U.S. patent application number 17/435254 was filed with the patent office on 2022-04-28 for sole for footwear capable to adapt itself to shape or to deformations of the user's foot.
The applicant listed for this patent is Roberto MONTAGNA. Invention is credited to Roberto MONTAGNA.
Application Number | 20220125157 17/435254 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-04-28 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20220125157 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MONTAGNA; Roberto |
April 28, 2022 |
SOLE FOR FOOTWEAR CAPABLE TO ADAPT ITSELF TO SHAPE OR TO
DEFORMATIONS OF THE USER'S FOOT
Abstract
Sole for footwear capable to adapt itself to shape or to
deformations of the user's foot includes a first layer on which, in
the part at the forefoot, at least a first cut is made, passing
approximately in a longitudinal direction of the sole and proximal
to the first lateral edge of the sole. A second layer is attached
to the first layer, on which a second through cut is made,
approximately according to a longitudinal direction of the sole,
arranged proximal to a second lateral edge of the sole. A
double-sided adhesive layer is attached to the first layer so as to
be interposed between the first and second layers and to overlap
the lips of the second cut. A-protective film is attached on a face
of the double-sided adhesive tape in contact with said second
layer, wherein the film projects outside the sole through the first
cut.
Inventors: |
MONTAGNA; Roberto;
(Montegiorgio (FM), IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MONTAGNA; Roberto |
Montegiorgio (FM) |
|
IT |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/435254 |
Filed: |
March 10, 2020 |
PCT Filed: |
March 10, 2020 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2020/052061 |
371 Date: |
August 31, 2021 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/02 20060101
A43B013/02; A43B 13/12 20060101 A43B013/12; A43B 13/14 20060101
A43B013/14; A43B 13/18 20060101 A43B013/18; A43B 13/32 20060101
A43B013/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 12, 2019 |
IT |
102019000003549 |
Claims
1. Sole for footwear capable to adapt itself to shape or to
deformations of the user's foot, the sole for footwear comprising:
a first layer on which, in a part at a forefoot, at least a first
cut is made, passing approximately in a longitudinal direction of
the sole and proximal to a first lateral edge of the sole; a second
layer intended to be attached to the first layer, on which at least
a second through cut is made, approximately according to a
longitudinal direction of the sole, arranged proximal to a second
lateral edge of the sole, opposite the first edge; a double-sided
adhesive layer attached to said first layer so as to be interposed
between the first and second layers and so as to overlap lips of
the at least a second cut; and a protective film attached on a face
of the double-sided adhesive tape in contact with said second
layer, wherein the film projects outside the sole through said at
least a first cut.
2. Sole according to claim 1, wherein the first layer defines a
tread of the sole and wherein the second layer defines a half-sole
having a shape similar to the front portion of the first layer or
it can define a whole plant so as to have a shape similar to the
first layer.
3. Sole according to claim 1, wherein an anterior portion of the
sole has the shape of an isosceles trapezoid and wherein the first
cut and the second cut are oriented according to an intermediate
direction between said longitudinal direction and a direction
parallel to the sides of the isosceles trapezoid and/or where said
cuts are angled with respect to the plane containing the sole with
an angle comprised between 45.degree. and 90.degree..
4. Sole for footwear according to claim 1, wherein the double-sided
adhesive layer overlaps the second cut and extends transversely to
the longitudinal axis, towards the first cut, preferably up to the
inner lip of the latter.
5. Sole for footwear according to claim 1, wherein the double-sided
adhesive layer is preferably a closed cell double-sided tape.
6. Sole according to claim 1, wherein the protective film of the
double-sided adhesive layer: comprises a die-cut silicone plastic
film; and is attached to the double-sided tape, covering its entire
face intended to contact the second layer, starting from the edge
of the same double sided tape proximal to the first cut, folded on
itself and inserted in the first cut until it projects outwards
from it.
7. Sole according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first
and second cuts is inside the edge of a respective layer.
8. Sole according to claim 1, wherein: the first cut is stretched
up to the heel area; and/or the second cut is made from part to
part by dividing the half sole into two parts.
9. Sole according to claim 1, wherein the second layer is intended
to be exposed externally to the shoe or exposed internally to the
shoe with the first layer intended to be exposed externally to the
shoe.
10. Footwear comprising an upper and a sole according to claim
1.
11. Method for assembling a sole according to claim 1, comprising
the following steps: making said first and second layers and
related first second cuts; inserting a portion of the protective
film through the first cut to project outside the sole; detachment
of an original film from a face of the double-sided adhesive layer
intended to contact the second layer; attachment of the protective
film on the face of the previously peeled double-sided adhesive
layer; peeling off the other side of the double-sided adhesive
layer and attaching the double-sided adhesive layer to the first
layer so as to overlap the lips of the second cut when it is
attached to the first layer, resulting in the protective film
remaining folded on itself; distribution of glue over the entire
surface of the first visible layer, that is, not covered by the
protective film and distribution of the same glue on the second
layer, leaving out an area intended to overlap the first protective
film and the layer of double-sided adhesive after removing the
protective film; and pressure union of the first layer with the
second layer so as to form a sole.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the sector of footwear
capable to adapt itself to shape or to deformations of the user's
foot.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In the prior art, it is known in the footwear sector that
purchasers of shoes often find it difficult to put them on due to
problems that may be of various kinds, including: [0003]
differences between the right foot and the left foot; [0004] joint
pain; [0005] increased foot size due to obesity; [0006] bunions;
[0007] hammer toes.
[0008] These difficulties arise when the shoe can no longer expand
horizontally, resulting in loss of user comfort.
[0009] It is well known that, unlike the length, which is a
parameter that can be chosen when purchasing a shoe, the width of
the shoe, and therefore of the sole on which it is mounted, is not
an element that can be chosen.
[0010] In the state of the art, an attempt has been made to
overcome the disadvantage of non-variability of width by creating:
[0011] different forms for the same size, which are models on which
the upper of a shoe is stretched assuming its conformation--the
shoes thus obtained, however, have the drawback of having a
standard fit without the possibility of customisation by the user;
[0012] different types of moulds having different forms of assembly
which, at the same time, however, entail a rise in the
manufacturing costs of the footwear.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Purpose of the present invention is to devise a sole for
footwear capable of widening transversely to the development of the
sole, maintaining this configuration after e relative foot is
extracted from the footwear.
[0014] Another purpose of the present invention is to devise a sole
for footwear the thickness of which has no manufacturing
constraints such as those of the footwear of the prior art, thus
making it a sole adaptable to any type of footwear.
[0015] A no less important purpose of the present invention is to
devise a sole for footwear that is able to solve footwear problems
arising from foot malformations (bunion, hammer toes etc.) much
more effectively and at a much wider level than the footwear known
in the state of the art.
[0016] The basic idea of the present invention is to provide at
least the front portion of the sole of a shoe by means of two
overlapping layers, of which a second layer, internal, intended to
face a relative foot and a first layer, external, intended to face
the ground. Each of the two layers has an approximately
longitudinal cut. The first cut, relative to the first layer, is
arranged proximal to a first lateral edge of the sole, while the
second cut, relative to the second layer, is arranged proximal to a
second lateral edge of the sole, opposite to the first.
[0017] In other words, the two cuts are mutually staggered.
[0018] Between the first and second layers a layer of double-sided
adhesive is arranged, attached to the second layer and detached
from the first layer by means of a folded film so that it can be
extracted from the second cut.
[0019] The double-sided tape is arranged so that, when the film is
removed, it sticks to both lips of the first cut, so as to prevent
rapprochement between the lips. Thanks to the present invention, by
inserting a foot inside the shoe equipped with the film, both the
first and the second layer are free to expand transversely to the
longitudinal development of the sole. While the foot is in the
shoe, the extraction of the film causes the second layer to attach
to the first by means of the double-sided tape, therefore, the lips
of the second cut are no longer allowed to reciprocal
rapprochement, so that the sole retains the acquired shape. Even
the lips of the first cut remain dilated ensuring optimal
comfort.
[0020] Preferably, the double-sided adhesive layer is made of
waterproof material, so that the shoe can be put on even in case of
rain without water penetrating inside.
[0021] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
after the extraction of the film, the second cut is filled with a
filling material, for example based on silicone, or polymer,
sealing the sole of the shoe.
[0022] The dependent claims form an integral part of the present
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FIGURES
[0023] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will
be clear from the description of a preferred but not exclusive sole
for footwear able to adapt to the conformation and to malformations
of the foot according to the present patent application,
illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the appended
drawings, wherein:
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a top view of an example of an incomplete sole
(1) for footwear, where on a tread (2) a double-sided adhesive
layer (3) is provided at the forefoot having a protective film (8)
folded on itself and then made to pass through a cut (4) made on
the tread (2) itself;
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the example of FIG. 1 with a half
sole (5) next to it having a cut (6) intended to be attached to the
tread (2);
[0026] FIG. 3 shows in an axonometric view the sole (1) of the
previous figures in which the half-sole (5) is glued on the tread
(2);
[0027] FIG. 4 shows in an axonometric view the sole (1) of FIG. 3
with which an elastic layer (7) is attached which must be mounted
on the footwear (not shown);
[0028] FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the example of footwear
according to any one of the previous figures, in which the
protective film (8) of the double-sided adhesive layer (3)
protrudes from the cut (4) of the tread (2).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] According to a preferred--but non-limiting--embodiment, the
present invention relates to a sole (1) for footwear able to adapt
to the conformation and to malformations of the foot, comprising:
[0030] a tread (2) on which, in the part at the forefoot, at least
a first cut (4) is made in the direction of the length in a
proximal position with respect to a first edge of the sole (1);
[0031] a double-sided adhesive layer (3) placed on the tread (2)
and having a protective film (8); [0032] a half sole (5) intended
to be attached to the tread (2) on which a second cut (6) is made,
positioned proximal to a second edge of the sole (1), opposite to
the first edge.
[0033] Looking at FIG. 2, it is understood that the half sole (5)
has a shape similar to the front portion of the tread.
[0034] This shape, although rounded, recalls that of an isosceles
trapezoid.
[0035] The first cut is made in order to facilitate the extraction
of the protective film, while the second cut is made in order to
facilitate the adaption of the sole to the shape of the foot.
[0036] In the figures it is seen that the two cuts are
approximately parallel to the opposite lips of the isosceles
trapezoid defined by the front portion of the sole. Nonetheless,
the first cut can assume all intermediate angles and be perfectly
aligned with the longitudinal direction of development X of the
sole and arranged, for example, more centrally.
[0037] The second cut, although longitudinal in shape, can also be
slightly curved to facilitate the adaptation of the half sole to
the foot. Furthermore, it may be convenient to have the second cut
in a more central position, while the first cut is closer to the
edge of the sole.
[0038] What really matters is that the double-sided tape must be
attached to the tread in order to fix the lips of the second cut to
the tread when the protective film is removed.
[0039] Therefore, the double-sided adhesive layer overlaps the
second cut and extends transversely to the longitudinal development
direction X, towards the first cut, preferably up to its internal
edge.
[0040] It is evident that it is considered as the internal lip of a
cut, that lip that faces the other cut, while considering the
external lip that faces towards the respective proximal edge of the
sole.
[0041] It must also be clear that the half sole can also be a whole
plant, i.e. a so-called insole, so as to cover the entire tread
inside the shoe.
[0042] The cuts described above are through, i.e. for the entire
thickness of the respective layers, i.e. the tread and the half
sole.
[0043] These cuts can be angled with respect to the plane
containing the sole, with an angle comprises between 45 and
90.degree..
[0044] With regard to the tread (2), the materials with which it
can be made are those normally used in the state of the art,
including: [0045] E.V.A.--based microporous sheets; [0046] rubber;
[0047] leather; [0048] thunit.
[0049] The components of the sole (1) are preferably cut with a die
or automatic cutting machine and, in the specific case of the tread
(2), also making the first cut (4) for the insertion of the
protective film (8) of the layer of double-sided tape (3). The
shape of the cut (4) is conditioned by the design and aesthetics
that will be given to the sole (1).
[0050] Alternatively to the materials listed above, the following
can be used: [0051] TR; [0052] polyurethane; [0053] TPU.
[0054] Such materials are generally used for molding.
[0055] Even with the aforementioned materials, the tread (2) is
molded so as to carry the first cut (4).
[0056] The material for the realization of the half-sole (5) does
not necessarily have to be the same as that of the tread (2).
[0057] In addition, the half-sole (5) does not necessarily have to
be the same size as the tread (2), but may be larger or smaller as
required.
[0058] The tread (2) can have a hollow part, in which the first cut
(4) is made so as to provide for the insertion of the half plant
(5) previously equipped with the second cut (6). Precisely for the
construction methods of a cassette bottom, the dimensions of the
half plant (5) are smaller and those of the tread (2).
[0059] Nonetheless, the shape of the half plant is similar, albeit
smaller, than the shape of the front portion of the tread.
[0060] The half-sole (5) is made in the same way as the tread (2).
Regardless of the material with which it is made, what must be kept
unchanged is the type of cut (6) since it must be made "straight",
i.e. parallel to the longitudinal direction defined by the toe-heel
connection line, in order to facilitate the opening of the same
when the shoe is put on.
[0061] The double-sided adhesive layer (3) placed between the tread
(2) and the half-sole (5) serves to secure said two parts at the
moment in which the sole (1) has undergone the widening caused by
the insertion of the foot into the shoe. In fact, when the footwear
has adapted to the foot, ensuring perfect comfort, the double-sided
adhesive layer (3) hitherto attached only to the tread (2) is freed
from the relative protective film (8), also attaching to the
half-sole (5), thereby obtaining the compaction of the sole
(1).
[0062] The shape of the double-sided adhesive layer (3) is obtained
by die-cutting or cutting and will be dictated, on one side, by the
profile of the cut (4) on the tread (2); on the other it must
exceed, according to a direction transverse to the longitudinal
development direction X, by a few millimetres (about 4-6 mm), the
second cut (6) of the half-sole (5) in order to block the position
of the relative lips with respect to the tread. According to the
longitudinal direction of development X, the double-sided tape must
exceed the ends of the second cut (6) by 4-6 mm.
[0063] In other words, the double-sided adhesive layer extends
between the first cut until it reaches and exceeds the second cut,
when the half sole is attached to the tread in an operative
configuration.
[0064] The double-sided adhesive layer thus made serves to ensure
that, following the mutual removal of the lips of the second cut
(6), it is able to constitute a barrier to the penetration of water
into the sole.
[0065] To further improve the waterproofing of the tread, after
removing the film, it is possible to inject in the first cut an
adhesive paste capable of sealing the tread.
[0066] The material of the layer (3) is preferably a closed-cell,
double-sided adhesive designed to ensure that it is waterproof,
ensuring that the shoe is watertight and suitable for walking even
on ground with pools of water or snow without these being able to
penetrate inside.
[0067] As regards the protective film (8) of the double-sided
adhesive layer (3), it is made of a die-cut silicone plastic film
perforated to cover the face of the double sided layer in contact
with the half sole and includes an extraction tab that extends for
the transverse length of the double-sided layer crosses the tread
and protrudes externally from it for 1-1.5 cm.
[0068] The film is attached to the double-sided adhesive starting
from the edge of the same double-sided adhesive proximal to the
first cut, folded on itself and inserted into the cut until it juts
out from it.
[0069] The protective film (8) therefore has a transverse extension
that is more than double compared to the double-sided adhesive
layer (3). On one side, a flap of said protective film (8) is
proximal to the cut (4) of the tread (2), while on the other side
it must go 1-6 mm beyond the double-sided adhesive layer (3) so
that, by pulling the extraction tongue on the tread (2), the
protective film (8) unrolls, facilitating detachment from the
double-sided adhesive layer (3). The protective film (8) is
preferably made of siliconed plastic, in this way it is ensured
that the adhesives that must be used in the assembly do not adhere
to it, preventing its extraction.
[0070] The protective film (8) also facilitates the sliding between
the half-sole (5) and the tread (2) and therefore their bonding
during the phase of conformation of the sole to the foot, i.e. when
the foot is inserted in the shoe and the protective film has not
yet been extracted from it.
[0071] The upper is associated with the sole (1) to define the
complete shoe, it can be shaped to wrap the foot right under the
sole of the foot forming a tubular partially defined by an elastic
layer (7) at least in correspondence with a portion that overlaps
the second cut.
[0072] The purpose of the elastic layer (7) is to guarantee the
enlargement of the upper when the shoe is put on, also ensuring
that the upper itself adheres optimally to the foot.
[0073] The material of the elastic layer (7) is that normally
available on the market and sold in elastic tapes.
[0074] It is important that: [0075] in the positioning on the
upper, the direction of extension of the elastic layer (7) is
transversal with respect to the longitudinal development direction
X; [0076] when gluing the upper to the sole (1), the elastic layer
(7) is not glued for at least 2 cm from the lip of the second cut
(6) towards the centre of the half-sole (5).
[0077] A preferred method of assembling the sole (1) includes the
following steps: [0078] insertion of the protective film tab (8)
inside the first cut (4) [0079] detachment of the original film
from the face of the double-sided adhesive layer (3) destined to
contact the half-sole (5) [0080] attachment of the protective film
(8) on the face of the previously peeled double-sided adhesive
layer, [0081] folding of the protective film (8) on the lip between
the second cut (6) and the tongue itself; [0082] peeling off the
other side of the double-sided adhesive layer (3) and attaching the
double-sided adhesive layer so as to be next to the internal lip of
the first cut (4) so as not to prevent the opening of the same
first cut; [0083] distribution of glue over the entire surface of
the tread (2) remained visible, that is, not covered by the
protective film e [0084] distribution of the same adhesive on the
half-sole (5) leaving out the area destined to overlap the
protection film before and the double-sided adhesive layer after
removing the protection film; [0085] pressure union of the tread
(2) with the half-sole (5) so as to ensure that the two parts
constitute a single block capable of forming the sole (1).
[0086] The second cut (6) of the half-sole (5) and the first cut
(4) of the tread (2) may have different embodiments, including:
[0087] the cut (4) of the tread (2) can be extended to the heel
area, ensuring a comfortable fit for both the forefoot and heel
area; [0088] in the event that a shoe is to be made with the wedge
made of rigid material, such as EVA, the second cut (6) can be made
from one side to the other dividing said half-sole (5) into two
parts; [0089] in the event that a shoe is to be made in a rigid
material, for example a wedge, a very rigid tread can be provided,
in which a seat or box is made in which an elastic layer
corresponding to the first layer and a half-sole is accommodated,
with the relative cuts and locking system described above. In this
case the cut (6) of the half-sole (5) can be made by cutting said
half-sole (5) almost or for the entire longitudinal length.
[0090] As can be seen in the figures, the cuts are essentially
inside the contour of the tread and half sola respectively.
[0091] The length of the cuts (4, 6) is proportional to the
conformability that is intended to be given to the sole (1); said
length is variable depending on the material used to make said
sole.
[0092] The sole (1) is presented to the operator who assembles the
shoe like a normal pre-trimmed sole or with a template welt. The
only precaution that the operator where to have is to avoid making
the elastic layer (7) adhere to the half sole around the second
cut.
[0093] The materials and dimensions of the invention as described
above, illustrated in the appended drawings and claimed below, may
be any as required. In addition, all the details are replaceable
with others technically equivalent, while remaining within the
sphere of protection of this patent application.
* * * * *