Method for Improving the Performance of Footwear

Abstract

A mixture of ester based chemicals applied to shoes for the purpose of improving performance in the normal use of the shoe. The mixture is applied to a surface of the shoes and allowed to penetrate the material forming the surface of the shoe. When applied to the sole of a shoe, the esters in the material will alter bulk properties of the shoe sole to alter the adhesion of the shoe to a traversed surface, the operative life of the shoe, the shoe performance and the shoe hardness. The mixture is especially suited for application to previously manufactured climbing shoes.

1 . A method of improving the performance of a shoe comprising the steps of applying a mixture containing at least one ester to a surface material of the shoe, allowing the ester to soak into and penetrate the surface material of the shoe for a cure time to change the bulk properties of surface material to improve the performance of the shoe. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  comprising the steps of applying multiple esters to the surface material of the shoe. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  where the mixture contains ester and non-ester components. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  where the ester is a blend of at least 2 of the following 3 esters. Ester of Adipic acid, Esters of Glutaric Acid and Esters of Succinic Acid. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the surface material comprises a rubber material. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the surface material comprises an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mixture is applied to an exterior surface of a shoe sole. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mixture is applied to shoe sole to increase the a bulk property of the shoe sole selected from the group consisting of adhesion of the shoe to a hardened surface, the hardness of the shoe sole, and the operative life of the shoe sole. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein material is not removed from the shoe sole during application of the mixture to the shoe sole. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  including the step of applying a mixture containing at least one ester to the surface material before adding a different ester to the surface material to alter the bulk properties of the surface material. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one ester applied to the surface material comprises an ester which will penetrate polymer chains forming the surface material, but will not react with constituents of the polymer chains to break down the polymer chains. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the esters are selected from the group consisting of mono-esters, di-esters, tri-esters, tetra-esters, penta-esters, phosphate esters and phosphonate esters are applied to the shoe surface to alter bulk properties of the surface material. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the esters are selected form the group consisting of oligomers and telomers of ester containing monomers, dimers, trimers, tetramers, pentamers, hexamers, septamers, octomers and nonamers. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mixture is applied to a surface material of a previously manufactured shoe. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the mixture is applied to a surface material of a shoe after use of the shoe. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mixture is applied to a smooth sole of a climbing shoe. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the mixture is allowed to soak into a material forming the shoe sole before climbing. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mixture is applied to a treaded sole of a sporting shoe. 
     
     
         19 . A method of improving the performance of a shoe sole formed of an elastomeric material comprising the application of different esters to alter different bulk properties of the shoe sole, the bulk properties being selected from the group consisting of adhesion of the shoe to a surface, the hardness of the shoe sole, and the operative life of the shoe sole. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein different esters are applied to improve the performance of the shoe sole in environments selected from the group consisting of dry/dusty environments and wet/slick environments.