Insole

Abstract

The invention concerns an insole comprising a substrate and a printed layer, wherein the substrate comprises a first friction coefficient on a reference surface and the printed layer comprises a second friction coefficient on the reference surface, which is higher than the first friction coefficient.

Claims

1. An insole, comprising: a foot-contacting side; a substrate; and a printed layer applied to the substrate on the foot-contacting side of the insole, wherein the insole on the foot contacting side comprises a first area and a second area, wherein in the first area the printed layer comprises grooves, and in the second area the substrate is exposed between portions of the printed layer, wherein the printed layer comprises an edge at a boundary between the first area and the second area, and the edge includes an indentation configured to at least partially surround at least one toe, wherein the substrate comprises a first friction coefficient on a reference surface, and wherein the printed layer comprises a second friction coefficient on the reference surface, which is higher than the first friction coefficient.

2. The insole according to claim 1, wherein the printed layer is applied at least to a metatarsal region of the substrate.

3. The insole according to claim 1, wherein the printed layer comprises a rubber or a polyurethane.

4. The insole according to claim 1, wherein the printed layer comprises at least one substantially longitudinal line or at least one substantially transverse line.

5. The insole according to claim 1, wherein the printed layer comprises a first portion comprising a first thickness of at least 0.2 mm, and wherein the printed layer further comprises a second portion comprising a second thickness that is smaller than the first thickness.

6. The insole according to claim 5, wherein the second portion comprises, at least partly, a longitudinal line or a transverse line.

7. The insole according to claim 6, wherein the first thickness or the second thickness increases from a toe region to a metatarsal region of the substrate.

8. The insole according to claim 1, wherein the printed layer is printed such as to form at least one groove in the printed layer.

9. The insole according to claim 1, wherein each of the grooves comprises a depth of at least 0.2 mm.

10. The insole according to claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises ethyl vinyl acetate.

11. The insole according to claim 1, wherein the substrate further comprises a plurality of perforations.

12. The insole according to claim 1, wherein the insole is insertable into a shoe upper.

13. A method of producing the insole according to claim 1, the method comprising: providing the substrate; and printing the printed layer on the substrate.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein printing the printed layer comprises printing the printed layer at least onto a metatarsal region of the substrate.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein printing the printed layer further comprises printing at least one substantially longitudinal line or one substantially transverse line.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein printing the printed layer further comprises printing a first portion of the printed layer comprising a first thickness of at least 0.2 mm, and wherein printing the printed layer further comprises printing a second portion of the printed layer comprising a second thickness that is smaller than the first thickness.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein printing the printed layer further comprises printing such as to form at least one groove in the printed layer.

Description

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the figures. The figures show:

(2) FIGS. 1A-B show an exemplary insole according to an embodiment;

(3) FIGS. 2A-C shows a cross-sectional cuts through the exemplary insole of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment;

(4) FIG. 3 shows another exemplary insole according to an embodiment;

(5) FIG. 4 shows an exemplary insole according to the embodiment of FIG. 3 and an outline of a wearer's foot;

(6) FIG. 5 shows an exemplary insole according to the embodiment of FIG. 3 and a cross-sectional cut through said exemplary insole according to an embodiment; and

(7) FIG. 6 shows another exemplary insole according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) In the following only some possible embodiments of the invention are described in detail. It is to be understood that these exemplary embodiments can be modified in a number of ways and combined with each other whenever compatible and that certain features may be omitted in so far as they appear dispensable.

(9) FIG. 1A shows an exemplary insole 10 according to an embodiment. According to this embodiment, an insole 10 comprises a substrate 11 and a printed layer 12, wherein the substrate 11 comprises a first friction coefficient on a reference surface and the printed layer 12 comprises a second friction coefficient on the reference surface, which is higher than the first friction coefficient. The side of the insole 10 shown in FIG. 1A is a foot contacting side of the insole 10.

(10) In this example, reference surface is a clean and flat surface consisting of low-density polyethylene and the static friction coefficient is measured according to ASTM Standard D 1894-01. However, other reference surfaces such as thermoplastic polyurethane and measurement standards such as ISO 15113 version valid on 1 Jan. 2019 may be used. It is only important that the relative size of the friction coefficients of the substrate 11 and the printed layer 12 can be determined.

(11) The insole 10 may also be referred to as a sock liner, shoe liner, footbed etc. The exemplary insole 10 is removable.

(12) The exemplary insole 10 according to this embodiment offers a larger amount of friction in the region to which the printed layer 12 is applied than in regions where the printed layer 12 is not applied.

(13) In this embodiment, the printed layer 12 is applied at least to a metatarsal region 23 of the substrate 11. The printed layer 12 comprises a rubber ink and is screen-printed onto the substrate 11.

(14) The printed layer 12 comprises an indentation 16 on a surface of the printed layer 12 that at least partially surrounds at least one toe. In this embodiment, the printed layer 12 comprises five indentations 16 on the surface of the printed layer 12, wherein each indentation 16 at least partially surrounds a toe.

(15) The printed layer 12 comprises a plurality of substantially longitudinal lines, two of which are indicated by reference signs 14 a and 14 b, and a plurality of substantially transverse lines 15, cross-sectional cuts through the longitudinal lines 14 a, 14 b are shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Thus, in an area of the insole 10 on the foot contacting side the substrate 11 is exposed between portions of the printed layer 12.

(16) The substrate 11 comprises ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA). EVA provides preferred cushioning properties and is easy to manufacture.

(17) The substrate 11 further comprises a plurality of perforations 13 to improve the breathability of the insole 10 and additionally to control the bending stiffness of the insole 10. In this embodiment, perforations 13 are located in a midfoot region in order to decrease the bending stiffness of the insole 10 in the midfoot region.

(18) The location of the metatarsal 23 and the toe regions 22 is also shown.

(19) FIG. 1B shows the same as FIG. 1A except that the locations of the various constant thickness portions and gradient raised portions referred to in FIG. 2C are shown.

(20) FIGS. 2A-C show cross-sectional cuts through the exemplary insole 10 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional cut through line 31. FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional cut through line 32. FIG. 2C shows a cross-sectional cut along exemplary longitudinal line 14b. FIGS. 2A-C are not to scale.

(21) Along cut line 31, the printed layer 12 comprises a thickness of about 0.5 mm.

(22) Along cut line 32, the printed layer 12 comprises a first portion 17 comprising a first thickness 33 of about 1.2 mm. The printed layer 12 further comprises a second portion 18 comprising a second thickness 34 of about 0.5 mm. Therefore, the second portion 18 partly comprises the longitudinal lines 14 a and 14 b and represents a groove with respect to the first portion 17. In other words, the longitudinal lines 14 a, 14 b comprise the second thickness 34. The depth 36 of the groove 51 formed is therefore 0.7 mm. Thus, in an area of the insole 10 on the foot contacting side the printed layer 12 comprises grooves.

(23) As shown in FIG. 2C, the thickness of the printed layer 12 may vary gradually in one or more gradient raised portions. FIG. 2C shows a cut along the longitudinal line 14b with the location of the various gradient raised portions indicated in FIG. 1B. In a first constant thickness portion 37, the printed layer comprises a constant thickness of 0.5 mm. In a subsequent first gradient raised portion 38 the thickness of the printed layer increases gradually from 0.5 mm to 1.2 mm. A subsequent second constant thickness portion 39 comprises a constant thickness of 1.2 mm. Thus, an edge is formed in the second constant thickness portion 39 around indentations 16. The edge does not comprise any grooves in this example. In a subsequent second gradient raised portion 40, the thickness of the printed layer decreases to 0.5 mm. The thickness of the printed layer is constant in a subsequent third constant thickness portion 41.

(24) In other embodiments, the substrate 11 may further comprise at least one recess.

(25) FIG. 3 shows another exemplary insole 10 according to an embodiment. According to this embodiment, an insole 10 comprises a substrate 11 and a printed layer 12, wherein the substrate 11 comprises a first friction coefficient on a reference surface and the printed layer 12 comprises a second friction coefficient on the reference surface, which is higher than the first friction coefficient. In this embodiment, the printed layer 12 does not comprise any longitudinal or transverse lines. The printed layer 12 comprises an indentation 16 on a surface of the printed layer 12 that at least partially surrounds at least one toe. In this embodiment, the printed layer 12 comprises five indentations 16 on the surface of the printed layer 12, wherein each indentation 16 at least partially surrounds a toe.

(26) FIG. 4 shows the exemplary insole 10 according to the embodiment of FIG. 3 and an outline 21 of a wearer's foot. As can be seen, the indentation 16 in the printed layer 12 closely match the toes of the wearer's foot. Thus, a good level of support of the toes during a clenching motion may be achieved.

(27) FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional cut through the exemplary insole 10 of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the printed layer 12 does not comprise any longitudinal or transverse lines but instead comprises only a single layer of a uniform first thickness 33.

(28) FIG. 6 shows another exemplary insole 10 according to an embodiment. The exemplary insole 10 is essentially identical to the exemplary insole 10 shown in FIG. 4. However, in this example, the substrate 11 comprises a recess 52 arranged adjacent to the printed layer 12, wherein the recess comprises a depth of about 0.5 mm.

(29) Some embodiments described herein relate to an insole comprising a substrate and a printed layer, wherein the substrate comprises a first friction coefficient on a reference surface and the printed layer comprises a second friction coefficient on the reference surface, which may be higher than the first friction coefficient.

(30) In any of the various embodiments described herein, the printed layer comprises five indentations on the surface of the printed layer, wherein each indentation at least partially surrounds a toe.

(31) In any of the various embodiments described herein, the first and second friction coefficient may be a static friction coefficient.

(32) In any of the various embodiments described herein, the printed layer further comprises a second portion comprising a second thickness that may be smaller than the first thickness.

(33) In any of the various embodiments described herein, a shoe comprises the insole.

(34) Some embodiments described herein relate to a method of producing an insole comprising providing a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a first friction coefficient on a reference surface; and printing a printed layer, wherein the printed layer comprises a second friction coefficient on the reference surface, which may be higher than the first friction coefficient.

(35) In any of the various embodiments described herein, the printed layer comprises a rubber and/or a polyurethane.

(36) In any of the various embodiments described herein, printing the printed layer comprises forming an indentation on a surface of the printed layer that at least partially surrounds at least one toe.

(37) In any of the various embodiments described herein, printing the printed layer comprises forming five indentations on the surface of the printed layer, wherein each indentation at least partially surrounds a toe.

(38) In any of the various embodiments described herein, the first and second friction coefficient may be a static friction coefficient.

(39) In any of the various embodiments described herein, printing the printed layer further comprises printing a second portion of the printed layer comprising a second thickness that may be smaller than the first thickness.

(40) In any of the various embodiments described herein, the second portion comprises, at least partly, the longitudinal line and/or the transverse line.

(41) In any of the various embodiments described herein, printing the printed layer further comprises increasing the first thickness and/or the second thickness from a toe region to a metatarsal region of the substrate.

(42) In any of the various embodiments described herein, forming the recess and/or the groove comprises forming the recess and/or the groove with a depth of at least 0.2 mm.

(43) In any of the various embodiments described herein, the substrate comprises ethyl vinyl acetate.

(44) Any of the various embodiments described herein, further comprising forming a plurality of perforations in the substrate.

(45) In any of the various embodiments described herein, a method of producing a shoe comprises an upper and the insole, wherein the method comprises producing the insole and inserting the insole into the shoe upper.

REFERENCE SIGNS

(46) 10: insole 11: substrate 12: printed layer 13: perforation 14: longitudinal line 15: transverse line 16: indentation 17: first portion 18: second portion 21: outline of wearer's foot 22: toe region 23: metatarsal region 31: first cross-sectional direction 32: second cross-sectional direction 33: first thickness 34: second thickness 35: third thickness 36: depth 37: first constant thickness portion 38: first gradient raised portion 39: second constant thickness portion 40: second gradient raised portion 41: third constant thickness portion 51: groove 52: recess