Abstract
The present disclosure relates to an insole including a lower layer, an upper layer and an intermediate layer arranged between the lower layer and the upper layer. The lower layer or base of the insole is a supporting layer designed to be placed, in use conditions of the insole, above a sole of an item of footwear. The upper layer is designed to be placed, in use conditions of the insole, in contact with a foot, with or without a sock, of a user. The intermediate layer includes natural feathers distributed uniformly and treated so as not to allow displacement thereof along the intermediate layer. The disclosure further relates to an upper of an item of footwear.
Claims
1. An insole or upper for footwear comprising: a lower or external layer; an upper or internal layer; and an intermediate layer arranged between the lower or external layer and the upper or internal layer comprising, in at least a portion thereof, natural feathers.
2. The insole or upper according to claim 1, wherein the natural feathers are distributed uniformly in said intermediate layer.
3. The insole or upper according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a plurality of cells, the natural feathers being housed in said cells, each cell being at least partly or completely separated from adjacent cells in such a way as to prevent passage of feathers between the cells.
4. The insole or upper according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer of natural feathers comprises loose feathers, said loose feathers being maintained in a respective position, by glues, bonds or mechanical members, so as to prevent displacement of the feathers within the intermediate layer.
5. The insole or upper according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer of natural feathers comprises at least one of: stabilised feathers, reciprocally compacted feather, and a feather textile.
6. The insole or upper according to claim 5, wherein said stabilised feathers, if present and said reciprocally compacted feathers, if present, are treated by a stabilising process that comprises bonding the feathers together with a bond, wherein said bond possesses elastic properties or wherein said bond comprises at least one of particles of glue and elastomeric filaments.
7. The insole or upper according to claim 1, wherein the natural feathers comprise down.
8. The insole or upper according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer is a thermal insulator, enabling at least one of thermal insulation and thermoregulation of a foot in such a way as to, in use conditions of the insole: maintain a predetermined temperature range of the foot; reduce the likelihood of excessive heat build-up; prevent transmission of heat between the upper or internal layer and the lower or external layer; and provide for entry of cooler or warmer air from outside of an item of footwear in which the insole or upper is inserted.
9. The insole or upper according to claim 1, wherein the natural feathers of the intermediate layer form minuscule air cells configured for preventing transmission of heat between the upper or internal layer and the lower or external layer and for thermally insulating the foot.
10. The insole or upper according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer is at least one of breathable and hygroscopic and is configured for enabling passage and circulation of at least one of air and water vapor, while maintaining the foot dry.
11. The insole or upper according to claim 1, wherein the lower layer is a supporting lower layer, or base of the insole, designed to be placed, in use conditions of the insole, above a sole of an item of footwear.
12. The insole according to claim 1, further comprising: a main body; and a foldable portion engaged to the main body of the insole, the foldable portion being capable of assuming at least: a substantially flat configuration wherein said foldable portion lies substantially coplanarly to a lie plane of the main body of the insole; and a folded configuration wherein said foldable portion lies substantially on a plane that is transversal or parallel to a lie plane of the main body of the insole.
13. The insole according to claim 12, wherein the foldable portion is configured for assuming at least a first folded configuration in which it lies substantially on a plane that is transversal to the lie plane of the main body of the insole and forms with the main body of the insole an angle (): between about 60 and about 150; between about 75 and about 120; or about 90.
14. The insole according to claim 12, wherein the foldable portion is configured for assuming at least a second folded configuration in which it is folded with respect to the main body of the insole and lies on a plane that is substantially parallel to the lie plane of the main body of the insole; wherein, in said second folded configuration the foldable portion is configured as an auxiliary support portion for a heel of a foot of a user of the insole.
15. The insole according to claim 12 wherein said foldable portion comprises a main body extension portion having a first end and a second end, reciprocally opposite, the foldable portion being an extension of the main body of the insole, at the first end thereof, the foldable portion further comprising an appendage engaged to the main body extension portion of the foldable portion, at the second end thereof, said appendage being configured so as to function substantially as a further extension of the main body extension portion of the foldable portion and being further capable of assuming at least one of: a substantially flat configuration in which said appendage lies substantially coplanarly to a lie plane of the main body extension portion of the foldable portion; and a folded configuration in which said appendage is configured to: lie substantially on a plane that is transversal to a lie plane of the main body extension portion of the foldable portion; project externally of an item of footwear in which the insole is inserted; or a combination thereof.
16. An item of footwear comprising an insole or an upper according to claim 1.
17. The insole or upper according to claim 7, wherein the down is goose down and/or duck down and/or down of animals in the anatidae family.
18. The insole or upper according to claim 11, wherein the upper layer is configured to be placed, in use conditions of the insole in contact with a foot, with or without a sock, of a user.
19. An item of footwear, comprising: a footwear sole comprising a bottom portion for contacting ground and a top portion opposite the bottom portion; and support means configured as an insole for the item of footwear, for supporting a foot of a user of the footwear disposed on the top portion of the footwear sole.
20. The item of footwear according to claim 19, further comprising thermoregulation means for maintaining an ambient temperature of the foot of the user during conditions of use of the item of footwear.
Description
[0018] There now follows, by way of non-limiting example, a detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments, in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates an insole according to an embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a section view of the insole of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a section view of the insole according to a further embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates an upper according to a further embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a section view of the upper of FIG. 4;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a section view of a further embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates an insole according to a further embodiment in which the foldable portion assumes a substantially flat configuration;
[0026] FIG. 8 illustrates an insole according to the embodiment of FIG. 7, in which the foldable portion assumes a first folded configuration; and
[0027] FIG. 9 illustrates an insole according to the embodiment of FIG. 7, in which the foldable portion assumes a second folded configuration, in which it is adapted to function substantially as a support portion of the heel or heel-pad.
[0028] With reference to the accompanying figures, reference numeral 1 denotes in its entirety an insole according to the present disclosure. The insole 1 is destined to be used internally of an item of footwear for supporting and stabilising a user's foot. In the present description, the term insole is taken to comprise any support element and/or underfoot element destined to support the user's foot and to be interposed between the foot and any item of footwear. The term insole is taken to comprise both removable insoles and fixed and/or integral insoles of an item of footwear. In the present description, by feather textile is meant a material including and realised starting from natural feathers and having an appearance and/or characteristics and/or possibilities of use that are similar or alike to those of a textile. In the present description, by natural feathers is meant at least goose feathers, duck feathers, down, goose down, duck down and feathers and down of other animals in the anatidae family or the like, or any mixture thereof. The insole 1 has a lower layer 2, an intermediate layer 3 and an upper layer 4. The intermediate layer 3 is arranged between the lower layer 2 and the upper layer 4 and is realised as a material principally of natural feathers, as will be seen in greater detail in the following. The insole 1 extends along a prevalent extension direction. The intermediate layer 3 extends along the extension direction for a length that is substantially alike to a length of the lower layer 2 and the upper layer 4 (see FIG. 1) or, alternatively, it can extend for a portion of the length of the upper layer 4 and the lower layer 2. The lower layer 2, or base of the insole 1, is a supporting and stabilising layer designed to be positioned above the sole of an item of footwear in operating conditions of the insole 1. By operating conditions of the insole 1 is meant the condition in which the insole 1 is positioned internally of an item of footwear or an integrating part thereof. The lower layer 2 can be made of any material suitable for the purpose, such as for example a resin, synthetic or natural material or any material suitable for the purpose having characteristics of stability, cushioning and dissipation of energy so as to provide a comfortable support for the foot. Further, the lower layer 2 can be made of a breathable or insulating material or of any other material which is considered appropriate for realising the insole. The upper layer 4 is opposite the lower layer 2 and is destined, in operating conditions of the insole 1, to enter into contact directly (in the case of a sock-less foot) or indirectly (in the case of a foot wearing a sock) with the user's foot. The upper layer 4 can be made of any material suitable for the purpose, such as a resin or another material. Further, the upper layer 4 can be made of a breathable material or another material. The upper layer 4 is configured for providing optimal comfort for the user's foot. As mentioned, the intermediate layer 3 is arranged between the upper layer 4 and the lower layer 2. The intermediate layer 3 can be coupled to the upper layer 4 and the lower layer 2 by known means, such as gluing, sewing, heat-welding, heat-adhesion or like connecting methods. The intermediate layer 3 includes natural feathers 5, which can be constituted by down. The down can preferably be goose down or duck down. The natural feathers 5 of the intermediate layer 3 can be loose (see FIG. 2), i.e. not linked to one another, or can be linked to one another by means of appropriate bonds (see FIG. 3), as will more fully emerge in the following. The natural feathers 5 are distributed homogeneously and uniformly internally of the intermediate layer 3, so as to prevent the formation of zones having greater density and zones having lower density of feathers 5. To prevent the formation of zones having a different concentration or density of feathers 5, the intermediate layer 3 can be sub-divided into cells 6 (see FIG. 2). The cells 6 are provided with lateral walls 7 which prevent passage of the feathers 5 between a cell 6 and the adjacent cells 6 and therefore do not allow displacements of the feathers 5 along the intermediate layer 3 of the insole 1. The intermediate layer 3 of natural feathers 5 can be made according to the production methods described in patent applications WO0056971A1, WO9811795A1, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,692,245A, 5,408,700A, 5,799,600A and 6,025,041A. The intermediate layer might alternatively be made according to other techniques which enable incorporating/using the down obtained from the anatidae. The intermediate layer 3 is preferably a layer made of compacted and stabilised natural feathers 5 obtained with the production method described in patent application WO2015103684A1. The contents of the above mentioned patent applications, in relation to the modes of realisation and the structure of the relative layers of feathers, is incorporated for the purpose of reference in the present description. According to the production method of WO2015103684A1, the intermediate layer 3 can comprise bonds having elastic properties. As described in WO2015103684A1, the bonds can be elastomeric filaments 8 or particles of glue 9 (see FIG. 3). The bonds stabilise the intermediate layer 3, making it compact and conferring optimal characteristics thereon. In a variant, the upper layer can be constituted by a thin material for containing the feathers or feather textile. The intermediate layer 3 is a layer of thermal insulation which enables thermal insulation and thermoregulation of the foot, which will not undergo broad thermal excursions and it will never be too hot or too cold due to the characteristic features of the natural feathers 5. The intermediate layer 3 is thus configured for maintaining, in use conditions of the insole 1, a constant and ideal temperature for the foot, and prevents dispersion of heat between the upper layer 4 and the lower layer 2. The thermal insulation of the intermediate layer 3 is facilitated by the minuscule air cells which naturally form between the natural feathers 5 of the intermediate layer 3 which also prevent the transmission of heat between the upper layer 4 and the lower layer 2 of the insole 1. The insole enables passage of heat and water vapour from the upper layer 4 to the intermediate layer 3, even without passing beyond the lower layer 2, enabling exit of heat and water vapour which therefore does not stagnate in the intermediate layer 3, but is released and dispersed into the air, not impregnating the insole 1, but is facilitated in exiting from the insole and the item of footwear, enabling an effective thermoregulation and a non-moist but dry environment. The intermediate layer 3 of natural feathers 5 further has a plurality of advantages which derive from the special characteristics of the natural feathers 5, which are described in detail in the following. The feathers are hygroscopic and allow for natural breathing of the skin. In fact, the feathers absorb moisture and allow the skin to breathe slowly, thus ensuring an ideal micro-climate for the organism. The feathers are further able to absorb up to 20% and beyond of moisture without giving the sensation of wetness and therefore, in a damp climate or in case of sweating, activates the protective function thereof by absorbing the moisture and releasing it towards the environment by a gradual and continuous process of transpiration. The feathers are also anti-rheumatic; owing to their hygroscopic powers, the feathers absorb the water vapour generated by the feet and release it gradually towards the outside, determining a physical well-being of the user and not creating moist environments that can facilitate the onset of rheumatic pains due to prolonged contact with damp environments. A further advantage, consequent to the above-listed advantages, is linked to breathability. In fact, the feathers and the down enable release of the water vapour produced by the foot, and at the same time, being waterproof, they do not allow a reverse pathway for the water. In this way, the water is prevented from penetrating into the insole 1, which therefore remains dry. The feathers are also light, soft, comfortable, non-allergenic, anti-bacterial, antimycotic and anti-mite. The mite, which is the main cause responsible for allergies, retreats from the feathers and prefers wool and cotton. Mites in fact have a predilection for moist environments and feather and down linings, as mentioned in the foregoing, do not facilitate the formation of this type of environment. The feathers are further very compressible because of the significant quantity of air incorporated therein and the ability thereof to return to the initial volume thereof after the removal of the compression force (in the case of the insole 1, the compression force is given by the weight of the body unloaded on the insole via the foot). The insole 1 can further comprise a foldable portion 10 engaged to a main body 11 of the insole. The insole 1 can optionally include a connecting portion 12, also foldable and configured for connecting the main body 11 to the foldable portion 10 (see FIG. 7); alternatively, when the connecting portion 12 is not included, the foldable portion 11 is engaged directly on the main body 11 of the insole 1. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, and as illustrated in FIG. 7, the main body 11 of the insole 1, the connecting portion 12 and the foldable portion 10 are in a single piece. The foldable portion 10 is configured for being at least partly folded with respect to the main body 11 of the insole 1. In particular, the foldable portion 10 can assume at least a substantially flat configuration, or rest configuration, in which it lies substantially on the same lie plane of the main body 11 of the insole 1 (see FIG. 7) and at least a folded configuration in which it lies substantially on a plane that is transversal or parallel to a lie plane of the main body 11 of the insole 1. Going into greater detail, the foldable portion 10 can assume at least a first and a second folded configuration. In the first folded configuration, the foldable portion 10 lies substantially on a plane that is transversal to a lie plane of the main body 11 of the insole 1 and forms with the main body 11 an angle comprised between 60 and 150, in particular comprised between 75 and 120, even more in particular substantially equal to 90 (see FIG. 8). The angle can be defined as the angle defined between an upper surface of the main body 11 of the insole 1 and an upper surface of the foldable portion 10, the upper surfaces being defined with reference to the normal-use orientation of the insole 1 (illustrated for example in FIGS. 1, and 7-9). In this first folded configuration, when the insole is housed internally of an item of footwear, the foldable portion 10 provides a comfortable rest for the rear part of a user's foot, going to prevent the direct abutment thereof on the rear internal portion of the item of footwear. In the second folded configuration, on the other hand, the foldable portion 10 is folded with respect to the main body 11 of the insole 1 and lies on a plane that is substantially parallel to the lie plane of the main body 11. In substance, in the second folded configuration the foldable portion 10 functions substantially as an heel-pad, i.e. as a support portion for a heel of a foot of a user wearing the item of footwear. In the second folded configuration of the foldable portion, the angle can be comprised between 270 and 360, in particular comprised between 320 and 360, still more in particular comprised between 350 and 360. With the angle , lower surfaces of the foldable portion 10 and a portion of the insole 1 defined in proximity of the connecting portion 12 face one another, as illustrated in FIG. 9 in which the angle is comprised between 350 and 360; it should be noted how the lower surfaces are defined, in the present description, with reference to the normal-use orientation of the insole 1, illustrated for example in FIG. 1 and in FIGS. 7-9. By bending the foldable portion 10 in the opposite direction, in the second folded configuration of the foldable portion, the angle can be comprised between 0 and 60, in particular comprised between 0 and 30, still more in particular comprised between 0 and 15 (this configuration is not illustrated in the appended figures). With the angle , upper surfaces of the foldable portion 10 and a portion of the insole 1 defined in proximity of the connecting portion 12 face one another; it should be noted how the upper surfaces are defined, in the present description, with reference to the normal-use orientation of the insole 1, illustrated for example in FIG. 1 and in FIGS. 7-9. As regards the structural characteristics of the insole 1, it is worthy of note that the foldable portion 10 is preferably made in a single piece with the main body 11. In greater detail with respect to the foldable portion 10, it includes a main body 13 having a first end 13 and a second end 13, reciprocally opposite; the foldable portion 10 is engaged to the main body 11 of the insole 1 at the first end 13 thereof. The foldable portion 10 further includes an appendage 14 engaged to the main body 13 of the foldable portion 10, at the second end 13 thereof. The appendage 14 is configured for functioning substantially as an extension of the main body 13 of the foldable portion 10. The foldable portion 10 can optionally comprise natural feathers or feather textile of the type described in the foregoing at least at a portion thereof and in particular at least at the main body 13 thereof, so as to provide a greater comfort to the user in both the first and the second operating configuration, described in the foregoing. Further, the foldable portion 10 can optionally comprise a joint portion 15 at the second end 13. The joint portion 15 is in turn foldable with respect to the main body 13 of the foldable portion 10 and is configured for connecting the main body 13 of the foldable portion 10 to the appendage 14 (see FIG. 7). The joint portion 15, the main body 13 of the foldable portion 10 and the appendage 14 are preferably in a single piece. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, and as illustrated in FIG. 7, the main body 11 of the insole 1, the connecting portion 12, the main body 13 of the foldable portion 10, the joint portion 15 and the appendage 14 are in a single piece. Returning to the appendage 14, note that it is configured to assume at least a substantially flat configuration, or rest configuration, in which it lies substantially coplanarly to a lie plane of the main body 13 of the foldable portion 10 (see FIG. 7) and at least a folded configuration in which it lies substantially on a plane that is transversal to a lie plane of the main body 13 of the foldable portion 10. As previously mentioned, the present disclosure is further relative to an upper 1 for footwear including, in at least a portion thereof, natural feathers 5. An upper 1 is illustrated for example in FIG. 4; the upper is aesthetically a common upper for footwear, which can be engaged to the insole 1, or to other common insoles, according to known technologies used in the footwear sector. The upper 1, or at least a portion thereof, includes a layered structure substantially of the same type as the one was previously described with reference to the insole 1. The upper 1, or exclusively a portion thereof, thus includes an external layer 2, which is entirely alike to the lower layer 2 of the previously-described insole 1, an intermediate layer 3 of the previously-described type and therefore including natural feathers and an internal layer 4 entirely alike the upper layer 4 of the previously-described insole 1. FIG. 4 illustrates for example an upper 1 of the above-described type. As can be seen from the section of the upper 1 of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, illustrating two alternative embodiments of the upper 1, the natural feathers contained in the upper can be of the previously-described type. The upper 1, realised at least partly of natural feathers 5, or feather textile, can be used irrespective of the utilisation, in the same item of footwear, of an insole 1 including natural feathers 5 or feather textile of the type described in the foregoing. However, the Applicant stresses that the combined use, i.e. in a same item of footwear, of an insole 1 including natural feathers 5 or feather textile, of the above-described type, and an upper 1 including natural feathers 5 or feather textile of the above-described type, is particularly advantageous as it guarantees excellent comfort and an efficient thermoregulation of the foot. Returning to the advantages of the present disclosure, it should be noted that among the further advantages of the feathers 5 and therefore the insole 1 and/or the upper 1, there is also the advantage of being extremely light. A further advantage is given by the fact that the insole is washable. In other terms, the insole according to the present disclosure makes it possible to obtain one or more of the following advantages and to obviate one or more of the problems encountered in the prior art. Primarily the present disclosure enables considerable comfort of the foot, as it prevents situations of physical discomfort linked to the foot being in a moist and insanitary environment. Further, the insole according to the present disclosure promotes the well-being of the foot and the consequent well-being of the user's body. The insole according to the present disclosure further enables a stable and comfortable rest for the user's foot and supports it optimally. The insole of the present disclosure is moreover convenient to use, easy to implement, simple and economical to make and can be widely used.
