US5499460A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Moldable foam insole with reversible enhanced thermal storage properties
Assignee: HERMANN VIRGINIA M
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Filing: 1994-07-13
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Granted: 1996-03-19
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Expires: 2014-07-13
Abstract
Abstract A thermal barrier in the form of a base material with a plurality of microcapsules containing a phase change material forms an insulative pad, such as a shoe insole. The microcapsules are surroundingly encapsulated and embedded within the base material. In addition, substantially all of the microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules containing a phase change material. The microcapsules may be anisotropically distributed to further reduce thermal conductivity of heat through the thermal barrier.
Inventors
- 👤 Yvonne G. Bryant
- 👤 David P. Colvin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:11
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08J; C08J9/00; C08J9/32; A; A41; A41D; A41D31/00; A41D31/04; A41D31/06; A41D31/065; A43; A43B; A43B13/00; A43B13/38; A43B17/00; A43B17/14; B; B65; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/38; B65D81/3813; B65D81/3823; C08J9/0004; C08J9/0009; F; F28; F28D; F28D20/00; F28D20/02; F28D20/023; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/14; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249994
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
An insole having thermal energy storage and insulative properties adapted to be positioned within an article of footwear to protect the foot and comprising: a flexible resilient base material forming an insulative pad, a plurality of microcapsules integral with and dispersed throughout at least a longitudinal section of said pad, and wherein said microcapsules are individually surroundingly encapsulated and embedded within said base material, and further wherein substantially all of said microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules comprising base material, said microcapsules containing a temperature stabilizing means; whereby the insole exhibits enhanced thermal stability and thermal insulation properties.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
An insole having thermal energy storage and insulative properties adapted to be positioned within an article of footwear to protect the foot and comprising: a flexible resilient base material forming an insulative pad, a plurality of microcapsules integral with and dispersed throughout at least a longitudinal section of said pad, and wherein said microcapsules are individually surroundingly encapsulated and embedded within said base material, and further wherein substantially all of said microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules comprising base material, said microcapsules containing a temperature stabilizing means; whereby the insole exhibits enhanced thermal stability and thermal insulation properties.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The insole according to claim 1 wherein said microcapsules are leak resistant, whereby the insole may be subjected to the repeated external stresses of ambulation with minimum changes in the thermal capacitance and insulation properties of the insole.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An insole according to claim 1 wherein said temperature stabilizing means comprises a phase change material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
An insole according to claim 1 wherein said temperature stabilizing means comprises a material selected from the group of paraffinic hydrocarbons consisting of n-Octacosane, n-Heptacosane, n-Hexacosane, n-Pentacosane, n-Tetracosane, n-Tricosane, n-Docosane, n-Heneicosane, n-Eicosane, n-Nonadecane, n-Octadecane, n-Heptadecane, n-Hexadecane, n-Pentadecane, n-Tetradecane, and n-Tridecane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An insole according to claim 1 wherein said microcapsules range in diameter from about 1.0 micron to about 1000 microns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
An insole according to claim 1 wherein a portion of said microcapsules contain a first temperature stabilizing means for maintaining the warmth of the foot and others of said microcapsules contain a second temperature stabilizing means for cooling of the foot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An insole according to claim 5 wherein said microcapsules are anisotropically distributed within said insole.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
An insole according to claim 7 with enhanced thermal storage properties wherein said anisotropic distribution concentrates said microcapsules in the upper portion of said insole and in a plane substantially parallel to the underside of the plantar portion of the foot and further wherein said insole may be thermally recharged for re-use.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
An insole according to claim 1 wherein said base material is a polymer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
An insole according to claim 9 wherein said polymer is a moldable foam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
An insole according to claim 10 wherein said foam is open-cell.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
An insole according to claim 10 wherein said foam is closed-cell.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of protecting the foot from the deleterious effects of prolonged exposure to cold and comprising the steps of: (a) thermally charging a flexible resilient insole of the type having a base material forming an insulative pad and a plurality of microcapsules containing a phase change material dispersed throughout at least a longitudinal section of the pad, and wherein the microcapsules are individually surroundingly encapsulated and embedded within the base material, and further wherein substantially all of said microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules comprising base material, to a temperature where the phase change material melts; (b) inserting the thermally charged insole into an article of footwear immediately prior to use, whereby the insole forms an additional barrier between the foot and the external environment.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of protecting the foot from the deleterious effects of prolonged exposure to cold and comprising the steps of: (a) thermally charging a flexible resilient insole of the type having a base material forming an insulative pad and a plurality of microcapsules containing a phase change material dispersed throughout at least a longitudinal section of the pad, and wherein the microcapsules are individually surroundingly encapsulated and embedded within the base material, and further wherein substantially all of said microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules comprising base material, to a temperature where the phase change material melts; (b) inserting the thermally charged insole into an article of footwear immediately prior to use, whereby the insole forms an additional barrier between the foot and the external environment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 13 wherein the microcapsules are anisotropically distributed so that they are concentrated in the upper portion of the insole in a plane substantially parallel to the plantar portion of the foot.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-03-19 | 1999-09-18 | 2000-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-03-19 | 2003-09-18 | 2004-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-03-19 | 2007-09-18 | 2008-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |