Device and method for foot massage
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023793919
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-10-01
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-29
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-06
AI Technical Summary
Existing foot massage devices are inadequate in effectively stimulating the plantar pump, limiting venous return and comfort, as they fail to provide sufficient localized pressure and deformation to efficiently expel blood from the soft tissues of the foot during daily activities.
A foot massage device with a front face featuring non-hollow protrusions made of incompressible or moderately compressible flexible material, designed to spread and increase surface contact area upon flattening, enhancing venous return by exerting pressure on the arch of the foot, with specific dimensions and materials chosen to optimize the massage effect.
The device significantly improves venous return by increasing the surface area in contact with the foot, effectively expelling blood through localized pressure and deformation, providing a more effective massage than existing devices without the need for external intervention.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] Foot massage device and method
[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The present invention relates to a foot massage device intended to be arranged under all or part of the foot and at least under the arch of the foot, and to a method of massaging the foot using such a device.
[0004] BACKGROUND
[0005] It is known to produce soles having means for exerting a massaging movement on a region of the foot, helping or facilitating the functioning of the plantar pump.
[0006] In particular, US7380352 or EP0971606 discloses an orthopedic insole comprising a plurality of cushion-type layers, provided on the sole surface, and comprising a first cushion-type layer in a forefoot articulation zone, a second cushion-type layer in a transition zone between the metatarsus and the tarsus, and a third cushion-type layer in the midfoot transition zone.
[0007] Also known from CA 2827485 or WO 2012 / 110763 is a shoe comprising an upper, a blood flow stimulating element and a sole element, the sole element retaining a fluid pump, a fluid reservoir usable to receive fluid at high pressure from the pump via a first valve and a second valve usable to activate the blood flow stimulating element under the control of a processor.
[0008] Sandals or spiked soles are also known, commercially available under various brands, with a presumed foot massage function. In particular, WO2019209642A1 describes a massaging sole comprising bulges whose flexion causes a foot massage effect. This document teaches modulating the flexibility and shape - height and width - of the bulges to promote their flexion and thus maximize the massage effect.
[0009] Documents US20070234593A1, GB2303780A and
[0010] US20190142107A1 also describes soles provided with protuberances or hollow projections providing a presumed massage effect and at the very least comfort.
[0011] It might be desirable to provide a foot massage device for placement under the foot that provides better performance than known devices in stimulating the plantar pump.
[0012] SUMMARY
[0013] Embodiments relate to a foot massage device, intended to be placed under all or part of the foot and at least under the arch of the foot, and comprising a front face intended to be in contact with the foot, in which the front face of the device comprises a plurality of non-hollow protrusions intended to come into contact with the arch of the foot to exert pressure thereon capable of improving venous return, each protrusion having a base, a top, a height and a shape determining the volume occupied by the protrusion. The protrusions are made of a flexible, incompressible or moderately compressible material having a Poisson's ratio greater than 0.30, and are shaped and arranged so that a flattening of the protrusions causes a spreading thereof which fills all or part of the volume between each of them and significantly increases the surface area of the device in contact with the foot.
[0014] According to one embodiment, at least in one region of the device, the protrusions are shaped and arranged so that a 50% reduction in their height causes them to spread out which fills the volume between each of them in a proportion of at least 60%.
[0015] According to one embodiment, at least in the arch region of the device, the protrusions are shaped and arranged in such a way that a 50% reduction in their height causes them to spread out which fills the volume between each of them in a proportion of at least 90%.
[0016] According to one embodiment, the protrusions are made of a material having a Shore A hardness of between 5 and 40 measured in accordance with ISO 48-4. According to one embodiment, the protrusions have an increasing height as they approach the maximum arch zone of the plantar arch.
[0017] According to one embodiment, the growths have, between their base and their top, a constant or variable height of between 1.5 mm and 25 mm.
[0018] According to one embodiment, the device is intended to also cover the heel and the sole of the foot and comprises protrusions at least in a region of the forefoot corresponding to the metatarsophalangeal line, and at least around the perimeter of the heel.
[0019] According to one embodiment, the protrusions are of a substantially hemispherical shape and have a height of between 0.25 times and 2.5 times the width of their base. This sizing may be provided, in certain embodiments, at least in the arch region of the foot.
[0020] According to one embodiment, at least in the arch region of the device, the spacing between two protrusions is between 0.1 times and 0.5 times the width of the protrusions or the average value of their respective widths if they are not identical.
[0021] According to one embodiment, the protrusions are made of an elastomeric material.
[0022] According to one embodiment, the protrusions are made of a material chosen from the group comprising Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene, a silicone gel, in particular PolyDimethylSiloxane, a Polyurethane foam, an Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate foam, Polyvinyl chloride and EPDM rubber.
[0023] According to one embodiment, the device comprises a base intended to support at least the heel and the arch of the foot, and a flexible layer assembled on the rigid base and in which the protrusions are formed.
[0024] According to one embodiment, the base is thermoformable at a temperature between 60° and 80° C. According to one embodiment, the base is made of a material included in the group comprising Poly Cyclohexylenedimethylene Terephthalate Glycol, Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycolized, Polycaprolactone, polylactide type polyester, ethylene vinyl acetate, Polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene and a thermoformable resin.
[0025] Embodiments also relate to a method of manufacturing and shaping a device as described above, comprising an initial step of manufacturing the device at the end of which the base has a determined shape, and a step of thermoforming the base to adapt its arch region to the shape of a user's foot, the thermoforming step comprising the steps of bringing the device to a thermoforming temperature, for example by immersion in boiling water, applying the device against the foot while it is still hot and still within a thermoforming temperature range, and exerting pressure under the device, in the arch region, to thermoform the device to the shape of the arch.
[0026] Embodiments also relate to a method of manufacturing a device as described above, by bi-material injection into a mold comprising a first impression intended to receive by injection a material forming the base of the device, and a second impression receiving, after injection of the base, a material forming the flexible layer.
[0027] Embodiments also relate to a method of massaging the foot for non-therapeutic purposes, by means of a device intended to be arranged under all or part of the foot and at least under the arch of the foot, the device comprising a front face intended to be in contact with the foot, the method comprising providing, on the front face of the device, a plurality of non-hollow protrusions intended to come into contact with the arch of the foot to exert pressure thereon capable of improving venous return, each protrusion having a base, a top, a height and a shape determining the volume occupied by the protrusion, the protrusions being made of a flexible, incompressible or moderately compressible material having a Poisson's ratio greater than 0.30,and being shaped and arranged in such a way that their flattening causes a spreading of these which fills all or part of the volume between each of them and significantly increases the surface area of the device in contact with the foot, the method comprising a first phase of ejection of the blood by localized pressure of each outgrowth on the area of the foot opposite which it is located, and a second phase of ejection of the blood after deformation of the outgrowths under the effect of the pressure exerted by the foot, the compressed outgrowths together forming an increased surface area which exerts venous return pressure on areas of the foot not stressed during the first phase of ejection of the blood.,
[0028] According to one embodiment, the method comprises providing, at least in one region of the device, shaped protrusions arranged in such a way that a 50% reduction in their height causes them to spread out, filling the volume between each of them in a proportion of at least 60%.
[0029] According to one embodiment, the method comprises providing at least in the arch region of the device, shaped protrusions arranged in such a way that a 50% reduction in their height causes them to spread out which fills the volume between each of them in a proportion of at least 90%.
[0030] According to one embodiment, the protrusions are made of a material having a Shore A hardness of between 5 and 40 measured in accordance with standard ISO 48-4.
[0031] According to one embodiment, the growths are given an increasing height as they approach the zone of maximum arch of the plantar arch.
[0032] According to one embodiment, the growths are given, between their base and their top, a constant or variable height of between 1.5 mm and 25 mm.
[0033] According to one embodiment, the device is intended to also cover the heel and the sole of the foot, the method also comprising providing protrusions at least in a region of the forefoot corresponding to the metatarsophalangeal line, and at least around the perimeter of the heel. According to one embodiment, the protrusions are given a substantially hemispherical shape and a height of between 0.25 times and 2.5 times the width of their base.
[0034] According to one embodiment, there is provided between two protrusions, at least in the arch region of the device, a spacing of between 0.1 times and 0.5 times the width of the protrusions or the average value of their respective widths if they are not identical.
[0035] According to one embodiment, the protrusions are made of an elastomeric material.
[0036] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0037] Examples of embodiments of a massage device and method will be described in the following without limitation in relation to the attached figures among which:
[0038] - figure 1 is a partial sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the device,
[0039] - figure 2 shows the device of figure 1 in front of a part of the foot,
[0040] - figure 3 shows a first phase of support of the foot on the device of figure 1,
[0041] - figure 4 shows a second phase of support of the foot on the device of figure 1,
[0042] - figure 5 and figure 6 illustrate a method of calculating the dimensioning of the device of figure 1,
[0043] - figure 7 shows an example of embodiment of the device of figure 1,
[0044] - figure 8 shows an example of application of the device of figure 1 to the production of a sole,
[0045] - figure 9 shows the sole of figure 8 in a right profile view,
[0046] - figure 10 shows the sole of figure 8 in a left profile view,
[0047] - figure 11 shows another example of application of the device of figure 1, and - figure 12 illustrates a method of manufacturing the sole of figure
[0048] 8.
[0049] DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0050] The plantar pump ensures the return to the heart of the blood contained in the venous sole, by crushing the soft tissues of the foot when the body weight is applied to the foot. From an anatomical point of view, the foot can in fact be seen as a "reservoir" for the blood network, located at the end of the lower limbs, because it is crossed by a particularly developed superficial and deep venous network, mainly at the level of the plantar sole, commonly called "venous sole". The two mechanisms of plantar pump and muscular pump act in coordination with phases of the gait, and the initiation of the venous return of the lower limbs is carried out by the activation of the plantar pump when the foot comes into contact with the ground and supports the weight of the body. The crushing of the soft tissues of the plantar sole allows the blood to be expelled from the venous sole towards the upper part of the foot and the leg.This initiation occurs from the attack phase of the step until the takeoff phase of the contralateral foot. The foot muscle pump then takes over and is directly followed by the calf muscle pump. The contraction of the muscles necessary for stabilizing the foot, then of the muscles necessary for propelling the body forward, in particular the foot muscles and the calf muscles, causes a crushing of the veins running through these muscles. This action allows blood to be expelled from the foot to the calf and then to the upper parts of the leg. This phenomenon takes place from the middle of a simple support phase until the takeoff of the foot. During a so-called swing phase, the venous sole fills again with blood through the action of gravity and the centrifugal force generated by the movement of the leg.
[0051] It is known that massaging the sole of the foot can limit venous stasis by effectively compressing the veins to circulate blood. However, a massage cannot be administered to a person while they are going about their daily activities, and requires the intervention of a third party. A massage device is proposed herein designed to exert localized pressure movements at several points of the sole of the foot followed by displacements of the pressure points, as is done during a manual massage, in order to expel blood from the soft tissues more effectively than known devices. Such a device is primarily intended to be arranged under the arch of the foot, but can also be used to act on other areas of the foot.
[0052] An example of such a device 10 is illustrated in Figure 1 by a partial sectional view. The device 10 is intended to be placed under all or part of the foot and at least under the arch of the foot. It comprises a layer 11 of a flexible and incompressible or moderately compressible material, the front face of which comprises a plurality of protrusions 12 intended to come into contact with the sole of the foot to exert pressure thereon capable of improving venous return. Each protrusion 12 has a base 120 (represented by a dotted line), a top 121, a height h and a shape, here hemispherical, which determines the volume occupied by the protrusion for a given height h thereof.
[0053] The protrusions 12 have, between their base and their top, a constant or variable height h, preferably between 1.5 mm and 5 mm, but which can, in certain embodiments, reach 25 mm. In the embodiment shown, the protrusions 12 are of the same height. Due to the flexibility of the material forming the layer 11, the protrusions 12 are perceived as “soft” when pressed with the finger. They are shaped and arranged in such a way that their flattening under the action of the foot causes a spreading of these which fills all or part of the empty volume between each of them and significantly increases the surface area of the device 10 in contact with the foot. More particularly, the function of the protrusions 12 is to use the weight of the user to perform an action similar to a massage of the plantar sole, as will be better understood by referring to Figures 2 to 4.
[0054] Figure 2 shows the device 10 at a time when the foot 5 is not yet exerting pressure on the outgrowths 12. Figure 3 shows the device 10 at a time when the foot 5 begins to crush the outgrowths 12 and Figure 4 shows the device 10 at a time when the foot 5 exerts a maximum crushing force on the outgrowths 12. In these figures, the reference 52 designates the soft tissues of the plantar sole 51 and the reference 53 designates the bony structure of the foot 5, which is covered by the soft tissues 52. The venous sole 50 is represented diagrammatically by a horizontal vein 50a extending into the soft tissues 52, and by a set of vertical veins 50b going up towards the heart.
[0055] The function of the protrusions 12 is to locally compress the soft tissues 52 of the plantar sole, quite deeply at first, as would be done during a massage by pressing the finger on an area to be massaged. In a second step, their low hardness, which is preferably adapted to the hardness of the soft tissues, allows them to flatten and spread under the prolonged action of the body weight and to "drive" the blood located between the protrusions 12 from the soft tissues, as would be done during a massage by moving the finger.
[0056] Thus, after the pre-support phase of figure 2, the device 10 implements the following phases:
[0057] - a first phase of ejection of blood by localized pressure of each outgrowth 12 on the area of the foot opposite which it is located, illustrated in figure 3, then
[0058] - a second phase of ejection of the blood after deformation of the outgrowths 12 under the effect of the pressure exerted by the foot, illustrated in figure 4.
[0059] During the second phase, the protrusions 12 flatten and spread out, filling all or part of the space between each of them. This spreading significantly increases the surface area of the device 10 in contact with the foot, such that the compressed protrusions together form an increased surface area which exerts venous return pressure on areas of the foot not stressed during the first phase of blood ejection, as shown by arrows.
[0060] By means of the device 10, each surface portion of the plantar sole 51 is compressed during the second phase, to eject the blood residing therein. Such a massage effect cannot be obtained with protrusions that flex under the effect of pressure and cause a massage effect unrelated to that described here, with in addition an unpleasant floating effect under the foot. Indeed, conventional flexing protrusions generate a localized static pressure which lacks a deformation to expel the blood located between such protrusions. The massage action performed by each protrusion 12 opposite the area of the foot facing it is therefore analyzed as the combination of a localized pressure followed by a displacement. Such a displacement makes it possible to better "expel" the blood from the soft tissues and veins, and significantly improves the effectiveness of the massage of the plantar pump compared to known massage devices.
[0061] Various parameters that can be taken into account by those skilled in the art for the implementation of the device 10 will now be discussed, in particular the flexibility of the material forming the protrusions, the compressibility of the material forming the protrusions, the nature of the material forming the protrusions, the shape of the protrusions, the arrangement and spacing between the protrusions, and the height of the protrusions.
[0062] To achieve the deep massage effect just described, the material forming the layer 11 must be neither too hard nor too soft. A soft material would crush too quickly and would not penetrate the soft tissues 52 of the sole of the foot. Conversely, a material that is too hard would easily penetrate the soft tissues 52 but would not spread out to form the aforementioned increased surface area, which exerts venous return pressure on areas of the foot not stressed during the first phase of blood ejection. Thus, a soft material but having a harderness greater than that of the soft tissues will preferably be chosen.According to tests and calculations carried out by the applicant, a material having a Shore A hardness of between 5 and 60, preferably between 5 and 40, measured in accordance with ISO 48-4, makes it possible to apply effective deformation to the plantar sole during the first phase of blood ejection, while being able to spread during the second phase of blood ejection.
[0063] Furthermore, to obtain the above-mentioned increased surface area exerting venous return pressure on areas of the foot not stressed during the first phase of blood ejection, the material forming the layer 11 must not be too compressible, otherwise the protrusions 12 would not spread to fill all or part of the space between each of them. Thus, ideally, for maximum spreading, the material forming the layer must be perfectly incompressible, and therefore have a Poisson's ratio equal to 0.5. Such a material does not exist in practice, although certain ideally isotropic polymers approach this value. According to tests and calculations carried out by the applicant, a material having a Poisson's ratio greater than 0.30 (i.e. a compression ratio of less than 50%) makes it possible to implement the device in conjunction with a judicious choice of the shape of the protrusions.For example, if the Poisson's ratio of the material used is closer to 0.3 than to 0.5, it may be advantageous to give the growths a shape allowing them to occupy the largest possible volume for a given height h and a given width I of their base, in order to take into account their partial compressibility.
[0064] A variety of materials are likely to meet the implementation requirements of the device 10 in terms of flexibility and low compressibility. In one embodiment, the layer 11 is made with an elastomer material. More generally, and according to studies carried out by the applicant, a material selected from the following list of materials may be retained:
[0065] - Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene, or “SEBS”
[0066] - a silicone gel, in particular PolyDimethylSiloxane or “PDMS”,
[0067] - a Polyurethane or “PU” foam,
[0068] - an Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate or “EVA” foam,
[0069] - Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer rubber known as “EPDM”,
[0070] - Polyvinyl chloride.
[0071] To obtain the desired massage effect, the flattening and spreading of the growths must fill all or part of the space between each of them, to obtain the increased surface area which exerts venous return pressure on areas of the foot not stressed during the first phase of blood ejection. Thus, in addition to providing a material which is not too compressible, too much space must not be left between each growth, otherwise they will not be able to fill the empty volume which separates them. Theoretical calculations or simulations of calculating the occupation of the empty volume in different situations of crushing of the growths, can allow the person skilled in the art to determine the optimal spacing between them, depending on:
[0072] - the form given to them,
[0073] - the compressibility and hardness of the material used,
[0074] - and for a determined crushing of these.
[0075] It will be noted here that this shape can be very variable if the constraints previously described are respected. Thus, in addition to the hemispherical shape which is easy to produce industrially, the person skilled in the art will be able to provide outgrowths of cylindrical shape, pyramidal with round base, triangular or square, half-ellipsoid, etc.
[0076] In embodiments, however, a substantially hemispherical protrusion shape will be preferred, which can be defined by a height of between 0.25 times and 2.5 times the width of the base of the protrusion, i.e. a shape having a rounded top whose ratio between the height and the width does not exceed the aforementioned limit of 2.5 so that the protrusion does not buckle (i.e. bend) under the pressure exerted by the foot.
[0077] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate an example of a mathematical approach for determining optimal spacing between hemispherical protrusions of the same size and equidistant. In these figures, "D" is the distance between their centers, "e" the distance separating them (edge-to-edge distance), "r" their radius, also their height h (not shown), and "I" is the width of their base, here twice their radius r. It can be written as:
[0078] D = 2 * r + e
[0079] To determine the distance "e", we assume that the empty volume between the growths must be completely filled when they are partially crushed, and we assume that they are made of a quasi-incompressible material. According to this hypothesis, we seek a distance "e" such that the volume occupied by the growths is equal to the empty volume 15 which separates them. The equality of the volumes leads to the following equality:
[0080] Here we recognize a second degree equation involving three parameters a, b, c: cr 2 + br + a = 0
[0081] We deduce from this:
[0082] A = b 2 - 4ac
[0083] A > 0 e = 0.19 r
[0084] Let approximately e = 0.2 r
[0085] This example shows that with a distance equal to 0.2 times their radius, or 0.1 times the width "I" of their base, the outgrowths can fill the entire volume of void which separates them when they are subjected to a determined crushing, the effect of which is such that the material which constitutes them is distributed over the entire surface of layer 11.
[0086] According to another approach, we consider a crushing of the growths corresponding to a determined reduction in their height, for example a reduction of 50% in their height, and we seek a spacing between the growths corresponding to a filling rate lower than 100% of the empty volume separating them, when they are crushed with a reduction of 50% in their height. Indeed, obtaining the targeted massage effect does not necessarily require that there remain no empty space in the increased surface which exerts venous return pressure on areas of the foot not used during the first phase of blood ejection.
[0087] Thus, according to an approach recommended by the applicant, the growths or a portion of them are shaped and arranged in such a way that a 50% reduction in their height causes them to spread out, filling the volume between each of them by at least 60%. In a preferred embodiment, the filling of this volume is at least 90% in the arch region, for a 50% reduction in the height of the growths.
[0088] Calculations carried out using this approach show that with hemispherical or substantially hemispherical growths, the spacing between two growths should preferably be between 0.1 times and 0.5 times the width of the growths or the average value of their respective widths if they are not identical.
[0089] As indicated above, the protrusions 12 of the device 10 are intended to be arranged at least under the arch of the foot. In the absence of pressure from the foot, the protrusions must be in contact with the foot or very close to the foot in order to initiate, from the first pressure of the foot on the ground, the first phase of ejection of the blood illustrated in Figure 3. In other words, the apexes 121 of the protrusions 12 extending under the arch of the foot, or of a majority of them, must be in contact with the foot or be very close to the foot. For this purpose, several embodiments of the device can be envisaged.
[0090] In a first embodiment, the layer 11 is assembled on a rigid base of flat shape, not thermoformable, intended to support at least the heel and the arch of the foot, and optionally the forefoot. In this case, the protrusions have an increasing height as they approach the zone of maximum arch of the arch of the foot, so that the top of each is as close as possible to the soft tissues of the arch of the foot.
[0091] In a second embodiment, the layer 11 is assembled on a rigid base of flat but thermoformable shape, intended to support at least the heel and the arch of the foot, and optionally the forefoot. In this case, the protrusions can all be of the same height if the rigid base is then thermoformed to fit the shape of a user's foot. The top of each protrusion will in this case be very close to the soft tissues of the arch of the user thanks to the shape given to the base.
[0092] In a third embodiment, the layer 11 is assembled on a rigid or non-rigid base, which has been previously thermoformed to fit the shape of a user's foot. This may be a sole that has been custom-made from the imprint of a foot, for example an orthopedic sole made by a podiatrist, made of cork, foam or high-density latex. In this case, the growths may, as previously, all be of the same height, unless the doctor wishes to treat a particular area of the arch of the foot.
[0093] Various other embodiments may be provided by combining the aforementioned embodiments. For example, the layer 11 may be associated with a rigid base of anatomical shape, thermoformable or having been thermoformed from a model of the arch-type curvature of the foot, without specifically adjusting it to the shape of the foot of a given user (generic anatomical shape). In this case the protrusions may also have an increasing height as they approach the zone of maximum curvature of the arch of the foot, but to a lesser extent than in the first embodiment.
[0094] An exemplary embodiment of the device 10 is shown in Figure 7 by a top view. In this embodiment, the layer 11 is intended to cover the heel and the forefoot in addition to the arch of the foot, i.e. the entire foot with the exception here of a central area of the heel. The layer 11 is here provided with hemispherical-shaped protrusions. Thus, the protrusions which appear seen from above as having a wider base than the others, are protrusions of greater height.
[0095] The layer 11 comprises a first set of protrusions 12 which have an increasing height as they approach the zone of maximum arch of the plantar arch, and a second set of protrusions 13 which extend over an area corresponding to the periphery of the heel. The height of the protrusions 13 increases as they approach the periphery of the zone surrounding the heel, without however reaching the same height as the protrusions 12 located opposite the zone of maximum arch of the plantar arch. The layer 1 also comprises protrusions 14 in a region of the forefoot corresponding to the metatarsophalangeal line, having along this line a row of protrusions 14 higher than those of adjacent rows, but lower than the protrusions 12 located opposite the zone of maximum arch of the plantar arch.Finally, layer 11 comprises a plurality of other lesser growths on the rest of its surface, the “massaging” effect of which is less than that of growths 12, 13, 14 without however being able to be considered as without interest.
[0096] Figures 8, 9 and 10 illustrate respectively by a bottom view, a right profile view and a left profile view an example of application of the device to the production of a sole 30. The sole 30 comprises the layer 11 of Figure 7 assembled on a rigid base 20. The base 20 covers the heel and the arch of the foot without covering the forefoot region. It optionally comprises an orifice 21 in a central region of the heel through which the layer 11 can be seen, corresponding to the part of the layer 11 without any protrusion (Fig. 13). The rigid base 20 here has an anatomical shape and has been preformed or molded so as to correspond to a generic foot shape. It thus has a surface for receiving the layer 11 which is not flat and which notably comprises a raised part 22 in the arch region of the foot.Here, a raising of the layer 11 by means of the base 20 in the arch region is therefore combined, and an increase in the height of the protrusions 12 in this same area. In certain embodiments, the base shape 20 can further be adjusted by thermoforming for a perfect fit to the foot of a user.
[0097] In a variant shown in Figure 11, the layer 11 only comprises protrusions of the same shape and height 12. The layer 11 is then associated with a rigid base of anatomical shape which preferably has a greater arch in the arch region than the base 20 of the sole shown in Figures 8 to 10 and which can also, in certain embodiments, be adjusted by thermoforming to the shape of the foot of a given user.
[0098] In an advantageous embodiment, the rigid base 20 is thermoformable at a temperature between 60° and 80° C and is adjusted to the shape of a user's foot according to a simple and inexpensive method. According to this method, a sole 30 of the type shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 is first industrially manufactured, by giving the base 20 a substantially flat shape or an anatomical shape having curvatures corresponding to a generic shape of the foot. If the base has a flat shape or if its generic anatomical shape does not perfectly suit the user, the base 20 is thermoformed by the user himself to finely adjust it to his foot. This step is carried out by the user in the following manner:
[0099] - the sole 30 is brought to a thermoforming temperature of the base 20, for example by immersing it in boiling water,
[0100] - the user applies the sole against his foot while it is still hot and is still within a thermoforming temperature range of the base 20, for example a temperature between 60 and 80°,
[0101] - the user then exerts pressure under the base 20, in the arch region, to give it the shape of the arch of his foot. Tests have shown that it is not necessary to protect the user's foot by means of an isothermal sock during the thermoforming phase, if the temperature of the sole is of the order of 75°C or less. In other embodiments, the base could be thermoformed by means of a heating mold comprising the imprint of the user's foot.
[0102] The base 20 can be made using various materials, some of which can be designed to be thermoformable within the aforementioned temperature range. These include:
[0103] - Poly Cyclohexylenedimethylene Terephthalate Glycol or “PCTG”,
[0104] - Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol or “PETG”,
[0105] - Polycaprolactone or “PCL”,
[0106] - polylactide or “PLA” type polyester,
[0107] - ethylene vinyl acetate or “EVA”,
[0108] - Polyurethane or “PU”,
[0109] - polyethylene “PE”.
[0110] - polypropylene or “PP”, or
[0111] - a thermoformable resin.
[0112] In one embodiment, the sole 30 shown in Figures 8 to 10 or any other variant thereof, is manufactured by means of a two-material injection process in a two-cavity mold. This process makes it possible to produce a base 20 that is thermoformable or not and has any desired shape. It is implemented by means of a first material M1 for manufacturing the base 20 and a second material M2 for manufacturing the layer 11. Examples of such materials M1 and M2 have been given above.
[0113] A two-material injection machine is shown schematically by a sectional view in Figure 12. The machine comprises a first injection line 510 which is connected upstream to a hopper (not shown) receiving granules of the first material M1. The line 510 comprises heating collars which allow the softening of the material M1, and a rotating endless screw which pushes the softened material M1 in the pasty state towards a first injector 61. A second injection line 520, of the same structure as the first, is connected upstream to a hopper (not shown) receiving granules of the second material M2, the line 520 bringing the material M2 in the pasty state towards a second injector 62.
[0114] The machine also comprises a mold 70 comprising a first impression 71 having the desired shape of the base 20, and a second impression 72 having the desired shape of the layer 11 assembled on the base 20, i.e. the shape of the sole 30 to be manufactured. For reasons of readability of the figure, the two impressions are represented here schematically by arbitrary shapes. The mold 70 also comprises a channel 81 for injecting the material M1 into the impression 71, having an inlet connected to an outlet of the injector 61, and a channel 82 for injecting the material M2 into the impression 72, having an inlet connected to an outlet of the injector 62.
[0115] The machine also comprises a rotating part 90 equipped with sliding ejection fingers 91, 92. The rotating part 90 makes it possible to bring the base 20 into the second impression 72 once the latter has been produced by injecting material M1 into the first impression 71, so that it is covered there by the material M2. For this purpose, the rotating part 90 is moved away from the mold 70, in order to extract the base 20 from the first impression 71, then performs a half-turn rotation to bring the base 20 opposite the second impression 72, then is brought back closer to the mold 70 to insert the base 20 into the second impression 72. Although this does not appear in the figure, the rotating part 90 comprises, opposite each impression 71, 72, microcavities into which the material M1 penetrates, thus creating micro-bonds allowing the base 20 to remain attached to the rotating part 90 during its transport to the impression 72. After injection of the material
[0116] M2 in the imprint 72, the rotating part 90 is again moved away from the mold 70 and the sliding fingers 91, 92 push the base 20 forward so as to break the micro-bonds which hold it to the part 90 and thus eject the sole 30. The two materials M1, M2 being injected hot and in the pasty state, chemical bonds are formed between the base 20 and the layer 11 ensuring the cohesion of the assembly. It will be noted that the injection phases of the material M1 and the material M2 can be concomitant, which makes it possible to double the production rate, a base 20 being produced by injection while a layer 11 is injected onto a previously produced base 20, a sole 30 being ejected from the part 90 before each of its rotations.
Claims
CLAIMS 1. Foot massage device (10, 11, 20, 30), designed to be placed under all or part of the foot (5) and at least under the arch of the foot, and comprising a front face designed to be in contact with the foot, characterized in that: - the front face of the device comprises a plurality of non-hollow protrusions (12) intended to come into contact with the arch of the foot to exert pressure thereon capable of improving venous return, each protrusion having a base (120), a top (121), a height (h) and a shape determining the volume occupied by the protrusion, - the protrusions are made of a flexible, incompressible or moderately compressible material having a Poisson's ratio greater than 0.30, and are shaped and arranged in such a way that a flattening of the protrusions causes them to spread out, filling all or part of the volume between each of them and significantly increasing the surface area of the device in contact with the foot.
2. Device according to claim 1, in which at least in one region of the device, the protrusions (12) are shaped and arranged in such a way that a 50% reduction in their height causes them to spread out which fills the volume between each of them in a proportion of at least 60%.
3. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, in which at least in the arch region of the device, the protrusions (12) are shaped and arranged in such a way that a 50% reduction in their height causes them to spread out which fills the volume between each of them in a proportion of at least 90%.
4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the protrusions are made of a material having a Shore A hardness of between 5 and 40 measured in accordance with standard ISO 48-4.
5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the protrusions have a height (h) which increases as they approach the zone of maximum arch of the plantar arch.
6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the protrusions have, between their base and their top, a constant or variable height (h) of between 1.5 mm and 25 mm.
7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, intended to also cover the heel and the sole of the foot and comprising protrusions (13, 14) at least in a region of the forefoot corresponding to the metatarsophalangeal line, and at least around the perimeter of the heel.
8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the protrusions are of substantially hemispherical shape and have a height (h) of between 0.25 times and 2.5 times the width (I) of their base (120).
9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which at least in the arch region of the device, the spacing between two protrusions is between 0.1 times and 0.5 times the width (I) of the protrusions or the average value of their respective widths if they are not identical.
10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the protrusions are made of an elastomeric material.
11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which the protrusions are made of a material chosen from the group comprising: - Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene (SEBS), - a silicone gel, in particular PolyDimethylSiloxane (PDMS), - a Polyurethane (PU) foam, - an Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam, - polyvinyl chloride (PVC), - EPDM rubber.
12. Device (30) according to one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a base (20) provided to support at least the heel and the arch of the foot, and a flexible layer (11) assembled on the rigid base and in which the protrusions (12) are formed.
13. Device (30) according to claim 12, wherein the base (20) is thermoformable at a temperature between 60° and 80° C.
14. Device according to claim 13, in which the base is made of a material included in the group comprising: - Poly Cyclohexylenedimethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PCTG), - Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG), - Polycaprolactone (PCL), - polylactide polyester (PLA), - ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), - Polyurethane (PU), - polyethylene (PE), - polypropylene (PP), and - a thermoformable resin.
15. Method for manufacturing and shaping a device (30) according to one of claims 13 and 14, comprising: - an initial step of manufacturing the device (30) at the end of which the base (20) has a determined shape, and - a step of thermoforming the base (20) to adapt its arch region to the shape of a user's foot, the thermoforming step comprising the steps of: - bring the device to a thermoforming temperature, for example by immersion in boiling water, - apply the device against the foot while it is still hot and still within a thermoforming temperature range, and - apply pressure under the device, in the arch region, to thermoform the device to the shape of the arch.
16. Method for manufacturing a device according to one of claims 1 to 14, by bi-material injection (M1, M2) into a mold (70, 90) comprising a first impression (71) provided to receive by injection a material (M1) forming the base (20) of the device, and a second impression (72) receiving after injection of the base, a material (M2) forming the flexible layer.
17. A method of massaging the foot for non-therapeutic purposes, by means of a device (10, 11, 20, 30) intended to be placed under all or part of the foot and at least under the arch of the foot, the device comprising a front face intended to be in contact with the foot, characterized in that it comprises providing, on the front face of the device, a plurality of non-hollow protrusions (12) intended to come into contact with the arch of the foot to exert pressure thereon capable of improving venous return, each protrusion having a base (120), a top (121), a height (h) and a shape determining the volume occupied by the protrusion, the protrusions being made of a flexible, incompressible or moderately compressible material having a Poisson's ratio greater than 0.30,and being shaped and arranged in such a way that their flattening causes a spreading of these which fills all or part of the volume between each of them and significantly increases the surface area of the device in contact with the foot, and in that it comprises:, - a first phase of ejection of blood by localized pressure of each outgrowth on the area of the foot opposite which it is located, and - a second phase of blood ejection after deformation of the outgrowths under the effect of the pressure exerted by the foot, the compressed outgrowths together forming an increased surface which exerts venous return pressure on areas of the foot not solicited during the first phase of blood ejection.
18. Method according to claim 17, comprising the provision, at least in a region of the device, of protrusions (12) shaped and arranged in such a way that a reduction of 50% in their height causes a spreading of these which fills the volume between each of them in a proportion of at least 60%.
19. Method according to one of claims 17 and 18, comprising the provision at least in the arch region of the device, of protrusions (12) shaped and arranged in such a way that a reduction of 50% in their height causes a spreading of these which fills the volume between each of them in a proportion of at least 90%.
20. Method according to one of claims 17 to 19, in which the protrusions are made of a material having a Shore A hardness of between 5 and 40 measured in accordance with standard ISO 48-4.
21. Method according to one of claims 17 to 20, in which the growths are given an increasing height as they approach the zone of maximum arch of the arch of the foot.
22. Method according to one of claims 17 to 21, in which the growths are given, between their base and their top, a constant or variable height (h) of between 1.5 mm and 25 mm.
23. Method according to one of claims 17 to 22, in which the device is provided to also cover the heel and the sole of the foot, the method also comprising providing protrusions (13, 14) at least in a region of the forefoot corresponding to the metatarsophalangeal line, and at least around the periphery of the heel.
24. Method according to one of claims 17 to 23, in which the growths are given a substantially hemispherical shape and a height (h) of between 0.25 times and 2.5 times the width (I) of their base (120).
25. Method according to one of claims 17 to 24, in which there is provided between two protrusions, at least in the arch region of the device, a spacing of between 0.1 times and 0.5 times the width (I) of the growths or the average value of their respective widths if they are not identical.
26. Method according to one of claims 17 to 25, in which the protrusions are made of an elastomeric material.