ARTICLE HAVING A MICROBIAL SENSOR SYSTEM

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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SEQUENCE LISTING

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BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates generally to an article, such as an article of footwear, that includes a sensor system. In particular aspects, the present disclosure relates to an article with a microbial insole sensor system with a bioactive portion.

2. Description of the Background

Many conventional articles, including articles of footwear and shoes, may have a sensor system incorporated therein. Sensor systems may help collect a variety of data, including performance data, e.g., a speed or velocity, and/or data associated with the user, e.g., a heart rate of the user. Some sensor systems may include one or more sensors used to collect data, electronic components capable of collecting and storing the collected data, as well as electronic components capable of sending or transmitting the collected data to a remote device, e.g., a processor or computer.

However, many sensor systems may be difficult to incorporate in articles, such as articles of footwear or articles of clothing. Further, many sensory systems include complex wiring and expensive electronic components. Additionally, the complex wiring and electronic components are usually integrated within the article of footwear and typically are within the sole structure. As such, once incorporated into a particular article, these sensor systems may be specific to that single article and may not be incorporated into other articles. For example, a sensor system integrated into an article of footwear typically cannot be detached from the article of footwear and subsequently integrated into a second, separate article of footwear.

A need therefore exists for an easy to use sensor system that may be incorporated into an article, such as an article of footwear, which provides real-time feedback to a user. Further, a need also exists for a sensor system for an article, such as an article of footwear, which may be easily incorporated in a plurality of articles during its use.

SUMMARY

An article of footwear, as described herein, may have various configurations. The article of footwear may have an upper, a sole structure connected to the upper, and an insole member.

In one aspect, the insole member of the article of footwear may include a base layer, an intermediate layer having a plurality of cavities, and a microbial layer having a plurality of microbial mediums with one or more microorganisms therein. Further, the cavities receive the microbial mediums of the microbial layer.

In related embodiments, the microorganism may alter a biochemical property of the microbial medium when subjected to a stimulus. In some embodiments, the biochemical property is a pH value and, in such embodiments, the intermediate layer may further include a plurality of pH sensors capable of measuring the pH value of the microbial mediums. In other embodiments, the biochemical property is an electrical conductivity or electrical resistance and, in such embodiments, the intermediate layer may include an electrical conductivity meter. Further, the stimulus may be heat. The base layer may also include one or more microcontrollers, which may be connected to the intermediate layer and may receive data from the intermediate layer. The microcontrollers may also be capable of transmitting the data to a remote device.

In another aspect, the insole member may include a base layer having a plurality of microcontrollers, and an upper layer having a plurality of cavities and a plurality of microbial encapsulations within the cavities. The microbial encapsulations include one or more microorganisms.

In related embodiments, the microorganisms may secrete a chemical when subjected to a stimulus and, in particular embodiments, the chemical may be an organic acid and the organic acid may alter a biochemical state of the microbial encapsulation. The upper may also include a circuit layer capable of measuring a value associated with the microbial encapsulation. In one embodiment, the measured value is a pH value and, in another embodiment, the measured value is an electrical conductivity of the microbial encapsulation. In further embodiments, the circuit layer is electrically connected to the microcontrollers and the microcontrollers may be capable of transmitting data associated with the measured value to a remote device.

In another aspect, the insole member includes a base component having a top layer, a bottom layer, and an interior void, an intermediate component having at least one cell, and a microbial component having a plurality of microorganisms within a medium. The microbial component is positioned within the at least one cell of the intermediate component, the microorganisms are capable of biological activity when subjected to a stimulus, and the mediums are sealed encapsulations.

Other aspects of the article of footwear and the insole member, including features and advantages thereof, will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the figures and detailed description herein. Therefore, all such aspects of the article of footwear and the insole member are intended to be included in the detailed description and this summary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an article of footwear having an insole member, a sole structure, and an upper;

FIG. 2 is a lateral side elevational view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is a top plan view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1, with an upper removed and a user's skeletal foot structure overlaid thereon;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A is a top plan view of the insole member of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5B is a top plan view of the insole member of FIG. 5A, with a user's skeletal foot structure overlaid thereon;

FIG. 6 is a lateral side elevational view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1, with an upper and sole structure removed;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the insole member of FIG. 5A, the insole member including a microbial layer, a circuit layer, and a base layer;

FIG. 9A is a top plan view of the microbial layer of the insole member of FIG. 8, according to a first aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9B is a top plan view of the microbial layer of the insole member of FIG. 8, according to a second aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the circuit layer of the insole member of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the circuit layer of the insole member of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the base layer of the insole member of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of internal components of the base layer of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14A is a side view of a user wearing an article of footwear having the insole member of FIG. 8, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14B is a side view of a user of FIG. 14A, after the microbial layer of the insole member has altered in state;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an article of footwear that includes a sole structure, an upper, and an insole member, according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view of the article of footwear of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment of the use of a device for obtaining information from the insole member of a pair of articles; and

FIG. 18 schematically illustrates an embodiment of screen images of articles of footwear having the insole members of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose various embodiments or configurations of a sensor system having a biological component that may be used or incorporated into an article, such as an insole of an article of footwear.

In certain embodiments, concepts of the sensory system may be incorporated into an insole for an article of footwear, including articles of footwear that are considered athletic articles of footwear or sports shoes, such as running shoes, tennis shoes, basketball shoes, cross-training shoes, football shoes, golf shoes, hiking shoes, hiking boots, ski or snowboard boots, soccer shoes or cleats, walking shoes, track cleats, or any athletic article of footwear utilizing an upper. The concepts associated with embodiments of the present disclosure may also be applied to a wide range of other footwear and footwear styles, such as non-athletic articles of footwear, including dress shoes, sandals, loafers, slippers, or heels.

In other embodiments, as will be further discussed herein, concepts or aspects of the sensory system may be applied to or incorporated into other articles, such as articles of clothing, accessories, athletic equipment, or any article that a sensor system of the present disclosure may be desired. Accordingly, concepts described herein may be utilized in a variety of products.

The term “about,” as used herein, refers to variation in the numerical quantity that may occur, for example, through typical measuring and manufacturing procedures used for articles of footwear or other articles of manufacture that may include embodiments of the disclosure herein; through inadvertent error in these procedures; through differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of the ingredients used to make the compositions or mixtures or carry out the methods; and the like. Throughout the disclosure, the terms “about” and “approximately” refer to a range of values ±5% of the numeric value that the term precedes.

The terms “weight percent,” “wt-%,” “percent by weight,” “% by weight,” and variations thereof, as used herein, refer to the concentration of a substance or component as the weight of that substance or component divided by the total weight, for example, of the composition or of a particular component of the composition, and multiplied by 100. It is understood that, as used herein, “percent,” “%,” and the like may be synonymous with “weight percent” and “wt-%.”

The terms “degrade,” “degradable,” and “degradation,” as used herein, may refer to a material, composition, medium, component of or portion of an article, such as an article of footwear for example, that is capable of being decomposed chemically or biologically following activation by a given stimulus, stimuli, or exposure to an active agent that promotes decomposition at a rate more rapid than if the material, composition, medium, component of or portion of the article of footwear were left to decompose without the stimulus, stimuli, or active agent.

The terms “biodegrade,” “biodegradable,” and “biodegradation,” as used herein, may refer to a material, composition, medium, component of or portion of an article, such as an article of footwear for example, that is capable of being decomposed biologically following activation by a given biological stimulus, stimuli, or exposure to a biologically active agent that promotes decomposition at a rate more rapid than if the material, composition, medium, component of or portion of the article of footwear were left to decompose without the biologically active agent.

Degradation or biodegradation may be identified based on an alteration in the properties of the polymer or material such as reduction in molecular weight, loss of mechanical strength, loss of surface properties, the breakdown of the material into fragments, a change in the color of the material, a change in the weight of the material, a change in flexibility of the material, a change in toughness of the material, or release of one or more small molecules from the polymer or material including, but not limited to, CO₂, CH₄, and H₂O.

The terms “bioactive” and/or “biologically active” as used herein, may refer to a material, composition, medium, component of or a portion of an article, such as an article of footwear for example, that is capable of biological activity, a biological effect, a biochemical activity, or biochemical alteration. For example, bioactivity may be identified based on the alteration of a chemical, biological, or biochemical nature or state (e.g., a change in pH, a change in conductance, a change in molecular weight, a change in chemical structure) of a material, a composition, medium, or component of or a portion of an article, such as an article of footwear. In further aspects, the terms “bioactive” and/or “biologically active,” as used herein, may refer to a material, composition, medium, or component of or a portion of an article, that includes a biological component, such as a microbe or microorganism, that alters the biological, chemical, or biochemical state of the material, composition, medium, or component of or portion of the article. For example, in some embodiments, a “bioactive” and/or biologically active” material, composition, or medium may refer to a material, composition, or medium having a microorganism that produces or alters organic matter within the material, composition, or medium. A non-limiting example may include a material, composition, or medium having a microorganism or enzyme that produces an organic acid and, thereby, changes a pH value within the material, composition, or medium.

FIGS. 1-6 depict an exemplary embodiment of an article of footwear 100 that may include an insole 102 having a sensor system, according to aspects of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the article of footwear 100 includes a sole structure 104 and an upper 106, which may be attached to the sole structure 104 and together may define an interior cavity 108 into which a foot may be inserted.

In order to provide points of reference, the article of footwear 100 and the insole 102 may be defined by a forefoot region 110, a midfoot region 112, and a heel region 114 (see FIGS. 2, 3A, 3B, 5A, 5B, and 6). Looking to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 5A, and 5B the forefoot region 110 may generally correspond with portions of the article of footwear 100 or the insole 102 that encase or support portions of a foot 116 that include the toes or phalanges 118, the ball of the foot 120, and joints 122 that connect the metatarsals 124 of the foot 116 with the toes or phalanges 118. The midfoot region 112 is proximate to the forefoot region 110 and adjoins the forefoot region 110. The midfoot region 112 generally corresponds with portions of the article of footwear 100 or insole 102 that encase or support the arch of a foot 126, along with the bridge 128 of the foot 116. The heel region 114 is proximate to the midfoot region 112 and adjoins the midfoot region 112. The heel region 114 generally corresponds with portions of the article of footwear 100 or insole 102 that encase or support rear portions of the foot 116, including the heel or calcaneus bone 130, the ankle 132, and/or the Achilles tendon (not shown).

Looking back to FIGS. 1-6, the article of footwear 100 and the insole 102 also includes a medial side 150 and a lateral side 152. In particular, the lateral side 152 corresponds to an outside portion of the article of footwear 100 or an outside portion of the insole 102, and the medial side 150 corresponds to an inside portion of the article of footwear 100 or an inside portion of the insole 102. As such, a left article of footwear and a right article of footwear have opposing lateral and medial sides, such that the medial sides 150 are closest to one another when a user is wearing the articles of footwear 100 or insoles 102, while the lateral sides 152 are defined as the sides that are farthest from one another while being worn. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the medial side 150 and the lateral side 152 adjoin one another along a longitudinal central plane or axis 154 of the article of footwear 100 or the insole 102. Further, the longitudinal central plane or axis 154 may demarcate a central intermediate axis between the medial side 150 and the lateral side 152 of the article of footwear 100 or the insole 102. Put differently, the longitudinal plane or axis 154 may extend between a rear, distal end 156 of the article of footwear 100 or the insole 102, and a front, distal end 158 of the article of footwear 100 or the insole 102, and may continuously define a middle of the sole structure 104, the upper 106, as well as the insole 102 (see FIGS. 3A, 3B, 5A, and 5B), of the article of footwear 100, i.e., the longitudinal plane or axis 354 is a straight axis extending through the rear, distal end 156 of the heel region 114 and to the front, distal end 158 of the forefoot region 110.

Certain aspects of the disclosure may refer to portions or elements that are coextensive with one or more of the forefoot region 110, the midfoot region 112, the heel region 114, the medial side 150, and/or the lateral side 152. Further, the insole 102, the sole structure 104, and the upper 106 may be characterized as having portions within the forefoot region 110, the midfoot region 112, the heel region 114, and on the medial side 150 and the lateral side 152. Therefore, the insole 102, the sole structure 104, or the upper 106, and/or individual portions of the insole 102, the sole structure 104, or the upper 106, may include portions thereof that are disposed within the forefoot region 110, the midfoot region 112, the heel region 114, and on the medial side 150 and the lateral side 152.

Unless otherwise specified herein, and specifically referring to the top plan views of FIGS. 3A, 3B, 5A, and 5B, the forefoot region 110, the midfoot region 112, the heel region 114, the medial side 150, and the lateral side 152 are intended to define boundaries or areas of the article of footwear 100 or the insole 102. To that end, although the forefoot region 110, midfoot region 112, heel region 114, medial side 150, and lateral side 152 have been generally defined above, it should be understood that the forefoot region 110, the midfoot region 112, the heel region 110, the medial side 150, and the lateral side 152 may also characterize exact sections of the article of footwear 100 or the insole 102, in particular embodiments. As such, particular reference to the forefoot region 110, the midfoot region 112, the heel region 114, the medial side 150, and/or the lateral side 152 may be defined in both general terms to provide reference to particular portions of the article of footwear and exact terms to provide discrete boundaries across an article of footwear or insole, such as the article of footwear 100 or the insole 102.

For example, it should be understood that numerous modifications may be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description and the insole 102, and individual components thereof, may be incorporated into numerous articles of footwear and numerous insoles. Accordingly, aspects of the article of footwear 100 and the insole, and components thereof, may be described with reference to general areas or portions of the article of footwear 100 or the insole 102, with an understanding the boundaries of the forefoot region 110, the midfoot region 112, the heel region 114, the medial side 150, and/or the lateral side 152 as described herein may vary between articles of footwear.

However, aspects of the article of footwear 100 or the insole 102, and individual components thereof, may be described with reference to exact areas or portions of the article of footwear 100 or the insole 102, and the scope of the appended claims herein may incorporate the limitations associated with these boundaries of the forefoot region 110, the midfoot region 112, the heel region 114, the medial side 150, and/or the lateral side 152 discussed herein.

In light of the above, and with continued reference to the top plan views of FIGS. 3A, 3B, 5A, and 5B, the forefoot region 110, the midfoot region 112, the heel region 114, the medial side 150, and the lateral side 152 are shown in greater detail. The forefoot region 110 extends from a toe end or front distal end 158 to a widest portion 200 of a front end of the article of footwear 100 or from a toe end or front distal end 158 to a widest portion 200 of a forefoot region 110 of the insole 102. In particular aspects, the forefoot region 110 may extend from a toe end or front distal end 158 to a widest portion of an insole 102, a sole structure 104, and/or an upper 106 of the article of footwear 100. The widest portion 200 may be defined or measured along a line 202 that is perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal, central axis 154 that extends from a front distal end 158 of the forefoot region 110 to a rear distal end 156 of the heel region 114 of the article of footwear 100 or the insole 102, which is opposite the front distal end 158 of the forefoot region 110. The widest portion 200 of the article of footwear 100 or the widest portion 200 of the insole 102, may also be generally defined by the portion of the article of footwear 100 that encases or supports the portion of the foot 116 at which point a proximal phalanx, or proximal phalange 118, connects to the metatarsal 124 of the foot 116.

The midfoot region 112 extends from the widest portion 200 to a thinnest portion 204 of the article of footwear 100 or the insole 102. The thinnest portion 204 of the article of footwear 100 is defined as the thinnest portion of the insole 102, the sole structure 104, and/or the upper 106 of the article of footwear 100, measured across a line 206 that is perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal, central axis 154. The heel region 114 of the article of footwear 100 extends from the thinnest portion 204 of the insole 102, the sole structure 104, and/or the upper 106 of the article of footwear 100 and to the rear distal end 156 of the article of footwear 100 (or the insole 102).

Still referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 5A, and 5B, the medial side 150 begins at the rear distal end 156 and bows outward along an inner side of the article of footwear 100 (or the insole 102) along the heel region 114 toward the midfoot region 112. The medial side 150 reaches a widest heel portion 250 at which point the medial side 150 bows inward, toward the central, longitudinal axis 154. The medial side 150 extends from the widest heel portion 250 and towards the thinnest portion 204, at which point the medial side 150 enters into the midfoot region 112 (i.e., upon crossing the line 206). From the thinnest portion 204, the medial side 150 bows outward, away from the longitudinal, central axis 154 and toward the widest portion 200, at which point the medial side 150 extends into the forefoot region 110 (i.e., upon crossing the line 202). Once at the widest portion 200, the medial side 150 bows inward toward the front distal end 158, where the medial side 150 meets the longitudinal, central axis 154 and thereby ceases.

Continuing to refer to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 5A, and 5B, the lateral side 152 also begins at the rear distal end 156 of the heel region 114 and bows outward along an outer side of the article of footwear 100 along the heel region 114 toward the midfoot region 112. The lateral side 152 reaches the widest heel portion 250, at which point the lateral side 152 bows inward, toward the longitudinal, central axis 154. The lateral side 152 extends from the widest heel portion 250 and toward the thinnest portion 204, at which point the lateral side 152 enters into the midfoot region 112 (i.e., upon crossing the line 206). From the thinnest portion 204, the lateral side 152 bows outward, away from the longitudinal, central axis 154 toward the widest portion 200, at which point the lateral side 152 extends into the forefoot region 110 (i.e., upon crossing the line 202). Once at the widest portion 200, the lateral side 152 bows inward toward the front distal end 158, where the lateral side 152 meets the longitudinal, central axis 154 and thereby ceases.

Referring back to FIGS. 1-6, the sole structure 104 is connected or secured to the upper 106 and extends between a foot of a user and the ground when the article of footwear 100 is worn by the user. The sole structure 104 may include one or more components, which may include an outsole, a midsole, a heel, a vamp, and/or an insole. For example, in some embodiments, a sole structure may include an outsole that provides structural integrity to the sole structure, along with providing traction for a user, a midsole that provides a cushioning system, and an insole that provides support for an arch of a user.

Still referencing FIGS. 1-6, the sole structure 104 of the present embodiment may be characterized by an outsole region 280, a midsole region 282, and an insole region 284 (see FIG. 4). The outsole region 280, the midsole region 282, and the insole region 284, and/or any components thereof, may include portions within the forefoot region 110, the midfoot region 112, and/or the heel region 114. Further, the outsole region 280, the midsole region 282, and the insole region 284, and/or any components thereof, may include portions on the lateral side 152 and/or the medial side 150. The outsole region 280, the midsole region 282, and the insole region 284 are not intended to define precise or exact areas of the sole structure 104. Rather, the outsole region 280, the midsole region 282, and the insole region 284 are generally defined herein to aid in discussion of the sole structure 104 and components thereof In other instances, the outsole region 280 may be defined as a portion of the sole structure 104 that at least partially contacts an exterior surface (e.g., the ground), when the article of footwear 100 is worn, the insole region 284 may be defined as a portion of the sole structure 104 that at least partially contacts a user's foot or a portion of the sole structure 104 that at least partially contacts and houses an insole, such as the insole 102, when the article of footwear 100 is worn, and the midsole region 282 may be defined as at least a portion of the sole structure 104 that extends between and connects the outsole region 280 with the insole region 284.

The upper 106, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, extends upwardly from the sole structure 104 and defines the interior cavity 108 that receives and secures a foot of a user. The upper 106 may be defined by a foot region 300 and an ankle region 302, as shown in FIG. 2. In general, the foot region 300 extends upwardly from the sole structure 104 and through the forefoot region 110, the midfoot region 112, and the heel region 114. The ankle region 302 is primarily located in the heel region 114; however, in some embodiments, the ankle region 302 may partially extend into the midfoot region 112.

The article of footwear 100 may also have a tightening system 320 (see FIG. 7, for example, which depicts another aspect of the article of footwear) that includes a lace 322 and a plurality of apertures 324. Optionally, the article of footwear 100 may also include a plurality of bands or lacing straps (not shown). For example, lacing straps may extend from the apertures 324 and the lace 322 may extend through loops or eyelets of the lacing straps. Further, in some embodiments, the lacing straps may be elastic bands. The tightening system 320 may allow a user to modify dimensions of the upper 106, e.g., to tighten or loosen portions of the upper 106, around a foot as desired by the wearer. The tightening system 320 may also include a band (not shown) that runs along a center of the upper 106 and includes one or more loops through which the lace 322 may be guided. In other embodiments, the tightening system 320 may be a hook-and-loop fastening system, such as Velcro®. For example, in some embodiments, the tightening system 320 may include one or more hook-and-loop fastening straps. In further embodiments, the tightening system 320 may be another laceless fastening system known in the art.

In this particular embodiment, the upper 106 also includes an interior surface 340 and an exterior surface 342. The interior surface 340 faces inward and generally defines the interior space 108, and the exterior surface 342 of the upper 106 faces outward and generally defines an outer perimeter of the upper 106. The upper 106 also includes an opening 344 that is at least partially located in the heel region 114 of the article of footwear 100, that provides access to the interior cavity 108, and the insole 102, and through which a foot may be inserted and removed. In some embodiments, the upper 106 may also include an instep area 346 that extends from the opening 344 in the heel region 114 over an area corresponding to an instep of a foot to an area adjacent the forefoot region 110.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the insole 102 may include a plurality of layers, including a base layer 400, an intermediate layer 402 having one or more apertures or cavities 404, and a microbial layer 406 having one or more microbial mediums or encapsulations of microorganisms 408. More particularly, the base layer 400 is a bottom layer of the insole 102 and, when the insole 102 is positioned within an article of footwear (e.g., the article of footwear 100), a bottom surface 410 of the base layer 400 contacts and is seated on a top surface of an insole portion (e.g., the insole portion 284) of a sole structure (e.g., the sole structure 104). The base layer 400 may also include a top layer 412 and, as will be further discussed herein, components may be positioned between the bottom surface 410 and the top layer 412 and within an interior of the base layer 400.

Optionally, the insole 102 may also include a top layer (not shown) positioned over the microbial layer 406, which may provide a barrier between the microbial layer 406 and a user's foot during use. In these embodiments, the top layer may be a breathable fabric substrate, such as a polyester or polyester textile or mesh material, an elastane and/or stretch polyester, a nylon-based textile material, a cotton-based textile to provide a soft fabric or a natural aesthetic, a polyurethane or a polyurethane leather, a rubber, an open cell foam, a closed cell foam, polyethylene, and/or combinations thereof.

Using this configuration, the microbial sensor system of the present disclosure may be incorporated within an insole, such as the insole 102, that is separate, discrete, or removable from the article of footwear 100 during normal operational use thereof. For instance, a user may simply remove the insole 102 from the article of footwear by applying a lifting force thereto. Providing an insole with such configuration also allows the insole 102, and the microbial sensor thereof, to be removed from the article of footwear 100 and positioned within a second, separate article. For instance, a user may wish to utilize the insole 102 in a first article of footwear while exercising (e.g., a sports shoe) and utilize the insole 102 in a second article of footwear during normal day-to-day activities (e.g., a dress shoe). As will become more apparent from the discussion herein, the configuration of the insole 102 may provide such variability and may allow the insole 102 to be easily incorporated in a variety of articles.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the microbial layer 406 may have one or more microbial mediums or encapsulations of microorganisms 408. More particularly, the microbial medium 408 may include one or more biologically active agents capable of altering a physical, chemical, or biological state of the microbial medium 408.

In some aspects, as will be further discussed herein, the microbial medium 408 may be in the form of a gel, a hydrogel, a liquid, a cream, an oil, a foam, a paste, a powder, or a film. In certain aspects, the microbial medium 408 is integrated in gelatin within the cavities 404 of the intermediate layer 402. In further aspects, the microbial medium 408 is an encapsulated medium that includes one or more microorganisms (e.g., a bacteria, a fungi, a microalgae, etc.), as well as nutrients that may be metabolized by the microorganisms. In such embodiments, the microorganisms of the microbial medium 408 may be sealed or contained within the microbial medium 408. And, upon activation, the microorganisms of the microbial layer 408 may be released or activated and, as a result thereof, may alter the physical, chemical, or biological state of the microbial medium 408. For example, a stimulus or stimuli may cause the activation or the release of the microorganisms within the microbial medium 408 and, in particular embodiments, the stimulus or stimuli may be an amount of pressure, a level or humidity, an amount of heat, and/or an amount of perspiration.

The microbial medium 408 may also include one or more nutrients, as noted above, to maintain survival of the microorganisms therein and, more particularly, to maintain survival of the microorganisms until a stimulus or stimuli is applied to the microbial medium 408. In some embodiments, the microbial medium 408 may also contain a stimulus or stimuli therein (e.g., an amount of water therein) that provides activation or the release of the microorganisms from the microbial medium 408 without a further stimulus or stimuli.

In some aspects, biologically active agents or microorganisms used in the insole 102 and, more particularly, the microbial layer 406 may be, but are not limited to, microorganisms such as a bacteria, an actinobacteria, a proteobacteria, a bacteroidetes, a fungi, a yeast, an algae, or a protozoa.

In some embodiments, biologically active agents that may be used in the microbial mediums 408 within the insole 102 are recombinant microorganisms genetically engineered to express one or more metabolic enzymes, genes, and/or proteins from a microorganism. In such embodiments, the biologically active agents within the microbial mediums 408 are recombinant microorganisms genetically engineered to express one or more metabolic enzymes, genes, and/or proteins that speed up or catalyze a reaction within the microbial medium 408. For example, the microbial medium 408 may include a plurality of reactants (or a plurality of inactive starting materials) and a recombinant microorganism genetically engineered to express one or more metabolic enzymes capable of causing a reaction between the reactants that are within the microbial medium 408, i.e., by lowering an activation energy of the reaction.

In some embodiments, the biologically active agent may be a microorganism genetically engineered to express poly(ethylene terephthalate) hydrolase (Genbank accession number GAP38373.1), mono(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalic acid hydrolase (Genbank accession number GAP38911.1), terephthalic acid-1,2-dioxygenase, 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dicarboxylate dehydrogenase, PCA 3,4-dioxygenase, or combinations thereof, from Ideonella sakaiensis. Metabolic enzymes or other genes of interest for use in genetically engineering a recombinant microorganism for use as a biologically active agent may include, but are not limited to, esterases, lipases, proteases, PHA depolymerases, cutinases, monooxygenases, dioxygenases, hydrolases, dehydrogenases, carrinoid-dependent enzymes, and an alginate-producing gene to enhance biofilm formation (e.g., algC).

In further embodiments, the biologically active agents used in the microbial medium 408 may be a microorganism engineered to excrete an organic acid as a metabolite by means of microbial metabolism by the microorganism. In these embodiments, the biologically active agents of the microbial medium 408 may consume organic compounds within the microbial medium 408, when activated or motivated by a stimulus or stimuli, and resultantly secrete, produce, or output a product or chemical, e.g., an organic acid. For example, the biologically active agent may be a microorganism that secretes or releases an organic acid, such as lactate, acetate, H₂SO₄, when subjected to an amount of pressure, an amount of heat, an amount of perspiration, a mineral, a salt, or another form of stimulus or stimuli.

The microbial medium 408, and the biologically active agents described herein, may be delivered to an article in any medium suitable for survival and growth of the biologically active agents therein.

For example, the microbial medium 408 may be in any form including, but not limited to, a gel, a hydrogel, a liquid, a cream, an oil, a foam, a paste, a powder, or a film. Components of the microbial medium 408 may include, but are not limited to, agar, agarose, peptone, polypeptone, glucose, yeast extract, malt extract, polyethylene glycol, salts (e.g., sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO₃), ammonium sulfate ((NH₄)₂SO₄), calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄), and sodium chloride (NaCl)), buffers (e.g., phosphate buffer, Tris buffer, sodium acetate buffer, and citrate buffer), vitamins (e.g., thiamine, niacin, aminobenzoic acid, pyridoxal-HCl, panthothenate, biotin, and vitamin B12), trace elements, water, solvents (e.g., methanol and ethanol), or combinations thereof.

The pH of the microbial medium 408 may be adjusted to support the growth and survival of the biologically active agent therein. For example, the pH may be, but is not limited to, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, 10.0, 10.5, or 11.0. The microbial medium 408 may also include a low-crystallinity or low-density polymer such as, but not limited to, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), low-crystallinity PET film, low molecular weight polycaprolactine film, p-nitrophenyl butyrate, and p-nitrophenyl palmitate. In some embodiments, the microbial medium 408 includes a low-crystallinity (e.g., 1.9%) PET film to support the survival and growth of the microorganism selected as the biologically active agent.

One or more additives may also be added to the microbial medium 408 to tune the activity or biological activity of the microorganisms within the microbial medium 408. Additives may include, but are not limited to, benzophenone, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polyesters, or another type of additive.

Optionally, the microbial medium 408 containing the biologically active microorganism may be embedded within or on the microbial layer 406 as part of a nano-filler within the insole 102, for example. In further embodiments, the microbial medium 408 containing the biologically active microorganism may be contained within one of more cavities within an article (e.g., the cavities 404).

A stimulus or stimuli may be used to prompt, accelerate, or decelerate the bioactivity of the microorganisms within the microbial medium 408. For example, the stimulus or stimuli used to prompt or accelerate bioactivity of the microorganisms may include, but is not limited to, variations in temperature (such as increases or decreases in heat), a level of sweat or perspiration, a pressure, light, a humidity level, a change in pH, exposure to a liquid (e.g., water, salt water, an acidic solution, a basic solution), exposure to a gas (e.g., CO₂, NH₃, O₂), or a solvent.

In particular embodiments, the stimulus or stimuli may prompt, accelerate, or decelerate the bioactivity of the microorganisms within the microbial medium 408 after a single exposure by one or more stimulants or stimuli, or the bioactivity of the microorganisms within the microbial medium 408 may be tuned to respond after repeated exposure to the stimulus, stimuli, or a group of stimuli. In one aspect, the stimulus or stimuli may be a body temperature and/or sweat of the user. In a further aspect, the stimulus or stimuli may be a specific value or component associated with a body temperature and/or sweat of a user. For example, sweat or perspiration from an individual may include a plurality of chemicals or minerals, including, but not limited to, lactic acid, urea, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, chromium, nickel, and/or lead. And, in some embodiments, the aforementioned chemicals or minerals may be a stimulus or stimuli that activates the microorganisms within the microbial medium 408 and, resultantly, alters the physical, chemical, biological, or biochemical state of the microbial medium 408.

In some particular embodiments, a bioactivity of the microorganisms within the microbial medium 408 is activated at a temperature between about 30° C. and about 80° C. (e.g., 30° C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50° C., 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70° C., 75° C., or 80° C.) In some embodiments, a bioactivity of the microorganisms within the microbial medium 408 may be activated at a humidity between about 20% relative humidity and about 100% relative humidity (e.g., 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100%). In some embodiments, the microorganisms within the microbial medium 408 are less active or less bioactive, or completely inactivated, at temperatures below 30° C., below 25° C., below 20° C., below 15° C., below 10° C., below 5° C. or below 0° C. In some embodiments, the microorganisms within the microbial medium 408 is less active or less bioactive, or completely inactivated, at a humidity below 20%, below 15%, below 10%, below 5%, or below 2%.

In particular aspects, the microorganism to be chosen as a biologically active agent for the microbial medium 408 may be selected based on the parameter to be measured by the insole 102. For example, in particular embodiments, the insole 102 may measure a body temperature of a foot of a user and, as such, the microorganism within the microbial medium 408 may be a microorganism that is stimulated by heat or variations in temperature. As such, microbial mediums 408 containing the microorganism and that are proximate areas of the insole 102 with heightened body temperatures will have heightened levels of bioactivity therewithin, and microbial mediums 408 containing the microorganism and that are proximate areas of the insole 102 with low body temperatures will have low levels of bioactivity therewithin.

As another example, the insole 102 may measure an amount of pressure positioned along regions thereof In such embodiments, the microorganisms within the microbial mediums 408 may be stimulated by a pressure or variations in pressure. Therefore, microbial mediums 408 containing the microorganism and proximate areas of the insole 102 with high levels of pressure placed thereon will have heightened levels of bioactivity therewithin, and microbial mediums 408 containing the microorganism and proximate areas of the insole 102 with low levels of pressure placed thereon will have lower levels of bioactivity therewithin. For example, in the cause a user pronates, the user may place higher levels of pressure on the medial side of the insole 102 and, as a result, the microbial mediums 408 on a medial side of the insole 102 will be more bioactive than microbial mediums 408 on a lateral side of the insole 102.

It should be understood that the timing and duration of the bioactivity of the microbial medium 408 may be tuned or controlled based on a variety of factors. For example, the particular materials used within the microbial medium 408, including the particular microorganism, the particular reactive components, and/or the particular nutrients may be chosen to provide an article having a particular degree or particular speed of bioactivity. In further embodiments, an article (and the timing and duration of the bioactivity thereof) may be tuned or controlled based on the particular use of the article and/or the particular use of an article that may include the article having the bioactivity component. For instance, an article of footwear may include an insole 102 having the microbial medium 408 that is tuned to be bioactive or tuned to physically, chemically, or biologically alter the microbial medium 408 during a predetermined time of use (e.g., while traveling about 150 kilometers, while traveling about 300 kilometers, while traveling about 400 kilometers, while traveling about 500 kilometers, while traveling about 600 kilometers, while traveling about 700 kilometers, while traveling about 800 kilometers, while traveling about 900 kilometers, or while traveling about 1000 kilometers). In one aspect, an insole for an article of footwear utilized for low mileage or small distances, such as a racing flat, may be tuned to be bioactive for a predetermined distance of between about 150 kilometers and about 500 kilometers of usage. In another aspect, an insole for an article of footwear utilized for high mileage or longer distances, such as a training shoe, may be tuned to be bioactive for a predetermined distance of between about 500 kilometers and about 800 kilometers of usage. As such, and as will be further discussed herein, the insole or portion of an article incorporating the microbial medium 408 may provide an indication as to the length or distance of use.

With reference to FIG. 9B, the insole 102 may also include a microbial layer 406 having a plurality of microbial mediums having a variety of microorganisms. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9B, the insole 102 includes a first microbial medium 414, a second microbial medium 416, a third microbial medium 418, and a fourth microbial medium 420. In these particular embodiments, the microbial mediums 414, 416, 418, 420 may each individually include a microorganism therein that alters the physical, chemical, or biological state of the microbial medium 414, 416, 418, 420 when motivated by a stimulus or stimuli. Further, in this embodiment, the microbial medium 414, the microbial medium 416, the microbial medium 418, and the microbial medium 420 may each individually include a microorganism specific for their respective microbial medium. For instance, the microbial medium 414 may include a first microorganism that becomes bioactive or biologically active after being stimulated by a first stimulus, and the microbial medium 416 may include a second microorganism that is different than the first microorganism that becomes bioactive or biologically active after being stimulated by a second stimulus that is different from the first stimulus. As such, the microbial mediums 414, 416, 418, 420, may sense or measure a variety of variables.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 10, the insole 102 may also include an intermediate layer or circuit layer 402. The circuit layer 402 may include a network of walls 422 that define a plurality of openings, apertures, or cavities 404 into which the microbial mediums (e.g., the microbial medium 408) of the microbial layer 406 may be positioned. More particularly, the circuit layer 402 is a network of electrical circuits capable of measuring a biological or biochemical change within the microbial mediums (e.g., the microbial medium 408) of the microbial layer 406. In one embodiment, the circuit layer 402 may be a network of electrical circuits capable of measuring a conductivity value through the microbial mediums (e.g., the microbial medium 408) within the cavities 404 of the circuit layer 402. For example, the circuit layer 402 may include a plurality of electrodes that measure a resistance of the microbial mediums (e.g., the microbial medium 408) across a fixed distance of a cavity 404. In further embodiments, the circuit layer 402 may include an electrical conductivity meter used to measure the electrical conductivity of the microbial medium 408.

In further embodiments, the circuit layer 402 may be a network of electrical circuits capable of measuring a pH value of the microbial mediums (e.g., the microbial medium 408) within the cavities 404 of the circuit layer 402. For example, the circuit layer 402 may include a plurality of pH sensors integrated therein that individually measure a pH value of each microbial medium.

In other embodiments, the circuit layer 402 is any network of electrical circuits capable of measuring any physical, chemical, biological, or biochemical change within the microbial mediums (e.g., the microbial medium 408) once a stimulus or stimuli has been applied thereto and, as such, may collect data in connection to the amount of the stimulus or stimuli that has been applied to the microbial mediums of the microbial layer 406.

For example, as discussed herein, the biologically active agents used in the microbial layer 406 may be a microorganism engineered to excrete an organic acid as a metabolite by means of microbial metabolism by the microorganism. In these embodiments, the biologically active agents of the microbial medium 408 may consume organic compounds within the microbial medium 408, when activated or motivated by a stimulus or stimuli, and may resultantly excrete, produce, or output a product or chemical, e.g., an organic acid, such as lactate, acetate, or H₂SO₄. The release or output of a chemical (e.g., an organic acid) by the microorganisms within the microbial layer 406 may resultantly alter the physical, chemical, biological, or biochemical state of the microbial medium (e.g., the microbial medium 408) within the cavities 404 of the circuit layer 402, and this physical, chemical, biological, or biochemical change may then be measured by the network of electrical circuits of the circuit layer 402. Using this configuration, the circuit layer 402 may measure the physical, chemical, biological, or biochemical state of the microbial mediums of the microbial layer 406 and, as will be further discussed herein, use the measurements to compute the amount of stimulus or stimuli applied to regions of the insole 102.

The circuit layer 402 may have a variety of configurations, which may be dependent on the microorganism of the microbial layer 406 and/or the physical, chemical, biological, or biochemical change measured by the circuit layer. FIG. 11 depicts another circuit layer 440, according to a second aspect of the present disclosure. Similar to the circuit layer 402, the circuit layer 440 includes a network of walls 442 that form or define a plurality of apertures or cavities 444; however, in this embodiment, the network of walls 442 are in a uniform honeycomb configuration.

FIG. 12 illustrates the base layer 400, which may include a top layer 412. As previously discussed herein, components may be positioned within an interior of the base layer 400, and such components may be positioned between the bottom surface 410 and the top layer 412. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the base layer 400 may include one or more microcontrollers 450 having electrical connections 452 therebetween. Further, the microcontrollers 450 may be connected to the network of electrical circuits of the circuit layer 402 and may receive data (e.g., electrical conductivity or pH values) from the circuit layer 402. The base layer 400 may also include a battery 454, which may be connected to the microcontrollers 450 by an electrical connection 456, and a microprocessor or transmitter 458, which may also be connected to the battery 454 and the microcontrollers 450 using electrical connections 460, 462, respectively.

Using this configuration, the microcontrollers 450 may be connected to and may receive data from the network of electrical circuits of the circuit layer 402, and the microprocessor or transmitter 458 may store and/or digitalize the data for transmission. For example, the microprocessor or transmitter 458 may digitalize and broadcast signals to a first remote device 464 having a wireless connection 466 with the microprocessor or transmitter 458, and/or to a second remote device 468 having a wireless connection 470 with the microprocessor or transmitter 458. The first remote device 464 and the second remote device 468 may also have a wireless connection 472 therebetween.

Although the base layer 400 includes a microprocessor or transmitter 458 in this embodiment, in other embodiments, the microcontrollers 450 of the insole 102 may digitalize signals, and may communicate directly or transmit data directly to the remote devices 464, 468. For instance, as further shown in FIG. 13, the microcontrollers 450 may have a wireless connection 474 with the second remote device 468.

As previously discussed herein, a stimulus or stimuli may be used to prompt, accelerate, or decelerate the bioactivity of the microorganisms within the microbial medium 408 of the insole 102. For example, in some aspects, the stimulus or stimuli used to prompt or accelerate bioactivity of the microorganisms may include, but is not limited to, variations in temperature (such as increases or decreases in heat), a level of sweat or perspiration, a pressure, light, a humidity level, a change in pH, exposure to a liquid (e.g., water, salt water, an acidic solution, a basic solution), exposure to a gas (e.g., CO₂, NH₃, O₂), or a solvent. In one aspect, the stimulus or stimuli may be body heat and/or sweat from the user.

FIG. 14A is an illustrative example of a user 500 wearing the article of footwear 100 that includes the insole 102 with a microbial layer 406 having the microbial medium 408, and FIG. 14B depicts the user 500 wearing the article of footwear 100 after one or more of the microbial mediums 408 of the insole 102 has altered in state, as a result of a stimulus or stimuli. More particularly, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, a plurality of microbial mediums 408 have transitioned to a bioactive, biologically active, or biochemically altered microbial medium 504 as a result of a stimulus or stimuli.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate an article of footwear 520 that includes a sole structure 522, an upper 524, and an insole member 526, according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Similar to the insole member 102, the insole 526 may include a microbial layer having a plurality of microbial mediums 408 with one or more microorganisms. Further, the microorganisms of the present embodiment may alter the physical, chemical, biological, or biochemical nature or state of the microbial medium 408 once subjected to a stimulus or stimuli, as previously discussed herein.

With particular reference to FIG. 15, the sole structure 522 of the article of footwear 520 may be transparent, semi-transparent, or translucent. Further, the base layer 528 of the insole 526 may also be transparent, semi-transparent, or translucent. As such, the microbial medium 408 may be visible through the sole structure 522 and the base layer 528 of the article of footwear 520 (see FIG. 16). Additionally, in some embodiments, the bioactive, biologically active, or biochemically altered microbial medium 504 may have an appearance different than a microbial medium that is not bioactive or biochemically altered.

Using this configuration, a bottom of the sole structure 522 may be imaged or scanned and optically analyzed. For example, FIG. 17 depicts a device 530 having surfaces 532 onto which a user wearing the articles of footwear 520 may stand. The device 530 may then take images or scans of the sole structure 522 and, more particularly, images or scans of the microbial medium 408 of the insole 526. The images or scans may then be analyzed and the physical, chemical, biological, or biochemical state of the microbial mediums 408 may be determined.

For example, FIG. 18 schematically illustrates an embodiment of screen images of the insole members 526 having the bioactive, biologically active, or biochemically altered microbial mediums 504.

Any of the embodiments described herein may be modified to include any of the structures or methodologies disclosed in connection with different embodiments. Further, the present disclosure is not limited to articles of footwear of the type specifically shown. Still further, aspects of the articles of footwear of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be modified to work with any type of footwear, apparel, or other athletic equipment.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved.

ARTICLE HAVING A MICROBIAL SENSOR SYSTEM

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