US20010025432A1

US20010025432A1 - Article of footwear with channel drainage system

Info

Publication number: US20010025432A1
Application number: US09/728,507
Authority: US
Inventors: Guillermo Contreras; Edward Weishan
Original assignee: Danner Shoe Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Danner Shoe Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1999-12-01
Filing date: 2000-12-01
Publication date: 2001-10-04

Abstract

An insole for use in constructing a channel drainage component includes a top surface and a bottom surface, and the insole defines a first drainage canal that runs through the insole from the top surface of the insole to the bottom surface of the insole. The bottom surface of the insole defines a first drainage network that includes a first groove that spirals outward from a first central region in the bottom surface of the insole. The first drainage canal runs from the top surface of the insole into the at least first groove of the first drainage network. A channel drainage component includes an insole and a midsole. The insole has a top surface and a bottom surface and defines a first drainage canal running from the top surface to the bottom surface. The bottom surface of the insole defines a first drainage network that includes a first groove, and the first drainage canal runs from the top surface of the insole into the first groove of the first drainage network defined in the bottom surface of the insole. The midsole includes a top surface having a toe portion with an end-of-toe region, and the midsole defines at least one discrete channel having an inner end and an outer end connected to an orifice on an exterior side surface of the midsole. The inner end of the channel is closer to the end-of-toe region of the midsole than is the outer end of the channel, and water entering the first drainage canal from the top surface of the insole will enter the groove in the bottom surface of the insole, drain into the channel in the midsole, and exit the channel drainage component through the orifice on the exterior side surface of the channel drainage component.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/168,292, filed Dec. 1, 1999, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein.[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to articles of footwear and methods for constructing articles of footwear. This invention more particularly relates to articles of footwear having a channel system or system of channels for removing water from the interior of the article of footwear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Articles of footwear have long been worn by humans to protect their feet while walking or running over uneven surfaces. In the past, articles of footwear were typically constructed of natural materials such as leather. However, as technology has provided new materials such as vulcanized rubber and polymeric materials, the variety of materials from which articles of footwear have been constructed has increased.

Articles of footwear have been designed for use in a wide variety of environments. For example, some articles of footwear have been designed for use in wet environments including wading, where the footwear will be submerged in water at some point during use.

Articles of footwear for use in wet conditions have conventionally been designed to be impermeable to water such that no water may enter the article of footwear through the bottom portion of the shoe or boot. One problem with such design is that water that does enter such a shoe or boot will be trapped and remain around the foot of a wearer leading to wearer discomfort and conditions favorable for the development of fungus, bacteria, and odors associated with these. Although some conventional forms of footwear designed for use in wet or moist terrain are designed to be breathable, water that enters such articles of footwear is again trapped and tends to remain around the foot of a wearer because water that enters such footwear will only slowly leave unless the shoe or boot is removed from the foot.

A need thus remains for an article of footwear that can be submerged in streams, ponds, lakes and other wet conditions, and which provides a drainage system to remove water from the article of footwear so that it can be worn under varying conditions and remain comfortable on the foot of the wearer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an article of footwear for use in varying conditions that has a channel system designed to allow water to run out the article of footwear and prevent it from remaining around the foot of a wearer.

An article of footwear that prevents water from remaining around the foot of a wearer, includes: an upper main body having a bottom and a top portion; and a sole portion attached to the bottom of the upper main body. The sole portion includes an outsole; an insole; and a midsole having a top and a bottom surface and attached to the outsole and the insole. The sole portion also includes a bottom exterior surface and an exterior side surface that includes a heel portion, a toe portion, and a midfoot portion. The midfoot portion of the exterior side surface of the sole portion defines at least one orifice and the midsole defines at least one channel that is connected to the orifice such that water in the liquid form will flow out the article of footwear through the orifice on the exterior side surface of the sole portion.

In a preferred article of footwear according to the present invention, the exterior side surface of the midfoot portion of the sole portion defines at least two orifices and the midsole defines at least two channels connected to the orifices on the exterior side surface of the midfoot portion of the sole portion of the article of footwear.

In more preferred articles of footwear according to the present invention, the exterior side surface of the sole portion defines a plurality of orifices and the midsole defines a channel system that connects to each of the orifices on the exterior side surface of the sole portion of the article of footwear.

In various preferred articles of footwear, the midsole is made of rubber.

In more preferred articles of footwear, the insole is positioned over the midsole and forms a top surface of the channels in the midsole. In still more preferred articles of footwear, the insole defines at least one drainage canal, but more preferably defines a plurality of drainage canals, wherein at least one of the drainage canals is in communication with at least one channel in the midsole.

An article of footwear with a drainage system, includes: an upper main body having a bottom portion and a top portion; and a sole portion attached to the bottom portion of the upper main body. The sole portion of the article of footwear includes: an outsole; a channel drainage component having a top and a bottom surface; a bottom exterior surface; and an exterior side surface including a heel portion, a toe portion, and a midfoot portion. The channel drainage component is attached to the upper main body and the outsole. The midfoot portion of the exterior side surface of the sole portion defines at least one orifice and the channel drainage component defines at least one channel connected to the orifice. Water in the liquid form will flow out the article of footwear through the orifice on the exterior side surface of the sole portion.

In certain preferred articles of footwear with a drainage system, the channel drainage component is a one-piece component whereas in other preferred such articles of footwear, the channel drainage component includes at least two separate parts.

In more preferred articles of footwear with a drainage system, the top surface of the channel drainage component defines at least one drainage hole that allows water to drain from an inside portion of the article of footwear into the channel of the channel drainage component and out the orifice on the exterior side surface of the sole portion. In still more preferred articles of footwear with a drainage system, the top surface of the channel drainage system defines a plurality of drainage holes that allow water to drain from an inside portion of the article of footwear into the channel of the channel drainage component.

In various preferred articles of footwear with a drainage system, the top surface of the channel drainage component is a substantially planar insole that defines at least one drainage hole that allows water to drain from an inside portion of the article of footwear into the channel of the channel drainage component.

A channel drainage component for use in construction of an article of footwear or sole assembly, includes: a main body defining at least one channel; an exterior side surface configured to serve an exterior side surface of an article of footwear or sole assembly; a bottom surface adapted to be attached to another component of a sole assembly; a top surface defining at least one drainage hole that allows water to drain from an area above the top surface and into the channel in the main body of the channel drainage component. The exterior side surface of the channel drainage component defines at least one orifice connected to the channel, but preferably defines a plurality of orifices connected to the channel.

In some preferred channel drainage components, the channel drainage component is of one-piece construction, whereas in other preferred channel drainage components, the channel drainage component comprises at least two separate components attached to one another. In some of these preferred channel drainage components, the top surface of the channel drainage component comprises an insole.

Various preferred sole assemblies according to the present invention include an outsole attached to a channel drainage component as described above. Various preferred articles of footwear include an upper main body attached to a sole assembly that includes an outsole attached to the channel drainage component described above.

An insole for use in constructing a channel drainage component is also provided. The insole includes a top surface and a bottom surface, and the insole defines at least a first drainage canal that runs through the insole from the top surface of the insole to the bottom surface of the insole. Additionally, the bottom surface of the insole defines at least a first drainage network that includes at least a first groove that spirals outward from a first central region in the bottom surface of the insole. Furthermore, the first drainage canal runs from the top surface of the insole into the at least first groove of the first drainage network. Preferred such insoles include a toe portion or a heel portion or both and the bottom surface of the toe portion or heel portion define the first drainage network. In other preferred such insoles, the insole defines a plurality of drainage canals and each drainage canal runs from the top surface of the insole into a groove of a drainage network defined by the bottom surface of the insole.

In still other preferred insoles, the insole defines a second drainage canal that runs through the insole from the top surface of the insole to the bottom surface of the insole. In such preferred insoles, the bottom surface of the insole defines a second drainage network that includes a second groove that spirals outward from a second central region in the bottom surface of the insole. The second drainage canal in such insoles runs from the top surface of the insole into the second groove of the second drainage network.

The invention further provides a channel drainage component that includes an insole and a midsole. The insole includes a top surface and a bottom surface, and the insole defines a first drainage canal running from the top surface of the insole to the bottom surface of the insole. The bottom surface of the insole defines a first drainage network that includes a first groove, and the first drainage canal runs from the top surface of the insole into the first groove of the first drainage network defined in the bottom surface of the insole. The midsole includes a top surface having a toe portion with an end-of-toe region, and the midsole defines at least one discrete channel having an inner end and an outer end connected to an orifice on an exterior side surface of the midsole. The inner end of the channel is closer to the end-of-toe region of the midsole than is the outer end of the channel, and water entering the first drainage canal from the top surface of the insole will enter the groove in the bottom surface of the insole, drain into the channel in the midsole, and exit the channel drainage component through the orifice on the exterior side surface of the channel drainage component.

Preferred channel drainage components are also provided that include an outsole attached to a bottom surface of the midsole. The outsole includes an exterior bottom surface and the orifice on the exterior side surface of the midsole is at least about 0.5 cm from the closest part of the exterior bottom surface of the outsole. In other preferred such channel drainage components the orifice on the exterior side surface of the midsole is at least about 0.7 cm from the closes part of the exterior bottom surface of the outsole while in still other preferred channel drainage components this distance is at least about 1.0 cm. Still other preferred such channel drainage components are provided in which the outsole is a material selected from a fibrous material suitable for use in a wader, rubber, or a mixture of these.

In some preferred channel drainage components, the bottom surface of the insole defines a second drainage network that includes a second groove whereas in other preferred channel drainage components, the insole defines a plurality of drainage canals running from the top surface of the insole to the bottom surface of the insole. In some preferred channel drainage components, the first groove spirals outward from a first central region in the bottom surface of the insole whereas in still other preferred channel drainage components having a second drainage network, a second groove spirals outward from a second different central region in the bottom surface of the insole.

Other preferred channel drainage components are provided in which the midsole defines at least two separate discrete channels and each channel has an inner end and an outer end connected to an orifice on the exterior side surface of the midsole. In still other preferred channel drainage components, the midsole defines a plurality of separate discrete channels and each channel has an inner end and an outer end connected to an orifice on the exterior side surface of the midsole. In such preferred channel drainage components, the inner end of each channel is closer to the end-of-toe region of the midsole than is the outer end of each channel. Still further preferred such channel drainage components are provided in which each channel defined in the top surface of the midsole is arcuate.

The invention still further provides articles of footwear constructed from the insoles and channel drainage components according to the invention.

Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements and: [0028]
FIG. 1 is a right side view of an article of footwear according to the present invention; [0029]
FIG. 2 is a left side view of the article of footwear shown in FIG. 1; [0030]
FIG. 3 is an exploded partial view of the left side of the article of footwear shown in FIG. 1; [0031]
FIG. 4 is a top view of a midsole used in an article of footwear according to the present invention; [0032]
FIG. 5 is a top view of an insole attached to a midsole for use in an article of footwear according to the present invention; [0033]
FIG. 6 is a top view of an insole according to a first preferred embodiment for use in constructing an article of footwear according to the present invention; [0034]
FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the insole shown in FIG. 6; and [0035]
FIG. 8 is a top side perspective view of a midsole/outsole component according to a preferred embodiment for use in constructing an article of footwear according to the present invention.[0036]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An article of footwear that prevents water from remaining around the foot of a wearer, generally appears similar to other articles of footwear. Such an article of footwear may include athletic sporting shoes, boots, and other types of footwear. An article of footwear according to the present invention may be made of a wide variety of materials conventionally used in the construction of footwear such as, but not limited to, rubber and other elastomeric materials, leather, suede, textiles, synthetic polymeric materials and combinations of these materials. [0037]
An article of footwear having a channel drainage system generally includes a sole assembly attached to an upper main body. Generally, a sole assembly will include at least one outsole component although it may contain a number of different outsole components that make up the outsole. Various materials may be used in the construction of the outsole component as this is not critical to the construction of either the channel drainage system component or the article of footwear with such a drainage component. [0038]
The channel drainage component for use in the construction of articles of footwear or sole assemblies generally includes channels that connect to an orifice, or more preferably two or more orifices so that water will exit an article of footwear or sole assembly though the orifice or orifices rather than remaining around the foot of a wearer within the interior part of the article of footwear. The orifice or orifices are preferably located on the side of a constructed article of footwear, most preferably in the midfoot portion of the shoe or boot and above the outsole component, although those skilled in the art will observe that the positions of the orifices can be modified. [0039]
The channel drainage component may be of one-piece construction or may be made of two or more pieces joined together. Generally, the channel drainage component will have a top surface defining one, and preferably more, channel drainage canals or holes that allow water to drain from around the foot of a wearer into the channels of a channel drainage system and then out the orifice or orifices on the side of the channel drainage component or article of footwear constructed therefrom. In multi-part channel system drainage components, the top surface of the channel drainage component may constitute a substantially planar insole component such that the drainage holes in the insole of the channel drainage component are located directly beneath the foot of a wearer. Additionally, another part of the channel drainage component may constitute a midsole with channels connected to the orifice or orifices on the side of the channels drainage component or the article of footwear. In this way, an article of footwear may be constructed using the channel drainage component without departing from standard methods of footwear construction. Thus, the invented channel drainage system or component can be used with virtually any conventional method of shoe or boot construction to provide an article of footwear that prevents water from remaining around the foot of a wearer by allowing it to drain out the article of footwear. [0040]
Referring to FIGS. [0041] 1-3, an article of footwear 10 that prevents water from remaining around the foot of a wearer generally includes a sole portion 20 attached to an upper main body 30 that includes a top 32 and bottom 36 portion. For simplicity and general discussion, the article of footwear 10 can be divided into various regions. Such regions include a toe portion 40, a heel portion 50, and a midfoot portion 60 which is generally the area that extends from the arch of the foot to the area where the metatarsal bones meet the phalanges. The upper main body 30 of typical article of footwear 10 in accordance with the present invention generally includes a front toe piece 70; a rear heel piece 80; an achilles piece 90 attached to a tab 100; a leg cushion 110; an eyehole piece 120 with eyeholes 130 for a shoelace; a tongue 140; ornamental features such as upper orifices 150; and a main body webbing 160. As those skilled in the art will quickly recognize, the construction of the upper main body 30 of the article of footwear 10 of the present invention is not critical to the invention and may be changed considerably depending on the design or intended use of the article of footwear.
The [0042] sole portion 20 of the article of footwear 10 generally includes a heel portion 170; an outsole 180; an optional intermediary sole 190; and a midsole 200. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the sole portion 20 of the article of footwear 10 defines an exterior side surface of the article of footwear 10 which can be divided into a heel portion 50, a midfoot portion 60, and a toe portion 40. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the midfoot portion 60 of the exterior side surface 205 of midsole 200 defines at least one orifice 210. More preferably, the midfoot portion 60 of the exterior side surface 205 defines two or more orifices 210. As shown in FIG. 4, orifices 210 are connected to channels 220 defined by the midsole 200. Although the midsole may be constructed of various materials, it is preferred that it be made of rubber, or another elastomeric material. The channels 220 defined by midsole 200 may have various orientations, but should connect with orifices 210 so that water in the liquid form may exit the article of footwear 10 though the orifices 210 on the exterior side surface 205 of the sole portion 20 from the interior of the article of footwear 10.
A shown in FIG. 5, an [0043] insole 230 is attached over the midsole 200 so that it covers channels 220 (FIG. 4). The insole may be constructed of various materials such as, but not limited to, leather, rubber, or an elastomeric polymer and may be constructed of both porous or non-porous materials. Preferably, insole 230 defines at least one drainage canal or drainage hole 240 in communication with a channel 220 so that water may drain through drainage canal or hole 240 into channel 220 and out orifice 210 in the exterior side of the sole portion 20. More preferably an insole 230 will contain a plurality of drainage canals or holes 240 to provide additional avenues though which liquid water, water in the vapor form, or air can flow and exit the article of footwear 10. The insole thus provides support for the foot of a wearer of the article of footwear 10 and prevents water from remaining around the foot of the wearer.
As described above, [0044] insole 230 and midsole 200 work together to form a channel drainage component having at least two components. However, in some preferred articles of footwear including a channel drainage component, the channel drainage component will be made of one-piece. In such alternative, but preferred articles of footwear, the channel drainage system will include a top surface which allows water to drain from inside the article of footwear into a channel in the channel drainage component and out the orifice of the exterior side surface of the sole portion of the article of footwear.
Although the drainage canal or [0045] hole 240, channels 220, and orifices 210 are shown in the midfoot portion 60 of the midsole 200 and insole 230, it will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art of footwear design and construction that these structures may also be present in the heel and toe portions of the article of footwear.
A preferred embodiment of an insole for use in constructing an article of footwear according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. As shown in FIG. 6, [0046] insole 300 has a top surface 310 which includes a toe portion 320 with an end-of-toe region 322, a midfoot portion 325, and a heel portion 330. Insole 300 may be made of various materials known to those skilled in the art, but is preferably made of rubber which is rigid enough so that its surface is not observably compressed when pressed on by hand. However, insole 300 is preferably made of a rubber such that it will bend when pressure is applied to end-of-toe region 322 and heel portion 330. Top surface 310 of insole 300 preferably defines at least one drainage canal or hole such as toe portion drainage canal 340 or heel portion drainage canal 345. Drainage canals 340 and 345 run from top surface 310 through insole 300 to bottom surface 350 as shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 6, top surface 310 of insole 300 preferably defines at least two drainage canals (340 and 345) and still more preferably defines a plurality of drainage canals or holes (340 and 345) through which water will drain away from the inner area of an article of footwear constructed using insole 300 and into a drainage network on the bottom surface 350 of insole 300.
As shown in FIG. 7, [0047] insole 300 has a bottom surface 350 having a toe portion 320 with an end-of toe region 322, a midfoot portion 325, and a heel portion 330. Toe portion drainage canals 340 preferably drain water from the foot of a wearer in a completed article of footwear into a toe portion drainage network 360 defined by the bottom surface 350 of insole 300. Toe portion drainage network 360 is made up of at least one groove 370 defined by bottom surface 350 of insole 300. In more preferred embodiments such as that shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, toe portion drainage network 360 is made up of at least one outwardly radiating groove which is more preferably continuous such as groove 370. Most preferably, toe portion drainage network 360 comprises a continuous groove 370 which radiates outward from a central region 380 of bottom surface 350 of toe portion 320 of insole 300. Therefore, in a most preferred embodiment, toe portion drainage network 360 may be described as made up of an outwardly radiating continuous groove or channel that spirals outward from central region 380.
As shown in FIG. 7, [0048] bottom surface 350 of heel portion 330 of insole 300 may also include a drainage network such as heel portion drainage network 390. Heel portion drainage canals 345 preferably drain water from the foot of a wearer in a completed article of footwear into heel portion drainage network 390 defined by the bottom surface 350 of heel portion 330 of insole 300. Heel portion drainage network 390 generally has many of the same characteristics as toe portion drainage network 360, and especially preferred insoles for use in constructing articles of footwear according to the present invention include both a toe portion drainage network 360 and a heel portion drainage network 390 as shown in FIG. 7. Heel portion drainage network 390 is made up of at least one groove 400. In more preferred embodiments such as that shown in FIG. 7, heel portion drainage network 390 is made up of at least one outwardly radiating groove 400 which is more preferably continuous. Most preferably, heel portion drainage network 390 comprises a continuous groove 400 which radiates outward from a central region 410 of bottom surface 350 of heel portion 330 of insole 300. Therefore, in a most preferred embodiment, heel portion drainage network 390 may be described as made up of an outwardly radiating continuous groove 400 that spirals outward from central region 410.
As shown in FIG. 7, it is highly preferred that toe [0049] portion drainage canals 340 are located in the bottom of groove 370 in toe portion drainage network 360. It is also highly preferred that heel portion drainage canals 345 are located in the bottom of groove 400 of heel portion drainage network 390. The proper placement of drainage canals (340 and 345) in toe and heel portions (320 and 330) of insole 300 helps to insure that water draining from inside an article of footwear constructed therefrom is directed through drainage canals (340 and 345) into drainage networks (360 and 390). One skilled in the art will recognize that the midfoot portion 325 of insole 300 may also be equipped with drainage canals and a complimentary channel drainage network.
[0050] Insole 300 is preferably used in conjunction with a complimentary midsole such as midsole 460 of midsole/outsole component 450 shown in FIG. 8. Midsole/outsole component 450 includes midsole 460 attached to outsole 470 which may be made of various materials known to those skilled in the art. Fibrous materials known to those skilled in the art are particularly valuable in the construction of outsoles for use in waders whereas rubber outsoles are highly preferred in many other types of footwear construction. Midsole 460 includes a toe portion 480 with an end-of-toe region 482, a midfoot portion 490 and a heel portion 500. The top surface 505 of midsole 460 of midsole/outsole component 450 defines at least one channel 510, but preferably defines at least two channels 510. More preferably, top surface 505 of midsole 460 defines a plurality of channels 510, most preferably separate as shown in FIG. 8. Drainage channels 510 are preferably discrete having an inner end 520 and an outer end 530 connecting to and forming orifice 540 on the exterior side of an article of footwear manufactured from midsole/outsole component 450. Thus, highly preferred midsoles 460 according to the present invention have a plurality of discrete channels 510 which are not connected to one another as shown in FIG. 8. Furthermore, in highly preferred midsoles 460 according to the present invention, each discrete channel 510 will have an inner end 520 and an outer end 530 connected to an orifice 540 on the exterior side surface of the midsole 460.
Preferred midsole/[0051] outsole components 450 such as that shown in FIG. 8 include drainage channels 510 in both toe portion 480 and heel portion 500 such that drainage canals (340 and 345 in FIGS. 6 and 7) and drainage networks (360 and 390 in FIG. 7) in these regions of insole 300 will supply drained water to complimentary drainage channels 510 defined in top surface 505 of midsole 460 of midsole/outsole component 450. In other words, drainage canals (340 and 345) and drainage networks (360 and 390) of insole 300 preferably communicate with drainage channels 510 in top surface 505 of corresponding midsole 460. Thus, insole 300 and midsole 460 together form a channel drainage component that allows water to drain away from around the foot of a wearer of an article of footwear constructed therefrom and out orifices on the side or the article of footwear.
In preferred midsoles such as [0052] midsole 460 shown in FIG. 8, drainage channels 510 are designed so that inner ends 520 of drainage channels 510 are closer to end-of toe region 482 of toe portion 480 of midsole 460 than outer end 530 is. Such a design allows water to drain from drainage channel 510 out orifice 540 yet minimizes the amount of water and debris that may enter orifice 540 during forward movement such as when walking. In especially preferred midsole/outsole components 450 such as that shown in FIG. 8, drainage channels 510 are arcuate and inner ends 520 are closer to end-of toe region 482 of midsole 460 than outer ends 530 are. The outwardly radiating grooves (370 and 400) of insole 300 direct the water entering through drainage canals (340 and 345) of insole 300 outward until it is in proper placement to enter channels 510 and out orifices 540 in complimentary midsole 460 forming a preferred channel drainage component.
In more preferred midsole/outsole components such as that shown in FIG. 8, at least one [0053] orifice 540 on the exterior side surface of midsole/outsole component 450 is at least 0.5 cm and more preferably is at least 0.7 cm from the closest part of the exterior bottom surface 550 of outsole 470. Still more preferably, the orifice is at least about 1.0 cm from the closest part of exterior bottom surface 550 of outsole 470. The distance between orifice 540 and exterior bottom surface 550 of outsole 470 limits the amount of water that may enter orifice 540 when walking over a wet surface or through shallow puddles. Thus, in most preferred embodiments each of the orifices is at least about 0.5 cm from the surface of the ground, more preferably is at least about 0.7 cm from the surface of the ground, and still more preferably is at least about 1.0 cm from the surface of the ground when the finished article of footwear is placed on the ground.
It is understood that the invention is not confined to the particular embodiments set forth herein as illustrative, but embraces all such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims. [0054]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An insole for use in constructing a channel drainage component, the insole comprising: a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the insole defines at least a first drainage canal that runs through the insole from the top surface of the insole to the bottom surface of the insole, further wherein the bottom surface of the insole defines at least a first drainage network that comprises at least a first groove that spirals outward from a first central region in the bottom surface of the insole, and further wherein the at least first drainage canal runs from the top surface of the insole into the at least first groove of the first drainage network.

2. The insole according to

claim 1

, wherein the insole further comprises a toe portion and the first drainage network is defined by the bottom surface of the toe portion of the insole.

3. The insole according to

claim 1

, wherein the insole further comprises a heel portion and the first drainage network is defined by the bottom surface of the heel portion of the insole.

4. The insole according to

claim 1

, wherein the insole defines a plurality of drainage canals and each drainage canal runs from the top surface of the insole into a groove of a drainage network defined by the bottom surface of the insole.

5. The insole according to

claim 1

, wherein the insole defines at least a second drainage canal that runs through the insole from the top surface of the insole to the bottom surface of the insole, further wherein the bottom surface of the insole defines at least a second drainage network that comprises at least a second groove that spirals outward from a second central region in the bottom surface of the insole, and further wherein the at least second drainage canal runs from the top surface of the insole into the at least second groove of the second drainage network.

6. A channel drainage component for use in constructing an article of footwear that prevents water from remaining around the foot of a wearer, the channel drainage component comprising:

(a) an insole comprising: a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the insole defines a first drainage canal running from the top surface of the insole to the bottom surface of the insole, further wherein the bottom surface of the insole defines a first drainage network that comprises a first groove, and further wherein the first drainage canal runs from the top surface of the insole into the first groove of the first drainage network defined in the bottom surface of the insole; and

(b) a midsole comprising: a top surface having a toe portion with an end-of-toe region, wherein the midsole defines at least one discrete channel having an inner end and an outer end connected to an orifice on an exterior side surface of the midsole, wherein the inner end of the channel is closer to the end-of-toe region of the midsole than is the outer end of the channel, and further wherein water entering the first drainage canal from the top surface of the insole will enter the groove in the bottom surface of the insole, drain into the channel in the midsole, and exit the channel drainage component through the orifice on the exterior side surface of the channel drainage component.

7. The channel drainage component according to

claim 6

, further comprising an outsole attached to a bottom surface of the midsole, wherein the outsole comprises an exterior bottom surface and the orifice on the exterior side surface of the midsole is at least about 0.5 cm from the closest part of the exterior bottom surface of the outsole.

8. The channel drainage component according to

claim 7

, wherein the orifice is at least about 0.7 cm from the closest part of the exterior bottom surface of the outsole.

9. The channel drainage component according to

claim 8

, wherein the orifice is at least about 1.0 cm from the closest part of the exterior bottom surface of the outsole.

10. The channel drainage component according to

claim 7

, wherein the outsole comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a fibrous material suitable for use in a wader and rubber.

11. The channel drainage component according to

claim 6

, wherein the insole defines a plurality of drainage canals running from the top surface of the insole to the bottom surface of the insole.

12. The channel drainage component according to

claim 6

, wherein the bottom surface of the insole defines a second drainage network comprising a second groove.

13. The channel drainage component according to

claim 12

, wherein the first groove spirals outward from a first central region in the bottom surface of the insole and the second groove spirals outward from a second different central region in the bottom surface of the insole.

14. The channel drainage component according to

claim 6

, wherein the first groove spirals outward from a first central region in the bottom surface of the insole.

15. The channel drainage component according to

claim 6

, wherein the midsole defines at least two separate discrete channels and each channel has an inner end and an outer end connected to an orifice on the exterior side surface of the midsole, wherein the inner end of each channel is closer to the end-of-toe region of the midsole than is the outer end of each channel.

16. The channel drainage component according to

claim 6

, wherein the midsole defines a plurality of separate discrete channels and each channel has an inner end and an outer end connected to an orifice on the exterior side surface of the midsole, wherein the inner end of each channel is closer to the end-of-toe region of the midsole than is the outer end of each channel.

17. The channel drainage component according to

claim 16

, wherein each channel is arcuate.

18. An article of footwear, comprising: an upper main body attached to the channel drainage component according to

claim 7

.

19. An article of footwear, comprising: an upper main body attached to the channel drainage component according to

claim 14

and an outsole attached to a bottom surface of the midsole.

20. An article of footwear, comprising: an upper main body attached to the channel drainage component according to

claim 15

and an outsole attached to a bottom surface of the midsole.