Method for producing a shoe sole

Abstract

A shoe includes a sole structure that defines a first supporting structure, a second supporting structure, and a third supporting structure, the first supporting structure being disposed within a forefoot region, the second supporting structure being disposed within a midfoot region, and the third supporting structure being disposed within a heel region. Each of the first supporting structure, the second supporting structure, and the third supporting structure define at least one curved surface, against which a plurality of plastic bodies are disposed. The plurality of plastic bodies comprise foamed plastic, define spheres or ellipsoids, are between 1 mm and 13 mm in the three spatial directions, and are arranged loosely within the sole structure without connection to one another. The plurality of plastic bodies are compressed against the first supporting structure, the second supporting structure, and the third supporting structure.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A shoe, comprising:
 a sole structure defining a first supporting structure, a second supporting structure, and a third supporting structure, the first supporting structure being disposed within a forefoot region, the second supporting structure being disposed within a midfoot region, and the third supporting structure being disposed within a heel region,   wherein each of the first supporting structure, the second supporting structure, and the third supporting structure define at least one curved surface, against which a plurality of plastic bodies are disposed,   wherein the plurality of plastic bodies comprise foamed plastic, define spheres or ellipsoids, are between 1 mm and 13 mm in the three spatial directions, and are arranged loosely within the sole structure without connection to one another, and   wherein the plurality of plastic bodies are compressed against the first supporting structure, the second supporting structure, and the third supporting structure.   
     
     
         2 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first supporting structure, the second supporting structure, and the third supporting structure defines a longitudinal axis, and
 wherein the at least one curved surface of each of the first supporting structure, the second supporting structure, and the third supporting structure includes a first curved surface on a first side of the longitudinal axis, and a second curved surface on a second side of the longitudinal axis, opposite the first side.   
     
     
         3 . The shoe of  claim 2 , wherein the first curved surface and the second curved surface are joined at a peak. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of each of the first supporting structure, the second supporting structure, and the third supporting structure is integrally formed with a bottom wall of the sole structure. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of plastic bodies are provided between a toe end of the sole structure and the first support structure, between the first support structure and the second support structure, between the second support structure and the third support structure, and between the third support structure and a heel end of the sole structure. 
     
     
         6 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the second supporting structure is disposed at a midpoint between the first supporting structure and the third supporting structure. 
     
     
         7 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first supporting structure, the second supporting structure, and the third supporting structure define an upper wall and a bottom wall, and
 wherein the at least one curved surface is defined by the upper wall.   
     
     
         8 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of plastic bodies are selected from the group consisting of expanded thermoplastic polyurethane, expanded thermoplastic elastomer, and expanded polypropylene. 
     
     
         9 . A shoe, comprising:
 a sole structure defining a hollow body and including a first supporting structure, a second supporting structure, and a third supporting structure, the first supporting structure being disposed within a forefoot region, the second supporting structure being disposed within a midfoot region, and the third supporting structure being disposed between a heel end of the sole structure and the second supporting structure,   wherein each of the first supporting structure, the second supporting structure, and the third supporting structure defines a longitudinal axis with a first curved surface being disposed on a first side of the longitudinal axis and a second curved surface being disposed on a second side of the longitudinal axis,   wherein a plurality of plastic bodies are compressed against each of the first curved surfaces and the second curved surfaces,   wherein each of the plurality of plastic bodies is loosely arranged within the sole structure, and   wherein the plurality of plastic bodies comprise foamed plastic, define spheres or ellipsoids, and are selected from the group consisting of expanded thermoplastic polyurethane, expanded thermoplastic elastomer, and expanded polypropylene.   
     
     
         10 . The shoe of  claim 9 , wherein the first curved surface and the second curved surface are joined at a peak and the longitudinal axis extends through the peak. 
     
     
         11 . The shoe of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of plastic bodies are provided between a toe end of the sole structure and the first support structure, between the first support structure and the second support structure, between the second support structure and the third support structure, and between the third support structure and the heel end of the sole structure. 
     
     
         12 . The shoe of  claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of each of the first supporting structure, the second supporting structure, and the third supporting structure is integrally formed with a bottom wall of the sole structure. 
     
     
         13 . The shoe of  claim 9 , wherein the first supporting structure is disposed entirely within the forefoot region, the second supporting structure is disposed entirely within the midfoot region, and the third supporting structure is disposed within a heel region of the sole structure. 
     
     
         14 . The shoe of  claim 9 , wherein the second supporting structure is disposed at a midpoint between the first supporting structure and the third supporting structure. 
     
     
         15 . A shoe, comprising:
 a sole structure defining a first supporting structure, a second supporting structure, and a third supporting structure, the first supporting structure being disposed within a forefoot region, the second supporting structure being disposed within a midfoot region, and the third supporting structure being disposed within a heel region of the sole structure,   wherein each of the first supporting structure, the second supporting structure, and the third supporting structure extend from a bottom wall of a sole structure toward an upper, and define a curved surface,   wherein a plurality of plastic bodies are compressed against the curved surface,   wherein the plurality of plastic bodies comprise foamed plastic, define spheres or ellipsoids, are between 1 mm and 13 mm in the three spatial directions, and are arranged loosely within the sole structure without connection to one another, and   wherein the plurality of plastic bodies are compressed against the first supporting structure, the second supporting structure, and the third supporting structure.   
     
     
         16 . The shoe of  claim 15 , wherein each of the first supporting structure, the second supporting structure, and the third supporting structure defines a longitudinal axis, and
 wherein the curved surface of each of the first supporting structure, the second supporting structure, and the third supporting structure includes a first curved surface on a first side of the longitudinal axis, and a second curved surface on a second side of the longitudinal axis, opposite the first side.   
     
     
         17 . The shoe of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of plastic bodies are provided between a toe end of the sole structure and the first support structure, between the first support structure and the second support structure, between the second support structure and the third support structure, and between the third support structure and a heel end of the sole structure. 
     
     
         18 . The shoe of  claim 15 , wherein the first supporting structure is disposed entirely within the forefoot region and the second supporting structure is disposed entirely within the midfoot region. 
     
     
         19 . The shoe of  claim 15 , wherein the second supporting structure is disposed at a midpoint between the first supporting structure and the third supporting structure. 
     
     
         20 . The shoe of  claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of each of the first supporting structure, the second supporting structure, and the third supporting structure is integrally formed with a bottom wall of the sole structure.