EP1622476A1

EP1622476A1 - Waterproof footwear and method for production therof

Info

Publication number: EP1622476A1
Application number: EP04731167A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Franz Haimerl
Original assignee: WL Gore and Associates GmbH; WL Gore and Associates Inc
Current assignee: WL Gore and Associates GmbH; WL Gore and Associates Inc
Priority date: 2003-05-13
Filing date: 2004-05-05
Publication date: 2006-02-08
Also published as: EP1913829A1; DE10321491A1; CN100488396C; WO2004100692A1; CN1787754A; EP2263489A1; KR20050123506A; US20070101610A1; US20130061405A1; KR100666025B1; US20130055591A1

Abstract

Footwear, comprising an upper (13), made from an upper material (17) with an upper material end region (27) on the sole side and a waterproof functional layer (19), with a functional layer end region (23), arranged on the inner side of the upper material (17), an inner sole (15) and a connecting device (25), connecting the upper material end region (27) to the inner sole (15), which leaves a separation (33), running around at least a part of the circumference of the upper between the upper material end region (27) and the inner sole (15), such that the connection device (25) may be run through on application of a liquid sealing material (37; 39). The functional layer end region (23) extends at least into the region of the connecting device (25) and is sealed in a watertight manner by the sealing material (37; 39) reaching the functional layer (19) through the connecting device (25) on production of the footwear.

Description

Waterproof footwear and process for making it

The invention relates to footwear with a shaft which is constructed with an upper material and with a waterproof functional layer arranged on the inside of the upper material, a sole-side upper material end area being connected to an insole and a sole-side functional layer end area being sealed with a sealing material leading to water resistance. An example of such footwear is known from the applicant's EP 0 298 360 B1.

The invention also relates to a method for producing such footwear.

In the footwear according to EP 0 298 360 B1, the upper material end area ends at a predetermined distance from an insole serving as an insole, this distance being bridged by a mesh band through which liquid material can flow, from which one long side to the upper material end area and the other long side to the insole is sewn on. A functional layer end on the sole side extends down to the insole and is also sewn to it. This known footwear has a molded outsole. When the outsole is molded on, the net band is penetrated by liquid outsole material, as a result of which the outsole of the functional layer is flowed against by such outsole material, which, after curing, brings about a watertight sealing of the functional layer in the functional layer end region. With this so-called mesh tape solution, which has proven itself very well, it has been possible to achieve a particularly high and reliable waterproofness of breathable shoes.

The sewing of the net tape on its two long sides requires a certain effort with a corresponding cost sequence. In addition, in places where the insole has a small radius of curvature, especially in children's shoes, it is not always easy to sew the net tape without wrinkles.

The present invention provides footwear with which such problems can be overcome, which is inexpensive, which is easier to handle even in places with a small radius of curvature and which leads to good water resistance.

The invention provides footwear according to claim 1, which can be manufactured according to claim 19. Embodiments of the footwear according to the invention and of the method according to the invention are given in the dependent claims.

Footwear according to the invention comprises a shaft which is constructed with an upper material having a sole-side upper material end area and with a waterproof functional layer arranged on the inside of the upper material and having a sole-side functional layer end area. In addition, such footwear has an inner sole and a connecting device which connects the upper material end area to the inner sole and which, around at least part of the circumference of the upper, allows a distance between the upper material end area and the inner sole such that liquid sealing material can flow through it when it is applied. The functional layer end area extends at least into the area of the connection device and is watertightly sealed from the sealing material that came through the connecting device during the manufacture of the footwear.

In the method according to the invention, footwear of the type mentioned is produced in that the upper material end region is connected to the inner sole by means of a connecting device which runs around at least part of the circumference of the upper in such a way that a distance through which liquid can flow can be established between the upper material end region and the inner sole that the functional layer end area is designed such that it extends at least into the area of the connecting device, and that while the upper material end area and the insole are kept at a distance from one another through which liquid can flow, onto the outside of the connecting device sealing material which is in the liquid state and leads to watertightness is applied in such a way that it flows through the liquid-permeable connecting device to the functional layer end region.

The functional layer end area is formed such that the sealing material flows against a surface area of the functional layer, only a cut edge of the functional layer, or both.

In one embodiment of the invention, a lining is arranged on the inside of the functional layer, which is either a separate lining layer or a lining layer connected to the functional layer to form a laminate.

In embodiments of the invention, the insole is an insole or another material that closes the shaft at its end on the sole side, for example an midsole or a sealing plate (gasket). 90

In one embodiment of the invention, the connection device is formed by a seam-like or seam-like connection device.

In one embodiment of the invention, the connecting device is formed by an expandable seam, which is either loosely sewn so that liquid sealing material can flow through it at least in a tensioned or stretched state, or which is sewn with a stretchable thread, so that the upper part of the upper material on the sole side and the insole during the manufacture of the footwear can be brought to such a distance from one another by stretching the yarn that liquid sealing material can flow through the stretched seam. The stretchable yarn can be an elastically stretchable yarn or a non-elastically stretchable yarn.

In one embodiment of the invention, the connecting device is formed by 105 a strobe seam, which is either loosely sewn or sewn with stretchable thread. However, other types of seams are also suitable, for example a quilted seam or a cross seam, which are loosely sewn or sewn with stretchable thread.

110 However, a connecting device according to the invention need not be formed by a sewing seam. Other types of connecting devices are also suitable, as long as they only form a connection through which liquid material can flow, between the upper material and the insole. Examples of non-sewn connecting devices suitable for the invention are adhesive threads or adhesive strips.

115 fen, which are glued to the upper and the inner sole, loops or individual rings, which are connected to the upper and the inner sole, or staple-like connecting elements, which are connected to the upper and the inner sole. In the case of footwear with a connecting device according to the invention in the form of a seam, only a single connecting seam is required in the area of the connection between the upper material and the insole, which is also completely unproblematic even in those places where the insole has a small radius of curvature. Everything compared to footwear with conventional

125 seam, as is shown, for example, in FIG. 1 of the already mentioned EP 0 298 360 B1, the seam is to be designed in such a way that liquid material can flow through it, that is to say there is a distance between the upper material and the insole or (for example, by stretching) through which a zone of the functional

130 onsschicht flowable with liquid sealing material and is therefore sealable with the sealing material.

In the case of a connecting device according to the invention in the form of a sewn seam, this means that the sewing material used for producing this seam

135 machine only needs to be set so that it creates a seam through which liquid material can flow, or that stretchable thread is sewn with a conventional and conventionally set sewing machine and this is stretched when liquid sealing material is applied in such a way that the zone of the functional layer mentioned by the liquid sealing material can be flowed through through the stretched seam.

A seam according to the invention therefore means no more effort than is required for a conventional seam, for example for the prior art footwear shown in FIG. 1 of the mentioned EP 0 298 360 B1. The labor costs for producing a seam according to the invention are thus not higher than for producing the seam of footwear of the prior art mentioned. In one embodiment of the invention, the functional layer area on the sole side is glued to the inner sole.

In one embodiment of the invention, in addition to the connecting device, an essentially non-expandable fixed seam is provided, by means of which the sole-side functional layer end area is connected to the insole, but not to the sole-side upper material end area.

In one embodiment of the invention, the fixed seam is formed by a strobe seam.

160 In one embodiment of the invention, the upper material ends at a predetermined distance above the insole, if the distance between the upper material and the insole is bridged by a material strip that is impermeable to sealing material or liquid sole material, the material strip is connected to the upper material by means of an upper seam and by means of a lower one Seam with the

165 functional layer and / or connected to the insole and at least the upper of the two seams forms a flow-through connecting device in the form of a seam which can be expanded as a result of loose sewing or sewing with stretchable yarn.

170 The sealing material can either be sole material, in particular outsole material of a molded outsole, or a sealing adhesive that is liquid when applied or that can be liquefied after activation by activation. In one embodiment of the invention, a reactive hot-melt adhesive is used as the sealing adhesive, which in the fully reacted state

175 particularly high and permanent watertightness of the sealing point leads.

On the one hand, reactive hot-melt adhesive has a particularly high creeping ability in the liquid state before it fully reacts, and on the other hand it leads to stood for a particularly high and permanent waterproofness. The reactive hotmelt adhesive can be applied using very simple means, for example brushing on, spraying on or applying in the form of an adhesive strip or a bead of adhesive, the reactive hotmelt adhesive being able to become adhesive by heating and thereby being able to be fixed in the area to be sealed before the reaction takes place and with it accompanying permanent bonding begins with the 185 functional layer.

The bonding of the reactive hot melt adhesive or other sealing material to the functional layer becomes particularly intimate when the reactive hot melt adhesive or the other sealing material is applied to the connection after it has been applied.

190 band presses mechanically against the functional layer. A pressing device, e.g. in the form of a pressure pad, with a smooth material surface that cannot be wetted by the reactive hot melt adhesive or the other sealing material and therefore does not stick to the reactive hot melt adhesive or the other sealing material, for example from

195 non-porous polyterafluoroethylene (also known under the trade name Teflon), silicone or PE (polyethylene). A pressure pad, for example in the form of a rubber cushion or air cushion, the pressure surface of which is covered with a film of one of the materials mentioned, for example non-porous polytetrafluoroethylene, is preferably used for this purpose, or one arranges

200 the pressing process between the sole structure provided with the reactive hot-melt adhesive or the other sealing material and the pressing pad on such a film.

A moisture-curable reactive hot-melt adhesive 205 is preferably used, which is applied to the area to be bonded and exposed to moisture in order to react completely. In one embodiment of the invention, a thermally activatable and moisture-curable reactive hot-melt adhesive is Used material that is thermally activated, applied to the area to be glued and exposed to moisture to react fully.

210

Reactive hot-melt adhesives are adhesives that, before they are activated, consist of relatively short molecular chains with an average molecular weight in the range from approximately 3000 to approximately 5000 g / mol, are non-adhesive and, if necessary after thermal activation, are brought into a reaction state

215, in which the relatively short molecular chains cross-link to long molecular chains and thereby harden, mainly in a humid atmosphere. In the reaction or curing period, they are adhesive. After curing, they cannot be reactivated. When fully reacting, there is a three-dimensional cross-linking of molecular chains. The three-dimensional

220 nal networking leads to a particularly strong protection against the penetration of water into the adhesive.

Suitable for the purpose according to the invention are e.g. Reactive polyurethane hot melt adhesives, resins, aromatic hydrocarbon resins, aliphatic hydrocarbon resins and condensation resins, e.g. in the form of epoxy resin.

Polyurethane hot melt adhesives are particularly preferred, hereinafter referred to as PU reactive hot melt adhesives.

230 In a practical embodiment of the footwear according to the invention, a PU reactive hot-melt adhesive is used, which is sold under the name IPATHERM S 14/242 by H.P. Filler is available in Wels, Austria. In another embodiment of the invention, a PU reactive hot-melt adhesive is used, which is sold under the name Macroplast QR 6202 by Henkel AG,

235 Dusseldorf, Germany. In one embodiment, in which the connecting device according to the invention is formed by a sewing seam, monofilament sewing thread is used which has a yarn diameter which is comparatively small compared to multifilament sewing thread, so that more surface area of the functional layer zone located in the area of the connecting device is flowed against by liquid sealing material than with multifilament sewing thread with a larger thread diameter. In addition, with monofilament sewing thread there is no risk of multifilament sewing thread that water is conducted along the sewing thread as a result of capillary action.

245

Sewing machines, by means of which a connecting seam according to the invention can be produced by loose sewing, are available under the name Strobel machines from the Strobel company in Munich, Germany.

250 monofilament sewing threads, which are well suited for the production of a connecting device according to the invention, are available under the name Transfil from Amann & Sons GmbH & Co. KG, D-74357 Bönnigheim, Germany. A suitable stretchable yarn for a connecting device according to the invention is one from the mentioned company Amann under the name Serafil 40/3.

255 durable thread that has a non-destructive stretch of 25%.

In one embodiment of the invention, a functional layer that is not only impermeable to water but also permeable to water vapor is used. This enables the production of waterproof shoes that remain breathable despite being waterproof.

Suitable materials for the waterproof, water vapor-permeable functional layer are, in particular, polyurethane, polypropylene and polyester, including polyether esters and their laminates, as are described in the publications US Pat. No. 4, 725,418 265 and US Pat. No. 4,493,870. However, stretched microporous polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), as described for example in US Pat US-A-3,953,566 and US-A-4, 187,390 and stretched polytetrafluoroethylene, which is provided with hydrophilic impregnating agents and / or hydrophilic layers; see, for example, 270 US-A-4,194,041. A microporous functional layer is understood to mean a functional layer whose average pore size is between approximately 0.2 m and approximately 0.3 m.

Pore size can be measured using the Coulter Porometer (brand name) 275, manufactured by Coulter Electronics, Inc., Hialeath, Florida, USA.

A functional layer is regarded as "watertight", possibly including seams provided on the functional layer, if it guarantees a water inlet pressure of at least 1 × 10 ⁴ Pa. Preferably grant

280 the functional layer material has a water inlet pressure of over 1x10 ^S Pa. The water inlet pressure is to be measured according to a test procedure in which distilled water is applied at 20 + 2 ° C to a sample of 100 cm ^{2 of} the functional layer with increasing pressure. The pressure rise of the water is 60 + 3 cm Ws per minute. The water inlet pressure then corresponds to that

285 Pressure at which water first appears on the other side of the sample. Details of the procedure are given in the ISO standard 081 1 from 1981.

A functional layer is regarded as "permeable to water vapor" if it has a water vapor permeability number Ret of less than 150 m2χPaχW-1. The water vapor permeability is tested according to the Hohenstein skin model. This test method is described in DIN EN 31092 (02/94) and ISO 1 1092 (1993).

295 Whether a shoe is waterproof can be tested, for example, with a centrifuge arrangement of the type described in US Pat. No. 5,329,807. If ePTFE is used as the functional layer, the reactive hot-melt adhesive can penetrate into the pores of this functional layer during the adhesive process, which

300 leads to a mechanical anchoring of the reactive hot melt adhesive in this functional layer. The functional layer consisting of ePTFE can be provided with a thin polyurethane layer on the side with which it comes into contact with the reactive hot melt adhesive during the gluing process. When using PU reactive hot melt adhesive in connection with such a functional

305 layer there is not only a mechanical connection but also a chemical connection between the PU reactive hot melt adhesive and the PU layer on the functional layer. This leads to a particularly intimate bond between the functional layer and the reactive hot melt adhesive, so that a particularly permanent watertightness is ensured.

310

The extent of the end of the functional layer on the sole relative to the upper end of the upper material and / or the inner sole can be adapted to the requirements of the particular special footwear. All that is required for the functioning of the invention is that the functional layer end 315 on the sole side extends at least into the region of the connecting device, so that sealing material flowing through the connecting device can strike the functional layer and seal it.

The minimum distance that the connecting device should or should allow during the application 320 of liquid sealing material depends on the viscosity of the liquid sealing material and on the pressure with which the liquid sealing material is applied. The lower the viscosity and the higher the pressure, the smaller this distance can be. In embodiments of the invention, the distance between the upper material end and the inner sole, which the connecting device has or permits, is in the range from approximately 1/10 mm to approximately 12 mm. In practical embodiments, the distance is between Upper material end and insole in the range of 1 mm to 6 mm, in a more narrowly specified case between 1 mm and 4 mm. For sealing material that has a particularly low viscosity in the liquid state and that has a relatively high viscosity

330 pressure is sprayed on, a distance between the connecting unit that is less than 2 mm and is, for example, in the range of 0.1 mm to 1 mm. Since the flow against a relatively small area of the functional layer can already be sufficient to seal it with the sealing material, the distance which the connecting device has or permits needs

335 not to be much more than 2 mm in many practical embodiments. A much larger distance, for example in the range of 4 to 5 mm or higher, will be desirable at most if sealing material is applied with low pressure, which has a comparatively high viscosity in the liquid state.

340

Leather or textile fabrics, for example, are suitable as upper material. The textile fabrics can be, for example, woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, knitted fabrics, fleece or felt. These textile fabrics can be made from natural fibers, for example from cotton or viscose, from synthetic fibers, for example from polyesters, polyamides, polypropylenes or polyolefins, or from mixtures of at least two such materials.

When using a functional layer, a lining material is normally arranged on the inside. The same materials are suitable as the lining material, which is often 350 bonded to the functional layer to form a functional layer laminate, as previously specified for textile upper material. The functional layer laminate can also have more than two layers, it being possible for there to be a textile backing on the side of the functional layer lying away from the lining layer.

355 The outsole of footwear according to the invention can consist of waterproof material such as rubber or plastic, for example polyurethane, or of non-waterproof but breathable material such as leather in particular, of leather provided with rubber or plastic inlays or of leather with

360 tarsia rubber or plastic. In the case of non-waterproof outsole material, the outsole can be made waterproof, while maintaining the breathability, by providing a waterproof, water vapor-permeable functional layer at least in places where the sole structure has not already been made waterproof by other measures

365 is provided.

In the case of a molded-on sole, for example outsole, as the sealing material, this can be made of polyurethane (PU), for example.

370 The insole of footwear according to the invention can be made of viscose, fleece, e.g. Polyester fleece, to which melt fibers can be added, leather or glued leather fibers. An insole is available under the name Texon Insole from Texon Mockmuhl GmbH in Mockmuhl, Germany. Insoles made from such materials are permeable to water. An insole made of such or

375 further material can be made watertight by arranging a layer of watertight material on one of its surfaces or in its interior. For this purpose e.g. a foil with cap material V25 from Rhenoflex in Ludwigshafen, Germany, is ironed on. If the insole is not only waterproof but also permeable to water vapor, it is

380 ner waterproof, water vapor permeable functional layer, which is preferably constructed with ePTFE (expanded, microporous polytetrafluoroethylene). A laminate that contains a waterproof, water vapor-permeable functional layer and is marketed under the trade name TOP DRY by W.L. Gore & Associates GmbH, Putzbrunn, Germany,

385 is available. Another possibility is to glue such laminate (TOP DRY) onto the insole, whereby the upper is made watertight even before an outsole is applied.

390

The invention will now be explained in more detail by means of embodiments. The drawings show, as highly schematic, not to scale representations of part of a shoe, for example in the forefoot area of the shoe:

395

1 shows a sectional illustration of a first embodiment of a shoe designed according to the invention before it is clamped onto a last;

4oo Figure 2 is a sectional view as in Figure 1, but after the shoe has been stretched onto a last;

Fig. 3 is a representation corresponding to FIG. 2, but after

Applying sealing material in the form of an adhesive;

405

4 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 2, but after the injection of a sole as a sealing material;

5 shows a sectional illustration of a second embodiment of a shoe designed according to the invention after a first seam has been produced and before this shoe is clamped onto a last;

FIG. 6 shows a sectional illustration as in FIG. 5, but after the shoe 415 has been clamped onto a last for the first time; 7 shows a sectional view as in FIG. 5, but after the shoe has been removed from the last and a second seam has been produced;

420

FIG. 8 shows a sectional view as in FIG. 6, but after the shoe has been stretched onto a last a second time;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of a 425 shoe according to the invention after this on a

Last has been stretched; and

10 shows a sectional illustration of a fourth embodiment of a shoe designed according to the invention after it has been clamped onto a 430 last.

All figures show a highly schematic sectional view of a part of an incomplete shoe with a cross section in the forefoot area.

435 In all embodiments, manufacturing phases are shown in the figures before the shoe is stretched on a last and manufacturing phases after the shoe is stretched on a last. If one speaks of shoe here, then although this shoe is not yet completely finished, since with the exception of the illustration in FIG. 4, at least the outsole

440 is missing. If the insole shown in the figures is an insole, the outsole is attached to it, either by gluing or by injection molding an outsole.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the invention, in which 445 a single seam is involved in the connecting device. Figures 3 and 4 These embodiments show two different variants of this embodiment, wherein in the case of FIG. 3 the functional layer is sealed by means of a sealing material, while in the case of FIG. 4 the sealing is carried out by means of a molded-on sole. Figures 5 to 10 show three further

450 re embodiments of the invention, in which two seams are used in the area of the connecting device. In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, as in all the previous embodiments, the lower end of the upper material is connected to an insole via a loosely sewn or an extensible one of the two seams. In the case of the embodiments shown in FIGS.

Between the two seams there is a strip of material that is attached to the lower end of the upper material by means of one of the two seams and to the insole by means of the other of the two seams. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the lower seam is tight and the upper seam is sewn loosely or stretchably. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, both seams are loose or stretchable

460 sewn.

Figures 1 to 4 show sectional views of a shoe 11 according to a first embodiment of the invention with a shaft 13 and an insole 15, which is, for example, an insole 15. The shaft 1 3 includes

465 an outer material 17, a waterproof functional layer 19 and a textile layer 21, which is, for example, a lining textile. The functional layer 19 is located between the upper material 17 and the textile layer 21. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the functional layer 19 and the textile layer 21 are attached to a functional layer end 23 on the sole side

470 a stretch seam 24 joined together. In another embodiment of such a shoe 11, not shown, the functional layer 19 and the textile layer 21 form parts of a functional layer laminate, the stretch seam 24 being eliminated. In the embodiment shown, the connecting device according to the invention is formed by a loosely sewn strobing seam 25

475 formed, which connects a sole-side upper material end 27 to the insole 15. In the embodiment shown, the sole-side upper material end 27 runs perpendicular to the insole 15, while the sole-side functional layered 23 and a lower sole-side textile layer end 29 are angled such that they extend parallel to the insole 15. However, this is not a requirement for the invention. In another embodiment, not shown, the sole on the textile layer end 29 and the functional layer end 23 also extend perpendicular to the insole 15.

1 shows a manufacturing phase before the shaft 13 3 closed with the insole 15 is stretched over a last 31. FIG. 2 shows a manufacturing phase after the shaft 13 has been stretched over the strips 31. A comparison of the two FIGS. 1 and 2 shows that the loosely sewn strobe seam 25 is so flexible that when the shaft 1 3 is stretched over the lasts 31, a distance or gap 33 can arise between the upper material end 490 27 and the insole 15. As a comparison of the two Figures 1 and 2 also shows, the lower ends 23 and 29 of the functional layer 19 and textile layer 21 are designed such that they can be pushed down to the insole 15 when the shaft 13 is stretched over the last 31, so that in the In the area of the gap 33 on the outside of the functional layer 19, a functional layer 495 free zone 35 is formed, in which the functional layer 19 can be flowed through through the gap 33 with liquid sealing material 37, which leads to a watertight sealing of the functional layer 19 of the functional layer free zone 35.

500 In FIGS. 3 and 4, manufacturing phases of this embodiment are shown, which follow the manufacturing phase shown in FIG. 2 and differ from this in that 35 sealing material has been applied in the region of the functional layer free zone.

505 FIG. 3 shows a variant of this embodiment, in which sealing material in the form of liquid plastic or adhesive 37 has been applied in the area of the stretched and therefore liquid-permeable strobe seam 25 with such viscosity and with such pressure that the adhesive 37 has the functional Streak free zone 35 can flow and seal. In one embodiment of the 510 invention, the adhesive 37 is formed by a reactive hot-melt adhesive which leads to watertightness in the fully reacted state.

The sealing material applied only in the area of the gap 33 in the case of FIG. 3 can also be a flat sealing material which is made of a strip

515 plate-like adhesive material is cut out, and this is placed from the outside on the gap 33 and brought into a liquid and adhesive state with activation energy, for example thermal energy. For better wetting of the functional layer free zone 35 with the liquefied adhesive, a pressing device, which preferably consists of one of the

520 liquid adhesive non-wettable material or is coated with such material can be used to ensure that the liquefied adhesive 37 comes into intimate contact with the functional layer 19.

Fig. 4 shows a variant of this embodiment, in which the sealing material 525 is formed by sole plastic of a molded-on sole 39, the sole 39 being a molded-on outsole or a molded-on sole that does not itself serve as an outsole but instead as a support for an outsole, which is attached to the sole 39, for example by gluing or sewing. The sole 39 is cup-shaped and molded with such a 530 high side wall 41 that both the strobing seam 25 and the

Functional layer free zone 35 are covered by sole material. The sole material which is liquid during the injection is injected under such pressure that at least a part of the functional layer free zone 35 is flowed against by the liquid sole material and is thus sealed watertight.

535

In order to obtain a seal of the functional layer 19 in the end regions 23 on the sole side, it is neither necessary that the functional layer free zone 35 extends over the entire gap 33, nor is it necessary that the sole-side ge functional layer end 23 extends beyond the gap 33. To achieve sufficient sealing of the functional layer 19, it is sufficient that the functional layer end 23 extends into the gap 33. It is sufficient if the lower functional layer end 23 only extends so far into the gap 33 that a cut edge of the lower functional layer end 23 is located within the gap 33, so that sealing material 545 can flow against and flow around this cutting edge.

A second embodiment of the invention will now be considered with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. Insofar as there is a component match with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the same 550 reference numerals are used and reference can be made to the preceding explanations in connection with the first embodiment.

The second embodiment according to FIGS. 5 to 8 differs from the first embodiment essentially in that in the transition area

555, two seams are used between the shaft 13 and the insole 15, namely a fixed seam 26, by means of which the ends of the functional layer 19 and the textile layer 21 on the sole side are connected to the edge of the insole 15, which is, for example, an insole. The fixed seam 26 is not or only slightly stretchable. For example, it is a

560 strobe seam.

FIG. 5 shows a production phase after the fixed seam 26 has been formed. A sole-side end region 43 of the upper material 17 is folded away from the functional layer 19 and the insole 15 in order to have access to sewing the fixed seam 265.

FIG. 6 shows an illustration in which the shoe, which has been completed by the manufacturing stage shown, is clamped or inserted onto a last 31 has been. A comparison of FIGS. 5 and 6 shows that the fixed seam 26 only

570 has given way significantly. The illustration in FIG. 6 is only of a demonstrative nature. The last 31 is not in itself required at this stage in the manufacture of the shoe. Rather, immediately after the manufacturing stage shown in FIG. 5 according to FIG. 7, the end region 43 of the upper material 17 on the sole side can be folded down again, so that it is on the outside of the

575 functional layer 19 is present. Thereafter, in the same way as in the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4, a loose seam in the form of a loosely sewn and / or stretchable strobe seam 25 is produced, by means of which the sole-side end of the upper material 17 is sewn to the functional layer 19 and the insole 15. In the manufacturing stage thus achieved, the shoe is made according to

580 Figure 8 clamped on a last 31, which causes an expansion of the strobe seam 25, but not the fixed seam 26. As is already explained in connection with FIG. 2 for the first embodiment, this creates a gap 33 between the lower end of the upper material 17 and the insole 15, which exposes a functional layer free zone 35. The next steps

585 are then explained in exactly the same way as in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4. Through the gap 33 either a sealing material 37 is applied to the functional layer free zone 35 or when a sole is molded on, the then liquid sole material penetrates through the gap 33 to the functional layer free zone 35, so that the functional layer is sealed there.

590

There are footwear in which the sole-side lower end of the upper material 1 7 ends at a distance above the insole and this distance is bridged by an impermeable strip of material. FIGS. 9 and 10 show two embodiments for such footwear with a 595 connecting device according to the invention.

FIG. 9 shows such an embodiment with a material strip 45, the upper end of which is by means of a loose seam 25 at the lower end of the sole Upper material 17 and its lower end is sewn to the bottom end of the functional layer 19, the textile layer 21 and the edge of the insole 15 via a fixed seam 26. The loose seam 25 is again a seam, in the embodiment shown a strobe seam, which is loosely sewn and / or sewn with stretchable thread, so that it yields under tensile load. The fixed seam 26 is again a seam, at 605 the embodiment shown is a strobe seam, which does not give way or only insignificantly yields under tensile load.

FIG. 9 shows a manufacturing stage after both seams 25 and 26 have been manufactured and the shoe in the manufacturing stage then reached to one

610 strips 31 has been stretched. The fixed seam 26 essentially does not yield, while the loose seam 25 yields to such an extent due to the tensile force exerted by the insertion that there is a gap 33 between the lower end of the upper material 17 and the upper end of the material strip 45, in the area of which a functional layer free zone 35 arises. In the same way as in

615 has been explained in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4, sealing material can then pass through the gap 33 to the functional layer free zone 35 in order to seal it, which again can be pure sealing material or sole material with a sealing effect.

620 FIG. 10 shows a fourth embodiment which is very essential to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 and differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 only in that not only the seam 25a connected to the upper edge of the material strip 45 but also that to the lower one Edge 25 of the material strip 45 connected seam 25b is formed as a loose seam by

625 it is loosely sewn and / or sewn with stretchable thread. After the shoe in the production stage shown has been stretched, both seams 25a and 25b stretch, so that two gaps 33a and 33b are formed, in the areas of which two functional layer free zones 35a and 35b are formed, which are formed by Application of sealing material or penetration of liquid sole material 630 can be sealed in the manner as has already been explained in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4.

In one embodiment of the invention, the connecting device runs; in the embodiments shown in the figures, the strobe seam 25 or the

635 strobe seams 25, 25a, 25b, 26 around the entire lower shaft circumference. In other embodiments of the invention, the connecting device only rotates around a part of the shaft circumference, while a different technology is used for the remaining part of the lower shaft circumference. For example, the connecting device according to the invention is only at those points of the

640 shaft circumference is provided, on which the shaft circumference has a particularly small radius of curvature, as is the case in particular in the toe and heel region of shoes, particularly in the case of children's shoes. Bootie technology is an example of another technology that can be used in the remaining area of the shaft circumference. A bootie is one

645 sock-like insert, which is a waterproof and water vapor permeable

Contains functional layer and is arranged on the inside of the upper and the sole structure as a lining-like lining. When using bootie technology, in the case of a shoe in which a connecting device according to the invention is used in a partial area of the circumference of the shaft,

650 only the remaining area of the shaft circumference is provided with a booty-like structure.

In the embodiments shown in the figures, the flow through the strobe seam 25 or the strobe seams 25a, 25b is ensured by 655 sewing them loosely. As already mentioned, in other embodiments of the invention, the flow through the seam or seams is achieved by sewing them with stretchable thread. The same Before effects are achieved, for example, using a lockstitch seam or a zigzag seam sewn loosely or with stretchable thread.

Claims

660 claims

1. Footwear, comprising: a shaft (13), which with an upper material end region 665 (27) having a sole-side upper material (1 7) and with one on the inside of the

The upper material (17) is arranged and has a waterproof functional layer (19) with a functional layer end region (23) on the sole side; an insole (15); and a connecting device (25; 25a, 25b) which connects the upper material end region (27) to the inner sole (15) and which, at least around a part of the shaft circumference, has such a distance (circumferential between the upper material end region (27) and the inner sole (15) 33; 33a, 33b) allows the connection device (25; 25a, 25b) to be flowed through by liquid sealing material (37; 39) when applied; 675 wherein the functional layer end region (23) extends at least into the region of the connecting device (25; 25a, 25b) and from sealing material (37) that reaches the functional layer (19) through the connecting device (25; 25a, 25b) during the manufacture of the footwear ; 39) is sealed watertight.

680

2. Footwear according to claim 1, in which the connecting device (25; 25a, 25b) runs around the entire circumference of the upper.

3. Footwear according to claim 1, wherein the connecting device (25; 685 25a, 25b) only rotates around a part of the circumference of the upper.

4. Footwear according to one of claims 1 to 3, with a seam-like or seam-like connecting device (25; 25a, 25b).

690 5. Footwear according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the connecting device (25; 25a, 25b) is formed by an expandable seam.

6. Footwear according to claim 5, wherein the connecting device (25; 25a, 25b) is formed by a loosely sewn seam.

695

7. Footwear according to claim 5 or 6, in which the connecting device (25; 25a, 25b) is formed by a seam sewn with stretchable thread.

8. Footwear according to one of claims 5 5 to 7, in which the seam is formed by 700 a strobing seam (25; 25a, 25b), a quilting seam or a cross seam.

9. Footwear according to one of claims 1 to 8, with a molded-on sealing layer made of liquid when molded, by the connecting device

705 tung (25; 25a, 25b) compact sealing material (39).

10. Footwear according to claim 9, with a molded outsole, wherein the sealing material (39) is formed by liquid outsole material when molded.

710

1 1. Footwear according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the sealing material (37) is formed by plastic.

12. Footwear according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the sealing 715 material (37) is formed by adhesive.

13. Footwear according to claim 12, in which the sealing material (37) is applied to the connecting device (25; 25a, 25b), in the fully reacted Reactive hot melt adhesive leading to water resistance is formed 720.

14. Footwear according to one of claims 1 to 1 3, with a waterproof and water vapor-permeable functional layer (19).

725 15. Footwear according to one of the preceding claims, in which the functional layer end region (23) on the sole side is glued to the insole (15).

16. Footwear according to one of the preceding claims, in which, in addition to the connecting device (25; 25a, 25b), a substantially non-expandable fixed seam (26) is provided, by means of which the functional layer end region (23) on the sole side with the insole (15 ), but is not connected to the sole-side upper material end region (27).

735 1 7. Footwear according to claim 16, in which the fixed seam (26) is formed by a strobing seam.

18. Footwear according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper (1 7) at a predetermined distance above the insole

740 (15) ends, the distance between the upper material (1 7) and the insole (15) is bridged by a material strip (45) impermeable to sealing material (37) or liquid sole material (39), the material strip (45) by means of an upper seam ( 25, 25a) with the upper material (17) and by means of a lower seam (25b; 26) with the functional layer (19) and / or with the

745 insole (15) is connected and at least the upper (25; 25b) of the two

Seams form a flow-through connection device in the form of a seam which can be expanded as a result of looser sewing or sewing with stretchable yarn.

19. Method for the production of footwear with a shaft (1 3) which has an upper material (1 7) with an upper material end region (27) on the sole side and an upper end layer (1) arranged on the inside of the upper material (1). 23) having a waterproof functional layer (19), and with an inner sole (15), with the following method steps:

755 a) the upper material end region (27) is connected to the inner sole (15) by means of a connecting device (25; 25a, 25b) which runs around at least part of the circumference of the shaft in such a way that between the upper material end region (27) and the inner sole (15) a distance (33; 33a, 33b) through which liquid can flow can be established;

760 b) the functional layer end region (23) is designed in such a way that it extends at least into the region of the connecting device (25; 25a, 25b); c) during the upper material end region (27) and the inner sole (15) via the connecting device (25; 25a, 25b) at a distance (33; 33a, 33b)

765 are held apart, a sealing material (37; 39), which is in a liquid state and leads to water resistance, is applied to the outside of the connecting device (25; 25a, 25b) such that it passes through the liquid-permeable connecting device (25; 25a, 25b) flows to the functional layer end region (23).

770

20. The method according to claim 19, in which the connecting device (25; 25a, 25b) is produced all around the entire circumference of the shaft.

21st Method according to claim 19, in which the connecting device (25; 775 25a, 25b) is produced only around a part of the circumference of the shaft.

22. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the connecting device (25; 25a, 25b) is designed as a seam-like or seam-like connecting device (25; 25a, 25b).

780

23. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the connecting device (25; 25a, 25b) is formed by an expandable seam.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the connecting device (25; 785 25a, 25b) is formed by a loosely sewn seam.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein the connecting device (25; 25a, 25b) is formed by a seam sewn with stretchable thread.

790 26. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 25, wherein the seam is formed by a strobing seam, a quilting seam, a cross seam or a zigzag seam.

27. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 26, in which as the sealing material 795 (39) a sealing layer to be molded on is formed from liquid sealing material (39) that can be penetrated by the connecting device (25; 25a, 25b).

28. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 26, for the manufacture of footwear with a molded-on sole, in which the sealing material (39) is formed by sole material which is liquid during injection and which penetrates through the connecting device (25; 25a, 25b).

29. The method according to claim 28, for the manufacture of footwear with a molded-on 805 outsole, in which the sealing material (39) is formed by outsole material which is liquid when molded on.

30. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 26, in which a plastic is used as the sealing material (37).

810

31. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 26, in which an adhesive is used as the sealing material (37).

32. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 31, in which the 815 functional layer end region (23) on the sole side is glued to the insole (15).

33. Method according to one of claims 19 to 31, in which, in addition to the connecting device (25; 25a, 25b), a substantially non-expandable fixed seam (26) is produced, by means of which the sole-side functional

820 layer end region (23) with the insole (15), but not with the sole-side upper material end region (27).

34. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 33, wherein the upper material (1 7) ends at a predetermined distance above the insole (15)

825, the distance between the upper (17) and the insole (15) is bridged by a material strip (45) impermeable to sealing material (37) or liquid sole material (39), the material strip (45) by means of an upper seam (25, 25a) with the upper material (1 7) and by means of a lower seam (25b; 26) with the functional layer (19) and / or with the

830 insole (15) is connected and at least the upper (25; 25b) of the two seams is formed by a flowable connecting device in the form of a seam which can be expanded as a result of loose sewing or sewing with stretchable yarn.

835