An insulating shoe insert including a core layer formed of a cellular material, and a top layer and a bottom layer bonded to opposing sides of the core layer, respectively, the top layer and the bottom layer being configured as thin sheets of aromatic polyamide material such that the top layer and bottom layer cooperate with the core layer to create a heat transfer resistance sufficient to resist transfer of heat through the core layer.

An expandable film includes a core layer and first and second non-expandable outer layers. The core layer includes expandable microspheres dispersed in a matrix having at least 40% of one or more matrix polymers selected from (i) ethylene/unsaturated ester copolymer having an unsaturated ester comonomer content of from 20% to 60%, (ii) ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer having a density of less than 0.915 g/cc, and (iii) combinations thereof. The melting point of the one or more matrix polymers is at least 15° C. below the activation temperature of the expandable microspheres. The first and second non-expandable outer layers each independently include one or more thermoplastic polymers having a melting point at least 15° C. below the activation temperature of the expandable microspheres.

A pneumatic insole includes airbags, channels, two arch-related chambers, a push-type inlet valve, an inlet channel, a check valve, a recessed portion, a push-type adjustment valve, and an outlet channel. The channels interconnect the airbags. The push-type inlet valve is located in the first arch-related chamber. The inlet channel connects the first arch-related chamber to a leading one of the airbags. The check valve is arranged between the inlet channel and the inlet airbag. The recessed portion is located between the arch-related chambers. The push-type adjustment valve is located in the recessed portion and formed with an upper face that extends lower than that of the first and second arch-related chambers. The outlet channel connects the push-type adjustment valve to another one of the airbags.

Disclosed is a method for molding a foamed article, such as a midsole or outsole for footwear, in which first water, then a desired amount of thermoplastic polyurethane foam beads are placed in a compression mold in the shape of the article and the mold is brought to a peak temperature of from about 130° C. to about 180° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds, then cooled to from about 5° C. to about 80° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds within about 30 seconds after the peak temperature is reached. The foamed article made by the method has a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.45 g/cm.sup.3.

Disclosed is a method for molding a foamed article, such as a midsole or outsole for footwear, in which first water, then a desired amount of thermoplastic polyurethane foam beads are placed in a compression mold in the shape of the article and the mold is brought to a peak temperature of from about 130° C. to about 180° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds, then cooled to from about 5° C. to about 80° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds within about 30 seconds after the peak temperature is reached. The foamed article made by the method has a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.45 g/cm.sup.3.

The present disclosure provides an insole, including a base having a front surface for corresponding to the foot sole of a wearer of a shoe with the insole and a rear surface for corresponding to an inner sole of the shoe; wherein the insole further includes a plurality of protrusions evenly arranged on the front surface; the protrusions have the same heights, each protrusion includes a column fixed on the base and a height of the column protruding out from the base ranges from 1 to 7 mm, and a coverage rate of the protrusions on the base ranges from 30% to 70%.

The present disclosure provides an insole, including a base having a front surface for corresponding to the foot sole of a wearer of a shoe with the insole and a rear surface for corresponding to an inner sole of the shoe; wherein the insole further includes a plurality of protrusions evenly arranged on the front surface; the protrusions have the same heights, each protrusion includes a column fixed on the base and a height of the column protruding out from the base ranges from 1 to 7 mm, and a coverage rate of the protrusions on the base ranges from 30% to 70%.

Designs and compositions of insoles for footwear are described herein. The insoles may be customized for a given foot. In some examples, the insole (100) includes a base comprising a variable thickness component (205), a directional stiffness component, a stability component, and a reinforcement component. The base may be a single composition that is manufactured using additive manufacturing techniques.

Designs and compositions of insoles for footwear are described herein. The insoles may be customized for a given foot. In some examples, the insole (100) includes a base comprising a variable thickness component (205), a directional stiffness component, a stability component, and a reinforcement component. The base may be a single composition that is manufactured using additive manufacturing techniques.

A bead foam is made of thermoplastic polyurethane, a styrene polymer, and an impact modifier. Moldings can be produced from the bead foam and processes for the production of the bead foams and moldings can be utilized. The moldings can be used for shoe intermediate soles, shoe insoles, shoe combisoles, cushioning elements for shoes, bicycle saddles, bicycle tires, damping elements, cushioning, mattresses, underlays, grips, protective films, in components in the automobile-interior sector or automobile-exterior sector, balls and sports equipment, or as floorcovering.