WO2014133514A1

WO2014133514A1 - Unsmooth light-reflective coating on shoe outsole

Info

Publication number: WO2014133514A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/028189
Authority: WO
Inventors: Romain JOANNY
Original assignee: Honeywell International Inc
Priority date: 2013-02-28
Filing date: 2013-02-28
Publication date: 2014-09-04

Abstract

Apparatus and associated methods relate to articles of footwear with a reflective outsole and topographical features. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an article of footwear may have a reflective coating on the side-perimeter of the outsole. In another exemplary embodiment, the article of footwear may have a fluorescent or phosphorescent coating on the side-perimeter of the outsole. In some examples, the outsole may have topographical features for the purpose of providing wear resistance for the reflective coating. An exemplary embodiment may have an outsole which has negative topographical features. These negative topographical features may provide a recessed space for the light-illuminative material to reside within, such that a measure of abrasion protection is obtained. Still another embodiment may have both positive and negative topographical features on the outsole. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the reflective coating may include glass beads in an elastic polymer base.

Description

UNSMOOTH LIGHT-REFLECTIVE COATING ON SHOE OUTSOLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments relate generally to articles of footwear.

BACKGROUND Every year many people world-wide are injured or killed in accidents in which they were virtually invisible to a driver of a vehicle. It is often heard the phrase: "I didn't see him." Many of these accidents occur after dark on the side of a road. Safety concerns often are addressed by improving the visibility of a person in such an environment. For example, highway construction workers often work after the sun has set. Making these workers visible to oncoming traffic provides improved safety to these workers. These workers may wear vests that have reflected strips attached to them, but should the worker be facing the wrong direction, the reflective strips may not provide adequate illumination.

Other activities, such as jogging before sunrise, incur similar risks of accident. Even taking a walk after dark with one's spouse can be dangerous due to unfavorable lighting conditions, for example. Children often play games in the neighborhood after dark. Should a child chase a ball into the road when conditions are dark, they place themselves in jeopardy.

SUMMARY

Apparatus and associated methods may relate to articles of footwear with a reflective outsole and topographical features. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an article of footwear may have a reflective coating on the side -perimeter of the outsole. In another exemplary embodiment, the article of footwear may have a fluorescent or phosphorescent coating on the side-perimeter of the outsole. In some examples, the outsole may have topographical features for the purpose of providing wear resistance for the reflective coating. An exemplary embodiment may have an outsole which has negative topographical features. These negative topographical features may provide a recessed space for the light- illuminative material to reside within, such that a measure of abrasion protection is obtained. Still another embodiment may have both positive and negative topographical features on the outsole. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the reflective coating may include glass beads in an elastic polymer base.

Various embodiments may achieve one or more advantages. For example, one embodiment describes a method of manufacture in which the enhanced visibility coating may be applied using a spray. Another embodiment may apply the coating by dipping a non-reflective outsole into a bath, for example. Some embodiments may apply the reflective light-illuminating coating first to the inside of an outsole mold, and then inject the non- reflective light-illuminating outsole material into the center of the mold. One embodiment, for example, may use shapes other than beads. Another exemplary embodiment may use metallic elements instead of glass beads for the light-illuminating material.

The details of various embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 depicts a safety implementation of an exemplary article of footwear with

Unsmooth Light-Reflective Coating on the outsole (ULRC).

Figure 2 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary ULRC.

Figures 3a-3b depict a side perspective view and a side close-up view of an exemplary ULRC.

Figure 4 depicts bottom plan view of an exemplary ULRC.

Figure 5 depicts a side perspective view of an exemplary outsole of an exemplary

ULRC.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 depicts a safety implementation of an exemplary article of footwear with

Unsmooth Light-Reflective Coating on the outsole (ULRC). FIG. 1 shows a road- construction site 100, in which two workers, 105 and 110, are assisting. An oncoming vehicle 115, is illuminating the scene with two vehicle headlights 120. The workers 105 and 110 are both wearing exemplary articles of footwear with Unsmooth Light-Reflective Coating on the outsoles, 125 and 130. These ULRCs 125, 130 appear bright to the driver as each exemplary ULRC has an outsole 135, 140, respectively, that has a light-reflective coating which reflects the driver's headlight making the outsole appear luminous. As will be described in further detail below, the light-reflective coating is applied to an unsmooth surface that may protect at least portions of the light-reflective coating from abrasion, which may thereby advantageously extend the useful life and/or safety performance of the coating.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary ULRC. As depicted, an exemplary ULRC 200 includes an outsole 205 attached to a boot 210 in which a wearer's foot 215 resides. The outsole 205 has a top-side surface 220, which is affixed to the boot 210 of the exemplary ULRC, and a bottom-side surface 225 that is disposed opposite the wearer's foot 215. This exemplary drawing also depicts a side-perimeter surface 230 of the outsole 205, the side-perimeter surface 230 roughly circumscribing the wearer's foot 215. The outsole 205 has a light-reflective coating 235 on a portion of the side -perimeter surface 230. The outsole 205 also has topographical features 240 that define a depth profile around the side-perimeter surface. These topographical features 240 may be positive features which project radially outward from the side -perimeter 230 of the outsole 205 such as mesas or bumps, or the topographical features may be negative features such as indentations or dimples formed in the side-perimeter 230 of the outsole 205. A combination of both positive and negative topographical features may also be used. The positive features may likely experience abrasion during use, thereby protecting the adjacent negative features. In this exemplary figure, the topographical features 240 are all depicted as negative features (e.g., indentations or dimples). These topographical features 240 may protect a light reflective coating applied to these negative portions of the side-perimeter surface 230 of the outsole 205 from wear by removing them from likely abrasion causing incidents. The light- reflective coating 235 that resides in these protected portions of the side -perimeter 230 of the outsole 205 may continue to provide light-reflective safety for the wearer even after substantial wear.

FIGS. 3a-3b depict a side perspective view and a side close-up view of an exemplary ULRC. In FIG. 3a, an exemplary outsole 300 of an exemplary ULRC is shown. The outsole 300 has a side -perimeter surface 305, which has a light-reflective coating 310 applied to the lower portion 315 of the side -perimeter surface 305. In this exemplary figure, the light- reflective coating 310 is applied so as to completely circumscribe the side -perimeter surface of the outsole 300 in a contiguous fashion. The outsole 300 also depicts topographical features, 315, 320, 325 and 330. In this exemplary figure, some of the topographical features are positive depth features 315, 320 (e.g., mesas or bumps). Other topographical features may include negative depth features, such as features 325, 330, for example.

In FIG. 3b, a portion 335 of the exemplary outsole 300 of FIG. 3a is shown in close- up. The negative depth feature 325 is shown in this portion 335 of this exemplary outsole 300. The light-reflective coating 310 shown in FIG. 3b depicts a schematic of the glass beads 340 which may be used in the light-reflective coating 310, for example. These glass beads may reflect the light incident to the side -perimeter surface. And when these glass beads are located in the negative topographical regions, they may reflect the light incident to the side-perimeter from these protected portions of the side -perimeter surface. Other light- reflective elements, such as glass or metallic pieces or glitter elements may also be used in the light-reflective coating. Some exemplary light-reflective elements are steel, aluminum, copper or brass, for example.

FIG. 4 depicts bottom plan view of an exemplary ULRC. In FIG. 4, an exemplary ULRC 400 is shown from the bottom plan view perspective. This exemplary ULRC has a bottom-side surface 405 which is disposed opposite the wearer's foot. A light-reflective coating 410 circumscribes a side -perimeter surface 415 of the outsole. The side -perimeter surface 415 has negative topographical features 420 shown in this exemplary figure.

FIG. 5 depicts a side perspective view of an exemplary outsole of an exemplary ULRC. In this exemplary figure, an exemplary outsole 500 of an ULRC is depicted from the side perspective view. The outsole 500 has negative features 505, 510. In this exemplary ULRC, a light-reflective coating 515 is only applied to the negative features 505, 510. In this example, the negative features include triangular features 505 and circular features 510. Other topographical shapes may be used for fashion purposes or functional purposes such as abrasion protection, for example.

Although various embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, other embodiments are possible. For example, the light-reflective coating may be applied in many different manners. Some methods of application may involve spraying the light- reflective material onto the outsole. In another exemplary method, the light -reflective coating may be applied by dipping the outsole into a bath of light-reflective material. In some embodiments, the coating could also be applied using rollers, such as the type use for painting. In some embodiments, the coating could also be applied using In-Mold Coating Technology. For example, the coating may be sprayed on the surface of the mold and then the outsole is injected. The coating goes from the surface of the mold to the surface of the outsole. In this example, the reflective coating may be transferred to the outsole by contact.

We can also add in-mold labeling. It means that we apply the reflective coating on a polymer film and then the reflective coating is transferred to the outsole by contact. It is quite the same as in-mold coating but the reflective coating is not sprayed on the mold but supported by a polymer film.

In an exemplary embodiment, an outsole may be put on a wooden part which has the complementary topographical shape of the outsole. In some implementations, such embodiments may substantially reduce or avoid coating on the bottom of the outsole.

Another part may be put on the outsole in order to substantially reduce or prevent coating inside the outsole, which could introduce subsequent process difficulties, for example, during the manufacturing process in which the outsole is affixed to the boot or shoe.

In some exemplary embodiments, the coating is applied in a two step fashion. The first step in these exemplary embodiments may include application of a polymer base material (e.g., polyurethane, acrylic). Then, after the polymer base has been applied, using one of the above methods (e.g., spray, dip, in-mold), the light-reflective materials may be affixed to the still wet or tacky polymer base. In some examples the method of affixing the light-illuminating materials may involve dusting or spraying.

Some exemplary methods may include pre-mixing the light-reflecting material(s) and the polymer base prior to application to the outsole. A third step may be included to provide a final protective coating (e.g., a sealing coat) to the outsole.

One exemplary embodiment may use a synthetic rubber outsole as the non- illuminating outsole. Another exemplary embodiment may use polyurethane or a natural rubber outsole. One exemplary embodiment may use an EVA type of rubber for the outsole, or styrene, or other polymer. Some exemplary embodiments may attach the outsole to the boot by putting the upper (or boot) into a mold and injecting the outsole material into the mold. Another exemplary embodiment may put both the boot and an already manufactured nitrile outsole into a mold and injecting polyurethane to affix the two pieces. This exemplary method may make a comfort layer and the link between outsole and upper. Still another exemplary method may use a cement to affix the outsole to the upper. Another exemplary method of manufacture may stitch the outsole onto the upper.

In an exemplary embodiment, the light-reflective coating may be made using glass beads in an elastic translucent medium (e.g., polymer base). In some embodiments, other glass shapes will be used. In other exemplary embodiments the enhanced visibility of the outsole may be achieved using fluorescent, phosphorescent, or iridescent elements. One or more such fluorescent, phosphorescent, or iridescent elements may be used in place of reflective elements or in combination with reflective elements. In some embodiments the enhanced visibility or reflective elements will be in an elastic transparent medium. In other embodiments, the enhanced-visibility or reflective elements may include materials other than glass, such as plastic or metallic elements. These plastic or metallic elements may be used in place of the glass elements or in combination with the glass elements.

In various embodiments, apparatus and methods may involve a light-reflective coating that only partially circumscribes the side -perimeter of the outsole. Some embodiments may apply the light-reflective coating to only the negative features. Other embodiments may apply the light-reflective coating to only the positive features. Some embodiments may apply the light-reflective coating to all or parts of the bottom-side of the outsole. In an exemplary embodiment, for example, the light-reflective coating may be applied so that it completely circumscribes the side-perimeter of the outsole, and additionally the light-reflective coating may be applied to the entire bottom-side of the outsole.

In various embodiments, the light-reflecting coating applied to the outsole may provide a light -reflection coefficient of between about 20 and about 40 cd/(lx- m²) for an angle of incidence of five degrees and an angle of observation of one degree. In one exemplary embodiment, the light-reflecting coating may provide about 25 cd/(lx- m²) for an angle of incidence of five degrees and an angle of observation of one degree.

In various examples, the coating may have a thickness upon application of between about 50 and about 10 micrometers. In a representative example, a coating may be applied with a thickness of about 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, or 45 micrometers.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modification may be made. For example, advantageous results may be achieved if the steps of the disclosed techniques were performed in a different sequence, or if components of the disclosed systems were combined in a different manner, or if the components were supplemented with other components. Accordingly, other

implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An article of footwear configured to receive a wearer's foot, the article comprising:

an outsole comprising:

a top-side surface disposed proximate to the sole of the wearer's foot;

a bottom-side surface disposed opposite the wearer's foot;

a side -perimeter surface including a plurality of topographical features that define a depth profile around the side -perimeter surface and include a plurality of negative depth features that are recessed relative to surrounding adjacent surfaces of the side-perimeter surface; and,

a light-reflective coating applied within the plurality of the negative depth features on the side -perimeter surface.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the topographical features of the side- perimeter surface comprise positive depth features relative to adjacent surface depth profile.

3. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the light-reflective coating comprises flexible material.

4. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the light-reflective coating is applied to substantially all of the side-perimeter surface.

5. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the light-reflective coating is applied to some of the negative depth features of the side -perimeter surface.

6. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the light-reflective coating comprises a plurality of metallic elements in or affixed to a polymer base.

7. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the light-reflective coating comprises a plurality of glass beads in or affixed to a polymer base.

8. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the bottom-side surface comprises a light- reflective coating.

9. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the light-reflective coating provides a reflection coefficient of between about 20 and about 40 cd/(lx- m²) for an angle of incidence of five degrees and an angle of observation of one degree.

10. The article of footwear of claim 8, wherein the light-reflective coating provides a reflection coefficient of about 25 cd/(lx- m²) for an angle of incidence of five degrees and an angle of observation of one degree.

11. An article of footwear configured to receive a wearer's foot, the article comprising:

an outsole comprising:

a top-side surface disposed proximate to the sole of the wearer's foot;

a bottom-side surface disposed opposite the wearer's foot;

a side -perimeter surface including a plurality of topographical features that define a depth profile around the side -perimeter surface and including a plurality of negative depth features that are recessed relative to surrounding adjacent surfaces of the side-perimeter surface; and,

a light-reflective coating applied within the plurality of the negative depth features on the side -perimeter surface,

wherein the light-reflective coating applied within the plurality of the topographical negative features exhibits a reflection coefficient of between about 20 and about 40 cd/(lx- m2) for an angle of incidence of five degrees and an angle of observation of one degree.

12. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein the light-reflective coating provides a reflection coefficient of about 25 cd/(lx- m²) for an angle of incidence of five degrees and an angle of observation of one degree.

13. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein the topographical features of the side- perimeter surface comprise positive depth features relative to adjacent surface depth profile.

14. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein the light-reflective coating comprises flexible material.

15. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein the light-reflective coating is applied to substantially all of the side-perimeter surface.

16. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein the light-reflective coating comprises a plurality of metallic elements in or affixed to a polymer base.

17. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein the light-reflective coating comprises a plurality of glass beads in or affixed to a polymer base.

18. A method of constructing an article of footwear configured to receive a wearer's foot, the method comprising:

providing an outsole comprising: i) a top-side surface disposed proximate to the sole of the

wearer's foot;

a bottom-side surface disposed opposite the top-side surface; iii) a side -perimeter surface extending between the top-side

surface and the bottom-side surface, the side -perimeter surface including a plurality of topographical features that define a depth profile around the side -perimeter surface and include a plurality of negative depth features that are recessed relative to surrounding adjacent surfaces of the side-perimeter surface; and,

applying a light-reflective coating within the plurality of the topographical negative features on the side-perimeter surface.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the light-reflective coating comprises a plurality of metallic elements in or affixed to a polymer base.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the light-reflective coating comprises a plurality of glass beads in or affixed to a polymer base.