The invention relates to the technical field of breathable shoes, in particular to a breathable sole and an air-discharging method of shoe.
Shoes are common in daily life. Traditional sports shoes generally increases the air permeability of the shoes by changing the material of the uppers; however, since sweating of feet mainly occurs at the soles, changing the material of the uppers are not effective enough to increase the air permeability of the shoes.
To solve this problem, a Chinese patent (no.: CN100423663C) discloses a kind of polyurethane-injected shoe with air permeability and moisture expulsion function, comprising an upper, an insole, a midsole and a polyurethane outsole; the upper and the outsole are integrally formed by injection molding, characterized in that a heel of the polyurethane outsole comprises an airbag storing chamber in which an airbag is disposed; a front part of the insole is provided with air-permeable through holes; the midsole is provided between the insole and the outsole; the midsole comprises air channels and a single-way air inlet valve; a heel part of the midsole is provided with a pressing hole allowing the airbag to protrude; a shoe interior space is in communication with the airbag via the air-permeable through holes, the air channels of the midsole and the single-way air inlet valve; a heel of the outsole comprises an air outlet hole allowing the external environment to be in communication with the air bag, and the air outlet hole comprises a single-way air outlet valve.
The direction of the air flow of the prior art relies on the single-way valves which are opened and closed by movable parts provided internally. Each step will lead to one time of air expulsion; therefore the opening and closing of the single-way valves are frequent. When playing sports such as running, the single-way valves will experience frequent operation and heavier load, which lead to aging and malfunctioning of the movable parts. When the sole is in touch with the ground, a certain amount of dust and moisture will unavoidably enter the single-way valves. Since the interiors of the single-way valves are very narrow, even a little amount of dust entering will block the movable parts and lead to malfunctioning of the single-way valves. The unreliability issue affects the promotion of breathable shoes.
To solve the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a breathable sole and an air-discharging method of shoe.
This invention adopts the following technical solution:
A breathable sole, comprising a midsole and an outsole; a bottom surface of the midsole comprises an air chamber which subsides inwards, an air inlet channel, and a single-way air outlet channel; the air chamber is provided at a heel position of the midsole, and is a dome structure subsiding from an outer edge of the air chamber to a center of the air chamber; the air inlet channel comprises a dispersed air-collecting channel and an air-guiding channel; the dispersed air-collecting channel is disposed at a forefoot position of the midsole; air inlet holes are distributed in the dispersed air-collecting channel and penetrate an upper surface of the midsole; the air-guiding channel connects the dispersed air-collecting channel to a rear position of the air chamber; the single-way air outlet channel is a Tesla valve which has an end connecting to a front position of the air chamber and another end provided with an air outlet hole penetrating the upper surface of the midsole; the single-way air outlet channel imposes a higher resistance against air flowing from the air outlet hole to the air chamber than air flowing from the air chamber to the air outlet hole; an upper surface of the outsole and a bottom surface of the midsole are sealed and adhered together, such that the air inlet channel, the air chamber and the single-way air outlet channel are sealed between the outsole and the midsole.
Further, the midsole is made of highly resilient materials; a circumference of the air chamber is provided with a step edge which subsides from the bottom surface of the midsole; a rear end of the step edge is formed with a rear connecting gap which also subsides inwards; the air-guiding channel is connected to the air chamber via the rear connecting gap; when the midsole is compressed at the heel position, the rear connecting gap is deformed and closed; a front end of the step edge is formed with a front connecting gap which also subsides inwards; the single-way air outlet channel is connected to the air chamber via the front connecting gap; two lateral sides of the front connecting gap each comprises an outer expanding surface which keeps the front connecting gap open when the midsole deforms.
Further, the upper surface of the outsole is provided with an embedding block which protrudes outwards from the upper surface of the outsole; the embedding block corresponds to the air chamber and rests on the step edge; the upper surface of the outsole and the bottom surface of the midsole are sealed and adhered by hot-melting or gluing, and there is a non-adhesive close contact between a top surface of the embedding block and the step edge.
Further, the midsole is integrally formed by expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (ETPU) pellets.
Further, a heel position of the midsole is provided with a first outer expanding portion protruding from one side of the heel position of the midsole; when the midsole is configured to be connected to an upper, the first outer expanding portion is located outside the upper; the single-way air outlet channel comprises a forward section, an arc-shaped transition section, and a return section sequentially arranged; the single-way air outlet channel extends forward from the front connecting gap to the forefoot position of the midsole via the forward section, turns back towards the heel position of the midsole via the arc-shaped transition section, and then extends back to the first outer expanding portion at the heel position is the midsole via the return section, such that the air outlet hole is formed in the first outer expanding portion.
Further, the outsole is provided with a second outer expanding portion corresponding to the first outer expanding portion of the midsole.
Further, the dispersed air-collecting channel comprises annular channels which radiate concentrically and form a labyrinth pattern; the air-guiding channel is connected with the annular channels.
Further, the breathable sole also comprises an insole, provided on the upper surface of the midsole; a forefoot position of the insole is provided with a through hole which penetrates an upper surface and a lower surface of the insole and corresponds to the air inlet holes of the dispersed air-collecting channel; an air-permeable mesh layer is provided within the through hole.
An air-discharging method to discharge air from a shoe by using the breathable sole according to any one of the aspects of the breathable sole as described above; the method comprises the following steps:
Comparing with the prior art, the breathable sole and the air-discharging method of shoe adopt a single-way air outlet channel in the form of a Tesla Valve which allows the air to flow in single-way and prevents the air from flowing reversely by causing divided streams of air flowing reversely to offset each other according to the operating principle of a Tesla valve; there are no movable parts such that the life span is longer and the product is more reliable; each of the midsole and the outsole can be integrally formed by plastic foams and then the two are adhered together, this production method is easy with a high efficiency and a low production cost; the air inlet channel is connected to the rear end of the air chamber to fit with the walking gesture of the user; the rear connecting gap closes when the heel of the user touches the ground during walking, and opens when the heel is lifted; the single-way air outlet channel has three sections appropriately arranged in the midsole; the front connecting gap is provided with outer expanding surfaces which keep the front connecting gap open; when walking, the moisture and odour in the shoe are discharged to the external environment to prevent foot odour.
A breathable sole, comprising a sole body, which is provided with an air chamber, an air outlet channel, and a single-way air inlet channel; the air chamber is arranged at a heel position of the sole body; the single-way air inlet channel has a Tesla valve structure; one end of the single-way air inlet channel is connected with the air chamber, and another end is formed with air inlet holes configured to be connected to an interior of a shoe; the single-way air inlet channel imposes a higher resistance against air flowing from the air chamber to the air inlet holes than air flowing from the air inlet holes to the air chamber; a first end of the air outlet channel is connected with the air chamber, and a second end of the air outlet channel is in communication with an air outlet hole connecting with an external environment. When stepping downwards during walking, the air chamber is compressed, and the air in the air chamber is discharged to the external environment through the air outlet passage. Since the single-way air inlet channel imposes a higher resistance against the air flowing from the air chamber to the air inlet holes, only a small portion of air will flow through the single-way air inlet channel from the air chamber to the air inlet holes when the air chamber is compressed; when lifting the foot as walking continues, the air chamber is elastically restored; the air inside the shoe is drawn into the air chamber through the single-way air inlet channel and is discharged to the external environment when the foot steps downwards again during walking, so as to expel the moisture and odour inside the shoe to avoid the problem of foot odour.
The sole body comprises a midsole and an outsole; a bottom surface of the midsole subsides inwards to form the air chamber, the air outlet channel, and the single-way air inlet channel; an upper surface of the outsole and the bottom surface of the midsole are sealed and adhered such that the air outlet channel, the air chamber, and the single-way inlet channel are sealed between the outsole and the midsole.
The single-way air inlet channel comprises a dispersed air-collecting channel and a Tesla channel; the dispersed air-collecting channel is arranged at a forefoot position of the sole body, and is provided with the air inlet holes penetrating an upper surface of the midsole; the Tesla channel connects the dispersed air-collecting channel to the air chamber, and the Tesla channel is a Tesla Valve.
A cross-sectional area of the air outlet channel gradually reduces from the air chamber towards the air outlet hole, so that air from the external environment will not easily enter the air chamber through the air outlet channel, and the air in the air chamber is more easily discharged through the air outlet channel.
The air outlet channel is connected to a front end of the air chamber, and the single-way air inlet channel is connected to a rear end of the air chamber; when the user walks, the heel of the user first touches the ground, and thus the air chamber is compressed; the connected portion of the single-way air inlet channel and the air chamber will be compressed and sealed, so that the air in the air chamber is unable to pass through the single-way air inlet channel.
The air outlet channel extends towards an outer side wall of the midsole; the second end of the air outlet channel is the air outlet hole formed on the outer side wall of the midsole; a transparent piece is provided on the outer side wall of the midsole corresponding to the air outlet hole; the transparent piece partially covers the air outlet hole such that at least part of the air outlet hole is exposed to the external environment. During use, users may observe the air being discharged from the shoe through the transparent piece. Accordingly, users experience is enhanced and sale in the market can be facilitated.
A groove having a Tesla valve shape is provided on the outer side wall of the midsole extending perpendicularly with respect to the midsole; the groove is said air outlet hole; the second end of the air outlet channel is connected with an upper end of the groove; the transparent piece, embodied as a transparent film, is provided on the outer side wall of the midsole to partially cover the groove; a lower end of the groove is not covered by the transparent piece and is exposed to the external environment.
A heel position of the midsole is provided with a first outer expanding portion protruding from one side of the heel position of the midsole; a side wall of the outsole is protruded to form a second outer expanding portion corresponding to the first outer expanding portion of the midsole; a middle part of an outer side wall of the first outer expanding portion is recessed to form a groove having a Tesla valve shape; said groove is the air outlet hole; an inner communication channel is provided inside the midsole to connect the groove with the second end of the air outlet channel so that the groove is in communication with the air outlet channel; the outer side wall of the first outer expanding portion is also provided with a transparent member corresponding to the air outlet hole to partially cover the air outlet hole; one end of the groove is not covered by the transparent member. During use, the first outer expanding portion facilitates making of the air outlet hole. Further, the use of air outlet hole having a Tesla valve shape can effectively prevent air from refluxing back into the midsole through the air outlet hole.
The air outlet channel extends to an outer side wall of the midsole so that the second end of the air outlet channel is located on the outer side wall of the midsole; the outer side wall of the midsole is also recessed to form an extended channel; one end of the extended channel is connected to the second end of the air outlet channel; another end of the extended channel is located on the outer side wall of the midsole corresponding to the forefoot position of the midsole; a transparent strip is provided on the outer side wall of the midsole corresponding to the extended channel to cover the extended channel; a hole is provided on the outer side wall of the midsole in front of said another end of the extended channel; the hole is in communication with the extended channel and is not covered by the transparent strip; the hole is the air outlet hole. The extended channel extends the air outlet channel so that users can observe more directly the air discharged from the shoe.
The extended channel has a Tesla valve shape. The extended channel in such Tesla valve shape can effectively prevent air from refluxing back into the midsole through the air outlet hole.
This invention is further illustrated by specific embodiments as follows:
In embodiment 1, as shown in
The midsole 1 is made of highly resilient materials, for example, integrally formed by expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (ETPU) pellets; a bottom surface of the midsole 1 comprises an air chamber 11 which subsides inwards, an air inlet channel 12, and a single-way air outlet channel 13; the air chamber 11 is provided at a heel position of the midsole 1, and is a dome structure subsiding from the outer edge to the center; this dome structure allows easier discharge of air, but may also be substituted by other shapes, such as rectangular, oval or irregular shape; a circumference of the air chamber 11 is provided with a step edge 14 which subsides from the bottom surface of the midsole 1; a rear end of the step edge 14 is formed with a rear connecting gap 141 which subsides inwards; when the midsole 1 is pressed at the heel position, the rear connecting gap 141 will be deformed and closed; a front end of the step edge 14 is formed with a front connecting gap 142 which subsides inwards; two lateral sides of the front connecting gap 142 each comprises an outer expanding surface 1421 which keeps the front connecting gap 142 open when the midsole 1 deforms.
The air inlet channel 12 comprises a dispersed air-collecting channel 121 and an air-guiding channel 122; the dispersed air-collecting channel 121 is disposed at a forefoot position of the midsole; the dispersed air-collecting channel 121 comprises annular channels which radiate concentrically and form a labyrinth pattern; air inlet holes 123 are evenly distributed in the dispersed air-collecting channel 121 and penetrate an upper surface of midsole 1; the air-guiding channel 122 is connected with the annular channels so as to connect the dispersed air-collecting channel 121 to a rear position of the air chamber 11; the air-guiding channel 122 is connected to the air chamber 11 via the rear connecting gap 141.
The single-way air outlet channel 13 is a Tesla Valve which has an end connecting to a front position of the air chamber 11 via the front connecting gap 142 so as to be in communication with the air chamber 11, and has another end provided with an air outlet hole 131 penetrating the upper surface of the midsole 1; the single-way air outlet channel 13 imposes a higher resistance against air flowing from the air outlet hole 131 to the air chamber 11 than air flowing from the air chamber 11 to the air outlet hole 131; an upper surface of the outsole 2 and a bottom surface of the midsole 1 are sealed and adhered together, such that the air inlet channel 12, the air chamber 11 and the single-way air outlet channel 13 are sealed within.
The upper surface of the outsole 2 is provided with an embedding block 21 which protrudes outwards, corresponds to the air chamber 11 and rests on the step edge 14; the upper surface of the outsole 2 and the bottom surface of the midsole 1 are sealed and adhered by hot-melting or gluing, and there is a non-adhesive close contact between a top surface of the embedding block 21 and the step edge 14.
The heel position of the midsole 1 is provided with a first outer expanding portion 15 protruding from one side of the heel position; when the midsole 1 is connected to an upper, the first outer expanding portion 15 is located outside the upper; the single-way air outlet channel 13 has a forward section 13a, an arc-shaped transition section 13b, and a return section 13c sequentially arranged; the single-way air outlet channel 13 extends forward from the front connecting gap 142 to the forefoot position of the midsole via the forward section 13a, turns back towards the heel position of the midsole via the arc-shaped transition section 13b, and extends to the first outer expanding portion 15 via the return section 13c, such that the air outlet hole 131 is formed in the first outer expanding portion 15. The outsole 2 is provided with a second outer expanding portion 22 corresponding to the first outer expanding portion 15 of the midsole 1.
The insole 3 is provided on the upper surface of the midsole 1, and a forefoot position of the insole 3 is provided with a through hole 31 which penetrates an upper surface and a lower surface of the insole 3 and corresponds to the air inlet holes 123 of the dispersed air-collecting channel 121; an air-permeable mesh layer 32 is provided within the through hole 31.
Breathable shoe, comprising the aforementioned breathable sole, adopts an air-discharging method which comprises the following steps:
Embodiment 2: as shown in
The sole body comprises a midsole 1 and an outsole 2; a bottom surface of the midsole 1 subsides inwards to form the air chamber 11, the air outlet channel 16, and the single-way air inlet channel 17; an upper surface of the outsole 2 and the bottom surface of the midsole 1 are sealed and adhered such that the air outlet channel 16, the air chamber 11, and the single-way inlet channel 17 are sealed within.
The single-way air inlet channel 17 comprises a dispersed air-collecting channel 171 and a Tesla channel 172; the dispersed air-collecting channel 171 is arranged at a forefoot position of the sole body, and is provided with the air inlet holes 173 penetrating an upper surface of the midsole 1. The Tesla channel 172 connects the dispersed air-collecting channel 171 to the air chamber 11, and the Tesla channel 172 is a Tesla Valve.
A cross-sectional area of the air outlet channel 16 gradually reduces from the air chamber 11 towards the air outlet hole 161, so that air from the external environment will not easily enter the air chamber 11 through the air outlet channel 16, and the air in the air chamber 11 is more easily discharged through the air outlet channel 16. The air outlet channel 16 is connected to a rear end of the air chamber 11, and the single-way air inlet channel 17 is connected to a front end of the air chamber 11. When the user walks, the heel of the user first touches the ground, and thus the air chamber 11 is compressed; as a connected portion of the single-way air inlet channel 17 and the air chamber 11, connected with reference to the connecting structure described in embodiment 1, is arranged at the front end of the air chamber 11, the connection between the single-way air inlet channel 17 and the air chamber 11 is not affected; besides, a connected portion of the air outlet channel 16 and the air chamber 11 is relatively large which also does not affect the connection between the air outlet channel 16 and the air chamber 11 when the air chamber is compressed, so that the air can still be discharged through the air outlet channel 16; when the air chamber 11 is elastically restored, the air inside the shoe is drawn into the air chamber 11 through the single-way air inlet channel 17 and is then discharged to the external environment in the user steps downward again during walking. Thereby, the moisture and odour in the shoe are discharged to the external environment to prevent foot odour.
Embodiment 3, as shown in
Embodiment 4, as shown in
As shown in
Embodiment 5, as shown in
Embodiment 6, as shown in
Embodiment 7, as shown in
Embodiment 8, as shown in
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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202110178833.7 | Feb 2021 | CN | national |
202221566905.1 | Jun 2022 | CN | national |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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5295313 | Lee | Mar 1994 | A |
5477626 | Kwon | Dec 1995 | A |
5515622 | Lee | May 1996 | A |
20180242070 | Slater | Aug 2018 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20230218034 A1 | Jul 2023 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/CN2022/075422 | Feb 2022 | WO |
Child | 18119285 | US |