Sole structure for a wellness shoe

Abstract

The invention relates to a sole structure (1) for a wellness shoe (18). The sole structure (1) consists of an elastic thermoplastic material, and the sole structure (1) has an insole (2), comprising a footbed, on the foot side, an outsole (3) on the outer side, and a peripheral lateral wall (19). Between the insole (2) and the outsole (3) is a midsole (24). The insole (2) has a heel portion (4), a central portion (5) with a raised medial arch portion (7), and a forefoot portion (6) with a toe region (8) and a ball region (9), wherein multiple transverse grooves (10, 10', 10'') which run completely continuously from medial to lateral are left open in the central portion (5) of the insole (2) between the heel portion (4) and the forefoot portion (6), said grooves dividing the central portion (5) into segments (11), and the segments (11) in the central portion and the transverse grooves (10, 10', 10'') are interrupted by at least one longitudinal groove (12).

Description

[0001] Sole construction for a wellness shoe

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The invention relates to a sole construction for a wellness shoe and a wellness shoe with a sole construction and an upper.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Wellness or massage shoes, which have a massaging or stretching effect on the foot when walking and standing, are well known.

[0006] W02020061466A1 describes an insole with a plurality of bladder chambers of different sizes and shapes, arranged to support different areas of the user's foot.

[0007] WO2019209642A1 describes an insole for supporting the human foot, wherein the insole comprises a footbed, a transverse arch support and a longitudinal arch support and a plurality of studs attached to the footbed, wherein the plurality of studs have different heights.

[0008] CN105768361 A discloses shoe insoles with acupuncture point massage functions. Each of the shoe insoles comprises a sole body and a plurality of massage elements, with a support plane formed on the upper surface of the sole body and a plurality of deformed holes formed in the support plane.

[0009] WO201 1028084A1 describes a massage shoe with an insole consisting of two layers of elastic material forming flexible chambers in which hard, rounded massage elements are freely located so that they can move by rolling or sliding on the smooth surface.

[0010] US 10149512B1 describes a shoe in the form of a sandal which uses a combination of a midsole of varying thickness and studs of varying diameter and height to provide the required degree of flexibility, support and stimulation to different areas of the foot.

[0011] US 2008 / 229617 A1 describes a sole structure comprising an insole, midsole, and outsole. The insole, on which the user's foot rests, is a thin, compressible element without structural subdivision.

[0012] US 4617745 A describes a sole with a plurality of longitudinal and transverse channels in the upper surface of the sole, forming a plurality of sections at least partially surrounded by such channels. This sectioned structure improves airflow under the wearer's foot while walking, running, or exercising.

[0013] The disadvantage of popular massage or wellness shoes is that they are complicated to manufacture and short-lived, as straps and individual parts loosen or unravel due to frequent rolling. Furthermore, these massage shoes are stiff and do not support the rolling motion of the foot. Conventional massage shoes are heavy and use nubs that lead to an insufficient and unsatisfying massage effect or are so large that they only work in specific areas and not on the entire foot. Furthermore, conventional massage shoes do not take the anatomy of the foot into sufficient consideration, resulting in the feet being massaged too little or too intensively, making the shoes uncomfortable for some people. Furthermore, most popular massage shoes are visually unappealing and look boring or too orthopedic.

[0014] Object of the invention

[0015] The present invention is based on the object of creating a wellness shoe that eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art, is easy to manufacture, lightweight, and durable, has an attractive, fashionable, and modern appearance, features an anatomical footbed, is made of a flexible material, and has a flexible design, and creates a pleasant stretching and massaging effect on the entire foot, making it comfortable to wear even over extended periods. Description of the invention

[0016] This object is achieved by a sole construction for a wellness shoe made of an elastic thermoplastic material, wherein the sole construction has an insole with a footbed on the foot side, an outsole on the outside, and a circumferential sidewall, wherein a midsole is arranged between the insole and the outsole, and wherein the insole has a heel section, a middle section with a medial arch support, and a forefoot section with a toe area and a ball of the foot area. In the middle section of the insole, between the heel section and the forefoot section, several transverse grooves are recessed that run completely through from medial to lateral and divide the middle section into several segments, and wherein the segments and transverse grooves arranged in the middle section are interrupted by at least one longitudinal groove.Preferably, the depth of the transverse grooves and the at least one longitudinal groove is the same in the respective interruption region between the longitudinal groove and the transverse grooves.

[0017] The sole construction comprises an insole facing towards the foot and an outsole facing outwards. The insole is the upper part of the sole construction between the midsole and the footbed, which comes into contact with the user's foot when the wellness shoe is worn. The insole has a footbed with a medial arch support in the middle section, which holds the user's foot in the desired position and ensures that the majority of the user's foot rests on the insole's footbed when walking. The outsole is the outward-facing underside of the sole construction, also called the outsole, which comes into contact with the ground when the user walks. Medial refers to the direction of the inside of the sole construction, which is aligned towards the user's arch and big toe.Lateral refers to the outer side of the sole construction, which is aligned toward the little toe and the outer edge of the user's foot. The sole construction is divided into a heel section, a middle section, and a forefoot section. The middle section is the section between the heel section and the forefoot section, on which the midfoot rests with the arch, and which consists of several segments.

[0018] The specially shaped insole with its footbed and transverse and longitudinal grooves, along with the resulting segments, has a shape, i.e., a relief, that relaxes and massages the user's feet both while standing and walking. The movement of the relief or segments massages and relaxes the tissue in the foot and increases blood circulation, which primarily leads to relaxation and indirectly gives the user new energy.

[0019] A transverse groove is understood to be an elongated depression which is arranged transversely along the transverse axes or along or parallel to the central transverse axis Q of the sole construction and is completely continuous from medial to lateral. It preferably has the shape of a groove or furrow. Completely continuous means that the groove or furrow is continuously open over the entire length of the groove or furrow to one side of the groove or furrow and has a certain depth to the midsole of at least 2 mm, preferably at least 5 mm. The transverse groove preferably has a U-shaped, V-shaped or teardrop-shaped cross-section, particularly preferably a U-shaped cross-section which is open upwards on the foot side in the insole. The transverse groove preferably has a straight or slightly curved shape. The transverse groove can also be wavy.The width of the individual continuous transverse grooves is preferably constant and is preferably 3 to 8 mm, even more preferably 4 to 6 mm. Preferably, the transverse grooves in the forefoot section and the transverse groove between the forefoot section and the middle section are narrower, preferably 1 mm to 2 mm narrower, than the transverse grooves in the rear part of the middle section and towards the heel section. The depth of the transverse groove of the insole and thus also the height of the insole is preferably between 2 and 25 mm, preferably 2 to 20 mm, even more preferably 3 to 15 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, preferably at least 7 mm, depending on the relief of the footbed, especially in the area of ​​the raised arch. Towards the middle of the footbed along the central longitudinal axis L, along the longitudinal groove, the depth of the transverse groove is preferably between 2 to 20 mm, even more preferably between 3 and 15 mm, even more preferably at least 5 mm, in particular between 7 and 15 mm.It has been shown that particularly good mobility of the sole construction is achieved when the depth of the transverse groove is at least 5 mm. The depth of the transverse groove, or the height of the insole, runs from the top of the footbed of the insole to the midsole. The width of the segments in the sidewall area is preferably 10 to 30 mm. The transverse grooves divide the sole construction into several segments and, thanks to the free space between the segments, increase the mobility and flexibility of the sole construction in the longitudinal direction of the sole construction and support the rolling motion of the foot. A particular advantage of the transverse grooves and the movable and articulated segments is that they exert a variable massage or stretching effect on the foot tissue while walking in this wellness shoe.This means that depending on the weight or pressure applied to the segments, the wearer of the wellness shoes perceives a stretching or massaging effect on the foot. The weight and rolling motion of the foot cause the segments to move or shift slightly, and due to their elastic, thermoplastic material, they also compress.

[0020] The transverse grooves on the insole in the middle section are arranged such that a heel-side transverse groove delimits the middle section from the heel section, and a toe-side transverse groove of the middle section delimits the forefoot section. Further transverse grooves, preferably three transverse grooves, are arranged between these two delimiting transverse grooves. Preferably, at least three transverse grooves, even more preferably five transverse grooves are arranged in the middle section of the insole. Preferably, the middle transverse groove in the middle section in the central transverse axis Q as well as the toe-side transverse groove of the middle section, which delimits the forefoot section, have a substantially straight shape. Preferably, the transverse grooves below the middle transverse groove have a curved shape in the direction of the heel section with the arch apex, i.e.with the convex outer side of the arch towards the forefoot section, and the transverse groove between the middle transverse groove and the toe-side transverse groove towards the forefoot section has a curved shape with the arch apex, ie the convex outer side of the arch towards the heel section.

[0021] The transverse grooves divide the middle section into several segments, preferably into at least two, even more preferably into four segments, thereby increasing the mobility and flexibility of the middle section. The segments formed by the transverse grooves are also called transverse segments. Preferably, five continuous transverse grooves are arranged between the heel section and the forefoot section, thereby forming four transverse segments. In a further embodiment, the insole has another transverse groove in the forefoot section between the toe area and the ball of the foot area, a so-called forefoot transverse groove, which increases the mobility and flexibility in the forefoot section and divides the forefoot section into two segments, a toe segment and a ball of the foot segment.The forefoot transverse groove runs continuously from medial to lateral, but can also include connecting elements, such as a bridge between the toe area and the ball of the foot. The bridge can be part of a toe arch, which increases contact between the toes and the ball of the foot and leads to better grip when walking. Additional transverse grooves can be distributed throughout the insole.

[0022] The sole construction has at least one longitudinal groove in the middle section between the heel section and the forefoot section, which interrupts the segments divided by the transverse grooves as well as the transverse grooves themselves, thereby connecting the transverse grooves. The longitudinal groove is preferably arranged over the entire length of the middle section, between the heel-side transverse groove, which delimits the middle section from the heel section, and the toe-side transverse groove, which delimits the middle section from the forefoot section. The area where the longitudinal groove interrupts the respective transverse grooves of the middle section is called the interruption area or intersection area between the longitudinal groove and the transverse grooves. The heel-side transverse groove and the transverse groove between the middle section and the forefoot section are also counted among the transverse grooves in the middle section, which are interrupted by the longitudinal groove.Preferably, the depth of the transverse grooves and the longitudinal groove in the middle section is the same in the respective interruption region between the longitudinal groove and the transverse grooves and is preferably at least 5 mm, preferably 2 to 20 mm, even more preferably 3 to 15 mm. This means that the depth of the transverse grooves or the height of the insole between the midsole and the footbed at the intersection regions where the longitudinal groove interrupts and crosses the transverse grooves is the same as the depth of the longitudinal groove at these intersection points. The interruption region and the intersection region are synonymous. A longitudinal groove is understood to be an elongated depression which is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the sole construction transverse to the transverse groove. It preferably has the shape of a groove or furrow. The longitudinal groove preferably has a U-shaped, V-shaped, or teardrop-shaped cross-section. A U-shaped cross-section is particularly preferred.The width of the longitudinal groove, or the distance between the individual segments, is preferably constant and is preferably 3 to 8 mm, more preferably 4 to 6 mm. The depth of the longitudinal groove is preferably 2 to 20 mm, more preferably 3 to 15 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, even more preferably between 7 and 15 mm, depending on the relief of the footbed.

[0023] Preferably, the longitudinal groove is continuous in the middle section and runs from the transverse groove that demarcates the heel area from the middle section to the transverse groove that demarcates the forefoot area from the middle section. In a preferred embodiment, the sole construction has a single longitudinal groove in the middle section between the heel section and the forefoot section. Preferably, the longitudinal groove that is continuous in the middle section is curved laterally and preferably demarcates the raised arch of the foot laterally. Curved laterally means that the longitudinal groove wraps around the arch of the foot and that the convex outer side of the laterally curved longitudinal groove points laterally and the concave inner side of the laterally curved longitudinal groove points medially. In addition, the laterally curved longitudinal groove is curved, starting from the transverse groove that demarcates the heel area, towards the medial toe area.The laterally curved longitudinal groove, which defines the raised arch laterally, is particularly preferred because it wraps around the arch and provides even more flexibility to the segments of the arch. The muscles in the arch of the foot are subject to great tension during the rolling motion, especially in the initial phase, and a certain degree of adaptation of the shoe to the foot prevents discomfort. In another embodiment, the continuous longitudinal groove is arranged along the central longitudinal axis of the sole construction.

[0024] In a further embodiment, the longitudinal groove in the middle section is not continuous, but is arranged offset from one another in the individual transverse segments. Each transverse segment, however, has a longitudinal groove. A transverse segment can also have several longitudinal grooves arranged essentially parallel to one another. In one embodiment, the insole has several longitudinal grooves in the middle section, which interrupt the transverse grooves. The several longitudinal grooves can be continuous or interrupted and consist of several parts. It is also possible for one transverse segment to be interrupted by several longitudinal grooves, while the adjacent transverse segment is only interrupted by one longitudinal groove. The longitudinal groove increases the number of individual segments, which can move more freely in the lateral direction due to their smaller size and the additional space between them created by the longitudinal groove.This additional lateral mobility of the segments in the footbed during the gait cycle leads to even more stretching or massage on the foot tissue, which now feels not only a one-dimensional massage and / or stretching effect through the transverse grooves, but a two-dimensional massage and / or stretching effect through the transverse grooves plus longitudinal groove in the lengthwise and transverse direction of the wellness shoe.

[0025] The insole has a footbed with a raised arch in the middle section. The entire upper side of the insole is referred to as the footbed. The raised arch is arranged in the middle section directly adjacent to the medial inside of the sole construction and supports the arch of the user's foot. The raised arch can be of varying degrees of pronouncedness, but is always selected so that it supports the user's arch. The highest point of the raised arch on the medial inside of the sole construction is preferably 5 to 20 mm higher than the middle region along the longitudinal axis L of the middle section. The medial inside of the sole construction in the area of ​​the highest point of the raised arch preferably has a height of 25 mm to 50 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the footbed has a heel cup in the heel section.

[0026] In a further preferred embodiment, the footbed additionally has a laterally raised outer edge in the middle section. The laterally raised outer edge has an elevation in the middle section along the outer side of the sole construction, i.e. along the lateral outer edge. The laterally raised outer edge is preferably 2 to 15 mm higher than the middle region along the longitudinal axis L of the middle section. The lateral outer side of the sole construction in the region of the highest point of the lateral outer edge preferably has a height of 20 mm to 45 mm. The footbed of the insole can have a raised outer edge around the entire sole construction in the region of the side wall to improve the positioning of the foot on the footbed. For this purpose, the side wall is slightly raised during production of the sole construction.The heel cup in the heel section and the raised arch support, as well as the laterally raised outer edge in the middle section, have the advantage of keeping the user's foot in the desired position while walking, thus optimally delivering the massage and stretching effect. The heel cup and outer edge not only make the nubs on the footbed felt over a larger part of the sole of the foot, but also reduce slipping in the shoe and lead to a more stable and secure stance and gait.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, a toe arch is arranged on the insole in the transition between the toe area and the ball of the foot. The toe arch is a raised area which lies between the toes and the ball of the foot on the user's foot. The toe arch can, for example, be arranged in the area of ​​the bridge of the forefoot transverse groove between the ball of the foot and the toe area, preferably offset towards the toe area, so that the toe arch increases contact between the toes and the ball of the foot and leads to better grip when walking. As with the outer edge and the heel cup, the toes also benefit from more contact with the nubs thanks to the toe arch, and the raised area gives the foot support. The toes can hold on there during rolling, and the foot slips forward less in the footbed when walking.This anatomically shaped footbed with the heel cup in the heel section, the laterally raised outer edge and the raised arch in the middle section, as well as the toe arch in the forefoot section, is particularly advantageous because it holds the user's foot optimally in the desired position while walking, thereby further developing the massage and stretching effect.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the insole has a forefoot transverse groove between the toe area and the ball of the foot area, and the toe segment and the ball of the foot segment each have an elevation adjacent to the forefoot transverse groove and preferably in the area of ​​the bridge, which together form the toe arch.

[0029] The sole construction preferably has a plurality of studs on the insole. The studs are preferably distributed over the entire insole. In one embodiment, the studs are only distributed over the central section. Preferably, the studs are distributed at regular intervals on the insole. Studs are understood to be an elevation of any shape, for example a hump-like elevation. The cross-sectional area of ​​the studs is, for example, circular, oval, teardrop-shaped, triangular, quadrangular, pentagonal, or hexagonal, with the tip of the studs, which comes into contact with the user's foot, being rounded. Particularly preferably, the cross-sectional area of ​​the studs has a circular, oval, or teardrop-shaped shape. However, any other shape of the studs is possible, provided the tip of the studs is rounded and the surface of the studs feels rounded to the foot. Preferably, all studs have the same shape.The nubs are hollow or completely filled and are preferably made of the same material as the rest of the sole construction. The nubs preferably have a height of 1-3 mm, particularly preferably 1.5-2 mm, so that they contribute to a pleasant massage effect without penetrating too deeply into the sole of the foot. The diameter of the nubs is preferably 5 mm to 12 mm, and have, for example, a footprint of 5x7 mm to 9x12 mm. In specific areas of the insole, for example on the arch of the foot or other raised areas, the nubs can also be larger than on the rest of the insole. Preferably, all nubs are the same size. Preferably, all nubs have a footprint of 5x7 mm. The nubs, which are preferably distributed over the entire insole and footbed, lead to a stimulating effect generated by the user's weight when standing or when shifting weight.The nubs also have an anti-slip effect and give the user additional grip.

[0030] In a further embodiment, the outsole or outsole, which comes into contact with the ground during use by the user while walking, also has a plurality of continuous transverse grooves and at least one longitudinal groove, wherein the transverse grooves and the longitudinal groove are preferably arranged such that they are symmetrically mirrored to the transverse grooves and the at least one longitudinal groove of the insole. The transverse and longitudinal grooves on the outsole provide additional mobility to the sole construction and additionally have a slight anti-slip effect. The transverse groove and the at least one longitudinal groove on the outsole preferably have a depth of at least 2 mm, preferably 2 to 20 mm. The outsole is preferably slightly curved in the longitudinal direction such that the rolling properties are improved. The outsole is preferably slightly curved in each transverse segment to increase the rolling properties.Ideally, the outsole does not have an additional continuous outsole made of a different material so that the elasticity and mobility of the sole construction are maintained. However, it is possible for an additional outsole to be only partially attached to the segments on the outsole and not to be continuous. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sidewall surrounding the sole construction has grooves that are arranged continuously from the transverse grooves of the insole and optionally the outsole. The grooves interrupt the sidewall surrounding the sole construction so that the sidewall still partially surrounds the sole construction. Preferably, the grooves in the sidewall connect the transverse grooves of the insole with the transverse grooves in the outsole. The grooves in the sidewall thus interrupt the circumferential sidewall of the sole construction and also divide the sidewall into segments.The grooves in the sidewall further increase the mobility and rolling properties of the sole construction. The grooves in the sidewall preferably have a depth of at least 2 mm, preferably 2 to 20 mm. This embodiment with the grooves in the sidewall is particularly preferred because it further increases the mobility on all sides and the rolling properties of the sole construction, and improves the massage effect. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sole construction has a partially circumferential sidewall, in which the sidewall surrounding the sole construction is interrupted by grooves.

[0031] All grooves, i.e. the transverse grooves and at least one longitudinal groove of the insole and, if applicable, the outsole, as well as, if applicable, the grooves on the side wall of the sole construction, enable the sole to move well with the user's foot in all directions when rolling, massaging and stretching it.

[0032] The segments and raised ridges on the insole create a variable stretching effect as the wearer walks and shifts their weight from heel to toe. Due to the strategic placement of the raised ridges, especially the arch support, the greatest concentration of the stretching effect is felt in the tarsal and mid-foot area. Depending on the wearer, the stretching effect is perceived as either massaging or relaxing.

[0033] A midsole is located between the insole with the footbed and the outsole. This midsole connects the insole to the outsole, has a continuous surface and is not interrupted by grooves. The midsole provides stability to the sole construction and is sufficiently high or thick to ensure optimal mobility and flexibility while remaining sufficiently stable. The height or thickness of the midsole is preferably between 10 mm and 30 mm, or 15 mm and 20 mm on the lateral outer side of the sole construction and 15 mm and 20 mm on the medial inner side of the sole construction. It can be raised or drawn up by 1 to 8 mm towards the side wall that surrounds the sole construction, towards the insole.

[0034] The height of the sole construction or the side wall in the area of ​​the heel section is preferably 20 mm to 50 mm, the height of the side wall in the middle section is preferably 20 mm to 50 mm, and the height of the side wall in the toe section is preferably 10 mm to 40 mm.

[0035] Preferably, the sole construction is formed in one piece and does not have an additional insole, such as a shoe insert, or outsole for use as a wellness shoe. The sole construction is made of an elastic thermoplastic material, preferably a material selected from ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA) or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or a mixture thereof. A plastic material with hardness levels of 25°C - 70°C measured according to the Asker C scale is preferred. The plastic material can also be made from recycled material or enriched with biological material, such as algae, cork, or sugar cane. Preferably, a material is selected that can be easily mechanically recycled and reused with comparable physical properties.The elastic thermoplastic material is selected to provide good cushioning when standing and walking, and is compressed in certain areas during the gait cycle.

[0036] The sole construction, made of an elastic thermoplastic material, is preferably manufactured using injection molding, compression molding, or 3D printing. Compression molding is particularly preferred.

[0037] The sole construction can be used for a shoe, for example a flip-flop, a bathing slipper, a slipper, or a sneaker, where a massaging or stretching effect is desired. The invention therefore relates to the use of the sole construction according to the invention for the production of a wellness shoe, for example a massage shoe, for massaging and relieving pressure on the sole of the user's foot. A wellness shoe is understood to be a shoe that relaxes or massages the user's foot, thus giving the user a pleasant feeling, general relaxation, and thus new energy. The massage and stretching effect of the sole construction massages and stretches the sole of the user's foot, achieving a relaxing and recuperative effect.The wellness shoe can be used to recover and relax feet that are overtired or damaged by poor footwear, or simply to provide the user with additional rest and relaxation.

[0038] The invention additionally relates to a wellness shoe comprising a sole construction according to the invention and an upper, wherein the upper has straps which are fastened to the sole construction. Preferably, the straps are fastened at least to the front segments of the middle section or to all segments of the middle section between the transverse grooves, i.e. to the transverse segments of the middle section or to the side wall of the transverse segments of the middle section. Even more preferably, the straps are fastened to the front transverse segments of the middle section in the direction of the forefoot section and to the ball of the foot segment. Preferably, each of the straps is formed on the side walls of the segments, running from medial to lateral between the individual segments, guided over the instep of the foot, so that one strap connects the same segment from medial to lateral.This means that preferably a strap connects the side walls of the same segment of the same row. Preferably, the straps are not connected to one another over most of their length and only have narrow connecting pieces at the sides and instep. In a particularly preferred embodiment, straps are attached to all segments of the middle section as well as to the ball of the foot segment. The straps are preferably made of the same plastic material as the sole construction, i.e. preferably EVA. In another variant, the straps are made of leather or a textile material, for example nylon, or a natural material. In a further embodiment, the upper has an additional heel strap, which is preferably removable and elastic, and which is preferably attached to one of the last straps of the middle section towards the heel section.The heel strap provides better support for the foot and better positioning of the foot on the footbed.

[0039] Preferably, the straps are manufactured integrally with the sole construction, preferably via compression molding, and are made of the same material as the sole construction. Thus, in a one-piece shoe, the straps are directly attached to the sole construction during the manufacturing process. In this embodiment, the straps are created as direct extensions of the segments. In another embodiment, the upper and the straps are manufactured separately and attached separately to the segments, for example, via eyelets, buckles, loops, or hook-and-loop fasteners.

[0040] Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which the invention is explained in more detail with reference to embodiments illustrated in the schematic drawings.

[0041] Short description of the characters

[0042] They show:

[0043] Fig. 1 A is a perspective view obliquely from above of the insole and outside of the sole construction,

[0044] Fig. 1 B is a perspective side view of the outside of the sole construction,

[0045] Fig. 2A is another perspective view obliquely from above of the insole and inside of the sole construction,

[0046] Fig. 2B another perspective view from above of the insole and outside of the sole construction,

[0047] Fig. 3 a top view of the insole of the sole construction,

[0048] Fig. 4 a view from below of the outsole of the sole construction, and

[0049] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a wellness shoe with a sole construction and upper. In the figures, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements, and explanations of a specific reference numeral apply to all figures unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0050] Embodiments of the invention

[0051] Figure 1A shows a perspective view obliquely from above of the insole 2 and the outer side 27 of the sole construction 1. The sole construction 1 has an insole 2 with a footbed on the foot side and an outsole 3 on the outside, with a side wall 19 partially encircling the sole construction 1. The insole 2 has a heel section 4, a middle section 5 with a medial arch elevation 7, and a forefoot section 6 with a toe area 8 and a ball of the foot area 9. In the middle section 5 of the insole 2 between the heel section 4 and the forefoot section 6, five transverse grooves 10, 10', 10" are cut out, which run completely from medial to lateral and divide the middle section 5 into four transverse segments 11.The heel-side transverse groove 10' delimits the middle section 5 from the heel section, and the toe-side transverse groove 10" of the middle section 5 delimits the middle section 5 and the forefoot section 6 from each other. Between the toe area 8 and the ball area 9 in the forefoot section 6, another transverse groove 10"' is arranged, running from medial to lateral, which delimits the toe area 8 from the ball area 9.

[0052] The continuous transverse grooves 10, 10', 10", 10'" essentially have the shape of an elongated groove and a U-shaped cross-section that is open at the top. They have a substantially constant width of 4 to 6 mm over their entire length. The depth of the transverse grooves of the insole 2, and thus also the height of the insole 2, is between 2 and 25 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, preferably between 5 and 20 mm, even more preferably between 7 and 15 mm, depending on the relief of the footbed. The transverse grooves 10, 10', 10", 10'" divide the sole construction 1 into segments 11 and, through the free space between the segments 11, increase the mobility and articulation of the sole construction 1 in the longitudinal direction and around the transverse axis Q (shown in Fig. 3) of the sole construction 1.

[0053] The transverse segments 11 and transverse grooves 10, 10', 10" arranged in the central section 5 are interrupted by a longitudinal groove 12, which divides the four transverse segments 11 into a total of eight transverse segments 11. The longitudinal groove 12 is curved laterally and laterally delimits the arch elevation 7 such that the longitudinal groove 12 wraps around the arch elevation 7 in a curved shape. The convex side of the laterally curved longitudinal groove 12 points laterally, and the concave side of the laterally curved longitudinal groove 12 points medially. The longitudinal groove 12 in the central section 5 runs continuously from the heel-side transverse groove 10' to the toe-side transverse groove 10" of the central section 5 in the direction of the medial ball of the foot area 9.The longitudinal groove 12 doubles the number of individual segments 11, which, due to their smaller size and the additional space between them created by the longitudinal groove 12, are more freely movable in the lateral direction, thereby increasing the stretching and massaging effect on the user's foot tissue, which now experiences not only a one-dimensional massage and / or stretching effect through the transverse grooves 10, 10', 10", but a two-dimensional massage and / or stretching effect through the transverse grooves 10, 10', 10" plus the longitudinal groove 12 in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the wellness shoe. The depth of the longitudinal groove 12 of the insole 2 is preferably between 2 and 20 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, even more preferably between 7 and 12 mm, depending on the relief of the footbed.The depth of the transverse grooves 10, 10', 10" and the at least one longitudinal groove 12 is the same in the respective interruption area between the longitudinal groove 12 and the transverse grooves 10, 10', 10" and is preferably at least 5 mm.

[0054] The footbed on the insole 2 has, in addition to the raised arch 7 in the middle section 5, a laterally raised outer edge 14, also in the middle section 5, as well as a heel cup 13 in the heel section 4. A toe arch 15 is arranged in the transition between the toe area 8 and the ball of the foot area 9. In the area of ​​the toe arch 15, the transverse groove 10'" of the forefoot section can have a connecting piece in the form of a bridge, where the transverse groove 10'" is not continuous, but rather the toe area 8 and the ball of the foot area 9 are connected. This anatomically shaped footbed with the heel cup 13, the laterally raised outer edge 14 in the middle section 5, the raised arch 7, and the toe arch 15 is particularly advantageous because it holds the user's foot in the desired position while walking, thereby optimally developing the massage and stretching effect.

[0055] The insole 2 has a plurality of studs 16. The studs 16 are distributed at regular intervals across the entire insole. The cross-sectional area of ​​the studs 16 is drop-shaped, but can have any other shape, provided the tip of the studs 16 is rounded and the surface of the studs 16 feels rounded to the foot. All studs 16 have the same shape and are made of the same material as the rest of the sole construction 1. The footprint of the studs 16 is between 5x7 mm in the forefoot section 6 and heel section 4 and 9x12 mm in the arch support 7. In a preferred embodiment, all studs are the same size and preferably have a footprint of 5x7 mm. The studs create a stimulating effect generated by the user's weight when standing or shifting weight. The studs also have an anti-slip effect and provide the user with additional support.

[0056] The outsole 3 on the underside of the sole construction 1, which comes into contact with the ground when the user walks, also has a plurality of continuous transverse grooves 17, 17', 17" and a longitudinal groove 20 (not visible, shown in Fig. 4), which are arranged such that they are symmetrically mirrored to the transverse grooves 10, 10', 10" and the longitudinal groove 12 of the insole 2 on the upper side of the sole construction 1. The outsole 3 is slightly curved and the longitudinal section through the longitudinal axis L (see Fig. 3) tapers in the forefoot section 6 towards the tip of the toe area 8. The side wall 19, which partially runs around the sole construction 1, has grooves 21 which are arranged continuously to the transverse grooves 10, 10', 10" of the insole 2.The grooves 21 interrupt the side wall 19 surrounding the sole construction 1 and divide the side wall 19 into segments which correspond to the segments of the insole 2.

[0057] A midsole 24 is arranged between the insole 2 with the footbed and the outsole 3, connecting the insole 2 to the outsole 3 and having a continuous surface uninterrupted by grooves. The midsole 24 provides stability to the sole construction 1 and has a height of between 10 mm and 30 mm, or 11 mm and 20 mm on the outer side 27 and 17 mm and 29 mm on the inner side 26, which is selected such that the sole construction 1 offers optimal mobility and flexibility during use while remaining sufficiently stable.

[0058] The entire sole construction 1 is formed in one piece and is manufactured from ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA) by compression molding. Figure 1B shows a perspective side view of the lateral outer side 27 of the sole construction 1, as described in Figure 1A. It shows the sole construction 1 with the insole 2 with the heel cup 13 in the heel section 4, the arch support 7 and the laterally raised outer edge 14 in the middle section 5, and the ball of the foot area 9 and toe area 8 in the forefoot section 6. Also visible are the side wall 19 on the outer side 27 of the sole construction 1, the midsole 24 and the groove 21 of the side wall 19. In this illustration, the slightly curved outsole 3 is visible, which is curved upwards both in the rear part of the heel section 4 and in the front part of the forefoot section 6, in particular in the front part of the toe area 8.

[0059] Figure 2A shows a further perspective view obliquely from above of the insole 2 and the medial inner side 26 of the sole construction 1, as described in Figure 1A, with a particularly clearly visible arch support 7, which is arranged in the middle section 5 adjacent to the medial inner side 26 of the sole construction 1.

[0060] Figure 2B shows a further perspective view obliquely from above of the insole 2 and lateral outer side 27 of the sole construction 1, as described in Figure 1A.

[0061] Figure 3 shows a top view of the insole 2 of the sole construction 1, as described in Figure 1A. The central longitudinal axis L is represented by the line LL, and the central transverse axis Q through the central transverse groove 10 of the central section 5 is represented by the line QQ. The heel-side transverse groove 10' delimits the central section 5 from the heel section 4, and the toe-side transverse groove 10" of the central section 5 delimits the central section 5 from the forefoot section 6. Three further transverse grooves 10 are arranged in between. The central transverse groove 10 in the central transverse axis Q as well as the toe-side transverse groove 10", which delimits the central section 5 from the forefoot section 6, have a substantially straight shape. The transverse grooves 10, 10' below the central transverse groove 10 in the direction of the heel section 4 have a curved shape with the arch apex, i.e.with the convex outer side of the arch in the direction of the forefoot section 6, and the transverse groove 10 between the middle transverse groove 10 and the toe-side transverse groove 10" in the direction of the forefoot section 6 has a curved shape with the arch apex, ie the convex outer side of the arch in the direction of the heel section 4. The five transverse grooves 10, 10', 10" of the middle section 5 divide the middle section 5 into four transverse segments 11, whereby the mobility and articulation of the middle section 5 is increased.

[0062] A longitudinal groove 12 running from the heel-side transverse groove 10' to the toe-side transverse groove 10" of the middle section 5 in the direction of the medial ball of the foot area 9 interrupts the four transverse segments 11 and transverse grooves 10, 10', 10" arranged in the middle section 5, thereby forming eight segments 11. The longitudinal groove 12 delimits the arch elevation 7 laterally in such a way that the longitudinal groove 12 wraps around the arch elevation 7 in a curved shape. The convex side of the laterally curved longitudinal groove 12 points laterally, and the concave side of the laterally curved longitudinal groove 12 points medially. In addition, the laterally curved longitudinal groove 12 is curved starting in the central longitudinal axis L of the heel-side transverse groove 10' and is guided towards the medial toe area.

[0063] Figure 4 shows a bottom view of the outsole 3 of the sole construction 1. The outsole 3 on the underside of the sole construction 1, which comes into contact with the ground when the user walks, has a plurality of continuous transverse grooves 17, 17', 17", 17'" and a longitudinal groove 20 (not visible, shown in Fig. 4), which are arranged such that they are symmetrically mirrored to the transverse grooves 10, 10', 10", 10'" and the longitudinal groove 12 of the insole 2 (shown in Figure 3) on the top side of the sole construction 1. The heel-side transverse groove 17' of the outsole 3 delimits the heel section 4 from the middle section 5, and a toe-side transverse groove 17'" is arranged between the toe area 8 and the ball of the foot area 9.The transverse grooves 17, 17', 17", 17'" and the longitudinal grooves 20 on the outsole 3 provide additional mobility to the sole construction 1 and also have a slight anti-slip effect.

[0064] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a wellness shoe 18 with sole construction 1, as described in Figure 1A, and upper part 22. The upper part 22 has straps 23 which are fastened to the sole construction 1. In this illustration, the straps 23 are fastened to the two front, toe-side segments 11 of the middle section 5 between the transverse grooves 10, 10", i.e. to the front transverse segments 11 of the middle section 5 or to the side wall 19 of the front transverse segments 11 of the middle section 5, and additionally to the segments of the ball of the foot area 9. Preferably, the straps 23 are fastened to all segments 11 of the middle section 5 as well as to the ball of the foot section. Preferably, individual straps 23 connect the side walls of the individual segments of the same row, and the straps are not connected to one another.In a preferred embodiment, a heel strap (not shown) is attached to the rear strap 23 of the central portion 5 for better foot support and better positioning of the foot on the footbed. The straps are made of the same plastic material as the

[0065] Sole construction, ie preferably made of EVA, and are made in one piece with the sole construction. That is, the fastening of the straps 23 to the

[0066] Sole construction 1 is carried out directly during the production of the one-piece wellness shoe 18, preferably by compression molding. In this embodiment, the straps are created as direct extensions of the segments.

[0067] List of reference symbols

[0068] 1 Sole construction

[0069] 2 insole

[0070] 3 Outsole

[0071] 4 Heel section

[0072] 5 Middle section

[0073] 6 Forefoot section

[0074] 7 Arch support

[0075] 8 toe area

[0076] 9 Ball of foot area

[0077] 10 transverse groove of the insole

[0078] 10' heel-side transverse groove of the middle section

[0079] 10” toe-side cross groove of the middle section

[0080] 10”' transverse groove of the forefoot section

[0081] 11 segment, transverse segment

[0082] 12 longitudinal groove of the insole

[0083] 13 Heel cup

[0084] 14 Outer edge

[0085] 15 toe arch

[0086] 16 studs

[0087] 17, 17', 17”, 17”' Outsole cross groove

[0088] 18 wellness shoes

[0089] 19 Side wall

[0090] 20 longitudinal groove of the outsole

[0091] 21 Sidewall groove

[0092] 22 Top

[0093] 23 belts

[0094] 24 midsole

[0095] 26 Inside, medial side

[0096] 27 Outside, lateral side

Claims

Patent claims 1. Sole construction (1) for a wellness shoe (18), made of an elastic thermoplastic material, wherein the sole construction (1) has an insole (2) with a footbed on the foot side, an outsole (3) on the outside, and a circumferential side wall (19), wherein a midsole (24) is arranged between the insole (2) and the outsole (3), wherein the insole (2) with the footbed has a heel section (4), a middle section (5) with a medial arch elevation (7), and a forefoot section (6) with a toe area (8) and a ball of the foot area (9), characterized in that in the middle section (5) of the insole (2) between the heel section (4) and the forefoot section (6), a plurality of transverse grooves (10, 10', 10") are recessed, which extend completely from medial to lateral and divide the middle section (5) into segments (11). divide,and wherein the segments (11) and transverse grooves (10, 10', 10") arranged in the central section are interrupted by at least one longitudinal groove (12).

2. Sole construction (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the depth of the transverse grooves (10, 10', 10") and the at least one longitudinal groove (12) is the same in the respective interruption region between the longitudinal groove (12) and the transverse grooves (10, 10', 10").

3. Sole construction (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the depth of the longitudinal groove (12) and the transverse grooves (10, 10', 10") in the respective interruption region between the longitudinal groove (12) and the transverse grooves (10, 10', 10") is at least 5 mm.

4. Sole construction (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal groove (12) is bent laterally and delimits the arch elevation (7) laterally.

5. Sole construction (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal groove (12) is arranged over the entire length of the middle section (5) between the heel section (4) and the forefoot section (6) in the longitudinal direction of the sole construction (1).

6. Sole construction (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heel section (4) has a heel cup (13) and the middle section (5) has a laterally raised outer edge (14).

7. Sole construction (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that five continuous transverse grooves (10, 10', 10") are arranged between the heel section (4) and the forefoot section (6).

8. Sole construction (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transverse grooves (10, 10', 10", 10'") of the insole (2) have a width of 3 to 8 mm, preferably of 4 to 6 mm.

9. Sole construction (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a toe arch (15) is arranged in the transition between the toe region (8) and the ball of the foot region (9).

10. Sole construction (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insole (2) has a plurality of studs (16). 1 1. Sole construction (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outsole (3) has a plurality of continuous transverse grooves (17, 17', 17", 17'") and at least one longitudinal groove (20), which are arranged such that they are arranged symmetrically mirrored to the transverse grooves (10, 10', 10", 10'") and the at least one longitudinal groove (12) of the insole (2).

12. Sole construction (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side wall (19) has grooves (21) which are arranged continuously from the transverse grooves (10, 10', 10", 10'") of the insole (2).

13. Sole construction (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic thermoplastic material is made of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA) and the sole construction (1) is formed in one piece.

14. Use of a sole construction (1) according to one of the preceding claims for the production of a wellness shoe for the relaxation and massage of feet.

15. Wellness shoe (18) comprising a sole construction (1) according to one of the Claims 1 to 13 and an upper (22), wherein the upper (22) has straps (23) which are attached to the sole construction (1).

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