Sole and shoe with haptic feedback

Abstract

Sole for a shoe (100, 101, 102, 103, 500, 600, 1100), in particular a running shoe, comprising: a sole component; and b. one or more loose particles (140, 240, 340, 540, 640, 840, 940, 1040, 1140, 1440, 1640a, 1640b) of material, the loose particles being contained in the sole component, c. wherein the loose particles provide haptic feedback to a user of the sole during a sporting activity, and d. wherein the loose particles are confined in a bag (745a - 745f) made of a mesh-like material (750) e. wherein the sole component comprises particles of an expanded material (360, 460, 560, 660, 760, 960, 1060, 1160, 1260, 1360) fused at their surfaces.

Description

1. Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a sole with haptic feedback and a shoe comprising the sole. 2. Technical background

[0002] Staying fit and healthy is a frequently expressed desire in today's society. Regular exercise has proven to be an effective way to achieve this goal. One of the most popular sports is running. However, little thought is given to correct technique when running or jogging. At the competitive level, good running form can lead to faster running speed and greater endurance. At the amateur level, improving running form can help reduce the risk of injury. However, even if an athlete is trying to improve their running form, it is not easy to assess their technique without the help of an additional person, such as a coach, or expensive technical equipment, such as a video recorder. Therefore, there is a need for a device, tool, or sportswear that is adapted to provide reliable feedback on running technique.

[0003] In the footwear industry, various solutions are available to provide direct or indirect feedback to a user. For example, prior art document US 10 136 842 B2 discloses a sensor in a footwear apparatus positioned to monitor an activity technique of the user when the footwear apparatus is connected to a foot of the user. If poor technique is detected, pins, balls, or rods can be adjusted to contact the user's foot, causing discomfort and thus indicating poor technique and motivating the user to improve the technique. Prior art document US 2013 / 0 041 617 A1 relates to systems and methods for monitoring athletic performance. A sensing unit, which can be attached to a user's shoe, monitors the movement of a foot, such as the location of a strike.The determined performance characteristic is then transmitted to a remote receiver, which informs the user. Furthermore, prior art document US 2016 / 0 192 862 A1 relates to a shoe-based analysis system. A shoe sole comprising at least a portion of a foam is replaced with a self-sensing polymer composite foam capable of generating stress data. The [electrical] stress data is converted into force data, compared to a profile, and fed back to the user via vibration, a sound, a light pattern, or a visual indicator for the shoe wearer.

[0004] Furthermore, document US 5 564 202 A provides a sole and a viscoelastic sole insert for footwear comprising an insert filled with an alternating configuration of gel- and gas-filled cells. The impact behavior can be varied by changing the ratio of gas-filled to gel-filled cells or by changing the pressure under which the cells and / or pellets are filled with gas or gel. Document US 2008 / 0 066 341 A1 relates to a midsole that cushions the wearer's foot by providing a loose filling with a mesh size between -2 and -80 mesh in a front compartment on which the wearer's toes and ball of the foot rest, and a heel compartment on which the wearer's heel rests.Document US 2019 / 0 216 168 A1 relates to an outsole of a footwear article, comprising a ground-contacting surface, an inner surface formed on a side of the outsole opposite the ground-contacting surface, and a wall surrounding a perimeter of the outsole. The wall cooperates with the inner surface to define a cavity. The footwear article also contains fibers received in the cavity. The fibers cooperate with each other to form a mesh that at least partially fills the cavity. The footwear article also contains particles located in the cavity and received in the interstices of the mesh. Document US 2018 / 0 352 900 A1 relates to a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, having a sole and an upper connected to the sole.In order to improve the cushioning properties of the shoe in a manner that is easy to manufacture, at least one cavity is formed in the sole, wherein the cavity is filled with a number of plastic bodies, wherein the plastic bodies are arranged in the cavity without being connected to one another and wherein the cavity is closed by a closure element. Furthermore, the document US 2017 / 0 127 753 A1 relates to a footwear consisting of an upper material and a sole structure with a cushioning element. The cushioning element can be arranged in the upper and / or in the sole structure. The cushioning element is configured to provide the user with tactile feedback during pronation processes. The cushioning element can be a dynamically reacting material or a dynamically reacting shape that exhibits dilatant behavior in response to the application of a force.Furthermore, document WO 2017 / 053654 A1 relates to a footwear item comprising an upper, a midsole attached to the upper, and an outsole. The footwear item further comprises at least two shells, each containing particles. The at least two shells are arranged in a layered configuration and received in a cavity defined by a wall of the outsole and between a bottom surface of the midsole and an inner surface of the outsole.

[0005] Most prior art documents disclose the use of electrical devices to determine and / or provide feedback information about walking technique. Such devices are often expensive, prone to failure, require maintenance, and increase the user's environmental footprint. Furthermore, the use of a feedback system in the form of pins that are hard, stiff, and static in their position can potentially provide disruptive haptic feedback to the user. In some cases, this disruptive haptic feedback can lead to injury, requiring the user to adjust their gait to undesirable movement patterns to avoid the unwanted haptic feedback.

[0006] It is therefore a problem underlying the present invention to provide improved haptic feedback to a user so that the disadvantages of the prior art outlined above are at least partially overcome. 3. Summary of the invention

[0007] The above-mentioned problem is at least partially solved by the subject matter of the independent claims of the present invention. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0008] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a sole for a shoe, in particular a running shoe, comprising a sole element and one or more loose particles of material contained in the sole element. The loose particles provide haptic feedback to a user of the sole during a sporting activity.

[0009] The claimed invention therefore provides a sole for a shoe with improved haptic feedback through the use of one or more loose particles in the sole element. The loose particles provide the wearer of a shoe with such a sole with special feedback in a simple but effective manner, allowing the wearer to improve their walking technique. The word "loose" should be understood in the present context as not directly connected to a surrounding material and to each other. Thus, the one or more loose particles of the claimed invention can be flexible and can move within the sole, at least to a certain extent.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present invention, the sole component may comprise a midsole and / or an insole. In this way, the present invention may provide immediate haptic feedback resulting from loose particles in almost direct contact with a user's sole.

[0011] The sole component further comprises particles of an expanded material which are fused at their surfaces.

[0012] The particles of the expanded material can, for example, comprise one or more of the following materials: foamed ethylene-vinyl acetate (eEVA), foamed thermoplastic urethane (eTPU), foamed polypropylene (ePP), foamed polyamide (ePA), foamed polyether block amide (ePEBA), foamed polyoxymethylene (ePOM), foamed polystyrene (ePS), foamed polyethylene (ePE), foamed polylactide (ePLA), foamed polyethylene terephthalate (ePET), foamed polybutylene terephthalate (ePBT), and foamed thermoplastic olefin (eTPO). Depending on the requirements profile of the sole component, one or more of these materials can be advantageously used for the production of the sole component due to their material-specific properties. Furthermore, expanded particles, especially expanded TPU, are characterized by their good elastic and cushioning properties. On the one hand, expanded particles can have a particularly cushioning effect.This allows for effective cushioning of external shocks, such as those caused by the shoe's impact on the ground, resulting in a comfortable fit. Expanded particles, on the other hand, offer great elasticity. This high elasticity allows the sole to largely re-absorb the energy absorbed to deform the sole. Thus, most of the energy is not lost. This can lead to very specific haptic feedback for the athlete.

[0013] Furthermore, providing a mixture of expanded material fused at their surfaces and one or more loose particles within the same sole component can create areas of different haptic texture and / or haptic quality, resulting in even more in-depth feedback to the athlete. The loose particles can comprise the same or a different material as the fused particles. The different areas can be distinguished by a user during a rolling motion of the foot, resulting in altered haptic feedback sensations depending on the specific composition and / or assembly of the sole component.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present invention, at least a portion of the sole component may be manufactured by an additive manufacturing process.

[0015] The additively manufactured section of the sole component, in particular of the midsole, can comprise, for example, a lattice structure, a heel element, a base section, or others. In one embodiment, the additively manufactured section of the sole component can be made from one material class, in particular from polyether block amide (PEBA) or from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). This can enable particularly efficient production of the section of the sole component. Alternatively, the additively manufactured section of the sole component can also be made from polyolefins, for example from polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and / or polypropylene (PP). In principle, it is possible to use any mixture of different materials (from different material classes or from the same material class with slightly different properties) for additive manufacturing.By combining sole components comprising at least one additively manufactured portion and one or more loose particles within the same sole component, regions of different haptic texture and / or haptic quality can be provided, similar to that described above with respect to a sole component comprising molten particles of expanded materials.

[0016] In one embodiment, the loose particles can be at least partially arranged within a cavity in the sole component. For this purpose, the loose particles can be at least partially embedded in the sole component while being able to move freely within the cavity. While all particles can be embedded in the sole component, embodiments are also included in which such a quantity of particles is filled into the cavity of a sole that the particles extend above or below the surface of the surrounding sole material. The different filling quantities can be used to achieve an intended haptic feedback. This feedback can be optimized for a person or for a desired feedback level (strength of the feedback). For example, the feedback regarding the user's walking technique can be further optimized for the speed of learning the technique, e.g.intensive feedback for a professional athlete to learn quickly, to light / mild feedback for a recreational athlete who is just starting to run.

[0017] In some embodiments, no electronic components may be required to provide haptic feedback. This embodiment may be particularly suitable for athletes who enjoy sporting activities in harmony with the environment and are concerned about their ecological footprint. Furthermore, since electrical components such as electrical circuits or batteries are known to be adversely affected or even damaged by shocks, impacts, moisture, or the like, which are common in shoes during sporting activities, the aforementioned embodiment may also provide haptic feedback to a shoe in a highly sustainable and / or fail-safe manner. Furthermore, electronic devices require a power supply or an internal battery. The need for a power source places a burden on the user for maintenance, such as regular charging or battery replacement.

[0018] In some embodiments, the present invention can provide haptic feedback that includes feedback about a region of the user's foot where the foot strikes, feedback about a rolling behavior of the user's foot, feedback about a stride length of the user, feedback about a stride frequency of the user, a massaging effect of the user's foot, or a combination thereof. Since a sole of the foot is characterized by its high density of sensory receptor cells, loose particles can be adapted and optimized for various haptic feedback sensations. Such sensations can, for example, be helpful in improving a shoe user's walking technique. Additionally or alternatively, such sensations can, for example, also help to loosen tense tissue of the user's foot.In this way, improved recovery during and after intense training sessions can be achieved through the massaging effect of the loose particles within the sole component. Receiving feedback about a rolling behavior can, for example, reduce injuries resulting from long-term running with poor / non-optimized technique. Feedback about stride length and / or stride frequency can be particularly beneficial for increasing running efficiency or running speed. This can lead to an overall improvement in the runner's performance. Feedback about a region of the user's foot where the foot strikes can help reduce landing on a specific area / point of the foot.

[0019] Therefore, the various haptic feedback scenarios mentioned above, or various combinations thereof, can help the runner improve running technique, increase running efficiency or running speed, support recovery, reduce the risk of injury, and / or reduce energy loss due to poor / non-optimized landing and toe-off behavior while running.

[0020] In one embodiment, the loose particles may comprise an expanded material, in particular expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (eTPU). Other foamed materials, as described above with reference to foamed materials that are fused at their surfaces, may also be usable for the loose foamed particles. Loose expanded material, similar to molten expanded material, offers good cushioning and high elasticity. Such properties offer various advantages when using expanded material for soles, as already described above. Furthermore, the loose particles of the expanded material are smooth in their movement. If the expanded material comprises TPU, the surface of the loose eTPU particles may also exhibit a certain stickiness / roughness, allowing the particles to remain predominantly in place, which increases the haptic sensation.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the loose particles may comprise metal or hard material. It is known that metal has a relatively high specific gravity compared to standard materials used to manufacture soles, such as plastics or rubber materials. It is also known that loose particles can move freely within predetermined limits. By combining both properties and thus using loose metal particles within a sole component, a haptic sensation of the shoe can be created that can provide targeted feedback about a change in momentum or a change in the direction of movement of the shoe. It can be noted that a combination and / or mixture of loose particles comprising an expanded material and loose particles comprising metal or hard material may be possible within the same sole component.

[0022] In one embodiment, the loose particles may be generally spherical or ellipsoidal in shape. A mixture of spherical and ellipsoidal loose particles may also be advantageous. Since the loose particles of the present invention are intended to provide haptic feedback to a user of the sole during a sporting activity, there may be almost direct contact between the user's foot and the loose particles. Thus, the use of generally spherical or ellipsoidal-shaped loose particles may protect the user from discomfort, pain, or even injury while running, as sharp edges and corners are avoided. Since the loose particles according to the present invention should be able to move essentially freely, e.g.in a cavity of the sole component, spherical or ellipsoidal shapes can improve this behavior because no sharp corners or edges of one loose particle can get caught on corners or edges of another loose particle.

[0023] In one embodiment, the loose particles may be at least partially confined within the sole component by a mesh-like material disposed on an upper surface of the sole component. In this way, the present invention may enable near-direct contact of the loose particles with the sole of a user's foot. It is possible for the near-direct contact to be separated only by the mesh-like material and an optional thin textile layer from a shoe upper in some embodiments. Since the sole of the foot is known to be highly susceptible to perceiving and transmitting immense amounts of stimuli to the human brain, e.g., via the medial and lateral plantar nerves, near-direct contact may convey a high degree of haptic sensation. The haptic feedback may thus also be received even though the shock to the sole of the foot may be caused by a soft and / or elastic material.In addition, the impact on the sole of the foot can be sufficiently weak. This can help provide the haptic feedback needed to improve and maintain good running technique without creating a negative experience due to excessive stimulation.

[0024] In some embodiments, the loose particles in the midsole can be at least partially confined by an outsole of the sole, preferably an outsole comprising a mesh-like material on the side facing the midsole. Depending on the desired haptic feedback or the individual athlete, a volume comprising the entire thickness of the midsole can be filled with loose particles. In this way, the outsole can at least partially prevent the loose particles from falling out. For some athletic shoes, high breathability can be important. For this purpose, the outsole can have openings that are larger than the size of the individual loose particles. In this case, an additional mesh-like material can be arranged between the outsole and the midsole to prevent the loss of particles. The openings of the mesh-like material are typically smaller than the size of the loose particles.

[0025] In some embodiments, the loose particles can be confined in a bag made of mesh material. To prevent the loose particles from falling out of the sole component, a mesh bag can be advantageous. The mesh bag can be used, for example, to define a volume in which the loose particles can move freely. It may also be possible for a user of the shoe to have multiple bags with different percentages of filling. Thus, different haptic sensations can be achieved by using differently filled bags. The bags can be exchanged by the user or at a retail or service facility for the shoe.

[0026] In some embodiments, the loose particles may be confined in a bag made of film material. To prevent moisture and / or dirt from entering the bag of loose particles, a film that completely encloses the loose particles may be advantageous. The film may be sufficiently thin so as not to significantly reduce the tactile sensation of the loose particles for the user. Furthermore, the bag may comprise a liquid. The loose particles may be suspended in the liquid to provide a good medium in which the loose particles can move without exerting slight resistance to movement. In this way, the liquid can be adapted to enhance the massaging effect of the loose particles.

[0027] In some embodiments, the loose particles may exhibit a different response to compression forces exerted by the user's foot during use than the surrounding material of the sole component. The inventors found that a user's sole can distinguish between an area of ​​loose particles and an area of ​​surrounding material of the sole component. This can provide a variety of possibilities for different haptic sensations, for example, to guide an athlete to run in a certain way or to aid recovery. Other haptic feedback scenarios are also possible. The loose particles according to the present invention can be arranged in several separate areas, in a single area, or over most of the area of ​​the sole component.Thus, the noticeable difference in the loose particles can help improve various aspects of a running technique. The loose particles can also be adjusted to provide additional support to the user's foot.

[0028] In some embodiments, the loose particles can be arranged in a forefoot region of the shoe to assist the user in achieving a forefoot strike. As described above, mastering a forefoot strike is a common goal for ambitious runners. Forefoot strike describes a strike and roll across the ball of the foot, compared to heel strike, which involves a heel strike and a roll across the entire sole of the foot. When the athlete rolls across a forefoot, midfoot, or heel region during a running stride, the perceived texture of the sole component material changes. This effect can be beneficial when learning the forefoot strike.Therefore, an arrangement of loose particles in the forefoot area can be distinguishable from the surrounding material of the sole component and thus provide the athlete with direct haptic feedback as to whether or not he or she has landed on the forefoot as desired.

[0029] In some embodiments, the loose particles can be arranged in a heel region of the shoe to assist the user in achieving a forefoot strike. As described above, the basis for the haptic feedback is a perceptible difference between the loose particles and the surrounding material of the sole component. However, since forefoot strike can take some time to learn and get used to, especially for those who are just beginning to learn this technique, the arrangement of the loose particles in the heel region can be beneficial. As previously mentioned, the loose particles can be customized to provide increased cushioning compared to the surrounding material of the sole component. Therefore, for inexperienced forefoot strikers, increased cushioning in this area can prevent injury while still indicating and providing feedback on an undesirable landing zone on the foot.

[0030] In some embodiments, the loose particles can change the effective weight of the sole during use of the sole. The term "effective weight" as used in the present invention should be understood to mean "a weight perceivable by the user" that can change during movement of the shoe, e.g., due to centrifugal forces or a change in the momentum of the loose particles. For example, if the loose particles can have an actual weight that is at least twice the weight of the surrounding material of the same size sole component, a change in the momentum of the loose particles can provide the user with significant haptic feedback. The change in the momentum of the loose particles can be perceived by the user as if an external force were acting on the sole of the shoe.Therefore, the effective weight of the sole can be used as a haptic sensation to provide information about a running technique to the athlete wearing the shoe.

[0031] Furthermore, the effective weight of the sole may depend, at least in part, on the user's stride frequency. As described above, a change in momentum may be perceived by the user as an external force acting on the shoe sole. Since a high stride frequency leads to multiple momentum changes in the loose particles within a short period of time, the perceived external forces may occur more frequently and be perceived more strongly. For example, a change in the effective sole weight during a sporting activity may evoke a haptic sensation for the shoe user. This haptic sensation can, for example, help improve the running technique used.

[0032] In some embodiments, the loose particles can move along a longitudinal direction of the sole. Since the longitudinal direction of the sole typically corresponds to the direction of movement of the foot during walking, the change in the effective weight based on the loose particles can be directly dependent on the stride frequency. For example, if the foot is furthest behind the body at the beginning of a stride and begins to move to a point farthest in front of the body, the loose particles would be pressed against the part of a containment that is closest to a heel area due to the direction of the applied acceleration. The containment can be a cavity, a rod, a tube, or similar. This effective weight of the sole, or in other words, an inertia of the loose particles, can already be perceived by the user as a haptic sensation.After swinging the leg forward, the user will eventually begin to reduce the speed of the swing to initiate a landing on the ground. However, the loose particles may still be moving forward and therefore impact the part of the boundary closest to the forefoot area. The impact may be perceived by the user as a haptic sensation. Additional sensations may be perceived throughout a complete stride cycle. Therefore, the loose particles can provide multiple sensations to the user as feedback, which can be used to improve the running technique, e.g., by increasing stride frequency, decreasing stride length, or others.

[0033] In some embodiments, the loose particles may move along a medial to lateral direction of the sole. Similar principles of perceived effective weight and resulting haptic sensations based on inertia and / or impact of the loose particles against a boundary within the sole, as described above with respect to a longitudinal direction, may also apply to a medial-lateral direction. However, since the direction of movement of the loose particles is different compared to the previous embodiment, the resulting haptic sensation may provide different information as feedback.For example, if an athlete is accustomed to throwing or swinging their foot sideways while running, which can increase the long-term risk of injury and reduce running efficiency, loose particles capable of moving in a medial to lateral direction of the sole can provide feedback about the occurrence of such unwanted throwing. Additional feedback information regarding lateral movements may also be applicable through the present invention.

[0034] It should be noted that a longitudinal direction and a medial to lateral direction may also include directions that deviate from the specified direction by up to an angle of 45°. Thus, a diagonal movement direction of the loose particles may also be applicable according to the present invention.

[0035] In another aspect, the present invention provides a shoe, in particular a running shoe, having a sole according to one of the embodiments described above. 4. Short description of the characters

[0036] Aspects of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. These figures show: Fig. 1 ae: Schematic representation of embodiments of a shoe comprising loose particles and a midsole comprising loose particles; Fig. 2 ac: Schematic representation of embodiments of a midsole comprising loose particles; Fig. 3 ab: Schematic representation of embodiments of a midsole comprising fused and loose particles; Fig. 4 ac: Schematic representation of embodiments of a midsole comprising fused particles and a mesh-like material on an upper surface; Fig. 5 ac: Schematic representation of embodiments of a shoe, an outsole and a midsole having a cavity over a major part of the midsole area; Fig. 6 ad: Schematic representation of embodiments of a shoe, an outsole and a midsole with a cavity in the heel area of ​​the midsole; Fig. 7 ag: Schematic representation of embodiments of a midsole comprising a cavity in the forefoot area and bags with loose particles; Fig. 8 ac: Schematic representation of embodiments of a midsole comprising loose metal particles; Fig. 9 ab: Schematic representation of embodiments of a midsole comprising molten particles and loose metal particles; Fig. 10 ac: Schematic representation of embodiments of a midsole comprising molten particles, loose metal particles and a mesh-like material on an upper surface; Fig. 11 ab: Schematic representation of embodiments of a shoe comprising an outsole and a midsole comprising a cavity with loose metal particles; Fig. 12 ab: Schematic representation of embodiments of a midsole comprising a cavity and an outsole attached to the midsole; Fig. 13 a: Schematic representation of an embodiment of a midsole and outsole arrangement comprising a cavity; Fig. 13 bc: Schematic representation of embodiments of a tube; Fig. 14 a: Schematic representation of an embodiment of a liquid-filled bag comprising loose particles; Fig. 14 b: Schematic representation of a profile of a midsole comprising loose particles suspended in a liquid; Fig. 15: Schematic representation of an embodiment of a liquid-filled bag; and Fig. 16 ac: Schematic representation of embodiments of an insole comprising loose particles. 5. Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

[0037] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below using a sole and a shoe with haptic feedback. While specific feature combinations are described below with respect to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. In particular, not all features need to be present to implement the invention, and the embodiments can be modified by combining certain features of one embodiment with one or more features of another embodiment.

[0038] The Fig. 1a-1d show an embodiment schematically illustrating the foot 105 of a user wearing a shoe 100, 101, 102, 103 according to the present invention, in a side view in the sagittal plane. The shoe 100, 101, 102, 103 comprises an upper 110, a midsole 120, 121, and an outsole 130. The midsole 120, 121 comprises a cavity filled with varying amounts of loose particles 140. The loose particles 140 may comprise expanded material, in particular expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (eTPU). Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b, the cavity is arranged in the heel area of ​​the foot 105, wherein Fig. 1a has a filling of loose particles 140, which leads to a concave shape of the cavity within the surrounding material of the midsole 120. In Fig. 1b, the cavity has a higher filling quantity, which leads to a convex shape of the cavity. Fig. 1c and Fig. 1d illustrate a similar situation in which the cavity is located in a forefoot region of the user's foot 105. Fig. 1c illustrates a filling that results in a concave shape, and Fig. Figure 1d shows a higher filling quantity with loose particles 140, resulting in a convex shape of the cavity. The loose particles 140 are adapted to provide the user of the shoe 100, 101, 102, 103 with haptic feedback regarding the quality of a running technique. Depending on various user parameters, such as skill level, body weight, injuries, foot misalignment, and the like, the filling quantity can be adjusted to provide the athlete with the intended haptic feedback while running.

[0039] In Fig. Figure 1e schematically illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing a midsole 122 with a cavity filled with loose particles 140 in a midfoot region. The loose particles 140 can provide increased cushioning in addition to haptic feedback and are capable of adapting to an actual shape of the sole of the foot through substantially free movement of the loose particles. Therefore, the present embodiment can provide an optimized form of arch support that can be specifically tailored to the individual's needs through the amount of fill. Other areas of desired support may also be applicable according to the present invention.

[0040] The Fig. 2a - 2c illustrate an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the loose particles 240 are distributed over a majority 271 of the midsole 220 in Fig. 2a, in a heel area 272 of the midsole 221 in Fig. 2b or in a forefoot area 273 of the midsole 222 in Fig. 2c. Since the sole of a user's foot is characterized by its high density of sensory receptor cells, a user can distinguish between areas with loose particles 240 and the surrounding material of the midsole 220, 221, 222, which may contain particles of expanded material fused to their surfaces or at least partially manufactured by an additive manufacturing process. Such a distinction may be based on a different response to compression forces or loads exerted by the foot during sporting activities on the different regions of the sole, resulting in a different haptic sensation. Changing the size of a cavity filled with loose particles 240 can thus lead to different haptic stimuli. If the cavity with the loose particles 240, as in Fig. 2a, extends over the majority 271 of the midsole 220, the user can experience a haptic sensation. If the cavity is smaller, as in Fig. 2b or Fig. 2c, the user can distinguish between the loose particles 240 and the surrounding material. The smaller the cavity, the more clearly the user can locate the cavity. This can be used to guide a user to walk in a specific manner solely through the haptic sensations returned as feedback while walking, without electronic devices such as electronic sensors, remote displays, camera systems, or others.

[0041] The arrangement of loose particles 240 in a heel area 272, as in Fig. 2b, can provide a user with increased cushioning when landing on the heel during running. The degree of cushioning can be individually adjusted by varying the filling quantity of the cavity. Furthermore, since the user can distinguish between landing in the heel region 272 or in the forefoot region 273 due to the different haptic feedback perceived by the sole, the present embodiment can support the learning of a desired running technique, such as a forefoot strike.

[0042] Since an advanced athlete may be able to adapt his technique more quickly than an athlete who is relatively inexperienced in the sport, an arrangement of loose particles 240 in a forefoot region 273, as in Fig. 2c, can be advantageous. Similar to Fig. As described in Figure 2b, the athlete might be able to distinguish between a landing in both regions 272, 273 based on the different haptic feedback of each region. However, because the loose particles 240 can be customized to provide a higher degree of cushioning, locating the loose particles 240 in the region where most foot landings are expected may result in fewer injuries.

[0043] In Fig. 3a shows three midsoles 320, 321, 322, which comprise a cavity 370 in a heel region 372, across a majority 371 of the area of ​​the midsole 320, and in the forefoot region 373. The cavity 370 has a depth that is less than the thickness of the midsole 320, 321, 322. Therefore, an additional mesh-like structure or film for confining the loose particles on the underside of the midsole 320, 321, 322 can be omitted. The midsole 320, 321, 322 comprises particles of the expanded material 360 that are fused together at their surfaces.The fused 360 and / or loose 340 particles of expanded material may, for example, comprise one or more of the following materials: expanded ethylene-vinyl acetate (eEVA), expanded thermoplastic urethane (eTPU), expanded polypropylene (ePP), expanded polyamide (ePA), expanded polyether block amide (ePEBA), expanded polyoxymethylene (ePOM), expanded polystyrene (ePS), expanded polyethylene (ePE), expanded polylactide (ePLA), expanded polyethylene terephthalate (ePET), expanded polybutylene terephthalate (ePBT), and expanded thermoplastic olefin (eTPO). In this way, the expanded material particles can provide high levels of cushioning, thermal insulation, low weight, and other properties already known in the art of expanded materials, such as expanded TPU.

[0044] Fig. 3b shows portions of the midsole 320, 321, wherein the cavities are exemplarily filled with loose particles 340. The loose particles 340 may comprise the same expanded material as the particles 360, fused at their surfaces, or one or more different expanded materials. Although only one material may be used for the midsoles 320, 321 of the present embodiments, a user's foot may distinguish between areas of the fused eTPU 360 and areas of the loose eTPU 340 due to a different haptic sensation when applying loads to the respective area. Therefore, when landing, for example, on the heel region 372 and rolling across the entire shoe sole, the user may localize the different zones across the midsole 320, 321, 322.This difference can be used to improve a desired running technique or to reduce the percentage of an undesirable landing zone when running according to the present invention.

[0045] The Fig. 4a - 4c show three midsoles 420, 421, 422 comprising particles of expanded material 460 fused at their surfaces. The midsoles 420, 421, 422 further contain cavities 470 similar to those in Fig. 3a. The cavities 470 are arranged over the majority 471 of the midsole 420 in Fig. 4a, in the heel area 472 in Fig. 4b or in the forefoot area 473 of the midsole 422 in Fig. 4c. To prevent the loose particles from falling out of the cavity 470 during running, a mesh-like material 450 is applied to the upper side of the midsoles 420, 421, 422, which represents the side suitable for receiving the user's foot. The mesh-like material 450 comprises a net with openings smaller than the size of the loose particles. Furthermore, the material of the mesh may comprise plastic, metal, rubber, or the like. In another embodiment, the mesh-like material 450 may be a film. The film may have openings smaller than the size of the loose particles, or it may have no openings. The film may further be waterproof and / or breathable to increase the user's comfort during sporting activities. The mesh-like material 450 may further be adapted so that it substantially does not reduce the haptic sensation perceived by the user.Thus, the mesh-like material 450 can be thin enough so that the user still receives haptic feedback from the loose particles. The mesh-like material 450 can also be soft enough so that the user can distinguish between areas with loose particles and the surrounding midsole material.

[0046] The Fig. 5a-5c show an embodiment of a shoe 500 and a midsole 520 with loose particles 540 for haptic feedback according to the present invention. The loose particles 540 comprise expanded material and are arranged in a majority 571 of the surface of the midsole 520. In Fig. 5a shows an embodiment of the midsole 520 that includes particles of the expanded material 560 fused at their surfaces. The midsole 520 includes a cavity 570 adapted to be filled with loose particles 540. A depth of the cavity 570 is substantially identical to the thickness of the midsole 520. In this way, the midsole 520 provides a boundary for the loose particles 540 only at the sides of the cavity 570. To prevent the loose particles 540 from falling out of the midsole 520 while the shoe 500 is worn, a mesh-like material 550 is attached to the midsole 520 from the underside. In other words, the mesh-like material 550 is arranged between the midsole 520 and an outsole 530 of the shoe 500, as shown in FIGS. Fig. 5b and Fig. 5c. The mesh-like material 550 may have similar properties as described with respect to the mesh-like material 450 in Fig. 4. The mesh-like material 550 may be a net or a film. The outsole 530 may comprise rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or similar materials mentioned above, which can be adapted to provide the shoe 500 with high traction and a durable outsole 503. The outsole 530 has openings that are larger than the size of the loose particles 540. Such openings can provide the shoe 500 with high breathability, which is particularly useful during athletic activities.

[0047] Fig. 5c shows an embodiment of the shoe 500 wherein loose particles 540 of expanded material are disposed within the cavity 570 of the midsole 520. The outsole 530 and the mesh material 550 are partially pressed against the rest of the shoe 500 to indicate its preferred location. The outsole 530 and the mesh material 550 may be attached to the midsole 520 with an adhesive. In another embodiment, various components may be bonded together without the use of an adhesive, e.g., by applying energy, e.g., heat. For example, infrared (IR) heating, radio frequency (RF) heating, or other techniques for bonding various components comprising a thermoplastic material may be employed.In this way, the bottom surface of the midsole 520 and the top surface of the outsole 530 comprising mesh-like material 550 can be heated so that at least one of the surfaces can develop an adhesive property sufficient to hold the individual parts of the sole together. The shoe 500 can further include a second mesh-like material on a top surface of the midsole 520 (in . Fig. 5 not shown) that can be adjusted to accommodate a user's foot. In this way, the loose particles 540 can be fully confined within the cavity 570 of the midsole 520, and an upper and lower mesh-like material 550 prevents them from falling out of the sole while still providing the user with haptic feedback of the loose particles 540.

[0048] The Fig. 6a-d show another embodiment of a shoe 600 and a midsole 621 with loose particles 640 for haptic feedback according to the present invention. The properties of the outsole 630 and the mesh-like material 650 in the Fig. 6b and Fig. 6c correspond to the description with respect to the outsole 530 and the mesh-like material 550 of Fig. 5. However, as in Fig. 6a, a cavity 670 of the midsole 621, which can be filled with loose particles 640, is arranged in a heel region 672 of the shoe 600, providing haptic feedback to the user. The haptic feedback can help the user improve their running technique, as a landing in the heel region 672 on the loose particles 640 can be distinguished from a landing in the forefoot region without loose particles. Furthermore, the loose particles 640 can be further customized to achieve increased cushioning compared to the surrounding material 660 of the midsole 621. In this way, the shoe 600 can be optimized for an athlete who prefers running with a landing in the heel region 672. Furthermore, the shoe 600 may be particularly suitable for a user who wishes to improve their running technique, e.g., by learning a forefoot running strike.Since a transition from landing in the heel region 672 to landing in the forefoot area while running can take up to several months to be fully adapted by the user's musculoskeletal system, loose particles 640 in the heel region 672 may be advantageous to cushion a very likely more frequent landing in the heel region 672 during the transition.

[0049] Fig. Figure 7a shows an embodiment of a midsole 722 comprising loose particles according to the present invention. The midsole 722 comprises particles of expanded material 760 fused at their surfaces and a cavity 770 disposed in a forefoot region 773 of the sole. In this embodiment, the loose particles are located in a bag 745a-f comprising a mesh-like material 750. The properties of the mesh-like material 750 are as in Figures Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 with reference to the mesh-like material 450, 550, 650. Furthermore, the mesh-like material 750 may be stretchable so that the loose particles can move substantially freely within the bag 745a-f. Filling the bags 745a-f with loose particles may be performed as described in the Fig. 7a-7g, be adaptable, where the filling may depend, for example, on a user's preference, a desired haptic stimulus, a performance level of the user, and / or a medical condition of the user. Each pouch 745a-f is at least partially disposed within the cavity 770 of the midsole 722, such that, depending on the filling, a range of shapes in the forefoot region 773 can be selected, ranging from concave to convex. The pouches 745a-f may be attached to the midsole 722, for example, using adhesive, hook-and-loop fasteners, an additional cover layer adapted to fix the pouch 745a-f in the cavity 770, IR heating, RF heating, or the like. The pouches 745a-f may be replaceably attached to the midsole 722. In this way, the user can select a preferred bag 745a-f before wearing a shoe with the midsole 722, e.g.depending on their daily preferences or actual performance level. In another embodiment, the bags 745a-f can only be replaced by a retailer or a professional.

[0050] The Fig. 8a-8c show further embodiments of midsoles 823, 824, 825 containing one or more loose particles 840 for providing haptic feedback to a user during athletic activities according to the present invention. The one or more loose particles 840 may have a weight at least twice the weight of the surrounding midsole material of the same size. The one or more loose particles 840 may comprise metal or hard material. In this way, the one or more loose particles 840 may be activated by a swing or step of the user's leg. An inertia of the one or more loose particles 840 and / or a force exerted on the midsole 823, 824, 825 based on a change in the momentum of the loose particles 840 may be perceived by a user as a haptic sensation.In other words, the one or more loose particles 840 can change the effective weight of the sole during use of the sole such that the user can perceive the change in the effective weight as a haptic sensation. The resulting haptic feedback can positively influence the user's stride frequency, since the effective weight of the sole can depend at least partially on the user's stride frequency.

[0051] Fig. 8a shows an embodiment of the midsole 823, wherein a loose particle 840 can move along a longitudinal direction 874 of the sole. An acceleration or deceleration corresponding to a change in momentum of the loose particle 840 can be perceived by the user as an external force exerted on the front and / or rear boundary of the cavity 870. Some users may report this haptic sensation as a change in the effective weight of the sole or shoe. Based on the longitudinal direction 874 of movement of the loose particle 840, which is substantially parallel to a walking direction, the haptic sensation can be used to provide feedback information about the user's stride frequency. Furthermore, since the stride frequency depends at least partially on the stride length, haptic feedback about the stride length can also be perceived.

[0052] Fig. Figure 8c shows another embodiment of a midsole 825, wherein three loose particles 840 can move along a medial to lateral direction of the sole. The basic principle of perceiving haptic sensations, which is based on a change in the momentum of the loose particles 840 or a change in the effective weight of the sole, as described with respect to Fig. 8a also applies here. However, since the direction of movement of the loose particles 840 determines the direction of movement of the user's foot, via which haptic feedback can be provided, the Fig. 8c primarily helps determine unwanted lateral tossing or swinging of the foot 876 while running. Such behavior can lead to a higher risk of injury and inefficient running. Therefore, providing a shoe with haptic feedback about unwanted lateral movement of the foot while running 876 can help a user avoid this behavior. Therefore, the shoe with the midsole 825 can help a user improve their running technique based on the haptic feedback.

[0053] Fig. Figure 8b illustrates another embodiment of a midsole 824 in which a plurality of loose particles 840 can move in a two-dimensional plane substantially parallel to the sole of a user's foot. The basic principle of perceiving haptic sensations due to a change in the momentum of the loose particles 840 or a change in the effective weight of the sole, as it relates to the Fig. 8a and Fig. 8b also applies here. However, because the loose particles 840 are adapted to move simultaneously in a longitudinal direction 875 and a medial to lateral direction 877, the midsole 824 can simultaneously impart haptic sensations based on a stride frequency and a swing or throw of a leg during running. Because the midsole 824 comprises multiple loose particles 840, the provided haptic stimuli can be perceived as multiple individual haptic stimuli generated by each of the loose particles 840, which blend into a more continuous haptic sensation compared to embodiments with only one or a few loose particles 840.

[0054] Fig. 9a shows three midsoles 923, 924, 925 with one or more loose particles 940 that can move in a two-dimensional plane substantially parallel to the sole of the user's foot in the longitudinal direction 974 and in a substantially medial to lateral direction 976 of the sole. It can be noted that other directions of movement of the loose particles 940 are also applicable to the present invention. The midsoles 923, 924, 925 comprise particles of the expanded material 960 that are fused at their surfaces. The one or more loose particles 940 comprise metal or hard material. Since the one or more loose particles 940 have a higher specific gravity than the surrounding expanded material 960 of the midsoles 923, 924, 925, a user may perceive a change in the momentum of the one or more loose particles 940 or a change in the effective weight of the sole as a haptic sensation.

[0055] Fig. 9b shows an enlarged view of the midsole 925, in which a mesh-like material 951 is disposed within the cavity 970 and beneath the loose metal particles 940 to allow substantially free movement of the loose metal particles 940. The mesh-like material 951 may also be disposed within the cavities 970 of various midsoles, such as the midsole 923 or 924.

[0056] The Fig. 10a-10c show three midsoles 1023, 1024, 1025 comprising one or more loose particles 1040 adapted to move in a longitudinal direction 1074, in a two-dimensional plane substantially parallel to the sole of the user's foot, and in a substantially medial to lateral direction 1076 of the sole. The midsoles 1023, 1024, 1025 comprise particles of expanded material 1060 fused at their surfaces. To prevent one or more loose particles 1040 from falling out of the cavity 1070 during walking, a mesh-like material 1050 is applied to the upper side of the midsoles 1023, 1024, 1025, representing the side suitable for receiving the user's foot. The properties of the mesh-like material 1050 are as described above with respect to the mesh-like material 450, 550, 650, 750 of the Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7.

[0057] The Fig. 11a-11b show an embodiment of a shoe 1100 and a midsole 1126 with loose particles 1140 that can move in a two-dimensional plane substantially parallel to the sole of the user's foot to provide haptic feedback according to the present invention. The loose particles 1140 comprise metal or hard material and are arranged in a cavity 1170 of the midsole 1126. The cavity 1170 is located on the underside of the midsole 1126, i.e., on the side facing the ground when standing still while wearing the shoe. The midsole 1126 comprises particles of the expanded material 1160 fused at their surfaces. The haptic feedback provided by the loose metal particles 1140 of the present embodiment can be perceived by the user without coming into direct contact with the loose particles 1140.Therefore, by locating the loose particles 1140 in a cavity 1170 with a depth less than the thickness of the midsole 1126, a mesh-like material 1150 may be omitted on top of the midsole 1126 to prevent the loose particles 1140 from falling out. Furthermore, the cavity 1170 does not provide a continuous opening within the midsole 1126. Therefore, the midsole 1126 may be waterproof and / or provide thermal insulation.

[0058] Fig. Figure 11b shows an outsole 1130 and a mesh-like material 1150 attached to the shoe 1100, in a bottom view. The properties of the outsole 1130 and the mesh-like material 1150 are as described above with respect to the outsoles 530 and 630 of the Fig. 5 or 6 and the mesh-like material 450, 550, 650, 750, 1050 of the Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 and Fig. 10 described.

[0059] Fig. 12a shows an embodiment of a midsole 1227 comprising particles of expanded material 1260 fused at their surfaces. The midsole 1227 further comprises a cavity 1270 adapted to receive one or more loose particles for providing haptic feedback according to the present invention. The cavity 1270 is arranged in the longitudinal direction 1274 of the sole, thereby defining a direction of movement of the one or more loose particles. The one or more loose particles may comprise metal. In this way, the longitudinal movement of the one or more loose particles may result in a haptic sensation that, for example, positively influences the user's step frequency. The one or more loose particles of the Fig. 12a are arranged in a tube 1280 formed from the mesh-like material 1250. The properties of the mesh-like material 1250 are as described above with respect to the mesh-like material 450, 550, 650, 750, 1050, 1150 of the Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. Since one or more loose particles are prevented from falling out by the tube 1280 of mesh-like material 1250, an additional layer of mesh-like material 1250 between the midsole 1227 and the outsole 1230 can be omitted, as in Fig. 12b. The tube 1280, which includes one or more loose particles, does not need to be modified in the present embodiment to prevent unwanted movement of the cavity 1270. Therefore, the cavity 1270 can be covered by the outsole 1230.

[0060] In a similar, in Fig. 13a, one or more loose particles may be arranged in a tube or rod 1380 comprising a plastic, rubber, PVC, TPU or similar material, as shown in the Fig. 13b and Fig. 13c. The tube or rod 1380 can be adapted to be replaceable within the cavity 1370 of the midsole 1327, wherein the midsole 1327 includes particles of expanded material 1360 fused to their surfaces. In this way, a user of the shoe can adjust the loose particles within the tube or rod 1380 according to his or her desired haptic stimulus. For example, if the user prefers more intense and / or direct haptic feedback, one or more loose metal particles with a higher weight than previously used may be suitable. On the other hand, if the user prefers, for example, more subtle and / or less intense haptic feedback, one or more loose metal articles with a lower weight than previously used may be advantageous.The tube or rod 1380 may include two caps (not shown) that may be opened 1385 to replace the one or more loose particles, as shown in FIG. Fig. 13b. In an alternative embodiment, the tube or rod 1380 can be permanently sealed 1386. In this way, the user can choose between different tubes or rods 1380 that have different properties, such as the weight or quantity of loose particles, dimensions of the tube or rod 1380, or the like. Furthermore, the length of the tube or rod 1380 can be adjustable (not shown). Since the haptic sensation depends on the length of the tube or rod 1380, the haptic stimulus provided can be adjusted in this way. For example, the length of the tube or rod 1380 can be adjusted to create haptic feedback that positively influences the user to walk at a desired step frequency. Furthermore, the length of the tube or rod 1380 can be adjusted to a user's body size, such asto a body height, a preferred stride length or similar.

[0061] It should be noted that a replaceable tube or rod 1380 can also be used in a cavity arranged in a medial-lateral direction or in another direction. Furthermore, an embodiment with a longitudinally arranged cavity and a medial-laterally arranged cavity may also be possible. In this way, a user can decide for which movement haptic feedback is desired and accordingly attach a tube or rod 1380 made of loose particles to the respective cavity 1370. The user can also attach two tubes or rods 1380 simultaneously, each arranged in one of the cavities 1370, to simultaneously obtain haptic feedback for both directions of movement. The number of cavities and tubes of a midsole should not be limited to the above examples.

[0062] Fig. Figure 14a shows an embodiment of a liquid-filled bag 1445 comprising loose particles 1440 in accordance with the present invention. The loose particles 1440 are contained in the bag 1445 and may be suspended in a liquid 1447. Alternatively, or in addition to the haptic feedback discussed above with respect to the loose particles 140, 240, 340, 540, 640, 840, 940, 1040, 1140, which are described with reference to Fig. 1-13, the loose particles 1440 can be further adapted to provide haptic feedback in the form of a pleasant massage effect for a user's foot. The loose particles 1440 can have different hardnesses, materials, and / or sizes, depending on the desired intensity of the massage, which can be adapted to different areas of a user's foot. Furthermore, the liquid 1447 can comprise a gel, a fluid, or an oil. The liquid 1447 can be adapted to provide a medium in which the loose particles 1440 can move substantially freely while offering a certain resistance. By choosing a specific liquid, gel, fluid, or oil, the degree of resistance can be adjusted to achieve the desired intensity of the massage effect. In another embodiment, gas, in particular air, can be used instead of the liquid 1447.The loose particles 1440 can be adjusted to redistribute within the pouch 1445 with each step, resulting in constantly changing pressure points applied to the muscles and other tissues of a user's foot. The redistribution of the loose particles 1440 with each step can most closely simulate an active human massage. The different regions of the pouch 1445, which have been specifically optimized based on the anatomy of the foot portion contacting that region, can be divided into a forefoot region 1446a, a midfoot region 1446b, and a rearfoot region 1446c, as shown in FIG. Fig. 14a. Other segmentations or more / less separated regions are also possible. To ensure substantially direct contact of loose particles with the sole of the user's foot, the bag 1445 or other contained regions can be arranged in an upper portion of a midsole 1428, as shown in Fig. 14b. The midsole 1428 may be covered by an optional soft insole layer 1411 or a soft lower portion of a shoe upper. The midsole 1428 may also have a rocker geometry, i.e., a slightly curved shape of the midsole that is inclined toward the center of the footbed. The massaging effect of the loose particles 1440 may be enhanced by the rounded shape of the rocker geometry of the midsole 1428, which helps press the loose particles 1440 into the user's tissue with each step. Furthermore, the rocker geometry may further allow the user to roll their foot back and forth while sitting, which may help improve the posture of the user of such a shoe, for example, by stimulating the muscles of the lower back.

[0063] Fig. Figure 15 shows an embodiment of a liquid-filled bag 1545 comprising three separate regions 1546a-c, as similarly described with reference to Fig. 14a. Each of the separate areas 1546a-c can be filled with loose particles to achieve a massaging effect in accordance with the present invention (in Fig. 15 (not shown). The loose particles can be suspended in a liquid 1547 or a gas 1548. A mixture of liquid 1547 and gas 1548, e.g., a region 1546a-c of a bag 1545 partially filled with the liquid 1547, may also be possible. The bag 1545 may, for example, comprise two layers of TPU joined together by thermal bonding, e.g., IR or RF heating, using an adhesive or a similar technique. Various other materials that enable a thin, soft-layered, and sealed bag 1545 may also be applicable.

[0064] The Fig. 16a-16b show embodiments of an insole 1629a-b in a plan view comprising loose particles 1640a-b according to the present invention. Fig. Figure 16c illustrates the insole 1629 in a rear view. The loose particles 1640ab may be confined in a bag, which may include features as described with reference to the bags 1445 and 1545 of the Fig. 14a and Fig. 15. The loose particles 1640a may comprise a non-expanded material, in particular TPU, EVA, PET, PBT or rubber in the form of small spheres with a diameter of 1 mm to 5 mm, preferably 2 mm to 4 mm, as in Fig. 16a. Alternatively, the loose particles 1640b may comprise an expanded material, as shown in Fig. 16b, in particular one or more of the above-listed expanded materials in relation to the molten particles 340 or the loose particles 360 of the Fig. 3. The size of the loose particles 1640b can be similar to the size of the loose particles 1640a. Based on the desired intensity of the massage effect, the softer expanded loose particles 1640b or the harder unexpanded loose particles 1640a can be selected for the different areas 1646a-c of the insole 1629a. A mixture of expanded 1640b and unexpanded 1640a loose particles may also be possible. Furthermore, the intensity of the massage effect can be further adjusted by filling the bag with one or more of the following: unexpanded or expanded loose particles, liquid, or a gas. The bag can further be encapsulated in a soft material 1648 such as EVA, TPU, PET, PBT, or rubber. In this way, in some embodiments of the present invention, the insole 1629a-b can be directly attached to a midsole of a shoe (not shown).Alternatively to an insole 1629a, 1629b, the loose particles 16140a-b can be arranged in a similar manner in a midsole 1428, in particular an upper portion of a midsole 1428, of a shoe, as shown in FIG. Fig. 14b. In a further alternative embodiment, the loose particles 1640a-b may be arranged in a separate insole 1629a-b, e.g., in a sockliner adapted to be inserted into any shoe of a corresponding size already owned by the user. In this way, various insoles 1629a-b having a different number or arrangement of regions 1646a-c comprising loose particles 1640a-b may be interchangeably provided.

[0065] It may be noted that the features described above with respect to loose particles 140, 240, 340, 540, 640, 1440 arranged in a midsole 120, 121, 122, 220, 221, 222, 320, 321, 322, 420, 421, 422, 520, 621, 722, 1428 for providing haptic feedback may be similarly arranged in an insole 1629a-b in accordance with the present invention, or vice versa.

Claims

[1] Sole for a shoe (100, 101, 102, 103, 500, 600, 1100), in particular a running shoe, comprising: a sole component; and b. one or more loose particles (140, 240, 340, 540, 640, 840, 940, 1040, 1140, 1440, 1640a, 1640b) of material, the loose particles being contained in the sole component, c. wherein the loose particles provide haptic feedback to a user of the sole during a sporting activity, and d. wherein the loose particles are confined in a bag (745a - 745f) made of a mesh-like material (750) e. wherein the sole component comprises particles of an expanded material (360, 460, 560, 660, 760, 960, 1060, 1160, 1260, 1360) fused at their surfaces. [2] Sole according to claim 1, wherein the sole component comprises a midsole (120, 121, 122, 220, 221, 222, 320, 321, 322, 420, 421, 422, 520, 621, 722, 823, 824, 825, 923, 924, 925, 1023, 1024, 1024, 1126, 1227, 1327, 1428) and / or an insole (1629a, 1629b). [3] Sole according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sole component comprises particles of expanded thermoplastic polyurethane, eTPU, fused at their surfaces. [4] Sole according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein at least a portion of the sole component is manufactured by an additive manufacturing process. [5] Sole according to one of claims 1-4, wherein the loose particles are at least partially arranged within a cavity (370, 470, 570, 670, 770, 870, 970, 1070, 1170, 1270, 1370) in the sole component. [6] Sole according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein providing the haptic feedback does not involve any electronic components. [7] Sole according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the haptic feedback comprises feedback about an area of ​​the user's foot in which the foot strikes, feedback about a rolling behavior of the user's foot, feedback about a stride length of the user, feedback about a stride frequency of the user, a massaging effect of the user's foot, or a combination thereof. [8] Sole according to one of claims 1-7, wherein the loose particles comprise a foamed material, in particular foamed thermoplastic polyurethane, eTPU. [9] Sole according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the loose particles are generally spherical or ellipsoidal in shape. [10] Sole according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the loose particles within the sole component are confined at least partially by a mesh-like material (450, 1050) arranged on an upper surface of the sole component. [11] Sole according to one of claims 2-10, wherein the loose particles in the midsole are delimited at least partially by an outsole (530, 630, 1130, 1230, 1330) of the sole, preferably an outsole which has a mesh-like material (550, 650, 1150) on the side facing the midsole. [12] A sole according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the loose particles exhibit a different response to compression forces exerted by the user's foot during use than the surrounding material of the sole component. [13] The sole of any of claims 1-12, wherein the loose particles are disposed in a forefoot region (273, 373, 473, 773) of the shoe to assist the user in achieving a forefoot running strike. [14] Sole according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein the loose particles are arranged in a heel region (272, 372, 472, 672) of the shoe to assist the user in achieving a forefoot running strike. [15] Shoe (100, 101, 102, 103, 500, 600, 1100), in particular a running shoe, comprising a sole according to one of the preceding claims.

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