Insert for the customization of a footwear, customizable footwear and method for the customization of a footwear

Abstract

An insert ( 1 ) for the customization of a footwear ( 100 ), more particularly of a sports footwear, is provided. A footwear that is customizable by using the aforementioned insert as well as a method for the customization of a footwear, the method using the aforementioned insert, are also provided. The insert ( 1 ) comprises a layer made of thermo-formable material ( 3 ) and a layer made of cork ( 5 ) coupled to each other. The presence of the layer made of thermo-formable material ( 3 ) allows customization of the footwear according to the morphology of the foot of the individual user; the presence of the layer made of cork ( 5 ) allows good thermal insulation and effective transmission of the movements from the user's foot to the footwear.

1 . An insert for the customization of a footwear comprising at least an upper and a sole, wherein said insert is intended to be incorporated into or applied to said upper of said footwear, wherein said insert comprises a layer made of thermo-formable material and a layer made of cork coupled to each other. 
     
     
         2 . The insert according to  claim 1 , wherein said layer made of thermo-formable material and said layer made of cork have a substantially uniform thickness over the whole area of said insert. 
     
     
         3 . The insert according to  claim 2 , wherein said layer made of thermo-formable material has a thickness of 2.0 to 10.0 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The insert according to  claim 2 , wherein said layer made of cork has a thickness of 0.5 to 4.0 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The insert according to  claim 1 , wherein said layer made of thermo-formable material and said layer made of cork are coupled to each other by gluing. 
     
     
         6 . The insert according to  claim 1 , wherein said layer made of thermo-formable material and said layer made of cork are coupled to each other by heat lamination. 
     
     
         7 . The insert according to  claim 1 , wherein said layer made of thermo-formable material is made of a material selected from the group comprising polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate, polyurethane and polypropylene. 
     
     
         8 . A footwear comprising at least an upper and a sole, wherein said footwear comprises at least one insert incorporated into or applied to said upper of said footwear, said insert comprising a layer made of thermo-formable material and a layer made of cork coupled to each other. 
     
     
         9 . The footwear according to  claim 8 , wherein said at least one insert extends over the whole surface of said upper. 
     
     
         10 . The footwear according to  claim 8 , wherein said at least one insert extends over a portion only of said upper. 
     
     
         11 . A footwear comprising a substantially soft inner element and a substantially rigid outer element, wherein at least said substantially soft inner element comprises an upper and a sole, wherein said footwear comprises at least one insert incorporated into or applied to said upper of said substantially soft inner element, said insert comprising a layer made of thermo-formable material and a layer made of cork coupled to each other. 
     
     
         12 . The footwear according to  claim 11 , wherein said at least one insert extends over the whole surface of said upper. 
     
     
         13 . The footwear according to  claim 11 , wherein said at least one insert extends over a portion only of said upper. 
     
     
         14 . Method for the customization of a footwear comprising at least an upper and a sole, wherein said method comprises the steps of:
 incorporating into or applying to said upper of said footwear an insert comprising a layer made of thermo-formable material and a layer made of cork coupled to each other;   heating at least said layer made of thermo-formable material of said insert until its temperature rises above a predetermined threshold;   while maintaining the temperature of said layer made of thermo-formable material above said predetermined threshold, deforming said layer made of thermo-formable material for adapting it to the morphology of a user's foot;   letting said layer made of thermo-formable material of said insert cool down until its temperature lowers below said predetermined threshold.   
     
     
         15 . Method according to  claim 14 , wherein at least said step of deforming said layer made of thermo-formable material for adapting it to the morphology of a user's foot is carried out while the user's foot is placed in the footwear.