U.S. patent application number 14/952880 was filed with the patent office on 2017-01-12 for lightweight shoes.
The applicant listed for this patent is NANOTECHCERAMICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to SANG-OK JEONG.
Application Number | 20170006958 14/952880 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57730278 |
Filed Date | 2017-01-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170006958 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JEONG; SANG-OK |
January 12, 2017 |
LIGHTWEIGHT SHOES
Abstract
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a
lightweight shoe comprises an outsole and a vamp attached or sewn
to the outsole to cover a foot, wherein the vamp includes a foam
member and a fiber layer to surround the foam member.
Inventors: |
JEONG; SANG-OK; (Busan,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NANOTECHCERAMICS CO., LTD. |
Busan |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
57730278 |
Appl. No.: |
14/952880 |
Filed: |
November 25, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/125 20130101;
A43B 23/0235 20130101; A43B 13/127 20130101; A43B 17/14 20130101;
A43B 23/0215 20130101; A43B 1/14 20130101; A43B 13/04 20130101;
A43B 13/187 20130101; A43B 17/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43B 1/14 20060101
A43B001/14; A43B 13/04 20060101 A43B013/04; A43B 13/12 20060101
A43B013/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 6, 2015 |
KR |
10-2015-0095831 |
Claims
1. A lightweight shoe, comprising: an outsole; and a vamp attached
or sewn to the outsole to cover a foot, wherein the vamp includes a
foam member and a fiber layer to surround the foam member.
2. The lightweight shoe of claim 1, wherein the foam member
includes at least one of Styrofoam.TM., expanded polyethylene
(EPE), expanded polypropylene (EPP), or expanded in polystyrene
(EPS).
3. The lightweight shoe of claim 1, wherein the fiber layer
includes at least one of chemical fiber, glass fiber, carbon fiber,
aramid fiber, or ultrahigh molecular weight resin fiber.
4. A lightweight shoe, comprising: an outsole; a midsole formed on
the outsole; and a vamp attached or sewn to the midsole to cover a
foot, wherein the midsole includes a foam member and a fiber layer
to surround the foam member.
5. The lightweight shoe of claim 4, wherein the foam member
includes at least one of Styrofoam.TM., expanded polyethylene
(EPE), expanded polypropylene (EPP), or expanded polystyrene
(EPS).
6. The lightweight shoe of claim 4, wherein the fiber layer
includes at least one of chemical fiber, glass fiber, carbon fiber,
aramid fiber, or ultra-high molecular weight resin fiber.
7. The lightweight shoe of claim 4, wherein the midsole includes an
open-top protection layer with a U-shaped cross section and a foam
member filling the protection layer or the midsole includes a
protection layer with an opened top and bottom and a foam member
fitted in the protection layer.
8. The lightweight shoe of claim 7, wherein the protection layer
includes at least one of polyurethane or ethylene vinyl
acetate.
9. The lightweight shoe of claim 7, wherein the protection layer is
a fiber layer including at least one of chemical fiber, glass
fiber, carbon fiber, aramid fiber, or ultra-high molecular weight
resin fiber.
10. The lightweight shoe of claim 7, wherein the foam member
includes at least one of Styrofoam.TM., expanded polyethylene
(EPE), expanded polypropylene (EPP), or expanded polystyrene
(EPS).
11. A lightweight shoe, comprising: an outsole; and a vamp attached
or sewn to the outsole to cover a foot, wherein the outsole
includes an open-top protection layer laving a substantially
U-shaped cross section and a foam member filling the protection
layer.
12. The lightweight shoe of claim 11, wherein the protection layer
includes at least one of polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate, or
rubber.
13. The lightweight shoe of claim 11, wherein the protection layer
is a fiber layer including at least one of chemical fiber, glass
fiber, carbon fiber, aramid fiber, or ultra-high molecular weight
resin fiber.
14. The lightweight shoe of claim 11, wherein the foam member
includes at least one of Styrofoam.TM., expanded polyethylene
(EPE), expanded polypropylene (EPP), or expanded polystyrene
(EPS).
15. A lightweight shoe, comprising: an outsole: a vamp attached or
sewn to the outsole to cover a foot; and an insole provided between
the outsole and the vamp, wherein the insole includes a foam member
and a fiber layer formed on the foam member.
16. The lightweight shoe of claim 15, wherein the fiber layer
includes at least one of chemical fiber, glass fiber, carbon fiber,
aramid fiber, or ultra-high molecular weight resin fiber.
17. The lightweight shoe of claim 15, wherein the foam member
includes at least one of Styrofoam.TM., expanded polyethylene
(EPE), expanded polypropylene (EPP), or expanded polystyrene (EPS).
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0095831, filed
on Jul. 6, 2015, in the Korean intellectual Property Office, the
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
[0002] Technical Field
[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure concern lightweight
shoes, and more specifically, to lightweight shoes including a foam
member (e.g., a Styrofoam member) with a relatively lower specific
gravity.
[0004] Discussion of Related Art
[0005] A shoe may include a vamp to cover and protect the foot and
soles, including, e.g., an insole, midsole, or insole. The vamp may
be formed of leather or fabric. The soles may be formed of rubber,
polyurethane (PU) foam, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, or other
synthetic resins to provide durability. However, conventional shoes
formed of such materials are heavy. To lighten up the shoes, the
materials used for the shoes end up thickening. Thus, a need exists
for shoes formed of lightweight materials.
SUMMARY
[0006] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a
lightweight shoe comprises an outsole and a vamp attached or sewn
to the outsole to cover a foot. The vamp may include a foam member
and a fiber layer to surround the foam member.
[0007] The foam member may include at least one of Styrofoam.TM.,
expanded polyethylene (EPE), expanded polypropylene (EPP), or
expanded polystyrene (EPS).
[0008] The fiber layer may include at least one of chemical fiber,
glass fiber, carbon fiber, aramid fiber, or ultra-high molecular
weight resin fiber.
[0009] The lightweight shoe may further comprise a midsole formed
on the outsole, wherein the midsole includes a foam member and a
fiber layer to surround the foam member.
[0010] The foam member may include at least one of Styrofoam.TM.,
expanded polyethylene (EPE), expanded polypropylene (EPP), or
expanded polystyrene (EPS).
[0011] The fiber layer may include at least one of chemical fiber,
glass fiber, carbon fiber, aramid fiber, or ultra-high molecular
weight resin fiber.
[0012] The midsole may include an open-top protection layer with a
U-shaped cross section and a foam member filling the protection
layer or the midsole includes a protection layer with an opened top
and bottom and a foam member fitted in the protection layer.
[0013] The protection layer may include at least one of
polyurethane or ethylene vinyl acetate.
[0014] The protection layer may be a fiber layer including at least
one of chemical fiber, glass fiber, carbon fiber, aramid fiber, or
ultra-high molecular weight resin fiber.
[0015] The foam member may include at least one of Styrofoam.TM.,
expanded polyethylene (EPE), expanded polypropylene (EPP), or
expanded polystyrene (EPS).
[0016] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a
lightweight shoe comprises an outsole and a vamp attached or sewn
to the outsole to cover a foot. The outsole may include an open-top
protection layer having a substantially U-shaped cross section and
a foam member filling the protection layer.
[0017] The protection layer may include at least one of
polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate, or rubber.
[0018] The protection layer may be a fiber layer including at least
one of chemical fiber, glass fiber, carbon fiber, aramid fiber, or
ultra-high molecular weight resin fiber.
[0019] The foam member may include at least one of Styrofoam.TM.,
expanded polyethylene (EPE), expanded polypropylene (EPP), or
expanded polystyrene (EPS).
[0020] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a
lightweight shoe comprises an outsole, a vamp attached or sewn to
the outsole to cover a foot, and an insole provided between the
outsole and the vamp. The insole may include a foam member and a
fiber layer formed on the foam member.
[0021] The fiber layer may include at least one of chemical fiber,
glass fiber, carbon fiber, aramid fiber, or ultra-high molecular
weight resin fiber.
[0022] The foam member may include at least one of Styrofoam.TM.,
expanded polyethylene (EPE), expanded polypropylene (EPP), or
expanded polystyrene (EPS).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] A more complete appreciation of the present disclosure and
many of the attendant aspects thereof will be readily obtained as
the same becomes better understood by reference to the following
detailed description when considered in connection with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a material
used in a lightweight shoe according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a lightweight shoe
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a
magnified cross section of a vamp of the lightweight shoe is
shown;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a lightweight shoe
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a
magnified cross section of a midsole of the lightweight shoe is
shown;
[0027] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
lightweight shoe according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a lightweight
shoe according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
lightweight shoe according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a lightweight
shoe according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0031] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
lightweight shoe according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure; and
[0032] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a lightweight
shoe according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0033] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings. The inventive concept, however, may be modified in
various different ways, and should not be construed as limited to
the embodiments set forth herein. As used herein, the singular
forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms
as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be
understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being
"on," "connected to," "coupled to," or "adjacent to" another
element or layer, it can be directly on, connected, coupled, or
adjacent to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or
layers may be present.
[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure are
described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Like reference denotations may be used to refer to the same or
similar elements throughout the specification and the drawings.
[0035] Typically, the vamp, outsole, or midsole of a shoe may be
formed of various materials and have a predetermined weight to
maintain their basic shape and durability against friction. For
example, the vamp, which is a portion of the shoe to surround the
foot, may be generally formed by joining woven or knitted fabric
pieces formed of various types of fiber to allow the shoe a
predetermined level of durability while maintaining the shape of
the shoe. The outsole and midsole, which are portions of the shoe
exposed to the outside, may be formed of rubber, polyurethane (PU)
foam or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam with a good anti-wear
property. Such materials have a higher weight and poses a limit on
lightening up the shoe. To make the shoe lighter, a cushioning
sponge layer with a specific gravity of 0.12 or less and a lower
hardness may be disposed. In such case, however, the outer wall of
the sponge layer may be exposed, resulting in an increased
compression deformation and reduced cushioning. Therefore, the shoe
may be less comfortable. According to an embodiment of the present
disclosure, a fiber layer or plastic layer may be formed on an
outer surface of a foam member (e.g., a Styrofoam member) with a
specific gravity of about 0.01 to about 0.09.
[0036] When the shoe is formed of polyurethane foam or ethylene
vinyl acetate foam with a specific gravity of 0.1 or less to reduce
the weight of the shoe, the restoration of the shoe may be
significantly reduced, thus rendering it difficult to maintain its
shape and cushioning. According to an embodiment of the present
disclosure, the foam member (e.g., a Styrofoam member) with a
specific gravity of 0.01 to 0.09 may be used to form the shoe, and
thus, the shoe may be lightened up while maintaining its
restorative force.
[0037] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a material
used in a lightweight shoe according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, a foam member (e.g., a
Styrofoam member) 10 may be used as a basic material, and a fiber
layer 20 may surround the foam member 10. The fiber 20 may prevent
scratches or damage to the foam member 10.
[0038] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a lightweight shoe
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a
magnified cross section of a vamp of the lightweight shoe is shown.
Referring to FIG. 2, a material including, e.g., a foam member 10
and a fiber layer 20, to may be used to form a vamp 110 of the
lightweight shoe, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
the lightweight shoe may include a vamp 110, a midsole 120, and an
outsole 130. The vamp 110 may be attached to the midsole 120 by,
e.g., an adhesive, or may be sewn to the midsole 120. The vamp 110
may be attached or fastened to the midsole 120 or a portion between
the midsole 120 and the outsole 130, or an edge of the outsole 130.
Although the lightweight shoe includes the midsole 120 and the
outsole 130 in the instant embodiment, this is merely an example,
and alternatively, the lightweight shoe may include the outsole 130
without the midsole 120.
[0039] The vamp 110 may include a foam member 111 (e.g., a
Styrofoam member) and a fiber layer 112 surrounding the foam member
111. The vamp 110 may have various shapes. According to an
embodiment of the present disclosure, each component of the
lightweight shoe may be formed in a unit, and such units may be
combined or joined to form the lightweight shoe. For example, the
vamp 110 may be formed by combining or joining multiple material
units. The whole foam member may be formed of a single piece of
Styrofoam, and the fiber layer may be formed to surround the foam
member. When the vamp 110 is formed by combining multiple material
units, the vamp 110 may secure flexibility without performing a
separate forming process.
[0040] The foam member 110 may be formed of at least one of
expanded polypropylene (EPP), expanded polystyrene (EPS), or
expanded polyethylene (EPE). The specific gravity of the foam
member 111 may be about 0.01 to about 0.09. When the specific
gravity of the foam member 111 is more than 0.09, the shoe may be
less lightened up, and when the specific gravity of the foam member
111 is less than 0.01, the foam member may have a reduced
restorative force, rendering it difficult to maintain the shape or
cushioning of the shoe.
[0041] Expanded polystyrene (EPS), a sort of polystyrene, shows an
excellent shock-absorption to effect and may be used for a thermal
insulator thanks to its low thermal conductivity. Expanded
polystyrene (EPS) has a lower density and is recyclable.
[0042] The fiber layer 112 may include reinforced fiber, e.g., at
least one of chemical fiber, glass fiber, carbon fiber, aramid
fiber or ultra-high molecular weight resin fiber. The fiber layer
112 may be formed of, e.g., woven or knitted fabric or unwoven
fabric, but not limited thereto.
[0043] For example, when the fiber layer 112 is formed of unwoven
fabric, the fiber layer 112 may have a reduced apparent density
along with increased air permeability. When the fiber layer 112 is
formed of unwoven fabric, the fiber layer 112 may have a porous
structure with a reduced apparent density, thereby leaving the
overall weight of the shoe being reduced.
[0044] When the fiber layer 112 is formed of aramid fiber, the
fiber layer 112 may have an increased heat resistance along with an
increased tensile strength and elasticity, thereby leading to
increased durability. For example, the fiber layer 112 may be
formed of aramid woven fabric with excellent rub resistance and
easy to manufacture, but not limited thereto. Upon fabricating
woven fabric, aramid fiber may be used as the warp to form a warp
beam, and the warp beam may be mounted on a loom. Aramid fiber may
then be used as the weft, thereby forming woven fabric. The aramid
fabric may have a plain weave or basket weave. The plain weave or
basket weave, because the warp and weft formed to have a
predetermined curvature, may evenly distribute an external force to
the overall fabric, thereby leading to increased rub
resistance.
[0045] Examples of the ultra-high molecular weight resin fiber may
include ultra-high molecular polyethylene, ultra-high molecular
polypropylene, or ultra-high molecular polyester. Such ultra-high
molecular weight resin fiber may be a substance with an average
molecular mass of about 1 million or more, may have a structure of
a linear molecular sieve, and may exhibit a good anti-wear property
or strength. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
when the vamp 110 includes the fiber layer 112, the anti-impact
property may be increased.
[0046] FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a lightweight shoe
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a
magnified cross section of a midsole of the lightweight shoe is
shown. Referring to FIG. 3, a material including, e.g., a foam
member 121 and a fiber layer 122, may be used to form a midsole 120
of the lightweight shoe, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. According to the instant embodiment, the lightweight
shoe may include a vamp 110, the midsole 120, and an outsole
130.
[0047] The midsole 120 may include as foam member 121 (e.g., a
Styrofoam member) and a fiber layer 122 surrounding the foam member
121. The foam member 121 and the fiber layer 122 used in the
midsole 120 may include substantially the same materials as those
used in the embodiment described above in connection with FIG.
2.
[0048] For example, when the midsole or outsole is formed of the
foam member 121, e.g., a Styrofoam member, a protection layer may
be formed on the foam member 121 to prevent damage to the foam
member 121 due to rubbing against the ground.
[0049] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
lightweight shoe according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a
lightweight shoe according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the lightweight shoe
includes a vamp 110, a midsole 120, and an outsole 130. The vamp
110 may be attached to the midsole 120 by, e.g., an adhesive, or
may be sewn to the midsole 120, The vamp 110 may be attached or
fastened to the midsole 120 or a portion between the midsole 120
and the outsole 130, or an edge of the outsole 140.
[0050] The midsole 120 may include an open-top protection layer 124
with a U-shaped cross section and a foam member 123 filling the
protection layer 124.
[0051] Alternatively, the midsole 120 may include a protection
layer 124 whose top and bottom are opened and a foam member 123 put
in the protection layer 124.
[0052] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the
foam member 123 may be formed of substantially the same materials
or structure as that described above in connection with FIG. 2.
[0053] When the protection layer 124 is formed to have a U-shaped
cross section or to have an opened top and bottom, the midsole 120
may be formed by preparing the protection layer 124 as a mold and
forming the foam member 123 inside the protection layer 124 or by
forming the foam member 123 in substantially the same shape as the
protection layer 124 and fitting the foam member 123 in the
protection layer 124. By the above method, the midsole 120 may be
manufactured in a simplified process.
[0054] The protection layer 124 may be formed of various materials.
The midsole 120 may include at least one of polyurethane or
ethylene vinyl acetate to provide sufficient elasticity. The
midsole 120 may include a fiber layer formed of at least one of
chemical fiber, glass fiber, carbon fiber, aramid fiber, or
ultra-high molecular weight resin fiber to provide lightness.
[0055] In the instant embodiment, the fiber layer as the protection
layer 124 may include substantially the same substance as that of
the fiber layer described above in connection with FIG. 2.
[0056] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
lightweight shoe according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a
lightweight shoe according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0057] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, an outsole 130 may include
substantially the same materials as those used in the midsole
described above in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5. According to the
instant embodiment, the lightweight shoe may include a vamp 110, a
midsole 120, and the outsole 130. Although the lightweight shoe
includes the midsole 120 and the outsole 130 in the instant
embodiment, this is merely an example, and alternatively, the
lightweight shoe may include the outsole 130 without the midsole
120.
[0058] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the
midsole 130 may include an open-top protection layer 134 with a
U-shaped cross section and as foam member 133 filling the
protection layer 124.
[0059] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the
foam member 123 may be formed of substantially the same materials
or structure as that described above in connection with FIG. 2. The
protection layer 124 may be formed of various materials. The
outsole 130 may include at least one of polyurethane, ethylene
vinyl acetate, or rubber to provide sufficient elasticity and
predetermined hardness. The outsole 130 may include a fiber layer
formed of at least one of chemical fiber, glass fiber, carbon
fiber, aramid fiber, or ultra-high molecular weight resin fiber to
provide lightness.
[0060] In the instant embodiment, the fiber layer as the protection
layer 124 may include substantially the same substance as that of
the fiber layer described above in connection with FIG. 2.
[0061] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
lightweight shoe according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a
lightweight shoe according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, an insole 140 may include
substantially the same materials as those used in the midsole
described above in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5. According to an
embodiment of the present disclosure, the lightweight shoe may
include a vamp 110, a midsole 120, an outsole 130, and an insole
140. The to vamp 110 may be attached to the midsole 120 by, e.g.,
an adhesive, or may be sewn to the midsole 120. The vamp 110 may be
attached or fastened to the midsole 120 or a portion between the
midsole 120 and the outsole 130, or an edge of the outsole 130. The
insole 140 may be a portion of the lightweight shoe which contacts
the foot. The insole 140 may be fastened inside the lightweight
shoe. The insole 140 may be detachably provided. Although the
lightweight shoe includes the midsole 120 and the outsole 130 in
the instant embodiment, this is merely an example, and
alternatively, the lightweight shoe may include the outsole 130
without the midsole 120.
[0062] The insole 140 may include a foam member 141 (e.g., a
Styrofoam member) and a fiber layer 142 formed on the foam member
141 to maintain the shape or cushioning of the lightweight
shoe.
[0063] The fiber layer 142 of the insole 140 may be formed of
substantially the same material as the fiber layer 112 described
above in connection with FIG. 2.
[0064] The foam member 140 may form a body of the insole 140. The
foam member 140 may be formed of substantially the same material as
that used in the embodiment described above in connection with FIG.
2.
[0065] As such, since the foam member 140 (e.g., a Styrofoam
member) may be used to form the vamp 110, the midsole 120, the
outsole 130, or the insole 140, the lightweight shoe may be made
lighter along with increased durability and cushioning as compared
with conventional shoes.
[0066] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the
shoes may be formed of a foam member (e.g., a Styrofoam member) to
provide lightness and a protection layer formed on the foam member
to protect the foam member, thus rendering the weight of the shoes
to be reduced. The foam member may be porous to thereby provide
enhanced thermal insulation.
[0067] While the inventive concept has been shown and described
with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes
in form and detail may be made thereto without departing from the
spirit and scope of the inventive concept as defined by the
following claims.
* * * * *