Ultra-thin liquid-filled insole interface

Abstract

An ultra-thin liquid-filled insole interface for use in footwear is provided. The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole interface can be removable or fixed to an article of footwear, especially to protect against friction or shear forces.

1 . An ultra-thin liquid-filled insole comprising: 
 a top substrate;    a bottom substrate; and    at least one ultra-thin liquid-filled cell interleaved between the top substrate and the bottom substrate, wherein the top substrate and bottom substrate are substantially identical in planar shape and adapted to be placed in an article of footwear as an insole; and wherein the top substrate, the bottom substrate, and the ultra-thin liquid-filled cell have a combined thickness is the range of the range of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, and wherein the ultra-thin liquid-filled cell has a thickness of less than 0.8 mm, and wherein the liquid has a relatively low viscosity.    
     
     
         2 . The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid is a Newtonian fluid having a viscosity in the range of 0.8 cP to 1.2 cP at approximately atmospheric pressure and 20° C.  
     
     
         3 . The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of  claim 1 , wherein the combined thickness is in the range of 0.75 mm to 1.5 mm.  
     
     
         4 . The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of  claim 1 , and further comprising a plurality of baffles selectively positioned to mitigate effects of shear on the wearer of the insole.  
     
     
         5 . The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the baffles is positioned proximate an outer longitudinal edge, a rear lateral edge, or a front lateral edge of the insole.  
     
     
         6 . The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the baffles comprises a wicking aperture selectively positioned for moisture control.  
     
     
         7 . The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of  claim 4 , wherein at least one the baffles is round or elongated.  
     
     
         8 . The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of  claim 1 , wherein the ultra-thin liquid filled cell is positioned only in a heel portion of the insole.  
     
     
         9 . The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of  claim 8 , wherein the top substrate and the bottom substrate are truncated.  
     
     
         10 . The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of  claim 1 , and further comprising a second ultra-thin liquid-filled cell interleaved between the top substrate and the bottom substrate and positioned adjacent.  
     
     
         11 . The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of  claim 10 , wherein the first-mentioned liquid-filled cell is positioned proximate a front portion of the insole and the second liquid-filled cell is positioned in a rear portion of the insole.  
     
     
         12 . The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of  claim 1 , and further comprising means for affixing the ultra-thin liquid-filled insole to an article of footwear.  
     
     
         13 . The ultra-thin liquid-filled insole of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom substrate comprises a non-slip bottom surface that is adapted to prevent the insole from slipping.  
     
     
         14 . An article of footwear comprising a liquid-filled insole comprising: 
 a fabric substrate; and    an ultra-thin liquid-filled cell affixed to a bottom surface of the fabric substrate, wherein the fabric substrate and the ultra-thin liquid-filled cell have a combined thickness in the range of the range of approximately 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, and wherein the ultra-thin liquid-filled cell has a thickness in the range of 0.8 mm.    
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , and further comprising a second ultra-thin liquid-filled cell affixed to the bottom surface of the fabric substrate, wherein the second ultra-thin liquid-filled cell has a thickness in the range of 0.8 mm.  
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear of  claim 15 , wherein the first-mentioned liquid-filled cell is positioned proximate a first portion and the second liquid-filled cell is positioned in a second portion of the article of footwear.  
     
     
         17 . An insole packaged assembly comprising: 
 a pair of ultra-thin liquid-filled insoles, each liquid-filled insole comprising: 
 a top substrate; and  
 at least one ultra-thin liquid-filled cell coupled to a bottom surface of the top substrate, wherein the insoles are adapted to be placed in an article of footwear, and wherein the top substrate and the ultra-thin liquid-filled cell have a combined thickness in the range of the range of approximately 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, and wherein the ultra-thin liquid-filled cell has a thickness less than 0.8 mm, both thickness measured when sufficient pressure is applied normal to a top surface of the top substrate so that both thickness are uniform; and  
 a packaging enclosing the pair of ultra-thin liquid-filled insoles.  
   
     
     
         18 . The insole packaged assembly of  claim 17 , and further comprising an affixing layer applied to each bottom surface of the liquid-filled cells.  
     
     
         19 . The insole packaged assembly of  claim 18 , and further comprising a removable film or layer applied to each affixing layer.  
     
     
         20 . The insole packaged assembly of  claim 17 , and further comprising a bottom substrate affixed to the liquid-filled cell opposite the top substrate.  
     
     
         21 . The insole package assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the top substrate comprises a knit or woven fabric.  
     
     
         22 . The insole package assembly of  claim 20 , wherein and the bottom substrate comprises a non-woven or elastomeric fabric.