US20080307679A1

US20080307679A1 - Insole with ventilation arrangement

Info

Publication number: US20080307679A1
Application number: US11/762,079
Authority: US
Inventors: Ming-Chung Chiang; Syn-chuan Chen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-06-13
Filing date: 2007-06-13
Publication date: 2008-12-18

Abstract

In one embodiment a shoe insole includes a top ventilation fabric, a bottom ventilation fabric, and a plurality of spaced resilient pillars (e.g., EVA, PU, or PVC) with a channel network formed among the pillars. The invention can effectively remove air and condensation between a wearer's sole and the bottom ventilation fabric to the atmosphere through a plurality of escape paths through the channel network. In another embodiment, a mesh structure is completely filled in the channel network.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to insoles for shoes, and more particularly to such an insole having an improved ventilation arrangement.
2. Description of Related Art
Shoe insoles have ventilation arrangement are well known. A conventional insole 1 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A plurality of independent openings 2 arranged in rows are formed on a top surface of the insole 1. The insole 1 is secured onto a midsole 3 thereunder. Both the midsole 3 and the insole 1 are formed of a plastic material such as EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), PU (polyurethane), or PVC (polyvinyl chloride).
However, the well known insole 1 suffers from a disadvantage. In detail, the bottom of each opening 2 is blocked by the midsole 3. Hence, air is defined to circulate within each opening 2 when a wearer's foot presses on the insole 1. This can hinder ventilation, thereby undesirably causing smell (i.e., not hygienic). Thus, the need for improvement still exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a shoe insole comprising a top ventilation fabric, a bottom ventilation fabric, and a plurality of spaced resilient pillars with a channel network formed among the pillars. By utilizing this, air and condensation between a wearer's sole and the bottom ventilation fabric can be sufficiently and effectively removed to the atmosphere through a plurality of escape paths including the channel network.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a conventional shoe insole with ventilation arrangement;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the insole of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a first preferred embodiment of insole with ventilation arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 3 with the second ventilation fabric being partially lifted to show details thereunder;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the insole of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line B-B′ of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 where a wearer's foot presses on the insole for showing air and condensation escape paths;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 for further showing the air and condensation escape paths of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 6 for showing another configuration of the resilient pillars;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of insole with ventilation arrangement according to the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line C-C′ of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 8, a shoe insole in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The insole comprises a first ventilation fabric 10 on a bottom surface, a second ventilation fabric 30 on a top surface, and a plurality of spaced, hexagonal resilient pillars 20 adhesively secured between the first ventilation fabric 10 and the second ventilation fabric 30. Each component is discussed in detail below.
A channel 21 is formed between two adjacent sides of any two adjacent resilient pillars 20. That is, a channel network is formed. The resilient pillars 20 are formed of a plastic material such as EVA, PU, or PVC. Also, the resilient pillars 20 can be divided into a plurality of zones in which the resilient pillars 20 in one zone may have a softness (or stiffness) different from the resilient pillars 20 in another zone so as to be adapted to different areas of the foot sole. This can be achieved by producing the zones with different compositions of plastic.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 specifically, in response to exerting a force upon the second ventilation fabric 30 by a wearer's foot, the resilient pillars 20 are flexibly deformed in different degrees. Air and condensation between the sole and the first ventilation fabric 10 are sufficiently and effectively removed through a plurality of escape paths as indicated by arrows. The escape paths begin at the channels 20 and end at periphery of the foot. Further, the removed air and condensation escape to the atmosphere through perforations of vamp and sides of the shoe.
Referring to FIG. 9, in another configuration the resilient pillars 20A are of L-shaped section as viewed from top.
Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a shoe insole in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The characteristics of the second preferred embodiment are detailed below. The channels 20 are filled with a mesh structure 40 formed of cotton. The mesh structure 40 is adhesively secured between the first ventilation fabric 10 and the second ventilation fabric 30. Moreover, the mesh structure 40 is adapted to not only allow air and condensation to substantially move freely but also increase the structural strength of the insole.
While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. An insole for shoe comprising:

a top ventilation fabric;

a bottom ventilation fabric; and

a plurality of spaced elastomeric members secured between the top ventilation fabric and the bottom ventilation fabric to form a channel network.

2. The insole of claim 1, wherein each elastomeric member has a cross-section of hexagon.

3. The insole of claim 1, wherein each elastomeric member has a cross-section of L.

4. The insole of claim 1, further comprising a mesh structure filled in the channel network and secured between the top ventilation fabric and the bottom ventilation fabric.