EP0916274A1

EP0916274A1 - Device for internal ventilation of shoes

Info

Publication number: EP0916274A1
Application number: EP98121391A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gianfranco Mariotti; Renato Fioranelli
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-11-11
Filing date: 1998-11-11
Publication date: 1999-05-19

Abstract

A device for internal ventilation of a shoe including a sole 2 having a rear zone in correspondence of the heel, a median zone and a front zone, having a shaped element 3 displaced on the sole 2 and equipped internally, in correspondence of the rear zone, with an air space 8 coupled with two channels, first 11 and second 12, whose first ends are in flow communication with said air space 8 and whose seconds ends are respectively in flow communication with a plurality of throats 13, carried out on the free surface of the shaped element 3 near the rear zone of the sole 2, and with the end of a duct 5 crossing longitudinally the median zone of the sole 2 and whose remaining end flows in a plurality of intercommunicating grooves 4, displaced on the free surface of the shaped element 3 in the front zone of the sole 2. The air space 8 is fit to allow the circulation of an air-flow from the rear to the front zone of the shoe or vice versa, favouring the ventilation or airing the foot placed therein.

Description

The present invention concerns the technical field relating to the production of shoe soles.
In particular the invention relates to the production of a device combined with the shoe sole for ventilating inside the shoe.
It is known that inside shoe, particularly during the walking, the thermal-physic conditions of the foot inside the shoe generally change. Particularly, the walking work of the foot during walking causes both an increase of its temperature and, normally, an increase of the relative humidity coming from its perspiration. These conditions are not favourable to the hygiene and comfort of the foot that therefore is not in optimal conditions during its staying inside the shoe.
Some devices or methods for favouring the airing or the air circulation inside shoe were suggested, in which the air flow between the outside and the inside of the shoe, or vice versa, in particular is carried out through holes or micro-holes passing through the thickness of the shoe wall
The principal disadvantage of such devices or methods is that the presence of such holes does not guarantee a perfect isolation between the inside of the shoe and the ground, with consequent possible infiltrations of fluid or solid particles, such as water, impurity or bacteria present in the ground. Besides through said holes air containing elevated damp passes, especially during raining conditions, in such a way that the confortable conditions of the foot inside the shoe are not obtained, with the consequent degradation of the hygienic conditions in which the foot inside the shoe must remain. Besides the holes can be filled by dust, pebbles or caked substances so that consequently the exchange of the air between the inside and the outside of the shoe is decreased and therefore its functionality related to the inside foot airing.
The main object of the present invention is to propose a device for internal ventilation of a shoe designed to improve the circulation and the exchange therein, especially during walking a, allowing therefore the attainment of comfort and hygienic conditions optimal for the foot contained therein.
Another object is to propose a device designed for damping the weight of the body acting on the heel and on the plant of the foot inside the shoe, in particular during walking, so getting a more comfortable shoe usage.
Another object of the present invention is to propose a device of simple making, easy installation, sure and of precise use.
Said objects are achieved according to what it is claimed.
The embodiments of the present invention will be underlined in following description, with particular reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a sole hosing the device in object, in which some parts have been removed for better underlining others;
Figure 2 shows a sectional view along the plain II-II of figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a plant view of a second embodiment of the device of figure 1, in which some parts have been removed for better showing others;
Figure 4 shows a sectional view along the plain IV-IV of figure 3;
Figure 5 shows a plant view of a variant of the device of figure 3;
Figure 6 shows a sectional view according to the plan VI-VI of the device of figure 5;
Figure 7 shows a side view of a portion of the device of figure 5.

With reference to the Figures 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 indicates a device for airing or ventilating the inside portion of a shoe, including a vamp, not illustrated, and a sole 2, that has a rear zone, located in correspondence of the heel, a median zone and a front zone. The device 1 is located on the inside surface of the sole, on which is positioned an arch support 6, preferably glued upon the sole 2 in correspondence of the external edges.
The arch support 6 is provided with a plurality of airing holes 7a and 7p respectively at the front and rear zone of the sole 2, closed to the heel and phalanxes of the foot supported on the sole 2.
The device 1 includes a shaped element 3, interposed between the sole 2 and the arch support 6, that has an air space 8 in the rear zone of the sole 2, acting directly as pumping element or hosing a pump, for instance of the air tube type deformable under pressure.
Such air space 8 has a concave upper inner wall 8a and a lower inner wall 8b preferably concave; besides the portion of the shaped element 3 including the inner wall 8b is preferably fixed in front of the upper inner wall 8a of the remaining part of the shaped element 3, in correspondence of the edges, in such a way forming the air space or air tube 8.
The air space 8 is provided with a first channel 11 whose first end is in flow communication with the inside of the air space 8 and whose second end is in flow communication with a plurality of throats 13, carried out on the free surface of the shaped element 3, near to the rear zone of the sole 2, and therefore toward the inside of the shoe. Such throats preferably are intersected in such a way to form an open ceiling network in correspondence of the rear zone of the sole 2.
The inside of the air space 8 communicates with the first end of a second channel 12, whose second end communicates with the end of a duct 5 that flows longitudinally along the median zone of the sole 2 so putting into flow communication the inside of the air space 8 with a plurality of grooves 4 intercommunicating and disposed on the free surface of the shaped element 3, mainly in correspondence of the front zone of the sole 2. Preferably such grooves 4 intersect for making an open ceiling network spread over the plurality front zone of the sole 2, so forming a plurality of cubed shaped insert 20.
Preferably the duct 5 is "open ceiling" formed, due to hot pressing reason of the shaped element 3, and it is however covered for making a pipe or through direct affixing of the arch support 6 or previous interposition of a coverage 18, better underlined in figure 6, that above covers the shaped element 3 in correspondence of his rear zone and the median and rear zone and having centring holes matching to corresponding centring pivots 21 staying on the surface of the shaped element 3, preferably in correspondence of the median zone.
On the first end, or mouth, of the first channel 11 is carried out a first valve 9, for instance of the membrane type, while at the second end or mouth, of the second channel 12 is coupled a second valve 10, for instance always of the membrane-type.
A vamp is commonly attached to the sole 2 for carrying out a related shoe, Known and not shown.
The working of the device 1 according to the preferred embodiment is very simple since starting from the condition in which the air space 8 is full of air, and therefore it is expanded, as showed in the figure 2, the pressure of the heel thereon, causes the compression and therefore the simultaneous mouth closing of the first channel 11 by virtue of the first membrane valve 9 and the mouth opening of the second channel 12 by virtue of the second membrane valve 10.
At this point the air contained in the air space 8 is progressively pumped from this last through the second channel 12, the duct 5 and the plurality of grooves 4 in such a way to escape from the airing holes 7a and to collide the front part of the foot housed inside the shoe.
In correspondence of the heel raising from the rear zone of the sole 2, that cyclically happens during a normal walking, the air space 8 is released so as to create a depression that simultaneously reverses the membrane valve 9 and 10 working, in particular the second valve 10 closes the mouth of the second channel 12 and the first valve 9 frees the mouth of the first channel 11.
The air space 8, acting as pump, sucks up for depression the air coming from the inner rear portion of the shoe, near to the zone in which is placed the foot heel. Such air is sucked into the air space through the holes 7p positioned on the arch support, or on the possible coverage 18, the plurality of communicating throats, the first channel 11 and the first open valve 9
In this way a condition of ventilation is carried out during the normal walking, in which is established an unidirectional air flow identified in figure 2 with the arrow V, from the plurality of throats 13 in correspondence with the heel toward the air space 8 and from this last toward the grooves 4, in correspondence of the plant foot.
A variant of the device 1 has the plurality of throats 13 mainly made by an exit channel 14 in flow communication with the outside of the shoe, preferably coming out from the side wall of the sole or the rear zone of the vamp. In this condition the working is identical except that the air introduced into the air space 8 comes from outside of the shoe, therefore the front part of the foot is invested by an air flow deriving directly from the outside of the shoe.
A filter 17 can be coupled to such channel 14, said filter being replaceable and fit to filter the incoming air.
The device 1 according to the preferred embodiment can be freely inserted into any kind of shoe because it can be supported on the upper inner wall of the sole 2 and/or arch support 6 so acting as a sole for causing the inside ventilation of the shoe.
In the Figures 3 and 4 is showed a second embodiment of the device of the invention having the inverted assemblage of the first valve 9 and the second valve 10 with respect to the preferred embodiment. In practice the first valve is coupled to the second end of the first channel 11 and is therefore in direct communication with the plurality of throats 13 while the second valve 10 is coupled to the first end of the second channel 12, so being in direct communication with the inner part of the air space 8.
With this valve, first 9 and second 10, disposition the working of the device 1 is inverted with respect to the first embodiment, that is, starting from the condition in which the air space 8 is full of air, and therefore is expanded, as shown in the figure 4, the pressure of the heel thereon causes its compression and therefore the simultaneous closing of the first end, or mouth, of the second channel 12 by virtue of the second membrane valve 10 and the opening of the second end or mouth, of the first channel 11 by virtue of the first membrane valve 9.
At this point the air contained in the air space 8 is progressively pumped from this last toward the inner rear portion of the shoe, near to the zone in which the foot heel is placed, through the first channel 11, the plurality of throats 13 and the holes 7p in the pierced arch support 6 and in the possible coverage 18, or in any case toward the outside of the shoe if there is the outlet channel 14.
In correspondence with the heel raising from the rear zone of the sole 2, the air space 8 is released and a depression arises so reverting simultaneously the membrane valve 9 and 10 working, particularly the second valve 10 opens the mouth of the second channel 12 and the first valve 9 closes the mouth of the first channel 11.
The air space 8, acting as pump, sucks up the air coming from the inner front portion of the shoe, housing the front part of the foot, through the airing holes 7a, the plurality of grooves 4 and the duct 5.
In this way a suction condition is carried out, during the normal walking, so making an unidirectional air flow, pointed out by the arrow A in figure 4, from the grooves 4 toward the air space 8 and from this latter toward the plurality of throats 13, therefore sucking air from the shoe inside, in correspondence with the plant, and expelling it in correspondence with the heel.
In the Figures 5 and 6 is shown a variant of this second embodiment of the device 1, in which the exit channel 14 is located on the free surface of the shaped element 3 between the air space 8 and the edge of the sole 2, allowing the communication between the room 9a of the first valve 9 with an exit duct 19 flowing into the outside of the sole 2. In such exit duct 19 a filter 17 is housed particularly fit to prevent the inlet of water, bacteria or atmosphere impurities into the shoe.
Besides the inserts 20 are cylindrical shaped rather than cubic shaped, such as in the preferred embodiment, to facilitate the air flow into the plurality of grooves 4.
A regulator element of the air flow can be coupled to such exit channel 14 and to such exit duct 19, for instance through a wedge valve, known and not shown.
Advantageously the shaped element 3 has in the front zone of the sole 2 a plurality of hollow 15, interposed between the grooves 4 and disposed near to the upper bottom of the sole 2 in order to make more flexible and comfortable the sole.
Preferably the free external surface of the sole 2 can have a prominence 16, as shown in the Figures 2 and 4, in correspondence of the air space 8 that can increase its compressibility in correspondence of its pressing.
It can be advantageously noted that the air space 8 acts as damper for the heel, as it is constituted by a compressible air space, gently yielding, and the shaped element 3 is realised in material relatively elastic and soft.
Besides the plurality hollow 15 and grooves 4 makes extremely sort the shaped element 3 and consequently more flexible and comfortable the sole 2 in correspondence of the foot plant , so favouring the complete dumping of the body weight onto the whole foot plant and not only in correspondence of the heel.
It is also important to note that such devices 1 can be detachably disposed within any common shoe in order to allow the removal for possible washing, cleanliness, substitution, even with orthopedic plantar, or possible reparation, for instance in its more functional portions such as the valves 9 and 10 and the air space or air room 8.
The whole device 1 of these embodiments, is preferably constituted by polymers based on styrene and butadiene added with organic and inorganic charges and mineral paraffinic oil and dyes, in order to obtain not toxical, anti-allergic, antimicrobial and rabid features, and making it water and putrefaction resistant. Besides perfumed substances, for instance talcum pine or lemon powder, can be added to the mixture of this plastic material, so that the device 1 always emanates the essence of these perfumes.
It must be advantageously underlined that such devices 1 is in a single body and is constituted by a single material, comprising the membrane of the valves 9 and 10, and it is therefore without connection or coupling of devices carried out with different materials, for instance brass valves, plastic ducts, and pump made of elastic plastic material, therefore without junction points easily fracturables during the use or as receptacle of microbial and/or bacterial pathogenic elements.
The main advantage of the present invention is to have a device for the inner ventilation of a shoe fit to obtain the air circulation and exchange especially during walking, so allowing the attainment of optimal hygienic conditions for the foot and so reaching a better comfort.
Another advantage is to have a device fit to damp the weight agent onto the heel and the foot plant, particularly during walking so making more comfortable the shoe use.
Other advantage is to furnish a detachable and freely insertable device for any kind of shoe and to be intrinsically perfumed with variously essences and therefore able to release continually the relative fragrances.
A further advantage of the present invention is o furnish a device of simple production, of easy installation and maintenance, and sure, precise and reliable use.

Claims

Device for internal ventilation of a shoe including a sole 2 having a rear zone in correspondence of the heel, a median zone and a front zone, and on whose inside surface is displaced an arch support 6, said device 1 being characterised in that comprises a shaped element 3, interposed between said sole 2 and said arch support 6 and provided with, in correspondence of said rear zone, an air space 8 coupled with at least a first channel 11 and at least a second channel 12 whose related first ends are in flow communication with said air space 8 and whose related second ends are respectively in flow communication with a plurality of throats 13, carried out on the free surface of said shaped element 3 near to said rear zone of said sole 2, and with at least a duct 5 end crossing longitudinally the median zone of said sole 2 and whose remaining end flows into a plurality of intercommunicating grooves 4, displaced on the free surface of said shaped element 3 mainly in said front zone of said sole 2, to said first channel 11 being coupled a first valve 9 and to said channel 12 being coupled a second valve 10, with said valves in opposed way working so allowing the unidirectional air flow, said air space 8 being fit to introduce air into said second channel 12 and therefore into said plurality of grooves 4, in correspondence of its pressing, and sucking air inside through said first channel 11, in correspondence with its release from said pressing condition.
Device for internal ventilation of a shoe including a sole 2 having a rear zone in correspondence of the heel, a median zone and an front zone, and on whose inside surface is preferably disposed an arch support 6, said device 1 being characterised in that comprises a shaped element 3, interposed between said sole 2 and said arch support 6 and provided with, in correspondence of said rear zone, an air space 8 coupled with at least a first channel 11 and at least a second channel 12 whose related first ends are in flow communication with said air space 8 and whose related second ends are respectively in flow communication with a plurality of throats 13, carried out on the free surface of said shaped element 3 near to said rear zone of said sole 2, and with the end of at least a duct 5 crossing longitudinally the median zone of said sole 2 and whose remaining end flows into a plurality of intercommunicating grooves 4, displaced on the free surface of said shaped element 3 mainly in said front zone of said sole 2, to said first channel 11 being coupled a first valve 9 and to said channel 12 being coupled a second valve 10, with said valves working in an opposed way so allowing the unidirectional air flow, said air space 8 being fit to introduce air into said first channel 11 and therefore into said plurality of throats 13, in correspondence with its pressing, and sucking air inside through said second channel 12 and therefore inside the shoe, in correspondence with its release from said pressing condition.
Device according to the claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said valves, first 9 and second 10, are membrane type.
Device according to the claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said arch support 6 is provided with a plurality of airing holes 7a, at least in the front zone of said sole 2
Device according to the claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said arch support 6 is provided with a plurality of airing holes 7a and 7p respectively in correspondence of the front and rear zone of said sole 2.
Device according to the claim 1 or 2, characterised in that further comprises a coverage 18 interposed between said shaped element 3 and said arch support 6 and fit to cover above said shaped element 3 in correspondence of at least said rear zone and said median zone.
Device according to the claim 1, characterised in that said air sucked into said air space 8 comes from the inside portion of said shoe near said rear zone.
Device according to the claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said plurality of throats 13 is constituted by at least a exit channel 14 communicating with the outside of the shoe.
Device according to the claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said plurality of throats 13 is constituted from at least a exit channel 14 communicating with the outside of the shoe through an exit duct 19 crossing the side wall of said sole 2.
Device according to the claim 8 or 9, characterised in that a filter 17 is coupled to said exit channel 14 or to said exit duct 19.
Device according to the claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said shaped element 3 has in the front zone of said sole 2 a plurality of hollows 15, interposed between said grooves 4.
Device according to the claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said sole 2 has a prominence 16 in correspondence of said air space 8 and on the external surface of said sole 2, so increasing the compressibility of the air space 8 in correspondence of its pressing.
Device according to the claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said shaped element 3 is detachably disposed within said shoe on said sole 2.
Device according to the claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said air space 8 has an upper inner wall 8a and a lower inner wall 8b bonded along the related edges.
Device according to the claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said plurality of grooves 14 determines a plurality of parallelepiped or cylindrical shaped inserts 20.
Device according to the claim 1 or 2, characterised in that to be constituted in material plastic polymeric based on styrene and butadiene.
Device according to the claim 16, characterised in that said plastic material is non-toxic and contains antiallergic, antimicrobial and deodorant substances.