A smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized, wherein the smartphone device is configured to actively control the configuration of one or more bladders, compartments, chambers or internal sipes and one or more sensors located in either one or both of a sole or a removable inner sole insert of the footwear of the user and/or located in an apparatus worn or carried by the user, glued unto the user, or implanted in the user. The one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, or sipes, and one or more sensors are configured for computer control. A sole and/or a removable inner sole insert for footwear, including one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, internal sipes and sensors in the sole and/or in a removable insert; or on an insole; all being configured for control by a smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized.

Improved soles and insoles for shoes, in particular sports shoes, are described. In an aspect, a sole for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, with at least a first and a second surface region is provided. The first surface region comprises expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”). The second surface region is free from expanded TPU.

This document discloses algae-derived flexible foams, whether open-cell or closed-cell, with inherent antimicrobial and flame resistant properties, wherein a process of manufacturing includes the steps of: harvesting algae-biomass; sufficiently drying the algae biomass; blending the dried algae biomass with a carrier resin and various foaming ingredients; adding an algal-derived antimicrobial compound selected from various natural sulfated polysaccharides present in brown algae, red algae, and/or certain seaweeds (marine microalgae); and adding a sufficient quantity of dried algae biomass to the formulation to adequately create a fire resistant flexible foam material.

This document presents algae-derived antimicrobial fiber substrates, and a method of making the same. The fiber may be a synthetic fiber, but can also be formed as a cellulosic (e.g., cotton). In various implementations, an algae-derived antimicrobial fiber substrate can be made to have identical properties and characteristics of nylon-6 of nylon 6-6 polymer or the like, and yet contain antimicrobial, anti-viral, and/or flame retardant algal derived substances. Any of various species of red algae, brown algae, blue-green algae, and brown seaweed (marine microalgae and/or macroalgae) are known to contain a high level of sulfated polysaccharides with inherent antimicrobial, antiviral, and flame-retardant properties, and can be used as described herein. Additionally disclosed are algae-derived flexible foams, whether open-cell or closed-cell, with inherent antimicrobial, antiviral, and flame resistant properties. Further, a process of manufacturing is presented wherein the process may include one or more of the steps of: harvesting algae-biomass; sufficiently drying the algae biomass; blending the dried algae biomass with a carrier resin and various foaming ingredients; adding an algal-derived antimicrobial compound selected from various natural sulfated polysaccharides present in brown algae, red algae, and/or certain seaweeds (marine microalgae); and adding a sufficient quantity of dried algae biomass to the formulation to adequately create a fire resistant flexible foam material.

A shoe structure includes an upper assembly, having an upper and an insole, a bottom, joined in a lower region to the upper assembly and including a sole and a midsole, the sole having a tread. The sole includes one or more tabs monolithic therewith, directed toward the midsole.

A footwear system includes a sensorized insole and a charger. The sensorized insole has an insole bulk having a foot-facing upper surface. A sensor is embedded in the insole bulk for measuring a parameter of a user's foot, a battery is embedded in the insole bulk for providing energy to the sensor, and a receiver pod is embedded in the insole bulk and is spaced from the foot-facing upper surface for wirelessly receiving energy and providing energy to the battery. The charger provides energy to the receiver pod, and includes a cable for connecting to an energy source, and a transmitter pod electrically connected to the cable for receiving energy from the cable and wirelessly transmitting energy to the receiver pod. The transmitter pod is positionable against the foot-facing upper surface to wirelessly provide energy to the receiver pod through the insole bulk.

The present invention is directed to articles of manufacture having at least a portion The present invention is directed to articles of manufacture (and a method for forming such an article) having at least a portion prepared using high coefficient friction material as an interface for human contact using, but not limited to, polymeric materials. The articles may be incorporated into any product or any portion of a product where non-slip properties are required during human contact and usage. Preferably, a thermoplastic material such as thermoplastic urethane with very durable but soft properties is accurately texturized to achieve optimum frictional properties for a given application. The textures are carefully calculated for the desired friction characteristics. The invention further provides methods of preparing articles made with the interface that are characterized by their excellent economic benefits, ease of use, environmental benefits and functional advantages.

The present invention is directed to articles of manufacture having at least a portion The present invention is directed to articles of manufacture (and a method for forming such an article) having at least a portion prepared using high coefficient friction material as an interface for human contact using, but not limited to, polymeric materials. The articles may be incorporated into any product or any portion of a product where non-slip properties are required during human contact and usage. Preferably, a thermoplastic material such as thermoplastic urethane with very durable but soft properties is accurately texturized to achieve optimum frictional properties for a given application. The textures are carefully calculated for the desired friction characteristics. The invention further provides methods of preparing articles made with the interface that are characterized by their excellent economic benefits, ease of use, environmental benefits and functional advantages.

A trim to fit insole for insertion into a shoe has a raised metatarsal pad on the insole upper surface, wherein the raised metatarsal pad has a first region rising at a slope inboard from a medial edge of the insole board, and configured to underlie the first metatarsal head of the wearer, a second, raised top surface region configured to underlie the second to fourth metatarsal shafts of the wearer, and a third region sloping downward towards the lateral edge of the insole configured to underlie the fifth metatarsal shaft of the wearer, wherein all three regions cooperate to evert the first metatarsal and to invert the fifth metatarsal of the wearer.

A trim to fit insole for insertion into a shoe has a raised metatarsal pad on the insole upper surface, wherein the raised metatarsal pad has a first region rising at a slope inboard from a medial edge of the insole board, and configured to underlie the first metatarsal head of the wearer, a second, raised top surface region configured to underlie the second to fourth metatarsal shafts of the wearer, and a third region sloping downward towards the lateral edge of the insole configured to underlie the fifth metatarsal shaft of the wearer, wherein all three regions cooperate to evert the first metatarsal and to invert the fifth metatarsal of the wearer.