WO2017152251A1

WO2017152251A1 - Footwear sole and footwear with fluid exchange mechanisms

Info

Publication number: WO2017152251A1
Application number: PCT/BR2017/050047
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edson Matsuo
Original assignee: Grendene S.A.
Priority date: 2016-03-09
Filing date: 2017-03-09
Publication date: 2017-09-14

Abstract

The present invention describes a footwear sole and footwear comprising said sole, the upper and insole being both provided with mechanisms which improve the efficiency of the fluid exchange between the footwear and the surroundings, the present invention also having the advantage of making the footwear more comfortable to wear, besides eliminating odours and providing a more assured gait. The present invention belongs to the fields of the footwear industry, fashion and design.

Description

Patent Invention Descriptive Report

FOOTWEAR SOLO AND FOOTWEAR WITH MECHANISMS FOR

FLUID EXCHANGES

Field of the Invention

The present invention describes a footwear sole and footwear comprising mechanisms that help to decrease fluid concentrations in the shoes. The objects of the invention provide, among other advantages, shoes with better performance in relation to well-being and comfort. The present invention is in the fields of fashion and footwear industry.

Background of the Invention

[0002] The footwear market constantly seeks to develop technologies to streamline and facilitate footwear production, as the demand on the market is very high. But the industry must also target end-consumer preference, given that users are increasingly demanding.

With that in mind, the shoe industry is looking at ways to provide its product with greater utility and functionality that, at the same time, can appeal to the end consumer by adapting to their needs and preferences, to make their shoes more comfortable, durable. , adaptable and customizable, yet these features are achieved without compromising its simplicity of use or handling.

In the search for the state of the art in scientific and patent literature, the following documents dealing with the subject were found.

US 2013/0232826 refers to footwear which is understood to be waterproof and breathable footwear, wherein it comprises a structure having altogether six elements which are associated with each other. The elements are defined by a leather upper, a side protection, a waterproof insole, a sole, a stabilizer and an associated sole that has the function of eliminating fluids from the side of the shoe. The footwear presented by document US 2013/0232826 is endowed with many elements to fulfill its function, hindering its assembly process and increasing the cost of its manufacture. Also, in this arrangement, fluid passages in the sole have discontinuity, allowing for excess fluid accumulation in the sole. However, the inner sole has no mechanisms to prevent contact between the fluid inside the sole and the user's foot, making it inefficient for cases where the user's footwear comes into contact with large water accumulation.

The document US 2005/0217140 refers to a footwear that aims to present means for the intensification in the fluidic communication with the environment, in which its parts are defined by an insole, a sole and a sole. In this embodiment, the shoe comprises only a single path for the fluid, which is defined by the straight ducts in the sole, which flows the fluid from the insole to the sole of the shoe. However, the fluid is theoretically poured into the outer surface of the sole, ie the surface of the sole in contact with the floor, endangering the wearer's safety that may slip and fall due to lack of friction between the sole and the floor. Also, in this arrangement, the holes that allow the "breath" of the foot, being in direct contact with the ground, do not provide a way to decrease the amount of external fluids that enter the shoe when, for example, a user steps on a foot. wet soil or in a puddle.

US 6,389.71 refers to a footwear comprising a permeable upper having a hollow insole and a fluid-soled outsole. Also, the insole consists of a protective membrane made of a material for waterproof which is associated with a protective layer (16). US 6,389.71 1 discloses multi-element footwear which charges the price of the final product and extends the assembly time. In addition, the shoe does not offer solutions to release fluids from the bottom of the shoe to ensure the wearer's integrity, preventing it from losing its instability due to fluid flow in the sole region of the shoe. Moreover, the solution proposed by US 6,389,71 1 does not offer an alternative to decrease the amount of external fluids entering the footwear and even prevent these fluids from reaching the user's foot, causing greater discomfort during use.

[0008] US 2006/0283043 refers to footwear which is intended to provide means for promoting increased gas exchange between the interior of the footwear and the environment. The footwear is structured from an insole and a sole, in which the sole comprises in its upper part some randomly arranged projections and a central region that makes the fluidic exchange with the middle, such central region is provided with small deflectors that route the air in and out of the shoes. The footwear has a single point of gas exchange that is located in the center of the sole, besides, it has no form of fluid flow which decreases its efficiency in relation to gas exchange with the medium. Moreover, this solution does not offer an alternative to reduce the amount of external fluids entering the footwear and even prevent these fluids from reaching the user's foot, causing greater discomfort during use.

Thus, from what is clear from the researched literature, no documents were found anticipating or suggesting the teachings of the present invention, so that the solution proposed here has novelty and inventive activity in relation to the state of the art.

More precisely, the solutions presented in the state of the art do not completely solve the problems mentioned, while meeting all the needs mentioned above in a single footwear model, besides the state of the art footwear does not have efficiency in fluid exchange in the developed footwear. in order to allow the safety and comfort of the end consumer. Summary of the Invention

Thus, the present invention aims to solve the constant problems in the state of the art from the presentation of a new type of sole and footwear that have mechanisms with the purpose of improving the fluidic exchanges between the shoe and the shoe. kinda surrounds you, plus a more economical, safe and comfortable footwear. Also, the solution proposed here provides a means to reduce wearer discomfort with respect to the sweat exhaled by the foot, and provides a means to allow the best "breathing" of your foot while wearing the footwear.

In a first object, the present invention features a footwear sole with means for eliminating fluids and enhancing exchanges with the environment comprising:

The. at least a first part (3);

B. at least one second part (5) opposite the first part (3); ç. outsole guides (11) located in the first part (3);

d. sole leaks (12);

and. linear passages (13) comprised in the second part (5); on what,

- the flow guides (11) connect an anterior point (21) to a rear point (22) of the sole, said flow guides (11) being uninterrupted;

- the sole leaks (12) are comprised in the flow guides (11), wherein said sole leaks (12) make fluidic communication between the first part (3) and the linear passages (13) of the sole.

In a second object, the present invention presents a footwear comprising a leather (1), an insole (2) and a sole (4); on what,

- the sole consists of a first part (3) arranged to receive an insole (2);

- the leather (1) is associated with the sole (4);

- at least one insole (2) disposed above the first part (3) of the sole (4).

Furthermore, the inventive concept common to all claimed protection contexts refers to a footwear and footwear sole which features elements that are implemented together allow for greater drainage and expulsion of undesirable fluids from the footwear, avoiding their concentration in the footwear, In addition to protecting the user's foot from contact with external fluids. Such solutions were made possible by the presence of a sole (4) comprising drainage guides and sole leaks (12) which allow fluid to exit both the side and the linear passages (13) at the bottom of the shoe, and by having an insole. (2) comprising front leaks (9) and subsequent leaks (10) such that such leaks are deliberately mismatched and with a considerable distance from the sole leaks (12).

[0015] These and other objects of the invention will be immediately appreciated by those skilled in the art and companies having an interest in the segment, and will be described in sufficient detail for their reproduction in the following description.

Brief Description of the Figures

In order to better define the content of the present invention, the following figures are presented:

Figure 1 shows a top view of the sole (4), indicating sole flow guides (11) and the sole leaks (12). Figure 2 shows a top view of the insole (2), indicating front insole leaks (9) and subsequent insole leaks (10).

Figure 3 shows a side view of the sole (4), and a sectional view thereof, showing the lateral sole leaks (15 and 16), ground contact surface (5) and contact surface with the insole (3).

Figure 4 shows a top view of sole (4) showing the channels connecting the sole leaks (12) with the side of the shoe.

Figure 5 shows a sectional side view of the sole (4), the section being shown in Figure 4, indicating: sole leaks (12), upper sole leak opening (19), linear passages (13) and sole leakage channel (20).

[0022] Figure 6 shows the front view of the footwear, indicating leather (1), sole (4), ground contact surface (5), adjustment strap (6) and distributed drilling (18).

Figure 7 shows a side view of the shoe, indicating sole (4), adjusting strap (6), ground contact surface (5), shoe side passage (7) and distributed drilling (18) .

[0024] Figure 8 shows a bottom view of the sole (4), indicating ground contact surface (5), linear passages (13) and sole leaks (12).

Detailed Description of the Invention

The following descriptions are given by way of example and not limiting the scope of the invention and will more clearly understand the subject matter of the present patent application.

In a first object, the present invention features a shoe sole comprising:

The. at least a first part (3);

d. sole leaks (12);

and. linear passages (13) comprised in the second part (5); on what,

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, it shows said sole flow guides (11), wherein such guides allow better fluid flow by having gutter-like cross-sectional geometry, the purpose of which is to collect Figure 1 also shows the leaks from the sole (12) which constitute holes in which the purpose is to receive the fluid flowing through the drainage guides (11) of the sole (4) and to release it to the environment.

For the purpose of the present invention, "gutters" means open ducts which have a defined section geometry and are intended to slide from one point to another by sliding liquids or granular substances. In one embodiment, the base geometry of the gutters defining the flow guides 11 comprises a slight bulge forming an IT in the cross section of the gutters. However, the present invention is not limited to such geometry but may contain several other geometries which also optimize fluid flow.

Fluid is a substance that deforms continuously when subjected to tangential force and / or shear stress. Said fluids may comprise of the physical forms of matter, the liquid phases and gaseous. In the present invention, the fluids may be derived from colorless aqueous fluid secreted by the sweat glands and distilled from the pores of the skin (sweat), or even from external rain fluids, or from other natural or natural sources of water. no, contact the user's shoes.

Said flow guides (11) are provided with an anterior point (21), furthest from the toe of the sole, and a posterior point (22), furthest from the user's heel, both points are connected. through the main flow guide. Further, said flow guides (11) have no gaps between the anterior point (21) and posterior point (22) of guides.

For the sake of greater detail of the invention, uninterrupted flow guides (11) are understood to be guides joined by any of the end points, ie for any selected point of the flow guides, the it is connected to both the posterior point (22) and the anterior point (21), so that there is no impeditive barrier to fluid communication between any of the points forming the flow guides (11), as can be seen in figure 1 .

In the upper sole (4), or first part (3) as defined in the present invention, which is in contact with the insole, "accommodation pockets" of water have been developed so that, in case of contact of the If a user had a wet surface, the water was prevented from passing directly to the sole (4) - insole (2) assembly and thus having contact with the user's foot, causing some discomfort. Such pockets slow the entry of water, which in turn is naturally eliminated so that the user, by failing to walk on a wet surface, keeps his foot dry, ensuring ventilation. These "accommodation pockets" are defined by the shape of the flow guides (11) since, due to their uninterrupted geometry and their cross-section chute geometry, a portion of the water that enters the footwear accumulates. So the water that gets into the shoe only hits the foot if the volume of water that penetrates the shoe is larger than the one supported by said accommodation pocket.

[0033] The configuration shown by the drainage guides (11) ensures sufficient space in the sole for adequate temporary water accommodation, as explained in the above passage. In one embodiment said flow guides 11 have continuous curvilinear geometry and are not limited thereto.

For purposes of the present invention, continuous curvilinear geometry is defined as a geometry in which curved feathers predominate in their formation, so that all points defining the flow guides 11 are associated with one another. any curve. Such geometry proved to be effective in the flow and expulsion of fluids from the sole, since such configuration is as fluid as possible, preventing the creation of barriers and obstacles for fluid flow.

For purposes of example, the flow guides 11 have been made to comprise a channel design with four diagonal shanks at the front, a diagonal shank and an 'IT section at the rear, all of which are the same. channels comprising curvilinear geometry and being fluidly communicating.

In order to clarify the present invention, sole leakage 12 is understood to be the absence of material that forms an opening in the first part (3) of the sole and which passes through the recesses contained in the linear passages. (13) of said sole. Further, said recesses may be defined as plane changes or height difference between the second part (5) and the plane defining those in the linear passages (13).

Still said linear passages (13) are arranged along the entire cross-section of the shoe forming, in one embodiment, straight diagonal channels in the bottom of the sole. Thus, the sole acquired greater resistance to tear and tear during its use, compared to shoes that have a transverse disposition. orthogonal. Such an embodiment has even more advantage when the sole manufacturing material is of conventional thermoplastic type, such as injected PVC.

As shown above, the linear passages (13) forming straight diagonal channels make the sole acquire greater resistance to torsion and flexion, preventing it from being sheared, which could contribute to surface defects, which may lead to material to ruptures and / or tears, which would prevent the real operation of the solution proposed here. At the same time, this diagonal arrangement of the channels contributes to the shoe's greater grip with the ground.

However, the present invention is not limited to comprising linear passages (13) forming straight diagonal channels, as shown in Figure 7, but may comprise, for example, wavy, zigzag, sinusoidal or any other geometry that allows to increase the flexural or twisting resistance of footwear.

Also, as can be seen from figure 7, the sole has on the lower part of the footwear or second part (5) non-slip elements defined by small prominences (23) spaced across the surface area of the second lower part (5) of the Footwear, such prominences (23) help to increase the friction between the sole and the ground, avoiding falls, slips and / or imbalance of the user.

The sole still has a planar region (24) at the bottom of the shoe that connects in one embodiment with at least two linear passages (13) directed toward the center of the sole. As can be seen from figure 7, the planar region (24) comprises a distinct plane of the ground-contacting second part (5), where the planes of the planar region (24) and the linear passages (13) are closest to each other. of the first part (3) than the second part (5). Also, in one embodiment, at a point of the sole, the plane height of the planar region is coincident with the plane of the linear passages (13). For purposes of exemplifying the above previously, the planar region (24) has a plane coincident with at least two linear passages (13) disposed in the central region of the footwear sole. This arrangement allows better flow of fluids from the inside to the outside of the footwear, as well as preventing the fluid derived from the user's sweat from being concentrated in the sole of the footwear, allowing possible slippage, as the planar region (24) does not enter. in direct contact with the ground during normal walking of a user.

Basically, the planar region (24) at the bottom of the sole has the functionality of increasing the fluid flow area, allowing fluids flowing through the sole leaks (12) to also be released by said planar region ( 24).

In one embodiment, the sole comprises sole leaks (12) provided with channels allowing fluidic communication between the flow guides (11) and the lateral leaks of the sole (15 and 16), this configuration being represented by the figures. 3 and 4. This configuration is even more efficient in releasing fluids with medium, since the sole allows to release fluid from both the side of the shoe and the bottom of the sole, through the same linear passages (13).

Furthermore, the sole comprises a converging nozzle (19) as shown in Figure 5 which interconnects and / or allows fluid passage between said flow guides (11) and the sole leakage channels (20). . The converging nozzle (19) acts as a fluid stimulator as it, due to its reduced area, increases the flow velocity, increasing the efficiency of fluid release to the environment and, in addition, creates a resistance for fluid entry from the outside to the inside of the shoe.

The sole leaks (12) as detailed in Figure 5 comprise an upper opening of the sole leaking, said converging nozzle (19) being formed by at least one inclined surface which connects the surface to contact with the insole (2) with the outsole (20), where this arrangement allows to increase the tangential force to which the fluid is subjected.

The sole leakage channel (20), as can be seen in figure 5, is responsible for conducting fluid from the converging nozzle (19) to at least one of the linear passages (13). In one embodiment, these casting channels 20 are orthogonally arranged with respect to linear passage 13 and have a width "a" while linear passage 13 has a width "b" that width "b" is greater than width "a".

A second object of the present invention is a footwear comprising a leather (1), an insole (2) and a sole (4);

on what,

- the sole (4) consists of a first part (3) arranged to receive an insole (2);

- the leather (1) is associated with the sole (4);

- at least one insole (2) disposed above the first part (3) of the sole (4).

The sole (4) of the footwear proposed herein is as described above in the first object of the present invention, so that the elements associated with the sole (4) forming said footwear in that second object of the present invention are intended. to further increase fluidic exchanges between footwear and the external environment, as well as to obtain a final product for commercialization to the consumer. Elements added to the sole (4) are further defined below.

The leather (1) is associated with the sole (4) and comprises, in one embodiment, holes disposed throughout its inner and outer area. Nevertheless, the leather has a lateral passage (7) of the leather (1), more precisely located near the plantar region of the user's foot, when wearing the footwear. For purposes of explanation, the plantar region of the foot may be defined as the intermediate region between the forefoot and the heel of the foot. user.

Said lateral passage (7) follows the geometry of the footwear, and has rounded corners, thus avoiding stress concentrators, reducing the possibilities of rupture of the material that constitutes it when subjected to mechanical forces, such as twisting, flexion, traction and / or compression.

Furthermore, said passage in the side (7) allows increased ventilation inside the footwear to reduce or prevent problems such as excessive sweating on the soles of the foot.

The insole (2) is associated with the first part (3) of the sole (4) and has frontal insole leaks (9) and posterior insole leaks (10), where such leaks are positioned at points coincident with the contours defined by the flow guides (1 1). Thus, the fluid tends to fall from the insole (2) by gravity to the flow guides (1 1) and to flow freely to said sole leaks (12).

Also, arrangement of the insole front leaks (9) and subsequent insole leaks (10) of the insole (2) was developed such that the sole leaks (12) and the insole leaks were not concentric, or deliberately mismatched and with a considerable distance between them, thus preventing the direct entry or contact of water from the outside with the user's foot, as well as from sharp objects.

As seen in Figure 2, the insole (2) has frontal insole leaks (9) and posterior insole leaks (10), wherein the insole is associable with the sole (4) by the contact surface with the insole ( 2). Leaks present in the insole (2) are responsible for directing the fluids to the sole flow guides (1 1).

Said leather (1), in one embodiment, has an adjusting strap (6) comprising three parts, a first part of the strap and a second strip part parallel to each other, and a third connecting the beginning of the first part with the end of the second strip. Such configuration allows better adjustment of the footwear of the user besides promoting greater comfort, simplicity in the handling and welfare to the user. It is also important to note that the footwear of the present invention is not limited to the use of straps for adjusting the leather (1) on the user's foot, but also self-adjusting shoelaces, laces and uppers, etc. can be used.

Those skilled in the art will enhance the knowledge presented herein and may reproduce the invention in the embodiments presented and in other embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1 . Footwear sole characterized by:

The. at least a first part (3);

d. sole leaks (12);

and. linear passages (13) comprised in the second part (5); on what,

Footwear sole according to Claim 1, characterized in that the sole flow guides (11) comprise continuous curvilinear geometry.

Footwear sole according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that it comprises the linear passages (13) forming a recess in fluidic communication with the first part (3).

Footwear sole according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises the linear passages (13) along the entire cross-section of the second part (5) of the sole.

Footwear sole according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises the linear passages (13) disposed diagonally in the second part (5) of the sole.

Footwear sole according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sole leaks (12) comprise channels that interconnect the flow guides (11) to the sole lateral leaks (15 and 16).

Footwear sole according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the linear passages (13) comprise a width greater than the width of the sole leaks (12).

Footwear sole according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a converging nozzle (19) interconnecting the flow guides (11) to the sole leakage channels (20).

Footwear sole according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the sole flow guides (11) comprise a rail-like structure for leakage of fluid flow (12).

10. Footwear provided with mechanisms for fluid exchange with a medium comprising at least:

The. leather (1);

B. insole (2);

ç. sole (4) as described in claims 1 to 9; on what,

- the leather (1) is associated with the sole (4);

- at least one insole (2) disposed on the first part (3) of the sole (4).

1 1. Footwear according to claim 10, characterized in that the leather (1) comprises lateral passage (7) located in the plantar region of the user's foot.

Footwear according to claims 10 to 11, characterized in that the insole (2) comprises front insole leaks (9) and subsequent insole leaks (10).

Footwear according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the front insole leaks (9) and subsequent insole leaks (10) comprise positions which coincide with the guideway geometry. sole flow (11).

Footwear according to one of Claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the sole (12) and the front (9) and rear (10) insole leaks are arranged in a decentralized manner.