Technical Field

The present invention relates to a footwear item.

Background Art

The use of footwear is known, which are generally made of leather, fabric, hide or various synthetic materials which cover and protect the feet.

Nevertheless the feet, in particular the plantar region, are among the parts of the body with higher density of sweat glands, so they are among the most subject to perspiration, which is the main mechanism of body thermoregulation.

Sweat consists of an aqueous solution containing mineral salts, urea and other substances produced by the sweat glands, forming a very thin film on the skin. The evaporation of water from the skin surface requires a considerable amount of energy because of its high latent heat of evaporation and this energy is provided by the body surface, which, as a consequence, cools down.

The production of sweat in a particular region of the body is related to the temperature detected at that point by the thermo-receptors, which is compared, at the level of the hypothalamus, with the temperature of the body core.

In the event of an excessive temperature difference being detected, perspiration is promoted in order to dissipate heat, by means of the evaporation of the sweat itself, and rebalance temperature.

In the specific case of the feet, the tendency to perspiration is favored by the use of footwear generally made of materials, often synthetic, which hardly facilitate the elimination of heat but which, on the contrary, involve localized temperature increase.

This drawback is exacerbated when using closed or sporty shoes, which facilitate the temperature and, therefore, perspiration increase.

There are also special clinical conditions, such as plantar bromhidrosis or hyperhidrosis, in which excessive perspiration occurs which can also be localized at the level of the foot, which in some cases may also be accompanied by the excretion of sweat with an unpleasant smell.

In these cases, inside the footwear is generated a microclimate that favors bacterial proliferation, also involving the onset of bad smell. In any case, the copious perspiration caused by shoes that do not favor the elimination of heat causes the appearance of problems such as, e.g., skin maceration, the onset of fungal infections and skin lesions especially at the inter-digital level, which entail considerable discomforts.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to provide a footwear item which allows improving the elimination of heat and limiting the onset of excessive perspiration conditions.

Within the illustrated aim, one object of the present invention is to lower the temperature perceived by the user inside footwear as much as possible, thus ensuring the maximum achievable comfort.

Another object of the present invention is to minimize bacterial proliferation inside footwear, especially when used for physical activity.

A further object of the present invention is to allow the realization of a footwear item which ensures a comfortable daily use for users suffering from particular perspiration disorders, such as hyperhidrosis or bromhidrosis.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a footwear item which allows overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art within the scope of a simple, rational, easy, efficient to use and cost-effective solution. The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present footwear item according to claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive embodiment of a footwear item, illustrated by way of an indicative, but non-limiting example, in the attached drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of the footwear item according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view along a longitudinal vertical plane II-II of the footwear item according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a first exploded axonometric view of the footwear item according to the invention; Figure 4 is a second exploded axonometric view of the footwear item according to the invention.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a footwear item.

The footwear item 1 comprises:

at least one midsole 2 made at least of a polymeric material mixed with graphene and comprising at least a first upper face 3 and at least a first lower face 4; and

- at least one sole 5 made at least partly of a thermally insulating material and comprising at least a second upper face 6 and at least a second lower face 7. The midsole 2 and the sole 5 are associated with each other at the first lower face 4 and at the second upper face 6.

Within the scope of the present treatise, the words "upper" and "lower", as well as the adjectives "horizontal" and "vertical", refer to the configuration of use, in which "lower" means facing towards the ground.

The portions of the footwear 1 which are shown in the figures are only those in contact with the floor and on which rests the sole of the foot, which are associated with at least one part covering the foot at least partly such as, e.g., the upper 8 shown in transparency as an example in Figure 1.

The portions described, moreover, are associable both with a closed-type footwear item 1, as shown as an example in Figure 1, and with an open-type footwear item 1, such as a sandal or the like.

Graphene, used in the realization of the midsole 2, is an allotropic form of elemental carbon, consisting of a monoatomic layer of hybridized carbon atoms sp ² .

Its particular structure makes it an extremely flexible material, which is resistant from the mechanical point of view, but also with high thermal conductivity. The mixing of graphene with the polymeric material allows obtaining a composite having thermal conductivity characteristics which are considerably better than polymer alone.

The footwear 1 obtained by means of such materials allows a better elimination of heat accumulated by conduction than commonly used materials.

Usefully, graphene is present in the midsole 2 in a percentage by weight comprised between 0.1% and 10% and the polymeric material is a type of polyurethane, although the possibility of using different polymeric materials cannot be ruled out.

Preferably, the percentage by weight of graphene used for the realization of the midsole 2 is comprised between 1% and 3%, which turns out to be the optimal composition range from the point of view of the benefits obtained, as shown by the laboratory tests.

Furthermore, the thermally insulating material making up the sole 5 is the type of polyurethane, rubber, wood, TPU or TPR.

It is useful to specify that by TPU is meant a thermoplastic polyurethane, characterized by different properties, such as high resistance to wear and abrasion, traction and tearing, damping capacity, thermal insulation capacity, etc.

By TPR, on the other hand, is meant a thermoplastic elastomer or thermoplastic rubber, such as e.g. an SBS-based elastomeric compound, characterized by properties which are midway between an elastomer and a thermoplastic polymer, such as damping capacity, thermal insulation capacity, resistance to atmospheric agents, not high unit weight, workability, etc.

According to the invention, furthermore, the footwear item 1 comprises at least one lateral channel 9 formed on at least one of the midsole 2 and the second upper face 6 and adapted to the elimination of the heat accumulated through the midsole 2.

The presence of the lateral channel 9, in fact, makes it possible to further increase the efficiency of the heat exchange, since the surface in contact with the air is increased, that is the surface through which the elimination of heat takes place.

The combined effect of the use of graphene and of the presence of the lateral channel 9 makes it possible to obtain an extremely efficient elimination of the accumulated heat, considerably reducing the temperature perceived by the user inside the footwear 1 and, consequently, limiting the onset of excessive perspiration conditions.

Moreover, the limitation of the tendency to perspiration obtained by means of the footwear 1 causes a considerable reduction in bacterial and mycotic proliferation and related problems, such as, e.g., skin lesions and macerations, as well as unpleasant smell.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the footwear item 1 comprises a plurality of lateral channels 9 formed on the midsole 2, in particular made on the first lower face 4, while the second upper face 6 is flat for its almost entirety. The possibility of obtaining the lateral channels 9 on the second upper face 6 of the sole 5 cannot however be ruled out, by making the first lower face 4 flat, or of making the lateral channels 9 inside the midsole 2, in which therefore both the first lower face 4 and the second upper face 6 are flat.

Furthermore, the possibility of making a further solution cannot also be ruled out in which the sole 5 comprises holes or slots which further improve the elimination of heat as they contribute to increasing the surface through which heat is eliminated.

Advantageously, each of the lateral channels 9 has at least one extremity 10 open at the base perimeter 11 of the midsole 2, notwithstanding the possibility of making different conformations to the illustrated one cannot be ruled out. Each lateral channel 9 is therefore communicating with the outside and allows the inflow of air inside each channel and further improves the elimination of the heat accumulated in the footwear 1, even if the latter is used in order to practice sports.

Each lateral channel 9 of the footwear 1 is of the type of a through channel, which crosses the footwear itself from one side to the other, perpendicular to a longitudinal vertical plane II-II, having both the extremities 10 open outwards. Alternatively, each lateral channel 9 is the type of a blind channel, which also in this case extends perpendicular to the longitudinal vertical plane II-II, but is provided with an open extremity 10, while the second extremity 10 ends up inside the midsole 2.

The possibility cannot however be ruled out of making the footwear 1 in which each lateral channel 9 extends parallel to the longitudinal vertical plane II-II. Alternatively, the possibility is to make each lateral channel 9 oriented differently from what previously described.

Usefully, the shape of the midsole 2 and the shape of the sole 5 are at least partly complementary to each other and the sole 5 is provided with lateral containment means 12 of the midsole 2, so as to allow for a simple and effective coupling.

In particular, the lateral containment means 12 comprise at least one front projection 13 and at least one rear projection 14 between which the midsole 2 is partly insertable.

Moreover, in order to firmly secure the coupling even during the use of the footwear 1, adhesive means are interposed between the midsole 2 and the sole 5. Advantageously, the footwear item 1 also comprises one insole 15 comprising at least a third upper face 16 and at least a third lower face 17 and which is intended to be arranged on top of the midsole 2 with the third lower face 17 associated with the first upper face 3.

The possibility cannot however be ruled out of making the footwear 1 without the insole 15 and, in this case, the user's foot rests on the first upper face 3 of the midsole 2.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the midsole 2 and the insole 15 have a shape at least partly complementary and, in particular, the midsole 2 comprises secondary containment means 18 of the type, e.g., of a projection obtained along the perimeter of the midsole itself and which allow for an easy coupling between the two elements 2, 15 of the footwear 1.

Usefully, the insole 15 comprises at least one plate-like support 19 coated with at least one sheet-shaped manufactured article 20.

The plate-like support 19 is made of a material which allows making an adequate support for the foot during movement, such as, e.g., a material selected from the list comprising: polyurethane, latex foam, foam rubber.

The possibility of making the plate-like support 19 in one of the above mentioned materials cannot be ruled out, with the addition of graphene, in order to improve its capacity to eliminate heat.

The sheet-shaped manufactured article 20 which coats the plate-like support 19, on the other hand, is made of at least a composite material comprising polyurethane mixed with graphene, wherein graphene is present in a percentage by weight comprised between 0.1% and 10%.

Alternatively, the possibility of making the sheet-shaped manufactured article 20 cannot be ruled out in a material of the type of leather, fabric or graphene- free polymeric material.

During use, the foot is in contact with the insole 15 and the presence of graphene in the sheet-shaped manufactured article 20 allows considerably increasing the elimination of the heat accumulated inside the footwear 1 and significantly reducing the temperature perceived, thus increasing user's comfort. The high heat elimination capacity allows a comfortable use of the footwear 1 even in the case of users suffering from particular perspiration disorders, such as hyperhidrosis or bromhidrosis.

The possibility cannot be ruled out of adding the polyurethane used to make the sheet- shaped manufactured article 20 also with at least one antibacterial additive selected from Echinacea extract and Malaleuca extract, so as to make the sheet- shaped manufactured article 20 antibacterial and antimicrobial, which makes it possible to counteract even more effectively the bacterial proliferation and related problems.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the sheet-shaped manufactured article

20 completely coats the plate-like support 19, although the possibility of coating only the third upper face 16 cannot be ruled out.

In an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, the sheet-shaped manufactured article 20 coats the third upper face 16 and partly the third lower face 17.

Advantageously, the insole 15 and the midsole 2 comprise interlocking means

21 that allow keeping the coupling of the two without the use of adhesive means in considerable quantities.

These interlocking means 21 comprise at least one interlocking protruding element 22 formed on at least one of the first upper face 3 and the third lower face 17 and at least one interlocking seat 23 formed on the other of the first upper face 3 and the third lower face 17 wherein the interlocking protruding element 22 is insertable.

Preferably, the interlocking means 21 comprise two interlocking protruding elements 22 and two respective interlocking seats 23, as shown in the figures. In fact, the adhesive means, such as e.g. glue for shoes, commonly used to hold the various layers of the traditional soles together, are composed of insulating materials from the thermal point of view, which would risk canceling the increase in conductivity linked to the use of graphene.

The possibility of making a sufficiently stable coupling by interlocking allows therefore using an extremely reduced amount of glue for shoes, so as not to negatively affect the elimination of the heat accumulated in the footwear 1.

The possibility of making the insole 15 extractable cannot be ruled out, particularly usable in the case where the footwear item 1 is of the type of a closed footwear item.

The footwear item 1 according to the present invention allows being advantageous not only from the point of view of the elimination of heat, but also from the point of view of the anatomical feature and comfort for the foot support.

When we walk, in fact, the heel support determines an impact ranging from 80 to 100% of body weight.

This impact generates an elastic vibration back that is not used to move forward, but that must be absorbed by the shock- absorbing structures of our body.

Furthermore, while we run, the negative energy back is 3 to 5 times that we undergo by walking, depending on the nature of the ground, the speed of the run and the weight of the runner.

For this reason, running is more traumatic for the body than is walking, in fact,

10 km of running is equivalent to about 40 km of walking.

Therefore the more you run slowly, the more you use your heel.

Medical studies have demonstrated that out of 3,000 runners 75% touch the ground with the heel and 23% with the sole of the foot or the forefoot.

The heel, however, is not a good shock absorber unlike the forefoot which, thanks to a complex system of bones, ligaments and muscles, absorbs most of the negative energy back. The forefoot, however, has a bigger static load that gravitates on it, so, especially during sport activities, it can be subjected to trauma.

In light of this, the footwear item 1 also comprises at least one cushion pad 24 interposed between the third upper face 16 and the sheet-shaped manufactured article 20 and housed partly in at least one seat 25 formed on the third upper face 16.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, the footwear item 1 comprises a plurality of cushion pads 24 housed in a plurality of seats 25 which are formed on the third upper face 16.

In particular, the figures show the presence of two cushion pads 24 housed, respectively, in a seat 25 formed at the height of the portion of insole 15 on which the heel rests and a second seat 25 formed at the height of the portion of insole 15 on which the forefoot rests, and having such a conformation to adapt to the anatomy of the foot itself.

In particular, the position of the cushion pads 24 makes it possible to generate softness in the areas where the foot unloads the forces transmitted by the entire body weight, i.e. the forefoot and the heel, thus making the footwear 1 anatomical.

Usefully, each cushion pad 24 is made of foam rubber, so as to provide a soft and comfortable support during use.

It has in practice been found that the invention described achieves the intended objects.

In this regard it is emphasized that the particular expedient of providing for the use of graphene to make the midsole and the presence of the lateral channel allows obtaining highly efficient elimination of the accumulated heat and, consequently, limiting the onset of excessive perspiration conditions.

Moreover, the limitation of the tendency to perspiration obtained by means of the footwear causes a considerable reduction in the bacterial and mycotic proliferation and related problems, such as, e.g., skin lesions and macerations, as well as unpleasant smell.

Moreover, the particular expedient of providing the lateral channel open towards the outside in association with the high thermal conductivity achieved by the insole and the midsole ensures a comfortable daily use even for users suffering from particular perspiration disorders.