Abstract:
A ventilation system for an article of footwear has a gas-motive device, an inlet line to the gas-motive device, and an outlet line to the gas motive device, the outlet line communicating to an inner volume of the article of footwear. The system is characterized in that gaseous material is drawn from the inlet line and pumped via the outlet line into the inner volume of the article of footwear, which has a cooling effect as well as pumping away noxious odors and eliminating a bacteria-friendly environment.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention is in the field of footwear primarily for humans, and pertains more specifically to apparatus and methods for ventilating footwear in use.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    It is very well-known that there are many problems associated with footwear for people. Among these problems are many associated with perspiration and with the close enclosure typically provided by most kinds of shoes and other footwear. For example, in prolonged use the environment surrounding a user&#39;s foot in most footwear may become elevated in temperature and moist from perspiration, which provides a suitable breeding environment for bacteria, and often leads to unpleasant odors, discomfort, and in some cases to uncomfortable blisters and/or rashes. These problems are typically more pronounced with such as athletic footwear.  
           [0003]    What is clearly needed in the art is apparatus and methods for ventilating footwear in use by causing air or other gases to be circulated between a user&#39;s foot and the surrounding footwear.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a ventilation system for a shoe is provided, comprising a gas-motive device, an inlet line to the gas-motive device, and an outlet line to the gas motive device, the outlet line communicating to an inner volume of the shoe. The system is characterized in that gaseous material is drawn from the inlet line and pumped via the outlet line into the inner volume of the shoe.  
           [0005]    In some preferred embodiments the gas-motive device is a hollow and deformable bladder device with structural integrity to return the bladder after deformation to an un-collapsed condition. Also in some preferred embodiments the inlet line communicates to outside the shoe, and the gaseous material is ambient air. In some embodiments the outlet line communicates through a manifolding system to several points into the interior of the shoe, and in others the outlet line communicates through porous inner panels for distributing air into the inner volume of the shoe.  
           [0006]    In some embodiments there are one or more one-way valves in the inlet or the outlet lines for controlling the direction of pumping action. In some cases as well, the inlet and the outlet lines may be the same line, or both may go the inner volume of the shoe, and gaseous material is alternately drawn from the inner volume of the shoe, and urged into the inner volume of the shoe.  
           [0007]    In some cases the arrangement is to place the bladder under the heel of the shoe, such that walking or running action placing a user&#39;s weight on the heel area alternately collapses and un-collapses the bladder. In other cases arrangement is to place the bladder under the forward area of the shoe toward the toe region, such that walking or running action placing a user&#39;s weight on the forward area alternately collapses and un-collapses the bladder.  
           [0008]    In an alternative embodiment of the invention there is a reservoir connected to the inlet line to the gas motive device, the reservoir holding one or more of a solid,semi-solid or liquid perfume, deodorant, fungicide, or anti-bacterial agent, such that gaseous material drawn into the gas-motive device for transfer into the inner volume of the shoe is integrated with the contents of the reservoir. This feature allows deodorants, perfumes, antibiotics, and the like to be administered into the inner volume of the shoe around a user&#39;s foot while the user is using the shoe, walking or running.  
           [0009]    In another aspect of the invention an article of footwear is provided, comprising a sole region for underlying a user&#39;s foot, an upper region for engaging a user&#39;s foot in use, to stabilize the footwear on the user&#39;s foot, and defining an inner volume around the user&#39;s foot, and a ventilation system including a gas-motive device, an inlet line to the gas-motive device, and an outlet line to the gas motive device, the outlet line communicating to an inner volume of the shoe. The footwear is characterized in that gaseous material is drawn from the inlet line and pumped via the outlet line into the inner volume.  
           [0010]    In some preferred embodiments the gas-motive device is a hollow and deformable bladder device with structural integrity to return the bladder after deformation to an un-collapsed condition. Also in some preferred embodiments the inlet line communicates to outside the shoe, and the gaseous material is ambient air. The outlet line may communicate through a manifolding system to several points into the interior of the shoe, or through porous inner panels for distributing air into the inner volume of the shoe.  
           [0011]    In some embodiments there are one or more one-way valves in the inlet or the outlet lines for controlling the direction of pumping action. Also in some embodiments the inlet and the outlet lines are the same line, and gaseous material is alternately drawn from the inner volume of the shoe, and urged into the inner volume of the shoe. In some cases the bladder will be under the heel of the shoe, such that walking or running action placing a user&#39;s weight on the heel area alternately collapses and un-collapses the bladder. In other cases the bladder may be under the forward area of the shoe toward the toe region, such that walking or running action placing a user&#39;s weight on the forward area alternately collapses and un-collapses the bladder.  
           [0012]    In an alternative embodiment there is a reservoir connected to the inlet line to the gas motive device, the reservoir holding one or more of a solid, semi-solid or liquid perfume, deodorant, fungicide, or anti-bacterial agent, such that gaseous material drawn into the gas-motive device for transfer into the inner volume of the shoe is integrated with the contents of the reservoir.  
           [0013]    In yet another aspect of the invention a method for ventilating a shoe is provided, comprising the steps of (a) incorporating a gas-motive device having an inlet line and an outlet line into the shoe, the outlet line communicating to an inner volume of the shoe; and (b) operating the gas motive device to move gaseous material drawn from the inlet line into the inner volume of the shoe.  
           [0014]    In some preferred embodiments the gas-motive device is a hollow and deformable bladder device with structural integrity to return the bladder after deformation to an un-collapsed condition, such that shifting a user&#39;s weight onto an off an area over the bladder operates the bladder as a bellows pump. Also in some preferred embodiments of the method the inlet line communicates to outside the shoe, and the gaseous material is ambient air. In some embodiments as well, the outlet line communicates through a manifolding system to several points into the interior of the shoe, or in some embodiments through porous inner panels for distributing air into the inner volume of the shoe. There may be one or more one-way valves in the inlet or the outlet lines for controlling the direction of pumping action.  
           [0015]    In some embodiments the inlet and the outlet lines may be the same line, and gaseous material is then alternately drawn from the inner volume of the shoe, and urged into the inner volume of the shoe. In some cases the bladder will be under the heel of the shoe, such that walking or running action placing a user&#39;s weight on the heel area alternately collapses and un-collapses the bladder, and in other cases the bladder will be under the forward area of the shoe toward the toe region, such that walking or running action placing a user&#39;s weight on the forward area alternately collapses and un-collapses the bladder.  
           [0016]    In another alternative embodiment there will be a reservoir connected to the inlet line to the gas motive device, the reservoir holding one or more of a solid, semi-solid or liquid perfume, deodorant, fungicide, or anti-bacterial agent, such that gaseous material drawn into the gas-motive device for transfer into the inner volume of the shoe is integrated with the contents of the reservoir.  
           [0017]    In yet another aspect of the invention a ventilating insert for a shoe is provided, comprising a region shaped substantially as the insole of a shoe, for underlying a user&#39;s foot, and a ventilation system including a gas-motive device, an inlet line to the gas-motive device, and an outlet line to the gas motive device, the outlet line communicating through the insole-shaped region. The insert is characterized in that gaseous material is drawn from the inlet line and pumped via the outlet line through the insole-shaped region.  
           [0018]    In preferred embodiments the gas-motive device is a hollow and deformable bladder device with structural integrity to return the bladder after deformation to an un-collapsed condition. Also in preferred embodiments the inlet line communicates to outside the shoe, and the gaseous material is ambient air.  
           [0019]    In some embodiments the inlet line communicates through a breathing tongue connected and positioned to lie behind a user&#39;s heel with the insert in a shoe, and also in some embodiments the outlet line communicates through a porous inner panel of the insole-shaped region.  
           [0020]    There may be in the insert one or more one-way valves in the inlet or the outlet lines for controlling the direction of pumping action. Further the inlet and the outlet lines may be the same line, and gaseous material is alternately drawn from the inner volume of the shoe, and urged into the inner volume of the shoe.  
           [0021]    In some cases the insert is arranged to place the bladder under a user&#39;s heel, such that walking or running action placing a user&#39;s weight on the heel area alternately collapses and un-collapses the bladder, while in other cases the arrangement is to place the bladder under the forward area of a user&#39;s foot, such that walking or running action placing a user&#39;s weight on the forward area alternately collapses and un-collapses the bladder. Further still, there may be a reservoir connected to the inlet line to the gas motive device, the reservoir holding one or more of a solid, semi-solid or liquid perfume, deodorant, fungicide, or anti-bacterial agent, such that gaseous material drawn into the gas-motive device for transfer into the inner volume of the shoe is integrated with the contents of the reservoir.  
           [0022]    In various embodiments of the invention, several of which are described in enabling detail below, for the first time a system is provided that ventilates a shoe, a piece of footwear, solving a long-standing problem.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES  
       [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a representative athletic shoe showing innovative internal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the shoe of FIG. 1 with a portion of the sole of the shoe cut away to show the eternal elements outlined in FIG. 1.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the shoe of FIG. 2 illustrating the elements of apparatus  103  in more detail.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a shoe similar to the shoe of FIG. 3, in an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a shoe similar to the shoes of previous figures, but with yet a different arrangement of elements.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a shoe similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2, to illustrate another element in a preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a shoe having a separate ventilator apparatus placed therein, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 8 a  is a side elevation view of the separate ventilator apparatus of FIG. 7.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 8 b  is a plan view of the separate ventilator apparatus of FIG. 8 a,  illustrating further detail of the constituent elements.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0032]    [0032]FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a representative athletic shoe  101  showing innovative internal apparatus  103  within a lower sole structure  102  according to an embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the invention apparatus  103  draws air from outside the shoe and pumps that air into the interior of the shoe around a user&#39;s foot. In this preferred embodiment manipulation of apparatus  103  is by the action of the user in walking or running with the shoe.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the shoe of FIG. 1 with a portion of the sole of the shoe cut away to show the eternal elements of apparatus  103  outlined in FIG. 1. In this embodiment a pumping bladder  104  is positioned against a stop structure  109  in the heel area of shoe  101 . This bladder is a gas-motive device as is further described below. An air inlet line  105  communicates through a one-way valve  106  with outside environment through the sole structure  102  in the heel of the shoe. The active direction of valve  106  is toward bladder  104 , so depression of bladder  104  will close valve  106 , preventing expulsion of air through line  105 ; and expansion of bladder  104  will cause air to be drawn into the bladder through line  105  and valve  106 .  
         [0034]    Bladder  104  in this simple case is a hollow, flattened circular structure with enough structural integrity to assume a fully-expanded shape in the absence of force on the heel of the shoe; that is, when a person is not supporting his/her weight on the heel area of the shoe. Bladder  104  in this embodiment also communicates through a one-way valve  107  and a line  108  forward and upward through the insole of shoe  101  into the interior of shoe  101 . The active direction of one-way valve  107  is toward the interior of the shoe from bladder  101 , such that action of bladder  104  being depressed by a person shifting weight to the heel area of the shoe will force air in the bladder through valve  107  into the interior of shoe  101 .  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of shoe  101  of FIG. 2 illustrating the elements of apparatus  103  in more detail. In this embodiment bladder  104  feeds through a line  112  through one-way valve  107  into a tee  111  which connects by lines  113  to separate elbows  110  and to individual lines  108  on opposite sides of the shoe. The lines and connections can be plastic-molded lines, elbows and tees, and in some cases pieces of flexible and/or semi-flexible tubing such as Tygon™ plastic tubing. Also, there are many sorts of one-way valves that may be suitable, such as flapper valves and ball valves that are commercially available for one-way fluid applications. There are many possibilities.  
         [0036]    In operation with the arrangement and elements of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, when a user takes a walking or a running step, transferring the user&#39;s weight onto the heel area of shoe  101 , bladder  104  gets depressed to some extent, depending on the resiliency of bladder  104 , the weight of the user, and the force of the action, and possibly other variables. The depression of the bladder reduces the internal volume of the bladder, one-way valve  106  is urged closed, and air in the bladder is urged through one-way valve  107 , through the tubing system including lines  108 , and into the internal volume of the shoe.  
         [0037]    As the same user continues to walk or run, and takes another step, for example, shifting the user&#39;s weight to the opposite foot, which may have a similarly-enabled shoe, bladder  104 , by virtue of its structural integrity, assumes its fully-expanded, as-molded shape, which expands the internal volume of the bladder to a greater volume than it has when the user has his/her weight in the heel area of the shoe. The expansion of bladder  104  closes one-way valve  107  and opens one-way valve  106 , and outside air is drawn into bladder  104  through line  105 .  
         [0038]    Thusly, walking or running action causes air to incrementally be pumped through the shoe around a user&#39;s foot, effectively ventilating the shoe. The pumping action reduces the ambient temperature in the volume of the shoe around the user&#39;s foot, moves away any stagnant air, and reduces or eliminates all of the problems described above in the Background section stemming primarily from the conventional lack of ventilation.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a shoe  114  similar to shoe  101  described above, in an alternative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment bladder  104  with inlets and outlets, and one-way valves  106  and  107  are arranged just as in Shoe  101  previously described. Rather than individual tubings  108  as shown for shoe  101 , shoe  114  has a single manifold  115  having a series of openings  116  which communicate upward through the inner sole of the shoe into the interior volume of the shoe. The action in use is essentially the same, and the manifold provides a different distribution of air into the interior of the shoe.  
         [0040]    In other alternative embodiments of the invention different manifolds and manifold systems may be used to distribute air into the shoe in a variety of different patterns, including by, for example an inflatable insole connected to one or more manifolds from the bladder, which insole may have a porous upper surface below the user&#39;s foot, such that air pumped into the shoe may diffuse through the special insole over all or a substantial portion of the bottom of the shoe. Such porous insoles may be extended also as porous linings on the sides of the inside of the shoe, and even some top portions, so outside air my be provided and relatively evenly distributed with a shoe so equipped.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a shoe  117  similar to shoes  101  and  114 , but with yet a different arrangement of elements. In this embodiment bladder  104  is positioned near the front of the shoe substantially where a user would apply weight from the forward area of the foot just behind the toes. In many applications this position, or a similar position might be preferable to the heel position described above. In this case an inlet line  118  protrudes to the front through one-way valve  106 , and lines  119  deliver pumped air to two positions just in front of the heel area. It will be apparent to the skilled artisan that a wide variety of manifolding schemes may be employed from this position of the bladder, just as described above for the heel position of the bladder, including such as porous insoles and the like.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a shoe  122  similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2, to illustrate another element in a preferred embodiment of the invention. In shoe  122  the inlet line from bladder  104  extends from the heel area into a reservoir  120  having a cap or plug  121 , which may be opened to place a solid, semi-solid or liquid perfume, deodorant, fungicide, or anti-bacterial agent, or any combination, into reservoir  120 . Air is then drawn into bladder  104  through or around the agent in the reservoir, and the air thusly pumped into the interior of the shoe is then treated accordingly, providing even further advantages for the user. It will be apparent to the skilled artisan that such a reservoir and such agents may be arranged and enabled in a variety of ways, and is broadly applicable to all of the various arrangements of pumping elements and manifolds previously described.  
         [0043]    It will be apparent to the skilled artisan that there are many alterations that may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, there are alternative apparatus for pumping air or other gases than the bladder shown as an example. Some may be powered by the user&#39;s action, and some may be powered by, for example, electromotive devices for pumping air or other gases. In the latter case, one-way valves may not be necessary. In some case restrictive valves and devices may be used to tune the amount of air pumped. Air may be drawn in from outside the shoe, or drawn from the interior of the shoe to create a re-circulating effect, which may be useful when using the embodiment shown by FIG. 6, or a similar arrangement, to preserve, for example, the material added by the reservoir. In this alternative embodiment one might draw air from one end of the shoe, add a deodorant or other material, and return the deodorized air to the other end of the shoe. In an alternative embodiment a relatively large volume bladder may be used with a single line into the shoe without a: valve, such that air is alternately pumped into and drawn out of the shoe. There are very many possibilities.  
         [0044]    In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in FIG. 7, FIG. 8 a  and FIG. 8 b,  a shoe ventilation system is provided, incorporated in an insole for a shoe, such that the unique apparatus may be inserted into virtually any existing shoe to provide the functions and advantages described above relative to FIGS. 1-6. It should be understood that the example of an insole as an insert is not limiting, and the features described may also be provided for an arch support, or in other sorts of inserts that may be used. The idea is to provide the features of the invention in an aftermarket device as well as in footwear OEM.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a shoe  701  having a separate ventilator apparatus  702  placed therein, much in the manner that a person would place an insole or an arch support, for example, into a shoe.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 8 a  is a side elevation view of apparatus  702  removed from shoe  701 , and also showing further constituent elements of apparatus  702 . FIG. 8 b  is a plan view of apparatus  702  of FIG. 8 a,  illustrating further detail of the constituent elements. Apparatus  702  has equivalent elements to the system previously described, which is built into the sole region of a shoe. There is, for example, a portion  710  that lies in the bottom of the shoe, just as is common for an insole. Portion  710  is connected to a breathing tongue  703  which will lie substantially vertically in the shoe behind a user&#39;s heel. Breathing tongue  703  is a substantially flat element having an internal cavity for conducting air from outside the shoe, through a one-way valve  706  into a pump bladder  707  built into or molded into the device. Pump bladder  707  operates by virtue of a user&#39;s shifting of weight, just as previously described for other embodiments, and urges air from the bladder into a region  709  within portion  710 .  
         [0047]    Portion  710  in this embodiment has a matrix of small openings through the upper surface of region  710  to allow air to be urged into the volume inside a shoe surrounding a user&#39;s foot. As a person walks or runs, air is pumped from outside the shoe into the inner volume of the shoe, providing beneficial effect, as also described in more detail above.  
         [0048]    Also is previously described for other embodiments, the apparatus described relative to FIGS. 7 and 8 may also pump air from inside to inside, may have a reservoir for fungicide, disinfectant, deodorant, etc., and may be implemented in a broad variety of ways, including having a powered pump rather than a mechanically-operated pump. This innovation provides a product useful in the footwear aftermarket, as it can be used with existing footwear.  
         [0049]    The method and apparatus of the invention is to be allowed the broadest possible interpretation under examination. The spirit and scope of the invention is limited only by the following claims.