WO1998033407A1

WO1998033407A1 - Insole

Info

Publication number: WO1998033407A1
Application number: PCT/FI1998/000094
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matti Viitanen
Original assignee: Matti Viitanen
Priority date: 1997-02-04
Filing date: 1998-02-02
Publication date: 1998-08-06
Also published as: FI980126A0; FI102504B1; FI980126A; AU5867298A; FI102504B

Abstract

The object of the invention is an insole (10) which is a bendable, sheet-like piece consisting of porous and absorbent material. The insole is meant to be placed against the sole of the wearer's foot (11) in such a way that the insole remains between the foot and the sock (13). In shape it is basically the shape of the wearer's sole, but in addition, there is an extension (12) at the front part of the insole which can be turned over the toes and the front part of the foot. Most advantageously, the material of the insole is porous paper that withstands friction or material with 50 % viscose and 50 % polypropylene.

Description

INSOLE

Insoles are often used in shoes for various different reasons. If shoes are a little too large for the wearer, insoles help to make them the right size for the person's feet. In winter footwear it is also possible to use warm woollen insoles, in which case the sole of the shoe does not feel cold. There are also insoles that prevent foot perspiration. They can be made, for example, of foamed plastic and can also possibly be treated with activated charcoal or other similar substance that removes the odour of perspiration.

However, known insoles for shoes do not help in cases where, for example, the wearer has to keep shoes on for a long period without a break. For example, when shoes are worn indoors in warm conditions all day, the feet will certainly perspire and fairly quickly the shoes feel uncomfortably damp.

The purpose of this invention is to create a new type of insole, which helps to keep shoes dry and feel comfortable on the wearer's feet. It is characteristic to the invention that the insole is a bendable, sheet-like piece consisting of porous and absorbent material, which is to be placed against the sole of the wearer's foot in such a way that the insole is between the foot and the sock.

The insole relating to the invention keeps the foot dry substantially more effectively than any known insole. In addition to improving comfort in use, the insole relating to the invention also lengthens the shoes' life, as they keep considerably drier.

According to one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the insole's shape is mainly the same as the wearer's sole, but in addition, there is an extension at the front of the insole, which can be turned over the toes, and the front part of the foot. This structure is advantageous because then the insole absorbs moisture near the toes both from above and from below.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the insole is made of porous paper that withstands friction. The production costs of a material of this kind are low, thus enabling the insole to be made disposable. Insoles that are changed daily for new ones are also hygienic. Paper is also an easily recyclable material, which creates no environmental problems. According to another advantageous embodiment the insole is material made of 50% viscose and 50% polypropylene. This kind of material is both absorbent and durable. All other porous and absorbent materials can, however, also be used.

In the following, the invention is described using an example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows an insole relating to the invention seen from above. Figure 2 shows an insole relating to the invention fitted against the wearer's sole, seen diagrammatically from the side.

Figure 3 corresponds to Figure 2 and shows an insole which has been placed between the wearer's sole and sock.

In Figure 1 the insole 10 has been formed into a sheet that is basically the shape of the wearer's sole. At the front part of the insole, however, an additional extension 12 has been formed, which also clearly extends over to the front of the toes. Figure 1 shows with a broken line the part of the wearer's foot 11 where the toes reach. The significance of the additional extension 12 becomes clear in the following Figure 2.

In Figure 2 the insole 10 has been placed against the sole of the wearer's foot 11 and the extension 12 extending to the front of the toes has been turned over the toes. In this way an efficient moist absorbing effect is created both above and beneath the toes.

In Figure 3 a sock 13 has been pulled onto the wearer's foot 11 , leaving the insole 10 with its additional extension 12 inside the sock 13. In this way the insole 10 stays well in place. As the insole 10 is mainly the size and shape of the sole, it settles in place inside the sock unnoticed and cannot be seen from above the sock.

It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the different embodiments of the invention may vary within the scope of the claims presented below.

Claims

1. An insole, characterised in that the insole (10) is a bendable, sheet-like piece consisting of porous and absorbent material that is to be placed against the sole of the wearer's foot (11) in such a way that the insole remains between the foot and the sock (13).

2. An insole as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the insole (10) is mainly the shape of the wearer's sole, but in addition to that, there is an extension (12) at the front part of the insole which can be turned over the toes and the front part of the foot.

3. An insole as claimed in claim 1 or2, characterised in that the insole (10) is porous paper which withstands friction.

4. An insole as claimed in claim 1 or2, characterised in that the insole (10) is made of material which is 50% viscose and 50% polypropylene.