EP2296502A1

EP2296502A1 - Sole unit for footwear

Info

Publication number: EP2296502A1
Application number: EP09765634A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marc Peikert
Original assignee: WL Gore and Associates GmbH
Current assignee: WL Gore and Associates GmbH
Priority date: 2008-06-20
Filing date: 2009-06-19
Publication date: 2011-03-23
Also published as: CN102112019A; DE102008029296A1; KR101406269B1; US20110167678A1; JP2011524229A; KR20110031205A; DE202008009455U1; RU2493755C2; CN102112019B; KR20130127554A; JP5563566B2; CA2728053A1; CA2728053C; RU2011101902A; WO2009153054A1

Abstract

A water-vapour-permeable and water-permeable sole unit (15) for footwear (11), having at least one sole layer (25) with at least one large aperture (27) extending through the thickness thereof and at least two sheet-like formations arranged one on top of the other, which seal the at least one aperture and of which a first sheet-like formation has a textile water-vapour-permeable barrier layer (39) and a second sheet-like formation has a water-vapour-permeable decorative layer (45), which is arranged under the first sheet-like formation, at least in the region of the at least one aperture, and is visible from the underside of the sole layer (25) in the at least one aperture. A decorative layer (45) according to the invention allows the achievement of aesthetic and visual design possibilities for the appearance of the underside of the sole unit (15) that would either be prevented by the material of the fibrous layer (39) or could only be accomplished with the fibrous layer (39) with some difficulty.

Description

Sole unit for footwear

Footwear with a waterproof and water vapor permeable shaft has been available for a long time, so that such a footwear, despite being waterproof, can now give off sweat moisture in the shaft area. So that even in the sole region sweat moisture can escape, it has gone over to a sole structure, which has an outsole with through-thickness extending through openings and above a waterproof and water vapor permeable sole functional layer, for example in the form of a membrane. An example is shown in EP 0 382 904 A2, whose outsole has passage openings in the form of micro perforations, with a corresponding limitation of the water vapor permeability.

In order to get in view of the strong sweating tendency of the human foot to a higher water vapor permeability, it has gone over to provide the outsole with large compared to micro perforations through holes. From EP 0 275 644 A2, which shows an example of this, the teaching is known to make the passage openings as large as possible in order to achieve a particularly high water vapor permeability.

The larger the passage openings of the outsole, the greater the risk that a watertight membrane located above the passage openings of the outsole will be damaged by foreign bodies, such as pebbles, which penetrate the passage openings and thus be robbed of their watertightness. Therefore, EP 0 275 644 A2 provides that between the outsole with its passage openings and the membrane above it, a protective layer is arranged, for example, of a mesh or felt material, which prevents the foreign bodies passing through the through holes of the outsole from penetrating to the membrane.

Further examples with large through-holes of the outsole, in which the through-openings are protected against the penetration of water by means of a membrane. are closed to Schuhinnenraum and below the membrane is a protective layer which is to prevent the penetration of foreign bodies to the membrane, are known from WO 2004/028284 A1, WO 2006/010578 A1, WO 2007/147421 A1 and WO 2008/003375 A1 , In all these cases, on one side of the membrane, usually a film, a textile backing is laminated in the form of a fine knit fabric. An arranged between the membrane and through holes of the outsole net-like protective layer provides some protection against the penetration of foreign bodies to the membrane. To improve the protection for the membrane, a further protective layer is arranged between the membrane and the net-like protective layer, which is, for example, a felt layer. Thus, a double protection for the membrane is created, in which two superimposed layers are involved, each of which has a technical protection function.

The choice of materials for these layers as well as their thickness and puncture resistance values are to be adapted to the needs of the respective practical embodiment. This applies to the known solutions as well as for the solutions presented with the present invention.

Another example of very large sole openings is shown in WO 2007/101624 A1, according to which the large passage openings of the outsole are stabilized by means of stabilizing webs and / or stabilizing gratings. These wear in the through holes fitted water vapor permeable, textile material, such as felt-like material. The shoe sole composite constructed in this way is connected to a shaft whose shaft bottom is closed by a watertight and water vapor permeable shaft bottom functional layer, so that the entire shoe is waterproof and permeable to water vapor.

For the textile material is particularly suitable a fiber layer which has at least two fiber components which differ in their melting temperatures, wherein at least a portion of a first fiber component has a first melting temperature and an underlying first softening temperature range and at least a portion of a second fiber component second melting temperature and an underlying second softening temperature range and the first melting temperature and the first softening temperature range are higher than the second melting temperature and the second softening temperature range; and wherein the fiber layer is mechanically thermally solidified due to thermal activation of the second fiber component having an adhesive softening temperature in the second softening temperature range while maintaining water vapor permeability in the thermally consolidated region. In this case, either the passage opening or optionally a plurality of passage openings of the outsole may be closed with individual pieces of the textile material or all passage openings of the outsole are closed with a single piece of textile material.

In this known footwear, the textile material has two functions. On the one hand, it serves to stabilize the sole structure, in particular in view of the fact that an outsole with large openings itself can not sufficiently contribute to the stabilization of the sole structure. Because the textile material is formed on the one hand with a relatively high intrinsic stability, which benefits the entire stability of the sole structure. On the other hand, in the finished footwear, for example according to WO 2007/101624 A1, a waterproof, water-vapor-permeable membrane is provided over the sole structure, which is protected by the textile material from damage by foreign bodies such as stones which could damage the membrane.

Particularly suitable for the textile material are polymers which are selected, for example, from PES (polyester), polypropylene, PA (polyamide) and mixtures of polymers.

In one embodiment according to the already mentioned WO 2007/101624 A1, the textile material consists of a fiber composite in the form of a thermally bonded mechanically and additionally surface-bonded by thermal surface treatment fleece with two fiber components, which are each constructed with polyester fibers. Here, the first fiber component forms with the higher melting temperature, a carrier component of the fiber composite and forms the second fiber component with the lower melting temperature, a solidification component. In order to ensure a temperature stability of the entire fiber composite of at least 180 ⁰ C, and in view of the fact that footwear can be exposed to relatively high temperatures during its production, for example, when molding an outsole, in the considered embodiment for both fiber components polyester fibers with a more than 18O ⁰ C lying melting temperature used. There are several variations of polyester polymers that have different melting temperatures and, correspondingly, lower softening temperatures. In the embodiment under consideration, the felt-like material, a polyester polymer is selected having a melt temperature of about 23O ⁰ C for the first component, whereas for the second fiber component is a polyester polymer having a melting temperature of about 200 ⁰ C is selected. The second fiber component may be a core-sheath fiber, the core of this fiber consisting of a polyester having a softening temperature of about 23O ⁰ C and the sheath of this fiber of polyester having an adhesive softening temperature of about 200 ⁰ C. Such a fiber component with two fiber portions of different melting temperature is also referred to as "Bico". Further details of such textile material, which may be, for example, felt-like material, can be found in the aforementioned WO 2007/101624 A1.

The textile material which is particularly suitable for the two above-mentioned purposes, namely stabilization and membrane protection, has the disadvantage that its fibrous component serving as solidification component can not be satisfactorily or only insufficiently dyed with the lower melting temperature and therefore in the Fiber composite remains white, which gives the textile material overall an unsatisfactory appearance. This is disadvantageous because the textile material is visible through the large through holes of the outsole. The growing need to make the entire footwear and thus also the underside of his sole fashionable by also giving the underside of the sole structure a fashionably appealing appearance, in particular by speaking and varied color design, can therefore not be met with this textile material.

It is also known to seal large openings in a sole with other materials, for example, felt-like material consisting at least in part of aramid fibers such as KEVLAR. However, aramid fibers are not or only very poorly tintable, so that in this case too, the problems already described above occur.

For example, from the already mentioned WO 2006/010578 A1, it is known to close large sole openings with a net, for example made of nylon. Above this network is a membrane which can be connected on the side facing the net with a protective layer of felt material. A network consists of a mesh structure, which can be removed from the structure by external contact, especially when walking with a suitably trained mesh loops, which then hang around within the sole hole. Loose stitches and / or hanging fibers are not desirable visually and may reduce the safety of the shoe.

It is also conceivable that instead of the felt-like material, a textile fabric or knitted fabric is used, which also has the problem of Nichtdärbbarkeit due to the fibers used and also here individual fibers can be separated out of the fabric composite out.

In either case, either the non-dyeability of fibers used or minor damage to the fibrous structure may result in an unsatisfactory appearance of the material used and thus the shoe so equipped.

With the present invention, a sole unit for footwear is provided, which is a satisfactory and largely any fashionable design the underside of the sole structure in terms of color and patterning and material selection allows without seriously affecting the water vapor permeability of the sole unit or its barrier or protective function.

This is achieved with a sole unit according to the invention according to claim 1, with which inventive footwear according to claim 25 can be produced. Embodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

A sole unit according to the invention for footwear is permeable to water vapor and permeable to water and has at least one sole ply with at least one large opening extending through its thickness. It also has at least two superimposed sheets which close the at least one opening and of which a first fabric has a textile moisture vapor permeable barrier layer and a second fabric has a water vapor permeable decorative layer below the first fabric at least in the region of the at least one opening is arranged and visible from the bottom of the sole layer in the at least one opening.

In one embodiment of the invention, the barrier layer is constructed with a fiber layer having at least two fiber components differing in their melting temperatures, at least a portion of a first fiber component having a first melting temperature and a first softening temperature range thereunder and at least a portion of a first second fiber component has a second melting temperature and an underlying second softening temperature range and the first melting temperature and the first softening temperature range are higher than the second melting temperature and the second softening temperature range. The fiber layer is mechanically thermally hardened as a result of thermal activation of the second fiber component with an adhesive softening temperature lying in the second softening temperature range, while maintaining water. vapor permeability in the mechanically mechanically solidified area.

There may be various reasons for footwear with a sole unit, in particular the previously mentioned type, the visible from the bottom of the outsole through their large openings, also called openings, visible material of the sole unit at least partially by means of a decorative layer according to the invention.

The use according to the invention of such a decorative layer in the case of a sole unit with a fiber layer mentioned above is based on the recognition that the dyeing of the lower melting temperature fiber component serving as hardening component requires that this fiber component be heated to a temperature above the softening temperature of this fiber component Fiber component lies so that this fiber component can not be dyed. The situation is different with the other fiber component with the higher melting temperature. Their melting temperature is higher than the temperature required for dyeing. Dyeing is therefore possible only with respect to the fiber component having the higher melting temperature, but not with respect to the fiber component having the lower melting temperature, so that white spots within the fiber composite of the textile material can not be avoided, resulting in an aesthetically unattractive appearance.

This problem is met in a sole structure with such a fiber layer according to the invention that the unsatisfactory coloring of the textile material accepted and this textile material is preceded by a decor layer, which consists of material with appealing color or color, this material, for example, lattice-like or net-like is or consists of a perforated sheet or a textile material with high water vapor permeability, the water vapor permeability of the sole unit is thus hardly affected by the decorative layer. With the solution according to the invention, therefore, the less appealing appearance of the textile fiber layer can be hidden behind the decorative layer, which in the context of the text with substantially little impaired water vapor permeability. Tilmaterial explained limitation in terms of color or coloring is not subject. The decorative layer can therefore be dyed and designed independently and almost any fashionable ideas according to what is not possible for the textile material of the above-mentioned fiber layer. You can use for the decorative layer targeted materials that can be well dyed and / or patterned or have intrinsically attractive colors and / or patterns.

With the solution according to the invention, therefore, there is a technical requirement, namely a protective function, and an aesthetic requirement, namely an optically appealing appearance, thereby made easier to realize and also commercially attractive, that one can no longer achieve these two requirements with a single layer but tries to split it into two different layers, each of which can be tailored to its own specific needs and function. On the one hand, in the situation with the technical function, one no longer needs to make compromises in order to achieve at least a halfway appealing aesthetic impression. On the other hand, one can make the position with the aesthetic function almost exclusively according to this function, because it does not need to provide the technical function of the other situation.

There are other commercial advantages of the inventive decoupling of technical function, such as stabilization function, and aesthetic function. The technical function layer, for example the stabilizing layer, can be produced in standard color, so that it can be used for all shoes which are to be equipped with such a technically effective layer, which is very cost-effective. The situation with the aesthetic function, namely the decorative layer, can be selected from a standard range, which is also very cost-effective.

To use a decorative layer according to the invention, may also be advantageous for the case that materials should be available for both components of the thermally bonded fiber layer, which are not subject to the above-mentioned limitation in color or color. For example, that is thermally mechanically strengthened textile material of the fiber layer higher priced as materials that are suitable for the decorative layer. Particularly in the highly fashionable market segment of casual shoes, there is a strong trend to provide the same or different shoe models with different colors and patterns, for example, to appeal to different age groups with different fashion designs. If this need were met with differently dyed or patterned fiber layers, the respective shoe manufacturer would have to get and store correspondingly dyed and / or patterned different fiber layers. This would be disadvantageous not only from a logistical point of view both for the manufacturer of the fiber layers and for the shoe manufacturer but also in terms of higher purchasing costs for the shoe manufacturer due to the relatively small number of pieces per color and / or pattern type. The fact that when using the decorative layer, the appearance of the bottom of the sole unit is no longer determined by the Faserlagenmate- rial but by the appearance of the decorative layer, the shoe manufacturer can relate uniform fiber layer material and with regard to the visual and fashionable appearance of the appearance of the underside of the sole unit to concentrate the decor layer. The shoe manufacturer or, if he does not manufacture the soles for his shoes himself, can purchase material from the sole manufacturer in a targeted quantity and color scheme, as well as structure and material, or design himself in terms of color and color patterns, using materials from a larger number of suppliers can obtain the decorative layers desired by him, so that he can turn to different material manufacturers both in terms of pricing and in terms of the availability of different materials. Thus, irrespective of whether or not the material of the fiber layer can be dyed according to the desired ideas, it may be worth considering the optical design of the underside of the sole unit with regard to color and pattern with an additional decorative layer, in particular for the above-mentioned reasons of logistics, Diversity and under price aspects.

If the material for the decorative layer to be colored after its production, for example by spraying, screen printing or the like, just needs it care is taken that the dyeing or patterning is done in such a way that the stitches or other openings or pores of the material of the decorative layer remain open enough to maintain the desired water vapor permeability. Such a colored design with such means and methods would not be possible in a textile layer, in particular felt layer, which is visible in known cases through the through holes of the outsole. On the one hand, color patterns, in particular finely structured types, can not be produced with sufficient resolution on surfaces of textile materials such as felt. On the other hand, it is difficult to avoid that when applying paint by spraying or screen printing, the surfaces of such materials are added to a considerable extent, so that the desired water vapor permeability can no longer be realized. In addition, such techniques are relatively expensive. Embossing of textile materials leads to a non-uniform surface height, which in turn is disadvantageous when molding sole material, because then the flow of sole material in the textile layer is unpredictable.

A decorative layer according to the invention is particularly advantageous in an embodiment in which the fiber layer comprises two fiber components and for the second fiber component a material is used in which the softening temperature range of the second fiber component is below the temperature required for dyeing the second fiber component. Because in this case, the aesthetically unappealing appearance of the fiber layer with its white spots can only be concealed with a decorative layer according to the invention, so that the underside of the sole unit can nevertheless be made visually appealing.

In particular, in the case that shoes with a sole unit, which are provided with a decorative layer according to the invention, aimed at younger customers, achieved with the decorative layer "metal look" be attractive. Therefore, in one embodiment of the invention, the decorative layer is made of material that brings the appearance of metal with it. In a first embodiment of the invention provided for this purpose, the material of the decorative layer consists exclusively of metal, for example of a metal grid or a metal net. At a for intended second embodiment of the invention, the material of the decorative layer of a metallized plastic mesh or is constructed with a metallized fiber, which is brought into a yarn structure or in the form of a yarn net.

Material examples of a purely metallic decorative layer are iron, aluminum and, steel. Examples of materials for a decorative layer of metallized plastic are woven, knitted and knitted fabrics with a coating of tin, silver, copper, nickel, or other alloys, e.g. POLYMET® from Platingtech Coating GmbH & Co KG, Niklasdorf, Austria. The material is so tear-resistant, wear and corrosion resistant. Material examples of a decorative layer of non-metallized plastic are polyester, polypropylene, polyurethane, polymers, polyamide, e.g. Polyamide Mesh Silver from Panatex, 25030 Zocco d'Erbusco, Italy.

But as material for the decorative layer are also suitable by machining such as perforating water vapor permeable designed materials or perforated sheet, such as polyamide, polyurethane, etc., or inherently water vapor permeable sheet, such as plastic, textile, leather, metal, glass fibers or a Combination of it.

You can also combine the above-mentioned material examples for the decorative layer with each other or with other materials to achieve the desired color and pattern effect.

In one embodiment of the invention, the decorative layer has a substrate and a coating covering the surface of the substrate, wherein the coating is constructed with a material which is colored or at least has a dye. In this way, different material requirements for a decorative layer can be combined, for example, a substrate with desired mechanical properties and desired water vapor permeability in combination with a coating which can be dyed and patterned only aesthetically, because they are the desired or required mechanical properties and the desired water vapor permeability of the decorative layer does not have to contribute.

In one embodiment of the invention, the decorative layer is constructed with dirt-repellent material.

In the event that the decorative layer is constructed with reticulated, grid-like or mesh-like material, for example textile material, the decorative layer can be constructed either with monofilament fibers or with multifilament yarns.

Multifilament yarns are composed of several fibers with capillary areas between them. In this polluting substances, such as in particular dirt, polluted liquids such as dirty water or polluting liquids such. Oils, penetrate, which can hardly be removed from the yarn, so that the yarn and the decorative layer constructed with it look permanently and irreversibly polluted or at least visually impaired.

In one embodiment of the invention, this is prevented by the fact that the decorative layer is constructed with monofilament fibers that do not have capillary channels of their own. In a particularly preferred embodiment of this type, a fibrous material is used for the monofilament fibers, which is not absorbent, such as a plastic material.

In one embodiment of the invention in which the decorative layer is constructed with yarn, ie with a multifilament structure, the incorporation of polluting substances is prevented by covering the yarn with plastic such as silicone or substantially colorless silicone-like material such that mesh or grid openings of this decorative layer remain open and therefore water vapor permeability is maintained. Because of this sheathing of the yarn, such polluting substances can not penetrate between the fibers forming the yarn. This will be a barely disposable and thus permanent pollution of the decorative layer prevented. On the other hand, by covering with such substantially colorless materials, the color of the yarn and thus the decorative layer remains visible.

In a further embodiment, the capillary regions of the multifilament yarn are at least partially filled or impregnated with a plastic. This prevents the penetration of dirt into the capillary areas and prevents lasting contamination of the decorative layer.

In one embodiment of the invention, the decorative layer is connected only in edge regions with the barrier layer, such that, in particular during walking movements, a relative movement of the decorative layer relative to the barrier layer is made possible. That is, wherever the decorative layer over a large opening of the underlying sole layer, in particular outsole is (and is visible through this large opening through), the decorative layer with the barrier layer is not connected, resulting in a relative movement of the decorative layer against the Barrierelage at least in the areas of this large opening makes possible. Contaminating substances, such as in particular dried mud or the like, which have settled in the grid or mesh openings can be loosened or loosened by this relative movement of the decorative layer so that they can fall off and a clean decorative layer remains. This dirt releasing relative movement can also be caused by the sole structure of the footwear removed from the foot is bent by hand, for example, when the dirt sits so tight that it does not dissolve sufficiently by walking movements from the decorative layer.

In one embodiment of the invention, the decorative layer is connected only in peripheral edge areas with the barrier layer. In the event that one or more stabilizing webs are assigned to the barrier layer, the decorative layer may also or additionally be connected to the barrier layer in the region of the stabilizing web (s). It is only important that the decorative layer remains unconnected there with the barrier layer, where the at least one opening of the sole layer, for example outsole, is located, so that there the dirt-solving rei tive movement of the decorative layer against the barrier layer is possible. In one embodiment of the invention, the two previously disclosed measures for clean holding the decorative layer are combined. In this embodiment, on the one hand the decorative layer is connected only in edge regions with the barrier layer, so that the mentioned relative movement is made possible, which promotes the loosening and falling of dirt that has settled in the openings of the decorative layer. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the decorative layer is constructed either with monofilament material or with yarn coated or impregnated with silicone or silicone-like material so that polluting substances can not penetrate into the yarn and the yarn remains clean and in its original color appearance. In this embodiment, dirt may at most penetrate into the openings of the network or lattice-like decorative layer, where it can be released again due to the described relative movement between the decorative layer and barrier layer and fall out, so that afterwards the decorative layer is clean again and has its original visual appearance.

The release of dirt from the openings of the decorative layer is particularly effective and thorough in an embodiment in which a barrier layer is used in addition to the Malinahmen previously explained, which is relatively smooth at least on their decorative facing side and has a closed surface, for example because It consists of a fiber material that smoothes by means of a thermal surface treatment and surface-close. When using such a barrier layer, dirt sets practically only in the openings of the decorative layer, because it does not adhere to the smooth, closed surface of the barrier layer. In this embodiment, which in combination a barrier layer with a smooth surface and a decorative layer which is connected on the one hand only in edge regions with the barrier layer and on the other hand with monofilament material or with yarn, which is coated or impregnated with silicone or similar material is constructed , To achieve a particularly effective and thorough clean holding the decorative layer and thus maintaining an undisturbed visual appearance of the decorative layer and thus the underside of the sole structure of the footwear.

In one embodiment of the invention, the decorative layer is constructed with leather, which is water repellent, oil and dirt repellent equipped to counteract penetration of polluting substances into the leather structure and thus a deterioration of the visual appearance of this decorative layer. As equipment for this purpose, for example, fluorocarbon, in particular in the form of fluorocarbon resins, silicone-containing agents and the like. Also in this embodiment, the leather serving as a decorative layer is preferably connected only in its edge regions with the barrier layer in order to allow the above-explained relative movement between the decorative layer and barrier layer and thus to promote the falling of dried dirt from the decorative layer.

In embodiments of the invention, the decorative layer may have a water vapor permeability in the range of 10,000 g / m ² -24h to 50,000 g / m ² -24h, in particular in the range of 20,000 g / m ² -24h to 30,000 g / m ² -24h, exhibit. In one embodiment of the invention, the decorative layer has a water vapor permeability of 26,000 g / m ² -24 h. In embodiments of the invention, the stabilization layer, here also referred to as barrier layer or fiber layer, (textile material) has a water vapor permeability in the range of 3,000 g / m ² -24h to 20,000 g / m ² -24h, in particular in the region of 8,000 g / m ² . 24h to 15,000 g / m ² -24h. In one embodiment of the invention, the stabilization layer has a water vapor permeability of 12,588 g / m ² -24 h. With such values for the water vapor permeability of the decorative layer and the stabilizing layer, a water vapor permeability desired for the entire sole unit can be achieved.

In embodiments of the invention, the entire sole unit may have a water vapor permeability in the range of 1,000 g / m ² -24h to 20,000 g / m ² -24h, in particular in the range of 6,000 g / m ² -24h to 12,000 g / m ² -24h , In one embodiment of the invention, the water vapor permeability of the entire sole unit is 9.337 g / m ² -24 h.

In one embodiment of the invention, the sole layer of the sole unit, to which the decorative layer is assigned, consists of a sprayable material, in particular plastic material. This allows a further embodiment of the invention, in which the sole layer is injection-molded onto the fiber layer and the decorative layer such that the fiber layer and the decorative layer are connected to the sole layer via sole layer material. In one embodiment, the fiber layer and the decorative layer may be interconnected by means of sole ply material. In one embodiment, the fiber layer and the decorative layer can be penetrated by sole material. These embodiments allow a particularly advantageous, because inexpensive and technically less complex connection of sole layer, fiber layer and decorative layer. In one embodiment of the invention, the sole layer forms an outsole. In another embodiment of the invention, the sole ply forms a midsole of the sole unit.

In one embodiment of the invention, the fiber layer and the decorative layer form an insert. This leads to the possibility for sole constructions of the same type, which for example have a same outsole or midsole and / or other similar components, by their combination with differently shaped inserts, which are different from each other in particular with regard to their decorative layer, a relatively large plurality of sole units according to the invention in a rational and thus cost-effective way and to make them available under logistically advantageous aspects.

In addition, the invention provides footwear with a sole unit, which according to the invention is provided with a decorative layer and has a shaft which is provided in a sole end region with a watertight and water vapor permeable shaft bottom functional layer, wherein the sole unit provided with the shaft bottom functional layer at the shaft end region is attached, that the shaft bottom functional layer is unconnected to the fiber layer at least in the region of the at least one opening. The latter provides a particularly high water vapor permeability, because in the area of

Breakthrough (s) there is no adhesive between the fiber layer and shaft bottom functional layer, which would lead to a reduction of the water vapor permeability.

In one embodiment of the invention, the footwear, in addition to the shaft bottom functional layer, has a shaft functional layer extending over a substantial area of the upper surface of the shaft, which is in contact with the shaft bottom. functional layer is connected watertight or connected with this to a sock-like use (also called bootie).

Such footwear is on the one hand (with the exception of Fußeinschlüpföffnung) completely waterproof, yet water vapor permeable and can be on the other hand with regard to the appearance of the sole bottom of the footwear, which is particularly important for fashionable shoes for aesthetic reasons or because the shoe manufacturer a special, indicative of him optical design Sole bottom wishes, largely arbitrary shape.

Definitions and test methods

Footwear: Footwear with a closed top (shaft assembly) which has a foot insertion opening and at least one sole or sole unit.

Shaft upper material: a material which forms the outside of the shaft and thus the shaft assembly and consists for example of leather, a textile, plastic or other known materials and combinations thereof or is constructed therewith and generally consists of water vapor permeable material. The sole-side lower end of the upper upper material forms an area adjacent to the upper edge of the sole or sole unit or above a boundary plane between the upper and sole or sole unit.

Mounting sole (insole): a mounting sole is part of the shaft bottom. A so-called lower shaft end region is attached to the mounting sole.

Sole: A shoe has at least one outsole, but may also have several types of sole layers which are arranged one above the other and form a sole unit.

Sole:

Outsole means the part of the sole area which touches the ground / ground or establishes the main contact with the ground / ground. The outsole has at least one tread contacting the ground.

Midsole:

In the event that the outsole is not attached directly to the shaft assembly, a midsole may be inserted between the outsole and the shaft assembly. The midsole can for example be the upholstery, cushioning or filling material.

Bootie:

Bootie is a sock-like inner lining of a shaft assembly. A bootie forms a baggy lining of the shaft assembly which substantially completely covers the interior of the footwear.

Functional layer:

Waterproof and / or water vapor-permeable layer, for example in the form of a membrane or of a correspondingly treated or finished material, eg a textile with plasma treatment. The functional layer may form at least one layer of a shaft bottom of the shaft arrangement in the form of a shaft bottom functional layer, but may additionally be provided as a shaft functional layer at least partially lining the shaft. Both the shaft functional layer and the shaft bottom functional layer may be part of a multi-layer, usually two, three or four-ply membrane laminate. The shaft functional layer and the shaft bottom functional layer may each be part of a functional layer bootie. If a shank functional layer and a separate shank bottom functional layer are used instead of a functional layer bootie, For example, these are watertight sealed against each other in the bottom side of the shaft assembly. Shank bottom functional layer and shank functional layer may be formed of different or the same material. Suitable materials for the waterproof, water-vapor-permeable functional layer are, in particular, polyurethane, polypropylene and polyesters, including polyether esters and their laminates, as described in the printed publications US Pat. No. 4,725,418 and US Pat. No. 4,493,870. In one embodiment, the functional layer is constructed with microporous, stretched polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), as described, for example, in US-A-3,953,566 and US-A-4,187,390. In one embodiment, the functional layer is constructed with stretched polytetrafluoroethylene provided with hydrophilic impregnating agents and / or hydrophilic layers; See, for example, US-A-4,194,041. A microporous functional layer is understood as meaning a functional layer whose average pore size is between approximately 0.2 μm and approximately 0.3 μm.

laminate:

Laminate is a composite consisting of several layers that are permanently bonded to each other, generally by mutual bonding. In the case of a functional layer laminate, a waterproof, water vapor permeable functional layer is provided with at least one textile layer. The at least one textile layer, also called the side, serves mainly to protect the functional layer during its processing. This is called a 2-layer laminate. A 3-layer laminate consists of a waterproof, water vapor-permeable functional layer, which is embedded in two textile layers. The connection between the functional layer and the at least one textile layer takes place, for example, by means of a continuous water-vapor-permeable adhesive layer or by means of a discontinuous adhesive layer of non-water-vapor-permeable adhesive. In one embodiment, adhesive may be applied in the form of a dot-like pattern between the functional layer and the one or both textile layers. The punctiform or discontinuous application of the adhesive takes place because a full-surface layer of a self non-water vapor permeable adhesive would block the moisture vapor transmission of the functional layer.

Barrier layer: A barrier layer serves as a barrier against the penetration of substances, in particular in the form of particles or foreign bodies, for example pebbles, to a material layer to be protected, in particular to a mechanically sensitive functional layer or functional layer membrane.

Decor position:

A decorative layer is a material layer provided for aesthetic reasons, the function of which is to conceal the appearance of a material layer which is visible without the decorative layer but covered by the decorative layer and provided in particular for its technical function, in particular if the material layer is an unsatisfactory or undesirable one has aesthetic appearance.

Porous:

In connection with the decorative layer according to the invention here means porous that the material of the decorative layer by itself or as a result of processing is permeable to water and permeable to water vapor

Puncture proof:

The puncture resistance of a textile fabric can be measured using a measurement method used by the EMPA (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research) using an Instron tensile testing machine tester (model 4465). By means of a punching iron, a round textile piece with a diameter of 13 cm is punched out and fastened on a support plate in which there are 17 holes. A ram on which 17 dome-like needles (type 110/18 sewing tools) are fastened is moved down at a speed of 1000 mm / min so that the needles penetrate through the textile piece into the holes in the support plate. The power to pierce the textile piece is measured by means of a load cell (a force transducer). The result is determined from a sample number of three samples.

The puncture resistance of a material layer such as the barrier layer or stabilization layer is tested using the "TM 37 SATRA" test method of the SATRA

Technology Center, Wyndham Way, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN16 8SD, United Kingdom. Reference document: European Standard EN 344-1, in particular Section 4.3.3 (Penetration resistance)

Test Description:

It determines the force required to drive a hardened steel nail with a sharp point through a boot or shoe bottom. Test apparatus - parameters: tensile tester from Instron Deutschland GmbH, Wemer-von-Siemens-Strasse 2, 64319 Pfungstadt; the anvil is a sharp-pointed steel nail with a diameter of 4.5 mm and a point angle of 30 °; the propulsion speed is 10 ± 3 mm / min; Test sites: the TM 37 SATRA test consists of four test sites distributed across the brine for testing the puncture resistance of a sole, at least 20 mm apart from each other (footpad area, footpad area outside, midfoot area, heel). Since, in connection with the present invention, the puncture resistance of the barrier layer is concerned, but which are at risk for penetrating with pointed particles directly only in the region of the large-surface perforations provided for a high water vapor permeability of the sole layer provided therewith, for those embodiments of the invention in which no such perforations are provided in the heel area, the text location in the heel area is omitted when using the test TM 37 SATRA.

Definition of puncture resistance:

In connection with the present invention, puncture resistant means that the tested material, in particular the shoe stability according to the invention, material or barrier material in which the penetration test TM 37 SATRA withstands a force of at least 40 Newtons.

Thickness The thickness of the shoe stabilization material according to the invention is tested according to DIN ISO 5084 (10/1996).

Waterproof:

The term "waterproof" is taken to mean a functional layer / functional layer laminate / membrane, if appropriate including seams provided on the functional layer / functional layer laminate / membrane, if it ensures a water inlet pressure of at least 1 × 10 4 Pa. Preferably, the functional layer material ensures a water inlet pressure of over 1x105 Pa. In this case, the water inlet pressure shall be measured according to a test method in which distilled water is applied at 20 ± 2 ° C to a sample of 100 cm2 of the functional layer with increasing pressure. The pressure increase of the water is 60 ± 3 cm Ws per minute. The water inlet pressure then corresponds to the pressure at which water first appears on the other side of the sample. Details of the procedure are specified in the ISO standard 0811 from the year 1981.

Whether a shoe is waterproof can e.g. are tested with a centrifuge arrangement of the type described in US-A-5,329,807.

Water vapor permeable: A functional layer / a functional layer laminate is considered to be "water vapor permeable" if it has a water vapor transmission coefficient Ret of less than 150 m 2 * Pa ^χ W-1. The water vapor permeability is tested according to the Hohenstein skin model. This test method is described in DIN EN 31092 (02/94) or ISO 11092 (1993). The water vapor permeability values of the barrier layer / fiber layer / stabilization layer / decorative layer according to the invention are tested by means of the so-called cup method according to DIN EN ISO 15496 (09/2004) [A3].

The degree of water vapor permeability of the sole unit [A4] can be determined by the measuring method specified in the document EP 0 396 716 B1, which was designed to measure the water vapor permeability of an entire shoe. For measuring the water vapor permeability of only the sole unit of a shoe, the measuring method according to EP 0 396 716 B1 can also be used by measuring with the measurement setup shown in FIG. 1 of EP 0 396 716 B1 in two consecutive measurement scenarios, namely once the shoe with a water vapor permeable sole unit and another time the otherwise identical shoe with a water vapor impermeable sole unit. From the difference between the two measured values, it is then possible to determine the proportion of the water vapor permeability which goes back to the water vapor permeability of the water vapor permeable sole unit.

In each measurement scenario, the procedure according to EP 0 396 716 B1 is used, namely with the following sequence of steps: 1. Conditioning of the shoe by placing it in an air-conditioned environment

Room (23 ° C, 50% relative humidity) is left for at least 12 hours.

2. Removal of the insole (footbed)

3. Lining of the shoe with waterproof, water vapor permeable lining material adapted to the shoe interior

The area of Fußeinschlüpföffnung the shoe with a waterproof, waterproof vapor-tight sealing plug (for example made of Plexiglas and with an inflatable cuff) waterproof and water-vapor tight sealable. 4. pouring water into the lining material and closing the

Foot insertion opening of the shoe with the sealing plug

5. Preconditioning of the shoe filled with water by allowing it to rest for a predetermined period of time (3 hours), keeping the temperature of the water constant at 35 ^° C. The Ambient climate is also kept constant at 23 ^° C. and 50% relative humidity. During the test, the shoe is blown on the front by a fan with an average wind speed of at least 2 m / s to 3 m / s (to destroy a static layer of air forming around the standing shoe, which has a considerable impact

Resistance to the water vapor passage would cause)

6. re-weighing the seal plug-sealed, water-filled shoe after preconditioning (gives weight m2 [g])

7. rest again and actual test phase of 3 hours under the same conditions as in step e)

8. re-weigh the sealed, water-filled shoe (gives weight m3 [g]) after the test period of 3 hours

9. Determination of the water vapor permeability of the shoe from the amount of water vapor (m2-m3) [g] escaped through the shoe during the test period of 3 hours according to the relationship M = (m2-m3) [g] / 3 [h]

After both measurement scenarios have been carried out, in which the water vapor permeability values for the entire shoe with water-vapor-permeable sole unit (value A) and for the entire shoe with water-impermeable shaft bottom construction (value B) have been measured, the water vapor permeability value for the water-vapor-permeable sole unit can be determined solely from FIG Determine difference AB.

It is important to avoid during the measurement of the water vapor permeability of the shoe with the water vapor permeable sole unit that the shoe or its sole is directly on a closed surface. This can be achieved by lifting the shoe or by placing the shoe on a grid construction, so that it is ensured that the ventilation air flow can flow along or completely below the outsole.

It makes sense to perform repeat measurements on each test setup for a particular shoe and to look at averages to better assess the measurement spread. At least two measurements should be taken with the test setup for each shoe. For all measurements, a natural variation of the measurement results of ± 0.2 g / h should be used the actual value eg 1 g / h can be assumed. For this example, measured values of between 0.8 g / h and 1.2 g / h could thus be obtained for the identical shoe. Influencing factors for these fluctuations could, for example, come from the person conducting the test or from the seal quality at the upper edge of the slab. By averaging several individual readings for the same shoe, a more accurate picture of the actual value can be obtained.

All values for the water vapor permeability of the sole unit are based on a normal laced men's shoe size 43 (French measure), although this size is not standardized and shoes from different manufacturers can be different.

The invention will now be further explained by means of embodiments, which represent only non-limiting examples of the implementation of the invention. In the accompanying drawings show:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a shoe with a shaft and a composite shoe sole with an inventively designed sole unit;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the shoe according to Figure 1, wherein the composite shoe sole is not yet connected to the shoe upper;

Figure 3 shows the composite shoe sole according to Figures 1 and 2 in a perspective plan view;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the shoe shown in FIG. 1 in an embodiment with glued-on shoe sole composite in the assembly stage according to FIG. 2, wherein the shaft is not completely shown; and Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of Figure 4, but for an embodiment of a shoe with a molded onto the shaft shoe sole composite, wherein the shaft is also not fully shown.

If terms such as top, bottom, right, left, etc. are used, this is always related only to the specific representation in the respective figure and is not absolute.

Figures 1 and 2 show in perspective oblique view from below an embodiment of a shoe 11 according to the invention with a shaft 13 and a sole unit 15 according to the invention in Figure 1, the shoe 11 is shown in a state in which the shaft 13 and the sole unit 15 ver together - are tied. FIG. 2 shows the shoe according to FIG. 1 in a mounting stage before the sole unit 15 is fastened to the shaft 13.

The shoe 11 has a forefoot region 17, a midfoot region 19, a heel region 21 and a foot insertion opening 23. The sole unit 15 has a sole layer in the form of a carrier layer 25, which decisively contributes to the stabilization of the finished sole unit 15 and which has large openings 27 (FIG. 2) in the forefoot area 17 and in the midfoot area 19. As a result of their stabilizing effect, the carrier layer 25 is also called stabilization layer here. In this context, large area means that the individual openings 27 have an area in the range of one to several cm ² , for example in the range of about 2 cm ² to about 30 cm ² , within this range for example in the range of 10 cm ² up to 20 cm ² . The openings 27 are chosen to be as large as possible in order to make available a sole unit 15 with the greatest possible permeability to water vapor.

Below the carrier layer 25 is an outsole 29, which is composed of several individual outsole parts, namely a outsole part 29a in the heel area, a outsole part 29b in the ball of the foot area and a sole part 29c in the toe area. These outsole parts are attached to the underside of the carrier layer 25. In the ball of the foot area and in the toe area, the outsole parts 29b and 29c have large apertures 27 which are dimensioned such that the perforations 27 of the carrier layer 25 remain completely or substantially free of outsole material, so that the water vapor permeability of the sole unit achieved by the perforations 27 of the carrier layer 25 is not affected.

In the illustrated embodiment is located above the support layer 25, a damping sole layer 31, which causes a pedal damping and thus improves the walking comfort of the shoe. The cushioning sole ply 31 has a cushioning sole portion 4131a in the heel portion and a cushioning sole portion 4131b in the forefoot portion. The damping sole parts 4131a and 4131b also have large apertures which leave the perforations 27 of the carrier layer 25 wholly or at least essentially free, in order to not or not substantially impair the water vapor permeability achieved with the apertures 27 of the carrier layer 25

In one embodiment of the invention, the sole can also be formed in one piece. That is, the cushioning layer and the outsole layer are then combined to form a single sole layer, wherein a material properties as good as possible is taken into account with regard to impact damping properties and running properties.

Not only the cushioning sole layer 31 but also the parts of the outsole 29 are made of an elastic material with a certain degree of softness in order to achieve a good walking comfort and to achieve an outsole with good treading properties. Due to this relatively soft elastic material and due to its composition of individual parts with large openings, the outsole 29 can not sufficiently contribute to the stability of the entire sole unit 15. Even in the case of embodiments with a one-piece outsole, the soft elastic material and the large break-through mean that a sufficiently satisfactory stability of the entire sole unit not reach.

Due to their relatively soft material and their large openings on the one hand and their composition of individual parts on the other hand again provide the parts of the outsole 29 nor the parts of the damping sole layer 31, the desired stability for a sole unit. For this reason, the support layer 25 acting as a stabilizing layer is provided, which can be made of a relatively stiff material because it does not have to take account of either cushioning properties or outsole properties. In order to improve the stabilization properties of the stabilization layer 25, which may be impaired to some extent by the large-area openings 27 despite their relatively stiff material, the individual openings 27 of the carrier layer 25 are bridged by means of stabilizing webs 33. Thus, the carrier layer 25 receives a degree of bending and torsional stiffness, which gives the entire sole unit 15 the desired stabilization.

As shown in Figure 2, the lower end of the shaft 13 is closed with a shaft bottom 35 before the sole unit 15 is connected to the shaft 13. The shaft bottom 35 is provided with a shaft bottom functional layer 37, as will be explained below in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5. This shaft bottom functional layer 37 has, for example, a membrane which is at least waterproof, preferably also water vapor permeable.

While Figure 2 shows the sole unit 15 in a perspective oblique view from below, in Figure 3, the sole unit 15 is shown in a perspective oblique view from above. As FIG. 3 shows, a plurality of pieces 39a, 39b, 39c and 39d of a barrier layer formed as a fiber layer 39 are located on the upper side of the carrier layer 25 remote from the outsole 29 in its middle region 25b and its front foot region 25c. With these fiber bearing pieces 39a, 39b and 39c, the not visible in Figure 3 openings 27 of the support layer 25 are covered. FIG. 3 also shows the heel area and the forefoot area of the sole insole. to see 15 arranged on the top of the carrier layer 25 arranged Fußkämpfungslagentei- Ie 4131 a and 4131 b. The heel cushioning portion 4131a in the heel region is substantially full-surface in the embodiment shown, while the tread cushioning portion 4131b in the forefoot region is provided with recesses where the fiber ply pieces 39b, 39c and 39d are located. The fiber layer pieces 39a to 39d are located above the stabilizing webs 33, which are not visible in FIG. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the carrier layer 25 has boundary edges 43a, 43b and 43c, which surround the respective associated opening 27 of the carrier layer 25 and which serve as enclosures for the respective associated fiber layer piece.

Since the outsole parts of the outsole 29, the carrier layer 25 and the tread damping layer parts 4131a and 4131b have different functions within the shoe sole composite forming the sole unit 15, they are expediently also constructed with different materials. The outsole parts, which have a good abrasion resistance and should provide sure-footedness, consist for example of a suitable as outsole material thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or rubber. The tread damping layer parts 4131 a and 4131 b, which are intended to cause a shock absorption in the Gehbewegun- gene for the user of the shoe, consist of correspondingly elastically yielding material, such as ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) or polyurethane (PU). The stabilizing layer 25, which serves as a support for the non-contiguous outsole parts 29a, 29b, 29c and for the likewise non-coherent impact damping layer parts 4131a, 4131b as support and for the entire sole unit 15 as a stabilizing element and should have a corresponding elastic stiffness, for example from at least one thermoplastic.

The fiber layer pieces 39a, 39b and, 39c and 39d serve on the one hand as mechanical protection for the shaft bottom functional layer 37, with which the shaft bottom 35 is provided. Small particles, such as pebbles, which penetrate the apertures 27 of the carrier ply 25 and could penetrate and damage the stem bottom functional layer 37 are held away from the fiber ply pieces to protect the stem bottom functional layer 37. At a Embodiment of the footwear according to the invention, the fiber layer pieces 39a, 39b and 39c, 39c and 39d additionally have a stabilizing function. For this purpose, the fiber layer pieces 39a, 39b and 39c, 39c and 39d consist of a mechanically mechanically solidified fiber material of the already mentioned type with at least two fiber components of different melting temperature and correspondingly different softening temperature. By selecting the ratio of the proportions of the two different melting temperature fiber component and by the degree of heating and thus the softening of the second fiber component, on the one hand, the thermal solidification and on the other hand, the water vapor permeability of the fiber layer can be influenced as desired. Due to their thermal hardening, the fiber layer 39 or the fiber layer pieces 39a, 39b, 39c and 39d can serve as stabilizing elements for the sole unit 15.

The fiber layer 39 as such is already known from WO 2007/101624 A1. Further details regarding the fiber layer 39, from which the fiber ply pieces 39a, 39b and 39c, 39c and 39d are made, both with regard to the choice of material and material composition as well as with regard to the production and thermal activation, will therefore not be discussed in detail here but can be found in WO 2007/101624 A1. The same applies to details regarding the outsole 29, the tread damping layer 31 and the carrier layer 25, for example in terms of structure, shape and materials used, which can also be found in WO 2007/101624 A1.

As previously mentioned, the fiber layer material used in practical embodiments has the disadvantage that the material used for the second fiber component with the lower melting temperature can not be colored because temperatures are required for the dyeing, which are above the melting temperature of this fiber component. Therefore, in this fiber layer material, at best, the fiber component having the higher melting temperature can be colored while the second fiber component having the lower melting temperature remains white. Therefore, as already stated, the optimum see and aesthetic design options for the fiber layer very narrow limits.

This problem is remedied by means of a decorative layer 45 according to the invention, which is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a grid visible in the openings 27 and in FIGS. 4 and 5 explained below by a series of square points. In the embodiment of a sole unit 15 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of decorative layer pieces 45 are provided which are each associated with one of the perforations 27 of the stabilization layer 25 and each have the dimensions of the respective openings 27 corresponding to the fiber layer pieces shown in FIG 39a, 39b, 39c and 39d. In this way, the underside of each of these fiber layer pieces 39a, 39b, 39c and 39d, which is visible through the respective apertures 27, is laminated by an associated decorative layer piece and thus rendered invisible. Since almost any materials can be used for the decorative layer 45, as long as they are colored or dyeable on the one hand and permeable to water vapor on the other hand, there is hardly any limit to the desired color and patterning of the decorative layer 45.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show in cross-sectional view two embodiments of footwear according to the invention in the production stage according to FIG. 2, in the case of FIG. 4 with regard to footwear with sole unit 15 glued to the shaft 13 and with respect to footwear 13 in the case of FIG molded sole unit 15. Both figures show a very schematic and in terms of dimensions and scale not necessarily realistic representation a cross section through eg a forefoot portion of a shaft 13 of a shoe 11. Only the shaft bottom 35 and a left shaft part are shown by the shaft 13, wherein the right shaft part, not shown, is mirror-symmetrical with the shown shaft part.

In the two embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the shank 13 has an upper material layer 47, a shank functional layer 49 and a feed layer 51. In both embodiments, the sole-side lower shaft end 55 is closed by means of a multi-layered shaft bottom 35 which forms a shaft floor function layer 37 has. In both embodiments, the shank functional layer 49 and the shank bottom functional layer 37 are bonded together in a watertight manner, resulting in a completely watertight and all-water vapor permeable shoe using a not only waterproof but also water vapor permeable functional layer. And in both embodiments, the sole unit 15, the already mentioned in connection with Figures 1 to 3 components, namely an outsole 29 and a support layer 25. In both cases, the large-area opening 27, which extends through said sole layers, of covered by a fiber layer 39, below which a decorative layer 45 is located.

The two embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 differ with regard to the positions of their sole unit 15, the construction of their shaft bottom 35, the manner of fastening the sole unit 15 to the shaft 13 and the type of sealing between the shaft functional layer 49 and the shaft bottom functional layer 37.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the sole unit 15 in addition to the outsole 29 and the support layer 25 a step damping layer 31 and the shaft bottom 35 has a mounting base 53, often called also insole, with the sole side lower shaft end 55 by means of a Strobelnaht 57th connected is. Below the mounting base 53 is a shaft bottom functional layer laminate 59, in the illustrated embodiment a three-layer laminate comprising the shaft bottom functional layer 37 embedded between a lower functional layer support layer 61 and an upper functional layer support layer 63. The two functional layer support layers 61 and 63, for example, each consist of a textile layer. The upper fabric layer 63 is formed so as to be penetrated by liquid sealing material 65 interposed between the lower side of the sole side lower end of the shaft functional layer 49 and the upper side of the peripheral edge of the shaft bottom functional layer 37 to provide a watertight seal between the shaft functional layer 49 and the shaft bottom functional layer 37. As shown in FIG. 4, the sole-side lower end of the upper upper material 47 is raised from the lower-side lower end of the upper functional layer 49 and the lower surface of the lower-upper functional layer laminate 59 by means of sole adhesive 67 bonded. The sole unit 15 is prefabricated and is attached to the sole-side lower shaft end 55 by means of a sole adhesive 67 applied to at least the top of the peripheral edge zone of the sole unit 15.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 with sole unit 15 molded onto the shaft 13, the sole unit 15 has no step damping layer 31. Shaft bottom 35 is formed by a mounting sheet laminate 69, which is also a three-ply laminate whose one outer ply, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper outer ply 63, is made of such a strong and strong material that this mounting sheet laminate 69 functions as a mounting sole or insole for closing the lower shaft end 55 can take over. In this embodiment, the shaft functional layer 49 and the shaft lining 51 at the sole-side end on a supernatant over the upper upper material 47 on. This supernatant is bridged by means of a net band 71, which is permeable to liquid outsole material during injection molding. The net band 71 is connected on one side only with the upper upper material 47, but not with the upper functional layer 49, and on the other side is connected via a stitching seam 57 to both the upper functional layer 49 and the upper 51 as well as to the Montagaresohlenlaminat 69. The sole unit 15 of this embodiment has, in addition to the carrier layer 25 provided with the fiber layer 39 and the decorative layer 45, only one outsole layer 29 into which the carrier layer 25 populated with the fiber layer 39 and the decorative layer 45 in the process of molding the outsole layer 29 in FIG is embedded. When the outsole layer 29 is injection-molded onto the shaft 13, liquid outsole material penetrates through the mesh band 71 to the projection of the sole-side lower end of the shaft functional layer 49 and the stitching seam 57 and to the underside of the peripheral edge region of the mounting material laminate 69 where it penetrates its lower textile layer and there can get to the shaft bottom functional layer 37. In this way, the transition between the shank functional layer 49 and the shank bottom functional layer 37 is sealed by means of outsole material. In both embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the carrier layer 25 is preferably produced by an injection process. The decorative layer 45 and the fiber layer 39 can be inserted into the injection mold before the injection process. During the injection process, material of the carrier layer 25 penetrates through the outer peripheral region of the decorative layer 45 and into the outer circumferential region of the fiber layer 39, so that the carrier layer 25, the decorative layer 45 and the fiber layer 39 are fastened to one another by means of the injection process.

In a modification of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the fiber layer 39 and the decorative layer 45 are combined together to form a structural unit, before they are connected to the sole unit 15. This assembly may form an insert that is manufactured separately from the remaining components of the sole unit 15 and used in making the sole unit 15. This insertion takes place in the sole layer with which the assembly of decorative layer 45 and fiber layer 39 is to be provided.

In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, this insert is inserted into the carrier layer 25. In other embodiments, not shown, in which the sole layer provided with the decorative layer 45 and the fiber layer 39 is not formed by a carrier layer but for example by an outsole or a midsole other than the carrier layer, the insert can be used in the corresponding sole layer. That is, the insert is manufactured separately and is then used depending on the structure and / or desired appearance of the special sole unit 15 in a suitable sole layer. You can hold inserts with optically different decor layer 45 in stock and in the sole unit 15 depending on which shoe type it is intended to use a suitably selected use.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, at least one of the stabilizing webs is formed as a support web 73 within the opening 27 of the carrier layer 25. For this purpose, the support web 73 is formed such that it extends down to the tread surface 75 of the outsole layer 29 and thus when running with the shoe as well as the outsole layer 29 is supported on the bottom 77. Therefore With the support web 73 shown in FIG. 5, a particularly good stabilization of the sole unit 15 is achieved even while running.

Such a support web is not present in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, at least in the cross-sectional plane shown therein in the opening 27 of the support layer 25.

Claims

claims

Water-permeable and water-permeable sole unit (15) for footwear (1 1), comprising: at least one sole ply (25) with at least one large-area opening (27) extending through the thickness thereof; at least two superimposed, one-piece or multi-piece sheet material which close the at least one opening (27) and of which a first sheet has a textile wasserdampfdurchlässi- ge barrier layer (39) and a second sheet has a water vapor permeable decorative layer (45), the is arranged below the first sheet at least in the region of at least one opening (27) and from the bottom of the sole layer (25) in the at least one opening (27) is visible.

2. sole unit (15) according to claim 1, wherein the decorative layer (45) comprises a material which is colored or at least one dye.

3. sole unit (15) according to claim 1 or 2, the decorative layer (45) comprises a substrate and a substrate covering the surface of the coating, wherein the coating is constructed with a material which is colored or at least one dye.

4. sole unit according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the decorative layer (45) is connected only in edge regions with the barrier layer (39), such that in particular during walking movements allows a relative movement of the decorative layer (45) relative to the barrier layer (39) is.

5. sole unit according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the decorative layer (45) is constructed with dirt-repellent material.

6. sole unit according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the material of the decorative layer (45) is selected from the group of material lattice-shaped, reticulated, porous or perforated sheet.

7. sole unit according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the material of the decorative layer (45) is selected from the material group of metal, plastic, textile, leather or a combination thereof.

8. sole unit according to claim 7, the decorative layer (45) is constructed with monofilament fibers.

9. sole unit according to claim 7, the decorative layer (45) is constructed with yarn, which is coated with silicone or substantially colorless silicone-like material, such that network or grid openings of this decorative layer remain open and therefore water vapor permeability is maintained.

10. sole unit according to claim 7, the decorative layer (45) is constructed with yarn which is impregnated with silicone or substantially colorless silicone-like material, such that capillary areas occurring in the yarn are closed, in which otherwise polluting substances could penetrate.

11. Sole unit according to claim 7, the decorative layer (45) consists entirely of metal.

12. sole unit according to at least one of the preceding claims, the decorative layer (45) is constructed with a metallized plastic mesh.

13. sole unit according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the large-area opening (27) of at least one stabilizing web is at least partially crossed.

14 sole unit claim 13, the decorative layer (45) is connected only in peripheral edge regions and / or in with the at least one Stabilisierungssteg formed edge regions with the barrier layer (39).

15. sole unit according to at least one of the preceding claims, whose barrier layer (39) as protection against the penetration of penetrating through the large-area opening (27) foreign bodies to above the first th sheet of the present components of the sole unit is formed.

16. Sole unit according to claim 16, whose barrier layer (39) is designed puncture resistant for protection against stinging foreign bodies such as nails.

17. Sole unit according to at least one of the preceding claims, whose barrier layer (39) is constructed with the shoe sole composite stabilizing material.

18. Sole unit according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein: the barrier layer (39) has at least two fiber components which differ in their melting temperatures; at least a portion of a first fiber component has a first melting temperature and a first softening temperature range thereunder and at least a portion of a second fiber component has a second melting temperature and a second softening temperature range thereunder, and the first melting temperature and the first softening temperature range are higher than the second melting temperature and second softening temperature range; and the barrier layer (39) is mechanically thermally strengthened by thermal activation of the second fiber component having an adhesive softening temperature in the second softening temperature range while maintaining water vapor permeability in the thermally solidified region.

19. Sole unit according to claim 18, wherein the second softening temperature range of the second fiber component is below the temperature required for dyeing the second fiber component.

20. Sole unit according to at least one of the preceding claims, whose barrier layer (39) has a water vapor permeability of in the range of 3,000 g / m ² -24h to 20,000 g / m ² -24h, in particular in the range of 8,000 g / m ² -24h to 15,000 g / m ² -24h, and especially of 12,588 g / m ² -24h.

21. Sole unit according to at least one of the preceding claims, whose decorative layer (45) has a water vapor permeability in the range of 10,000 g / m ² -24h to 50,000 g / m ² -24h, in particular in the range of 20,000 g / m ² -24h to 30,000 g / m ² -24h, and especially of 26,000 g / m ² -24h.

22. Sole unit according to at least one of the preceding claims, which has a water vapor permeability in the range of 1000 g / m ² -24h to 20,000 g / m ² -24h, in particular in the range of 6,000 g / m ² -24h to 12,000 g / m ² 24h , and in particular of 9337 g / m ² -24h.

23. sole unit (15) according to at least one of the preceding claims, whose sole layer (25) consists of a sprayable material.

24. sole unit (15) according to claim 23, the sole layer (25) to the barrier layer (39) and the decorative layer (45) is injection-molded such that the barrier layer (39) and the decorative layer (45) on Sohlenlagenmaterial with the sole layer (25 ) are connected.

25. Sole unit (15) according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the barrier layer (39) and the decorative layer (45) are connected to each other by means of sole layer material.

26. sole unit (15) according to at least one of claims 23 to 25, wherein the barrier layer (39) and the decorative layer (45) are penetrated by sole layer material.

27. sole unit (15) according to at least one of the preceding claims, the sole layer (25) forms an outsole (29) of the sole unit (15).

28. sole unit (15) according to at least one of claims 1 to 27, the sole layer (25) forms a midsole of the sole unit (15).

29. Sole unit (15) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier layer (39) and the decorative layer (45) are connected to a usable as a unit assembly.

30. footwear (11) with a sole unit (15) according to at least one of the preceding claims and with a shaft (13) which is provided in a sole side Schaftendbereich (55) with a waterproof and water vapor permeable shaft bottom functional layer (37), wherein the Sole unit (15) is attached to the shaft end region (55) such that the shaft bottom functional layer (37) is at least in the region of the at least one

Opening (27) with the barrier layer (39) is unconnected.