Foldable Polymer Footwear with Puncture-Resistant Insert
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional footwear is bulky, uncomfortable, and poses a risk of injury or infection when worn for extended periods, as it can cause blistering and is inconvenient to carry alternatives due to size and weight, leading to the risk of walking barefoot, which increases the risk of abrasion or puncture.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, ultra-compact, and disposable footwear made from polymer-based materials with a planar insert member that can be folded for storage, providing puncture resistance and conforming to the foot shape, allowing easy carrying and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional footwear is made with rigid soles and leather/textile uppers to provide protection, then protection capability is improved, but the footwear becomes bulky and awkward to carry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin, flexible polymer film structure that can be folded into a compact form for携带 while providing adequate protection when worn. The film maintains structural integrity during use but collapses to a minimal volume when not in use, resolving the contradiction between protection capability and portability.
2Strength
If conventional footwear is made stiff to provide structural support, then structural support is improved, but comfort is worsened causing blistering and pain during extended wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes polymer materials with specific mechanical properties that balance structural support and comfort. The material parameters are selected to provide sufficient strength for protection while maintaining flexibility and conformability to the foot, preventing blistering and discomfort during extended wear.
3Volume of moving object
If footwear is made lightweight and compact for easy carrying, then portability is improved, but puncture resistance is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite polymer structures that combine materials with different properties to achieve both compactness and puncture resistance. The composite structure maintains a small folded volume while providing sufficient resistance against puncture hazards when deployed.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional footwear is made durable for extended use, then durability is improved, but the need to carry alternative footwear is reduced, but comfort issues persist leading to removal of shoes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes footwear designed for limited use duration that can be easily disposed of or replaced. This approach accepts reduced durability in exchange for improved comfort and eliminates the need to carry alternative footwear, as the primary shoes can be removed without risk.
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 offers a convenient, protective, and comfortable footwear option that can be easily carried and used for a limited distance, reducing discomfort and the risk of injury or infection while being cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
a body portion of the article of footwear comprises a polymer based material, the body portion being shaped to resiliently surround a substantial portion of the wearer's foot during use
Implementation Method 2
the planar insert member has one or more fold lines such that the insert member is foldable to form an enclosure in the storage condition
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
An article of footwear (10) comprising a body portion (12) consisting of a polymer material, the body portion being shaped to resiliently surround a substantial portion of a wearer's foot during use. The article of footwear also comprises a planar insert member (28) locatable within the body portion so as to improve the puncture resistance of the footwear. The body portion may be formed as a single homogenous piece of moulded material and may be deformable between a storage condition and an in use condition.