Anatomical padding for footwear

Abstract

The invention relates to a shoe upper, comprising: an inner side padding located at an inner side portion of a heel region of the shoe upper, wherein the inner side padding comprises a first shape; an outer side padding located at an outer side portion of the heel region of the shoe upper, wherein the outer side padding comprises a second shape; wherein the first shape is different from the second shape, wherein the outer side padding is arranged closer to a sole of the shoe than the inner side padding, and the outer side padding is arranged closer to a rear portion of the upper of the shoe than the inner side padding.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an upper for a shoe comprising asymmetrical padding material and a method for manufacturing an upper for a shoe having asymmetrical padding material. Background Technology

[0002] Shoes must be made of durable materials to protect the feet and ensure a certain level of durability. To maintain their shape and provide adequate support for the wearer, the base material of the shoe must be relatively stiff. When worn, padding and / or lining are used to prevent injury to the feet from this relatively stiff base material. Padding and / or lining can be evenly distributed within the shoe's upper. However, linings, and especially padding, can benefit from various additional requirements.

[0003] Generally, cushioning is designed into the shoe according to its intended purpose. One purpose is to avoid pressure spikes, and thus prevent blisters and / or chafing. Another purpose is to optimize the distribution of foot pressure within the shoe. Furthermore, cushioning can also have a corrective effect on foot positioning. In medical applications, cushioning can compensate for foot misalignments that could otherwise lead to misalignment of the entire musculoskeletal system.

[0004] The aforementioned considerations are particularly important in the ankle area, where a comfortable fit for the foot is crucial, as excessive freedom of movement within the shoe can lead to injury. Furthermore, without adequate support, the wearer is at high risk of spraining their ankle. Additionally, without proper cushioning, the rather pronounced bulge of the ankle joint on the sides of the leg, caused by the ends of the fibula and tibia and the lack of muscle and fat in this area, can quickly lead to chafing.

[0005] Conventional shoes typically have symmetrical padding around the ankle on both sides of the leg, and use the same padding shape on both the inner and outer sides, which does not correspond to the anatomy of the foot. In addition to uncomfortable wearing, this also leads to a reduced fit, and in the worst case, misalignment as the wearer tries to adapt his walking posture to the poorly fitted shoe.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a shoe padding material that provides an ideal fit around the wearer's ankle joint based on anatomical conditions.

[0007] JP 04714329 B2 relates to a sole insole insert and footwear that corrects flat feet, pronation, and foot deformities.

[0008] US 7,140,128 B2 relates to a J-strip located on either side of a boot above the heel. The J-strip also incorporates memory material and is positioned and shaped to extend below and to the back of the user's ankle bone.

[0009] US 6,442,875 B1 relates to providing an upper for a boot having an outer instep and an inner instep, both of which are symmetrical and primarily rigid. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The above problem is solved by a shoe upper, which includes:

[0011] The inner padding is located on the inner side of the heel area of ​​the upper, and the inner padding includes a first shape; the outer padding is located on the outer side of the heel area of ​​the upper, and the outer padding includes a second shape, wherein the first shape is different from the second shape, wherein the outer padding is arranged closer to the sole of the shoe than the inner padding, and wherein the outer padding is arranged closer to the rear of the upper of the shoe than the inner padding.

[0012] The inner and outer shapes of the padding correspond to the anatomy of the wearer's ankle joint. Since the inner and outer sides of the ankle joint have different anatomy, using the same shape would result in an overall mismatch between the padding and the ankle joint. Padding adapted to the corresponding anatomy of the inner or outer side of the ankle joint ensures ideal alignment between the padding and the ankle bones. This minimizes the space between the padding and the ankle bones, resulting in a comfortable fit. This comfortable fit significantly restricts the freedom of foot movement within the ankle joint area, preventing or at least reducing injuries and blisters in this area. Furthermore, the comfortable fit improves the transfer of foot energy within the shoe during stepping and deceleration. Additionally, the inner and outer padding are arranged asymmetrically. This asymmetrical arrangement along the front and sagittal plane of the padding further supports the stability of the wearer's musculoskeletal system during walking, thus preventing, for example, sprains in the medial or lateral direction of the foot.

[0013] In the following text, the arrangement of padding closer to the sole of the shoe is indicated as a lower level, and the arrangement further away from the sole of the shoe is indicated as a higher level.

[0014] Especially in sports such as football, rugby, or running, this type of cushioning can be beneficial because the risk of ankle sprains along the medial or lateral direction is high in these sports. Therefore, the upper according to the invention is preferably the upper of a football boot, a rugby boot, or a running shoe. Furthermore, for hiking or sports involving frequent jumping (such as basketball), the comfortable fit of the shoe is highly correlated with the wearer's ankle height. Therefore, the upper according to the invention can be the upper of a hiking shoe or a basketball shoe.

[0015] According to the present invention, the horizontal extension of the inner padding material, i.e., its thickness, measured on the front, can be less than the thickness of the outer padding material. Preferably, the thickness difference between the inner and outer padding materials can be at least 4 mm. For example, when the padding material is attached to the sole structure to form a shoe, the padding material thickness can be measured in a direction perpendicular to the sagittal plane of the upper of the finished shoe.

[0016] Different vertical thicknesses of the padding correspond to the anatomy of the medial and lateral ankle bones in the shoe, and thus further stabilize the foot along the anteroposterior and sagittal planes. A potentially very thick medial padding would severely restrict the foot's freedom of movement in the medial direction and lead to improper foot positioning. Furthermore, the likelihood of sprains in the lateral direction would be greatly increased. Therefore, greater thickness of the lateral padding, compared to medial padding, achieves anteroposterior stability. In addition, the greater thickness of the lateral padding provides a comfortable fit, preventing injuries caused by excessive space between the lateral padding and the lateral ankle joint (which could involve increased friction). Thus, a comfortable fit at the ankle joint reduces forward and backward movement of the foot, resulting in sagittal plane stability. Furthermore, the more exposed lateral aspect of the ankle joint compared to the medial side provides further protection against impacts from objects striking the lateral side of the shoe.

[0017] The horizontal extension of the outer padding material, measured along the sagittal plane, i.e., its length, can be less than the length of the inner padding material. Preferably, the length difference between the inner and outer padding materials is at least 2 mm. For example, when the padding material is attached to the sole structure to form a shoe, the padding material length can be measured in a direction perpendicular to the front of the finished shoe's upper.

[0018] The varying lengths of the padding correspond to the anatomical configuration of the medial and lateral ankle bones in the shoe, thus further stabilizing the foot in both the anterior and sagittal planes. In particular, the anterior plane allows for foot stabilization, preventing sprains along the medial direction. Furthermore, the longer length of the medial padding allows for a tighter fit between the medial ankle joint and the padding, further reducing overall foot movement in the sagittal plane.

[0019] The vertical extension of the outer padding material, measured from the front, i.e., its width, can be greater than the width of the inner padding material measured from the front. Preferably, the width difference between the inner and outer padding materials can be at least 2 mm. In addition to the horizontal plane difference between the lower and higher outer padding materials, the padding materials may also include different widths. For example, when the padding material is attached to the sole structure to form a shoe, the padding width is defined as the distance from the bottom of the padding material to the top of the same padding material, measured along a transverse plane perpendicular to the upper of the finished shoe.

[0020] The varying widths of the padding correspond to the anatomy of the medial and lateral ankle bones, further stabilizing the foot from the front. In particular, sprains along the lateral direction are effectively minimized. Furthermore, the lateral side of the foot is further supported by a larger lateral padding. Additionally, a more comfortable fit is achieved on both the external and internal sides.

[0021] The volume of the inner padding material can differ from the volume of the outer padding material. Preferably, the volume of the inner padding material can be smaller than the volume of the outer padding material.

[0022] The different volumes of the medial and lateral padding further stabilize the wearer's foot. The smaller volume of the medial padding ensures freedom of movement on the medial side of the foot, while simultaneously providing a comfortable fit on the lateral side. The larger volume of the lateral padding further protects the lateral aspect of the ankle, especially the lateral ankle, when it is at risk of injury from another athlete's foot or an object.

[0023] The outer padding can be positioned at least 2mm closer to the sole of the shoe than the inner padding.

[0024] Further stability of the ankle joint along the front can be achieved by arranging the padding material in an asymmetrical horizontal plane perpendicular to the transverse plane.

[0025] The outer padding can be positioned at least 6mm closer to the back of the shoe's upper than the inner padding.

[0026] By asymmetrically arranging the lateral padding along the sagittal plane, which is closer to the rear of the shoe than the medial padding, the forward and backward movement of the foot within the shoe is reduced. Therefore, this configuration ensures foot stability, particularly along the sagittal plane. Furthermore, by arranging the medial padding further away from the heel than the lateral padding, additional stability and support are achieved on the medial side.

[0027] The inner and / or outer padding may include foam materials. The use of foam materials offers several advantages. First, they can be made from virtually any plastic, providing a wide range of properties. They are also lightweight and easy to handle, which is beneficial for the shoe. Due to their low density, moisture can be transferred away from the foot. Furthermore, foam is perceived as skin-friendly and soft. Foam can also help retain body temperature inside the shoe.

[0028] The medial and / or lateral padding may include bladders. Padding that includes bladders provides more effective cushioning. In addition, it can enhance the tactile experience. Furthermore, bladders may include greater resilience than ordinary foam to compensate for foot misalignment or protect the lateral aspect of the ankle, especially the lateral ankle, from forces acting from the outside.

[0029] The bladder can be filled with liquid and / or gas. Depending on the type of filling material used, tactile sensation and / or resilience can vary. Furthermore, depending on the filling material, body heat from the foot can be retained or conducted outwards. Moreover, filled bladders can better conform to the respective shapes of the wearer's foot.

[0030] The present invention also relates to a shoe comprising an upper as described herein and a sole attached to the upper. The shoe provides a comfortable fit to the ankle and further stabilizes the wearer's foot along the frontal and sagittal planes.

[0031] The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a shoe upper, comprising the following steps: distributing an inner padding material on the inner side of the heel region of the shoe upper, wherein the inner padding material includes a first shape; distributing an outer padding material on the outer side of the heel region of the shoe upper, wherein the outer padding material includes a second shape; wherein the first shape is different from the second shape, the outer padding material is disposed closer to the sole of the shoe than the inner padding material, and the outer padding material is disposed closer to the rear of the shoe upper than the inner padding material.

[0032] The advantages of the upper obtained in this way are as described above, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0033] The method may further include the following steps: providing a mold having a cavity and two plates to create a bladder in a compression molding process; filling the bladder; and sealing the bladder. This allows the bladder to be produced by molding in a single manufacturing step. Molding is a simple and rapid manufacturing method because several individual steps can be performed in one step.

[0034] The method may further include the following steps: forming inner and / or outer padding materials in an embossing process using a first mold and a second mold, wherein the bottom shape of the first mold corresponds to the top of the first and / or second shape, and wherein the top of the second mold includes a recess corresponding to the shape of the bottom of the first and / or second shape. In the embossing process, the molds can be interchangeable or modularly constructed, allowing for the easy creation of more complex patterns. Thus, visual designs, such as trademarks or logos, can be applied to the pouch. Furthermore, the pouch can be provided with a special texture to enhance tactile perception.

[0035] The materials for the first and / or second molds may include magnesium and / or copper and / or brass. The use of metals or metal alloys such as magnesium, copper, and brass is advantageous in embossing processes because they possess sufficient hardness to deform the polymer. Furthermore, these metals provide good thermal conductivity when the embossing process is applied using heat.

[0036] The method may further include the following step: placing the materials of the inner padding and / or the outer padding between the first and second molds prior to the embossing process. By placing the inner padding and / or the outer padding separately, different materials can be used for the inner and outer padding. This provides a wider range of selected properties for the inner and outer padding.

[0037] The method may further include the step of filling the space between the first and second molds with material for the inner and / or outer padding during the embossing process. Through this filling step, the bladder can be fitted with a variety of desired properties. Because the filling is performed during the embossing process, processing time and manufacturing workload can be reduced.

[0038] Material can be filled using rollers. Rollers are advantageous for assembly line production.

[0039] Embossing processes can include heat application. By utilizing heat, less pressure needs to be applied and the embossing process typically takes less time. Furthermore, heat allows the bladder to be sealed directly at the edges, which further reduces manufacturing steps and time. Attached Figure Description

[0040] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings illustrate:

[0041] Figure 1 This is an example illustration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a cross-section of the upper of a shoe having inner and outer padding.

[0042] Figure 2 This is another illustration of an exemplary preferred embodiment, showing the upper of a shoe with inner and outer padding according to the invention; and

[0043] Figure 3 Another example of a preferred embodiment is shown, which illustrates a shoe with an inner pouch and an outer pouch. Detailed Implementation

[0044] The following detailed description of feasible embodiments of the invention primarily refers to shoes. It should be emphasized that the invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0045] Figure 1 The upper 10a of the shoe 18 according to the present invention is shown. Furthermore, Figure 1The rear view shows the foot 19 inserted into the shoe 18, and for illustration purposes, the foot 19 is shown in a top view. The shoe 18 includes a medial padding 13 on the inner side 11 of the shoe 18 and a lateral padding 14 on the outer side 12 of the shoe 18. The shapes of the medial padding 13 and the lateral padding 14 include a basic semi-cylindrical shape. However, in other embodiments, the basic shapes of the medial and lateral paddings can be fundamentally different. For example, the basic shape of the medial padding 13 may include a U-shape, a J-shape, a circle, a toroidal shape, or any other suitable basic shape that is beneficial to the anatomical position of the medial side 16 of the ankle joint. Regardless of the basic shape of the medial padding 13, the lateral padding 14 may include one of the following basic shapes: a U-shape, a J-shape, a circle, a toroidal shape, or any other suitable basic shape that is beneficial to the anatomical position of the lateral side 17 of the ankle joint.

[0046] The medial padding 13 and the lateral padding 14 may be arranged on different horizontal planes, as shown by line 15 connecting the medial padding 13 and the lateral padding 14. This corresponds to the anatomical configuration of the human foot 19, and particularly to the anatomical configuration of the medial side 16 and the lateral side 17 of the ankle joint. Thus, the lower end of the medial padding 13 is positioned at a horizontal plane 24 mm from the sole 10b of the shoe 18, while the lower end of the lateral padding 14 is positioned at a horizontal plane 20 mm from the sole of the shoe 18. In other embodiments, the horizontal planes of these padding materials may vary depending on the type, size, intended use, etc. of the shoe.

[0047] In other embodiments, the medial padding 13 is positioned at a horizontal plane at least 2 mm higher than the lateral padding 14. This particular asymmetry, caused by the higher medial padding 13 and lower lateral padding 14 measured in the frontal region, results in stability of the foot 19 in the frontal region. Sprains of the foot 19, particularly those towards the medial side 11, can be prevented by the arrangement of the higher medial padding 13. Furthermore, the arrangement of the lower lateral padding 14 prevents injury to the lateral side of the athlete's ankle 17 and the lateral side 12 of the ankle 17 caused by another athlete's foot or an object.

[0048] The inner padding 13 includes a vertical extension 13b, i.e., a thickness of 6 mm, measured internally on the front, and the outer padding 14 includes a thickness of 10 mm. In other embodiments, the thicknesses 13b and 14b of the inner padding 13 and the outer padding 14 may vary depending on the type of shoe. In some embodiments, the thickness 14b of the outer padding 14 is at least 4 mm greater than the thickness 13b of the inner padding 13. This particular configuration of the inner padding 13 and the outer padding 14 supports the foot and further provides a comfortable fit.

[0049] The padding material includes its width, which is defined as the length from the bottom of the padding material to the top of the same padding material in a direction orthogonal to the transverse plane. Figure 1In an exemplary embodiment, the medial padding 13 includes a width 13a of 10 mm measured inwards from the front, and the lateral padding 14 includes a width 14a of 12 mm measured inwards from the front. In other embodiments, the widths 13a and 14a of the medial padding 13 and the lateral padding 14 may vary depending on the type of shoe. In some embodiments, the width 14a of the lateral padding 14 is at least 2 mm greater than the thickness 13a of the medial padding 13. This specific width configuration of the medial padding 13 and the lateral padding 14 provides further stability to the foot 19 inwards from the front.

[0050] In addition, such as Figure 1 As shown, the volume of the inner padding 13 is smaller than that of the outer padding 14. This difference in volume allows athletes, especially during running, to experience better support and a greater sense of stability.

[0051] Because of the horizontal extension of the padding material in the sagittal plane, i.e., its length, in Figure 1 These aspects are not shown in the figure. Figure 2 A more detailed description is provided below.

[0052] Figure 2 An embodiment of the upper 20 of a football boot is shown. In other embodiments, the upper 20 may be, for example, for rugby boots, running shoes, hiking shoes, or basketball shoes, etc. The upper 20 includes an inner padding 23 on the inner side 21 and an outer padding 24 on the outer side 22. The inner padding 23 includes a flat J-shaped basic shape and the outer padding 24 includes a flat U-shaped basic shape. Generally, the inner padding 23 and the outer padding 24 may include different basic shapes or the same basic shape, and may include different... Figure 2 The shapes shown.

[0053] exist Figure 2 In an exemplary embodiment, the inner padding 23 is arranged at a distance of 18 mm from the rear portion 23d of the upper 20 along the sagittal plane, and the outer padding 24 is arranged at a distance of 8 mm from the rear portion 24d of the shoe 18 along the sagittal plane. In other embodiments, the arrangements 23a and 24a of the inner padding 23 and the outer padding 24 may vary depending on the type, size, intended use, etc. of the shoe. In some embodiments, the inner padding 23 is at least 6 mm further from the rear portion 23d of the upper 20 than the outer padding 24, 24d. This results in asymmetry along the sagittal plane, as shown by line 25 (corresponding to...). Figure 1 The asymmetry of the ankle joint (as shown by line 15) further prevents sprains inward 21 and excessive movement of the foot within the sagittal plane of the upper 10. Thus, this specific asymmetry along the sagittal plane, as shown by line 25, further stabilizes the foot within the shoe both frontally and in the sagittal plane.

[0054] That is, when the padding is attached to the sole to form the finished shoe, the inner padding 23 includes a width 23a of 10 mm measured inside the front of the upper of the finished shoe, and the outer padding 24 includes a width 24a of 12 mm measured inside the front. Figure 2 In an exemplary embodiment, the inner padding 23 is positioned at a horizontal plane measuring 24 mm from the lower edge of the upper 20, and the outer padding 24 is positioned at a horizontal plane measuring 20 mm from the lower edge of the upper 20. In this embodiment, the inner padding 23 is closer to the opening portion of the upper 20 than the outer padding 24.

[0055] The medial padding 23 includes a horizontal extension 23c of 24 mm measured in the sagittal plane, and the lateral padding 24 includes a horizontal extension 24c of 22 mm measured in the sagittal plane. The horizontal extension of the padding can also be expressed as the length of the padding. In other embodiments, the lengths 23c and 24c of the medial padding 23 and the lateral padding 24 may vary depending on the type, size, intended use, etc., of the shoe. In some embodiments, the length 23c of the medial padding 23 is at least 2 mm greater than the length 24c of the lateral padding 24. This specific length configuration of the upper 20 provides further stability to the foot along the sagittal plane and the forefoot. Therefore, sprains and forward / backward movements of the foot in the finished upper 20 are significantly reduced. Although the medial padding 23, 23c is longer than the lateral padding 24, 24c, the volume of the medial padding 23 is smaller than the volume of the lateral padding 24.

[0056] Due to the two-dimensional top view, the thicknesses of the inner pad 23 and the outer pad 24 are not shown. Figure 2 As shown in the diagram. The asymmetry along the front is identifiable solely by the distance from the padding to the shoe opening. Therefore, these aspects refer to... Figure 1 To describe in more detail.

[0057] Figure 3A portion of a shoe 30 according to the invention is shown. The shoe 30 includes a medial pouch 33 on the medial side 31 and a lateral pouch 34 on the lateral side 32. The lateral pouch 34 extends closer to the rear of the shoe 30 than the medial pouch 33. Furthermore, the lateral pouch 34 includes a thickness 34b greater than the thickness 33b of the pouch 33. Measured from the sole of the shoe 30, the medial pouch 33 is located higher than the lateral pouch 34. The medial and lateral pouches 33 and 34 comprise a foam material. In other embodiments, the foam material may comprise memory foam. The dimensions of the medial pouch 33 and the lateral pouch 34 may vary depending on the type of shoe and its intended use. In one embodiment, a running shoe may be considered, wherein the medial pouch 33 includes a length 33c of 68 mm and the lateral pouch 34 includes a length 34c of 62 mm. Furthermore, the medial pouch 33 includes a width 33a of 10 mm and the lateral pouch 34 includes a width 34a of 14 mm. Furthermore, the medial bladder 33 includes a thickness 33b of 8 mm, and the lateral bladder 34 includes a thickness 34b of 10 mm. In other embodiments, where other shoe types are considered, such as basketball shoes or hiking shoes, the dimensions may vary relative to the dimensional relationship between the medial bladder 33 and the lateral bladder 34 according to the invention.

[0058] The inner bladder 33 and the outer bladder 34 are filled with foam. The foam has a density of 80 kg / m³. 3 The shoe is made of polyurethane (PUR) foam. In other embodiments, the medial pouch 33 and the lateral pouch 34 may include different stiffnesses. In this embodiment, the PUR foam has high resilience, which improves fit and stability as well as energy transfer of the foot within the shoe. In other embodiments, the pouches may have lower resilience and greater memory properties, allowing them to perfectly align with the wearer's ankle, thus improving wearing comfort. In summary, the dynamic interaction characteristics of the pouches with other objects can vary depending on the type of shoe and its intended use. In other embodiments, the medial pouch 33 may include memory and / or resilience properties different from those of the lateral pouch 34.

[0059] The inner bladder 33 and outer bladder 34 are formed in the embossing process using a first mold and a second mold. Depending on the preferred design of the bladder, the mold material may include copper, magnesium, or brass. In other embodiments, the material of the first mold may differ from that of the second mold. The bottom shape of the first mold corresponds to the top shape of the inner bladder 33 or the outer bladder 34. The top surface of the second mold has a recess corresponding to the shape of the bottom of the inner bladder 33 and / or the outer bladder 34. The first and second molds are tailored to the actual dimensions of the foam bladder as intended. In this embodiment, the bladder is filled with PUR foam. Therefore, the PUR foam is placed between the first and second molds, and the embossing process is subsequently performed by applying 125°C. This utilizes the baking between the first and second molds, as well as the foam, which is composed of laminated velvet.

[0060] An additional layer may be used to cover PUR foam. In a preferred embodiment, the additional layer comprises a soft-touch material. In other embodiments, the additional layer may comprise a material with a grippy and / or rough surface, having fibers, for example, preferably in a direction facing the bottom of the shoe. This fiber configuration of the layer material further increases the grip between the material and the wearer's sock and further minimizes foot movement, especially heel movement, within the shoe. In a preferred embodiment, during the embossing process, the additional layer is applied only to one side of the foam, i.e., the side that comes into direct contact with the wearer's foot. In other embodiments, the additional layer may also be applied to the side of the upper to which it will be attached. In other embodiments, the material of the additional layer may vary depending on the side of the upper of the shoe to which it is applied.

[0061] In other embodiments, materials other than PUR foam can be used, provided that the material is suitable for forming a three-dimensional structure. Before applying the embossing process, the material to be embossed can be placed between the first and second molds, referred to as a "flip-top press." In other embodiments, material can also be filled during the embossing process, wherein the material is filled into the press and extruded from the other side, referred to as a "line press." If the material filling is achieved using rollers, the process is referred to as a "roll press." After the embossing process is completed, the resulting inner pouch 33 and outer pouch 34 are attached to the shoe 30.

[0062] In another embodiment, the bladder may be filled with liquid and / or gas. This is achieved in different manufacturing processes. A vacuum forming machine is provided that uses a top mold and a bottom mold with a cavity. Thus, the shape of the bladder to be manufactured corresponds to the cavity of the bottom mold, preferably a three-dimensional semicircle. In other embodiments, the shape may include any suitable shape to support and conform to the ankle joint, for example, a three-dimensional J-shape, a three-dimensional U-shape, a toroidal shape, etc. In the first step, a first layer of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with a thickness of 0.8 mm is placed on top of the bottom mold. In other embodiments, other materials of other thicknesses may be used, depending on the type of shoe and the purpose of the bladder. In the second step, heat is applied until the first layer reaches a suitable forming temperature and becomes flexible. In the third step, the flexible first layer is exposed to a vacuum.

[0063] Due to the vacuum, the flexible first layer on the mold extends / is pulled towards the cavity of the mold. To achieve effective pulling towards the cavity of the mold, the mold is provided with micropores that drill into the voids. This results in a suitable bladder-like structure for the first layer. The bladder-like structure formed on the mold is then cooled. In a fourth step, the bladder-like structure is poured out and filled with a filling material, preferably polyurethane (PU). In other embodiments, the filling material may include other liquids (e.g., aqueous liquids, recycled compounds, etc.) or gases suitable for conforming to and adhering to the shape of the ankle bone. In the next step, the poured and filled bladder-like structure is covered with a second layer, preferably made of TPU. In other embodiments, the second layer may include a material different from the first material. The bladder-like structure is then sealed by pressing the top mold onto the bottom mold. The resulting filled bladder is then placed in a heating chamber at 50-60°C for 24 hours. After heating, the edges of the filled bladder are cut off and trimmed so that protruding material and uneven areas are eliminated. The final filled bladder is then attached to the upper of the shoe.

Claims

1. An upper (10a; 20) of a shoe (18), comprising: a) a medial pad (13; 23) located at a medial portion of a heel region of the upper (10a; 20), wherein the medial pad (13; 23) comprises a first shape; b) a lateral pad (14; 24) located at a lateral portion of the heel region of the upper (10a; 20), wherein the lateral pad (14; 24) comprises a second shape; c) wherein the first shape is different from the second shape, d) wherein the lateral pad (14; 24) is arranged closer to a sole (10b) of the shoe (18) than the medial pad (13; 23), and e) wherein the lateral pad (14; 24) is arranged closer to a rear portion of the upper (10a; 20) of the shoe (18) than the medial pad (13; 23), wherein a volume of the medial pad (13; 23) is different from a volume of the lateral pad (14; 24), wherein the volume of the medial pad (13; 23) is smaller than the volume of the lateral pad (14; 24), and wherein a horizontal extension of the lateral pad (14; 24), i.e. its length (24c), measured in a sagittal plane, is smaller than a length (23c) of the medial pad (13; 23). a horizontal extension of the medial pad (13; 23), i.e. its thickness (13b), measured in a frontal plane, is smaller than a thickness (14b) of the lateral pad (14; 24).

2. The upper (10a; 20) according to claim 1, wherein a difference in thickness (13b, 14b) of the medial pad (13; 23) and the lateral pad (14; 24) is at least 4 mm.

3. The upper (10a; 20) according to claim 2, wherein a difference in length (23c, 24c) of the medial pad (13; 23) and the lateral pad (14; 24) is at least 2 mm.

4. The upper (10a; 20) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, a vertical extension of the lateral pad (14; 24), i.e. its width (14a; 24a), measured in a frontal plane, is larger than a width (13a; 23a) of the medial pad (13; 23).

5. The upper (10a; 20) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, a difference in width (13a, 14a; 23a, 24a) of the medial pad (13; 23) and the lateral pad (14; 24) is at least 2 mm.

6. The footwear upper (10a; 20) according to claim 5, wherein the lateral pad (14; 24) is arranged at least 2 mm closer to the sole (10b) of the shoe (18) than the medial pad (13; 23).

7. The upper (10a; 20) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, the lateral pad (14; 24) is arranged at least 6 mm closer to the rear portion of the upper (10a; 20) of the shoe (18) than the medial pad (13; 23).

8. The upper (10a; 20) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, the medial pad (13; 23) and / or the lateral pad (14; 24) comprises a foam material.

9. The upper (10a; 20) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, 10. The upper (10a; 20) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the medial pad (13; 23) and / or the lateral pad (14; 24) comprises a bladder. the bladder is filled with a liquid and / or a gas.

11. The footwear upper (10a; 20) according to claim 10, wherein 12. A shoe (18), comprising: an upper (10a; 20) according to any one of claims 1-11, and 20)； a sole (10b) attached to the upper (10a; 20). ​ 13. A method of manufacturing an upper (10a; 20) for a shoe (18), comprising: a) arranging a medial pad (13; 23) at a medial portion of a heel region of the upper (10a; 20), wherein the medial pad (13; 23) comprises a first shape; b) arranging a lateral pad (14; 24) at a lateral portion of the heel region of the upper (10a; 20), wherein the lateral pad (14; 24) comprises a second shape; c) wherein the first shape is different from the second shape; d) the lateral pad (14; 24) is arranged closer to a sole (10b) of the shoe (18) than the medial pad (13; 23), and e) the lateral pad (14; 24) is arranged closer to a rear portion of the upper (10a; 20) of the shoe (18) than the medial pad (13; 23), wherein a volume of the medial pad (13; 23) is different from a volume of the lateral pad (14; 24), wherein the volume of the medial pad (13; 23) is smaller than the volume of the lateral pad (14; 24), and wherein a horizontal extension of the lateral pad (14; 24), i.e. its length (24c), measured in a sagittal plane, is smaller than a length (23c) of the medial pad (13; 23). a horizontal extension of the medial pad (13; 23), i.e. its thickness (13b), measured in a frontal plane, is smaller than a thickness (14b) of the lateral pad (14; 24). The difference in thickness (13b, 14b) of the medial pad (13; 23) and the lateral pad (14; 24) is at least 4 mm.

14. The method of manufacturing an upper (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to claim 13, wherein, The difference in length (23c, 24c) of the medial pad (13; 23) and the lateral pad (14; 24) is at least 2 mm. A vertical extension of the lateral pad (14; 24), i.e. its width (14a; 24a), measured in a frontal plane, is larger than a width (13a; 23a) of the medial pad (13; 23).

15. The method of manufacturing an upper (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to claim 14, wherein, The difference in width (13a, 14a; 23a, 24a) of the medial pad (13; 23) and the lateral pad (14; 24) is at least 2 mm.

16. The method of manufacturing an upper (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to any one of claims 13-15, wherein, The lateral pad (14; 24) is arranged at least 2 mm closer to the sole (10b) of the shoe (18) than the medial pad (13; 23).

17. The method of manufacturing an upper (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to any one of claims 13-15, wherein, The lateral pad (14; 24) is arranged at least 6 mm closer to the rear portion of the upper (10a; 20) of the shoe (18) than the medial pad (13; 23).

18. The footwear upper (10a; 20) according to claim 17, wherein 21. The method of manufacturing an upper (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to any one of claims 13-15, further comprising the step of:

19. The method of manufacturing an upper (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to any one of claims 13-15, wherein, providing the medial pad (13; 23) and / or the lateral pad (14; 24) with a foam material.

20. The method of manufacturing an upper (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to any one of claims 13-15, wherein, 22. The method of manufacturing an upper (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to any one of claims 13-15, further comprising the step of: providing the medial pad (13; 23) and / or the lateral pad (14; 24) with a foam material. ​ ​ providing said medial padding (13; 23) and / or said lateral padding (14; 24) with a bladder.

23. The method of manufacturing an upper (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to claim 22, further comprising the steps of: filling said bladder with a liquid and / or a gas.

24. The method of manufacturing an upper (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to claim 22, further comprising the steps of: providing a vacuum forming machine comprising a top mold and a bottom mold having a cavity; placing a first sheet on said bottom mold; using a vacuum applied to said cavity of said bottom mold to pull a portion of said first sheet into said bottom mold to obtain a bladder-like structure; filling said bladder-like structure with a filler material; covering the filled bladder-like structure with a second sheet; and sealing the bladder-like structure by pressing said top mold on said bottom mold to obtain a filled bladder.

25. The method of manufacturing an upper (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to any one of claims 13-15, further comprising the steps of: forming said medial padding (13; 23) and / or said lateral padding (14; 24) in an embossing process using a first mold and a second mold, wherein a bottom of said first mold corresponds to a top of said first shape and / or said second shape in shape, and wherein a top of said second mold comprises a recess corresponding to a shape of a bottom of said first shape and / or said second shape.

26. The method of manufacturing an upper (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to claim 25, wherein a material of said first mold and / or said second mold is selected from a group comprising at least one of: magnesium, copper, and brass.

27. The method of manufacturing an upper (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to claim 25, further comprising the steps of: placing a material of said medial padding (13; 23) and / or said lateral padding (14; 24) between said first mold and said second mold prior to performing the embossing process.

28. The method of manufacturing an upper (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to claim 25, further comprising the steps of: filling a material of said medial padding (13; 23) and / or said lateral padding (14; 24) between said first mold and said second mold during performing the embossing process.

29. The method of manufacturing an upper (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to claim 28, wherein, said material of said medial padding (13; 23) and / or said lateral padding (14; 24) is filled by a roller.

30. The method of manufacturing an upper (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to claim 25, wherein, said embossing process comprises applying heat.

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