U.S. patent number 3,842,519 [Application Number 05/326,757] was granted by the patent office on 1974-10-22 for deodorizer sheet material.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Combe Incorporated. Invention is credited to Herbert Lapidus.
United States Patent |
3,842,519 |
Lapidus |
October 22, 1974 |
DEODORIZER SHEET MATERIAL
Abstract
Shoe inserts are produced comprising a sole-shaped sheet or the
like of foamed latex impregnated with activated charcoal. When such
a shaped sheet is used as a shoe insert or insole it is found to
substantially reduce or even eliminate foot odors frequently
associated with perspiring feet.
Inventors: |
Lapidus; Herbert (Ridgefield,
CT) |
Assignee: |
Combe Incorporated (White
Plains, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
23273574 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/326,757 |
Filed: |
January 26, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/44;
428/317.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B
17/10 (20130101); A43B 1/0045 (20130101); Y10T
428/249989 (20150401); Y10T 428/249986 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
A43B
17/10 (20060101); A43B 17/00 (20060101); A43b
013/38 () |
Field of
Search: |
;36/44,43
;260/2.5AK |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
728,075 |
|
Apr 1955 |
|
GB |
|
1,937,373 |
|
Jan 1970 |
|
DT |
|
Primary Examiner: Guest; Alfred R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Johnson, Dienner, Emrich, Verbeck
& Wagner
Claims
I claim:
1. A shoe insert for absorbing odors resulting from perspiring feet
comprising a cured sheet of opencelled foam, at least one side of
the sheet having a relatively smooth skin formed during curing
which is impervious to passage of charcoal particles, said foam
containing homogeneously distributed through the solid part thereof
finely divided activated charcoal particles in an amount effective
to absorb odors when said sheet is subjected to contact with foot
perspiration and to passage of odor-filled air through interstitial
spaces within said foam, said charcoal particles having been
incorporated prior to frothing and curing of said foam.
2. The article of claim 1 wherein the charcoal is present in the
amount of about 10.2 to 35 percent.
3. The article of claim 1 wherein the other side has a backing
layer of a material which is pervious to passage of air, at least
the outer surface of said layer being free of finely divided
activated charcoal.
4. The product of claim 1 wherein said foam is formed of latex.
5. The product of claim 2 wherein said material is a textile.
6. The product of claim 1 wherein said foam is selected from the
group consisting of latex foams, polyurethane foams, and vinyl
chloride plastisol foams.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Activated charcoal has long been used as a filter aid with both
liquids and gases for the purpose of clarifying liquids and
deodorizing liquids and gases.
In recent times it has been proposed as for example in British
Specification No. 1,270,809 to incorporate activated charcoal into
a fibre web or mat, the web or mat being supported by a backing
material such as cloth obtained from natural sources as cotton, or
formed of a synthetic such as nylon, and shaped so that the
resulting web fits into and covers the inner sole of a shoe. It has
also been proposed to attach a layer or coating of a foam material
such as polyurethane foam to such a web for the purpose of
providing increased strength and springiness.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
My invention is directed to a unique shoe insert, or insole, which
effectively and economically minimizes odors which are often
associated with feet and which occur in conjunction with or as a
result of perspiration. In general, my shoe insert comprises a
foamed material, conveniently in the form of a sheet which has been
cut or otherwise shaped to conform to the basic outline of a foot,
and is adapted for insertion into a shoe. The shoe insert formed by
incorporating activated charcoal into a chemical mix used to
produce an open-celled foam through whose interstitial spaces air
can pass.
After incorporation of the charcoal into a latex-containing
chemical mix, the material is homogenized and spread uniformly into
a web of cloth or the like, and then passed under a doctor blade to
produce a desired thickness. The resulting product is then heat
processed in order to produce a latex foam which is bonded to the
web.
The resulting latex-foam sheets, containing charcoal dispersed
therethrough, are then cut into such sizes as are appropriate for
fitting comfortably into shoes, male or female. In use the insole
is inserted into the shoe with the impregnated latex facing
downward in the shoe to thereby permit contact of the web or
backing material with the foot, and with the sock covering it.
The especially excellent effectiveness of my shoe insert seems to
result from the circulation of air and vapors through and around
the highly absorbable carbon particles, which occurs when the shoe
containing such insert is worn.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
So that my invention may be fully understood I shall hereinafter
describe a specific example illustrating the practice of my
invention. This illustration is for that purpose only, and is not
intended to either limit the scope of the invention or of the
claims appended hereto.
EXAMPLE I ______________________________________ Ingredients Dry
Weight ______________________________________ GR-S Latex 100.0 lbs.
Sulfur 1.5 lbs. Zinc Oxide 4.0 - 5.0 lbs. Surfactant 9.0 lbs.
Filler 100.0 lbs. Activated Charcoal 25.0 - 32.0 lbs. Antioxidant
1.2 lbs. Accelerator 2.5 lbs.
______________________________________
The GR-S latex, a synthetic cold-type styrene-butodiene
manufactured by the Goodyear Company of Akron, Ohio, is used in the
form of an aqueous slurry (143.0 lbs). And the activated charcoal,
available under the tradename Nu-Char, is also used in the form of
an aqueous slurry (150.0 lbs.).
The procedure used is as follows: The latex slurry is weighed out
into a suitable mixing vessel and there is then added 9.0 lbs. of
the surfactant, dioctyl-sodium-sulfo-succinate, available from the
American Cyanamid Company of New York, under the trade name of
Aerosol O T. There is then added 2.5 lbs. of potassium persulfate
as the accelerator, followed by additions of 1.5 lbs. of rubber
makers grade sulfur, 4.0 to 5.0 lbs. of zinc oxide (American
Process) and 1.2 lbs of dioctyl phospite antioxidant.
Silica flour filler (100.0 lbs.) is then added, followed by
addition of the activated charcoal aqueous slurry (143. lbs. of
which is Nu-Char).
If it is desired to increase the viscosity of the foregoing mix, a
suitable thickener, e.g., Methocel may be added.
The above components are then mixed to form a homogenous mass, and
is then fed into a hopper, thence into a homogenizer, preferably an
Oaks mixer, which is a rotor stator type homogenizer. Preferable
two mixers are used in series. At the first mixer (called a
pre-frother) air is injected to control the pour density of the
product. The base weight of the finished product is controlled by
regulation of this air.
The material is then pumped into the second mixer, also a
homogenizer, where the froth is refined, controlling the cell
structure size.
After the mix leaves the second mixer and onto a flat surface (belt
or table) covered with a layer of fabric which serves as a backing
for the finished insert the thickness of the flow is controlled by
a doctor blade set to give a finished foam guage of 80/1000
inch.
Instead of applying the mix onto a flat survace covered with a
layer of fabric, as described above, the latex mix may be applied
to a transfer paper instead. In other words, my sheet material can
be produced with or without a fabric laminate.
Cup weights are taken after the mix leaves the second mixer; cup
weights between 85 and 90 grams are acceptable, 87 grams being
preferred. The tare weight (cup) is 24 grams.
The resulting material is then cured and dried in a forced hot air
oven at temperatures ranging from 310.degree. F to 350.degree. F,
with approximately 3 minutes of dwell time.
It will be understood, of course, by those skilled in the art that
variations in the exact amounts and precise kinds of ingredients
used in producing my charcoal-loaded latex foam are possible. Thus
the levels of finely ground activated charcoal used may be varied
rather widely, for example 35 percent or higher, by weight of the
chemical mix producing the latex foam (dry basis) may be used,
limited of course by the difficulty of incorporation into the latex
mix, economic considerations, appearance and the like.
And though one specific latex foam formulation has been set forth
in the foregoing example, those persons skilled in the art will
understand that other foam formulations may be used, preferably
those which can be processed to form an open-celled foam which
breathes and allows for the passage of air through its interstitial
spaces.
While it is presently preferred that the open-celled foam in sheet
form comprising my invention be produced using latex, it is also
contemplated, and is within the broad concept of my invention, that
other open-celled foams may be used, such as polyurethane foams and
vinyl chloride plastisol foams, especially where a slightly more
rigid product is desired.
* * * * *