Patent Publication Number: US-2006006079-A1

Title: Package of different insole pairs for different footwear

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates generally to insoles, and more particularly to packaging for insoles.  
      There are numerous types of footwear for different types of activities. For example, some footwear (e.g., running shoes) is designed for sports-related activities, while other types (e.g., casual shoes, walking shoes, sandals) are constructed for leisure activities. Still other footwear is designed for work (e.g., boots, steel-toed shoes) or formal activity (e.g., high-heels, dress shows). Various types of insoles are also marketed for different types of footwear and/or activities. However, these insoles have not been marketed in a single package, making the purchase of such insoles inconvenient and frustrating for an active person participating in many different types of activities.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Among the several objects of this invention may be noted the provision of a package of two or more pairs of insoles of different designs suitable for different activities (e.g., sports, leisure, formal); a package of two or more pairs of insoles of different designs suitable for different footwear (e.g., running, casual, work); the provision of such a package which can contain selected combinations of insoles, each suited for a different type of footwear; and the provision of such a package which makes insole shopping easier, more convenient and provides greater value to customers.  
      In general, this invention is directed to a package of insoles. The package includes at least two different pairs of insoles, including a first pair of insoles adapted to be used with first footwear and a second pair of insoles adapted to be used with second footwear different from the first footwear. The first pair of insoles has a first insole design and the second pair of insoles has a second insole design different from the first insole design. The package also includes a container containing the at least two different pairs of insoles.  
      Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an insole package of this invention comprising a container in the form of a semi-rigid carton having closure flaps;  
       FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  but with the closure flaps open to show a transparent, 3-pocket envelope for holding plurality of pairs of insoles in the carton;  
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of envelope removed from the carton;  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one insole of a first pair of insoles in the envelope of  FIG. 3 ;  
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the insole of  FIG. 4  showing the construction of the insole. 
    
    
      Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate one embodiment of an insole package of this invention, the package being indicated in its entirety by the reference number  1 . In general, the package comprises a container, generally designated  3 , and two or more pairs of insoles, three pairs P 1 , P 2  and P 3  being shown in  FIG. 2  by way of example. As will be discussed in more detail, the different pairs are designed for different types of footwear and/or activity, such as (but not limited to) a sports activity, a leisure or casual activity, a work activity, or a formal activity. As a result, a customer who owns different types of footwear or participates in various activities can satisfy his/her needs by one purchase. It will be understood that the number of insole pairs in the package  1  may vary ( 2 ,  3 ,  4 , etc.), and that the types of footwear or activities for which the insole pairs are designed may also vary, depending on the need (actual or perceived) in the market. In the illustrated embodiment, the package does not contain footwear.  
      In one embodiment ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ), the container  3  is a semi-rigid carton (also designated  3 ) having a front, a back and four sides which cooperatively define an interior volume sufficient for holding an appropriate number of insole pairs, three such pairs P 1 , P 2 , P 3  being shown in  FIG. 2 . The front of the carton  3  includes overlapping top and bottom closure flaps  11 ,  13 . In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom flap  13  is pivotally attached to a lower edge  15  of the carton and has an area approximately equal to the size of the front of the carton. The top flap  11 , which may be sized to overlie about half of the bottom flap  13 , is pivotally attached to an upper edge  17  of the carton. The closure flaps  11 ,  13  are releasably held in a closed position by suitable means such as mating velcro patches  21 ,  23 . Other fasteners may be used, such as snaps, buttons, or adhesives. The carton may also include a pair of side flaps  27  hinged to opposite side edges  31  of the carton. As illustrated, the side flaps  27  underlie the closure flaps  11 ,  13  when the carton is closed.  
      Other types of containers are contemplated, such as bags, rigid boxes, sleeves of paperboard or other suitable material, molded plastic shells (e.g., blister packs) affixed to a substrate such as cardboard, or other conventional or non-conventional packaging techniques. The container may be disposable after it is opened or it may be reusable for storage of the insoles when not in use. The container may also have one or more suitable openings therein (not shown) for enabling the container to be hung on a support (e.g., a cantilever arm) of a display at a point of purchase. Other types of containers may be used without departing from the scope of this invention.  
      The inner and/or outer surfaces of the carton  3  may contain printed material (e.g., text and/or graphics) related to construction, use, performance or other characteristics of the insoles in the carton, such as the number of insoles contained therein, the size of the insoles, the source of the insoles, the types of footwear or activities for which the insoles are designed, instructions for use, or other product information. Moreover, the cartons may be color coded to indicate the types for insoles contained in the carton. For example, a carton containing insoles for women&#39;s footwear may be one color whereas a carton containing insoles for men&#39;s footwear may be another color.  
      In the illustrated embodiment, the package  1  further comprises an envelope  41  of transparent plastic or other suitable material sized and shaped for being received in the carton  3  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The envelope  41  has multiple compartments or pockets  43 , each configured for holding only one pair of insoles (or less than all of the insoles) of the package. It is understood that the container  3  may not have an envelope  41  or that the envelope may have only one compartment for holding all of the insole pairs. The illustrated envelope has three pockets  43  formed by longitudinal lines  45  of heat seal or the like for holding  3  pairs of insoles, each pocket being closed at one end and open at its other end providing access to the pocket. Affixed to each of the pockets is a translucent image of the footwear (not shown) for which the insole has been designed along with a text description of that footwear (e.g., “everyday”, “sports”, and “boot”). Moreover, instructions for use of the insoles contained in a pocket  43  may also be printed on the back of the envelope  41 . It is recognized that the envelope  41  can be free of indicia or contain indicia different from that described herein.  
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate one insole P 1 -A of the first pair P 1  of insoles in the container. This particular insole is designed for sports-related footwear, such as a running shoe. The insole has a heel section  51 , a mid section  53  and a forefoot section designated  51 ,  53  and  55 , respectively. The insole P 1 -A is constructed to comprise a plurality of different layers, three such layers L 1 , L 2  and L 3  being shown in this particular embodiment. The first layer L 1 , illustrated as the bottom layer, defines the overall outline of the insole and provides support for the foot. This layer is of a suitable material, such as polyurethane, having a first durometer (e.g., a Shore OO durometer in the range of 55-65). The second layer L 2 , illustrated as the middle layer, is shaped to overlie certain areas of the first layer to provide cushioning for corresponding parts of the foot, as more fully described for example in my U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,787,610 and 5,964,046, both of which are fully incorporated by reference herein. The second layer L 2  is typically (but not necessarily) harder than the first layer L 1  and is of a material (e.g., polyurethane) having a second durometer. Preferably, the Shore OO durometer of the second layer is in the range 30-85. The specific durometer of the second layer will depend on the type of activity or footwear for which the insole is designed. For a high-impact activity, such as running or other sport, the Shore OO durometer of the second layer L 2  is preferably in the range of 55-65 (e.g., 60) For a high-heel shoe, where substantial cushioning is desirable, the second layer L 2  may have a Shore OO durameter of 50-60 (e.g.,  55 ). The third layer L 3 , illustrated as the top layer, may function as a sock liner and be of fabric or other suitable material.  
      The three layers of the insole P 1 -A may be formed in any suitable manner. For example, the first two layers may be pour molded, the first layer L 1  being poured first into a mold and allowed to harden, followed by pouring of the second layer over the first using conventional techniques understood by those skilled in the art. The third layer may be adhered to the second layer after the two pour molded layers L 1 , L 2  have been removed from the mold. The second insole P 1 -B ( FIG. 3 ) of the first pair of insoles P 1  is of the same construction as the first insole P 1 -A of the pair, although for the other foot.  
      The second pair P 2  of insoles in the package  1  may be constructed in a manner substantially identical to the first pair P 1 , the only difference being that the middle layer L 2  of the second pair has a different durometer suited for a different activity or type of footwear. By way of example, the second pair P 2  may be suited for a low-impact activity, such as walking, where less cushioning is required. In this case, the second layer L 2 , has a durometer somewhat greater than that of the first pair P 1  of insoles since less cushioning is needed. In one embodiment, for example, the second layer L 2  of pair P 2  may have a Shore OO durometer in the range of 65-75 (e.g., 70).  
      The third pair P 3  of insoles may be constructed in a manner substantially identical to the first and second pairs P 1 , P 2 , the only difference being that the middle layer L 2  of each insole of the third pair has a different durometer suited for a different activity or footwear, such as work or a formal activity where boots or dress shoes may be appropriate. In this case, the second layer L 2  has a durometer different from that of the first and second pairs P 1 , P 2  of insoles. In this embodiment, the second layer L 2  of pair P 3  may have a Shore A durometer in the range of 30-40 (e.g., 35), which is suitable for work boots, for example, where firm support is needed for the feet.  
      The different constructions of the insoles described above are exemplary only, and it will be understood that the insoles may be constructed to differ from one another in different ways suitable for different footwear or activities. Also, while the different insoles will typically be used in different types of footwear depending on the activity (e.g., sport shoes, leisure shoes, work shoes, dress shoes, etc.) it is contemplated that the different types of insoles may be used alternately in the same footwear depending on the type of activity to be pursued at any given time. Thus, it will be apparent that virtually any combination of different insoles can be packaged in the same container, thereby providing not only customer convenience and value but also a marketing flexibility which has heretofore been unknown.  
      One or more of the insoles of this invention may, optionally, incorporate other functional features. One such feature is a neuroma pad  61  (see  FIG. 3 ) of the type described in pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/867,110, incorporated herein by reference. As described in that application, the neuroma pad  61  is configured and located to underlie third and fourth metatarsal heads of the foot. When the bottom of a foot is placed on the insole, the neuroma pad applies an upward force to the bottom of the foot sufficient to spread the third and fourth metatarsal heads away from one another and thereby relieve pressure on the common digital nerve between the third and fourth metatarsal heads. As a result, the pad functions to reduce and/or prevent foot pain caused by neuritis or a neuroma. Further, in certain embodiments, one or more of the insoles may incorporate a metatarsal pad (or pad section) of the type described in the aforementioned pending application. This pad protects the ball of the foot to reduce pain and help prevent the development of hammertoes and neuromas. Further, the forefoot section  55  of the insole of some embodiments may be designed to shape to the foot automatically, creating an efficient, impact-absorbing platform. The mid section  53  of the insole of certain embodiments may be designed to cradle the arch to reduce pronation, strain and fatigue, plantar fasciitis of the heel, and shin splints. The heel section  51  of the insole of certain embodiments may be designed to cushion and suspend the heel from impact to the bursa of the heel, while reducing impact shock waves to the knee, hip and lower back. An insole of exemplary embodiments of this invention may include virtually any combination of these features.  
      It is also contemplated that the different insole pairs in a package may differ in design by shape, color or one or more other ornamental (as opposed to functional) features. It is contemplated in this regard, that different ornamental insole designs may be suitable for different occasions, making the sale of such insoles in a single package particularly appealing to customers. Alternatively, the different insole pairs in a package may differ by any combination of ornamental and/or functional features.  
      A package of this invention is adapted to include insoles of different designs adapted for different footwear including (but not limited to) sport shoes, leisure shoes, dress shoes, and work shoes. Sports shoes may include running shoes, basketball shoes, baseball shoes, football shoes, tennis shoes, hiking boots, rocking climbing shoes, hunting boots, fishing waders, bicycling shoes, mountaineering boots, ice skates, in-line skates and roller skates. Leisure shoes may include sandals, thongs, sneakers, moccasins, slippers, flats, loafers, mules, slides, and clogs. Dress shoes may include oxfords, pumps, and high-heel shoes. Work shoes may include steel toed shoes or boots, boots, rain boots, snow boots, and cowboy boots. The footwear may be for men, women or children.  
      When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.  
      In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.  
      As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.