US20080307679A1 - Insole with ventilation arrangement - Google Patents

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 insole1 is shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. A plurality ofindependent openings2 arranged in rows are formed on a top surface of the insole1. The insole1 is secured onto amidsole3 thereunder. Both themidsole3 and the insole1 are formed of a plastic material such as EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), PU (polyurethane), or PVC (polyvinyl chloride).
• However, the well known insole1 suffers from a disadvantage. In detail, the bottom of eachopening2 is blocked by themidsole3. Hence, air is defined to circulate within eachopening2 when a wearer's foot presses on the insole1. 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 ofFIG. 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′ ofFIG. 3 with the second ventilation fabric being partially lifted to show details thereunder;
• FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the insole ofFIG. 4;
• FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line B-B′ ofFIG. 5;
• FIG. 7 is a view similar toFIG. 5 where a wearer's foot presses on the insole for showing air and condensation escape paths;
• FIG. 8 is a view similar toFIG. 6 for further showing the air and condensation escape paths ofFIG. 7;
• FIG. 9 is a view similar toFIG. 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′ ofFIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• Referring toFIGS. 3 to 8, a shoe insole in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The insole comprises afirst ventilation fabric10 on a bottom surface, asecond ventilation fabric30 on a top surface, and a plurality of spaced, hexagonalresilient pillars20 adhesively secured between thefirst ventilation fabric10 and thesecond ventilation fabric30. Each component is discussed in detail below.
• Achannel21 is formed between two adjacent sides of any two adjacentresilient pillars20. That is, a channel network is formed. Theresilient pillars20 are formed of a plastic material such as EVA, PU, or PVC. Also, theresilient pillars20 can be divided into a plurality of zones in which theresilient pillars20 in one zone may have a softness (or stiffness) different from theresilient pillars20 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 inFIGS. 7 and 8 specifically, in response to exerting a force upon thesecond ventilation fabric30 by a wearer's foot, theresilient pillars20 are flexibly deformed in different degrees. Air and condensation between the sole and thefirst ventilation fabric10 are sufficiently and effectively removed through a plurality of escape paths as indicated by arrows. The escape paths begin at thechannels20 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 toFIG. 9, in another configuration theresilient pillars20A are of L-shaped section as viewed from top.
• Referring toFIGS. 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. Thechannels20 are filled with amesh structure40 formed of cotton. Themesh structure40 is adhesively secured between thefirst ventilation fabric10 and thesecond ventilation fabric30. Moreover, themesh structure40 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 (4)

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 ofclaim 1, wherein each elastomeric member has a cross-section of hexagon.

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

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

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