Footwear

Abstract

The invention relates to a footwear sole component and to an article of footwear 2 comprising such a sole component. A sole component is suitably an insole 1 with toe and heel portions 30, 20 connected by an arch portion 40, the sole component being arranged to form part of a sole of a closed article of footwear 2 having a foot chamber 90. The sole component includes at least one compressible passage 11 arranged, in use, to have an opening into a first region of the foot chamber 90 and an opening into a second region of the foot chamber 90 such that air can be caused to travel from passage 11 into a second region of the foot chamber 90, by a pumping effect caused by compression of the passage 11 along at least a part of its extent during a stage of a wearers walking cycle.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a footwear sole component, particularly, though not exclusively, an insole for an article of footwear and to an article of footwear comprising such a sole component. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] There exist various types of footwear, including “closed” footwear such as, for example, boots, shoes and trainers. Articles of closed footwear have an upper lasted to a sole to form a foot chamber arranged to accommodate a users foot. [0003] The sole itself can be of a number of constructions but always comprises an outer sole having an outer surface arranged to contact the ground. In the most basic articles of footwear the upper is lasted to this and a user's foot contacts an inner surface of the outer sole. More normally an article of footwear further comprises an insole arranged to sit between the outer sole and a user's foot. Such an insole may be integrally formed with the article of footwear or may be removable there...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0059] The insole is suitably thin. The insole may have a thickness of less than 10 mm, preferably less than 7 mm, for example of 5 mm or less. Suitably, the insole has a thickness of between 3 and 5 mm. The insole may thus be suitable for fitting into substantially any article of closed footwear without adversely affecting a wearer's comfort. The insole may thus be suitable for use as a retro-fit component.

[0068] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a closed article of footwear comprising an upper and a sole forming a foot chamber therebetween wherein the sole comprises a sole component comprising a toe portion and a heel portion connected by an arch portion and comprises at least one compressible passage extending between a first portion of the sole component and a second portion of the sole component, which passage is arranged to have a first opening into a first region of the foot chamber and a second opening into a second region of the foot chamber such that, in use, air can be caused to travel from said passage into a second region of the foot chamber, by a pumping effect caused by compression of the passageway along at least a part of its extent during a stage of a wearers walking cycle.

[0074] When a user's foot contacts the ground once again the process may be repeated. Thus, cooler and / or dryer air from the heel of the foot chamber may be effectively supplied to the toe region to displace warmer and / or damper air therefrom.

[0077] Suitably, the circulation of air around the wearers foot and in particular around the toes may reduce problems associated with closed footwear and may improve a wearers comfort.

Problems solved by technology

Regardless of their specific sole construction, closed articles of footwear provide a foot chamber which can be prone to become hot and / or sweaty in use.

This can be a particular problem in hot environments, when a wearer exercises, or if the wearer is prone to perspire excessively.

When a foot chamber becomes hot and / or sweaty it can create several problems for a wearer.

A wearer may experience discomfort as a result of the heat and / or damp environment in which their foot is accommodated.

The conditions within the foot chamber may promote bacterial and / or fungal activity and may result in increased creation of malodours and / or skin infections.

After use the footwear may retain the malodours and this can be unpleasant for those around the footwear.

The pump can thus complicate the construction of an article of footwear employing such an under-foot layer and consequently employing the under-foot layer may be undesirably costly.

The known approaches to tackling the difficulties associated with ventilating foot chambers of closed articles of footwear have not proved entirely satisfactory.

Images