EP1212953B1 - Watertight shoe - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a waterproof, water vapor permeable shoe construction comprising an outer shaft, a waterproof, water vapor permeable functional layer shank, a sheath and a sole and a method for producing a waterproof shoe.

Such shoe constructions are widely known. For example, in US Re 34 890 a shoe construction is described which includes an outer shaft, and a sock-shaped liner, wherein the lining is made of a three-ply laminate. This laminate is used to make the footwear waterproof and permeable to water vapor, and typically contains a functional layer which imparts the waterproof, water vapor permeable property to the laminate and further layers of other material such as textile layers.

The production of waterproof, water vapor-permeable shoe constructions using laminates is very expensive, because the production of the three-dimensional shoe shape of two-dimensional laminates can be done only by cutting into fittings and then joining, preferably sewing the fittings, after which the joints, in the case of seams, the seams , then have to be resealed to restore the waterproofness of the thus formed three-dimensional structure.

Where 98/29000 concerns a waterproof breathable footwear. In the footwear is a liner, the insert being a laminate. This laminate consists of a textile fabric and a functional layer. To make the footwear insert according to D1, the laminate is first made, then cut into shaped pieces and finally these fittings are sewn or bonded into an insert. Optionally, another use (second liner, inner lining) can be added to the footwear. This second insert serves to protect the functional insert and fabric laminated insert and e.g. for thermal insulation.

US 5,802,740 relates to a waterproof shoe construction incorporating a watertight sock-shaped insert. Again, the waterproofing liner is a laminate.

In the embodiment known from US Re 34 890, a sock-shaped three-dimensional structure is formed from the laminate, which is subsequently introduced into the outer shaft. This sock-shaped three-dimensional structure can only be achieved by multiple seams of the two-dimensional laminate. Each seam must then be resealed to achieve the watertightness of this sock-shaped three-dimensional structure.

A laminate can be produced, for example, by bonding together the individual layers which are to form the laminate, for example a first layer comprising a functional layer and at least one second layer. The functional layer is watertight impermeable to water vapor, while the other layers, which are usually textile fabrics, such as woven or knitted fabrics, are permeable to water vapor but not waterproof. Now, if the different layers are glued together surface, the surface-applied adhesive hinders the water vapor permeability of the functional layer, so that the finished laminate has a lower water vapor permeability than the functional layer alone. Therefore, such laminates are often prepared in such a way that the connection of the individual layers takes place via distributed adhesive dots. Nevertheless, in this method, the number of adhesive dots is still so high that even here a reduction of the water vapor permeability of the laminate compared to the functional layer alone can be found.

It is often difficult to ensure the tightness of the necessary seams, even if the seams were resealed, because each seam and also the threads of the textile fabrics can transport water into the interior via capillary forces. In addition, one must ensure that the seal penetrates through the fabric through to the functional layer, since the connection of the functional layer moldings, which are arranged from the sealing side behind the fabric, must be sealed, which is not always completely successful. Furthermore, it may happen during use of the shoe construction in the occurring load that the sealing of the seams again dissolves, so that in such places waterproofness is no longer guaranteed.

It is also necessary in the above-described ways of producing waterproof, water-vapor-permeable shoe constructions to form a three-dimensional structure from the laminate adapted to the respective shoe size for each shoe size. This also increases the production costs.

Another problem is that hitherto the structures used to make watertight, water-vapor-permeable shoes are different from the shoe constructions used for other shoes. In this respect, there is a variety of designs that have a very costly effect on a series production.

The object of the present invention is to provide a shoe construction according to the preamble of claim 1, in which the problems described above are at least reduced.

This object is achieved in a waterproof, water vapor permeable shoe construction, comprising an outer shaft, a waterproof, water vapor permeable functional layer shank, a sheath and a sole, characterized in that the waterproof, water vapor permeable functional layer shank consists exclusively of one or more functional layers and contains no textile fabric.

According to the invention, the term "separately introduced" means that functional layer shank and lining shank are produced separately in the production of the shoe construction according to the invention and are brought together only during the construction of the shoe construction according to the invention. functional layer and lining are therefore not built together as a laminate to a shaft. This feature can also be clearly seen on the finished shoe construction.

In the case that the functional layer shaft is sewn together from molded parts, it can be clearly seen that the seam is arranged only in and on the functional layer. The feed shaft can be made, for example, by shaping or forming knitting and then has no seams. If the feed shaft is also sewn together from molded parts, these seams are only connected to the lining of the feed shaft. So there is not a single seam which simultaneously combines molded parts of the feed shank and shaped parts of the functional layer shank.

In the case of seamless Funktionsschichtschäften is also clearly seen that functional layer shank and feed sheath were present separately, since even if the two shafts are connected to each other, it is clear that the connection of the two shafts can be done only after separate production of the two shafts ,

Characterized in that functional layer shank and feed sheath are introduced separately into the outer shaft, the construction provided for the production of waterproof, water-vapor-permeable shoes can also be used in a simple manner for other (not according to the invention) shoes by omitting in the production of the functional layer shank. In this way, the diversity of varieties can be significantly reduced at the shoe manufacturers.

The shoe construction according to the invention can be produced in a particularly cost-effective manner if the functional layer shaft and the feed shaft are connected to the outer shaft only at an upper opening of the shoe construction through which a foot is inserted. As a result, the repairability of the footwear according to the invention is significantly increased. Since functional layer sheath and sheath are connected to the outer sheath only at the upper opening, functional sheath and lining can be pulled out of the interior of the shoe before repairs are made to the remaining footwear, without thereby causing the generally delicate, thin Functional layer is endangered. Also, the functional layer shaft can be easily replaced in the event of a leak, since only a single connection with the outer shaft must be renewed.

For the connection at the upper opening, it is particularly expedient if the outer shaft is folded at the upper opening above the functional layer shank and the feed shank in order to form the connection between functional layer shank and lining shank.

The shoe construction according to the invention is characterized in that the functional layer shaft is composed of individual parts which are connected to one another via seams and the seams are sealed.

Due to the fact that functional layer shank and lining sheath are introduced separately into the shoe, special care can be taken in the formation of the sock shape of the functional layer shank. If the sock shape of the functional layer shaft is made of a flat, two-dimensional functional layer, the individual shaped parts which have been cut out of the functional layer can be interconnected much easier again. In the simplest way, the connection of the fittings can be achieved by gluing or welding. But the connection of the fittings can also be done by sewing, the subsequent sealing is much less problematic because no textile structure is present on the functional layer, which makes it difficult to seal the seams in laminates. Also, the adhesive to be used in the sealing of these seams need only be matched to one material, namely that of the functional layer, whereby a permanent sealing is much easier to accomplish.

It is particularly advantageous if the functional layer shaft is seamless.

For this purpose, the functional layer shaft of the shoe construction according to the invention can be directly sock-shaped, ie three-dimensional, and have no seams or other connection points. Such a functional layer shaft can be produced, for example, by the process described in EP 0 665 259 A1, according to which three-dimensional articles are obtained by coating a three-dimensional mold with an aqueous dispersion of a copolyether ester at least once, analogously to latex dispersions of the rubber industry expelling the water, for example by heating, to obtain a film which is stripped from the mold. In order to arrive at a shoe construction according to the invention, the shape used to produce the functional layer shaft has the three-dimensional shape of a sock or the outer contour of a foot.

In this respect, the shoe construction according to the invention is characterized in particular by the functional layer shaft being produced by coating a foot mold in a dispersion or solution containing a polymer and subsequently converting the polymer into a film.

In order to reduce the number of functional layer shafts required for different shoe sizes in the shoe construction according to the invention with seamlessly produced functional layer shafts, it has proved particularly useful if a function layer shank that has initially been formed seamlessly is cut open in the sole region and the cut edges are connected to one another via a seam.

By different degrees of contraction of the cut edges prior to sewing, different sizes of the functional layer can be achieved. The remainder of the cut edges protruding beyond the seam can be cut off or otherwise removed before or after sewing.

It is also possible to cut open the underside of the functional layer shaft and introduce an insole, which is then connected to the functional layer shaft and thereby becomes part of the functional layer shaft.

To stabilize the functional layer shaft in the sole region, it has proven useful if the functional layer shaft is connected to an insole.

Here, the functional layer shaft can be connected to the insole via a seam. As already stated above, such a seam can be sealed favorably because the functional layer shaft is introduced separately from the feed shaft and thus the textile structure forming the feed shaft is not hindered during the sealing.

It is of particular advantage in this case if the seams which are attached to the functional layer shaft are sealed by coating with a dispersion or solution containing a waterproof polymer. Dispersions or solutions penetrate favorably into the holes formed in the insole by the sewing seams and in the functional layer and into the capillaries contained in the sewing seams, so that a good sealing has taken place after curing of the polymer contained in this dispersion or solution.

Particularly good results are achieved here if the polymer contained in the dispersion or solution is selected from the same group as the polymer from which the functional layer stock is produced.

It is particularly advantageous in this case if the polymer contained in the dispersion or solution is water-tight and permeable to water vapor after coating.

If desired, the functional layer shank may be connected to the feed shank. The connection of the functional layer shaft with the feed shank can be detachable be formed, but it can also be accomplished via a variety of adhesive points with the feed shank. It has been found to be particularly advantageous if the adhesive dots are formed activatable under heat. The adhesive dots can be applied in a particularly simple manner to the feed shaft or onto the inside of the functional layer shaft that has been turned outwards, before it is introduced into the shoe construction. In the same way, the functional layer shaft can also be connected to the outer shaft. By subsequently introducing heat in the form of air or a hot strip, the feed shaft is then connected to the functional layer shaft or the functional layer shaft to the outer shaft.

The shoe construction according to the invention is also characterized in that the functional layer shaft is connected to the sole, wherein it is particularly expedient if the functional layer shaft, the outer shaft and the sole are connected to one another.

It is advantageous if the functional layer shaft, the outer shaft and the sole are connected by a seam and the seam is sealed.

Alternatively, the shoe construction according to the invention is characterized in that the outer shaft and functional layer shaft are connected to a molded-on sole.

• Herstellen des Außenschaftes,
• Herstellen eines wasserdichten, wasserdampfdurchlässigen Funktionsschichtschafts, der ausschließlich aus einer oder mehreren Funktionsschichten besteht, der kein textiles Flächengebilde enthält und die Form eines Sockens aufweist,
• Herstellen eines Futterschafts in Form eines Sockens,
• Einbringen des Funktionsschichtschafts in den Außenschaft,
• Einbringen des Futterschafts in den Funktionsschichtschaft,
• Anfügen der Sohle von unten.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a method for producing a watertight, water-vapor-permeable shoe, characterized by the following steps:

• Producing the outer shaft,
• Producing a watertight, moisture-vapor permeable functional layer shaft which consists exclusively of one or more functional layers, which contains no textile fabric and has the shape of a sock,
• Making a sock in the form of a sock,
• Introducing the functional layer shaft into the outer shaft,
• Introducing the feed shaft into the functional layer shaft,
• Attach the sole from below.

The introduction of the feed shank in the functional layer shank can also take place outside of the outer shank, after which then the functional layer shank are introduced together with the sheath into the outer shank.

It may be advantageous here if the functional layer sheath on the inside or the lining shank on the outside is provided with adhesive points, via which the functional layer shank is connected to the sheath after insertion of the sheath into the outer sheath and after insertion of the sheath into the sheath ,

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

Figur 1

den Querschnitt eines erfindungsgemäßen Schuhs,

Figur 2

den Querschnitt eines erfindungsgemäßen Schuhs mit angespritzter Laufsohle,

Figur 3

die Sicht auf einen Funktionsschichtschaft von unten, welcher aufgeschnitten und wieder zusammengenäht ist,

Figur 4

einen Ausschnitt des aufgeschnittenen und wieder zusammengenähten Funktionsschichtschafts gemäß Figur 3,

Figur 5

den Ausschnitt gemäß Figur 4, bei dem die Naht über einen Kleber auf einem Band abgedichtet ist,

Figur 6

den Querschnitt eines Schuhs, bei dem bei einem Funktionsschichtschaft der untere Teil entfernt und durch eine Brandsohle ersetzt ist.

Show it:

FIG. 1

the cross section of a shoe according to the invention,

FIG. 2

the cross section of a shoe according to the invention with molded outsole,

FIG. 3

the view of a functional layer shaft from below, which is cut open and sewn back together,

FIG. 4

3 a section of the cut-open and reassembled functional layer shaft according to FIG. 3,

FIG. 5

4 the cutout according to FIG. 4, in which the seam is sealed on a band by means of an adhesive,

FIG. 6

the cross section of a shoe, in which removed in a functional layer of the lower part and is replaced by an insole.

According to Figure 1, the shoe construction according to the invention of an outer shaft 1, a functional layer shaft 2, a feed shank 3 and a sole 5, which in the construction shown in Figure 1 is a glued outsole and in Figure 2 is a molded outsole. The functional layer shaft 2 is arranged between the outer shaft 1 and the feed shaft 3.

In the case of the footwear according to the invention, the upper edge of the outer shaft 1 can be folded over the upper edge of the functional layer shaft 2 and the upper edge of the feed shaft 3 and sewn over the seam 4. One of the preferred constructions of the footwear according to the invention is characterized in that the seam 4 is the only connection between functional layer shank and lining shank. This construction is particularly inexpensive to produce.

On the underside of the outer shaft with an outsole 5, preferably by gluing or sewing, connected. The adjacent areas of the functional layer shaft 2 and the outsole 5 can be connected to each other, for example by means of adhesives or seams. If the functional layer shaft 2 is sewn to the outsole 5, care must be taken that subsequently the seam is resealed, as described above.

According to FIG. 2, a molded shoe sole 6 is used in the shoe construction according to the invention. In this case, the material used to make the molded sole seals all seams present in the sole area and also penetrates between the spaces between outer shaft 1 and functional layer shaft 2 or other cavities that arise during manufacture. In this way, the lower part of the footwear is waterproofed. In this respect, even in the case when the functional layer shaft 2 is cut open at the bottom and re-sewn, the resulting seam of the functional layer shaft is sealed by the sole material.

Such seams in the functional layer shank also do not disturb the wearer of the shoe, since the functional layer shank is generally constructed from a very thin functional layer which, for example, has a thickness of 10 to 150 .mu.m, so that folds and seams are scarcely applied and thus absorbed by the forage shank ,

The materials of which the outer shaft 1, the functional layer shaft 2 and the feed shaft 3 are made are well known in the art. An enumeration of such materials is found, for example, in US 5,678,236.

The outer shaft may for example consist of leather, synthetic leather, textiles, fabrics, canvas, chintz, terry, velvet, Manchester velvet, corduroy, velveteen, muslin, satin, fur or similar materials.

For example, the lining can be made of terry, goatskin, sheepskin, cowhide, pork leather, velvet, camel hair, woven, knitted or woven material, cotton, wool, synthetic fibers or cellulosic material.

The outsole should be made of waterproof material such as rubber, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride and its derivatives, or mixtures of these materials.

The functional layer stem is made of a waterproof, water vapor permeable material and can be made, for example, from polymers capable of forming a microporous polymeric matrix as described, for example, in US 5,732,479. But there are also materials in question, which are not porous, but waterproof and permeable to water vapor. Suitable polymers for this purpose are polyolefins, polyethylene-propylene copolymers, polyethylene, terephthalate, polycaprolactam, polyvinylidene fluoride, polybutylene terephthalate, polyester copolymers, polytetrafluoroethylene and copolyetherester. However, the material of the functional layer shaft can also have multiple layers of different polymers. For example, a porous polytetrafluoroethylene film may comprise a second layer of polyurethane.

If the functional layer shank is produced by coating a mold, a multilayer functional layer sheath can also be produced there by first coating the form with a dispersion or solution with a polymer, curing the polymer and then coating the resulting film with a dispersion or solution coated second polymer and the polymer hardens and so on. A simple way to coat a mold can be achieved by dipping the mold in the dispersion or solution. If the layer is still too thin, the mold can be dipped several times until the layer has the desired thickness on the mold. Preferred thicknesses for the functional layer are 10 to 150 μm, preferably 40 to 100 μm.

A functional layer of Copolyetherester which material has become known under the trademark SYMPYTEX, is best suited for the shoe construction according to the invention.

According to Figure 3, a functional layer shaft 2 is shown from below, which has been cut line along the line 7. As shown in Figure 4, the cut edges 13a and 13b are sewn together via the seam 8. The cut edges can also be connected by gluing. If the cut edges are too long, they can be shortened easily by cutting. In this simple way, it is possible to easily adapt the functional layer shaft to different shoe sizes.

In FIG. 5, a seam according to FIG. 4 illustrates how such a seam can be effectively sealed by virtue of the adhesive comprising the cut edges 13a and 13b and thus closing the possibly existing gap between them. The adhesive may be covered by a band 9. In the field of processing waterproof, water-vapor-permeable functional layers, adhesive tapes, which consist of a band and a polymer layer thereon, wherein the polymer layer becomes liquid as a result of heat and functions as a dense adhesive, have proven to be very useful. The tapes can be easily ironed on the seam, for example with an iron.

In a further embodiment according to FIG. 6, the sole region of the functional layer shaft is cut out and replaced by an insole 11. The insole 11 is connected to the functional layer shaft via a seam 12, so that in this embodiment the functional layer 2 together with the insole forms the functional layer upper. Insofar as waterproofness is also required in the area of the insole, the insole may consist of a watertight and possibly water vapor permeable material. In this case, the seam 12 should be sealed watertight. Also in this way it is possible to adapt the function layer shaft to different shoe sizes through the use of different sized insoles.

Claims (22)

1. Waterproof, water vapor permeable shoe construction including an exterior upper (1), a waterproof, water vapor permeable functional-layer upper (2), a lining upper (3), and a sole (5), wherein both the waterproof, water vapor permeable functional-layer upper (2) and the lining upper (3) are in the shape of a sock and inserted separately into the shoe, characterized in that the waterproof, water vapor permeable functional-layer upper (2) consists exclusively of one or more functional layers and does not contain a textile fabric.
2. Shoe construction according to Claim 1, characterized in that the functional-layer upper (2) and lining upper (3) are joined to the exterior upper (1) only at a top opening of the shoe construction through which a foot is inserted.
3. Shoe construction according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the exterior upper (1) at the top opening is folded over the functional-layer upper (2) and lining upper (3) in order to form the joint of the functional-layer upper (2) and lining upper (3).
4. Shoe construction according to one or more of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the functional-layer upper (2) is composed of individual pieces that are joined via seams and the seams are sealed.
5. Shoe construction according to one or more of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the functional-layer upper (2) is seamless.
6. Shoe construction according to Claim 5, characterized in that the functional-layer upper (2) is produced by dipping a foot-shaped form into a polymer-containing dispersion or solution.
7. Shoe construction according to Claim 6, characterized in that an initially seamless functional-layer upper (2) is cut open in the sole area and the cut edges are joined via a seam (8).
8. Shoe construction according to one or more of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the functional-layer upper (2) is joined to an insole (11).
9. Shoe construction according to Claim 8, characterized in that the functional-layer upper (2) is joined to the insole (11) via a seam (12).
10. Shoe construction according to one or more of Claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the seams are sealed by coating them with a dispersion or solution containing a waterproof polymer.
11. Shoe construction according to Claim 10, characterized in that the polymer contained in the dispersion or solution is selected from the same group as the polymer from which the functional-layer upper (2) is made.
12. Shoe construction according to Claim 11, characterized in that the polymer contained in the dispersion or solution is waterproof and water vapor permeable after coating.
13. Shoe construction according to one or more of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the functional-layer upper (2) is joined to the lining upper (3).
14. Shoe construction according to Claim 13, characterized in that the functional-layer upper (2) is joined to the lining upper (3) in a separable manner.
15. Shoe construction according to Claim 13, characterized in that the functional-layer upper (2) is joined to the lining upper (3) via a plurality of gluing points.
16. Shoe construction according to Claim 15, characterized in that the gluing points can be activated by heat.
17. Shoe construction according to one or more of Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the functional-layer upper (2) is joined to the sole (5).
18. Shoe construction according to Claim 17, characterized in that the functional-layer upper (2), exterior upper (1), and sole (5) are joined together.
19. Shoe construction according to Claim 18, characterized in that the functional-layer upper (2), exterior upper (1), and sole (5) are joined via a seam and the seam is sealed.
20. Shoe construction according to one or more of Claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the exterior upper (1) and functional-layer upper (2) are joined to an injection-molded sole (6).
21. Method for manufacturing a waterproof, water vapor permeable shoe, characterized by the following steps:

    - manufacturing the exterior upper (1),

    - manufacturing a waterproof, water vapor permeable functional-layer upper (2) that consists exclusively of one or more functional layers, does not contain a textile fabric, and has the shape of a sock,

    - manufacturing a lining upper (3) in the shape of a sock,

    - inserting the functional-layer upper (2) into the exterior upper (1),

    - inserting the lining upper (3) into the functional-layer upper (2),

    - applying the sole (5) from underneath.
22. Method according to Claim 21, characterized in that the inside of the functional-layer upper (2) has gluing points via which the functional-layer upper (2) is joined to the lining upper (3) after inserting the functional-layer upper (2) into the exterior upper (1) and the lining upper (3) into the functional-layer upper (2).

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