Breathable sole and an air-discharging method of shoe

Abstract

A breathable sole, including a midsole and an outsole; a bottom surface of the midsole has an air chamber, an air inlet channel and a single-way air outlet channel; the air chamber is provided at a heel position; the air inlet channel comprises a dispersed air-collecting channel and an air-guiding channel; the dispersed air-collecting channel is provided at the sole and is provided with air inlet holes; the air-guiding channel is connected with a rear position of the dispersed air-collecting channel and the air chamber; the single-way air outlet channel is a Tesla Valve which has an end connecting to a front position of the air chamber, and has another end provided with an air outlet hole penetrating the upper surface of midsole; the single-way air outlet channel imposes a higher resistance against air flowing from the air outlet hole to the air chamber.

Claims

1. A breathable sole, comprising a sole body, which is provided with an air chamber, an air outlet channel, and a single-way air inlet channel; the air chamber is arranged at a heel position of the sole body; the single-way air inlet channel has a Tesla valve structure; one end of the single-way air inlet channel is connected with the air chamber, and another end of the single-way air inlet channel is formed with air inlet holes configured to be connected to an interior of a shoe; the single-way air inlet channel imposes a higher resistance against air flowing from the air chamber to the air inlet holes than air flowing from the air inlet holes to the air chamber; a first end of the air outlet channel is connected with the air chamber, and a second end of the air outlet channel is in communication with an air outlet hole connecting with an external environment; the sole body comprises a midsole and an outsole; a bottom surface of the midsole subsides inwards to form the air chamber, the air outlet channel, and the single-way air inlet channel; an upper surface of the outsole and the bottom surface of the midsole are sealed and adhered such that the air outlet channel, the air chamber, and the single-way inlet channel are sealed between the outsole and the midsole; the air outlet channel extends to an outer side wall of the midsole so that the second end of the air outlet channel is located on the outer side wall of the midsole; the outer side wall of the midsole is also recessed to form an extended channel; one end of the extended channel is connected to the second end of the air outlet channel; another end of the extended channel is located on the outer side wall of the midsole corresponding to a forefoot position of the midsole; a transparent strip is provided on the outer side wall of the midsole corresponding to the extended channel to cover the extended channel; a hole is provided on the outer side wall of the midsole in front of said another end of the extended channel; the hole is in communication with the extended channel and is not covered by the transparent strip; the hole is the air outlet hole.

2. The breathable sole of claim 1, wherein the extended channel has a Tesla valve shape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a top view of the midsole of this invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a structural view of the breathable sole of this invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is a first exploded view of the breathable sole of this invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is a second exploded view of the breathable sole of this invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is a top view of the midsole of embodiment 2 of this invention.

(6) FIG. 6 is a top view of the midsole of embodiment 3 of this invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the midsole of embodiment 4 of this invention.

(8) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the midsole of embodiment 4 of this invention with an alternative configuration of the transparent piece.

(9) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the midsole of embodiment 5 of this invention.

(10) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the midsole of embodiment 6 of this invention.

(11) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the midsole of embodiment 7 of this invention.

(12) FIG. 12 is an exploded view of FIG. 11.

(13) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the midsole of embodiment 8 of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(14) This invention is further illustrated by specific embodiments as follows:

(15) In embodiment 1, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, a breathable sole, comprising a midsole 1, an outsole 2 and an insole 3.

(16) The midsole 1 is made of highly resilient materials, for example, integrally formed by expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (ETPU) pellets; a bottom surface of the midsole 1 comprises an air chamber 11 which subsides inwards, an air inlet channel 12, and a single-way air outlet channel 13; the air chamber 11 is provided at a heel position of the midsole 1, and is a dome structure subsiding from the outer edge to the center; this dome structure allows easier discharge of air, but may also be substituted by other shapes, such as rectangular, oval or irregular shape; a circumference of the air chamber 11 is provided with a step edge 14 which subsides from the bottom surface of the midsole 1; a rear end of the step edge 14 is formed with a rear connecting gap 141 which subsides inwards; when the midsole 1 is pressed at the heel position, the rear connecting gap 141 will be deformed and closed; a front end of the step edge 14 is formed with a front connecting gap 142 which subsides inwards; two lateral sides of the front connecting gap 142 each comprises an outer expanding surface 1421 which keeps the front connecting gap 142 open when the midsole 1 deforms.

(17) The air inlet channel 12 comprises a dispersed air-collecting channel 121 and an air-guiding channel 122; the dispersed air-collecting channel 121 is disposed at a forefoot position of the midsole; the dispersed air-collecting channel 121 comprises annular channels which radiate concentrically and form a labyrinth pattern; air inlet holes 123 are evenly distributed in the dispersed air-collecting channel 121 and penetrate an upper surface of midsole 1; the air-guiding channel 122 is connected with the annular channels so as to connect the dispersed air-collecting channel 121 to a rear position of the air chamber 11; the air-guiding channel 122 is connected to the air chamber 11 via the rear connecting gap 141.

(18) The single-way air outlet channel 13 is a Tesla Valve which has an end connecting to a front position of the air chamber 11 via the front connecting gap 142 so as to be in communication with the air chamber 11, and has another end provided with an air outlet hole 131 penetrating the upper surface of the midsole 1; the single-way air outlet channel 13 imposes a higher resistance against air flowing from the air outlet hole 131 to the air chamber 11 than air flowing from the air chamber 11 to the air outlet hole 131; an upper surface of the outsole 2 and a bottom surface of the midsole 1 are sealed and adhered together, such that the air inlet channel 12, the air chamber 11 and the single-way air outlet channel 13 are sealed within.

(19) The upper surface of the outsole 2 is provided with an embedding block 21 which protrudes outwards, corresponds to the air chamber 11 and rests on the step edge 14; the upper surface of the outsole 2 and the bottom surface of the midsole 1 are sealed and adhered by hot-melting or gluing, and there is a non-adhesive close contact between a top surface of the embedding block 21 and the step edge 14.

(20) The heel position of the midsole 1 is provided with a first outer expanding portion 15 protruding from one side of the heel position; when the midsole 1 is connected to an upper, the first outer expanding portion 15 is located outside the upper; the single-way air outlet channel 13 has a forward section 13a, an arc-shaped transition section 13b, and a return section 13c sequentially arranged; the single-way air outlet channel 13 extends forward from the front connecting gap 142 to the forefoot position of the midsole via the forward section 13a, turns back towards the heel position of the midsole via the arc-shaped transition section 13b, and extends to the first outer expanding portion 15 via the return section 13c, such that the air outlet hole 131 is formed in the first outer expanding portion 15. The outsole 2 is provided with a second outer expanding portion 22 corresponding to the first outer expanding portion 15 of the midsole 1.

(21) The insole 3 is provided on the upper surface of the midsole 1, and a forefoot position of the insole 3 is provided with a through hole 31 which penetrates an upper surface and a lower surface of the insole 3 and corresponds to the air inlet holes 123 of the dispersed air-collecting channel 121; an air-permeable mesh layer 32 is provided within the through hole 31.

(22) Breathable shoe, comprising the aforementioned breathable sole, adopts an air-discharging method which comprises the following steps: Step 1: when a heel portion of the breathable sole is first being compressed during walking; the midsole 1 is compressed and deformed at a rear position of the heel position of the midsole 1 such that the rear connecting gap 141 is closed; Step 2: when pressure is continuously imposed to the heel position of the midsole during walking, the air chamber 11 of the midsole 1 is compressed and deformed, and an internal space of the air chamber 11 shrinks; as the rear connecting gap 141 is closed, air in the air chamber 11 is discharged from the front connecting gap 142 to the single-way air outlet channel 13; the air passes through the single-way air outlet channel 13 and is then discharged through the air outlet hole 131; two lateral sides of the front connecting gap 142 each comprises an outer expanding surface 1421 such that the front connecting gap 142 will not close when the midsole 1 deforms; Step 3: when walking continues, the heel portion of the breathable sole is no longer being compressed, and the midsole 1 is elastically restored at the rear position of the heel position of the midsole 1, the rear connecting gap 141 is opened, and the internal space of the air chamber 11 expands to generate negative pressure; since the single-way air outlet channel 13 imposes a higher resistance against the air flowing from the air outlet hole 131 to the air chamber 11 than the air flowing from the air chamber 11 to the air outlet hole 131, it is difficult for the air to reversely enter the air chamber 11 from the front connecting gap 142; the negative pressure is transmitted to the dispersed air-collecting channel 121 through the air-guiding channel 122, and the dispersed air-collecting channel 121 is positioned corresponding to a forefoot position where sweat and odour are easily found; the air in the shoe is drawn into the dispersed air-collecting channel 121 through the air inlet holes 123, and then enters the air chamber 11 through the air-guiding channel 122; Steps 1-3 are repeated so long as walking continues, such that the air in the shoe keeps entering into the breathable sole and then being discharged to the environment, which means the moisture and odour are expelled timely and hence prevent foot odour.

(23) Embodiment 2: as shown in FIG. 5, a breathable sole, comprising a sole body, which is provided with an air chamber 11, an air outlet channel 16, and a single-way air inlet channel 17; the air chamber 11 is arranged at a heel position of the sole body, and has a structure same as that of the first embodiment, and thus will not be repeatedly described in detail. The single-way air inlet channel 17 has a Tesla Valve structure; one end of the single-way air inlet channel 17 is connected with the air chamber 11, and another end is formed with air inlet holes 173 configured to be connected to an interior of a shoe; the single-way air inlet channel 17 imposes a higher resistance against air flowing from the air chamber 11 to the air inlet holes 173 than air flowing from the air inlet holes 173 to the air chamber 11; a first end of the air outlet channel 16 is connected with the air chamber 11, and a second end of the air outlet channel is in communication with an air outlet hole 161 connecting with an external environment. When stepping downwards during walking, the air chamber 11 is compressed, and the air in the air chamber 11 is discharged to the external environment through the air outlet channel 16. Since the single-way air inlet channel 17 imposes a higher resistance against the air flowing from the air chamber 11 to the air inlet holes 173, only a small portion of air will flow through the single-way air inlet channel 17 from the air chamber to the air inlet holes 173 when the air chamber 11 is compressed; when lifting the foot as walking continues, the air chamber 11 is elastically restored; the air inside the shoe is drawn into the air chamber 11 through the single-way air inlet channel 17 and is discharged to the external environment when the foot steps downwards again during walking, so as to expel the moisture and odour inside the shoe to avoid the problem of foot odour.

(24) The sole body comprises a midsole 1 and an outsole 2; a bottom surface of the midsole 1 subsides inwards to form the air chamber 11, the air outlet channel 16, and the single-way air inlet channel 17; an upper surface of the outsole 2 and the bottom surface of the midsole 1 are sealed and adhered such that the air outlet channel 16, the air chamber 11, and the single-way inlet channel 17 are sealed within.

(25) The single-way air inlet channel 17 comprises a dispersed air-collecting channel 171 and a Tesla channel 172; the dispersed air-collecting channel 171 is arranged at a forefoot position of the sole body, and is provided with the air inlet holes 173 penetrating an upper surface of the midsole 1. The Tesla channel 172 connects the dispersed air-collecting channel 171 to the air chamber 11, and the Tesla channel 172 is a Tesla Valve.

(26) A cross-sectional area of the air outlet channel 16 gradually reduces from the air chamber 11 towards the air outlet hole 161, so that air from the external environment will not easily enter the air chamber 11 through the air outlet channel 16, and the air in the air chamber 11 is more easily discharged through the air outlet channel 16. The air outlet channel 16 is connected to a rear end of the air chamber 11, and the single-way air inlet channel 17 is connected to a front end of the air chamber 11. When the user walks, the heel of the user first touches the ground, and thus the air chamber 11 is compressed; as a connected portion of the single-way air inlet channel 17 and the air chamber 11, connected with reference to the connecting structure described in embodiment 1, is arranged at the front end of the air chamber 11, the connection between the single-way air inlet channel 17 and the air chamber 11 is not affected; besides, a connected portion of the air outlet channel 16 and the air chamber 11 is relatively large which also does not affect the connection between the air outlet channel 16 and the air chamber 11 when the air chamber is compressed, so that the air can still be discharged through the air outlet channel 16; when the air chamber 11 is elastically restored, the air inside the shoe is drawn into the air chamber 11 through the single-way air inlet channel 17 and is then discharged to the external environment in the user steps downward again during walking. Thereby, the moisture and odour in the shoe are discharged to the external environment to prevent foot odour.

(27) Embodiment 3, as shown in FIG. 6, is basically the same as Embodiment 2, except that the air outlet channel 16 is connected to the front end of the air chamber 11, and the single-way air inlet channel 17 is connected to the rear end of the air chamber 11; when the user walks, the heel of the user first touches the ground, and thus the air chamber 11 is compressed; the connected portion of the single-way air inlet channel 17 and the air chamber 11 will be compressed and sealed, so that the air in the air chamber 11 is unable to pass through the single-way air inlet channel 17 and can only be discharged through the air outlet channel 16. When the air chamber 11 is elastically restored; the air inside the shoe is drawn into the air chamber 11 through the single-way air inlet channel 17, and is then discharged to the outside of the shoe when the user steps downward again during walking. Thereby, the moisture and odor in the shoe are discharged to the external environment to prevent foot odour.

(28) Embodiment 4, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, is basically the same as Embodiment 2, except that the second end of the air outlet channel 16 is an elongated hole extending on an outer side wall of the midsole 1; the elongated hole is the air outlet hole 161; a transparent piece 4 is provided to partially cover the air outlet hole 161. With reference to FIG. 7, the elongated hole of the air outlet channel 16 extends on the outer side wall of the midsole 1 perpendicularly with respect to the midsole 1; the first end of the air outlet channel 16 is connected with one side of the air chamber 11; the air outlet channel 16 extends from the first end horizontally and straightly away from the air chamber 11 up till the second end on the outer side wall of the midsole 1 where the second end is formed as an elongated hole extending on the outer side wall of the midsole 1 perpendicularly with respect to the midsole 1; as said, the elongated hole is the air outlet hole 161; the transparent piece 4 is a transparent film; the transparent film is adhered to the outer side wall of the midsole 1 corresponding to the air outlet hole 161; a length of the transparent film is shorter than a length of the air outlet hole 161 extending on the outer side wall of the midsole 1; accordingly, the air outlet hole 161 is partially exposed to the external environment, either at an upper part or a lower part or both of the air outlet hole 161, so that air inside the air outlet channel 16 can be discharged to the external environment through portion(s) of the air outlet hole 161 not covered by the transparent film. During use, the transparent film allows users to observe the air being discharged from the shoe. Accordingly, users experience is enhanced.

(29) As shown in FIG. 8, the transparent piece 4 can also be a rectangular block instead of a film. The transparent piece 4 is inserted into the air outlet channel 16 through the air outlet hole 161. A width of the transparent piece 4 is the same as a width of the air outlet hole 161. A length of the transparent piece 4 is shorter than a length of the air outlet hole 161 extending on the outer side wall of the midsole 1. A thickness of the transparent piece 4 is smaller than a length of the air outlet channel 16. As such, the air outlet hole 161 can also be partially exposed to the external environment.

(30) Embodiment 5, as shown in FIG. 9, is basically the same as embodiment 4, except that instead of having the second end of the air outlet channel extending as an elongated hole, a groove having a Tesla valve shape is provided on the outer side wall of the midsole 1 extending perpendicularly with respect to the midsole 1; the groove is said air outlet hole 161; the second end of the air outlet channel 16 is connected with an upper end of the groove; the transparent piece 4, embodied as a transparent film, is provided on the outer side wall of the midsole 1 to partially cover the groove. A lower end of the groove is not covered by the transparent piece 4 and is thus exposed to the external environment. Said groove having a Tesla valve shape can effectively prevent air refluxing back into the midsole 1 through the air outlet hole 161.

(31) Embodiment 6, as shown in FIG. 10, is basically the same as embodiment 2, except that the first end of the air outlet channel 16 is connected to one side of the air chamber 11; the air outlet channel 16 extends towards the first outer expanding portion 15; the second end of the air outlet channel 16 is located proximal to the first outer expanding portion 15 but not within the first outer expanding portion 15; a middle part of an outer side wall of the first outer expanding portion 15 is recessed to form a groove having a Tesla valve shape extending perpendicularly with respect to the first outer expanding portion 15; an upper end and a lower end of the groove is spaced away from an upper edge and a lower edge of the first outer expanding portion 15 respectively; said groove is the air outlet hole 161; an inner communication channel 17 is provided inside the midsole 1; one end of the inner communication channel 17 is connected to an upper end of the groove inside the midsole 1, and another end of the inner communication channel 17 is connected with the second end of the air outlet channel 16 to communicate with the air outlet channel 16; the outer side wall of the first outer expanding portion 15 is also provided with a transparent member 5 corresponding to the air outlet hole 161 to partially cover the air outlet hole 161; the transparent member 5 is a film; a lower end of the groove is not covered by the transparent member 5. During use, the transparent member 5 allows users to observe the air being discharged from the shoe. Accordingly, users experience is enhanced. Further, the groove in a Tesla valve shape can effectively prevent air from refluxing back into the midsole 1 through the air outlet hole 161.

(32) Embodiment 7, as shown in FIGS. 11-12, is basically the same as embodiment 2, except that the first end of the air outlet channel 16 is connected with one side of the air chamber 11; the air outlet channel 16 extends to an outer side wall of the midsole 1 so that the second end of the air outlet channel 16 is located on the outer side wall of the midsole 1; the air outlet channel 16 has a depth extending from the bottom surface of the midsole 1 towards the upper surface of the midsole 1; the outer side wall of the midsole 1 is also recessed to form an extended channel 162; one end of the extended channel 162 is connected to the second end of the air outlet channel 16; another end of the extended channel 162 is located on the outer side wall of the midsole 1 corresponding to the forefoot position of the midsole 1; a transparent strip 6 is provided on the outer side wall of the midsole 1 corresponding to the extended channel 162 to cover the extended channel 162; a hole is provided on the outer side wall of the midsole 1 in front of said another end of the extended channel 162; the hole is in communication with the extended channel 162 and is not covered by the transparent strip 6; the hole is the air outlet hole 161. In other words, the transparent strip 6 is disposed on the outer side wall of the midsole 1 to cover the entire extended channel 162, while the air outlet hole 161 is not covered by the transparent strip 6. As such, the air outlet hole 161 in communication with the extended channel 162 is located at the forefoot position of the midsole 1, and so air from the shoe is discharged from the shoe at the forefoot position of the midsole 1, which facilitates the users to observe more directly the air being discharged from the midsole 1.

(33) Embodiment 8, as shown in FIG. 13, is basically the same as embodiment 7, except that the extended channel 162 has a Tesla valve shape. The extended channel 162 in a Tesla valve shape can prevent air from refluxing back into the midsole 1 through the air outlet hole 161. Further, since the extended channel 162 is extended to the forefoot position of the midsole 1, the shape of the Tesla valve is more extended and the effect of preventing air from refluxing back into the midsole 1 through the air outlet hole 161 can be more prominent. Alternatively, the transparent strip 6 may also be a conventional transparent film.