Shoe Upper Composite with Point-Like Laminated Ventilation Layer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current breathable shoes and clothing do not provide sufficient breathability, especially during heavy sweating, as they lack efficient sweat removal and moisture evaporation mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

The shoe and clothing incorporate a composite material where a ventilation layer is laminated to a waterproof, water-vapor-permeable membrane in a point-like or net-like manner, enhancing sweat removal and moisture evaporation through the membrane and ventilation layer interface, allowing for improved air circulation and evaporation during movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a ventilation layer is placed inside the shoe with spacers to keep it at a distance from the outer layer, then breathability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex and the sweat removal efficiency is insufficient for heavy sweating

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebreathabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the ventilation function from a separate internal layer structure and integrates it directly into the outer layer through a perforated or mesh-like design. This eliminates the need for spacers and separate ventilation layers, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining breathability functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the outer layer and ventilation layer into a single integrated structure where the outer layer itself possesses ventilation properties through perforations or mesh patterns. This combination eliminates the need for separate layers and spacers, reducing structural complexity while improving sweat removal efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a waterproof membrane is used to protect from external moisture, then water protection is improved, but sweat vapor escape is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater protectionVSAvoidsweat vapor permeability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different properties to different parts of the shoe upper: the waterproof membrane provides water protection in areas exposed to external moisture, while the perforated or mesh ventilation areas allow sweat vapor to escape. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between water protection and vapor permeability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining a waterproof membrane with a perforated or mesh ventilation layer. The membrane provides water protection while the perforated sections allow vapor transmission, creating a material system that simultaneously achieves both water protection and sweat vapor escape functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If the ventilation layer is laminated to the membrane in a point-like or net-like manner, then sweat removal and evaporation are significantly improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesweat removal efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lamination process is segmented into discrete point-like or net-like bonding areas rather than continuous bonding. This segmentation allows sweat and vapor to pass through the unbonded areas while maintaining structural integrity at the bonded points, improving sweat removal efficiency without requiring completely new manufacturing technologies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ventilation layer uses a porous or perforated structure that, when laminated in a net-like pattern to the membrane, creates channels and pathways for sweat and vapor to pass through. The porous structure enables efficient moisture removal while the net-like lamination pattern balances structural support with vapor transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous 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

This configuration results in rapid sweat removal and evaporation, providing enhanced breathability and a cooling effect, especially during heavy perspiration and external moisture exposure, outperforming comparable composites without lamination.

Implementation Method 1

a waterproof, water-vapor-permeable membrane B)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWaterproof, water-vapor-permeable membrane: Semipermeable Membrane

Implementation Method 2

water vapor practically unhindered and thus evaporates very quickly from the membrane B) through the ventilation layer A)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

an adhesive or a flame lamination is used

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive lamination: Adhesive

Implementation Method 4

an adhesive or a flame lamination is used

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlame lamination:

Data Source

PatentEP2445368B2Shoe and item of clothing with improved respiration
Publication Date: 2020.12.23 SYMPATEX TECH GMBH

AI summary

The invention discloses a shoe, comprising a shaft, wherein at least 30% of the shaft is made of a composite (I), wherein the composite (I) at least comprises: A) a ventilation layer, which serves as an outer layer and is laminated, B) a water-proof, moisture-permeable membrane, which in turn is laminated on the side facing away from the ventilation layer A), and C) a knitwear. The invention further discloses an article of clothing, at least 30% of which is made of a composite (II), wherein the composite (II) comprises at least: A) a ventilation layer, which serves as an outer layer and is laminated, and B) a water-proof, moisture-permeable membrane.