CN114947300B

CN114947300B - Composite footwear and glove articles

Info

Publication number: CN114947300B
Application number: CN202110654097.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 徐前
Original assignee: Shanghai Uniwise International Trading Co ltd
Current assignee: Shanghai Uniwise International Trading Co ltd
Priority date: 2021-02-26
Filing date: 2021-06-11
Publication date: 2024-03-08
Anticipated expiration: 2041-06-11
Also published as: CN114947300A

Abstract

A composite article of footwear and glove having a body for receiving a wearer's hand/foot of the article, the body comprising an outer layer, an inner layer and a waterproof, breathable intermediate layer between the outer and inner layers, and an opening through which the foot/hand can be inserted, the opening being defined by a nozzle arrangement, the nozzle arrangement comprising a nozzle zone portion comprising an end zone portion of each of the inner and intermediate layers and a nozzle inner portion of the outer layer extending beyond said end zone portion, the nozzle arrangement further comprising a waterproof nozzle strap secured to one or both of the nozzle inner portion and the end zone portion of the inner layer to be disposed on and secured to the outside of the outer layer, the waterproof nozzle strap being secured to the outer layer at a greater distance from the opening than the waterproof nozzle strap is secured to the nozzle inner portion or the end zone portion of the inner layer.

Description

Composite footwear and glove articles

Technical Field

The present invention relates to composite footwear and glove articles (composite items of footwear and handwear), and in particular, but not exclusively, to composite waterproof socks and gloves.

Background

Waterproof socks and gloves are useful in many situations and environments, including use in certain outdoor hobbies and activities such as walking, running, hiking, cycling, fishing, camping and gardening, as well as in commercial and industrial environments where it is important or desirable to keep the wearer's feet and/or hands dry.

The opening or nozzle (cuff) area of the known sock and glove provides the possibility of water penetrating between the sock/glove and the leg/arm of the wearer and through the nozzle area itself, thus compromising the ability of the known sock and glove to keep the hands and feet of the wearer dry.

It is an object of the present invention to provide articles of footwear and gloves, particularly socks and gloves, having a nozzle means (cuff arrangement) that helps seal the article against the wearer to help prevent water from entering between the article and the wearer while providing a snug and comfortable article wear, and having a configuration that helps prevent water from entering through the nozzle means itself.

In this specification, the term "sock" is used to refer to flexible and stretchable articles of footwear, including similar articles worn between the foot and a boot or shoe, as well as other sock-like articles of footwear, such as overshoes (overshoes), flexible booties, and the like.

In this specification, the term "glove" is used to refer to flexible and stretchable glove items, particularly mittens and mittens.

Summary of The Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a composite article of footwear/glove having a body defining a volume for receiving the hand/foot of a wearer of the article, the body including an outer layer, an inner layer and a waterproof, breathable intermediate layer between the outer and inner layers, the body having an opening through which the foot/hand can be inserted for receipt in the volume, the opening being defined by a nozzle means including a nozzle region of the body including an end region portion of each of the inner and intermediate layers and a nozzle inner portion of the outer layer extending beyond said end region portion, the nozzle means further including a waterproof nozzle band secured to one or both of the nozzle inner portion of the outer layer and the end region portion of the inner layer to extend over the open end on the inside of the nozzle inner portion and to extend back over the outside of the nozzle inner portion to rest on the outside of the outer layer and to be secured to the outside of the outer layer, the waterproof nozzle band being secured to the outer layer at a greater distance from the opening than the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the opening inner portion or to the opening inner portion.

The portion of the waterproof nozzle band that extends on the inside of the nozzle inner portion is configured to rest comfortably on the leg, typically on the ankle or shank of the wearer of the article when the article is one of the footwear types, or on the wrist or forearm of the wearer of the article when the article is one of the glove types, to provide a comfortable seal to help prevent water ingress between the nozzle device and the wearer's body.

The waterproof nozzle extends on the inside of the nozzle inner portion and around the open end of the nozzle inner portion and back on the outer surface, wherein the waterproof nozzle strip is secured to the outer layer at a greater distance from the opening than the waterproof nozzle strip is secured to the nozzle inner portion or the end zone of the inner layer, which provides a nozzle device that is resistant to water entering the inside of the article through the nozzle device itself, as will be explained in more detail below.

The waterproof nozzle band is secured to the outer layer at a distance from the opening that is 10 mm to 40 mm greater than the distance between the opening and the location at which the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the nozzle inner portion or the end zone portion of the inner layer to provide an overlap region.

This degree of overlap has been shown to provide the nozzle device with an advantageous barrier to water entering the volume through the nozzle device.

Preferably, the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the outer layer at a distance of 20 mm to 40 mm from the opening than the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the nozzle inner portion or the end zone portion of the inner layer.

This has been shown to provide advantageous water resistance characteristics (water resistance characteristics) in balance with advantageous design and comfort characteristics.

Preferably, the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the inner surface of the nozzle inner portion and/or to the end zone of the inner layer.

This helps ensure that the waterproof nozzle band remains securely positioned around the inside of the nozzle section.

Preferably, the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the inner surface of the nozzle inner portion and/or the end zone of the inner layer in a continuous band around the waterproof nozzle band.

This helps ensure that the waterproof nozzle band remains securely in place all the way around the nozzle section.

Preferably, the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the inner surface of the nozzle inner portion and/or the end region of the inner layer by a continuous stitching band (band of stitching).

This helps to ensure that the waterproof nozzle band remains securely in place all the way around the nozzle section and the opening of the article, and provides for relatively easy manufacture and comfort to the user.

Preferably, the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the inner surface of the nozzle inner portion and/or the end zone of the inner layer by a continuous adhesive band.

Preferably, when the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the end section of the inner layer, the adhesive penetrates the inner layer to seal against the intermediate layer.

This inhibits any water forming its flow path inside the waterproof nozzle band from wicking along the inner layer, passing through the waterproof nozzle band where it is secured to the inner layer end zone and into the interior of the article.

The continuous adhesive tape may be provided in the form of a tape (adhesive tape).

This helps to ensure that the waterproof nozzle band remains securely in place all the time around the nozzle section and the opening of the article, and without risk of compromising the waterproof properties of the waterproof nozzle band.

Preferably, the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the inner surface of the nozzle inner portion and/or the end zone of the inner layer by a continuous waterproof adhesive band.

This helps to maintain the integrity of the fixture even when the adhesive is exposed to water.

Preferably, the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the inner surface of the nozzle inner portion and/or the end zone of the inner layer by both a continuous stitch band and a continuous adhesive band.

This can more firmly secure the waterproof nozzle band to the inner surface of the nozzle inner portion.

The waterproof nozzle band may be secured to the end zone of the inner layer by stitching that extends only through the inner layer, stitching that extends only through the inner layer and the middle layer, or stitching that extends through the inner layer, the middle layer, and the outer layer.

Preferably, the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the outer layer, which ensures that the waterproof nozzle band remains in place around the nozzle section.

Preferably, the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the outer layer so as to rest substantially flat on the outer layer.

This may aid in the function and aesthetics of the article.

Preferably, the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the outer layer in a continuous band around the outer layer.

This helps ensure that the waterproof nozzle band remains securely in place all the way around the opening of the article and over the nozzle section, and helps seal the waterproof nozzle band to the outer layer.

Preferably, the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the outer layer by a continuous band of adhesive around the outer layer.

This helps ensure that the waterproof nozzle band remains securely in place all the way around the opening and nozzle section of the article.

Preferably, the adhesive penetrates the outer layer to seal against the intermediate layer.

This seals the outer layer to the waterproof intermediate layer, thereby preventing water from wicking along the outer layer, through the intermediate layer and into the interior of the waterproof nozzle band, and into the inner layer.

The continuous adhesive tape may be provided in the form of a strip of adhesive.

Preferably, the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the outer layer by a continuous waterproof adhesive band that surrounds and passes through the outer layer.

This helps to maintain fixed integrity when the adhesive is exposed to water and inhibits water from entering the interior volume by wicking through the outer layer.

Stitching may be used to secure the waterproof nozzle band to the outer layer.

The stitching may be provided in the form of a continuous band around the outer layer.

The waterproof nozzle band may be secured to the outer layer with both a continuous adhesive band and a continuous stitch band around the outer layer.

This can provide a particularly secure and waterproof securement of the waterproof nozzle band to the outer layer.

Preferably, the waterproof nozzle band includes an elastically stretchable waterproof material that is stretchable to enable the waterproof nozzle band to expand and contract as the open end expands and contracts to accommodate the foot/hand when the foot/hand is inserted into and removed from the volume.

Preferably, the waterproof nozzle band comprises a stretchable waterproof polyurethane material.

Preferably, the outer layer comprises a body yarn and a twisted elastic yarn woven through the body yarn.

Preferably, the body yarn comprises one or more of polyamide, cotton, modal, polyester.

Preferably, the inner layer comprises an inner layer body yarn of one or more of cotton, wool, acrylic, rayon, polyamide, polyester.

Preferably, one or more adhesives are used to secure the outer and inner layers to the waterproof breathable intermediate layer.

Preferably, the waterproof breathable middle layer extends between the inner and outer layers, having a corrugated structure in both the weft direction X and the warp direction Y.

Preferably, the waterproof breathable intermediate layer is configured to be stretchable both circumferentially and longitudinally.

Preferably, the adhesive is provided in discrete adhesive dots or discrete adhesive islands on both the inner and outer layers to secure the waterproof breathable intermediate layer to each of the inner and outer layers and between the inner and outer layers at discrete locations.

Preferably, the discrete adhesive dots or discrete adhesive islands are spaced farther apart from each other in one or both of the weft directions X and warp directions Y in at least one section of the body than other sections of the body, thereby imparting a different stretch characteristic in one or both of the weft directions X and warp directions Y to the at least one section than the other sections of the body.

Drawings

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a composite article of footwear according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the composite article of footwear of FIG. 1 in plane II-II;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of section III of the composite article of footwear of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of section IV of the composite article of footwear of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view comparable to that of FIG. 3, but of a composite article of footwear according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a composite glove article according to another embodiment of the invention; and

figure 7 is a diagrammatic view equivalent to figure 5 but of a composite glove article according to a further embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1-4, the present invention provides a composite article of footwear in the form of a sock 10 having a body 12, the body 12 defining a volume 14 to receive a foot of a wearer of the article, the body 12 including an outer layer 16, an inner layer 18 and a waterproof, breathable intermediate layer 20 between the outer layer 16 and the inner layer 18, the body 12 having an opening 22 through which the foot/hand can be inserted to be received in the volume 14. The opening 22 is defined by a nozzle device 24, the nozzle device 24 comprising a nozzle section 25 of the body 12, the nozzle section 25 comprising end sections 28, 30 of each of the inner and intermediate layers 18, 20 and a nozzle inner portion 32 of the outer layer 16 extending beyond the end sections 28, 30. The nozzle device 24 further includes a waterproof nozzle strip 34 secured to the nozzle inner portion 32 of the outer layer 16 to extend over the inner surface 36 of the nozzle inner portion 32 and around the open end 38 of the nozzle inner portion 32 and back over the outer side 40 of the outer layer 16, wherein the location L1 where the waterproof nozzle strip 34 is secured to the outer layer 16 is a greater distance d1 from the opening 22 than the distance d2 between the location L2 where the waterproof nozzle strip 34 is secured to the nozzle inner portion 32 and the opening 22.

In more detail, the present invention provides a composite waterproof sock 10 having a laminate structure wherein the inner layer 18 comprises an inner layer body yarn comprised of one or more of cotton, wool, acrylic, rayon, polyamide, polyester, and/or any other suitable material or mixture of materials, particularly selected based on the comfort of the wearer and the intended use or purpose of the sock.

The outer layer 16 includes a body yarn and a twisted elastic yarn woven through or substantially through the body yarn.

The body yarns comprise one or more of polyamide, cotton, modal, polyester and/or any other suitable material or mixture of materials, particularly selected according to the intended purpose or use of the sock.

Twisted elastic yarns include spandex yarns or other suitable elastic yarns, and are typically introduced at a speed of about 350 twists per meter.

The inner layer 18 and outer layer 16 are typically knitted, for example on a 13-toe sock knitting machine (13 gauges toe sock knitting machine). The outer layer 16 is generally knitted with a heel portion. Inner layer 18 may be knitted with or without heel portions depending on the desired design and/or application of sock 10.

The waterproof, breathable intermediate layer 20 comprises polyurethane or other suitable waterproof, breathable material, and one or more adhesives 44 are used to secure the outer layer 16 to the outer surface of the waterproof intermediate layer 20 and the inner layer 18 to the inner surface of the waterproof intermediate layer 20.

A suitable adhesive is a heat activated Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) material. -

As particularly illustrated in fig. 4, the waterproof, breathable intermediate layer 20 is secured between the inner layer 18 and the outer layer 16 such that the waterproof, breathable intermediate layer 20 has a corrugated structure in both the weft direction X and the warp direction Y when the sock 10 is in a relaxed state. This allows the waterproof breathable intermediate layer 20 to extend in both the circumferential and longitudinal directions as the inner layer 18 and outer layer 16 stretch, thereby allowing the sock 10 to stretch and contract as the wearer dons, wears, and removes the sock 10.

The adhesive 44 is disposed on both the inner layer 18 and the outer layer 16 in discrete adhesive dots or islands 44 to secure the waterproof breathable intermediate layer 20 to each of the inner layer 18 and the outer layer 16 and between the inner layer 18 and the outer layer 16 such that the waterproof breathable intermediate layer 20 assumes a three-dimensional corrugated structure when the inner layer 18 and the outer layer 16 are in a relaxed state.

In certain embodiments, discrete adhesive dots or islands 44 are spaced farther apart from each other in one or both of the weft directions X and warp directions Y in at least one section of the body 12 than in other sections of the body 12, thereby imparting a different corrugated profile to the at least one section and thus having different stretch characteristics in one or both of the weft directions X and warp directions Y than in other sections of the body 12. This allows the body 12 to stretch both circumferentially and longitudinally and to a different extent in different sections to resist further stretching in sections where the spacing between discrete adhesive dots or islands 44 is smaller than in other sections.

Such different stretch characteristics may be designed or engineered into the overall composition of sock 10 to provide improved comfort to the wearer of sock 10 according to the present invention.

The nozzle device 24 provides a seal of the opening or nozzle of the sock 10 relative to the leg of the wearer. The exact portion of the leg that sock 10 is designed to seal will be determined in large part by the intended use or style of sock 10, whereas sock 10 of the present invention will typically extend upward from the ankle of the wearer of sock 10 to the mid-portion of the calf and tibia.

The nozzle device 24 also provides a structure that prevents water from passing through the nozzle device 24 and thus prevents water from entering the interior of the sock 10.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 2 and 3, the waterproof nozzle strip 34 extends from the open ends 28a, 30a of the end sections 28, 30 of the inner and middle layers 18, 20, at which the waterproof nozzle strip 34 generally abuts or is in close proximity to these open ends 28a, 30a and extends snugly over the inner surface 36 of the nozzle inner portion 32, extends around the open ends 38, and is folded back to extend over the outer side 40 of the nozzle inner portion 32 to rest snugly on the outer side 40 adjacent to the outer side 40 of the outer layer 16.

The portion of the waterproof nozzle band 34 that extends on the inside of the nozzle inner portion 32 is configured to rest comfortably on the leg, typically on the ankle or shank of the wearer of the article when the article is one of the footwear, or on the wrist or forearm of the wearer of the article when the article is one of the glove types, to provide a comfortable seal to help prevent water from entering between the nozzle device and the wearer's body.

In this embodiment, the waterproof nozzle band 34 is fixed only to the nozzle inner portion 32, and the distance d2 of the position L2 at which the waterproof nozzle band 34 is fixed from the opening 22 is shorter than the distance d1 of the position L1 at which the waterproof nozzle band 34 is fixed to the outer layer 16.

This arrangement of the fixed position provides the nozzle device 24 with a barrier to water entering the inside of the sock 10 through the nozzle device 24 itself, as will be explained in more detail below.

The location L1 at which the waterproof nozzle band 34 is secured to the outer layer 16 is further spaced from the opening 22 than the open ends 28a, 30a of the inner and middle layers 18, 20 are spaced from the opening 22. This results in the open ends 28a, 30a being located between the location L1 where the waterproof nozzle band 34 is secured to the outer layer 16 and the location L2 where the waterproof nozzle band 34 is secured to the nozzle inner portion 32, which configuration further enhances the ability of the nozzle device 24 to resist the ingress of water therethrough.

In certain embodiments, the location L1 of the waterproof nozzle band 34 secured to the outer layer 16 is 10 millimeters to 40 millimeters from the opening 22 than the location L2 of the waterproof nozzle band 34 secured to the nozzle inner portion 32. That is, d1 is 10 mm to 40 mm greater than d2.

This difference has been demonstrated to provide the nozzle device 24 with the ability to advantageously resist water entering the volume through the nozzle device 24.

In further embodiments, the location L1 of the waterproof nozzle band 34 secured to the outer layer 16 is 20 millimeters to 40 millimeters from the opening 22 than the location L2 of the waterproof nozzle band 34 secured to the nozzle inner portion 32. That is, d1 is 20 mm to 40 mm greater than d2.

This has been shown to provide advantageous water resistance properties in balance with advantageous design and comfort properties.

The waterproof nozzle strip 34 includes an elastically stretchable waterproof material that stretches to enable the waterproof nozzle strip 34 to expand and contract as the opening 22 expands and contracts to receive and release a person's foot when the person's foot is inserted and removed from the volume.

Typically, the waterproof nozzle band 34 comprises a stretchable waterproof polyurethane material, however other suitable waterproof materials may be used.

The waterproof nozzle band 34 is secured to the inner surface 36 of the nozzle inner portion 32 in the form of a continuous circumferential band around the waterproof nozzle band 34.

In some embodiments, as in the embodiment shown in fig. 3, the waterproof nozzle band 34 is secured to the inner surface 36 of the nozzle inner portion 32 by a band of continuous stitching 46.

In an alternative embodiment, the waterproof nozzle band 34 is secured to the inner surface 36 of the nozzle inner portion 32 by a continuous band of adhesive (and typically waterproof adhesive).

The adhesive may be provided in the form of a strip of adhesive.

In a further embodiment, the waterproof nozzle band 34 is secured to the inner surface 36 of the nozzle inner portion 32 by both a continuous band of stitching 46 and a continuous band of adhesive.

The waterproof nozzle band 34 is also secured to the outer layer 16 and is secured to lie substantially flat on the outer surface 40 of the outer layer 16.

The location L1 where the waterproof nozzle strip 34 is secured to the outer layer 16 is farther from the opening 22 than the open ends 28a, 30a of the inner layer 18 and intermediate layer 20 are from the opening 22. The open ends 28a, 30a are located between a location L1 where the waterproof nozzle band 34 is secured to the outer layer 16 and a location L2 where the waterproof nozzle band 34 is secured to the nozzle inner portion 32.

In the preferred embodiment, the waterproof nozzle band 34 is secured to the outer layer 16 by a continuous band of adhesive (most preferably a continuous waterproof adhesive 48) that penetrates the outer layer 16 to seal against the intermediate layer 20. This provides for securing and sealing the waterproof nozzle strip 34 to the outer layer 16 in a continuous water-tight manner, through the outer layer 16 and around the outer layer 16, acting to prevent water from penetrating between the waterproof nozzle strip 34 and the waterproof intermediate layer 20, and from wicking along the outer layer 16 from the exterior of the article past the location L1 to the end 30a of the intermediate layer 20 and beyond the end 30 a. This serves to prevent water from wicking from the exterior of the sock 10 along the outer layer 16 to a location where water can permeate through the end 30a of the middle layer 20 and into the interior of the sock, such as where the end 30a of the middle waterproof layer 20 is located, and where the stitching 46 may damage the waterproof barrier of the waterproof nozzle band 34 (at L2) as the stitching 46 passes through the waterproof nozzle band 34.

This ensures that the waterproof nozzle band 34 is secured and sealed against the intermediate layer on the outside of the area where the waterproof nozzle band 34 extends from the open ends 28, 30 of the inner and intermediate layers 18, 20. In this region, the intermediate layer 20 terminates and thus the intermediate layer 20 no longer provides a water barrier to prevent water from passing through the body at the nozzle region 25, thus risking water entering through this region of the nozzle region 25. This risk is resolved by securing and sealing the waterproof nozzle band 34 to the outer layer 16 at location L1 as described above, such that the waterproof nozzle band 34 seats on this area to provide a sealed waterproof covering that acts to prevent water from wicking from the exterior of the sock 10 along the outer layer 16 past the end 30a of the intermediate layer 20 and thus through the nozzle band portion 25 to the interior of the sock 10.

In alternative embodiments, the waterproof nozzle layer 34 may be secured to the outer layer 16 with a continuous seam tape. In such embodiments, it is important that the stitching not puncture the intermediate layer 20, which would otherwise compromise the waterproof structure of the nozzle device 24.

The stitching is such that it inhibits water from wicking from the exterior of sock 10 along outer layer 16 past end 30a of middle layer 20 and thus through nozzle region 25 to the interior of sock 10.

In certain embodiments, the stitch is a water-repellent thread and the stitch pattern is such that it presents a barrier inhibiting wicking as described above.

In certain embodiments, the waterproof nozzle band 34 can be secured to the outer layer 16 by both stitching and adhesive, as described above.

Fig. 5 shows a view comparable to that of fig. 3, but of an article of footwear according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. This embodiment has the features of the embodiment shown in fig. 3 and those features shown in fig. 5 are denoted with the same reference numerals as used for the illustration in fig. 3, but with the addition of the numeral 1.

In this embodiment, the waterproof nozzle 134 is secured to and passes through the end section 128 of the inner layer 118 so as to extend on the inside of the nozzle inner portion 132 and around the open end 138 of the nozzle inner portion 132 and back over the outside 140 of the nozzle inner portion 132 to rest on the outside 140 of the outer layer 116 and be secured to the outside 140 of the outer layer 116 in a similar manner as described above, wherein the distance d1 of the waterproof nozzle band 134 secured to the outside 116 is greater than the distance d2 between the location L2 of the waterproof nozzle band 134 secured to the end section 128 of the inner layer 118 and the opening 122.

As shown in fig. 5, the waterproof nozzle band 34 is secured by stitching 146, the stitching 146 extending through the waterproof nozzle band 134, through the end region 128 of the inner layer 118, through the end region 130 of the waterproof middle layer 120, and through the outer layer 116.

Although in this embodiment the stitching 146 may damage the waterproof barrier provided by the waterproof intermediate layer 120 to some extent, the location L2 of the stitching 146 is closer to the opening 122 than the location L1 of the waterproof nozzle band 134 secured to the outer layer 116 by a continuous adhesive band that penetrates the outer layer 116 to seal against the intermediate layer 120 and/or a continuous stitching band 148 as described above, which means that the water impermeability of the nozzle device 24 is not compromised.

In other embodiments, the seam of waterproof nozzle band 134 at location L2 may extend through only inner layer 118, or through only inner layer 118 and waterproof middle layer 120.

Fig. 7 shows a view comparable to that of fig. 5, but of an article of footwear according to a further alternative embodiment of the invention. This embodiment has the features of the embodiment shown in fig. 5 and these features shown in fig. 7 are denoted with the same reference numerals as used for the illustration in fig. 5, but with the addition of the numeral 3.

In this embodiment, instead of or in addition to stitching, an adhesive 349 is used to secure the waterproof nozzle band 334 to the inner layer 318.

Adhesive 349 is a continuous band, most preferably a waterproof adhesive, that extends circumferentially continuously around the end region through inner layer 318 to seal against intermediate layer 320.

This secures and seals the waterproof nozzle band 334 to the inner layer 318 and around the inner layer 318 in a continuous water-tight manner, acting to prevent any water that forms its flow path inside the waterproof nozzle band 334 (e.g., in the event that the outer seal 348 has been damaged or broken) from inside the waterproof nozzle band 334, through the end 328a and along the inner layer 318, past the location L2, and further wicking into the interior of the sock 310.

Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of an article of glove 210 in the form of a glove having the same structural features as the article of footwear (sock) described above. Thus, the features shown are denoted by the same reference numerals as used for the illustrations of the sock 10, but preceded by the numeral "2".

It should be appreciated that the structure and construction of the nozzle device 24 of the article of the present invention as described above has equal utility in glove articles in the context of footwear, thereby providing a nozzle device 24 that prevents water from entering between the open end of the glove and the wrist/arm of the glove wearer and prevents water from entering through the nozzle device 24 itself.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. This document discloses specific embodiments of the invention, but does not limit the scope of the invention.

Multiple bands of one or both of adhesive and/or stitching may be provided to secure the waterproof nozzle band to one or both of the nozzle band inner portion of the outer layer and the end zone portion of the inner layer and the exterior of the outer layer.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

The invention also relates to the following aspects:

1. a composite article of footwear/glove having a body defining a volume for receiving a hand/foot of a wearer of the article, the body including an outer layer, an inner layer and a waterproof, breathable intermediate layer between the outer layer and the inner layer, the body having an opening through which a foot/hand can be inserted to be received in the volume, the opening being defined by a nozzle arrangement, the nozzle arrangement including a nozzle region portion of the body, the nozzle region portion including an end region portion of each of the inner layer and the waterproof, breathable intermediate layer and a nozzle inner portion of the outer layer extending beyond the end region portion, the nozzle arrangement further including a waterproof nozzle strap secured to one or both of the nozzle inner portion of the outer layer and the end region portion of the inner layer to extend over an inner side of the nozzle inner portion and around an open end of the nozzle inner portion and back over the nozzle inner portion, the waterproof nozzle strap secured to the outer layer at a distance from the outer layer to the outer layer at a location on the outer side of the nozzle inner layer and at a substantial distance from the opening.

2. The composite footwear/glove article of aspect 1, wherein the waterproof nozzle strip is secured to the outer layer at a distance from the opening that is 10 millimeters to 40 millimeters greater than a distance between the opening and a location of the waterproof nozzle strip secured to the nozzle inner portion or the end region of the inner layer to provide an overlap region.

3. The composite footwear/glove article of aspect 2, wherein the waterproof nozzle strip is secured to the outer layer at a distance from the opening that is 20 millimeters to 40 millimeters greater than a distance between the opening at which the waterproof nozzle strip is secured to the nozzle inner portion or the end region of the inner layer.

4. The composite article of footwear/glove according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to an inner surface of the nozzle inner portion and/or the end zone of the inner layer.

5. The composite footwear/glove article according to aspect 4, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the inner surface of the nozzle inner portion and/or the end zone of the inner layer in a continuous band around the waterproof nozzle band.

6. The composite footwear/glove article according to aspect 5, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the inner surface of the nozzle inner portion and/or the end zone of the inner layer by a continuous stitching band.

7. The composite footwear/glove article according to aspect 5, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the inner surface of the nozzle inner portion and/or the end zone of the inner layer by a continuous adhesive band.

8. The composite footwear/glove article according to aspect 7, wherein the continuous adhesive tape penetrates the inner layer to seal against the waterproof, breathable intermediate layer when the waterproof nozzle tape is secured to the end zone portion of the inner layer.

9. The composite footwear/glove article of either aspect 7 or aspect 8, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the inner surface of the nozzle inner portion and/or the end zone of the inner layer by a continuous adhesive tape.

10. The composite article of footwear/glove according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the inner surface of the nozzle inner portion and/or the end zone of the inner layer by a continuous waterproof adhesive band.

11. The composite article of footwear/glove according to any of aspects 6 to 10, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the inner surface of the nozzle inner portion and/or the end zone of the inner layer by both a continuous stitch band and a continuous adhesive band.

12. The composite article of footwear/glove according to any of claims 6-11, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the end regions of the inner layer by stitching that extends through only the inner layer, stitching that extends through only the inner layer and the waterproof breathable intermediate layer, or stitching that extends through the inner layer, the waterproof breathable intermediate layer, and the outer layer.

13. A composite article of footwear/glove according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the waterproof cuff band is secured to the outer layer.

14. The composite footwear/glove article according to aspect 13, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the outer layer to rest substantially flat on the outer layer.

15. The composite article of footwear/glove of aspect 13 or aspect 14, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the outer layer in a continuous band around the outer layer.

16. The composite footwear/glove article according to aspect 15, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the outer layer in a continuous stitching band around the outer layer.

17. The composite footwear/glove article according to aspect 15, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the outer layer with a continuous band of adhesive around the outer layer.

18. The composite footwear/glove article according to aspect 17, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the outer layer with a continuous adhesive strip around the outer layer.

19. The composite article of footwear/glove of aspect 17 or aspect 18, wherein the adhesive penetrates the outer layer to seal against the waterproof breathable intermediate layer.

20. The composite article of footwear/glove according to any of claims 17-19, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the outer layer with a continuous waterproof adhesive band around the outer layer.

21. The composite article of footwear/glove according to any of aspects 16-20, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the outer layer with both a continuous adhesive band and a continuous stitch band around the outer layer.

22. A composite article of footwear/glove according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the waterproof nozzle strap includes a stretchable waterproof material that is stretchable when a foot/hand is inserted into and removed from the volume to enable the waterproof nozzle strap to expand and contract as the open end expands and contracts.

23. The composite footwear/glove article according to aspect 22, wherein the waterproof nozzle strap includes a stretchable waterproof polyurethane material.

24. A composite article of footwear/glove according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the outer layer includes a body yarn and a twisted elastic yarn woven through the body yarn.

25. The composite footwear/glove article of aspect 24, wherein the body yarn includes one or more of polyamide, cotton, modal, polyester.

26. A composite article of footwear/glove according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the inner layer comprises an inner layer body yarn of one or more of cotton, wool, acrylic, rayon, polyamide, polyester.

27. A composite article of footwear/glove according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein one or more adhesives are used to join the outer layer, the inner layer and the waterproof breathable intermediate layer.

28. A composite article of footwear/glove according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the waterproof breathable intermediate layer extends between the inner layer and the outer layer, having a corrugated structure in both the weft direction X and the warp direction Y.

29. The composite footwear/glove article according to aspect 28, wherein the waterproof breathable intermediate layer is configured to be stretchable both circumferentially and longitudinally.

30. A composite article of footwear/glove according to any of claims 27 to 29, wherein the adhesive is provided in discrete adhesive dots or islands on both the inner and outer layers to secure the waterproof breathable intermediate layer to each of the inner and outer layers and between the inner and outer layers.

31. The composite footwear/glove article of aspect 30, wherein the discrete adhesive dots or adhesive islands are spaced farther apart from each other in one or both of the weft direction X and the warp direction Y in at least one region of the body than other regions of the body, thereby imparting a different stretch characteristic in one or both of the weft direction X and the warp direction Y to the at least one region than the other regions of the body.

Claims

2. The composite article of footwear/glove according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof nozzle strip is secured to the outer layer at a distance from the opening that is between 10 millimeters and 40 millimeters greater than a distance between the opening and a location at which the waterproof nozzle strip is secured to the nozzle inner portion or the end zone portion of the inner layer to provide an overlap region.

3. The composite article of footwear/glove according to claim 2, wherein the waterproof nozzle strip is secured to the outer layer at a distance from the opening that is 20 millimeters to 40 millimeters greater than a distance between the opening and a location at which the waterproof nozzle strip is secured to the nozzle inner portion or the end zone portion of the inner layer.

4. The composite footwear/glove article according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to an inner surface of the nozzle inner portion and/or the end zone of the inner layer.

5. The composite footwear/glove article according to claim 4, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the inner surface of the nozzle inner portion and/or the end zone of the inner layer in a continuous band around the waterproof nozzle band.

6. The composite footwear/glove article according to claim 5, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the inner surface of the nozzle inner portion and/or the end zone of the inner layer by a continuous stitching band.

7. The composite footwear/glove article according to claim 5, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the inner surface of the nozzle inner portion and/or the end zone of the inner layer by a continuous adhesive band.

8. The composite article of footwear/glove according to claim 7, wherein the continuous adhesive tape penetrates the inner layer to seal against the waterproof breathable intermediate layer when the waterproof nozzle tape is secured to the end zone portion of the inner layer.

9. The composite article of footwear/glove according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the inner surface of the nozzle inner portion and/or the end zone of the inner layer by a continuous adhesive strip.

10. The composite article of footwear/glove according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the inner surface of the nozzle inner portion and/or the end zone of the inner layer by a continuous waterproof adhesive band.

11. The composite article of footwear/glove according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the inner surface of the nozzle inner portion and/or the end zone of the inner layer by both a continuous stitch band and a continuous adhesive band.

12. The composite article of footwear/glove according to any of claims 6-8, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the end regions of the inner layer by stitching that extends through only the inner layer, stitching that extends through only the inner layer and the waterproof breathable intermediate layer, or stitching that extends through the inner layer, the waterproof breathable intermediate layer, and the outer layer.

13. The composite article of footwear/glove according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the outer layer.

14. The composite article of footwear/glove according to claim 13, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the outer layer to rest substantially flat on the outer layer.

15. The composite article of footwear/glove according to claim 13, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the outer layer in a continuous band around the outer layer.

16. The composite article of footwear/glove according to claim 15, wherein the waterproof cuff band is secured to the outer layer in a continuous seam band around the outer layer.

17. The composite article of footwear/glove according to claim 15, wherein the waterproof cuff tape is secured to the outer layer with a continuous band of adhesive around the outer layer.

18. The composite footwear/glove article according to claim 17, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the outer layer with a continuous adhesive strip around the outer layer.

19. A composite article of footwear/glove according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the adhesive penetrates the outer layer to seal against the waterproof breathable intermediate layer.

20. The composite article of footwear/glove according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the waterproof cuff tape is secured to the outer layer with a continuous waterproof adhesive tape around the outer layer.

21. The composite article of footwear/glove according to any of claims 16-18, wherein the waterproof nozzle band is secured to the outer layer with both a continuous adhesive band and a continuous stitch band around the outer layer.

22. The composite footwear/glove article according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the waterproof nozzle strap includes a stretchable waterproof material that is stretchable when a foot/hand is inserted into and removed from the volume to enable the waterproof nozzle strap to expand and contract as the open end expands and contracts.

23. The composite footwear/glove article according to claim 22, wherein the waterproof cuff band includes a stretchable waterproof polyurethane material.

24. The composite article of footwear/glove according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the outer layer includes a body yarn and a twisted elastic yarn woven through the body yarn.

25. The composite article of footwear/glove of claim 24, wherein the body yarn comprises one or more of polyamide, cotton, modal, polyester.

26. The composite article of footwear/glove of any of claims 1-8, wherein the inner layer includes an inner layer body yarn of one or more of cotton, wool, acrylic, rayon, polyamide, polyester.

27. The composite article of footwear/glove according to any of claims 1-8, wherein one or more adhesives are used to join the outer layer, the inner layer, and the waterproof breathable intermediate layer.

28. The composite article of footwear/glove according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the waterproof breathable intermediate layer extends between the inner layer and the outer layer, having a corrugated structure in both the weft direction X and the warp direction Y.

29. The composite article of footwear/glove according to claim 28, wherein the waterproof breathable intermediate layer is configured to be stretchable both circumferentially and longitudinally.

30. The composite article of footwear/glove according to claim 27, wherein the adhesive used to join the outer layer, the inner layer, and the waterproof breathable intermediate layer is provided in discrete adhesive dots or adhesive islands on both inner and outer layers to secure the waterproof breathable intermediate layer to each of the inner and outer layers and between the inner and outer layers.

31. The composite article of footwear/glove according to claim 30, wherein the discrete adhesive dots or adhesive islands are spaced farther apart from each other in one or both of the weft X and warp Y directions in at least one region of the body than other regions of the body, thereby imparting a different stretch characteristic in one or both of the weft X and warp Y directions to the at least one region than the other regions of the body.