Boots – shoes – and leggings – Insoles – Laminated
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-14
2001-04-24
Kavanaugh, Ted (Department: 3728)
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Insoles
Laminated
C036S141000, C036S00300B
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219941
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to shoe insoles having pellets adhered thereon and, more particularly, to making such insoles with foot massaging and ventilation characteristics.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 2,400,023 to make a foot massaging device, from U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,490 to make a cushioned insole for insertion into footwear, and from U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,749 to provide a molded shoe insole with ventilating and massaging features. Although generally satisfactory for their intended purpose, the known foot massaging and ventilating structures are relatively expensive to fabricate and, in some cases, can cause foot discomfort due to an aggressive over-stimulation of the underside of the foot.
It is also known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,377,184 to apply a tacky adhesive, preferably a polyvinylchloride plastisol, to a base fabric material in a desired pattern, and thereupon to apply or flock a plurality of extruded, cut particles of synthetic plastic material onto the tacky adhesive. The excess particles are then removed. The adhesive is cured by being heated. The plastic particles are thus fixedly set on the fabric material. The adhesive may be applied thicker or thinner depending on its proposed use; see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,582,440.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Objects of the Invention
It is a general object of this invention to provide a novel shoe insole and a method of making the same.
Still another object of this invention is to make a foot massaging and ventilated insole that can readily be used in footwear.
An additional object of this invention is to provide a pelletized insole from which the pellets will not fall off, especially when worn.
Another object of this invention is to provide a decorative insole.
Features of the Invention
In keeping with these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of this invention resides, briefly stated, in a sole insole and a method of making the same. The method comprises the step of applying an adhesive in a pattern on a base having a heel portion, a toe portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the heel and toe portions. The base has a peripheral edge that bounds an outline of a human foot.
The method further includes the step of adhering a plurality of discrete pellets of synthetic plastic material to the base by contacting lower rounded surfaces of the pellets on the adhesive. Upper rounded surfaces of the pellets above the base contact the foot during use of the insole.
Each pellet is preferably shaped as an ovoid or a sphere and has a major dimension or diameter in a range from {fraction (1/32)} to {fraction (1/16)} of an inch.
In the preferred embodiment, the pellets are gathered in groups that are spaced apart along the portions of the insole. Each group has a plurality of pellets in a range of two to ten in number.
The base is preferably at least partly constituted of a foam material. At least one of the surfaces of the foam material is covered by a fabric layer on which the pellets are adhered.
Thus, in accordance with this invention, the grouped and spaced-apart pellets contact the foot to gently massage and condition the foot. The pellets stimulate the circulation of blood in the foot, but not so much as to cause physical strain and discomfort. The foot is maintained healthy due to an improved muscle tone. The spacings between the pellets form air channels to ventilate the foot and the shoe. The resulting shoe insole not only has a decorative appearance, but also is able to be cleaned and washed. The pellets will not become dislodged from the insole during such cleaning procedures and during wear.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2734286 (1956-02-01), Anson
patent: 3757774 (1973-09-01), Hatuno
patent: 4345387 (1982-08-01), Daswick
patent: 4823799 (1989-04-01), Robbins
patent: 4831749 (1989-05-01), Tsai
patent: 5551173 (1996-09-01), Chambers
patent: 5860229 (1999-01-01), Morgenstern
patent: 2619410 (1976-11-01), None
patent: 383685 (1990-08-01), None
patent: 2551 (1987-05-01), None
Kavanaugh Ted
Kirschstein et al.
Kukoff Jay J.
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