Foot Comforting Device, and a Footwear Compressing the Same

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a foot comforting device with dynamic customization with respect to a foot of a user, and a footwear equipped with the foot comforting device. The foot comforting device comprises an insole, an arch pouch formed in an arch region of the insole. The arch pouch contains a plurality of foam beads having different dimensions. When a foot of a user is placed on the insole, the plurality of foam beads conform to an arch of the foot.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE

[0001] This non-provisional application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63 / 549,485, entitled “FOOT COMFORTING DEVICE” filed on 3 Feb. 2024.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of footwear. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a foot comforting device with dynamic customization with respect to a foot of a user, and a footwear comprising the foot comforting device.BACKGROUND

[0003] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0004] A conventional shoe insole is typically designed with the primary goal of providing comfort, which is often achieved through its elastic properties. This is usually done by incorporating materials such as Polyurethane (PU), Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA), etc. These materials are chosen specifically for their ability to offer soft, elastic support to the user's foot, enhancing comfort during use. However, the utility of a shoe insole extends beyond simply selecting a material that has inherent elasticity. For instance, while PU material offers excellent elasticity, it also has the downside of being relatively heavy, which can lead to discomfort and fatigue during prolonged use. Furthermore, PU material is prone to degradation when exposed to moisture, as it can produce powder that weakens the insole's structure, potentially leading to a loss of support and durability over time. On the other hand, EVA material, which is often used to reduce the overall weight of the insole, may offer a lighter alternative, but its lower elasticity can result in less cushioning and support. This can lead to the development of pressure points or discomfort, especially during extended wear. As a result, the process of customizing an insole goes beyond simply choosing a material based on its elasticity or weight. It involves carefully balancing various factors, such as weight, elasticity, durability, and overall foot support, to create an insole that delivers long-lasting comfort and performance, tailored to the unique needs and preferences of the user.

[0005] There are currently products available on the market, such as foot molds, which are typically used by physicians to create custom-molded plastic insoles that are shaped to fit the user's foot. While these molded plastic insoles are designed for a precise fit, they are often quite uncomfortable. This discomfort arises because the plastic insoles are rigid and do not adapt or change in response to the natural movement of the user's foot. To address this issue, some products are designed to heat the plastic insoles, temporarily increasing their flexibility so that they can mold more closely to the contours of the user's foot. Once the insole has been shaped, it cools and hardens again, attempting to provide a more personalized fit. However, even with this process, these insoles remain uncomfortable due to the inherent rigidity of the hard plastic material, which fails to offer the necessary flexibility and cushioning for prolonged comfort during use.

[0006] Efforts have been made in the past to develop insoles that are able to adapt or customize according to shape of a foot of a user. One such example are insoles provided with viscous fluids. However, such insoles are capable of mere massaging of the foot of the user, and are not suitable for regular usage for walking or running.

[0007] As previously mentioned, existing insoles have been found to be cumbersome and difficult to use, leading to a long-standing need for an improved foot comforting device or insole that can efficiently conform to the shape of a user's foot, offering a customizable solution that can reliably adapt to the feet of different users. This would enable a single insole to comfortably fit a wide variety of foot shapes, providing much-needed ease and convenience. Such a design would allow footwear to be sold with these adaptable insoles, making it possible for multiple users to try on the footwear one after the other. As the insole adjusts to the unique contours of each user's foot, it enhances the overall fit and comfort, offering a more personalized experience without the need for separate, custom insoles for each individual.OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

[0008] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.

[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cost-efficient and reliable foot comforting device capable of efficiently adapting to shape of a foot of a user, and a footwear comprising the foot comforting device.

[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a lightweight foot comforting device for providing dynamic customization in terms of efficient adaptability with respect to feet of different users.

[0011] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a foot comforting device for a footwear capable of improving comfortability and ease of use of a footwear to be worn by a user.SUMMARY

[0012] The present disclosure relates to a foot comfort device designed to provide dynamic customization of the shape of a portion of an insole in relation to the foot of a user. Specifically, an aspect of this disclosure pertains to a foot comfort device comprising an insole and an arch pouch formed in the arch region of the insole. This arch pouch contains a plurality of foam beads, each having varying dimensions or diameters. When a user's foot is placed on the insole, the foam beads conform to the arch of the foot, providing customized support.

[0013] Another aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a footwear that includes an outer sole, and a vamp coupled to the outer sole to receive a foot of a user. The vamp is adapted to cover at least a forepart of the user's foot. The footwear is equipped with a footwear comforting device configured to be arranged between the vamp and the outer sole such that the foot of the user is supported over the footwear comforting device. The footwear comforting device includes an insole, and an arch pouch formed in an arch region of the insole. The arch pouch contains a plurality of foam beads having different dimensions. When the foot of the user is placed on the insole, the plurality of foam beads conform to an arch of the foot.

[0014] In an embodiment, the insole of the foot comforting device may be placed over the outer sole. In another embodiment, the insole may be adhered at the top of the outer sole.

[0015] In an embodiment, the insole may be made of injection-molded, closed-cell Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam, which provides flexibility, durability, and cushioning.

[0016] In an embodiment, the foam beads are designed to conform to the arch of a foot belonging to a different user when placed on the insole, allowing the device to accommodate multiple users by adjusting to various foot shapes.

[0017] In an embodiment, the arch pouch is made from Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) material. The TPU is chosen for its flexibility, durability, and ability to be molded precisely to the shape of the arch region of the insole.

[0018] In an embodiment, the plurality of foam beads may be made of Polyphenylene Ether (PPE) material. The diameter of each foam bead may range from 2 mm to 5 mm, offering a balance between flexibility and structural integrity to provide optimal comfort and support for the foot.

[0019] In an embodiment, the arch pouch is sealed to the insole to prevent leakage of the foam beads and to ensure the durability and functionality of the device.

[0020] In an embodiment, the foam beads in the arch pouch may be classified into distinct sets based on their dimensions. Specifically, at least three sets of foam beads are included: a first set with a larger dimension, a second set with a medium dimension, and a third set with the smallest dimension. The third set of foam beads has a smaller diameter than the second set, and the second set has a smaller diameter than the first set. This graded bead arrangement allows for greater customization and conformance to different foot arch shapes.

[0021] In an embodiment, the third set of foam beads (the smallest) is adapted to fit into the spaces between the first and second sets of foam beads when a user's foot is placed on the arch pouch. This configuration enables a fine-tuned customization of the shape of the arch pouch to align with the user's foot arch, providing enhanced support and comfort.

[0022] In an embodiment, the foam beads within the arch pouch may move freely within the pouch based on the movement of the user's foot. This allows the shape of the arch pouch to dynamically adjust in real-time, ensuring automatic customization that aligns with the foot's natural movements and arch structure.

[0023] In an embodiment, the design of the arch pouch is such that the weight of the foot and the heel pushes the foam beads into the arch region. Additionally, the arch pouch may feature rounded corners to prevent the foam beads from getting caught in sharp edges, ensuring that the beads flow naturally and form an accurate shape of the foot's arch.

[0024] In an embodiment, the arch pouch is placed on top of the insole. This placement allows the arch pouch to make direct contact with the user's foot, offering enhanced comfort and visibility for individuals inspecting or using the device.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0026] In the figures, similar components and / or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a foot comforting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of an arch pouch of the foot comforting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the arch pouch having rounded corners in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0031] The present disclosure relates to a foot comforting device for providing dynamic customization of shape of a portion of an insole with respect to a foot of a user, and a footwear incorporating the foot comforting device. The foot comforting device provides a cost-efficient and reliable solution for dynamically adapting to shape of the foot of the user. The foot comforting device is lightweight and enables dynamic customization in terms of efficient adaptability with respect to feet of different users.

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary plan view of a foot comfort device 100 designed to enhance the comfort of a user's foot. The foot comfort device 100 may be releasably attached to various types of footwear, such as shoes, sandals, boots, slippers, or similar items. In one embodiment, the footwear may include an outer sole and a vamp that is coupled to the outer sole, forming a structure that cradles and supports the user's foot. The vamp typically covers at least the forepart of the user's foot and may extend either forward over the toes or backward to a rear seam of the footwear, depending on the footwear's design. The footwear is equipped with the foot comfort device 100, which is strategically positioned between the vamp and the outer sole. This placement ensures that the user's foot is comfortably supported above the foot comfort device 100, enhancing overall foot support and cushioning. In some embodiments, the foot comfort device 100 may be seamlessly integrated into the outer sole of the footwear, becoming a permanent component of the footwear.

[0033] The foot comforting device 100 includes an insole 102, and an arch pouch 104 formed in an arch region of the insole 102 to provide comfortable and dynamic cushioning and support of a lateral arch of the foot of the user. The arch pouch 104 may be placed in the arch region formed on top of the insole 102. The insole 102 may be made of an injection molded closed cell Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam. The insole 102 may be provided with a rounded semi-circular cut-out in the place of its arch portion, to accommodate the arch pouch 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the insole 102 may include a bottom portion that makes contact with an outer sole of the footwear. This bottom portion may be made from EVA foam, Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) foam, or other similar foam materials.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 2, where a plan view of the arch pouch 104 of the foot comforting device 100 is shown. The arch pouch 104 contains a plurality of foam beads 106 having different dimensions. When the foot of the user is placed on the insole 102, the plurality of foam beads 106 move in accordance with a load of the foot to dynamically conform to an arch of the foot, thereby providing dynamic customization of the foot comforting device 100 according to movement of the foot of the user and providing additional comfort and cushioning to the foot of the user. The foam beads 106 may move within the arch pouch to conform to the arch of the foot of another user, when the foot of the other user is placed on the insole 102. Unlike conventional insoles, the foam beads 106 move within the arch pouch 104 while adapting to even slight movement of the foot or change in pressure exerted by the foot on the arch pouch 104. To this effect, the foot comforting device 100 is capable of providing dynamic customization with respect to its adaptability to movement of the foot of the user. The dynamic customization feature of the foot comforting device 100 corresponds to dynamic change as well as adaptability of shape of the insole 102 and the arch pouch 104 with movement of the foot. In an example, once the insole 102 and the arch pouch 104 are shaped to the foot of the user, they conform to the specified shape even when the foot has shifted as a result of running or walking of the user. In another example, when the insole 102 and the arch pouch 104 are shaped to the user's foot, they are adapted to conform to the specified shape even if the insole 102 and the arch pouch 104 previously used in a first shoe are put in another shoe that are shaped differently that the first shoe.

[0035] The arch pouch 104 may be made up of a strong and flexible material, and may be shaped to the arch region of the insole 102. In an exemplary embodiment, the arch pouch 104 may be formed of TPU material. The arch pouch 104 may be sealed to the insole 102, to prevent egress of the foam beads 106 from the arch pouch 104. At least a top portion and / or a bottom portion of the arch pouch 104 may be made of a transparent material for easy display of movement of the foam beads 106 therewithin to the user. The arch pouch 104 may be filled with the foam beads 106 having a pre-determined density to provide sufficient stability to hold the shape of the foot of the user, while still being soft enough to provide sufficient comfort and flexibility to the foot. The arch pouch 104 may be formed to be extremely strong yet soft enough to enable the user to feel movement of the foam beads 106 during their dynamic shaping with respect to the user's foot.

[0036] The foam beads 106 may be formed of Polyphenylene Ether (PPE) material, and a diameter / dimension of each of the foam beads 106 may range from 2 mm to 5 mm. The foam beads 106 may include at least a first set of foam beads 202 having a first dimension, a second set 204 of foam beads having a second dimension and a third set of foam beads 206 having a third dimension. The third dimension may be smaller than the second dimension. The second dimension may be smaller than the first dimension. The third set of foam beads 206 having the third dimension may automatically get pushed between spaces formed between the first set of foam beads 202 and the second set of foam beads 204, when the arch of the foot of the user is placed on the arch pouch 104, to enable customization of shape of the arch pouch 104 with respect to the arch of the foot.

[0037] The arch pouch 104 may include one or more rounded corners 302, as shown in FIG. 3, to prevent the foam beads 106 from getting caught in sharp edges thereof, and allow the foam beads 106 to flow naturally and form an accurate shape of the foot arch of the user. In an exemplary embodiment, the third set of foam beads 206 may be adapted to fit into interstitial spaces between the first set of foam beads 202 and the second set of foam beads 204 when the user's foot is placed on the arch pouch 104. The foam beads 106 may move within the arch pouch 104 based on movement of the foot of user to allow automatic customization of shape of the arch pouch 104 with respect to the arch of the foot. The dimensions of the foam beads106 may be selected to be either smaller or larger, provided they are capable of pushing the third set of foam beads 206, with the smallest diameter, into the crevices / spaces between the first and second sets of foam beads 202 and 204.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the foam beads 106 may be formed of any or a combination of soft foam beads or dense / hard foam beads, which can move within the arch pouch 104 in accordance with movement of the user's foot over the arch pouch 104, to dynamically conform to the user's foot arch and improve comfort and cushioning provided to the user's foot.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the foam beads 106 may be made of either soft foam beads, dense / hard foam beads, or a combination of both. These foam beads 106 are designed to move within the arch pouch 104 in response to the movement of the user's foot. This movement enhances the comfort and cushioning provided to the foot of the user.

[0040] The arch pouch 104 may be adapted such that the foam beads 106 move within the arch pouch arch pouch 104 based on movement of the foot and heel of the user, to allow automatic customization of shape of the arch pouch 104 with respect to the arch of the user's foot. The foam beads 106 may be configured to move freely within the arch pouch 104 based on movement of arch of the user's foot, to enable the arch pouch 104 to automatically adjust to the movement of the foot arch.

[0041] Thus, the foot comforting device 100 is capable of providing a comfortable, flexible and dynamically customizable experience to feet of different users by allowing automatic movement of the foam beads 106 within the arch pouch 104 based on shapes of different foot of the users. Thus, the foot comforting device 100 improves comfortability and ease of use of a footwear to be worn by the user.

[0042] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. A foot comforting device, comprising:an insole; andan arch pouch formed in an arch region of the insole, the arch pouch containing a plurality of foam beads having different dimensions, wherein when a foot of a user is placed on the insole, the plurality of foam beads conform to an arch of the foot.

2. The foot comforting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insole is made of an injection molded closed cell Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam.

3. The foot comforting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of foam beads conform to an arch of a foot of another user, when the foot of the other user is placed on the insole.

4. The foot comforting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arch pouch is formed of Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material, and is shaped to the arch region of the insole.

5. The foot comforting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of foam beads are formed of Polyphenylene Ether (PPE) material, and a diameter of each of the plurality of foam beads ranges from 2 mm to 5 mm.

6. The foot comforting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arch pouch is sealed to the insole.

7. The foot comforting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of foam beads comprise at least a first set of foam beads having a first dimension, a second set of foam beads having a second dimension and a third set of foam beads having a third dimension, wherein the third dimension is smaller than the second dimension, and the second dimension is smaller than the first dimension.

8. The foot comforting device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the third set of foam beads having the third dimension get pushed between spaces formed between the first set of foam beads and the second set of foam beads, when the foot of the user is placed on the arch pouch, to enable customization of shape of the arch pouch with respect to the arch of the foot.

9. The foot comforting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of foam beads move within the arch pouch based on movement of the foot of the user to allow automatic customization of shape of the arch pouch with respect to the arch of the foot of the user.

10. The foot comforting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of foam beads are adapted to move freely within the arch pouch based on movement of arch of the foot of the user, to enable the arch pouch to automatically adjust to the movement of the arch of the foot of the user.

11. The foot comforting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arch pouch comprises one or more rounded corners to prevent the plurality of foam beads from getting caught in sharp edges and allow the plurality of foam beads to flow naturally and form an accurate shape of the arch of the foot of the user.

12. The foot comforting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arch pouch is placed on top of the insole.

13. A footwear, comprising:an outer sole;a vamp coupled to the outer sole to receive a foot of a user, and adapted to cover at least a forepart of the foot;a footwear comforting device configured to be arranged between the vamp and the outer sole such that the foot of the user is supported over the footwear comforting device, wherein the footwear comforting device comprises:an insole; andan arch pouch formed in an arch region of the insole, the arch pouch containing a plurality of foam beads having different dimensions, wherein when the foot of the user is placed on the insole, the plurality of foam beads conform to an arch of the foot.

14. The footwear as claimed in claim 13, wherein the insole of the foot comforting device is placed over the outer sole, and is made of an injection molded closed cell Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam.

15. The footwear as claimed in claim 13, wherein the arch pouch the arch pouch is placed on top of the insole, and is formed of Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material, and is shaped to the arch region of the insole.

16. The footwear as claimed in claim 13, wherein the plurality of foam beads are formed of Polyphenylene Ether (PPE) material, and a diameter of each of the plurality of foam beads ranges from 2 mm to 5 mm.

17. The footwear as claimed in claim 13, wherein:the plurality of foam beads comprise at least a first set of foam beads having a first dimension, a second set of foam beads having a second dimension and a third set of foam beads having a third dimension, wherein the third dimension is smaller than the second dimension, and the second dimension is smaller than the first dimension,the third set of foam beads having the third dimension get pushed between spaces formed between the first set of foam beads and the second set of foam beads, when the foot of the user is placed on the arch pouch, to enable customization of shape of the arch pouch with respect to the arch of the foot.

18. The footwear as claimed in claim 13, wherein the plurality of foam beads move within the arch pouch based on movement of the foot of the user to allow automatic customization of shape of the arch pouch with respect to the arch of the foot of the user.

19. The footwear as claimed in claim 13, wherein the plurality of foam beads are adapted to move freely within the arch pouch based on movement of arch of the foot of the user, to enable the arch pouch to automatically adjust to the movement of the arch of the foot of the user.

20. The footwear as claimed in claim 13, wherein the arch pouch comprises one or more rounded corners to prevent the plurality of foam beads from getting caught in sharp edges and allow the plurality of foam beads to flow naturally and form an accurate shape of the arch of the foot of the user.

Images