Wear-resistant supercritical foaming midsole for shoes

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of wear-resistant supercritical foaming insole of shoes, it is related to foaming insole field.The utility model includes insole, the insole is composed of cushioning layer, support layer, wear-resistant layer, both sides of the insole are through and have openwork groove, by setting the interlayer interface structure of wave shape occlusion between cushioning layer, support layer and wear-resistant layer, wherein wave shape occlusion structure is formed staggered distribution's protrusion and groove between layers by mechanical interlocking principle, when external force is applied to insole, stress can be evenly dispersed along wave-shaped interface, avoid the interlayer separation caused by local stress concentration;Meanwhile, the structure is closely adhered between layers by co-extrusion forming or hot-pressing process in manufacturing process, further strengthen bonding strength, effectively solve the technical problem of delamination risk caused by insufficient interlayer bonding force of multilayer composite structure, ensure that insole remains structural integrity in long-term use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of foamed midsoles, specifically to a wear-resistant supercritical foamed midsole for shoes. Background Technology

[0002] Supercritical foam midsoles are products made using an advanced midsole manufacturing technology that utilizes supercritical fluids, typically supercritical carbon dioxide or nitrogen, under specific high-temperature and high-pressure conditions. The gas is uniformly injected into a polymer matrix such as EVA or TPU, and then rapidly depressurized to create numerous uniform and tiny closed-cell structures within the polymer. This type of midsole, with its unique microstructure, exhibits superior performance advantages in terms of lightweighting, resilience, cushioning, and durability. It is widely used in high-end athletic shoes and professional running shoes, providing athletes and sports enthusiasts with a superior athletic experience and foot protection.

[0003] While current supercritical foam materials offer excellent resilience, their surface hardness is relatively low. Long-term use can easily lead to damage to the cell structure due to friction, shortening their service life. Moreover, a single material cannot simultaneously meet the requirements of cushioning, support, and abrasion resistance. For example, PEBA is lightweight and highly elastic but has poor stability, while TPEE offers strong support but only average abrasion resistance. Furthermore, multi-layer composite structures face the risk of delamination due to insufficient interlayer bonding. Therefore, there is a need to provide an abrasion-resistant supercritical foam midsole to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0004] Based on this, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a wear-resistant supercritical foam midsole for shoes, in order to solve the technical problems of existing supercritical foam materials having low surface hardness, easy damage to the cell structure due to friction and shortened service life after long-term use, difficulty in meeting the requirements of cushioning, support and wear resistance with a single material, and insufficient interlayer bonding force of multi-layer composite structures that are prone to delamination.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a wear-resistant supercritical foam midsole for shoes, comprising a midsole, the midsole being composed of a cushioning layer, a support layer, and a wear-resistant layer, with perforated grooves on both sides of the midsole, foaming columns installed in the perforated grooves, and closed structures fixedly connected to both sides of the foaming columns.

[0006] By adopting the above technical solution, the midsole achieves synergistic functions of cushioning, support, and abrasion resistance through a multi-layered combination of a cushioning layer, a support layer, and an abrasion-resistant layer, combined with foam pillars within the hollowed-out grooves and a closed structure. The hollowed-out grooves and foam pillars enhance local strength, while the closed structure protects the internal structure, thereby improving the overall performance and durability of the midsole and solving the problems of single-material single-function and easy delamination of multi-layered structures.

[0007] Furthermore, the hollow groove has a first arc-shaped chamfer on both sides, and the foaming column is made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer.

[0008] By adopting the above technical solution, the first arc-shaped chamfer on both sides of the hollow groove disperses edge stress through a smooth transition, reducing the risk of local wear caused by friction; the foam column is made of TPU material, whose high strength and wear resistance, combined with the internal closed-cell microbubble structure, enhances the compressive strength, reduces cell breakage, and improves the durability of the hollow area.

[0009] Furthermore, the closed structure includes a transparent sheet, which is bonded to the midsole with strong adhesive to close the cutout groove, and the two transparent sheets have a second arc-shaped chamfer on both sides.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, the transparent sheet seals the hollow groove, preventing dust from entering and protecting the internal foamed columns; the second arc-shaped chamfer reduces stress concentration during friction and protects the edge of the hollow groove; the peripheral extension covers a wear-resistant layer to further assist in fixation and improve structural stability.

[0011] Furthermore, the shock-absorbing layer comprises a polyether amide block copolymer foam, the support layer is a thermoplastic polyester elastomer foam, and the surface of the wear-resistant layer is provided with micro-protrusion texture.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solutions, the PEBA foam of the cushioning layer provides lightweight and highly elastic cushioning performance; the TPEE foam of the support layer enhances the stability of the midsole; and the micro-protrusion texture of the abrasion-resistant layer improves surface hardness and abrasion resistance. The material selection and structural design of the three achieve functional synergy, meeting the diverse needs for cushioning, support, and abrasion resistance during sports.

[0013] Furthermore, the foamed column has a uniformly distributed closed-cell microbubble structure inside, and the pore size of the closed-cell microbubble is smaller than the pore size of the damping layer.

[0014] By adopting the above technical solutions, the closed-cell microbubble structure of the foam pillar has smaller pore size and denser distribution, which enhances its own structural strength and reduces bubble breakage caused by friction; the closed-cell design prevents gas from escaping, maintains elasticity and stability, improves the durability of the hollow area, and extends the service life of the midsole.

[0015] Furthermore, the periphery of the transparent sheet extends to cover part of the wear-resistant layer, and the inner surface of the transparent sheet is provided with an anti-fog coating.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the periphery of the transparent sheet is covered with a wear-resistant layer, which reduces the impact of external friction on the edge of the hollow groove and helps protect the structural integrity; the anti-fog coating prevents fogging on the inner surface of the transparent sheet, maintains clear light transmission, and improves the appearance and user experience.

[0017] Furthermore, the sidewalls of the wear-resistant layer are flush with the opening edge of the hollow groove, and the thickness of the wear-resistant layer increases towards the arch area of ​​the midsole.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, the sidewall of the wear-resistant layer is flush with the edge of the hollow groove, avoiding local wear caused by protruding edges; the thickness increases towards the arch area to adapt to the force requirements of different areas of the foot, enhance arch support, and improve wearing comfort and support.

[0019] Furthermore, the interlayer interfaces of the shock-absorbing layer, the support layer, and the wear-resistant layer have a wavy interlocking structure.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, the interlayer interface has a wavy interlocking structure. The external force is dispersed by mechanical interlocking, avoiding interlayer separation caused by local stress concentration. During manufacturing, the layers are tightly bonded through co-extrusion or hot pressing processes to strengthen the bonding strength, solve the problem of easy delamination of multi-layer composite structures, and improve the structural stability and durability.

[0021] In summary, the present invention has the following main advantages:

[0022] 1. This utility model features a wave-shaped interlocking interlayer structure between a shock-absorbing layer, a support layer, and a wear-resistant layer. This wave-shaped interlocking structure, through a mechanical interlocking principle, forms staggered protrusions and grooves between the layers. When external force is applied to the midsole, the stress is evenly distributed along the wave-shaped interface, avoiding interlayer separation caused by localized stress concentration. Simultaneously, during manufacturing, this structure achieves tight interlayer bonding through co-extrusion molding or hot pressing, further strengthening the bond strength. This effectively solves the technical problem of delamination risk caused by insufficient interlayer bonding in multi-layer composite structures, ensuring the midsole maintains structural integrity during long-term use.

[0023] 2. This utility model addresses the technical problems of low surface hardness and short service life caused by friction damage to the foam columns within the hollowed-out grooves by setting micro-protrusion textures on the surface of the wear-resistant layer. The micro-protrusion textures of the wear-resistant layer increase the contact friction with the ground, directly improving surface hardness and forming a protective barrier to reduce the direct impact of external friction on the internal pores. The foam columns are made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, and the uniformly distributed closed-cell micro-bubbles inside are smaller than the pores of the shock-absorbing layer. The denser bubble distribution makes the bubble walls less prone to rupture under pressure. Combined with the first arc-shaped chamfer design on both sides of the hollowed-out groove, it reduces edge stress concentration and effectively reduces the risk of pore structure damage caused by friction. In addition, the transparent sheet with a closed structure is bonded to the midsole with strong adhesive. Its second arc-shaped chamfer further disperses the friction force, and the periphery of the transparent sheet extends to cover part of the wear-resistant layer. Combined with the anti-fog coating on the inner surface, it not only improves the appearance durability but also helps protect the edges of the hollowed-out groove. Together, these features solve the technical problems of low surface hardness and shortened service life of existing supercritical foam materials due to pore structure damage caused by friction during long-term use. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a bottom-view three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a side view cross-sectional three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 This utility model Figure 1 A magnified structural diagram of point A in the middle.

[0028] In the diagram: 1. Midsole; 101. Cushioning layer; 102. Support layer; 103. Abrasion-resistant layer; 104. Hollowed-out groove; 105. First curved chamfer; 2. Foam column; 3. Closed structure; 301. Transparent sheet; 302. Second curved chamfer. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0030] A type of shoe with abrasion-resistant supercritical foam midsole, such as Figure 1-4 As shown, the midsole 1 comprises a cushioning layer 101, a support layer 102, and an abrasion-resistant layer 103. Hollowed-out grooves 104 extend through both sides of the midsole 1, and foam pillars 2 are installed within these grooves. A closed structure 3 is fixedly connected to both sides of each foam pillar 2. The cushioning layer 101 provides cushioning, the support layer 102 enhances stability, and the abrasion-resistant layer 103 improves surface durability; the three layers have clearly defined functions. The foam pillars 2 installed within the hollowed-out grooves 104 on both sides utilize their internal structure to strengthen localized pressure resistance. The closed structures 3 on both sides of the foam pillars 2 seal the hollowed-out grooves 104, preventing dust from entering and protecting the internal foam pillars 2. The overall structure, through multi-layer composite and localized reinforcement, achieves synergistic performance in cushioning, support, and abrasion resistance. This solves the problem of a single material not being able to meet multiple needs simultaneously, and the closed structure 3 and hollowed-out grooves 104 design enhance durability and extend the lifespan of the midsole.

[0031] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4The hollowed-out groove 104 has first arc-shaped chamfers 105 on both sides. The foam pillar 2 is made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. The first arc-shaped chamfers 105 on both sides of the hollowed-out groove 104 disperse the edge stress under external force through the smooth arc surface design, avoiding local stress concentration caused by right angles, thereby reducing the risk of wear during friction. The foam pillar 2 is made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU). TPU itself has high strength and wear resistance, and its uniformly distributed closed-cell microbubble structure further enhances the compressive strength, making the foam pillar 2 less prone to deformation or damage when subjected to friction. The combination of the first arc-shaped chamfers 105 and the TPU foam pillar 2 effectively improves the durability of the hollowed-out groove 104 area and extends the overall service life of the midsole.

[0032] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 The closed structure 3 includes a transparent sheet 301, which is bonded to the midsole 1 with strong adhesive to seal the hollowed-out groove 104. The two transparent sheets 301 have second arc-shaped chamfers 302 on both sides. The transparent sheets 301 of the closed structure 3 are bonded to the midsole 1 with strong adhesive, tightly sealing the opening of the hollowed-out groove 104, effectively preventing external impurities such as dust and moisture from entering, and protecting the structural stability of the internal foam pillars 2. The second arc-shaped chamfers 302 on both sides of the transparent sheet 301, with their smooth arc design, disperse stress when subjected to friction, avoiding damage caused by stress concentration at right-angled edges. Simultaneously, the periphery of the transparent sheet 301 extends to cover part of the wear-resistant layer 103. By covering the edge of the wear-resistant layer 103, the direct impact of external friction on the connection point of the hollowed-out groove 104 is reduced, further protecting the edge of the hollowed-out groove 104 and improving the overall structural stability and durability.

[0033] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 The cushioning layer 101 comprises a polyether amide block copolymer foam, the support layer 102 is a thermoplastic polyester elastomer foam, and the abrasion-resistant layer 103 has a micro-protruding texture on its surface. The cushioning layer 101 uses a polyether amide block copolymer (PEBA) foam, whose lightweight and highly elastic properties effectively absorb impact during exercise, providing a comfortable cushioning effect. The support layer 102 uses a thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE) foam; the high rigidity of TPEE enhances the overall support of the midsole, preventing excessive pronation or supination. The abrasion-resistant layer 103 has a micro-protruding texture on its surface, increasing surface hardness by increasing contact friction with the ground, while simultaneously forming a protective barrier to reduce the direct impact of external friction on the internal pores. The material selection and structural design of these three components achieve synergistic effects of cushioning, support, and abrasion resistance, solving the problem of a single material being unable to simultaneously achieve multiple performance characteristics, and meeting the diverse performance requirements of the midsole during exercise.

[0034] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 The foam pillar 2 contains a uniformly distributed closed-cell microbubble structure, with the pore size of the microbubbles smaller than that of the cushioning layer 101. This smaller pore size results in a denser bubble distribution, making the bubble walls less prone to rupture under pressure, thus increasing structural strength. The closed-cell design effectively prevents gas escape, maintaining the elasticity and stability of the foam pillar 2 and reducing the risk of bubble structure damage due to friction during long-term use. The closed-cell microbubble structure of the foam pillar 2 enhances its durability, strengthens the pressure resistance of the hollowed-out groove 104 area, and extends the overall lifespan of the midsole.

[0035] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 The periphery of the transparent sheet 301 extends to cover a portion of the wear-resistant layer 103, and the inner surface of the transparent sheet 301 is provided with an anti-fog coating. By covering the edge of the wear-resistant layer 103, the direct impact of external friction on the connection between the cutout groove 104 and the wear-resistant layer 103 is reduced, helping to protect the structural integrity of the cutout groove 104's edge and preventing exposure of the internal structure due to edge damage. The anti-fog coating on the inner surface of the transparent sheet 301 effectively prevents fogging caused by temperature changes or humidity differences, maintaining the clear light transmission of the transparent sheet 301, improving the aesthetic appearance of the midsole, and preventing fog from affecting the observation of the internal structure if needed, thereby improving the overall user experience.

[0036] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 The sidewalls of the abrasion-resistant layer 103 are flush with the opening edge of the perforated groove 104, and the thickness of the abrasion-resistant layer 103 increases towards the arch area of ​​the midsole 1. The flush alignment of the sidewalls of the abrasion-resistant layer 103 with the opening edge of the perforated groove 104 avoids edge protrusion due to height differences, reducing friction between the sides and the ground during exercise and lowering the risk of localized wear. The increased thickness of the abrasion-resistant layer 103 towards the arch area of ​​the midsole 1, as the arch area is the main support part of the foot, provides stronger support and durability with a thicker abrasion-resistant layer 103. This adapts to the different pressure distribution in different areas of the foot. The forefoot and heel require flexibility, while the arch requires stability. This ensures flexible movement of the forefoot and heel while enhancing arch support, improving overall comfort and support.

[0037] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3, Figure 4 The interlayer interfaces of the cushioning layer 101, support layer 102, and abrasion-resistant layer 103 feature a wavy interlocking structure. The wavy protrusions and grooves form a mechanical interlock between the layers. When external force is applied to the midsole, the stress is evenly distributed along the wavy interface, preventing interlayer separation caused by localized stress concentration. During manufacturing, this structure achieves tight interlayer bonding through co-extrusion or hot-pressing processes, further strengthening the bond and effectively addressing the risk of delamination due to insufficient interlayer bonding in multi-layer composite structures. This ensures the midsole maintains structural integrity during long-term use and improves overall durability.

[0038] The implementation principle of this embodiment is as follows: First, the midsole 1 is composed of a cushioning layer 101, a support layer 102, and a wear-resistant layer 103. The cushioning layer 101 uses polyether amide block copolymer foam to provide lightweight and highly elastic cushioning performance. The support layer 102 uses thermoplastic polyester elastomer foam to enhance the stability of the midsole. The wear-resistant layer 103 has micro-protruding textures on its surface to improve surface hardness and wear resistance. The three layers are mechanically interlocked through a wavy interlocking interlayer interface, which disperses external forces and strengthens the interlayer bond, avoiding the risk of delamination.

[0039] Secondly, the midsole 1 has through-hole grooves 104 on both sides, in which foam columns 2 made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer are installed. The foam columns 2 have a uniformly distributed closed-cell microbubble structure with a pore size smaller than that of the cushioning layer 101. The denser bubble distribution enhances the structural strength and reduces bubble breakage caused by friction. The first arc-shaped chamfers 105 on both sides of the through-hole grooves 104 disperse edge stress and further reduce the risk of local wear.

[0040] Finally, the transparent sheet 301 of the closed structure 3 is bonded to the midsole 1 with strong adhesive to close the opening of the hollow groove 104. The second arc-shaped chamfers 302 on both sides reduce stress concentration during friction. The periphery of the transparent sheet 301 extends to cover part of the wear-resistant layer 103 and is provided with an anti-fog coating, which not only helps protect the edge of the hollow groove 104, but also improves the appearance durability. The sidewall of the wear-resistant layer 103 is flush with the edge of the opening of the hollow groove 104, and the thickness increases towards the arch area to adapt to the force requirements of different areas of the foot.

[0041] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, these specific embodiments are merely explanations of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention. The specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. After reading this specification, those skilled in the art may make modifications, substitutions, and variations to the embodiments as needed without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, provided that such modifications, substitutions, and variations are within the scope of the claims of the present invention and are protected by patent law.

Claims

1. A wear-resistant supercritical foam midsole for shoes, characterized in that: Includes a midsole (1), which is composed of a shock-absorbing layer (101), a support layer (102), and a wear-resistant layer (103). The midsole (1) has through-hole grooves (104) on both sides, and foam columns (2) are installed in the through-hole grooves (104). The foam columns (2) are fixedly connected to closed structures (3) on both sides.

2. The abrasion-resistant supercritical foam midsole for shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hollow groove (104) has a first arc-shaped chamfer (105) on both sides, and the foamed column (2) is made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer.

3. The abrasion-resistant supercritical foam midsole for shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The closed structure (3) includes a transparent sheet (301), which is bonded to the midsole (1) with strong adhesive to close the hollow groove (104). The two transparent sheets (301) are provided with a second arc-shaped chamfer (302) on both sides.

4. The abrasion-resistant supercritical foam midsole for shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shock-absorbing layer (101) comprises a polyether amide block copolymer foam, the support layer (102) is a thermoplastic polyester elastomer foam, and the surface of the wear-resistant layer (103) is provided with micro-protrusion texture.

5. The abrasion-resistant supercritical foam midsole for shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The foamed column (2) has a uniformly distributed closed-cell microbubble structure inside, and the pore size of the closed-cell microbubble is smaller than the pore size of the damping layer (101).

6. The abrasion-resistant supercritical foam midsole for shoes according to claim 3, characterized in that: The periphery of the transparent sheet (301) extends to cover part of the wear-resistant layer (103), and the inner surface of the transparent sheet (301) is provided with an anti-fog coating.

7. The abrasion-resistant supercritical foam midsole for shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sidewall of the wear-resistant layer (103) is flush with the opening edge of the hollow groove (104), and the thickness of the wear-resistant layer (103) increases towards the arch area of ​​the midsole (1).

8. The abrasion-resistant supercritical foam midsole for shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The interlayer interfaces of the shock-absorbing layer (101), the support layer (102), and the wear-resistant layer (103) have a wavy interlocking structure.

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