U.S. patent application number 11/196793 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-09 for ultra-thin liquid-filled insole interface.
This patent application is currently assigned to LiquiCell Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael J. Arbeiter.
Application Number | 20060026864 11/196793 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35755990 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060026864 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arbeiter; Michael J. |
February 9, 2006 |
Ultra-thin liquid-filled insole interface
Abstract
An ultra-thin liquid-filled insole interface for use in footwear
is provided. The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole interface can be
removable or fixed to an article of footwear, especially to protect
against friction or shear forces.
Inventors: |
Arbeiter; Michael J.;
(Minneapolis, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Linda P. Ji;Westman, Champlin & Kelly
Suite 1600
900 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis
MN
55402-3319
US
|
Assignee: |
LiquiCell Technologies,
Inc.
Eden Prairie
MN
|
Family ID: |
35755990 |
Appl. No.: |
11/196793 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10142353 |
May 8, 2002 |
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11196793 |
Aug 3, 2005 |
|
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60598363 |
Aug 3, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/29 ;
36/44 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/1445 20130101;
A43B 7/144 20130101; A43B 13/189 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/029 ;
036/044 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/20 20060101
A43B013/20; A43B 13/38 20060101 A43B013/38 |
Claims
1. An ultra-thin liquid-filled insole comprising: a top substrate;
a bottom substrate; and at least one ultra-thin liquid-filled cell
interleaved between the top substrate and the bottom substrate,
wherein the top substrate and bottom substrate are substantially
identical in planar shape and adapted to be placed in an article of
footwear as an insole; and wherein the top substrate, the bottom
substrate, and the ultra-thin liquid-filled cell have a combined
thickness is the range of the range of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, and
wherein the ultra-thin liquid-filled cell has a thickness of less
than 0.8 mm, and wherein the liquid has a relatively low
viscosity.
2. The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of claim 1, wherein the
liquid is a Newtonian fluid having a viscosity in the range of 0.8
cP to 1.2 cP at approximately atmospheric pressure and 20.degree.
C.
3. The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of claim 1, wherein the
combined thickness is in the range of 0.75 mm to 1.5 mm.
4. The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of claim 1, and further
comprising a plurality of baffles selectively positioned to
mitigate effects of shear on the wearer of the insole.
5. The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of claim 4, wherein at least
one of the baffles is positioned proximate an outer longitudinal
edge, a rear lateral edge, or a front lateral edge of the
insole.
6. The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of claim 4, wherein at least
one of the baffles comprises a wicking aperture selectively
positioned for moisture control.
7. The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of claim 4, wherein at least
one the baffles is round or elongated.
8. The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of claim 1, wherein the
ultra-thin liquid filled cell is positioned only in a heel portion
of the insole.
9. The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of claim 8, wherein the top
substrate and the bottom substrate are truncated.
10. The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of claim 1, and further
comprising a second ultra-thin liquid-filled cell interleaved
between the top substrate and the bottom substrate and positioned
adjacent.
11. The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of claim 10, wherein the
first-mentioned liquid-filled cell is positioned proximate a front
portion of the insole and the second liquid-filled cell is
positioned in a rear portion of the insole.
12. The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of claim 1, and further
comprising means for affixing the ultra-thin liquid-filled insole
to an article of footwear.
13. The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of claim 1, wherein the
bottom substrate comprises a non-slip bottom surface that is
adapted to prevent the insole from slipping.
14. An article of footwear comprising a liquid-filled insole
comprising: a fabric substrate; and an ultra-thin liquid-filled
cell affixed to a bottom surface of the fabric substrate, wherein
the fabric substrate and the ultra-thin liquid-filled cell have a
combined thickness in the range of the range of approximately 0.5
mm to 2.0 mm, and wherein the ultra-thin liquid-filled cell has a
thickness in the range of 0.8 mm.
15. The article of footwear of claim 14, and further comprising a
second ultra-thin liquid-filled cell affixed to the bottom surface
of the fabric substrate, wherein the second ultra-thin
liquid-filled cell has a thickness in the range of 0.8 mm.
16. The article of footwear of claim 15, wherein the
first-mentioned liquid-filled cell is positioned proximate a first
portion and the second liquid-filled cell is positioned in a second
portion of the article of footwear.
17. An insole packaged assembly comprising: a pair of ultra-thin
liquid-filled insoles, each liquid-filled insole comprising: a top
substrate; and at least one ultra-thin liquid-filled cell coupled
to a bottom surface of the top substrate, wherein the insoles are
adapted to be placed in an article of footwear, and wherein the top
substrate and the ultra-thin liquid-filled cell have a combined
thickness in the range of the range of approximately 0.5 mm to 2.0
mm, and wherein the ultra-thin liquid-filled cell has a thickness
less than 0.8 mm, both thickness measured when sufficient pressure
is applied normal to a top surface of the top substrate so that
both thickness are uniform; and a packaging enclosing the pair of
ultra-thin liquid-filled insoles.
18. The insole packaged assembly of claim 17, and further
comprising an affixing layer applied to each bottom surface of the
liquid-filled cells.
19. The insole packaged assembly of claim 18, and further
comprising a removable film or layer applied to each affixing
layer.
20. The insole packaged assembly of claim 17, and further
comprising a bottom substrate affixed to the liquid-filled cell
opposite the top substrate.
21. The insole package assembly of claim 20, wherein the top
substrate comprises a knit or woven fabric.
22. The insole package assembly of claim 20, wherein and the bottom
substrate comprises a non-woven or elastomeric fabric.
Description
[0001] The present application is based on and claims the benefit
of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/598,363, filed
Aug. 3, 2004, the content of which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety. The present application is also a
Continuation-in-Part of and claims priority to U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/142,353, filed May 8, 2002, which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Insoles currently exist to provide cushioning in articles of
footwear such as shoes and boots. One type of insole is a removable
insole that can often be purchased separately from the footwear
article and used to replace an existing insole and/or to add
additional cushioning. However, one problem associated with many
such insoles is that they are usually padded, and thus, relatively
thick. The added thickness often causes a wearer's foot to rub
against the top and side inner surfaces of the shoe, boot or the
like, which results in discomfort. Also, current padded insoles do
not generally mitigate the negative effects of foot friction.
[0003] An insole that address one, some, or all of the problems
associated with prior art insoles would have significant
utility.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to an ultra-thin liquid-filled
insole interface for use in footwear. An ultra-thin liquid-filled
insole interface that is removable or non-removable is provided for
an article of footwear.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates an assembly view of embodiment of the
present invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 as
assembled.
[0007] FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention and potential features of further embodiments.
[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention and potential features of further embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates an article of footwear having an inserted
ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 6 illustrates a packaging of a pair of removable
ultra-thin liquid-filled insoles of the present invention.
[0011] FIGS. 7a-7d illustrate alternate embodiments of the present
inventions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates ultra-thin liquid-filled insole interface
or assembly 100. Insole interface or assembly 100 comprises at
least one ultra-thin liquid-filled cell 102, 104 described in
detail in pending U.S. Patent Application entitled ULTRA-THIN
LIQUID-FILLED CELL FOR COMFORT ENHANCEMENT, Ser. No. 10/142,353
filed on May 8, 2002, which is incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
[0013] In the embodiment illustrated, cell 102 is provided
proximate first portion 101 of insole 100 to provide comfort to the
ball of a foot, while cell 104 is provided proximate second portion
111 of insole 100 to provide comfort to the heel of a foot. One or
both of cells 102, 104 can be provided in insole 100. As
appreciated by those skilled in the art, the number of cells, as
well as their size and shape can be adjusted as needed. Insole
assembly 100 further comprises a top substrate 106, which is shaped
and sized to fit into various articles of footwear as an insole, or
portion thereof. Top substrate 106 can comprise a woven or knit
textile fabric or a non-woven fabric such as natural or synthetic
leather. Top substrate 106 can also comprise a moisture absorbing
fabric such as terry cloth or other moisture management fabric.
[0014] Insole assembly 100 also can optionally comprise a bottom
substrate 108 that is approximately identical in planar shape to
top substrate 106. Bottom substrate 108 can comprise elastomeric
materials such as but not limited to foam, rubber, or plastic. Top
substrate 106 and bottom substrate 108 are typically affixed
together with adhesive or affixing layer 113 such as formed with
spray adhesives or lamination to sandwich and affix ultra-thin
liquid filled cells 102, 104 therebetween.
[0015] Generally speaking, viscosity can be viewed as a measure of
resistance to shear. Newtonian fluids, such as water or mineral
oil, are unaffected by the magnitude and kind of motion to which
they are subjected. Thus, Newtonian fluids have a constant
viscosity regardless of the shear stress or shear rate applied.
Water can be considered a low or relatively low viscosity liquid
having a viscosity of approximately 1 cP at 273K (20.degree. C.)
and atmospheric pressure (about 1.0 atm). Generally, however,
viscosity decreases (or loses resistance to shear) with increasing
temperature.
[0016] It is known that shear viscosity can be a function of both
shear force and shear rate in the following relationship:
ShearViscosity = ShearForce ShearRate ##EQU1## or ##EQU1.2##
ShearForce = ( ShearViscosity ) .times. ( ShearRate ) ##EQU1.3##
where shear stress is a measure of shear force per unit area.
Importantly, a low viscosity liquid has a lower shear stress when
compared with a higher viscosity liquid assuming the same shear
rate. Thus, boundary stress is lower for a low viscosity liquid
than a higher viscosity liquid such as motor oil.
[0017] "Shear flow" is an idealize type of liquid flow near a solid
surface. In shear flow, the velocity of the liquid increases
linearly with distance from the surface. At the boundary between
the liquid and the solid surface, the velocity of the liquid is
zero. Thus, in shear flow the boundary between the liquid and solid
surface has often been called a "non-slip" boundary.
[0018] It is believed that with footwear, during walking or
running, shear stress between the shoe and walking surface can be
transmitted to the interface or boundary between the shoe and
wearer's foot. Constant back and forth rubbing between the shoe and
the wearer's foot during walking or running thus can subject the
wearer to harmful shear stress and friction, which is often
associated with foot pain and blisters.
[0019] It has been discovered that positioning a low viscosity
liquid-filled insole or interface into an article of footwear
reduces or mitigates the negative effects of shear force, stress,
and/or friction on a wearer. It is believed that the low-viscosity
liquid results in less shear stress being transmitted across the
boundary between the shoe and the wearer, especially when compared
with a solid cushioning insole (which does not flow) or a high
viscosity liquid or gel (which is more resistant to flow). Thus, it
is believed that lower transmitted shear stress results in greater
comfort for the wearer, especially over a prolonged period of
time.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates an assembled ultra-thin liquid-filled
insole 100 that has thickness 202, 208 of approximately 0.5 mm to
2.0 mm measured perpendicular or normal to the top surface of the
top substrate when constant and equally distributed force is
applied to the outer surfaces 204, 206. It is noted that such
constant and equally distributed force (such producing 0.25 pound
per square inch between two flat or planar surfaces) is adequate to
ensure uniform thickness for measuring but does not compress the
infill liquid nor distort surrounding substrates 106, 108. In most
embodiments, the thickness 103, 105 of liquid-filled cells 102, 104
is less than 0.8 mm when constant and equally distributed pressure
(such as 0.25 pound per square inch) is applied normal to its major
surfaces. However, in other embodiments, thickness 103, 105 is no
more than 0.4 mm., 0.2 mm., 0.1 mm., or 0.05 mm. Thickness 103, 105
can be identical or different as desired.
[0021] In other embodiments, thickness 202, 208 is in the range of
approximately 0.75 mm to 1.5 mm. It is noted, if desired, thickness
202 can be slightly larger measured at one of the liquid-filled
cells 102, 104 compared with thickness 208, which is measured where
an interleaved cell 102, 104 is lacking. Although insole 100 is
quite thin, insole 100 provides remarkable comfort due to reduced
friction transmitted to the foot. Importantly, however, insole 100
is ideally sufficiently thin to not cause additional discomfort
from raising the wearer's foot to be in greater contact with the
shoe cavity or box. Also, it is believed that a thicker cushioning
can cause increased shear to the body of the wearer at least
partially due to greater "hammocking" or bowing across the surface
of the liquid-filled insole. Hammocking or bowing in a thicker
cushion is believed to cause a larger component of shear applied to
the foot due to normal forces (e.g. the wearer's weight) applied to
the foot of the wearer.
[0022] In most embodiments, the in-fill liquid is low viscosity and
has a range of approximately 0.8 cP to 1.2 cP at approximately
atmospheric pressure and 20.degree. C. In other embodiments, the
viscosity closely resembles the viscosity of water. However, it is
noted that the liquid should be selected so that it does not tend
to permeate the material enclosing the liquid when place in normal
use. Also, a liquid that does not readily permit mold, bacteria, or
other growth would be advantageous.
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates an assembly view of another embodiment of
the present inventions. Insole assembly 300 contains a top
substrate 306 that is similar in structure to top substrate 106
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Ultra-thin liquid-filled cells 302,
304 are affixed to top substrate 306 such as with an adhesive
layer. An optional adhesive layer 314 can be applied to a bottom
surface of the insole assembly 300 to affix the insole into the
article of footwear. A suitable removable layer, backing, or film
320 having any planar shape can be applied over adhesive layer 314,
especially before packaging. Such layer 320 can be removed to
expose adhesive layer 314 shortly before the insole is positioned
in a shoe. Liquid-filled cells 302, 304 are illustrated with
optional features 308, 310, 312 that can be included in other
embodiments of the present invention. For example, liquid-filled
cell 304 includes baffles 308, 310 herein exemplified as round
although other shapes can be used, such as elongated. Typically, a
baffle is formed by joining opposed portions of the walls of the
cells. The baffles 308, 310 cause the liquid within the cells to
flow around or between baffles 308, 310 when pressure is applied.
Also illustrated is hole or perforation 312 through baffles 312,
which is particularly advantageous for moisture wicking. In many
embodiments, at least one baffle 308, 310 is positioned proximate
outer longitudinal edge 332, rear lateral edge 333, or front
lateral edge 336 of the insole. It is believed that baffles 308,
310 are especially helpful in mitigating shear stress in areas of
the foot bearing most of the wearer's weight.
[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment similar to the embodiment
in FIG. 3. However, baffles 408 are elongated. In most embodiments,
baffle elongation can be approximately parallel to the direction of
movement (as indicated by reference 412) in order to mitigate the
effects of friction on the skin of the foot during running or
walking. However, in other embodiments, baffles can be selectively
positioned at angles to one another to facilitate or control liquid
flow. During walking or running, in-fill liquid moves through and
around elongated baffles to reduce the amount of shear stress or
force transmitted to the wearer as above described. FIG. 4 also
illustrates that ultra-thin liquid-filled liner 406 can comprise a
plurality of liquid-cells 402, 404. Liquid-filled liner 406 can
also include adhesive layer 410 with or without a suitable
removable backing (not illustrated).
[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates footwear assembly 500 comprising article
of footwear 502 and inserted ultra-thin liquid-filled insole 100.
Ultra-thin liquid-filled insole 100 can be affixed in footwear 502
(e.g. at point of manufacture) or be removable by the purchaser
(such as before washing or during replacement of an existing
insole). It is noted that insole 100 can be added to or completely
replace an existing insole. Components of footwear assembly 500
should be sized so that the foot of the user does not rub against
an inner surface of footwear 502 as often occurs with prior art
insoles that are purchased separately and inserted into an article
of footwear.
[0026] FIG. 6 illustrates packaging assembly 600 comprising
packaging 602 with a pair of liquid-filled insoles 100 enclosed
within. A portion of removable backing 602 is illustrated, which
can be applied to an adhesive layer as described above. Such
removable backing 602 is removed to expose an adhesive layer such
as adhesive layer 113 (illustrated in FIG. 1) that affixes
liquid-filled insoles 100 inside footwear such as footwear 502.
Packaging assembly 600 can be purchased separately from an article
of footwear for use therein.
[0027] FIGS. 7a-7d illustrate alternate embodiments of the present
inventions. Insole 700 comprises liquid-filled cell 104 positioned
in heel portion 111 of insole 700 to provide comfort to the heel of
the wearer. In these embodiments, insole 700 can be adapted to
cover substantially the entire insole surface of a shoe or other
article of footwear. However, the insole can also be shortened or
truncated so that insole 710 only covers a rear or heel portion of
the insole area of the footwear.
[0028] It still other embodiments, insole 720 includes
liquid-filled cell 102 positioned in first or ball portion 113 of
insole 720 to provide comfort to the ball of the foot. Ball portion
101 includes ultra-thin liquid-filled cell 102. In these
embodiments, insole 720 can be adapted to cover substantially the
entire insole surface or truncated as illustrated as insole 730 to
cover a front or ball portion of an article of footwear.
[0029] Finally, it is noted that although FIGS. 7a-7d illustrate
insoles having both upper and lower substrates, it is understood
that the bottom substrate can be eliminated as desired such as
illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0030] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will
recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *