Anatomical pads for a shoe

Abstract

Upper part (10a; 20) for a shoe (18), comprising: a) a medial pad (13; 23) located in a medial section of a heel area of ​​the upper (10a; 20), wherein the medial pad (13; 23) comprises a first shape; b) a lateral pad (14; 24) located in a lateral section of the heel area of ​​the upper (10a; 20), wherein the lateral pad (14; 24) comprises a second shape; c) wherein the first form differs from the second form, d) wherein the lateral pad (14; 24) is positioned closer to a sole (10b) of the shoe (18) than the medial pad (13; 23), and e) wherein the lateral pad (14; 24) is positioned closer to a rear of the upper part (10a; 20) of the shoe (18) than the medial pad (13; 23), f) wherein a vertical extent of the lateral pad (14; 24), measured in a frontal plane, i.e. its width (14a; 24a), is greater than a width (13a; 23a) of the medial pad (13; 23).

Description

1. Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to an upper part for a shoe comprising asymmetrical padding, and a method for manufacturing an upper part for a shoe with asymmetrical padding. 2. State of the art

[0002] Shoes must be made of durable materials to protect the foot and ensure a certain level of longevity. For a shoe to retain its shape and provide adequate support, the shoe's base material must be relatively stiff. To prevent the foot from being injured by this relatively hard base material when worn, padding and / or lining are used. The padding and / or lining may be distributed evenly throughout the upper part of the shoe. However, the lining, and especially the padding, can be beneficial for a variety of additional purposes.

[0003] Generally, padding inside a shoe can be designed depending on the shoe's intended purpose. One purpose is to prevent pressure points and thus blisters and / or chafing. Another purpose is to optimally distribute the foot's pressure within the shoe. Additionally, padding can also have a corrective effect on foot position. In a medical application, padding can compensate for foot misalignments, which could otherwise lead to misalignment of the entire musculoskeletal system.

[0004] These considerations are particularly important in the ankle area, as a snug fit is crucial here, since excessive movement of the foot within the shoe can lead to injuries. Furthermore, without proper support, there is a high risk of ankle twisting. Additionally, the rather pronounced bony prominences on both sides of the ankle, caused by the ends of the fibula and tibia, and the lack of muscle and fat in this area, quickly lead to chafing without adequate cushioning.

[0005] Conventional shoes typically have symmetrical padding around the ankles on both sides of the leg, using the same padding shape on the medial and lateral sides, which does not correspond to the anatomical conditions of the foot. This leads to a reduced fit, in addition to discomfort, and in the worst case, to misalignment, as the wearer tries to adapt their gait to the ill-fitting shoe.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a pad for a shoe that provides an ideal fit around the ankle of a wearer based on the anatomical conditions.

[0007] The JP 4 714 329 B2 is directed towards a sole plate, an insole insert and footwear that correct flat feet, talipes valgus and club feet.

[0008] US 7,140,128 B2 concerns J-beams located on both sides of a boot above the heel. The J-beams also contain memory material and are positioned and shaped to extend below and behind the user's ankle bone.

[0009] The US 6 442 875 B1 is designed to provide a boot upper with a lateral quarter and a medial quarter that are asymmetrical and largely rigid.

[0010] US 2004 / 0111923A1 relates to footwear with recesses to accommodate foot protrusions and / or one or more pads to reduce ankle swelling. One embodiment has a curved lower section that conforms to the lower end of the medial malleolus, but the lower section may also have other shapes, as long as the bony structure of the tibia below the distal neck, including the medial malleolus, is accommodated in the U-shaped recess of the ankle pad, and the pad is positioned to exert pressure on the surrounding tissue at least to the distal neck of the tibia. The size of the pads depends on the size of the shoe and the person wearing it.

[0011] EP 0 350 517 A1 relates to a medical insole for shoes, in particular sports shoes such as tennis shoes, basketball shoes, etc., with a shaft extending over the ankle and with cushions that can be attached laterally to the ankle and at least partially enclose it. The cushioning on each side of the ankle is formed by two L-shaped sections. The ankle is supported vertically and posteriorly by the legs.

[0012] DE 690 09 555 T2 refers to a running shoe with a molded ankle support.

[0013] US 7 513 066 B2 concerns a fluid-filled blister for footwear.

[0014] US 2006 / 0130369A1 refers to an air passage device for inflatable shoe bladders.

[0015] WO 99 / 13743 A1 concerns a boot with a sole and upper featuring an asymmetrical medial and lateral quarter. Strategically placed pads are provided on the inner side of the upper on opposite sides of the metatarsal bones in the forefoot and around the ankle. Flexible, compressible inserts are provided in the medial dorsal and posterior lateral regions, offering compression and extension in the sagittal plane. 3. Summary of the invention

[0016] The problem mentioned above is solved by an upper for a shoe that includes: a medial pad located in a medial section of a heel area of ​​the upper, wherein the medial pad comprises a first shape, a lateral pad located in a lateral section of the heel area of ​​the upper, wherein the lateral pad comprises a second shape, the first shape being different from the second shape, the lateral pad being located closer to a sole of the shoe than the medial pad, and the lateral pad being located closer to a rear of the shoe upper than the medial pad.

[0017] The medial and lateral shapes of the pads correspond to the anatomical features of the wearer's ankle. Since the medial and lateral sides of the ankle have different anatomical features, the same shape would generally lead to a mismatch between the pads and the ankle. A pad adapted to the specific anatomical features of the medial or lateral side of the ankle ensures an ideal fit between the pad and the ankle bone. This minimizes the space between the pad and the ankle bone, resulting in a snug fit in the shoe. This snug fit can significantly restrict the foot's range of motion in that area of ​​the ankle, thus preventing or at least reducing injuries and blisters. Furthermore, a snug fit improves the transfer of energy from the foot to the shoe when striking and pushing off a surface.Additionally, the medial and lateral pads are not symmetrically arranged. This asymmetrical arrangement along the frontal and sagittal planes of the pads further supports the stability of the wearer's musculoskeletal system while walking, preventing, for example, twisting towards the medial or lateral side of the foot.

[0018] In the following, the arrangement of a pad closer to the sole of the shoe is referred to as the lower level, and the arrangement further away from the sole of the shoe is referred to as the higher level.

[0019] Particularly in sports such as football, rugby, or running, such padding can be advantageous, as the risk of the foot twisting in a medial or lateral direction is high in these sports. Therefore, the upper according to the invention is preferably an upper for a football boot, a rugby boot, or a running shoe. Furthermore, a snug fit between the shoe and the wearer's ankle is highly relevant for hiking or sports involving frequent jumping, such as basketball. Thus, the upper according to the invention can be an upper for a hiking boot or a basketball shoe.

[0020] According to the present invention, the horizontal extent of the medial pad, i.e., its thickness, measured in a frontal plane, can be less than the thickness of the lateral pad. Preferably, the difference in thickness between the medial and lateral pads can be at least 4 mm. The thickness of a pad can be measured in a direction normal to the sagittal plane of a finished shoe upper, for example, when it is joined to a sole structure to form a shoe.

[0021] Different vertical thicknesses of the pads correspond to the anatomical features of the ankle bone on the medial and lateral sides of the shoe and can therefore further stabilize the foot along the frontal and sagittal planes. A medial pad that is too thick would severely restrict the foot's range of motion medially and lead to an unsuitable foot position. Additionally, it would greatly increase the likelihood of lateral twisting. Therefore, a thicker lateral pad compared to the medial pad provides stabilization in the frontal plane. Furthermore, the greater thickness of the lateral pad ensures a snug fit, preventing injuries caused by excessive space between the lateral pad and the lateral ankle, which would result in increased friction.Therefore, the snug fit of the ankle also reduces forward and backward movement of the foot, leading to stabilization of the foot in the sagittal plane. Furthermore, the lateral side of the ankle, which is more exposed than the medial side, is better protected from objects striking the lateral side of the shoe.

[0022] The horizontal extent of the lateral pad, i.e., its length, measured in a sagittal plane, may be less than the length of the medial pad. Preferably, the difference in length between the medial and lateral pads is at least 2 mm. The length of a pad may be measured in a direction normal to the frontal plane of a finished shoe upper, for example, when it is joined to a sole structure to form a shoe.

[0023] Different pad lengths correspond to the anatomical features of the ankle bones on the medial and lateral sides of the shoe and can therefore further stabilize the foot in the frontal and sagittal planes. In particular, in the frontal plane, the foot can be stabilized in such a way that rotation towards the medial side can be prevented. Furthermore, the greater length of the medial pad allows the medial ankle bone to fit more closely to the pad, which can further reduce movement of the entire foot in the sagittal plane.

[0024] According to the invention, the vertical extent of the lateral pad, i.e., its width, measured in a frontal plane, is greater than the width of the medial pad measured in a frontal plane. Preferably, the difference in width between the medial and lateral pads can be at least 2 mm. In addition to the plane difference between the lower lateral pad and the higher medial pad, the pads can also have different widths. The width of a pad is defined as the distance from a bottom surface of the pad to a top surface of the same pad, measured in a direction normal to the transverse plane of a finished shoe upper, e.g., when it is joined to a sole structure to form a shoe.

[0025] Different widths of padding correspond to the anatomical features of the ankle bone on the medial and lateral sides of the shoe, further stabilizing the foot in the frontal plane. In particular, lateral twisting is effectively minimized. Furthermore, the larger lateral padding provides additional support for the foot on the lateral side. This also results in a more comfortable fit on both the lateral and medial sides.

[0026] The volume of the medial cushion can differ from the volume of the lateral cushion. Preferably, the volume of the medial cushion can be smaller than the volume of the lateral cushion.

[0027] Different volumes of the medial and lateral padding can further stabilize the wearer's foot. The smaller volume of the medial padding allows for freedom of movement on the medial side while ensuring a snug fit on the lateral side. The larger volume of the lateral padding provides additional protection for the lateral side of the ankle, particularly the lateral malleolus, which is vulnerable to injury from another player's foot or object.

[0028] The lateral pad can be positioned at least 2 mm closer to the sole of the shoe than the medial pad.

[0029] The asymmetrical, planar arrangement of the pads perpendicular to the transverse plane allows for further stabilization of the ankle along the frontal plane.

[0030] The lateral padding can be positioned at least 6 mm closer to the back of the shoe upper than the medial padding.

[0031] The asymmetrical arrangement along the sagittal plane allows the lateral pad, which is closer to the back of the shoe than the medial pad, to reduce forward and backward movement of the foot within the shoe. Therefore, this configuration ensures stabilization of the foot, particularly along the sagittal plane. Furthermore, by positioning the medial pad further away from the heel than the lateral pad, additional stabilization and support can be achieved on the medial side.

[0032] The medial and / or lateral padding can be made of foam. Using foam offers many advantages. First, it can be made from almost any type of plastic, providing a wide range of properties. It is also lightweight and easy to process, which is beneficial for shoes.

[0033] Due to their low density, foams can wick moisture away from the foot. Additionally, foams are perceived as pleasant and soft. Foams can also help maintain body temperature inside the shoe.

[0034] The medial and / or lateral padding can include a pod. Padding that includes a pod can provide more efficient cushioning. Furthermore, it can improve the haptic experience. Additionally, a pod can provide greater resilience than ordinary foam to compensate for foot misalignment or to protect the lateral side of the ankle, particularly the lateral malleolus, from external forces.

[0035] The pod can be filled with a liquid and / or a gas. Depending on the type of filling used, the haptic feedback and / or the rebound force can be varied. Furthermore, depending on the filling material, the foot's body heat can be retained or dissipated. In addition, a filled pod can better conform to the individual shape of the wearer's foot.

[0036] The present invention also relates to a shoe comprising an upper as described herein and a sole attached to the upper. The shoe provides a snug fit on the ankle and further stabilizes the wearer's foot along the frontal and sagittal planes.

[0037] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an upper for a shoe, comprising the following steps: arranging a medial pad in a medial section of a heel area of ​​the upper, wherein the medial pad comprises a first shape, arranging a lateral pad in a lateral section of the heel area of ​​the upper, wherein the lateral pad comprises a second shape, wherein the first shape differs from the second shape, arranging the lateral pad closer to a sole of the shoe than the medial pad, and arranging the lateral pad closer to a rear of the shoe upper than the medial pad.

[0038] The advantages of a top obtained through such a process have been described above and are not repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0039] The process can further include the following steps: providing a mold with a cavity and two plates to create the pod in a single pressing process, filling the pod, and sealing the pod. This allows the pod to be manufactured by pressing in a single production step. Pressing is a simple and fast manufacturing method because several individual steps can be performed in one step.

[0040] The process can further include the following steps: forming the medial and / or lateral pad in an embossing process using a first and a second die, wherein the profile of the underside of the first die corresponds to the top of the first and / or second die, and wherein the top of the second die includes a recess that corresponds to the shape of the underside of the first and / or second die. During the embossing process, the dies can be exchanged or assembled modularly to easily create more complex patterns. This allows a visual design, such as brands or logos, to be applied to the pod. Furthermore, the pods can be given a specific texture to enhance their tactile feel.

[0041] The material of the first and / or second die can include magnesium, copper, and / or brass. In the embossing process, the use of metals or metal alloys such as magnesium, copper, and brass is advantageous because they possess sufficient hardness to deform polymers. Furthermore, these metals provide good thermal conductivity when heat is applied during the embossing process.

[0042] The process can further include the following steps: placing the material for the medial and / or lateral pad between the first and second embossing dies before performing the embossing process. By placing the medial and / or lateral pad separately, different materials can be used for the medial and lateral pads. This provides a greater variety of selected properties for the medial and lateral pads.

[0043] The process can further include the following steps: filling the medial and / or lateral pod material between the first and second embossing dies during the embossing press operation. This filling step allows the pod to be endowed with a variety of desired properties. Because the filling is carried out during the embossing press, processing time and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0044] The material can be filled using rollers. Rollers can advantageously enable assembly line production.

[0045] The embossing process may involve the application of heat. Using heat reduces the pressure required and generally shortens the embossing time. Additionally, heat allows the pods to be sealed directly at the edges, further reducing manufacturing steps and time. 4. Brief description of the characters

[0046] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the figures. These figures show: Fig. 1: A graphic illustration of an example of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, showing a cross-section of a shoe upper with a medial pad and a lateral pad; Fig. 2: A further graphic illustration of an exemplary preferred embodiment showing a shoe upper with a medial pad and a lateral pad according to the present invention; and Fig. 3: Another example of a preferred embodiment showing a shoe with a medial pod and a lateral pod. 5. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0047] Possible embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, mainly with reference to a shoe. It is emphasized that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0048] Fig. Figure 1 shows an upper part 10a for a shoe 18 according to the present invention. Furthermore, it shows Fig. Figure 1 shows a foot 19 inserted into the shoe 18 in a rear view and, for illustrative purposes, a foot 19 in a top view. The shoe 18 comprises a medial pad 13 on the medial side 11 of the shoe 18 and a lateral pad 14 on the lateral side 12 of the shoe 18. The shape of the medial pad 13 and the lateral pad 14 are based on a semicylindrical shape. In other embodiments, however, the basic shape of the medial pad and the lateral pad can vary significantly. For example, the basic shape of the medial pad 13 can be a U-shape, a J-shape, a circular shape, a torus shape, or any other suitable basic shape that is advantageous for the anatomical features of the medial side 16 of the ankle.Regardless of the shape of the medial pad 13, the lateral pad 14 may comprise one of the following basic shapes: a U-shape, a J-shape, a circular shape, a torus shape, or any other suitable basic shape which is advantageous for the anatomical conditions of the lateral side 17 of the ankle.

[0049] The medial pad 13 and the lateral pad 14 are arranged on different planes, as illustrated by the line 15 connecting them. This corresponds to the anatomical features of a human foot 19, and in particular to the anatomical features of the medial side 16 and the lateral side 17 of the ankle. Thus, the lower end of the medial pad 13 is located at a plane 24 mm from the sole 10b of the shoe 18, and the lower end of the lateral pad 14 is located at a plane 20 mm from the sole of the shoe 18. In other embodiments, the planes of the pads can vary depending on the type of shoe, its size, intended use, etc.

[0050] In other embodiments, the medial pad 13 is positioned at a higher level than the lateral pad 14 by at least 2 mm. This specific asymmetry, caused by the higher medial pad 13 and the lower lateral pad 14, as measured in a frontal plane, leads to stabilization of the foot 19 in the frontal plane. Rotation of the foot 19, particularly rotation towards the medial side 11, can be prevented by the arrangement of a higher medial pad 13. Furthermore, the arrangement of a lower lateral pad 14 can prevent injuries to the lateral side of the ankle 17 and the lateral side 12 of the ankle 17 of an athlete caused by the foot or object of another athlete.

[0051] The medial pad 13 has a vertical dimension 13b, i.e., a thickness, of 6 mm, measured in a frontal plane, and the lateral pad 14 has a thickness of 10 mm. In further embodiments, the thicknesses 13b and 14b of the medial pad 13 and lateral pad 14 can vary depending on the type of shoe. In some embodiments, the thickness 14b of the lateral pad 14 is at least 4 mm greater than the thickness 13b of the medial pad 13. This specific configuration of the medial pad 13 and the lateral pad 14 supports the foot and also provides a snug fit.

[0052] The cushions have a width defined from the underside of the cushion to the top side of the same cushion, perpendicular to the transverse plane. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. In embodiment 1, the medial pad 13 has a width 13a of 10 mm measured in the frontal plane, and the lateral pad 14 has a width 14a of 12 mm measured in the frontal plane. In other embodiments, the widths 13a and 14a of the medial pad 13 and lateral pad 14 can vary depending on the shoe type. In some embodiments, the width 14a of the lateral pad 14 is at least 2 mm greater than the width 13a of the medial pad 13. This specific width configuration of the medial pad 13 and the lateral pad 14 provides additional stabilization in the frontal plane of the foot 19.

[0053] Furthermore, as in Fig. Figure 1 shows that the volume of the medial pad 13 is smaller than the volume of the lateral pad 14. The different volumes provide the athlete with better support and a greater sense of stability, especially during running.

[0054] Since a horizontal extension of the cushions in the sagittal plane, i.e. their lengths, in Fig. These aspects are not shown in 1. Fig. 2 described in more detail.

[0055] Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of an upper 20 for a football boot. In other embodiments, the upper 20 can be, for example, for a rugby boot, a running shoe, a hiking boot, or a basketball shoe, etc. The upper 20 comprises a medial pad 23 on the medial side 21 and a lateral pad 24 on the lateral side 22 of the upper 20. The medial pad 23 comprises a flat J-shaped base, and the lateral pad 24 comprises a flat U-shaped base. In general, the medial pad 23 and the lateral pad 24 can have different base shapes or the same base shapes and can have different shapes than those shown in Figure 2. Fig. 2 shown include.

[0056] In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. In Figure 2, the medial pad 23 is arranged at a distance of 18 mm from a rear surface 23d of the upper 20 along the sagittal plane, and the lateral pad 24 is arranged at a distance of 8 mm from the rear surface 24d of the shoe 18 along the sagittal plane. In other embodiments, the arrangement 23d, 24d of the medial pad 23 and lateral pad 24 can vary depending on the shoe type, size, intended use, etc. In some embodiments, the medial pad 23 is at least 6 mm further from the rear surface 23d of the upper 20 than the lateral pad 24, 24d. This results in an asymmetry, illustrated by line 25 (corresponding to the asymmetry of the ankle, as shown by line 15 in Figure 2). Fig. (1 illustrated), along the sagittal plane, which further prevents rotation towards the medial side 21 and excessive movement of the foot in the upper 20 along the sagittal plane. Therefore, this specific asymmetry – as illustrated by line 25 – along the sagittal plane further stabilizes the foot in the shoe in the frontal and sagittal planes.

[0057] The medial pad 23 has a width 23a of 10 mm measured in the frontal plane, and the lateral pad 24 has a width 24a of 12 mm measured in the frontal plane of the finished shoe upper, i.e., when it is joined with a sole to form a finished shoe. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. In this embodiment, the medial pad 23 is arranged on a plane 24 mm from the lower boundary of the upper part 20, and the lateral pad 24 is arranged on a plane 20 mm from the lower boundary of the upper part 20. In this embodiment, the medial pad 23 is closer to a collar section of the upper part 20 than the lateral pad 24.

[0058] The medial pad 23 has a horizontal extent 23c of 24 mm measured in the sagittal plane, and the lateral pad 24 has a horizontal extent 24c of 22 mm measured in the sagittal plane. A horizontal extent of a pad is also referred to as the length of a pad. In further embodiments, the lengths 23c, 24c of the medial pad 23 and lateral pad 24 can vary depending on the shoe type, size, intended use, etc. In some embodiments, the length 23c of the medial pad 23 is at least 2 mm greater than the length 24c of the lateral pad 24. This specific length configuration of the upper 20 provides further stabilization of the foot along the sagittal and frontal planes. Therefore, twisting towards the medial side 21 and forward and backward movement of the foot in the finished upper 20 can be significantly reduced.Although the medial pad 23, 23c is longer than the lateral pad 24, 24c, the volume of the medial pad 23 is smaller than the volume of the lateral pad 24.

[0059] Due to the two-dimensional top view, the thickness of the medial pad 23 and the lateral pad 24 is in Fig. 2 not shown. The asymmetry along the frontal plane is only discernible due to the distance from the pads to the collar section. Therefore, these aspects are not relevant to Fig. 1 described in more detail.

[0060] Fig.Figure 3 shows a portion of a shoe 30 according to the present invention. The shoe 30 comprises a medial pod 33 on the medial side 31 and a lateral pod 34 on the lateral side 32. The lateral pod 34 extends closer to the rear of the shoe 30 than the medial pod 33. Furthermore, the lateral pod 34 has a greater thickness 34b than the thickness 33b of the medial pod 33. The medial pod 33 is located higher than the lateral pod 34, measured from the sole of the shoe 30. The medial and lateral pods 33 and 34 comprise foam. In further embodiments, the foam may comprise memory foam. The size of the medial pod 33 and lateral pod 34 can vary depending on the type of shoe and its intended use. In one embodiment, a running shoe is considered, wherein the medial pod 33 has a length 33c of 68 mm and the lateral pod 34 has a length 34c of 62 mm.Furthermore, the medial pod 33 comprises a width 33a of 10 mm and the lateral pod 34 a width 34a of 14 mm. The medial pod 33 also comprises a thickness 33b of 8 mm and the lateral pod 34 a thickness 34b of 10 mm. In further embodiments, where other shoe types such as basketball shoes or hiking shoes are considered, the size can vary with respect to the size ratios between the medial pod 33 and the lateral pod 34 according to the present invention.

[0061] The medial pod 33 and the lateral pod 34 are filled with foam. The foam consists of polyurethane (PUR) foam with a density of 80 kg / m³. 3In further embodiments, the medial pod 33 and the lateral pod 34 can have different densities. In this embodiment, the PUR foam exhibits high rebound properties, which improves the fit and thus the stability and energy transfer of the foot within the shoe. In other embodiments, the pods can have less rebound and thus greater memory properties, allowing them to perfectly align with the wearer's ankle, which improves comfort. In general, the dynamic interaction properties of the pods in contact with other objects can vary depending on the shoe type and intended use. In further embodiments, the medial pod 33 can have different memory and / or rebound properties than the lateral pod 34.

[0062] The medial pod 33 and the lateral pod 34 are manufactured in an embossing process using a first and a second die. The die material can be copper, magnesium, or brass, depending on the preferred pod design. In further embodiments, the material of the first die can differ from the material of the second die. The lower shape of the first die corresponds to the top surface of the medial pod 33 or the lateral pod 34. The upper surface of the second die has a recess that corresponds to the bottom surface of the medial pod 33 and / or the lateral pod 34. The first and second dies are adapted to the intended design, which follows the exact dimensions of the foam pods. In this embodiment, the pods are filled with polyurethane foam.Therefore, the PUR foam is placed between the first and second embossing dies, and then the embossing process is carried out by applying a heat of 125 degrees Celsius. This creates a baker layer between the first and second embossing dies and the foam, which consists of laminated velvet.

[0063] An additional layer can be used to cover the polyurethane foam. In the preferred embodiment, the additional layer comprises a soft, tactile material. In other embodiments, the additional layer can comprise a material with a grippy and / or rough surface, which, for example, has fibers oriented in one direction, preferably towards the bottom of the shoe. This fiber configuration of the layer's material further increases the grip between the material and the wearer's socks and further minimizes foot movement, particularly heel movement, within the shoe. In the preferred embodiment, the additional layer is placed on only one side of the foam during the embossing process, namely the side that is in direct contact with the wearer's foot. In other embodiments, the additional layer can also be placed on the side that is attached to the upper part of the shoe.In other embodiments, the material of the additional layer can vary depending on which side of the shoe upper it is used on.

[0064] In further embodiments, materials other than PUR foam can be used, provided the material is suitable for forming a three-dimensional structure. The material to be pressed can be placed between the first and second embossing dies before the embossing process is applied, a process known as a "two-shell press." In further embodiments, the material can also be filled during the embossing process, with the material being filled into the press and exiting on the other side, a process known as a "straight-through embossing press." If the material is filled using rollers, the process is referred to as a "roller press." After completion of the embossing process, the manufactured medial pod 33 and lateral pod 34 are attached to the shoe 30.

[0065] In another embodiment, the pods can be filled with a liquid and / or a gas. This is achieved in a separate manufacturing process. A vacuum forming machine using an upper mold and a lower mold with a cavity is provided. The shape of the pod to be produced corresponds to the cavity of the lower mold, which is preferably a three-dimensional semicircle. In further embodiments, the mold can comprise any suitable shape to support and hug the ankle, such as a three-dimensional J-shape, a three-dimensional U-shape, a torus shape, etc. In the first step, a first layer of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with a thickness of 0.8 mm is placed on the top of the lower mold. In further embodiments, other materials with different thicknesses can be used, depending on the type of shoe and the purpose of the pods.In the second step, heat is applied until the first layer reaches a suitable forming temperature and becomes pliable. In the third step, the pliable first layer is subjected to a vacuum.

[0066] Due to the vacuum, the flexible first layer on the lower mold is drawn towards the cavity of the lower mold. To achieve effective drawing towards the cavity of the lower mold, the lower mold is provided with tiny holes drilled into the gaps. This creates a suitable pod-shaped structure for the first layer. The resulting pod-shaped structure is then cooled in the lower mold. In the fourth step, the pod-shaped structure is encased and filled with a filler material, preferably polyurethane (PU). In further embodiments, the filler material can comprise other liquids (e.g., water-like liquids, recycled compounds, etc.) or gas suitable for conforming to and embracing the shape of the ankle bones. In the next step, the encased and filled pod-shaped structure is covered with a second layer, preferably TPU.In further embodiments, the second layer can comprise a different material than the first. The pod-shaped structure is then sealed by pressing the upper mold against the lower mold. The resulting filled pod is then placed in a heated chamber at 50-60 degrees Celsius for 24 hours. After heating, the edges of the filled pod are trimmed and cut to eliminate any protruding material and uneven areas. The finished filled pod is then attached to a shoe upper.

Claims

Upper (10a; 20) for a shoe (18), comprising: a) a medial pad (13; 23) located in a medial section of a heel area of ​​the upper (10a; 20), wherein the medial pad (13; 23) comprises a first shape; b) a lateral pad (14; 24) located in a lateral section of the heel area of ​​the upper (10a; 20), wherein the lateral pad (14; 24) comprises a second shape; c) wherein the first shape differs from the second shape; d) wherein the lateral pad (14; 24) is located closer to a sole (10b) of the shoe (18) than the medial pad (13; 23); and e) wherein the lateral pad (14; 24) is located closer to a rear of the upper (10a; 20) of the shoe (18) than the medial pad (13; 23),f) wherein a vertical extent of the lateral pad (14; 24), measured in a frontal plane, i.e. its width (14a; 24a), is greater than a width (13a; 23a) of the medial pad (13; 23). Upper part (10a; 20) according to claim 1, wherein a horizontal extent of the medial pad (13; 23), measured in a frontal plane, i.e. its thickness (13b), is less than a thickness (14b) of the lateral pad (14; 24). Upper part (10a; 20) according to claim 2, wherein the difference in thickness (13b, 14b) of the medial pad (13; 23) and the lateral pad (14; 24) is at least 4 mm. Upper part (10a; 20) according to one of claims 1 - 3, wherein a horizontal extent of the lateral pad (14; 24), measured in a sagittal plane, i.e. its length (24c), is less than a length (23c) of the medial pad (13; 23). Upper part (10a; 20) according to claim 4, wherein the difference in length (23c, 24c) of the medial pad (13; 23) and the lateral pad (14; 24) is at least 2 mm. Upper part (10a; 20) according to claim 1, wherein the difference in width (13a, 14a; 23a, 24a) of the medial pad (13; 23) and the lateral pad (14; 24) is at least 2 mm. Upper part (10a; 20) according to one of claims 1 - 6, wherein the volume of the medial cushion (13; 23) differs from the volume of the lateral cushion (14; 24). Upper part (10a; 20) according to claim 7, wherein the volume of the medial cushion (13; 23) is smaller than the volume of the lateral cushion (14; 24). Upper part (10a; 20) according to one of claims 1 - 8, wherein the lateral pad (14; 24) is arranged at least 2 mm closer to a sole (10b) of the shoe (18) than the medial pad (13; 23). Upper part (10a; 20) according to one of claims 1 - 9, wherein the lateral padding (14; 24) is arranged at least 6 mm closer to a rear side of the upper part (10a; 20) of the shoe (18) than the medial padding (13; 23). Upper part (10a; 20) according to one of claims 1 - 10, wherein the medial padding (13; 23) and / or the lateral padding (14; 24) comprises a foam. Upper part (10a; 20) according to one of claims 1 - 11, wherein the medial pad (13; 23) and / or the lateral pad (14; 24) comprises a pod. Upper part (10a; 20) according to claim 12, wherein the pod is filled with a liquid and / or a gas. Shoe (18) comprising: an upper part (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to one of claims 1 - 13; and a sole (10b) which is attached to the upper part (10a; 20). A method for manufacturing an upper (10a; 20) for a shoe (18), comprising: a) arranging a medial pad (13; 23) in a medial section of a heel area of ​​the upper (10a; 20), wherein the medial pad (13; 23) comprises a first shape; b) arranging a lateral pad (14; 24) in a lateral section of the heel area of ​​the upper (10a; 20), wherein the lateral pad (14; 24) comprises a second shape; c) wherein the first shape differs from the second shape; d) arranging the lateral pad (14; 24) closer to a sole (10b) of the shoe (18) than the medial pad (13; 23); and e) arranging the lateral pad (14; 24) closer to a rear of the upper (10a; 20) of the shoe than the medial pads (13; 23),f) wherein a vertical extent of the lateral pad (14; 24), measured in a frontal plane, i.e. its width (14a; 24a), is greater than a width (13a; 23a) of the medial pad (13; 23). Method for manufacturing an upper part (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to claim 15, wherein a horizontal extent of the medial pad (13; 23), measured in a frontal plane, i.e. its thickness (13b), is smaller than the thickness (14b) of the lateral pad (14; 24). Method for manufacturing an upper part (10a; 20) for a shoe according to claim 16, wherein the difference in thickness (13b, 14b) of the medial pad (13; 23) and the lateral pad (14; 24) is at least 4 mm. Method for manufacturing an upper part (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to one of claims 15 - 17, wherein a horizontal extent of the lateral pad (14; 24), measured in a sagittal plane, i.e. its length (24c), is smaller than a length (23c) of the medial pad (13; 23). Method for manufacturing an upper part (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to claim 18, wherein the difference in length (23c, 24c) of the medial pad (13; 23) and the lateral pad (14; 24) is at least 2 mm. Upper part (10a; 20) according to claim 15, wherein the difference in width (13a, 14a; 23a, 24a) of the medial pad (13; 23) and the lateral pad (14; 24) is at least 2 mm. Method for manufacturing an upper part (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to one of claims 15 - 20, wherein the volume of the medial padding (13; 23) differs from the volume of the lateral padding (14; 24). Method for manufacturing an upper part (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to claim 21, wherein the volume of the medial padding (13; 23) is smaller than the volume of the lateral padding (14; 24). Method for manufacturing an upper part (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to one of claims 15 - 22, wherein the lateral pad (14; 24) is arranged at least 2 mm closer to a sole (10b) of the shoe (18) than the medial pad (13; 23). Method for manufacturing an upper part (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to one of claims 15 - 23, wherein the lateral padding (14; 24) is arranged at least 6 mm closer to a rear side of the upper part (10a; 20) of the shoe than the medial padding (13; 23). Method for manufacturing an upper part (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to one of claims 15 - 24, further comprising the step: providing the medial padding (13; 23) and / or lateral padding (14; 24) with a foam. Method for manufacturing an upper part (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to one of claims 15 - 25, further comprising the step: providing the medial pad (13; 23) and / or the lateral pad (14; 24) with a pod. Method for manufacturing an upper part (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to claim 26, further comprising the step: filling the pod with a liquid and / or a gas. A method for manufacturing an upper part (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to one of claims 26-27, further comprising the steps: providing a vacuum forming machine with an upper mold and a lower mold with a cavity; placing a first layer on the lower mold; drawing a section of the layer into the lower mold using a vacuum applied to the cavity of the lower mold to obtain a pod-shaped structure; filling the pod-shaped structure with a filling material; covering the filled pod-shaped structure with a second layer; and sealing the pod-shaped structure by pressing the upper mold against the lower mold to obtain a filled pod. Method for manufacturing an upper part (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to one of claims 15 - 25, further comprising the steps: shaping the medial pad (13; 23) and / or the lateral pad (14; 24) in an embossing process using a first embossing die and a second embossing die, wherein the profile of the underside of the first embossing die corresponds to the top side of the first shape and / or the second shape, and wherein the top side of the second embossing die comprises a recess that corresponds to the shape of the underside of the first shape and / or the second shape. Method for manufacturing an upper part (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to one of claims 15 - 29, wherein the material of the first die and / or the second die comprises magnesium and / or copper and / or brass. Method for manufacturing an upper part (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to one of claims 15 - 30, further comprising the step: placing the material of the medial pad (13; 23) and / or the lateral pad (14; 24) between the first embossing die and the second embossing die before carrying out the embossing process. Method for manufacturing an upper part (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to one of claims 15 - 31, further comprising the step: filling the material of the medial padding (13; 23) and / or the lateral padding (24; 24) between the first embossing die and the second embossing die during the embossing process. Method for manufacturing an upper part (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to claim 32, wherein the material is filled by rollers. Method for manufacturing an upper part (10a; 20) for a shoe (18) according to one of claims 15 - 33, wherein the embossing process comprises the application of heat.

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