Patent Application
20220022601
This application is generally in the area of foot ware, and, in particular, insoles and other supports for foot ware, comprising sheepskin.
Insoles are made of various materials, either alone or in combination. Those materials and their subsequent forms may or may not provide certain benefits to users. Often, an entire bottom of a piece of footwear is lined with an insole, but no focus is made on specific areas of the foot, such as the toe-box portion of a shoe, the heel portion where the bottom of the user's heel resides, the heel portion where the back of the user's heel resides, the mid-foot portion where the user's foot arch resides, the tongue portion, or the portion of a thong toe sandal where the toe protector rests between the first two toes.
It would be advantageous to provide insoles, or portions thereof, including those specific for those portions described above, which can provide benefits such as pressure relief, moisture wicking, anti-bacterial properties, general comfort, and/or filling to secure the foot within the shoe/footwear. Insoles, or portions thereof, which provide one or more of these benefits are disclosed herein.
In one embodiment, insoles comprising sheepskin, or portions thereof, are disclosed.
In one aspect, the insole covers the entire bottom of the shoe or other footwear, or substantially all of the entire bottom, i.e., greater than 85% of the entire bottom, that is otherwise in contact with the user's foot. The insole, or portion thereof, comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, where the bottom surface is in contact with the bottom of the shoe where the user's foot would otherwise reside, or is in contact with another insole, such as an orthotic insole. The top surface is in contact with the user's foot, when the user is wearing the shoe or other footwear into or onto which the insole or portion thereof is placed, and held in place, for example, using friction, adhesives, and/or mechanical fasteners.
In various aspects of this embodiment, the portion of the insole is the portion of the shoe or other footwear underlying the toe-box portion of a shoe, the heel portion where the bottom of the user's heel resides, the heel portion where the back of the user's heel resides, the tongue portion, or the portion of a thong toe sandal where the toe protector rests between the first two toes. As used herein, a toe box is the part of a shoe that covers and protects the toes.
In some aspects, a “portion” comprises greater than 10%, greater than 20%, greater than 30%, greater than 40%, greater than 50%, greater than 60%, greater than 70%, greater than 80%, greater than 90%, greater than 95%, or greater than 98% of the area of the bottom of the shoe or other footwear.
In some embodiments, the insole, or portion thereof, is held in place by friction and/or the insertion of the user's foot into the shoe or other footwear. In other embodiments, the insole, or portion thereof, is adhered to all or substantially all (i.e., greater than about 85%) of the bottom of the shoe or other footwear. In still other embodiments, the insole, or portion thereof, is held in place by adhering less than about 20% of the area of the bottom of the shoe, such that it remains in place, but can be removed relatively easily. In still other embodiments, the insole, or portion thereof, is held in place via mechanical fasteners, such as hook and loop fasteners, with a hook or loop on the insole or portion thereof, and a loop or hook on the shoe in a position or more than one position corresponding to where the insole or portion includes the hook or loop.
In some embodiments, the insole or portion thereof is positioned over, or attached to, another insole or portion thereof, such as an orthotic insole, a heel insert, a tongue insert, an insert near the toe-box portion of the shoe, and the like. In these embodiments, the sheepskin can provide the other insole or portion thereof with beneficial properties, such as, but not limited to, pressure relief, moisture wicking, anti-bacterial properties, general comfort, and/or filling to secure the foot within the shoe/footwear. In one aspect of these embodiments, where an orthotic insole is used, the sheepskin insole or portion thereof can cover all of the orthotic, or a portion corresponding to the toe portion, the middle portion, i.e., a portion extending from the middle of the shoe to, independently, between about 10 and about 30% of the distance to the toe box and heel portions. In still other embodiments, a shoe may include an orthotic insole for all or substantially all of the bottom of the shoe, and a sheepskin tongue insert, heel cup, heel liner, or ball-of-foot pad can be adhered to the orthotic.
In still another embodiment, shoes or footwear include shoes, athletic shoes, hiking shoes, boots, work shoes, footwear with heels such as pumps and wedges, sandals such as open toe and/or open heel footwear, and toe thongs, flip flops or slippers. In one aspect of this embodiment, the shoe is a high-heeled shoe (such as a pump), and the sheepskin insole or portion thereof is effective to help secure the foot within the shoe, provides padding to prevent issues such as bunions or blisters as well as other benefits such as wicking of moisture. In other embodiments, the sheepskin insole or portions thereof provide benefits based on the portion used. The heel portion can provide light support, leg and foot comfort, warmth or cooling, wicking and fill to help the heel stay in the shoe while moving or stationery. The ball-of-foot portion can provide anti-slippage, support for the ball of the foot, padding to prevent blisters and bunions or fill for a better fit of the footwear. The back-of-heel insole portion can prevent blisters, rubbing or other discomfort caused by the back of footwear to the back of the heel or Achilles heel. The partial insole portion can provide light support, comfort, wicking and a better fit without restricting the toe box. The full insole portion can provide a better fit for footwear, light support, wicking and comfort to the entire bottom of the foot. The tongue insole portion can prevent rubbing, chaffing, or blisters on the top of the foot, or comfort or protection to the top of the foot. The toe insole portion for use on footwear with toe separators can be used to prevent blisters, chaffing, and discomfort associated with the inside of the toes contacting the footwear toe separators.
In still another embodiment, kits comprising one or more insoles or portions thereof, along with one or more adhesive or mechanical fasteners, is disclosed. In one aspect of this embodiment, the fastener is a hook and loop fastener, where one or more hook or loop portions are provided for attachment to the insoles or portions thereof, and two or more corresponding loop or hook portions are provided for attachment to multiple shoes or other footwear. In this manner, the insole or portion thereof can be releasably attached to multiple shoes or other footwear, and/or to other insoles, such as orthotic insoles.
In some embodiments, a shoe or other footwear has a pre-existing insole, that can be removed, and the shape traced on the sheepskin and the sheepskin trimmed to fit the shoe or other footwear. In other embodiments, a laminate, of which an orthotic is one type, is prepared, and all or a portion of the top of the laminate (i.e., the portion otherwise in contact with the user's feet) is covered with the sheepskin insole, or portion thereof, as described herein. The laminate can then be inserted into the shoe.
In some embodiments, a shoe or other footwear that contains one or more toe separators, such as those of a thong sandal, flip flops, slippers or other footwear, around which the sheepskin insole or portion thereof can be adhered.
The embodiments will be better described with reference to the figures.
The various embodiments of the sheepskin insole, or portion thereof, are discussed in detail below.
I. Sheepskin Insole or Portion Thereof
The sheepskin insole or portion thereof is comprised of a top and bottom. The top of the insole is comprised of sheep or lamb wool pile that may be between 0.25 inches to 3 inches in thickness. The bottom portion of the insole or portion thereof is comprised of sheep or lamb leather of negligible height and may be between 0.1 to 0.3 mm in thickness. The top portion is naturally grown into and adhered to the bottom portion. The user's foot contacts the top of the insole or portion thereof instead of contacting the shoe or footwear's manufactured insole. Likewise, if laminates including orthotics are used, the sheepskin insole or portion thereof would be adhered to the top layer such that the user's foot contacts the sheepskin insole.
The sheepskin insoles or portion thereof can be made using one of several processes. In one process, a standard or universal size pattern insole or portion thereof can be created and traced onto a sheepskin and the insole or portion thereof cut out with scissors or automated cutter. In another process, the insoles or portions thereof are made into a pattern and a clicker press or similar equipment used to press each insole or portion thereof. After use, the insoles or portions thereof can be cleaned by hand with a mild dish soap and water, then air dried to maintain its properties. With proper care, the sheepskin insole or portion thereof can be reused multiple times before being replaced.
II. Adhesive and/or Mechanical Fasteners
The sheepskin insole or portion thereof can be adhered to a shoe or footwear using various types of adhesives or mechanical fasteners. The type and amount of adhesive used can cause the insole to be installed temporarily and or releasably, or permanently. For temporary or releasable adhesion, a removable, double-sided glue can be used. These glues can take the form of but are not limited to glue dots, glue squares, glue strips or liquid glue that dries to the bottom of the sheepskin insole and a protective cover is placed on top of the glue to preserve it until ready for use by the user. The glue is adhered to the bottom of the sheepskin insole during manufacture with a protective cover over the exposed side that can be removed by the user when they are ready to adhere it to the shoe or footwear. These type glues are commonly found in commercial and retail use. Representative glues include but are not limited to ULINE® Hook and Loop Dots and Scotch® Restickable Dots. The glue attached to the bottom of the sheepskin insole or portion thereof and then to the shoe or footwear can secure the insole in the shoe or footwear without damaging the shoe upon release. The temporary or releasable glues can cover greater than 10 to 35% of the bottom of the sheepskin insole surface. For more permanent adhesion, glue would be adhered that covers greater than 70% of the sheepskin insole surface.
Mechanical fasteners such as but not limited to Velcro® or hook and loop fasteners can also be used to adhere the sheepskin insole to the shoe or footwear, or to a laminate such as an orthotic. The hook or loop would be adhered to the bottom of the sheepskin insole during manufacture and the user would adhere the loop or hook portion of the fastener to the shoe or footwear. The sheepskin insole would be adhered to the shoe or footwear, or laminate top by connecting the hook and loop fastener, and would be released by separating the hook and loop. The strength of the fastener adhesive will determine the degree to which the fastener can be released from the shoe or footwear. Mechanical fasteners can commonly be found in commercial use and are not limited to the hook and loop type. The Mechanical fastener can cover greater than 30% of the sheepskin insole bottom surface.
Adhesives or mechanical fasteners can be placed proximate the ends of the sheepskin insoles or portions thereof to secure its position in the shoe or footwear or to prevent its movement while in use.
III. Laminates of Conventional Insoles or Portions Thereof with Sheepskin Insoles or Portions Thereof
Laminates including but not limited to orthotics, are insertable insoles that are preformed or custom crafted to provide some benefit to the user. Those benefits can include but are not limited to arch support, hip stability, overall foot support or shock absorption. Laminates are so called as they are typically constructed or more than one layer of material and sit inside a shoe or footwear. They can but are not limited to covering the entire bottom, the heel or toe portion of the shoe or footwear permanent insole. The sheepskin insole can be adhered to the top of a laminate or portion thereof such that the foot is in contact with the sheepskin insole instead of in contact with the laminate. The sheepskin insole can provide additional benefits to the user. These benefits can include but are not limited to increased comfort, moisture wicking, additional support and better fit of the shoe or footwear. It can also aid in reducing pain from conditions such as but not limited to plantar faciitis, bunions, blisters and sores. Each embodiment of the sheepskin insole can provide some or all of these benefits.
IV. Shoes or Other Footwear Comprising the Sheepskin Insoles or Portions Thereof
The sheepskin insole or portion thereof can be used in almost any type of shoe. Some portions are better suited to be used in certain types of footwear without limiting the use of any portion in any shoe or footwear. Closed toe and heel shoes, boots and footwear including high heels can use any combination including single of the sheepskin insole portions. Open toe high heel sandals are given to use of the ball-of-foot portion of the sheepskin insole (Part 2). Shoes or footwear with toe separators such as thongs are given to use of the toe separator insole as well as the partial sheepskin insole (Part 4). Closed heel but open toe shoes or footwear are given to use of the partial sheepskin insole. Lose and closed backs of shoes are given to use of the heel sheepskin insole (Part 1). Athletic and flat shoes are given to use of the full sheepskin insole (Part 5). Tie-up, lace, zip shoes or boots with tongues are given to use of the tongue sheepskin insole (Part 6). These are examples and by no means limits the use of the sheepskin insole or portion thereof in any part of a shoe or footwear as befits the user.
V. Kits
The sheepskin insole or portion thereof can be combined into kits for different uses. The kits can be comprised of any combination of sheepskin insole parts along with multiple adhesives or mechanical fasteners including a glue bottle, double-sided glue adhesive, hook and loop. These kits may be used to facilitate use in a variety of shoes or to reinforce adhesives and fasteners after multiple cleanings.
The present invention will be better understood with reference to the following non-limiting examples.
The sheepskin insole and portions thereof were handcrafted meaning traced using a universal insole pattern and cut with scissors. A pair of the heel and ball-of-foot insoles were then test packaged including instructions for use to determine how best to market them. Three packages of the pairs were given to three people to test over a period of one week. Participants reported that the sheepskin insoles provided comfort and light support. None had any more significant issues such as bunions, blisters or plantar faciitis to determine its effect on those conditions.
Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/037,152, filed on Jun. 10, 2020, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63037152 | Jun 2020 | US |
