MOLDED INSULATED SHOE FOOTBED AND METHOD OF MAKING AN INSULATED FOOTBED
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A footbed that comprises:
- (a) a shape-retaining layer that has first and second major surfaces and that has a contour molded into the second major surface;
(b) a thermal insulation that comprises a non-woven web that contains polymeric microfibers and that has a loft of at least 5 cubic centimeters per gram, the non-woven web being juxtaposed against the shape-retaining layer such that the first major surface of the thermal insulation faces the second major surface of the shape-retaining layer; and
(c) one or more layers of a third material that is juxtaposed against at least the second major surface of the non-woven web.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A shoe footbed 10 made by first molding a shape-retaining layer 12 into a contoured condition. After the shape-retaining layer 12 has been molded, a layer of thermal insulation 14 is placed on top of the molded layer 12. A conforming layer 16 and a fabric top layer 18 may be placed over the thermal insulation 14 and the shape-retaining layer 12. The inventive method of manufacture is particularly suited for making insulated footbeds that contain nonwoven webs of polymeric microfiber because damage to the fibrous web from heat and compression may be avoided.
193 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A footbed that comprises:
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(a) a shape-retaining layer that has first and second major surfaces and that has a contour molded into the second major surface; (b) a thermal insulation that comprises a non-woven web that contains polymeric microfibers and that has a loft of at least 5 cubic centimeters per gram, the non-woven web being juxtaposed against the shape-retaining layer such that the first major surface of the thermal insulation faces the second major surface of the shape-retaining layer; and (c) one or more layers of a third material that is juxtaposed against at least the second major surface of the non-woven web. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18)
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10. A method of making a footbed, which method comprises the steps of:
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(a) molding a sheet into a shape-retaining layer that has first and second major surfaces and that has a contour molded into the second major surface; (b) juxtapositioning a thermal insulation layer, which comprises a non-woven web that contains microfibers and which has first and second major surfaces, onto the molded shape-retaining layer such that the first major surface of the insulation faces the second major surface of the shape-retaining layer; and (c) juxtapositioning one or more layers of a third material against at least the second major surface of the thermal insulation. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification