Moldable foam insole with reversible enhanced thermal storage properties
OwnerYvonne G. Bryant, David P. Colvininventors
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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.
Claims14
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.
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.