Outsoles and footwear

Abstract

To provide an outsole 8 which has excellent grip performance on wet ground and is not easily contracted even when left in a high temperature environment for a long period of time. [Solution] Fishing shoes 2 have a main part 4, a hook-and-loop fastener 6, and an outsole 8. The outsole 8 is attached to the main part 4 via the hook-and-loop fastener 6. The main part 4 includes an upper 10, an insole 12, and a midsole 14. The outsole 8 includes a foam layer 22, a reinforcing layer 24, a buffer layer 26, and a plurality of anti-slip members 28. The reinforcing layer 24 has better heat resistance and non-shrinkage than the foam layer 22.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This specification discloses an outsole for footwear. In particular, this specification discloses an outsole having a foam layer. [Background technology]

[0002] Anglers walk while wearing fishing shoes. Repeated use causes wear to the soles of the fishing shoes. JP 2014-27971 A discloses fishing shoes in which the outsole is attached to the midsole with a hook-and-loop fastener. In these fishing shoes, the worn out outsole is removed from the midsole. A new outsole is attached to the midsole. Replacing the outsole in this way contributes to the life of the fishing shoes.

[0003] Fishing shoes with foam outsoles are known, and these have excellent grip on wet ground. Replaceable foam outsoles are also known. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-27971 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When a foam outsole is placed in a high temperature environment for a long period of time, the outsole shrinks, making it difficult to attach the outsole to the midsole after shrinkage.

[0006] The applicant's intention is to provide an outsole that has excellent grip performance on wet ground and is resistant to shrinkage even when left in a high-temperature environment for a long period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present specification discloses an outsole for footwear that includes a foam layer and a reinforcing layer. The reinforcing layer has better heat resistance and non-shrinkage than the foam layer. The outsole is attached to and detached from a main part including an upper. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In this outsole, the foam layer contributes to grip performance on wet ground. In this outsole, the reinforcing layer suppresses shrinkage of the outsole in high-temperature environments. This outsole has excellent grip performance and non-shrinkage. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a fishing shoe including an outsole according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fishing boot of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fishing shoe of FIG. 1 taken along the width direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the portion indicated by reference numeral IV in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[0011] 1-4 show fishing shoes 2 as an example of footwear. In these figures, the symbol X represents the width direction of the fishing shoes 2, the symbol Y represents the length direction of the fishing shoes 2, and the symbol Z represents the height direction of the fishing shoes 2. The fishing shoes 2 have a main part 4, a hook-and-loop fastener 6, and an outsole 8.

[0012] The main part 4 includes an upper 10 , an insole 12 and a midsole 14 .

[0013] The upper 10 contacts the instep and ankle of the angler. The upper 10 is typically made of woven fabric. The upper 10 may also be made of synthetic resin, cross-linked rubber, synthetic leather, etc.

[0014] The insole 12 is housed in the space formed by the upper 10 and the midsole 14. The insole 12 rests on top of the midsole 14. The insole 12 is a polymer foam. A typical base polymer for this foam is ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA).

[0015] The midsole 14 is made of a crosslinked rubber composition. A rubber with excellent strength is used for the midsole 14. Preferred examples of rubber include natural rubber, polybutadiene, and styrene-butadiene copolymer. The midsole 14 is bonded to the upper 10 with an adhesive. The midsole 14 may be made of a synthetic resin. The midsole 14 has a rib 16 on its periphery.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 4, the hook and loop fastener 6 has a hook piece 18 (first piece) and a loop piece 20 (second piece). Although not shown, the hook piece 18 has a plurality of hooks, and the loop piece 20 has a plurality of loops. Each hook engages with a loop. The hook piece 18 is bonded to the midsole 14 with an adhesive. The loop piece 20 is bonded to the outsole 8 with an adhesive. The hook piece 18 (second piece) may be bonded to the outsole 8, and the loop piece 20 (first piece) may be bonded to the midsole 14. A typical hook and loop fastener 6 is Magic Tape (registered trademark) manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd. As is clear from FIGS. 2 and 3, the rib 16 of the midsole 14 extends below the hook and loop fastener 6.

[0017] The outsole 8 is laminated to the midsole 14 by a hook-and-loop fastener 6. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper part of the outsole 8 is surrounded by a rib 16. The rib 16 prevents the outsole 8 from unintentionally separating from the midsole 14. As shown in FIG. 4, the outsole 8 has a foam layer 22, a reinforcing layer 24, a cushioning layer 26, and a plurality of anti-slip members 28.

[0018] The foam layer 22 is a polymer molded body containing numerous tiny bubbles. This foam layer 22 prevents the fishing shoes 2 from slipping on the ground. Typical examples of base polymers for the foam layer 22 include natural rubber, polybutadiene, and styrene-butadiene copolymer. Two or more polymers may be blended. The foam layer 22 may contain closed cells or open cells. Closed cells are preferred from the viewpoints of shape recovery and non-water absorption. The bubbles can be formed by foaming a pyrolytic foaming agent. Preferred pyrolytic foaming agents include azo compounds (e.g., azodicarbonamide), nitroso compounds (e.g., dinitrosopentamethylenetetramine), triazole compounds, etc. The foam layer 22 has a ground contact surface 30. The ground contact surface 30 has numerous protrusions 32.

[0019] The expansion ratio of the foam layer 22 (the ratio of the density when bubbles are present to the density when bubbles are not present) is preferably 2.0 times or more and 30 times or less. A foam layer 22 with an expansion ratio of 2.0 times or more is lightweight. This foam layer 22 also has excellent impact absorption properties. From these viewpoints, the expansion ratio is more preferably 2.5 times or more, and particularly preferably 3.0 times or more. A foam layer 22 with an expansion ratio of 30 times or less has excellent strength. From this viewpoint, the expansion ratio is more preferably 20 times or less, and particularly preferably 15 times or less.

[0020] The composition of foam layer 22 may contain additives such as foaming aids, fillers, colorants, anti-degradants, UV absorbers, flame retardants, softeners, processing aids, crosslinking agents, bulking agents, antibacterial agents, and the like.

[0021] The reinforcing layer 24 is bonded to the foam layer 22. The bonding can be performed with an adhesive. The reinforcing layer 24 has superior heat resistance and non-shrinkage properties compared to the foam layer 22. This reinforcing layer 24 is less likely to shrink even when placed in a high-temperature environment for a long period of time. In an outsole 8 having this reinforcing layer 24, the reinforcing layer 24 suppresses deformation of the foam layer 22 caused by thermal history. A preferred material for the reinforcing layer 24 is a pulp fiber nonwoven fabric. In this reinforcing layer 24, a large number of pulp fibers are entangled.

[0022] Preferably, the reinforcing layer 24 has flexibility. Preferably, the reinforcing layer 24 has flexibility to the extent that it is deformed by the weight of the angler. This reinforcing layer 24 does not impair the comfort of the fishing shoes 2 when worn.

[0023] The cushioning layer 26 is bonded to the reinforcing layer 24. The bonding can be done with an adhesive. The cushioning layer 26 is a polymer foam. A typical base polymer for this foam is ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA). The cushioning layer 26 can absorb shock when the angler walks.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, the non-slip device 28 has a head 34 and a screw 36. The screw 36 is integral with the head 34. The screw 36 has a thread on its outer circumferential surface. The screw 36 penetrates the foam layer 22 from the contact surface 30 and further to the reinforcing layer 24. The screw 36 is screwed into the reinforcing layer 24, thereby firmly fixing the non-slip device 28 to the reinforcing layer 24. Preferred materials for the non-slip device 28 include metal, ceramic, and hard resin.

[0025] When the fishing shoes 2 are used, the foam layer 22 wears due to friction with the ground. As wear progresses, the loop piece 20 is peeled off from the hook piece 18. The loop piece 20 and the outsole 8 are discarded. Meanwhile, a new loop piece 20 and outsole 8 are prepared. The new loop piece 20 is joined to the hook piece 18. By this joining, the new outsole 8 is attached to the main part 4.

[0026] As described above, the reinforcing layer 24 has excellent heat resistance and non-shrinkage properties. Therefore, the outsole 8 is less likely to deform even if exposed to high temperatures while the outsole 8 is stored without being fixed to the main portion 4. The outsole 8 can be attached to the main portion 4 without any problems.

[0027] In this specification, the shrinkage percentage P1 of the reinforcing layer 24 is calculated by the following formula. P1 = (L1 - L2) / L1 × 100 In this formula, L1 represents the length of a new reinforcing layer 24. In this formula, L2 represents the length of a new reinforcing layer 24 after the reinforcing layer 24 has been held alone at a temperature of 70°C for 24 hours. From the viewpoint of suppressing deformation of the outsole 8, the shrinkage percentage P1 is preferably 7% or less, more preferably 5% or less, and particularly preferably 3% or less.

[0028] In this specification, the shrinkage ratio P2 of the foam layer 22 is calculated by the following formula. P2 = (L3 - L4) / L3 × 100 In this formula, L3 represents the length of a new foam layer 22. In this formula, L4 represents the length of the new foam layer 22 after the foam layer 22 has been held alone at a temperature of 70°C for 24 hours.

[0029] The ratio (P1 / P2) of the shrinkage percentage P1 to the shrinkage percentage P2 is preferably 0.7 or less. An outsole 8 having this ratio (P1 / P2) of 0.7 or less is excellent in both grip performance and heat non-shrinkage resistance. From this viewpoint, the ratio (P1 / P2) is more preferably 0.5 or less, and particularly preferably 0.3 or less.

[0030] The arrow T in Fig. 4 indicates the thickness of the reinforcing layer 24. From the viewpoint of suppressing deformation of the outsole 8 that depends on thermal history, the thickness T is preferably 0.5 mm or more, more preferably 0.8 mm or more, and particularly preferably 1.0 mm or more. From the viewpoint of light weight of the fishing shoes 2, the thickness T is preferably 5.0 mm or less.

[0031] [Disclosure items] Each of the following sections discloses a preferred embodiment.

[0032] [Item 1] An outsole for footwear that is attached to and detached from a main part including an upper, The outsole includes a foam layer and a reinforcing layer, The outsole has the reinforcing layer having better heat resistance and non-shrinkage than the foam layer.

[0033] [Item 2] Item 1. The outsole according to item 1, wherein a ratio (P1 / P2) of a shrinkage percentage P1 of the reinforcing layer when placed in a high-temperature environment to a shrinkage percentage P2 of the foam layer when placed in the same environment is 0.7 or less.

[0034] [Item 3] 3. The outsole according to item 1 or 2, wherein the foam layer has a tread surface.

[0035] [Item 4] Item 4. The outsole according to item 3, wherein the reinforcing layer is flexible.

[0036] [Item 5] 5. The outsole according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the material of the reinforcing layer is a pulp fiber nonwoven fabric.

[0037] [Item 6] Item 4. The outsole according to item 3, wherein the outsole further includes an anti-skid element fixed to the reinforcing layer.

[0038] [Item 7] 7. The outsole according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the outsole is attached to and detached from the main portion by a hook-and-loop fastener having a first piece attached to the main portion and a second piece attached to the outsole.

[0039] [Item 8] Footwear comprising a main part including an upper and an outsole attached to and detached from the main part, The outsole includes a foam layer and a reinforcing layer, The footwear has a heat non-shrinkage resistance superior to that of the foam layer. [Industrial Applicability]

[0040] The outsole described above is applicable to various types of footwear such as boots, tabi, waders, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 2. Fishing shoes 4. Main part 6. Hook and loop fastener 8. Outsole 10. Upper 12. Insole 14. Midsole 16 Ribs 18 Hook piece 20 Loop piece 22...Foam layer 24 Reinforcement layer 26...Buffer layer 28. Anti-slip device 30...ground plane 32...protrusion 34...head 36 screws

Claims

1. An outsole for footwear that is attached to and detached from a main part including an upper, The outsole includes a foam layer and a reinforcing layer, The outsole has the reinforcing layer having better heat resistance and non-shrinkage than the foam layer.

2. 2. The outsole according to claim 1, wherein a ratio (P1 / P2) of a shrinkage rate P1 of the reinforcing layer when placed in a high-temperature environment to a shrinkage rate P2 of the foam layer when placed in the same environment is 0.7 or less.

3. The outsole of claim 1 or 2, wherein the foam layer has a tread surface.

4. The outsole according to claim 3 , wherein the reinforcing layer is flexible.

5. 3. The outsole according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing layer is made of a pulp fiber nonwoven fabric.

6. The outsole of claim 3 , wherein the outsole further includes a cleat secured to the reinforcing layer.

7. 3. The outsole according to claim 1, wherein the outsole is attached to and detached from the main portion by a hook-and-loop fastener having a first piece attached to the main portion and a second piece attached to the outsole.

8. Footwear comprising a main part including an upper and an outsole attached to and detached from the main part, The outsole includes a foam layer and a reinforcing layer, The footwear has a heat non-shrinkage resistance superior to that of the foam layer.

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