Aeration system and device for shoes

Abstract

The present invention concerns an aeration system for shoes comprising an aeration device, specifically pumping means like a bellows pump, which constitutes a further object of the invention. More specifically, the present invention concerns an aeration system for shoes, comprising a hollow sole ( 1 ) having an aeration device in fluid communication both with the inside of the shoe and with the outside, at least one first and a second cavity ( 2, 3 ) being formed inside said hollow sole ( 1 ), pumping means ( 9 ) being housed in said at least one first cavity ( 2 ), wherein said pumping means ( 9 ) comprise a shell ( 10 ) and a distribution nozzle ( 11 ), a flexible core ( 12 ) being housed inside said shell ( 10 ), and a pad ( 18 ) is housed in said second cavity ( 3 ).

1 . An aeration system for shoes, comprising a hollow sole having an aeration device in fluid communication both with the inside of the shoe and with the outside, at least one first cavity or opening being formed inside said hollow sole, pumping means being housed in said at least one first cavity or opening, characterised in that said pumping means comprise a shell and one or more distribution nozzles, a flexible core being housed inside said shell. 
     
     
         2 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 1 , in which said elastic core comprises an elastic insert made from an elastomer. 
     
     
         3 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 2 , in which said elastomer has a Shore D hardness of over 60, preferably over 80, most preferably over 90. 
     
     
         4 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 2 , in which said elastomer has a Shore A hardness of between 15 and 30, preferably about 20. 
     
     
         5 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 2 , in which the shape of said elastic insert substantially follows that of the shell in which it is housed, but it has smaller dimensions so as to create a gap between the core and the inner walls of said shell. 
     
     
         6 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 2 , in which said elastic insert is perforated on three sides, so that a network of small channels is formed therein. 
     
     
         7 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 1 , wherein said elastic core has an elongated cap shape and is made of a SBS elastomer (Stirene-Butadiene-Stirene) admixed with stirene polymers or of a SEBS elastomer (Stirene-Ethylene-Butylene-Stirene) admixed with polyolefins such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), or of a polyurethane material such as an adipate ester polyurethane. 
     
     
         8 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 7 , wherein said elastomeric compound has a Shore A hardness (after 3 seconds) ranging between 40 and 70, or between 40 and 65 (ISO 868). 
     
     
         9 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 7 , wherein said elastic core comprises a support edge interrupted by a series of notches. 
     
     
         10 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 9 , wherein said notches have a greater depth at the bent ends of the elastic core and a lower depth at the long sides. 
     
     
         11 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 7 , wherein said elastic core comprises a plurality of holes at the contour thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 7 , wherein the lower face of the elastic core has a series of reinforcement ribs. 
     
     
         13 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 1 , wherein said shell consist of two half-shells that are coupled to form a raised edge along which at least one nozzle is placed, the upper half-shell having a convex portion and a flat portion, wherein said convex portion is intended to project on top to form an operation push-button for the pumping means. 
     
     
         14 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 1 , in which said elastic core is a spring. 
     
     
         15 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 14 , wherein said spring is a helical spring having a truncated-cone development and an elongated annular profile. 
     
     
         16 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 14 , wherein said spring is a flexural spring. 
     
     
         17 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 16 , wherein said flexural spring consist of an elongated annular base and a treading plate, which are joined by pantograph-shaped bending elements. 
     
     
         18 . The aeration system according to  claim 17 , wherein said bending elements are >-shaped and <-shaped, respectively, and consist of a lower arm and an upper arm. 
     
     
         19 . The aeration system according to  claim 18 , wherein said bending elements are arranged so that the first bending element originates from a first rectilinear side of the base, proximate to a first end of base, and develops like > until it is connected to a first end of the treading plate; the second bending element originates from a second rectilinear side of base, at a second end of base opposite to said first end, and develops like < until it is connected proximate to a second end of the treading plate. 
     
     
         20 . The aeration system according to  claim 17 , wherein said treading plate comprises, along both the rectilinear sides, rectangular notches having a complementary shape relative to that of upper arms of the bending elements and wherein the respective lower arms are laterally fastened relative to the rectilinear sides of base, such as to avoid interfering therewith while bending. 
     
     
         21 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 17 , wherein an elastic cylinder is placed below said treading plate. 
     
     
         22 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 21 , wherein said elastic cylinder is hollow such as to form a tubular structure and is made of an elastomer preferably having a Shore D hardness higher than 60, or higher than 80, or higher than 90; or the elastomer will have a Shore A hardness ranging between 15 and 30, preferably about 20. 
     
     
         23 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 22 , wherein said elastomer is polyethylene. 
     
     
         24 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 22 , wherein the upper end of the elastic cylinder is housed within the suitable annular seat formed on the lower face of the treading plate and is preferably fixed by gluing. 
     
     
         25 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 14 , wherein said spring is made of polymeric material. 
     
     
         26 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 25 , wherein said polymeric material has a bending resistance ranging between 850 and 1100 Kgf/cm 2  (ASTM D790) and a bending modulus ranging between 24000 and 28000 Kgf/cm 2  (ASTM D790). 
     
     
         27 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 25 , wherein the polymeric material is an acetal polyoxymethylene copolymer having about 950 Kgf/cm bending resistance and about 26000 Kgf/cm 2  bending modulus. 
     
     
         28 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 14 , said spring being contained within a shell consisting of two half-shells, the inner surface of said half-shells comprising holding ridges intended to act as a stop for both ends of the spring. 
     
     
         29 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 1 , wherein a cannula for the suction/delivery of air is associated with a nozzle of said shell. 
     
     
         30 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 2 , wherein said elastic core and/or said shell contain a perfume. 
     
     
         31 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 30 , in which said perfume is absorbed in the material of the elastic core and/or of the shell or is associated with it in the form of microspheres. 
     
     
         32 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 1 , in which said pumping means are a bellows pump. 
     
     
         33 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 1 , in which said hollow sole comprises at least one second cavity, positioned substantially at the sole of the foot and defined by an edge, said at least one second cavity being in fluid communication with said at least one first cavity through a channel. 
     
     
         34 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 33 , in which said channel continues, at said at least one second cavity, in a groove, with a plurality of ramifications projecting to the right and left of said groove, in a substantially transversal direction, said main groove and said ramifications extending up to said edge. 
     
     
         35 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 34 , in which, at the distal end of said main groove and of said ramifications, the edge of the hollow sole comprises transversal holes, which place said at least one cavity in fluid communication with the outside. 
     
     
         36 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 35 , wherein valve means are arranged at the mouth of said holes towards the outside. 
     
     
         37 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 33 , in which said at least one second cavity houses a pad. 
     
     
         38 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 37 , in which said pad is made from an expanded synthetic material with open cells, like latex foam or polyester-based expanded polyurethane, or else a needled material, like a needled non-woven fabric, preferably with continuous needled thread, a needled felt or a needled synthetic material (PE or PP), or else from a perforated or microperforated elastomer. 
     
     
         39 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 37 , in which said pad comprises a perfume. 
     
     
         40 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 1 , wherein said hollow sole comprises a base body and an insole, said base body comprising an impression of a shape matching the shape of the bottom surface of the insole and on which said insole is arranged. 
     
     
         41 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 40 , wherein said insole comprises a first cavity, arranged at the area of the heel and in which said pumping means are arranged, and a second cavity, arranged at the area of the sole of the foot, and in which a first channel joins said first cavity with said second cavity;
 a second channel placing said second cavity in communication with the outer edge of the insole and therefore, through the corresponding hole arranged on the side surface of the base body, with the outside.   
     
     
         42 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 41 , wherein a third channel, together with the hole arranged on the side surface of the base body in the area of the heel, places said first cavity in communication with the outside. 
     
     
         43 . The aeration system according to  claim 40 , wherein said shell comprises two nozzles arranged at the two ends, intended to be aligned with said channels that place said first cavity in communication with the second cavity and with the outside, respectively. 
     
     
         44 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 43 , wherein, at said nozzles and therefore at the hole and the first channel, respectively, first and second unidirectional valve means shall be placed, mounted so that said first valve means allow just the entry of air from the outside, whereas said second valve means allow air to be sent from the outside to said second cavity and from here, through the holes of the pad, inside the shoe; or else said first and second valve means are mounted so as to allow an inverse air circulation. 
     
     
         45 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claims 41 , wherein, at said channel and at the hole unidirectional valve means are arranged, said valve means being mounted so as to allow air to be taken in from the outside; or else said valve means are mounted so as to allow air to be ejected from the inside. 
     
     
         46 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 40 , wherein said insole is integral and comprises a thickened rear portion, corresponding to the region of the heel, and a front portion carrying a plurality of through holes. 
     
     
         47 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 46 , wherein said rear portion of said insole comprises an opening intended to house said pumping means. 
     
     
         48 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 46 , wherein the shell of said pumping means has a raised perimetric edge and at least one nozzle that constitutes the opening for taking in/ejecting air, said raised edge being able to be snap inserted in a groove formed along the side wall of the opening. 
     
     
         49 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 40 , wherein the bottom surface of the insole has a plurality of ridges defining empty spaces that, overall, form an air chamber between the bottom surface of the insole and the inner surface of the base body on which the insole rests. 
     
     
         50 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 46 , wherein two ribs are arranged on the bottom surface of the insole, at the area in which the nozzle of the pumping means is arranged, which extend for a first portion substantially parallel and then diverge until they reach the edge of the insole, said ribs constituting a channel for the air taken in/ejected through a hole arranged on the side edge of the insole. 
     
     
         51 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 46 , wherein, at said hole, the bottom surface of the insole comprises a seat for unidirectional valve means. 
     
     
         52 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 1 , wherein said shoe comprises said hollow sole as described in the previous claims and a vamp, a breathable footbed being arranged on said hollow sole, at the side facing towards the inside of the shoe. 
     
     
         53 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 52 , wherein said footbed is perforated. 
     
     
         54 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 52 , wherein said footbed is coupled with said hollow sole by gluing just along the edges. 
     
     
         55 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 52 , wherein said footbed comprises a perfume, a sanitising or an antibacterial substance. 
     
     
         56 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 52 , wherein said vamp comprises a breathable layer of air/vapour-permeable material therein. 
     
     
         57 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 56 , said breathable layer being made from an expanded synthetic material with open cells, like latex foam or polyester-based expanded polyurethane, or else from a needled material, like a needled non-woven fabric, preferably with continuous needled thread, a needled felt or a needled synthetic material (PE or PP), or else from a perforated or microperforated elastomer. 
     
     
         58 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 56 , wherein said breathable layer comprises a perfume, a sanitising or an antibacterial substance. 
     
     
         59 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claims 52 , wherein said footbed is removable, so that to allow access to the pumping means and/or to the pad for replacing them or for impregnating them with the perfume. 
     
     
         60 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claims 47 , wherein the footbed and/or the vamp and/or the insole comprise a phase changing material. 
     
     
         61 . The aeration system for shoes according to  claim 60 , wherein said phase-change material comprises mixtures of paraffins having different melting points and high heat of fusion, encapsulated in microcapsules. 
     
     
         62 . A shoe comprising an aeration system as outlined in  claim 17 . 
     
     
         63 . An aeration device comprising pumping means as described in  claim 17 . 
     
     
         64 . The aeration device according to  claim 63 , said device being a universal use insole. 
     
     
         65 . The aeration device according to  claim 64 , wherein said insole comprises a rear thickened portion, corresponding to the heel region, and a front portion carrying a plurality of through holes, said rear portion comprising an opening intended to house said pumping means, wherein the lower surface of insole is run through by a longitudinal channel starting from the opening, at the positioning area of the nozzle of the pumping means and develops proximate to the tip of insole, said channel, at the foot sole area, by opening into a plurality of branches that are substantially fish-bone arranged and house the through holes communicating with the upper surface of insole. 
     
     
         66 . The aeration device according to  claim 64 , the upper surface of said insole comprising a seat in the heel area for said pumping means, the seat being blind, such as to have a bottom surface, and comprising along the side surface thereof a groove for snap-engagement with said pumping means, and wherein from the seat there starts a longitudinal channel that opens into a recessed chamber that is suitable to house a pad. 
     
     
         67 . The aeration device according to  claim 64 , wherein said insole and said pumping means are integrally formed. 
     
     
         68 . The aeration device according to  claim 63 , wherein the upper surface of said insole comprises a finishing layer of fabric, leather or other suitable material. 
     
     
         69 . A flexural spring consisting of an elongated annular base and a treading plate, which are joined by bending elements, wherein said bending elements are >-shaped and <-shaped, respectively, and consist of a lower arm and an upper arm, and wherein said bending elements are arranged such that the first bending element originates from a first rectilinear side of base, proximate to a first end of base, and develops like > until it is connected to a first end of the treading plate; the second bending element originates from a second rectilinear side of base, proximate to a second end of base opposite said first end, and develops like < until it is connected to a second end of the treading plate; wherein said treading plate further comprises, along both rectilinear sides thereof, rectangular notches having a complementary shape relative to that of upper arms of the bending elements, and wherein the respective lower arms are laterally fastened relative to the rectilinear sides of base, such as to avoid interfering with the latter while bending. 
     
     
         70 . The flexural spring according to  claim 69 , wherein an elastic cylinder is placed below said treading plate, and wherein said elastic cylinder is hollow such as to form a tubular structure and is made of an elastomer preferably having a Shore D hardness higher than 60, or higher than 80, or higher than 90; or the elastomer will have a Shore A hardness ranging between 15 and 30, preferably about 20. 
     
     
         71 . The flexural spring according to  claim 70 , wherein the upper end of the elastic cylinder is housed in a suitable annular seat formed on the lower face of the treading plate and is preferably fixed by gluing.