Patent ID: 6918695
Filing Date: 2005-07-19
Classification: A43B,A43D,G01N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for measuring breathability and comfort level of a shoe, comprising: a rigid structure made of self-supporting heat-conducting material that duplicates a contour of a foot for supporting a shoe to be tested, said rigid structure being divided into at least three rigid structure regions that are thermally insulated from each other, heating means for heating autonomously each one of said at least three regions of said rigid structure to a presettable temperature, at least one cladding surrounding said rigid structure, said cladding including cladding regions corresponding to the rigid structure regions and being made of a soft material whose structure is permeable to liquids and capable of absorbing water and distributing the water over an entire surface of the rigid structure that it surrounds, sensor means for sensing an external temperature of said cladding regions that correspond to said at least three rigid structure regions, supply means for metering a supply of water to said rigid structure surrounded by said at least one cladding, measuring means for determining a level of electric power dissipated from said heating means and keeping constant the sensed external temperature of said cladding regions.