Shoe Sole

Description

The present invention relates to a shoe sole, made of a three-dimensional textile.

Soles made up of shock-absorbing and/or insulating materials such as compounds and foams (silicone, polyurethane, etc.) are known.

The use of this type of material in the clothing industry has the drawback of consuming extremely high amounts of energy in its manufacture and of being very complicated to recycle.

This fact penalizes companies marketing their products especially in the European Union.

What is more, the air bubbles present in the foams act like as many air cushions which gradually absorb energy through an increase in pressure. Through use and over time the material becomes porous and thus loses its shock-absorbing capabilities.

It is known that a shoe is made up of a superposition of layers these being, from foot to ground:

• • the insole sock: antibacterial and antifungal comfort, ventilation, absorption and desorption capability;
  • the insole: this supports the insole sock (to which it is bonded), the midsole and the upper (to which it is stitched);
  • the midsole: this acts as thermal insulation and as a shock absorber, and is generally assembled with the insole sock and, as appropriate, with any puncture-proof insert there might be, by bonding.

The object of the present invention is to produce soles capable of absorbing repeated mechanical impacts while at the same time having good shape memory.

The specifications that the sole according to the present invention has to meet are as follows:

• • recycling and ecodesign in accordance with the specifications of the European Directive;
  • damping,
  • flexing,
  • antibacterial and antifungal functions,
  • non-slip,
  • ergonomics, variable geometry,
  • ventilation,
  • insulation from moisture
  • thermal insulation and electrical conductivity.

The shoe sole according to the present invention consists of a multilayer complex provided:

• • with an upper first external hygiene face exhibiting a non-slip honeycomb profile,
  • with a three-dimensional textile structure formed of vertical rods made of impact-absorbing polypropylene,
  • and with a lower second external face exhibiting a high-strength surface made of a polyester with very good antibacterial and antifungal properties.

The shoe sole according to the present invention consists of an upper first external hygiene face which is made of antibacterial, antifungal and antistatic composite threads.

The shoe sole according to the present invention consists of an upper first external hygiene face which forms the insole sock of a shoe.

The shoe sole according to the present invention consists of a three-dimensional textile structure which forms the insole of a shoe.

The shoe sole according to the present invention consists of a lower second external face which forms the midsole of a shoe.

The shoe sole according to the present invention consists of a three-dimensional textile structure which comprises a number of vertical rods which varies according to the regions on which the foot will rest.

The shoe sole according to the present invention consists of a three-dimensional textile structure which is made up of biocides in its external faces consisting respectively of the insole sock and the midsole.

The description which will follow with reference to the attached drawings given by way of nonlimiting examples will allow for a better understanding of the invention, its features and the advantages it is liable to afford:

plate 1 is a schematic view illustrating the shoe sole according to the present invention;

plate 2 is a schematic view depicting the principle behind the reaction to flexing of the shoe sole according to the present invention;

plate 3 is a schematic view showing the distribution of the bristles of the three-dimensional textile of the shoe sole according to the present invention;

plate 4 is a schematic view illustrating the principle of ventilation of the shoe sole according to the present invention; and

plate 5 is a schematic view depicting the principle of insulation against moisture of the shoe sole according to the present invention

Plate 1 shows a sole S consisting of a multilayer complex combining the insole sock 1, the insole 2 and the midsole 3.

The insole sock 1 has a non-slip, micro-ventilated, antibacterial, antifungal and antistatic honeycomb profile. This insole sock is made of composite threads like those described and protected in French patent application FR 2 882 267 in the name of the applicant.

The insole 2 is made up of a three-dimensional textile structure 4 formed of vertical impact absorbing polypropylene rods 5 the density of which can vary according to the supporting regions and according to the desired degree of insulation from moisture.

The midsole 3 is a high-strength surface consisting of a polyester with very good antibacterial and antifungal properties. The midsole 3 also forms a base onto which to attach the sole S.

Plates 2 and 3 depict the principle of reaction to flexing and distribution of the vertical rods 5 in the three-dimensional textile structure 4 of the insole 2 that forms the shoe sole S.

The vertical rods 5 act like as many shock absorbers which react individually to the pressure region and pressure from the foot.

The three-dimensional textile structure 4 provides good longitudinal and lateral flexibility so as to accompany the foot in all the movements thereof.

To improve hygiene, comfort and safety throughout the life of the product, the three-dimensional textile structure 4 is made up of biocides protected by French patent application FR 2 882 267 in its external faces consisting respectively of the insole sock 1 and the midsole 3.

The presence of this biocide on the two external faces protects the sole of the feet from infections or fungal infections and protects the bottom of the shoe from malodorous colonizations.

The external faces consisting respectively of the insole sock 1 and the midsole 3 of the three-dimensional textile structure 4 are formed of a honeycomb complex exhibiting a surface with grip perfectly suited to intensive use (sport). The structure prevents friction, which is known as fooling.

It is clearly evident that providing the foot with good support involves there being a great many vertical rods 5 in the three-dimensional textile structure 4 in the regions supporting the sole of the foot where body weight distribution is the greatest.

It is therefore absolutely essential to increase the strength of the three-dimensional textile structure 4 by increasing the number and density of vertical rods 5 in the necessary supporting regions.

Plate 4, figures A and B, illustrates the principle of ventilation of the shoe sole S according to the present invention.

Thus, each time pressure P is exerted on the sole S, the air present between the two external contact faces consisting respectively of the insole sock 1 and the midsole 3, will be expelled to the ends of the shoe (figure A).

Conversely, each time the sole S regains its shape R, an inrush of fresh air will enter between the two external contact faces consisting of the insole sock 1 and the midsole 3 respectively (figure B).

In other words, an aerodynamic phenomenon will ventilate the bottom of the shoe on each step leading, under the pressure phenomenon, to a swift expulsion of the hot air AC and moisture H contained in the sole S followed by an inrush of fresh air AF when the sole regains its shape.

Plate 5 depicts the principle of insulating a shoe sole S according to the present invention against moisture.

The three-dimensional textile structure 4 provides perfect insulation against perspiration. The porosity and the absorption capacity of the upper external face consisting of the insole sock 1 traps the perspiration which is then drained away by the three-dimensional textile 4.

The sole S according to the present invention is able, unlike foams, to remove and store moisture away from the skin. This then avoids soaking effects, the risks of reddening and of blistering due to the softening of the skin.

The three-dimensional textile structure 4 contains a significant volume of air which insulates the sole of the foot from the internal surface of the shoe. The air volume thus present creates a buffer region between the materials of the shoe which are conductive by contact and the foot.

Also, the presence of the thread described in French patent application FR 2 882 267 allows for the discharge of static electricity.

It must also be understood that the foregoing description has been given merely by way of example and that it does not in any way restrict the field of the invention and that replacing the embodiment details described with any other equivalent would not constitute departure from the field of the invention.