Custom Formable Footbed and Shoe Insert

a custom-fit, footbed technology, applied in the field of personalized footbeds or insoles, can solve the problems of high cost of custom-fit shoe inserts, insufficient fit and comfort, and inability to provide sufficient comfort for more custom-fit or personalized shoe inserts

Inactive Publication Date: 2017-08-17
NANO TERRA INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a customizable footbed that can be customized to fit different feet. The footbed comprises a top layer and a bottom layer, with a space in between them. The bottom layer has a plurality of packets arranged within the space, each packet comprising an exterior membrane and an interior filling. The interior filling can be a curable material that chemically reacts upon mixing of the components to form a solid or semi-solid resin or gel. The plurality of packets can burst upon application of a pressure to the foot, causing the interior filling to flow into the space and mix within it. This allows for a snug fit and customization of the footbed to the contours of the foot. The footbed can be used in self-customizing footwear or can be customized by a professional.

Problems solved by technology

They also range from inexpensive standard insoles, to very expensive custom-fit inserts.
Inexpensive insole options, which often fail to provide sufficient fit and comfort, are currently produced by one of the following methods: “boil and wear” type solutions, ski-shop spray or heat form solutions.
More custom-fit or personalized shoe inserts tend to be very expensive, and the fitting process sometimes involves a trip to a physician's office or to a location with specialized fitting equipment where a scan or mold of the foot can be made.
The customer will often have to wait days or weeks for delivery of the final insert.

Method used

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  • Custom Formable Footbed and Shoe Insert
  • Custom Formable Footbed and Shoe Insert
  • Custom Formable Footbed and Shoe Insert

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example 1

[0043]The steps for producing footbeds of a preferred embodiment of the present invention are as follows: First, materials are prepared by cutting LDPE, TPU, fabric, and transfer adhesive to the proper size required. With the LDPE sheeting, custom bubble arrays are formed by vacuum thermoforming of the film. The LDPE sheeting is brought into close proximity of a high temperature heat source, kept at 275° C. Once the material begins to soften and exhibits characteristics of melting, the sheeting is then brought into contact with a custom mold that is arranged on a vacuum plate, allowing the softened material to form a net shape of the custom mold. Once this custom bubble arrangement is formed, the piece is then placed into a custom holder with rigid channels between the formed bubbles, allowing the bubbles to hang freely. In this holder, silicone components are then loaded into the bubbles in an alternating fashion. Once the bubbles are filled, a sheet of LDPE is then laid across the...

example ii

[0050]In another embodiment, the packets may be formed in a square prism blisters having the following aspect dimensions. 0.25″×0.25″×0.25″ (1:1 aspect ratio). The packets may contain two different interior fillers (A and B) arranged in an alternating fashion. Each packet may be spaced apart from an adjacent packet by a gap between 0.05″-0.1″.

[0051]The materials used for the production of the insoles, including the commercial suppliers' information, are as follows:

[0052]Interior filling / silicone:

[0053]Andisil® 204-37C having a viscosity—1950 cps

[0054]Andisil® 204-37D having a viscosity—1450 cps

[0055]1:1 mixed gel time (20 sec mix)—55 sec

[0056]Properties—cure 20 minutes at RT:

[0057]Bottom TPU Layer: Product: DT 7101, polyether TPU film

[0058]Top Fabric Specs:

[0059]Product: Jump Spacer+2 mil TPU Laminate+Print

[0060]Company: Cosmo Fabrics

[0061]Packet exterior membrane: LDPE

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Abstract

A customizeable footbed, a self-customizing footwear having a customizable footbed, and a method for customizing a footbed to conform to contours of a foot is provided. The customizable footbed may include a plurality of packets, each packet comprising an exterior membrane defining a chamber therein, and an interior filling within the chamber. The interior filling may be selected from a group consisting of two or more components of a curable material that chemically react upon mixing of the components to irreversibly form a solid or semi-solid resin or a gel. The plurality of packets may be configured to burst upon application of a pressure such that the interior fillings of the packets flow into and mix within the intermediate space.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 295,863 filed Feb. 16, 2016, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND[0002]Shoe inserts have long been used to provide better fit, feel and support for the foot within a shoe. Such inserts range from simple linings, to contoured paddings, to support orthotics. They also range from inexpensive standard insoles, to very expensive custom-fit inserts. Inexpensive insole options, which often fail to provide sufficient fit and comfort, are currently produced by one of the following methods: “boil and wear” type solutions, ski-shop spray or heat form solutions. More custom-fit or personalized shoe inserts tend to be very expensive, and the fitting process sometimes involves a trip to a physician's office or to a location with specialized fitting equipment where a scan or mold of the foot can be made. The customer will often have to wait days or w...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A43B7/28A43B17/02A43B1/00A43B17/00A43B17/14
CPCA43B7/28A43B17/006A43B17/02A43B1/0045A43B17/14A43B1/0027A43B17/026B29D35/122B29D35/128
InventorTREMBLAY, NOAHSOMERS, MARKARROCO, AUSTIN
OwnerNANO TERRA INC