U.S. patent application number 12/237645 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-02 for air-conditioned item of footwear with device for extraction of the condensate.
Invention is credited to LUIGI SGATTONI.
Application Number | 20090084001 12/237645 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40092105 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090084001 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SGATTONI; LUIGI |
April 2, 2009 |
AIR-CONDITIONED ITEM OF FOOTWEAR WITH DEVICE FOR EXTRACTION OF THE
CONDENSATE
Abstract
The present invention concerns an air-conditioned item of
footwear (1), suitable for causing condensation of the humidity
that is formed inside as a result of the perspiration of the foot,
as well as to collect and extract the condensate. This
air-conditioned item of footwear (1) it's of the type that
envisages first means, operated by the foot, designed to generate a
circulation of air in a gap (6) made in the upper (5) of said item
of footwear, said air being taken in from outside said item of
footwear (1), said item of footwear being characterized in that it
envisages second means designed to expel outside said item of
footwear the water deriving from condensation of the water vapour
emitted by the foot, said condensation occurring within said gap
(6) of said upper (5) as a result of cooling actuated by said
air.
Inventors: |
SGATTONI; LUIGI; (Acquaviva
Picena, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NOTARO & MICHALOS P.C.
100 DUTCH HILL ROAD, SUITE 110
ORANGEBURG
NY
10962-2100
US
|
Family ID: |
40092105 |
Appl. No.: |
12/237645 |
Filed: |
September 25, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/3A ; 36/3R;
62/291 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/081 20130101;
A43B 7/082 20130101; A43B 7/125 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/3.A ; 36/3.R;
62/291 |
International
Class: |
A43B 7/06 20060101
A43B007/06; F25D 21/14 20060101 F25D021/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 28, 2007 |
IT |
MI2007A 001864 |
Claims
1. An air-conditioned item of footwear (1) of the type that
envisages first means, operated by the foot, designed to generate a
circulation of air in a gap (6) made in the upper (5) of said item
of footwear, said air being taken in from outside said item of
footwear (1), said item of footwear being characterized in that it
envisages second means designed to expel outside said item of
footwear the water deriving from condensation of the water vapour
emitted by the foot, said condensation occurring within said gap
(6) of said upper (5) as a result of cooling actuated by said
air.
2. The air-conditioned item of footwear according to claim 1,
characterized in that it envisages a collection chamber (2a) for
said water deriving from condensation of the water vapour emitted
by the foot, said collection chamber (2a) being set between the
sole (2) and an internal lining (7) of said item of footwear (1),
said collection chamber (2a) being in communication with said gap
(6) of the upper (5) so that the condensate, dripping within the
gap (6) of the upper (5), collects in said collection chamber
(2a).
3. The air-conditioned item of footwear according to claim 1,
characterized in that said upper (5) comprises an external membrane
(5a) and an internal membrane (5b), which is permeable to vapour
and impermeable to water, said external membrane (5a) and internal
membrane (5b) being set at a distance from one another so as to
identify a gap (6), pervious to the condensate.
4. The air-conditioned item of footwear according to claim 3,
characterized in that said external membrane (5a) of the upper (5)
is impermeable.
5. The air-conditioned item of footwear according to claim 1,
characterized in that it envisages a lining (7) comprising an
internal impermeable membrane (7a) and an external membrane (7b)
permeable to vapour and impermeable to water, said internal
membrane (7a) and external membrane (7b) being set at a distance
from one another so as to identify a gap (8) pervious to the
condensate.
6. The air-conditioned item of footwear according to claim 1,
characterized in that said upper (5) is connected with said
internal lining (7), said upper (5) and said lining (7)
constituting a shell that envelops the foot completely, the
transpirant membrane (5b, 7b) being inside, in contact with the
foot, and the impermeable membrane (5a, 7a) being on the outside,
there being provided at least one orifice (9, 10) designed to set
in communication the gap (6, 8) of said shell with said collection
chamber (2a).
7. The air-conditioned item of footwear according to claim 6,
characterized in that it envisages valves (9a) and (10a), which are
applied to said orifices (9) and (10), respectively, and are
designed to prevent return, in the gap (6, 8) of the upper (5) and
of the bottom (7), of the condensate that has flowed in the
collection chamber (2a).
8. The air-conditioned item of footwear according to claim 1,
characterized in that said first means designed to generate a
circulation of air in said gap (6) made in the upper (5) of said
item of footwear (1), comprise an elastic bladder (3) connected to
tubes (3a) and (3b) that are inserted within said gap (6) of said
upper (5), said tubes (3a) and (3b) being connected to said elastic
bladder (3) by means of non-return valves (3c) and (3d) oriented so
as to enable flow in just one direction, so that alternate
squeezing and release of said bladder (3) causes a flow of air
coming from outside said item of footwear (1) that traverses said
gap (6).
9. The air-conditioned item of footwear according to claim 1,
characterized in that second means designed to expel outside said
item of footwear (1) the water deriving from condensation of the
water vapour emitted by the foot comprise an elastic bladder (4)
connected to tubes (4a) and (4b), connected to said elastic bladder
(4) by means of non-return valves (4c) and (4d) oriented so as to
enable flow in just one direction, said tube (4a) being in
communication with said collection chamber (2a) and said tube (4b)
being in communication with the outside of said item of footwear
(1) so that alternate squeezing and release of said bladder (4)
causes suction of the water from said collection chamber (2a),
through said tube (4a), and expulsion of said water outside the
item of footwear (1) through said tube (4b).
10. The air-conditioned item of footwear according to claim 8,
characterized in that said bladders (3) and (4) are set in a
position corresponding to the soles of the foot, between the
internal lining (7) and the sole (2) of said item of footwear
(1).
11. The air-conditioned item of footwear according to claim 8,
characterized in that said bladders (3) and (4) are set in a
position corresponding to the heel, between the internal lining (7)
and the heel of said item of footwear (1).
Description
[0001] The present invention concerns an air-conditioned item of
footwear, suitable for causing condensation of the humidity that is
formed inside as a result of the perspiration of the foot, as well
as to collect and extract the condensate. In other words, the item
of footwear according to the invention is provided with a first
device that, by ventilating the inside of the upper, cools it and
causes condensation of the humidity produced by the foot, and a
second device that collects the condensate and expels it outside
the item of footwear. It is common experience that, in the event of
insufficient transpiration, the perspiration of the foot can even
dampen completely the socks causing suffering of the foot itself,
in particular of the skin. This fact arises in a particularly
drastic way in the case where waterproof items of footwear are worn
for many hours a day, especially if they are high, such as
wellingtons. In particular, this problem is felt by many workers,
in different working sectors, where they are forced to wear
waterproof items of footwear for at least eight hours a day.
[0002] There exist numerous patents regarding items of footwear
provided with devices suitable for ventilating the inside of the
item of footwear and extracting the air, and hence the moisture,
from the item of footwear itself, but they all present the drawback
of not envisaging extraction of the condensate, and hence, in the
event of excessive perspiration, the ventilation can prove
ineffective.
[0003] The Korean patent No. KR 20040037042 describes an item of
footwear provided with a device suitable for extracting the air
from the item of footwear itself, constituted by a pump operated by
the foot during walking, joined to a valve that enables flow in
just one direction.
[0004] The patent No. WO 2007/032037 A1 describes a system of
aeration of a gap made in the upper, actuated by a pump, which is
in turn operated by the foot. Said patents seek to prevent
condensation of the humidity by means of an adequate ventilation.
However, they do not envisage devices suitable for extracting the
water that in any case condensates when the conditions are
particularly difficult, as in the case of high ambient
temperatures, which favour perspiration. In such cases, the attempt
is in any case, via ventilation, to bring about re-evaporation of
the water so that it can be expelled in the gas phase. Obviously,
in the case where the conditions that have caused condensation of
the humidity persist, re-evaporation does not occur and, hence, the
person will remain for a long time with his feet damp.
[0005] The present invention provides a remedy for the drawback
described by proposing an air-conditioned item of footwear of the
type that envisages first means, operated by the foot, designed to
generate a circulation of air, taken in from outside, in a gap made
in the upper of the item of footwear and is characterized in that
it envisages second means designed to expel outside the item of
footwear the water deriving from condensation of the water vapour
emitted by the foot, said condensation occurring within the gap of
the upper as a result of cooling provided by said air.
[0006] According to a preferred embodiment, there is provided a
chamber for collection of the water deriving from condensation of
the water vapour emitted by the foot, said collection chamber being
set between the sole and an internal lining of said item of
footwear and being in communication with the gap of the upper,
where condensation of the water vapour occurs.
[0007] As will emerge clearly from the ensuing description, the
structure of the item of footwear according to the invention is
such that the water that condensates does not dampen the foot, but
is conveyed towards said collection chamber, from which it is taken
in to be expelled outside the item of footwear itself.
[0008] A first advantage deriving from the use of items of footwear
according to the invention is a consequence of the fact that the
humidity condensates and collects in a purposely provided site,
i.e., said collection chamber. In fact, the aim is not to prevent
condensation, as in the case of prior techniques, which become
critical when the environmental conditions are particularly severe.
According to the present invention, condensation is favoured so as
to enable immediate removal of the water from the foot in order to
prevent the latter from getting wet, said water being then promptly
expelled from the item of footwear.
[0009] The invention will now be described, purely by way of
non-limiting illustration, according to a preferred embodiment,
with reference to the annexed figures, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 shows in three orthogonal views the item of footwear
according to the invention; and
[0011] FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show sections of the item of footwear
according to three orthogonal planes.
[0012] With reference to FIG. 1, designated by the reference number
(1) is an item of footwear according to the invention. In the case
provided in the example, a waterproof boot is shown, which hence
enables use on wet floors, even where the water is several
centimetres deep.
[0013] Illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are sections of said boot
(1) obtained with three orthogonal planes, as indicated in FIG.
1.
[0014] In particular, illustrated in FIG. 2 is the inside of the
sole (2) of the boot (1), in which there appear two elastic
bladders, or pumps, (3) and (4), whereas illustrated in FIGS. 3 and
4 is the upper (5) viewed from inside. The bladders (3) and (4) are
housed in a recess, which forms a chamber (2a), which can be seen
more clearly in the subsequent FIGS. 3 and 4, and is made in the
sole (2), and are connected, in the way that will be specified in
what follows, with tubes (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b).
[0015] The upper (5) is constituted by an external impermeable
membrane (5a) and by an internal transpirant membrane (5b), for
example of the type known under the commercial name of
gore-tex.TM., which is characterized in that it enables passage of
water in the vapour state, but not in the liquid state. The two
membranes (5a) and (5b) are separated from one another by a
structure such as to identify a gap (6), preferably obtained by
means of channels, the function of which will be illustrated in
what follows. The gap (6) is open in the top part in such a way as
to be in communication with the external air.
[0016] Set in the bottom internal part of the item of footwear (1),
immediately above the sole (2), is a lining (7), which has a
structure substantially the same as that of the upper (5), i.e.,
with an external impermeable membrane (7a), which is preferably
ribbed, and a transpirant internal membrane (7b). Also in this case
the two membranes (7a) and (7b) are separated from one another by a
structure such as to identify a gap (8), preferably obtained by
means of channels, which connect up with the channels made in the
gap (6) of the upper (5), the function of which will be illustrated
in what follows. Furthermore, the external membranes (5a, 7a) are
connected to one another in a continuous way, as are the internal
membranes (5b, 7b). Basically, the upper (5) and the lining (7)
form a shell that envelops the foot completely, the transpirant
membrane (5b, 7b) being inside, in contact with the foot itself,
and the impermeable membrane (5a, 7a) being on the outside.
[0017] Given the nature of the membranes, the water in which the
boot were to be immersed cannot come into contact with the foot,
being stopped by the impermeable membranes (5a, 7a), as well as by
the sole (2), whilst the moisture due to the perspiration of the
foot traverses the transpirant membranes (5b, 7b) and reaches the
gap (6, 8) of said shell.
[0018] Made in the front part and in the rear part of said shell
are two apertures (9) and (10), preferably controlled by a leaf
valve (9a) and (10a), respectively, which set the gap (6, 8) in
communication with the chamber (2a). The function of the valves
(9a) and (10a) will be described in what follows.
[0019] The elastic bladder (3) is connected, by means of non-return
valves (3c) and (3d) appropriately oriented so as to enable flow
just towards the front part of the item of footwear (1), to said
two tubes (3a) and (3b), respectively. The tube (3a) is directed
towards the front part of the item of footwear (1) and is inserted
in the gap (6) of the upper (5), whilst the tube (3b) is directed
towards the rear part of the item of footwear (1) and is also
inserted in the gap (6) of the upper (5).
[0020] In the same way, the elastic bladder (4) is connected, by
means of non-return valves (4c) and (4d) appropriately oriented so
as to enable flow just towards the rear part of the item of
footwear (1), to two tubes (4a) and (4b), respectively. The tube
(4a) is directed towards the front part of the item of footwear (1)
and terminates just in front of the bladder (4), whilst the tube
(4b) is directed towards the rear part of the item of footwear (1)
and is connected with the outside through the rear edge of the sole
(2).
[0021] The two elastic bladders (3) and (4), being set in the
chamber (2a), between the sole (2) and the internal lining (7), are
squeezed by the weight of the person, when the person stops in an
upright position, but return elastically into the position of rest,
indicated in the figures, when the person, walking, raises his
foot.
[0022] In the example of embodiment described, the two bladders (3)
and (4) are set in a position corresponding to the sole of the
foot, i.e., between the internal lining (7) and the sole (2) of the
item of footwear (1). Alternatively, they can be housed also in a
position corresponding to the heel, i.e., between the internal
lining (7) and the heel of the item of footwear (1), in so far as,
also in this position, they are subject to alternate squeezing and
release.
[0023] The alternation of squeezing and release of the elastic
bladders (3) and (4), together with the presence of the non-return
valves (3c, 3d) and (4c, 4d), respectively, appropriately oriented,
determines a flow towards the front part of the item of footwear
(1) in the tubes (3a, 3b) and towards the rear part of the item of
footwear (1), in the tubes (4a, 4b), respectively.
[0024] The flow generated by the elastic bladder (3) causes a
circulation of air within both the gap (6) of the upper (5) and the
gap (8) of the bottom (7), recalling air from the rear part of the
upper (5), according to the path indicated by the arrows in FIG.
3.
[0025] The arrangement of the tubes (3a) and (3b) with the ends
within the gap (6) of the upper (5) causes the main flow of air to
be inside the upper (5). However, given the contiguity between the
upper (5) and the bottom (7), there arises an appreciable flow of
air also within the bottom (7).
[0026] When perspiration of the foot starts, the humidity emitted
by the foot itself passes to the vapour state through the
transpirant membranes (5b) and (7b) and collects in the gaps (6)
and (8).
[0027] The flow of air in the gap (6) and (8), of the upper (5) and
of the bottom (7) respectively, caused by the repeated squeezing
and release of the bladder (3), cools the vapour that has
penetrated into the gap (6, 8) and condenses it. The water thus
obtained drips along the channels existing in the gap (6, 8) and,
through the apertures (9) and (10), enters the chamber (2a), and
collects on the bottom thereof, said gap (6, 8) being pervious to
the condensate.
[0028] The repeated squeezing and release of the bladder (4) in
turn causes suction of the condensate, which is then expelled from
the rear part of the item of footwear (1) after passing through the
tube (4a), the bladder (4) itself and the tube (4b), said flow
being in just one direction thanks to the non-return valves (4c)
and (4d).
[0029] The function of the valves (9a) and (10a) is to prevent the
condensate within the gap (6, 8) of the shell formed by the upper
(5) and by the bottom (7) that has dripped in the collection
chamber (2a) from returning into the gap (6, 8) itself, thus
favouring suction by the pump (4) and expulsion of the water itself
outside the item of footwear (1). Closing of the valves (9a) and
(10a) can occur, for example, as a result of the water that exerts
pressure from beneath on the leaves of said leaf valves (9a) and
(10a) and keeps them closed.
[0030] As emerges clearly from the foregoing description, the item
of footwear according to the invention manages to keep the foot
drier because it causes condensation of the humidity, without
dampening the foot thanks to the transpirant membrane, i.e., the
membrane that is permeable to vapour but not to the water, and the
expulsion of the condensate.
[0031] The invention has been described purely by way of
non-limiting illustration according to a preferred embodiment. The
person skilled in the sector may find numerous other embodiments,
all of which fall within the sphere of protection of the ensuing
claims.
* * * * *