U.S. patent application number 10/499459 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-24 for shoe insole.
Invention is credited to Kaneda, Yasushi, Morimoto, Minoru.
Application Number | 20050060910 10/499459 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 19188799 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050060910 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kaneda, Yasushi ; et
al. |
March 24, 2005 |
Shoe insole
Abstract
An insole easy to wash and excellent in adhesiveness to the sole
of a shoe is provided. An insole produced by punching a piece of
the shape of a sole of a shoe or the shape of the leading terminal
of a sole of a shoe out of a thermoplastic elastomer by the
injection molding technique.
Inventors: |
Kaneda, Yasushi; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Morimoto, Minoru; (Chiba, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard C Woodbridge
Synnestvedt Lechner & Woodbridge
P O Box 592
Princeton
NJ
08542-0592
US
|
Family ID: |
19188799 |
Appl. No.: |
10/499459 |
Filed: |
June 18, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
December 25, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP02/13504 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 1/009 20130101;
A43B 3/26 20130101; A43B 17/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/043 |
International
Class: |
A43B 013/38; A43B
023/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 26, 2001 |
JP |
2001-393708 |
Claims
1. An insole produced by molding a thermoplastic elastomer into a
sheet in the shape of a shoe sole or the shape of a toe cap of a
shoe by the injection molding technique.
2. An insole according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of
said insole has undergone an embossing treatment.
3. An insole according to claim 2, wherein the protruding portions
of said insole have escaped said embossing treatment.
4. An insole according to claim 1, wherein the insole is furnished
with removable protrusions made of a thermoplastic elastomer.
5. An insole according to claim 4, wherein said protrusions are
intended as a measure against hallux valgus.
6. An insole according to claim 4, wherein said protrusions are
intended for correction of flat foot.
7. An insole according to claim 4, wherein said protrusions are
intended for correction of knock-knees.
8. An insole according to claim 4, wherein said protrusions are
intended for correction of bowlegs.
9. An insole according to claim 4, wherein said protrusions are
intended for the absorption of shocks.
10. An insole according to claim 1, wherein the insole is a half
insole.
11. An insole according to claim 10, wherein at least the
foot-inserting side of the half insole is endowed with an
inclination tapered in the direction of the surface.
12. An insole according to claim 2, wherein the insole is furnished
with removable protrusions made of a thermoplastic elastomer.
13. An insole according to claim 3, wherein the insole is furnished
with removable protrusions made of a thermoplastic elastomer.
14. An insole according to claim 2, wherein the insole is a half
insole.
15. An insole according to claim 3, wherein the insole is a half
insole.
16. An insole according to claim 4, wherein the insole is a half
insole.
17. An insole according to claim 12, wherein the insole is a half
insole.
18. An insole according to claim13, wherein the insole is a half
insole.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to an insole and particularly to an
antifouling sheet for sandals such as sandals and sandal mules.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] The insoles have been used hitherto on the sole parts of
sandals such as sandals and sandal mules with a view to preventing
defilement, imparting a cushioning property to such a sandal, and
preventing slippage of the wearer's foot on the sandal. As the
insoles suitable for such purposes, the products resulting from
punching pieces of prescribed shapes (the shapes of the whole
undersurfaces of shoes or the shapes of the toe cap parts of shoe
soles, for example) out of a sheet as of a silicone rubber have
been being mainly used.
[0003] Since these insoles are made of silicone rubber, however,
they have been at a disadvantage in affording insufficient adhesion
to the soles of shoes and consequently, during the course of use,
suffering themselves to be displaced or rolled up. Particularly
when they have the shape of toe caps of the soles of shoes as in
sandals for use by women, they are at a disadvantage in being
displaced or rolled up because the soles are exposed to a large
load and frictional force while the users' feet are being inserted
into the toe caps.
[0004] An object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a
novel insole.
[0005] Another object of this invention is to provide an
antifouling sheet particularly for a sandal, which affords a proper
adhesion to the sole of a shoe and avoids being displaced or peeled
on exposure to a large load and frictional force.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The objects mentioned above are accomplished by the
following items (1)-(6).
[0007] (1) An insole produced by molding a thermoplastic elastomer
into a sheet in the shape of a shoe sole or the shape of a toe cap
of a shoe by the injection molding technique.
[0008] (2) An insole set forth in the preceding item (1), wherein
the upper surface of the insole has undergone an embossing
treatment.
[0009] (3) An insole set forth in the preceding item (2), wherein
the protruding portions of the insole have escaped the embossing
treatment.
[0010] (4) An insole set forth in any of the preceding items
(1)-(3), wherein the insole is furnished with removable protrusions
made of a thermoplastic elastomer.
[0011] (5) An insole set forth in the preceding item (4), wherein
the protrusions are intended as a measure against hallux
valgus.
[0012] (6) An insole set forth in the preceding item (4), wherein
the protrusions are intended for correction of flat foot.
[0013] (7) An insole set forth in the preceding item (4), wherein
the protrusions are intended for correction of knock-knees.
[0014] (8) An insole set forth in the preceding item (4), wherein
the protrusions are intended for correction of bowlegs.
[0015] (9) An insole set forth in the preceding item (4), wherein
the protrusions are intended for the absorption of shocks.
[0016] (10) An insole set forth in any of the preceding items
(1)-(4), wherein the insole is a half insole.
[0017] (11) An insole set forth in the preceding item (10), wherein
at least the foot-inserting side of the half insole is endowed with
an inclination tapered in the direction of the surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0018] FIG. 1 is a top view illustrating one preferred embodiment
of the insole contemplated by this invention,
[0019] FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating another preferred
embodiment of the insole contemplated by this invention,
[0020] FIG. 3 is a cross section taken through FIG. 2 along the
line III-III,
[0021] FIG. 4 is a top view illustrating another preferred
embodiment of the insole contemplated by this invention,
[0022] FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating still another preferred
embodiment of the insole contemplated by this invention,
[0023] FIG. 6 is a cross section illustrating one preferred
embodiment of the measure against hallux valgus to be used for the
insole contemplated by this invention,
[0024] FIG. 7 illustrates one preferred embodiment of the insole
for correction of flat foot according to this invention,
[0025] FIG. 8 is a cross section of a protrusion taken through FIG.
7 along the line VIII-VIII,
[0026] FIG. 9 illustrates one preferred embodiment of the insole
for correction of knock-knees according to this invention,
[0027] FIG. 10 is a cross section of a protrusion taken through
FIG. 9 along the line X-X,
[0028] FIG. 11 illustrates one preferred embodiment of the insole
for correction of bowlegs according to this invention,
[0029] FIG. 12 is a cross section of a protrusion taken through
FIG. 11 along the line XII-XII,
[0030] FIG. 13 illustrates one preferred embodiment of the insole
intended for the absorption of shocks according to this invention,
and
[0031] FIG. 14 is a cross section of a protrusion taken through
FIG. 13 along the line XIV-XIV.
BEST MODE OF EMBODYING THE INVENTION
[0032] Now, this invention will be described in detail below with
reference to the annexed drawing.
[0033] Specifically, insoles land 2 according to this invention, as
illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (invariably illustrating only the
left foot), are in a shape 1 substantially identical with the shape
of the entire sole of a shoe and in a (half insole) shape 2 of the
leading terminal of a sole of a shoe (the portion forward from the
roots of toes). Then, the surface of the insole (the surface
opposite the surface contacting the sole of a shoe) is in a
delustered state resulting from an embossing treatment and is
consequently enabled to manifest an effect of proofing the surface
contacting the foot against slippage.
[0034] The insole is obtained by forming a thermoplastic elastomer
in the shape of a sole of a shoe (refer to FIG. 1) or in the shape
of a leading terminal of a sole of a shoe (the forward portion from
the roots of toes) (refer to FIG. 2) by the injection molding
technique. In this case, the surface (namely the surface opposite
the surface contacting the sole of a shoe) is preferred to be in a
delustered state resulting from an embossing treatment. This
embossing treatment may be carried out simultaneously with the
injection molding treatment by endowing an embossing surface in
advance on a metal die used for the injection molding treatment. As
a result, an insole having an embossed contour on one of the
opposite surfaces thereof is obtained. The thermoplastic elastomer
optionally may have a metal powder or a metal foil such as, for
example, aluminum powder, aluminum foils, copper powder, or copper
foils dispersed therein so as to assume a laminar texture. The
laminar texture adds to the beauty of the insole and enhances the
fashionableness thereof.
[0035] In contrast, the undersurface (the surface contacting the
sole of a shoe) of the insole is flat because it has not undergone
the embossing treatment. When it is pressed during the course of
use as described herein below, it affords unusually proper adhesion
to the sole of a shoe.
[0036] The thickness of the insole 1 or 2 falls in the range of
0.4-1.2 mm, preferably in the range of 0.4-0.9 mm, and more
preferably in the range of 0.4-0.7 mm. When the insole has the
shape (half insole) 2 of the leading terminal of the sole of a shoe
as illustrated in FIG. 2, at least an end face 3 on the side
opposite the toe tips is preferred to possess an inclination
tapered in the direction of the surface as illustrated in FIG. 3.
When the insole is pressed during the insertion of a foot into a
sandal, therefore, the foot is smoothly inserted without displacing
the insole.
[0037] When the embossing treatment is not performed in part of an
insole 4, 5, particularly the portion destined to mount a
protrusion as a measure against hallux valgus as specifically
described herein below, as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the
portions 6, 7 (the portions for raising the protrusions) are
transparent because of the absence of an embossing treatment (even
when the embossing treatment has been given), the decision to fix a
location for raising a protrusion 8 for preventing hallux valgus as
illustrated in FIG. 6 is facilitated greatly. This protrusion 8 for
the prevention of hallux valgus generally has a flat undersurface
and a curved surface. The insoles 4, 5 and the protrusion for
preventing hallux vlgus enjoy highly satisfactory mutual adhesion
because they are both made of a thermoplastic elastomer. Once this
protrusion is mounted at a prescribed position, therefore, it has
no possibility of being displaced on being exposed to the sliding
force or the pressing force during the insertion of a foot into the
sandal.
[0038] An insole 9 illustrated in FIG. 7 has substantially the
entire surface thereof in a delustered state in consequence of an
embossing treatment excepting the arched part which forms a portion
10 having escaped the embossing treatment. On the portion which has
escaped the embossing treatment, a protrusion 11 may be mounted
removably. This protrusion 11, as illustrated in FIG. 8, has a flat
undersurface and an upwardly curved surface. The protrusion of this
contour is capable of correcting a flat foot.
[0039] An insole 12 illustrated in FIG. 9 has substantially the
entire surface thereof in a delustered state in consequence of an
embossing treatment excepting the inner side approximating closely
to the ankle part which forms a portion 13 having escaped the
embossing treatment. On the portion which has escaped the embossing
treatment, a protrusion 14 is freely mounted removably. This
protrusion 14 as illustrated in FIG. 10 assumes a shape gradually
gaining in height in the direction of the inside. Owing to this
contour, it is capable of correcting the knock-knees.
[0040] An insole 15 illustrated in FIG. 11 has substantially the
entire surface thereof in a delustered state in consequence of an
embossing treatment excepting the outer side approximating closely
to the ankle part which forms a portion16 having escaped the
embossing treatment. On the portion which has escaped the embossing
treatment, a protrusion 17 is freely mounted removably. This
protrusion 17 as illustrated in FIG. 12 assumes a shape gradually
gaining in height in the direction of the outside. Owing to this
contour, it is capable of correcting bowlegs.
[0041] Then, an insole 18 illustrated in FIG. 13 has substantially
the entire surface thereof in a delustered state in consequence of
an embossing treatment excepting the ankle part thereof which forms
a portion 19 having escaped the embossing treatment. On the portion
which has escaped the embossing treatment, a protrusion 20 is
freely mounted removably. This protrusion 20 as illustrated in FIG.
14 has a substantially flat surface It is, therefore, capable of
absorbing the load or the shock exerted to bear on the ankle of
foot.
[0042] The curves indicated by the symbols a-c in FIG. 1, FIG. 4,
FIG. 7, FIG. 9, FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 are lines for cutting the
insole 1, 4 to fit the size of a given shoe.
[0043] The thermoplastic elastomer to be used in this invention is
known in various types such as, for example, the polystyrene type,
polyolefin type, polyurethane type, and polyester type. Among other
types of thermoplastic elastomer enumerated above, the polyester
type thermoplastic elastomer proves particularly favorable because
it abounds in injection moldability, excels in adhesiveness, and
capable of manifesting rubberiness at room temperature or lower
temperature as well.
[0044] As concrete examples of the polyester ype thermoplastic
elastomer, styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS),
styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer (SIS),
styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS), and
styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer (SEPS) may be
cited. These polyester type thermoplastic elastomers are preferably
used as molding materials (molding compounds) having such
polyolefins as polypropylene and polyethylene compounded as with
oils for exalting hardness and fluidity.
[0045] Such a thermoplastic elastomer generally as a molding
compound is molded to produce an insole by the injection molding
technique.
[0046] Now, this invention will be described more specifically
below with reference to working examples.
EXAMPLE 1
[0047] A molding compound having a styrene-butadiene-styrene block
copolymer (SBS) compound with polypropylene and oil (made by
Kuraray Plastic K.K. and sold under the trademark designation of
"Septon KC-145A") and aluminum foils added thereto were together
molded by an injection molding device (made by Sumitomo Jukikai
K.K. and sold under the product code of "SG-75"), with a nozzle
temperature of 250.degree. C., a first zone temperature of
240.degree. C., and a second zone temperature of 230.degree. C. to
form an insole of the shape illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. The
surface of this insole excepting the indicated part (the part
indicated with reference numerals 6 and 7) was subjected to an
embossing treatment. Consequently, a laminar insole 4, 5 having a
thickness of 0.7 mm was produced. The portions indicated above (the
reference numerals 6 and 7) were transparent.
[0048] A protrusion 8 for prevention of hallux valgus having a
shape illustrated in FIG. 6 and measuring 30 mm in diameter and 4
mm in largest height was produced by using the same material and
the same conditions.
[0049] The insole thus obtained, when laid on a sandal, manifested
very satisfactory adhesiveness to the sole of the sandal and showed
still better adhesiveness to the protrusion for prevention of
hallux valgus. When a foot was inserted in the insole, this insole
induced absolutely no displacement or separation. Since the
portions 6, 7 for decision of position were transparent, the
position of the protrusion 8 for prevention of hallux valgus could
be determined very easily.
[0050] The half insole 5 illustrated in FIG. 5 induced absolutely
no displacement or separation when a foot was inserted therein
because the end face 3 of the side opposite the side of the leading
paarts of toes (the side of the roots of toes) was in an inclined
state tapered in the direction of the upper surface.
[0051] Industrial Applicability
[0052] The insole according to this invention is produced by
injection molding a thermoplastic elastomer as described above. It,
therefore, has no possibility of inducing displacement or
separation when a foot is inserted therein on account of pressing
force or sliding force. When the portion for mounting a protrusion
for prevention of hallux valgus is clearly indicated, the location
of this position is very easy. The mutual adhesion between the
protrusion for preventing hallux valgus and the insole is highly
satisfactory without use of any special adhesive agent. The insole,
when subjected to an embossing treatment, is enabled to prevent
slippage infallibly. When a portion having escaped the embossing
treatment is formed as required and the protrusion is mounted on
that portion, the adhesiveness of the protrusion is greatly exalted
at that portion. Depending on the portion using the combination,
the correction of a flat foot, knock-knees, and bowlegs can be
easily effected.
[0053] Further, since this insole can be removed from the shoe
easily when it becomes dirty. Thus, it can be kept clean at all
times and can be prevented from odor. The insole of this invention
can be formed by the injection molding technique. Thus, the letter
L or R (not shown) for indicating the left side or the right side
and the results of cutting (a, b, c) depending on the size of a
shoe, and other necessary matters can be easily inscribed on the
insole during the course of molding.
* * * * *