Patent Application
20080148599
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of shoe inserts, including midsoles, footbeds and/or upper components, designed for comfort, ranging from the casual shoe to the athletic shoe and a method for manufacturing same.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Shoe inserts, including midsoles, sockliners, footbeds and upper components, are well-known in the art as articles added to shoes both for comfort and improved athletic performance, among other things. Many people do not have proper alignment in their feet for the proper gait needed for optimal alignment and health. For these people, modifications to their footwear are needed. A common modification for this purpose is the addition of inserts, including midsoles, footbeds, sockliners and/or upper components of one type or another, including those that can correct misalignment and improve, comfort, walking and athletic performance.
Shoe inserts, including midsoles, footbeds, sockliners and/or upper components of any one of these types containing fillers are known in the art. For examples, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,150,490, 4,658,515, 5,864,968 and 6,782,640.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,177 to Frappier teaches of a shoe that has a moldable, settable midsole. In the Frappier invention, the midsole of a shoe is set by an injection apparatus that injects a settable fluid, such as polyurethane or ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) foam.
The instant invention seeks to improve on the prior art by providing inserts, such as midsoles, footbeds, sockliners and/or upper components that have a controlled compression set, shock absorption with energy return, density control that is dependent upon application (whether it is for a casual shoe or an athletic shoe), and has multiple density application that can be injected into one or more layers into one or more compartments in the inserts, such as midsoles, footbeds, sockliners and/or upper components. Furthermore, the instant invention can involve the addition of multiple colors of the inserts, such as midsoles, footbeds, sockliners and/or upper components, added for attractiveness and decoration. These objectives are achieved through the filling of the inserts, such as midsoles, footbeds, sockliners and/or upper components with granular ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA). EVA is essentially a foam in which for this patent has been broken down into a physical granular state that more resembles dust.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, inserts, such as midsoles, footbeds, sockliners and/or upper components, for a shoe and a method for making same is disclosed that includes inserts, such as midsoles, footbeds, sockliners and/or upper components, with an outer membrane that is moldable into a desired shape. The outer membrane has an upper portion and a bottom portion. Granular ethyl vinyl acetate created by breaking down foam ethyl vinyl acetate is blown into the bottom portion of the outer membrane through a direct injection process.
Yet another embodiment of the above invention modifies the above embodiment by defining that the outer membrane is made of thermal polyurethane.
Yet another embodiment of the above invention modifies the above embodiment by defining that the outer membrane is made of elastomeric silicone.
Yet another embodiment of the above invention modifies the above embodiment by defining that the granular ethyl vinyl acetate is housed in one or more compartments inside of the outer membrane.
Yet another embodiment of the above invention modifies the above embodiment by defining that the granular ethyl vinyl acetate can be multi-colored and come in multiple densities.
A second embodiment involves the method of manufacturing the shoe inserts, such as midsoles, footbeds, sockliners and/or upper components, involves the steps of molding an outer membrane from a mold, with the mold being of a variable shape. The outer membrane has an upper portion and bottom portion. Solid ethyl vinyl acetate is broken down into a granular state. The granular ethyl vinyl acetate is then blown into the bottom portion of the outer membrane through a direct injection process.
Yet another embodiment of the second embodiment above further modifies the second embodiment by defining that the outer membrane is made of thermal polyurethane.9
Yet another embodiment of the second embodiment above further modifies the second embodiment by defining that the outer membrane is made of elastomeric silicone.
Yet another embodiment of the second embodiment above further modifies the second embodiment by defining that the granular ethyl vinyl acetate is housed in one or more compartments inside of the outer membrane.
Yet another embodiment of the second embodiment above further modifies the second embodiment by further defining that the granular ethyl vinyl acetate can be multi-colored and come in multiple densities.
Referring now to the drawings.
The side views shown in
The sequence of
In addition to a variable density of granular ethyl vinyl acetate 20 in the inserts 10, including midsoles, footbeds, sockliners and/or upper components, the ethyl vinyl acetate 20 can be manufactured in a variety of colors that can be seen through the transparent insert. Single colors and color blends can be added to a single compartment 16a. Similarly, any desired color combination can be added to multiple compartments 16a, 16b.
The illustrations and examples provided herein are for explanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. This disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit and scope of the invention and/or claims of the embodiment illustrated. Those skilled in the art will make modifications to the invention for particular applications of the invention.
