Elastic Shoe Sole with Folded Vertical Elements for Width Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current shoe manufacturing methods fail to effectively adapt the width of shoes to individual foot morphologies, leading to discomfort and increased production costs due to the need for multiple sole molds and stiffening elements that compromise flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A sole made of non-rigid, elastic material with vertical folded elements that mechanically adapts to different assembly last widths and foot conformations by injecting a foamed two-component fluid material into an internal cavity, which solidifies to permanently stabilize the width without compromising flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sole molds are used to accommodate different foot widths, then the adaptability to different foot conformations is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different foot widthsVSAvoidnumber of sole molds

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sole incorporates expandable elements that allow it to dynamically change its width to accommodate different foot conformations. A single sole mold contains structures (such as bellows-type expansions, folded elements, or inflatable chambers) that can be adjusted during assembly or use, enabling the same sole to adapt to various foot widths without requiring multiple pre-fabricated molds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sole is designed with multi-functional characteristics where a single sole mold serves multiple purposes by incorporating adjustable or expandable structures. This universal design allows one sole type to replace multiple specialized molds, reducing inventory complexity while maintaining the ability to fit different foot widths through mechanical adjustment or expansion mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If stiffening elements are added to maintain shoe structure, then the structural stability is improved, but the flexibility and comfort are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidflexibility and comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly stiffening the entire sole, the invention applies structural reinforcement only in specific locations where support is needed (such as the arch or heel areas), while leaving other regions flexible and compliant. This localized approach maintains structural stability in critical zones while preserving flexibility and comfort in areas that require conformability to the foot's natural shape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The sole utilizes composite material construction combining rigid and flexible components in a single integrated structure. For example, the sole may incorporate stiffening elements made from materials with different rigidity levels, or combine rigid support structures with flexible covering materials, allowing the sole to simultaneously provide structural stability and maintain flexibility for comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a comfortable, flexible shoe that perfectly adapts to various foot widths and conformations while reducing production costs by allowing a single sole mold to accommodate different widths, maintaining the shoe's flexibility and comfort.

Implementation Method 1

injecting - from outside into the widened internal cavity- a foamed two-component fluid material which, upon solidification within a few minutes, blocks it

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFoaming: Foam

Implementation Method 2

a foamed two-component fluid material which, upon solidification within a few minutes, blocks it

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolidification: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

one or more vertical folded elements in such a manner that the horizontal extension thereof mechanically adapts the width of the sole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2635145B1Sole for shoes having one or more vertical elements folded over each other, extensible and adaptable to the different width of the assembly last of the upper and to the variation of the conformation of the foot, even permanently

Publication Date: 2017.01.04 ALPI SRL

AI summary

The present invention regards the shoe industry and more specifically it concerns a sole provided in a single moulding made of non-rigid but elastic material having one or more vertical elements folded over each other in such a manner that the horizontal extension thereof mechanically adapts the width of the sole to the different width of the assembly lasts of the upper of a shoe and also allowing adapting the width of the sole to the variation of the conformation of the feet generated by the daily swellings thereof leaving the normal flexibility and comfort of the shoe unaltered with the possibility for the user to stabilize the width of the sole to the possible deformation of the foot by injecting - from outside into the widened internal cavity - a foamed two-component fluid material which, upon solidification within a few minutes, blocks any widened part of the sole to the conformation or to the deformation of the feet of the user.