초록 ▼

The invention relates to sole elements and methods for manufacturing sole elements for shoes, in particular for sport shoes, with a specific density distribution in a transverse and/or longitudinal direction. The methods include the steps of manufacturing a sole element preform from a polymer mater

The invention relates to sole elements and methods for manufacturing sole elements for shoes, in particular for sport shoes, with a specific density distribution in a transverse and/or longitudinal direction. The methods include the steps of manufacturing a sole element preform from a polymer material with a thickness varying in the transverse and/or longitudinal direction depending on the desired density distribution and the press-forming of the sole element preform in a forming tool to form the finished sole element from the sole element preform.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method of manufacturing a finished sole element for a shoe, the finished sole element having a varying density distribution in at least one direction, the method comprising: manufacturing a sole element preform from a polymer material; and press-forming the sole element pre

What is claimed is: 1. A method of manufacturing a finished sole element for a shoe, the finished sole element having a varying density distribution in at least one direction, the method comprising: manufacturing a sole element preform from a polymer material; and press-forming the sole element preform in a forming tool with a selective supply of heat to single sections of a surface of the tool to locally selectively expand areas of the sole element preform to form the finished sole element, wherein a resulting varying density distribution in the finished sole element substantially corresponds to the areas of selective expansion of the sole element preform. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the resulting varying density increases from a lateral side of the sole element to a medial side of the sole element. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the resulting varying density decreases from a lateral side of the sole element to a medial side of the sole element. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the resulting varying density varies from a rear foot part of the sole element to a forefoot part of the sole element. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of manufacturing the sole element preform comprises the step of manufacturing the preform with a thickness decreasing from a medial side of the preform to a lateral side of the preform. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the thickness decreases linearly. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of manufacturing the sole element preform comprises the step of manufacturing the preform with a first portion having a substantially constant thickness from a medial side of the preform, an intermediate portion with a linear decrease in thickness, and a second portion having a substantially constant thickness in a direction of a lateral side of the preform. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of manufacturing the sole element preform comprises the step of providing a preform including a rim of substantially constant thickness. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of manufacturing the sole element preform comprises the step of expanding a block of a polymer material and subsequently cutting the block to obtain a desired thickness distribution. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the polymer material comprises ethylene vinyl acetate. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of manufacturing the sole element preform comprises injection molding the preform. 12. A method of manufacturing a finished sole element for a shoe, the finished sole element having a varying density distribution in at least one direction, the method comprising: manufacturing a sole element preform from a polymer material with a thickness varying in the at least one direction corresponding to a desired density distribution in the finished sole element, wherein the sole element preform is manufactured with a first portion having a substantially constant thickness from a medial side of the preform, an intermediate portion with a linear decrease in thickness, and a second portion having a substantially constant thickness in a direction of a lateral side of the preform; and press-forming the sole element preform in a forming tool to form the finished sole element from the sole element preform. 13. A method of manufacturing a finished sole element for a shoe, the finished sole element having a varying density distribution in at least one direction, the method comprising: manufacturing a sole element preform from a polymer material, wherein the sole element preform is manufactured with a first portion having a substantially constant thickness from a medial side of the preform, an intermediate portion with a linear decrease in thickness, and a second portion having a substantially constant thickness in a direction of a lateral side of the preform; and press-forming the sole element preform in a forming tool with a selective supply of heat to single sections of a surface of the tool to locally selectively expand the sole element preform to form the finished sole element with the varying density distribution from the sole element preform. 14. A method of manufacturing a finished sole element for a shoe, the finished sole element having a varying density distribution in at least one direction, the method comprising: manufacturing a sole element preform from a polymer material with a thickness varying continuously along at least a portion of the preform in the at least one direction, the varying thickness corresponding to a desired density distribution in the finished sole element; and press-forming the sole element preform in a forming tool to form the finished sole element from the sole element preform, wherein a resulting varying density distribution in the finished sole element substantially corresponds to the varying thickness of the preform prior to press-forming, wherein the step of manufacturing the sole element preform comprises the step of manufacturing the preform with a first portion having a substantially constant thickness from a medial side of the preform, an intermediate portion with a linear decrease in thickness, and a second portion having a substantially constant thickness in a direction of a lateral side of the preform. 15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of supplying heat during the press-forming step. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the finished sole element comprises a substantially constant thickness in at least one direction. 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the sole element preform is subjected to a non-uniform compression during the press-forming step. 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the resulting varying density varies continuously across at least a portion of the finished sole element. 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the resulting varying density increases from a lateral side of the sole element to a medial side of the sole element. 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the resulting varying density decreases from a lateral side of the sole element to a medial side of the sole element. 21. The method of claim 14, wherein the resulting varying density varies from a rear foot part of the sole element to a forefoot part of the sole element. 22. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of manufacturing the sole element preform comprises the step of manufacturing the preform with a thickness decreasing from a medial side of the preform to a lateral side of the preform. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the thickness decreases linearly. 24. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of manufacturing the sole element preform comprises the step of providing a preform including a rim of substantially constant thickness. 25. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of manufacturing the sole element preform comprises the step of expanding a block of a polymer material and subsequently cutting the block to obtain a desired thickness distribution. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the polymer material comprises ethylene vinyl acetate. 27. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of manufacturing the sole element preform comprises injection molding the preform.