WO2007054983A1

WO2007054983A1 - Shoe with new breathable waterproof sole

Info

Publication number: WO2007054983A1
Application number: PCT/IT2005/000656
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alessandro Borella
Original assignee: Alessandro Borella
Priority date: 2005-11-11
Filing date: 2005-11-11
Publication date: 2007-05-18
Also published as: US20090223087A1; EP2096951A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a shoe with a new breathable waterproof sole (S), with a niche or hollow area (Z), at the level of which a plurality of through holes (F) are obtained, suited to house at least one substantially flat insert (I), and wherein said insert (I) comprises, provided on its upper surface, in a position corresponding to said holes (F), channels or grooves (C), the inlets (L) of which are obtained on the outer lateral surface of the insert (I). Said sole (S) may comprise one or more channels or grooves (C1) made on the lower surface, inside said niche or hollow area (Z) at the level of said holes (F), with lateral external inlets.

Description

TITLE SHOE WITHNEWBREATHABLE WATERPROOFSOLE

DESCRIPTION

The present patent relates to footwear and in particular concerns a shoe with a new breathable waterproof sole.

The problem of perspiration of the foot is known, and particularly perspiration of the sole of the foot where there is a greater concentration of sweat glands.

The use of footwear with waterproof soles, which do not allow the foot to breathe, considerably emphasises the problem of perspiration of the foot.

Waterproof soles are, however, essential to ensure that the inside of the shoe remains dry.

Waterproof breathable soles are also known, which are provided with through holes obtained on the lower surface of the sole and are coupled with membranes made of waterproof breathable material.

When the lower surface of the shoe is completely in contact with the ground, however, the passage of air along the plantar area is prevented since said holes are obstructed by the pressure of the body.

Furthermore, the penetration of dirt and water into said holes can further prevent foot breathing, which makes the solutions proposed so far ineffective.

The subject of this patent is a shoe with a new breathable waterproof sole, with lateral holes for the passage of air.

The main aim of the invention is to allow the foot to breathe, particularly in the plantar area, where perspiration is greater.

A further aim of the invention is to guarantee continuous circulation of air inside the shoe. A further aim of the present invention is to prevent the penetration of water and dirt.

A further aim of the present invention is to guarantee maximum comfort for the user. These and other direct and complementary aims have been achieved through the implementation of a shoe with new breathable waterproof sole, with lateral holes for the passage of air.

The new breathable waterproof sole comprises a lower surface in contact with the ground, or tread, and an upper surface, where the foot rests, where one or more soft insoles made of leather or fabric and polyurethane foam are positioned to ensure a comfortable walk.

Said tread can be smooth or grooved, depending on the intended use of the shoe.

Said new breathable waterproof sole is made of rubber, T.R. or other material and comprises one or more niches or hollow areas obtained on said tread, preferably in the central plantar area, i.e. where the foot perspires most.

At the level of each of said niches or hollow areas a plurality of through holes is provided, distributed in any way. Each of said niches or hollow areas is suited to house an insert, with a substantially flat or curved shape, positioned so that the lower surface of the insert is preferably at the same level as the surface of the tread.

Said lower surface of the insert, i.e. the surface in contact with the ground, or tread, can be smooth or grooved. Said insert is preferably made of rubber and comprises, obtained on its upper surface where it adheres to the sole, one or more elements in relief and/or grooves suited to define channels, the inlets of which are obtained in the outer lateral walls of the insert.

When the insert is fitted and adheres to the sole, inside said niche or hollow area, said channels communicate with the outside via the related inlets obtained laterally in the insert. For said purpose, said niche or hollow area and said insert have preferably a width and/or length equal to the cross and longitudinal dimensions of the tread in the lower area, so that said lateral inlets communicate directly with the outside.

Said through holes, made in said niche or hollow area, place the inside of the shoe in communication with the inside of said channels obtained in the insert.

In this way air can circulate between the outside and the inside of the shoe.

To ensure that the foot can breath and to prevent at the same time the penetration of water and dirt, this invention comprises a layer of waterproof breathable material, which adheres to the upper surface of the sole, at least at the level of said niche or hollow area.

Said layer of waterproof breathable material is provided with pores whose dimensions are such as to permit the passage of vapour but prevent the passage of impurities and liquid. Said layer of waterproof breathable material is for example inserted in a further niche obtained on the upper surface of said sole, at the level of the holes of said niche or hollow area.

Alternatively, for the passage of air between the inside and the outside of the shoe, further channels or grooves can be provided also on the lower surface of the sole, in positions corresponding to said channels made in said insert, so as to form, as a whole, ducts with a circular section, for example, communicating with the outside. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the channels or grooves for the passage of air can be provided mainly on said sole, with lateral external inlets.

Therefore, since said channels are never in communication with the ground, continuous circulation of air is ensured even when the sole rests completely on the ground, i.e. when the tread adheres fully to the ground.

In this way, the penetration of water and dirt is also limited.

According to an alternative embodiment, the present invention comprises one or more of said inserts, distributed on all or part of its lower surface. The present invention furthermore comprises one or more emission valves, positioned at the level of said lateral inlets of the channels for the passage of air, i.e. between said insert and said sole.

Said emission valves are suited to permit the outflow of air, further limiting the penetration of water and dirt. For said purpose, said emission valves preferably have a substantially cylindrical shape or are in the shape of adjacent spheres, with at least one longitudinal duct for the passage of air between the inside and the outside.

Said valve comprises, applied at least at the level of the external inlet, a sticking plaster made of breathable waterproof micromesh, suited to prevent the passage of water but permit the passage of air.

The present invention can be applied to any type and model of shoe.

The characteristics of the present invention will be highlighted in greater detail by the following description with reference to the attached drawings, provided as a non-limiting example, wherein: Figure 1 shows a side view of the sole, prior to application of the insert, while Figure Ia is an plan view of said insert.

Figure 2 shows a cross section of the present invention completely assembled.

Figure 3 shows a cross section of an emission valve, while Figure 3a shows, in detail, the external inlet of said emission valve.

Figures 4 and figure 5 show, respectively, the lower surface and the upper surface of the new sole.

The new breathable waterproof sole (S) comprises one or more niches or hollow areas (Z), at least one of which is obtained preferably in the central plantar area, i.e. where the foot perspires most.

Said new sole (S) also comprises a plurality of through holes (F), distributed in any way at the level of said niche (Z).

Each of said niches or hollow areas (Z) is suited to house at least one insert

(I), preferably made of rubber and made integral with the sole (S) by insertion of one or more elements in relief (II, 12) inside corresponding seats (Al, A2) obtained on the lower surface of the sole (S). Each of said inserts (I) comprises, obtained on its upper surface, at least one niche (D) in contact with the sole (S), provided in a position corresponding to said niche or hollow area (Z) made on the sole (S).

Inside said niche (D), said insert (I) also comprises one or more elements in relief (R). When said insert (I) is fitted in the corresponding niche or hollow area (Z) of the sole (S), the upper surface of said elements in relief (R) is preferably in contact with the surface of said niche or hollow area (Z).

In this way, said elements in relief (R) form ducts for the passage of air.

Said insert (I) furthermore comprises one or more channels or grooves (C) that place the inside of said niche (D) of the insert (I) in communication with the outside.

In particular, the external inlets (L) of said channels or grooves (C) are provided on the outer lateral walls of the insert (I).

Said through holes (F), made in the niche or hollow area (Z) of said sole (S), place the inside of the shoe in communication with the inside of said niche (D) of the insert (I) and consequently also with the inside of said channels or grooves (C).

This permits the circulation of air between the inside and the outside of the shoe.

To ensure that the foot breathes and to prevent the penetration of water and dirt, this invention also comprises a layer of waterproof breathable material (G), positioned on the upper surface of the sole (S), at least at the level of said niche (Z), i.e. above said through holes (F).

Said layer of waterproof breathable material (G) is for example inserted inside a further niche (Gl) obtained on the upper surface of said sole (S), at the level of the holes (F) and of the niche or lower hollow area (Z). Alternatively, for the passage of air between the inside and the outside of the shoe, further channels or grooves (Cl) can be provided also on the lower surface of the sole (S), at the level of said channels or grooves (C) provided on said insert (I), i.e. in particular on the lower surface of said niche or hollow area (Z). According to a further alternative embodiment of the invention, said channels or grooves for the passage of air can be provided only on the lower surface of said sole, with lateral inlets for communication with the outside. According to the embodiment shown, the present invention may comprise several inserts (I), positioned for example both on the central and front plantar portion (P), and at the level of the heel (T).

The present invention furthermore comprises one or more emission valves (V), positioned at the level of said lateral inlets (L) of said channels or grooves (C) and (Cl) for the passage of air, i.e. between said insert (I) and said sole (S).

For said purpose, said emission valves (V), made of elastic material, preferably have a substantially cylindrical shape or are in the shape of adjacent spheres (Vl), with at least one longitudinal duct (W) for the passage of air between the inside and the outside.

Each one of said valves (V) comprises a layer (M) made of breathable waterproof material, or micromesh, applied at least at the level of the outer inlet (E) and suited to prevent the penetration of water but permit the passage of air.

Each insert (I) can be provided, on its lower surface, with a smooth and/or grooved tread (Bi).

Therefore, with reference to the above description and the attached drawings, the following claims are expressed.

Claims

1. Shoe with breathable waterproof sole (S)₅ characterised in that said sole (S) comprises at least one niche or hollow area (Z), at the level of which a plurality of through holes (F) are obtained, suited to house at least one substantially flat insert (I), and wherein said insert (I) comprises, provided on its upper surface, elements in relief and/or grooves and/or channels (C), the inlets of which (L) are obtained, wholly or partly, on the outer lateral surface of the insert (I).

2. Breathable waterproof sole (S) according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises one or more channels or grooves (Cl) provided on the lower surface of said sole (S) between said niche or hollow area (Z) and the outer lateral surface of the sole (S), and wherein the inlets of said channels or grooves (Cl) are obtained, wholly or partly, on the outer lateral surface of the sole (S), for the passage of air between said niche or hollow area (Z) and the outside.

3. Breathable waterproof sole (S) according to claim 1, characterised in that said insert (I) comprises one or more elements in relief (II, 12) suited to be inserted and locked in corresponding seats (Al, A2) obtained on the lower surface of said sole (S), for the fixing of said insert (I) to said sole (S).

4. Breathable waterproof sole (S) according to claim 1, characterised in that each of said inserts (I) comprises, obtained on its upper surface, at least one niche (D) in contact with the sole (S), provided in a position corresponding to said niche or hollow area (Z) made on the sole (S), and wherein, inside said niche (D), said insert (I) comprises also one or more elements in relief (R) and/or grooves suited to form channels for the circulation of air.

5. Breathable waterproof sole (S) according to claim 1 , characterised in that said channels or grooves (C) of said insert (I) communicate with the inside of said niche (D) of the insert (I).

6. Breathable waterproof sole (S) according to claims 1 , 2, characterised in that said channels or grooves (C) of said insert (I) and said channels or grooves (Cl) of said sole (S) are provided in corresponding and opposite positions.

7. Breathable waterproof sole (S) according to claims 1, 2, 3, characterised in that it comprises a layer of waterproof breathable material (G) adhering to the upper surface of said sole (S) at the level of said holes (F).

8. Breathable waterproof sole (S) according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, characterised in that said layer of breathable waterproof material (G) is inserted inside a further niche (Gl) obtained on the upper surface of said sole, at the level of said holes (F).

9. Breathable waterproof sole (S) according to the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises one or more valves (V) for emission of the air positioned at the level of said inlets (L) of said channels or grooves (C) and (Cl) and suited to limit the penetration of water and dirt.

10. Breathable waterproof sole (S) according to the preceding claims, characterised in that said emission valves (V) have a substantially cylindrical shape or are in the shape of adjacent spheres (Vl), with a duct (W) for the passage of air, and wherein, at least at the level of the external inlet (E) of said duct (W), a layer (M) of waterproof breathable material or micromesh is positioned.

11. Breathable waterproof sole (S) according to the preceding claims, characterised in that said holes (F) and said niche or hollow area (Z) are provided in the central plantar area.

12. Breathable waterproof sole (S) according to the preceding claims, characterised in that said inserts (I) are made of rubber.

13. Breathable waterproof sole (S) according to the preceding claims, characterised in that said inserts (I) are fitted inside the corresponding niches or hollow areas (Z)₅ so that the lower surface of said inserts (I) is flush with the lower surface, or tread, of said sole (S).

14. Breathable waterproof sole (S) according to the preceding claims, characterised in that said tread of the sole (S) is partially and/or totally smooth or grooved.

15. Breathable waterproof sole (S) according to the preceding claims, characterised in that the tread (Bi) of said insert (I) is partially and/or totally smooth or grooved.