Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Smart Composite Foam Midsole: Performance Tech Innovation

Publication ID: 24-11857024_0003_PTD
Published: October 27, 2025
Category:Synergistic Combinations

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Smart Composite Foam Midsole: Performance Tech Innovation,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857024_0003_PTD, Published October 27, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857024_0003_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,024.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent for the high-performance composite foam midsole addressed the need for improved cushioning and durability in athletic footwear. However, it did not provide real-time feedback, performance optimization, or authentication capabilities. The new invention addresses these limitations by integrating the composite foam midsole with cutting-edge technologies to create a more comprehensive and powerful system.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce a novel combination of the high-performance composite foam midsole with advanced technologies, providing a synergistic system that offers real-time feedback, performance optimization, and authentication capabilities. This integration is non-obvious and goes beyond the original patent's scope, providing a new and innovative solution for athletic performance monitoring and optimization.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include variations in sensor types, machine learning algorithms, and blockchain implementations. The system may also be adapted for use in different sports, such as basketball, soccer, or tennis, or integrated with other wearable devices or fitness platforms.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The invention has significant commercial potential in the athletic footwear and wearable technology markets, with applications in professional sports, fitness, and health monitoring. The system's ability to provide real-time feedback, optimize performance, and ensure authenticity makes it an attractive solution for athletes, coaches, and footwear manufacturers.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A43 A43B13/026
A A43 A43B13/04
C C08 C08J9/0061
C C08 C08L75/04
C C08 C08J2367/02
C C08 C08J2375/04
C C08 C08J2377/00
C C08 C08J2467/02
C C08 C08J2475/04
C C08 C08J2477/00

Field of Art

Footwear materials engineering, specifically composite foam technologies for athletic shoe midsoles, involving polymer chemistry, materials science, and performance footwear design

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A materials engineer or footwear design professional with expertise in polymer composites, thermoplastic elastomers, and advanced manufacturing techniques, holding a BS/MS in materials science, polymer engineering, or mechanical engineering with 3-5 years industry experience

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that integrating sensor technologies and smart systems with high-performance composite foam midsoles represents a predictable extension of existing footwear innovation. The source patent's advanced composite foam provides an ideal substrate for embedding electronic sensing technologies. The proposed variations leverage standard IoT and machine learning techniques that are well-established in wearable technology design.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Pelletized expanded thermoplastic elastomer mixed within polyurethane matrix
PTD Variation
Embedding electronic sensors within the composite foam structure
Obviousness Reasoning
A PHOSITA would recognize that modern composite materials readily accommodate embedded sensor technologies using known microelectronic integration techniques
Source Patent Element
Spheroid pellet configuration with 1-12mm dimensional range
PTD Variation
Using pellet geometry to create sensor mounting locations and signal transmission pathways
Obviousness Reasoning
The existing material's geometric properties provide natural cavities and structural interfaces for sensor placement, representing a predictable design optimization
Source Patent Element
High-performance composite foam for athletic midsole applications
PTD Variation
Blockchain authentication and machine learning performance tracking systems
Obviousness Reasoning
Integrating digital authentication and performance monitoring represents a standard technological convergence in smart athletic equipment design
Source Patent Element
Thermoplastic elastomer composite foam technology
PTD Variation
IoT-enabled generative design platform for customized midsole configurations
Obviousness Reasoning
Applying data-driven design methodologies to materials engineering is a known technique for optimizing performance characteristics
Source Patent Element
Performance-oriented foam material for athletic footwear
PTD Variation
Real-time biomechanical feedback system using embedded sensors
Obviousness Reasoning
Transforming passive material technologies into active sensing platforms is a predictable evolution in performance footwear design
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857024's teachings of high-performance composite foam midsole technologies, the present disclosure demonstrates that integrating sensor systems, machine learning algorithms, and authentication technologies represents an obvious technological extension readily apparent to a person having ordinary skill in athletic footwear materials engineering, thereby rendering potential claims to such integrated systems non-patentable under standard obviousness analysis.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,024
TitleComposite foam for midsole
Assignee(s)Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.