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 present invention related to a method for manufacturing a dot bonding shoe insole using an adhesive resin containing hydrophobic nano-silica, including: melting adhesive resin made of any one selected from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) containing hydrophobic nano-silica in the range of 0.2 to 5 phr and applying to the surface of the transfer roller in which the intaglio dot pattern is formed in a mesh shape in the shape of the shoe insole;

removing the adhesive resin applied other area than the intaglio dot pattern of the surface of the transfer roller;
transferring the adhesive resin applied to the intaglio dot pattern of the surface of the transfer roller to either one of the foam or the fabric;
bonding the foam and the fabric by compressing; and
cutting a shoe insole shape in a package in which the foam and the fabric are bonded.

A silicone insole is provided and includes a lower insole layer, a polymer adhesive layer, a surface treatment agent layer and an upper silicone flat layer sequentially arranged from bottom to top in that order, the upper silicone flat layer is made of a food-grade silicone, and an upper end surface of the upper silicone flat layer is a flat structure without grooves and protrusions. An overall connection of the silicone insole is more solid and durable. The silicone insole can disperse pressure on foot to be more suitable for long standing or sporting under a protection of the food-grade silicone, it is suitable for shoes needing insoles to improve performance, and makes full use of advantages of silicone materials such as high friction, waterproof, slightly air permeability, better absorb moisture and perspiration, soft, environmentally protection, non-toxic, odorless, guaranteed rebound touch, quality, ageing resistance, and anti-static.

A plurality of orthotic systems are provided. One bi-layer system is constructed from a single sheet of fabric that is molded into two layers. One tri-layer system includes a base layer; a mid-layer, and an upper layer. The upper layer is joined to the mid-layer and the mid-layer is joined to the base layer. The coupling of the base layer, the mid-layer and the upper layer create a rear spring section, a mid-spring section and a front spring section in which the upper layer is suspended over the mid-layer and the heel portion is suspended on the proximal heel end of the base layer.

A plurality of orthotic systems are provided. One bi-layer system is constructed from a single sheet of fabric that is molded into two layers. One tri-layer system includes a base layer; a mid-layer; and an upper layer. The upper layer is joined to the mid-layer and the mid-layer is joined to the base layer. The coupling of the base layer, the mid-layer and the upper layer create a rear spring section, a mid-spring section and a front spring section in which the upper layer is suspended over the mid-layer and the heel portion is suspended on the proximal heel end of the base layer.

Provided is a composite insole structure including: an insole body being oblong, having a front segment, a middle segment and a rear segment, being made of foam by foaming, and having hardness of 50˜80 OO; and a heel element made of plastic and disposed at the rear segment of the insole body. The middle area of the heel element is of greater thickness than the peripheral area of the heel element; hence, the middle area of the heel element is arched to be centrally raised and thus thinned toward the edge of the middle area radially. The heel element is of hardness of 35˜75 OO.

A breathable ergonomic insole for use with a high-heeled shoe includes: an upper layer; an insole body; a plurality of raised support structures, including front, central, and rear support structures; a plurality of perforation assemblies, each comprising a plurality of perforation apertures; front and rear grip patterns; a central grip pattern comprising a plurality of hexagonal indentations, for which a subset is penetrated by a corresponding perforation assembly.

A cushioning article comprises a first and a second polymeric sheet bonded to one another and enclosing an interior cavity. The polymeric sheets retain a gas in the interior cavity. A tensile component disposed in the interior cavity includes a first tensile layer, a second tensile layer, and a plurality of tethers spanning the interior cavity and connecting the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer. An inwardly-protruding bond joins the first polymeric sheet to the first tensile layer, protrudes inward from the first polymeric sheet toward the second polymeric sheet, and partially traverses the plurality of tethers. The first polymeric sheet is displaced from the first tensile layer adjacent to the inwardly-protruding bond by the gas. A method of manufacturing a cushioning article is disclosed.

An insole having, a base layer, a top layer fixedly secured to the base layer, a middle layer comprised of the base layer and the top layer positioned between the base layer and the top layer, a pressure projection extending upwardly from within the middle layer and extending past an upper surface of the upper layer, the projection including a disc fixedly secured within the middle layer, an annular ring fixedly secured atop the disc, a circular metal insert fixedly secured atop the disc within the annular ring, the circular metal insert having a horseshoe-shaped aperture therein. The insole may also include projections either positioned proximate an inside arch and/or positioned proximate an outside arch. The insole may also comprise a projection positioned proximate to a midfoot region.