical to that of the modules 2, 3 of the first embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 and is cut so as to obtain the shape of a sole or module 21 to be placed in the shoe. The second sheet is welded to the first sheet as in the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. In this module 21, the thermoformable material is hollowed out so as to obtain a large cavity 22 dotted with small islands of EVA at in the manner of pins and another smaller cavity 23 also sprinkled with EVA pins 25 separated by a permeable wall 24. In this embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the size of the islands or pins of EVA is identical but it is possible to increase or decrease the volume of these cavities so as to obtain more or less pimples and or different sizes.

This module 21 consists of two systems 22, 23, sprinkled with pins and separated by a wall 24 impermeable to fluids. The cavity 23 is preferably connected by four channels 26, 27, 28, 29 to the cavity 22, which makes the wall 24 permeable to fluids. A conduit 30 is placed for example at the rear of the module 21 connecting the cavity 22 to the outside. The cavity 23 is connected to the outside via the cavity 22, via the conduit 30. These two cavities 22 and 23 may be filled with a fluid such as liquid, gel or simply with ambient air, at The number and dimensions of cavities, channels and ducts may further vary.

According to these different design variants, the user disposes the device 1, 20, filled with fluid in the microwave oven, heat the device according to the power and time indicated by the manufacturer, place the device inside a shoe, a sandal or in a flip-flop, then place his foot on the device in the shoe, sandal or flip-flop. The thermoformable material, weakened by heat and cavities, compresses and crushes. The water vapor formed in the cavities during the heating of the device is then evacuated through the ducts, the device reducing volume; the thermoformable material then flows under the sole of the foot and molds it properly. In case of incorrect correction, the operation is then repeated in a similar way. Furthermore, according to the invention, the device 1, 20 can be arranged in different shoes, whether these are closed or open type, sports, city or ski.

Other embodiments may be envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention. It may be envisaged that the device may consist for example of a single cavity or even more than two systems of cavities, channels and ducts depending on the use that one wishes to make, especially if it is used simply for comfort or on the contrary for therapeutic purpose. It is also conceivable a device consisting of several systems of cavities, channels, ducts with a combination of walls between these systems, some of which are permeable to the fluid and the other impervious to the fluid; in this case the number of ducts will depend on the number of permeable and impermeable walls between these systems.

Claims

1. Device (1, 20) for the constitution of an insole of a shoe, characterized in that it consists of a thickness of thermoformable material comprising at least one system comprising at least one cavity (6, 7 , 22, 23) configured within the thickness of thermoformable material and, at least one conduit (11, 12, 13, 14, 30) connected directly or indirectly to at least one cavity and opening on outside the thickness of thermoformable material, at least one fluid at least partially filling said at least one cavity of said at least one system being intended to be heated so as to allow the deformation of the thermoformable material.

2. Device (1, 20) according to claim 1, said thermoformable material being impermeable to said at least one fluid.

3. Device (1) according to claim 1, said at least one system comprising a plurality of cavities (6, 7) forming at least one group of at least one cavity (6, 7), each group comprising more than one a cavity comprising at least one channel (8, 9, 10), each channel being configured to interconnect two cavities (6, 7) and to allow the passage of the fluid capable of being heated, at least one duct (11, 12, 13, 14) being connected to at least one cavity (6, 7) of each of the groups.

4. Device (20) according to claim 1, the system comprises at least one cavity (22, 23), said at least one cavity being dotted with pins (25).

5. Device (1) according to claim 1, the thickness of thermoformable material consisting of two modules (2, 3) superimposed and assembled together, said at least one system being configured on at least one of the two modules.

6. Device (1) according to claim 1, comprising at least two systems separated from each other by a wall (15) impervious to said at least one fluid capable of being heated.

7. Device (1, 20) according to claim 1, said fluid capable of being heated is selected from gases, liquids and gels, microwavable.

8. Device (1, 20) according to claim 1, the thermoformable material being selected from polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate or a combination of both.

9. Shoe comprising an outer sole characterized in that it further comprises a device (1, 20) for the constitution of an inner sole object of one of claims 1 to 8, said device resting on said outer sole.

10. Shoe according to claim 9, comprising a rod configured to allow the introduction of the device (1, 20) inside said shoe;

11. Shoe according to claim 10, the rod being closed or open.