Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
  • A43B7/12—Special watertight footwear
  • A43B7/125—Special watertight footwear provided with a vapour permeable member, e.g. a membrane
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B23/00—Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
  • A43B23/02—Uppers; Boot legs
  • A43B23/0205—Uppers; Boot legs characterised by the material
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B23/00—Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
  • A43B23/02—Uppers; Boot legs
  • A43B23/0205—Uppers; Boot legs characterised by the material
  • A43B23/0235—Different layers of different material
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
  • A43B7/06—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements ventilated
  • A43B7/08—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements ventilated with air-holes, with or without closures
  • A43B7/084—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements ventilated with air-holes, with or without closures characterised by the location of the holes
  • A43B7/087—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements ventilated with air-holes, with or without closures characterised by the location of the holes in the bottom of the sole

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an upper assembly for footwear and also to footwear comprising such an upper assembly.
• Waterproof and water vapor permeable prior art footwear typically has a waterproof and water vapor permeable upper which allows perspiration of moisture to the outside, but still is waterproof with respect to penetration of liquid water. Since the human foot produces most perspiration at the sole, it has been suggested to provide footwear with perforated soles, in order to allow perspiration moisture to escape to the outside in the sole region. The regions below the foot of such footwear have been equipped with waterproof and water vapor permeable functional layers.
• DE 10 2008 029 296 A1 discloses an example of a fully waterproof, yet water vapor permeable footwear.
• Such footwear has an upper which is closed to the sole side by an upper bottom separate from the upper, and both the upper and the upper bottom are equipped with water vapor permeable but waterproof functional layers making the upper assembly as a whole waterproof.
• Footwear as shown in DE 10 2008 029 296 A1 can give rise to the problem that moisture accumulates in the foot sole region, where the human foot produces most perspiration. This particularly applies to the outer peripheral regions of the foot sole, where perspiration cannot be transported away efficiently because stability requires the sole to be relatively massive in such region. As a result, moisture may accumulate and may even condense in cold weather conditions. A further problem with moisture accumulation is caused by liquid moisture moving down on the inside of the outer material of the upper under wet conditions. Such moisture tends to add to the moisture accumulation at the lower ends of the upper where the upper is joined to the upper bottom.
• the foot may develop an unpleasant feeling of coldness in cold weather.
• even stains may appear on the outer material of the upper.
• the object of the present invention to provide an upper assembly for footwear, and also footwear comprising same, suppressing unpleasant feeling of coldness in the sole-sided end regions of the upper and/or in the outer peripheral region of the upper bottom.
• Preferably, also stain formation on the outer material of the upper is to be avoided for any typical outer material.
• the present invention aims in providing an alternative to the wick- ing tape suggestion of the above mentioned PCT/EP2011/051014, allowing an easier and better controllable manufacturing process.
• an upper assembly for footwear comprising an upper having a sole-sided upper end region, and an upper bottom.
• the sole-sided upper end region is joined to the upper bottom.
• the upper includes an outer material layer having a sole-sided outer material end region, and an upper liner.
• the upper bottom comprises a first water vapor permeable assembly sole and an upper bottom laminate including a first water vapor permeable and waterproof functional layer.
• the outer material layer at the sole-sided outer material end region is joined to the first water vapor permeable assembly sole.
• the first assembly sole and/or the sole-sided outer material end region comprises at least one moisture transporting structure adapted to transport moisture away from a first region between the outer material layer and the upper liner and/or between an outer peripheral part of the first outer assembly sole and said upper liner, to a second region underneath the upper bottom functional layer.
• the upper bottom in particular the first assembly sole, closes the upper during manufacture, before a sole unit is attached to the upper assembly.
• the first assembly sole has a function similar to the function of insoles as known for various types of footwear constructions, e.g. for lasted shoes.
• the first assembly sole may be provided with openings or perforations or can be made at least in part of a water vapor permeable material.
• the first assembly sole typically will not be waterproof. Wa- terproofness of the upper bottom is achieved by a separate upper bottom laminate including a first water vapor permeable and waterproof functional layer.
• the first assembly sole and/or the sole-sided outer material end region provides the functionality of a suction element in the sense of the applicant's above mentioned co-pending application
• the first assembly sole and/or the sole- sided outer material end region comprises at least one moisture transporting structure.
• Such moisture transporting structure provides for a moisture communication connecting a first region between the outer material layer and the upper liner of the upper and/or between an outer peripheral part of the first assembly sole and the upper liner of the upper with a second region underneath the upper bottom laminate.
• the moisture transporting structure has a configuration which allows transport of moisture or water, in some cases even in liquid form (i.e. not necessarily requiring a phase transition from the liquid phase into the vapor phase), between the first region and the second region. Therefore, in case of accumulation of moisture in the first region, such moisture can be transported away from the first region into the second region. From there, the moisture can further be transported outside, more particularly in the case of footwear having a sole unit attached to the upper assembly, via through holes or porosities formed in the sole unit.
• the inventors have found that it is specifically in the region of the sole-sided end of the upper, which is usually connected in a waterproof way to the perimetric edges of the upper bottom, where moisture frequently collects and also frequently condenses to form liquid water.
• the result is that the foot in contact with the liner in this region experiences a feeling of coldness.
• the upper liner includes a water vapor permeable and waterproof functional layer, often no sufficiently steep water vapor pressure gradient develops across the inner and outer sides of the functional layer at this place. Such effect reduces breathability distinctly. Under very cold and wet conditions, even moisture stains have been observed in this region on the outer side of the footwear, impairing the appeal and appearance of the footwear.
• a moisture transporting structure as provided according to the invention, has turned out to efficiently suppress accumulation of moisture, and thereby prevents an unpleasant feeling of cold in such region, and helps in maintaining breathability, preventing staining and also suppressing the attacking of bonds in such region.
• the present invention provides the first assembly sole and/or the sole-sided outer material end region with a moisture transporting structure.
• the function of the suction element is provided by the first assembly sole of the upper assembly, i.e. by a layer being part of the upper bottom and being used to close the upper assembly towards the sole unit during manufacture of footwear, and/or by the sole-sided outer material end region. Therefore, no separate item, like the wicking tape of PCT/EP2011/051014, needs to be arranged somewhere in between upper and the upper bottom. Rather, the suction element function is added to the upper assembly already when closing the upper assembly towards the sole unit by way of the first assembly sole, which is a usual step to be done during manufacture.
• Providing the first assembly sole and/or the sole-sided outer material end region with a moisture transporting structure has the additional advantage of being able to control relatively precisely the position of the moisture transporting structure in the footwear, as the first assembly sole is joined to the outer material layer of the upper in a well defined geometric relationship, and the sole unit is firmly attached to the upper assembly, typically even to the first assembly sole and/or the sole-sided outer material end region. Therefore, the moisture transporting structure can be positioned relatively precisely in such regions where in use of the footwear most moisture accumulation is to be expected. Once assembled, the moisture transporting structure will no longer change its position significantly, e.g. during use, as it is formed by the first assembly sole and/or the sole-sided outer material end region.
• the moisture transporting structure is capable of transporting moisture between the first region and the second region. As the first and second regions are separated from each other in direction of the extension of the first assembly sole and/or the sole-sided outer material end region, the moisture transporting structure is capable of transporting moisture along the extensions of the first assembly sole and/or of the sole-sided outer material end region. Within the moisture transporting structure, such transport of moisture may occur along the upper and/or lower surfaces of the first assembly sole and/or of the sole-sided outer material end region, but preferably occurs within the thicknesses of the first assembly sole and/or of the sole-sided outer material end region.
• the first assembly sole and/or the sole-sided outer material end region in regions where a moisture transporting structure is provided, preferably include materials capable of transporting moisture, e.g. materials having wicking characteristics, and/or may be provided with a moisture conduit structure capable of allowing or even promoting transport of moisture, e.g. channel structures or wicking filaments.
• transport of moisture refers to transport of water molecules in general, not being restricted to any form of water in liquid or gaseous form. Further, transport of moisture may be induced by any mechanism, in particular by sorption processes, capillarity, diffusion processes, gravity, pressure gradients and the like.
• the first assembly sole in the water transporting structure is capable of transporting water from the first region, where moisture, often to a substantial part in form of liquid, accumulates, to the second region without the need of a phase transition from the liquid phase into the vapor phase occurring in the first region.
• the moisture transporting structure typically will include the lower end or the lower ends of the upper and the more peripheral regions of the upper bottom. As outlined above, transport of moisture along the extension of the first assembly sole is required in such region, but is not necessarily required in other regions of the first assembly sole, e.g. the more central regions, of the upper bottom. In such regions, it may be sufficient if the first assembly sole is water vapor permeable, i.e. allows permeation of water vapor across its extension. In some embodiments, the first assembly sole may even allow water permeation of liquid water vapor across its extension. In some embodiments, the moisture transporting structure may extend over the whole first assembly sole.
• a first possibility is to use a material having "wicking characteristics".
• a material is referred to as having "wicking characteristics” in case it is able to take off liquid or gaseous moisture from a first reservoir and transport such moisture along its extension to a second reservoir, as a consequence of its intermolecular or "micro” structure.
• Wicking characteristics refers to transport moisture based on processes like sorption, diffusion and/or capillarity processes.
• Materials having wicking characteristics include materials having an intermolecular or "micro” structure allowing such sorption, diffusion or capillarity processes.
• wicking materials typically moisture will be able to flow against gravity, such that moisture spontaneously rises.
• Typical wicking materials include narrow spaces, such as thin tubes, or are porous materials, such as paper or absorbent textiles. Even some non-porous materials are known to have wicking characteristics, e.g. some types of carbon fibers or nano-materials.
• Particular wicking materials include naturally hydrophilic materials or materials having been subject to a hydrophil- ic treatment. Examples for such materials are cellulose, leather, any materials having a porous structure, natural fibers, synthetic fibers and surfaces based on these fibers.
• the first assembly sole and/or the sole-sided outer material end region may be provided with a moisture conduit structure, e.g. with an arrangement of wicking filaments, with a channel like structure, and/or with suitable perforations, slits and/or recesses.
• the first assembly sole and/or the sole-sided outer material end region in principle, need not be made of a material having wicking characteristics as a consequence of its intermolecular or "micro" structure, since the water transporting effect is achieved by the "macroscopic" moisture conduit structure.
• the first assembly sole and/or the sole-sided outer material end region may be made of an even water impermeable material. It is noted that all possibilities mentioned before may be combined in the sense that a material having wicking characteristics due to its intermolecular or "micro” structure is used which is additionally provided with a macroscopic moisture conduit structure, in order to provide good moisture transport efficiency.
• the upper liner can be suitably connected to the outer material layer, for example stitched on an upper side or spot glued thereto.
• the upper as a whole will be provided on its inner side with an upper liner, such that the foot is enclosed on its lateral sides as well as on its upper side by the upper liner.
• the upper liner is provided only on the lateral sides of the upper, extending from the upper bottom to some height above.
• the upper liner includes a waterproof and water vapor permeable functional layer
• such configuration of the upper liner still provides for wa- terproofness of the footwear with respect to moisture or water coming from the ground.
• the second region underneath the upper bottom laminate may positioned such as to be, in a state in which a sole unit is attached to the lower surface of the upper assembly, in moisture permeable communication with at least one moisture permeable passage, or with a region exhibiting moisture permeable porosities, formed in the sole unit.
• This allows efficient transport of moisture from the second region underneath the bottom laminate to the outside via the passages or porosities formed in the sole unit. It is preferred that such moisture permeable communication even allows the transport of moisture in liquid form.
• the first region between the outer material layer and the upper liner of the upper and/or between an outer peripheral part of the first outer assembly sole and the upper liner of the upper may positioned such as to be, in a state in which a sole unit is attached to the lower surface of the upper assembly, covered by sole material and/or sole adhesive. Because of the sole material and/or the sole adhesive, transport of water vapor from the inside of the footwear to the outside is hindered or even blocked. Hence, such moisture will accumulate typically at such locations.
• the moisture transporting structure may comprise at least one material having wicking characteristics as discussed above, thereby forming a wicking element.
• materials having wicking characteristics are hy- drophilic natural fibers like cotton, and hydrophilic synthetic fibers like hy- drophilic polyethylene, polyester and copolyester, or any fibers subject to a hydrophilic treatment,, and mixtures thereof.
• the moisture transporting structure may be provided with at least one moisture conduit structure, thereby forming a moisture conduit element.
• the first assembly sole may be provided with grooves or slits which extend between the first region and the second regions mentioned above. Other forms of recesses and/or perforations are conceivable as well. It is also conceivable to provide the first assembly sole with an arrangement of wicking filaments.
• the first assembly sole may be made of a water vapor permeable and/or perforated material with respect to a direction across the first assembly sole.
• Such water vapor permeability may be provided at least in the region laterally inside the moisture transporting structure(s), but in some embodiments may also be provided in the moisture transporting structure(s).
• the moisture transporting structure may extend over the first assembly sole as a whole, i.e. the first assembly sole as a whole may be made of a material having wicking characteristics and/or may be provided with one or a plurality of moisture conduit structures.
• the moisture transporting structure provides for a moisture transport rate of at least 1 cm per two 2 hours, measured after DIN 53924 (1997).
• moisture transport rates measured after DIN 53924 (1997), of at least 2 cm per 2 hours, or of at least 3 cm per 2 hours, or of at least 4 cm per 2 hours, or of at least 5 cm per 2 hours,or of even at least 6 cm per 2 hours may be achieved.
• Maximum moisture transport rates, measured after DIN 53924 (1997), up to 5 cm per 2 hours, or of even up to 8 cm per 2 hours, or of even 10 cm per 2 hours can be realized.
• the outer material layer of the upper is joined to the first assembly sole, preferably the outer material layer is not joined, or at least not joined directly, to the upper bottom functional laminate.
• the upper bottom laminate will typically be connected in a waterproof way with such upper functional laminate.
• a moisture transportation path may extend in between the inner side of the outer material layer and the upper bottom functional layer and the outer side of the upper functional layer.
• the upper liner may be configured as an upper liner laminate having a second water vapor permeable and waterproof functional layer. Using such upper liner, fully waterproof yet breathable footwear may be constructed.
• the outer material layer may be shorter than the upper liner.
• the upper liner has a sole-sided upper liner end region which overlaps or extends beyond the corresponding sole-sided outer material end region.
• the sole-sided end regions of the upper are connected, e.g. stitched, to the outer peripheral end regions of the first assembly sole thus forming at least one bonding region.
• the first assembly sole extends relatively far up on the lateral sides of the footwear, and reaches far into the first region where most accumulation of moisture will occur.
• the first assembly sole is able to effectively take up moisture in its outer peripheral regions, given such outer peripheral regions are provided with at least one suitable moisture transporting structure. Transport of moisture from the first region to the second region can be very efficient, as the first assembly sole rather effectively sucks in moisture in the first region, leading to a large gradient in concentration of moisture from the first region to the second region.
• the first assembly sole may be arranged underneath the upper bottom laminate. The first assemble sole thus forms the lowermost layer of the upper bottom. In footwear having the upper assembly, the first assembly sole will be the lowermost layer arranged immediately above the sole unit. Typically, in such configuration the sole unit will be attached in some way to the first assembly sole.
• connection region When joining the sole-sided end region of the outer material layer to the first assembly sole, a connection region may be formed which includes the areas where bonding takes place, e.g. seams covered by stitches, adhesive or the like, and/or seams where welding takes place. Further, the connection region typically will also include regions of the outer material layer and the first assembly sole being adjacent to such seams. In most embodiments the connection region can be considered to extend as far upwards as the sole-sided end region of the outer material layer comes into contact with the sole unit. In footwear having a sole provided with through holes and/or perforations, the connection region may be considered to reach as far inwards as an outer peripheral region of the first assembly sole encloses an inner peripheral region of the assembly sole overlying the through holes/perforations.
• first assembly sole it is generally advantageous to join the outer material layer and the first assembly sole by stitching, e.g. using known types of stitches like Strobel stitches or zig-zag stitches.
• Stitching provides for a seam which does not impair transport of moisture from the sole-sided end region of the upper to the outer peripheral regions of the first assembly sole, and is relatively easy to carry out with typical materials to be used for the moisture transporting structure.
• other bonding techniques like gluing or welding, tend to adversely affect such moisture transport at least in the connection region.
• neither the first assembly sole nor the outer material of the upper include a functional layer and hence providing a stitched seam to join the first assembly sole and the outer material does not affect waterproofness of the upper assembly.
• the moisture transporting capability may even be improved when using hydrophilic yarns or filaments for stitching together the the outer material layer and the first assembly.
• Bonding material or liquid polymeric material are used to attach or form a sole unit to the upper assembly by molding or injecting.
• Such material if applied to the sole-sided end region of the outer material layer and/or to the first assembly sole, may affect moisture transport efficiency.
• the sole-sided end region of the outer material layer may be joined to the first assembly sole such as to be impermeable with respect to bonding material, such as glue or adhesive, for attaching a sole unit and/or with respect to liquid polymeric material used for providing a sole unit by molding or injecting.
• impermeable is meant to suppress penetration of any bonding material and/or liquid polymeric material into the outer material layer and/or first assembly sole to such extent that moisture transport from the first region between the outer material layer and the upper liner of the upper and/or between an outer peripheral part of the first outer assembly sole and the upper liner of the upper, to a second region underneath the upper bottom laminate is disturbed significantly.
• impermeability is provided preferably with respect to the lower sides of the outer material layer and/or the first assembly sole.
• impermeability will be provided in regions where a seam connecting the outer material layer and the first assembly sole is formed, however it is advantageous if such impermeability also extends to adjacent regions of the outer material layer and/or first assembly sole, e.g. extends over the connection region.
• Impermeability of the sole-sided end region of the outer material layer and/or first assembly sole, particularly in the connection region, with respect to bonding material for attaching a sole unit and/or with respect to liquid polymeric material for molding or injecting a sole unit has turned out to be advantageous, even in cases where the first assembly sole does not have any particular moisture transporting structures.
• impermeability allows the use of bonding materials for attaching the sole unit being chemically more aggressive than other material conventionally used.
• impermeability allows to use materials having melting or softening regions at rather high temperatures. If such materials were allowed to penetrate through the layer structure formed by the outer material layer and/or the first assembly sole, they would potentially harm the functional layers inside.
• Applicant reserves the right to draft claims protecting any embodiments where the sole-sided end region of the outer material layer is joined to the first assembly sole such as to be impermeable with respect to bonding material, such as glue or adhesive, for attaching a sole unit and/or with respect to liquid polymeric material used for providing a sole unit by molding or injecting without the first assembly sole having any particular moisture transporting structures.
• bonding material such as glue or adhesive
• an impermeable layer may be provided.
• Such impermeable layer covers the connection area of the sole-sided end region of the outer material layer and the first assembly sole.
• such impermeable layer may be arranged on a sole-sided connection area of the sole-sided end region of the outer material layer and the first assembly sole, because typically a sole unit will be attached to the bottom side of the upper assembly.
• the impermeable layer will be in direct contact with any bonding material for attaching the sole unit and/or any liquid polymeric material.
• the impermeable layer may be made of a material that is selected from structures comprising at least one barrier layer, such as an impermeable tape or film, such tape or film being in particular impermeable for injected polyurethane (PU) material.
• barrier layer such as an impermeable tape or film, such tape or film being in particular impermeable for injected polyurethane (PU) material.
• the impermeable layer include adhesive tapes, or tapes used for sealing purposes, like Gore-Seam® Tape.
• the impermeable layer can include a barrier comprising of metalized films, e.g. as described in the applicant's co-pending patent application PCT/EP2011/051265, or of polyethylene, in particular low density polyethylene LDPE.
• the upper bottom laminate may be a two-layer laminate having a first water vapor permeable and waterproof functional layer which is arranged on a textile support layer, preferably on the surface directed to the inside of the upper assembly.
• the upper bottom laminate is a three-layer laminate having the first water vapor permeable and waterproof functional layer which is arranged between a first and a second textile support layer.
• the upper functional layer may be included in an upper laminate being any one of a two layer laminate, a three layer laminate or a mul- ti layer laminate as described.
• a second water vapor permeable upper liner assembly sole (in the following: second assembly sole) may be arranged above the upper bottom laminate.
• Such second assembly sole may be used to close the lower ends of the upper liner towards the sole unit, typically as a first step in manufacturing the upper assembly. Once the upper liner is closed using the second assembly sole, the outer material layer of the upper can be closed towards the sole independently. This allows for selecting the most beneficial techniques for joining the upper liner with the second assembly sole and for joining the outer layer with the first assembly sole.
• the second water vapor permeable upper liner assembly sole and the sole-sided end region of the upper liner may be joined to one another by stitching, e.g. using known types of stitches like Strobel or zig-zag stitches.
• the second assembly sole may be joined along its outer periphery to the sole- sided edge of the upper liner.
• such upper bottom laminate may be joined along its outer periphery with the outer side of the upper liner, preferably by adhesive bonding and in such a way that the bonding seals the joint waterproof.
• Such construction allows closing the upper liner, even in case such upper liner includes a functional layer, towards the sole by attaching the second assembly sole using stitches.
• the upper assembly is not yet waterproof with respect to the upper bottom. Waterproof- ness with respect to the upper bottom is achieved by adding an additional upper bottom laminate on the bottom side of the second assembly sole.
• the bottom laminate is attached to the outer side of the lower end region of the upper liner via a bond providing a waterproof seal, e.g. via a waterproof adhesive bond.
• a bond providing a waterproof seal e.g. via a waterproof adhesive bond.
• the sole-sided end region of the upper liner and the upper bottom laminate may be joined without the use of an additional assembly sole.
• the upper bottom laminate may be considered to provide the function of the second assembly sole.
• One example of such construction includes a so-called waterproof and water vapor permeable bootie.
• bootie generally has the shape of a sock which is inserted into the upper assembly formed by an outer layer and an upper bottom.
• the upper liner may be constructed as an upper liner laminate, forming a water vapor permeable and waterproof unit with the upper bottom laminate.
• the bootie is a prefabricated component which is attached to the inner side of an outer layer of the upper followed by closing the upper towards the sole side using the first assembly sole.
• first the outer layer of the upper may be placed on a last and closed on its bottom side by the first assembly sole, after which the last is removed and the bootie is inserted into the upper assembly and placed on the inner sides of the outer layer and first assembly sole.
• the sole-sided end region of the upper liner and the upper bottom laminate may joined to one another by stitching using known stitches like zig-zag stitches.
• the bonding regions between different parts of the bootie need to be sealed, e.g. by using adhe- sives like hot-melt adhesives applied to the seams or seam tapes covering the seams.
• adhe- sives like hot-melt adhesives applied to the seams or seam tapes covering the seams.
• the upper assembly as described above is preferably intended to be used with waterproof and water vapor permeable footwear.
• Footwear is understood to include any types of shoes or boots.
• Such footwear will typically comprise an upper assembly as described before, and a sole unit attached to the upper assembly.
• the sole unit has at least one passage or exhibits porosities and is joined in particular to the lower surface of the upper assembly by adhesive bonding, molding or injecting.
• the lower surface of the upper assembly is intended to refer to sole side of the upper bottom and/or of the sole-sided end region of the upper.
• the at least one moisture transporting structure extends from an outer periphery of the first assembly sole and/or from the sole-sided outer material end region laterally inwards into the region being in liquid communication with the at least one passage or the porosities.
• Footwear is considered to comprise any type of footgear having a closed upper portion (upper), and a sole or sole unit attached to the bottom side of the upper.
• the upper forms a pouch enclosing the foot and including a foot insertion opening.
• Upper outer material refers to a material which forms the outside surface of the upper and thus of the upper assembly.
• the outer material may consists of leather, textile, plastic, other known materials, or combinations thereof, or is constructed therewith.
• the outer material generally is made of water vapor permeable material.
• the sole sided lower end of the upper outer material forms a region adjoining the upper edge of the sole or sole unit, or above a boundary plane between the upper and the sole or sole unit.
• the assembly sole is part of the upper bottom.
• a sole sided upper end region is joined with the assembly sole.
• a first assembly sole for closing the outer material layer towards the sole or sole unit is provided and sometimes a second assembly sole for closing the upper inner liner towards the sole or sole unit may be provided.
• a shoe has at least one outsole, but can also have multiple kinds of sole layers which are arranged on top of each other and form a sole unit.
• An outsole is that component of the sole/sole unit which touches the floor/ground or makes the main contact with the floor/ground in use.
• An out- sole has at least one tread surface touching the floor.
• a midsole can be inserted in between the outsole and the upper assembly.
• the midsole can e.g. provide for cushioning or damping, or may be used as filling material.
• a bootie is a sock type inner liner of an upper assembly.
• a bootie forms a bag type liner of the upper assembly, which covers the interior of the footwear essentially completely.
• a waterproof and water va- por permeable bootie is provided.
• Such bootie typically is made of a plurality of different parts joined together in a waterproof manner.
• Functional layer refers to a waterproof and/or water vapor permeable layer, e.g. in the form of a membrane or of an appropriately treated or finished material, e.g. a textile having undergone a plasma treatment.
• the functional layer may be an upper bottom functional layer forming least one layer of an upper bottom of the upper assembly.
• the functional layer may also be provided in the form of an upper functional layer at least partly forming a lining of the upper.
• Both the upper functional layer but also the upper bottom functional layer may be provided as part of a multilayer, usually two, three or four layer, membrane laminate or functional layer laminate.
• the upper functional layer and the upper bottom functional layer can each be part of a functional layer bootie.
• an upper functional layer and a separate upper bottom functional layer are used, these are sealed relative to each other in a waterproof way, particularly in the sole sided lower regions of the upper assembly.
• the upper bottom functional layer and the upper functional layer can be made of the same material or can be made of different materials.
• Suitable materials for the waterproof and water vapor permeable functional layers are in particular polyurethane, polypropylene and polyester, including polyetherester and laminates thereof, as described for example US-A- 4,493,870.
• the functional layer may be constructed using microporous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), as described e.g. in US-A-3,953,566 and US-A-25 4,187,390.
• the functional layer may also be constructed using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene provided with hydrophilic impregnants and/or hydrophilic layers, as described e.g. in US-A-4, 194,041.
• A. microporous functional layer is a functional layer whose average pore size is between about 0.2 ⁇ and about 0.3 ⁇ .
• a laminate is an assembly consisting of multiple layers durably bonded to each other, generally by mutual adhering together.
• a waterproof and water vapor permeable functional layer is provided with at least one textile layer.
• the at least one textile layer mainly serves to protect the functional layer during the processing thereof. This is referred to as a two layer laminate.
• a three layer laminate consists of a waterproof and water vapor permeable functional layer embedded between two textile layers. The bonding between the functional layer and the at least one textile layers is effected e.g. by means of a continuous water vapor permeable layer of adhesive or by means of a discontinuous layer of non water vapor permeable adhesive.
• adhesive in the form of a dot shaped pattern may be applied between the functional layer and the textile layer, or between the functional layer and both of the textile layers.
• the dot shaped or discontinuous application of the adhesive is chosen because a uniform layer of an adhesive which itself is non water vapor permeable would block the water vapor permeability of the functional layer.
• a barrier layer serves as barrier against the penetration of substances, particularly in the form of particles or foreign bodies, e.g. small stones, through to a layer of material to be protected, more particularly through to a mechanically sensitive functional layer or functional layer laminate.
• a functional layer/functional layer laminate/membrane if appropriate including seams provided on the functional layer/functional layer laminate/membrane, is considered to be waterproof in case it warrants a water inlet pressure of at least 1 * 10 4 Pa.
• the functional layer material warrants a water inlet pressure of above 1 * 10 5 Pa.
• the water inlet pressure is measured by following test method: Distilled water at 20 ⁇ 2°C is applied to a sample of 100 cm 2 of the functional layer with increasing pressure. The pressure increase of the water is 60 ⁇ 3 cm Ws per minute. The water inlet pressure is then equal to the pressure at which water first appears on the other side of the sample. Details of the procedure are described in ISO-0811 (1981).
• Whether a shoe is waterproof can be tested e.g. using a centrifuge arrangement of the kind described in US-A-5 329 807.
• a functional layer/functional layer laminate is considered water vapor permeable in case it has a water vapor permeability number Ret of below 150 m 2 * Pa * W "1 .
• the water vapor permeability is tested in accordance with the Hohen- stein skin model. This test method is described in DIN EN 31092 (02/94) and ISO 11092 (1993).
• a material or structural element e.g. a filament, yarn or textile fabrics, is referred to as having wicking characteristics, in case it is able to transport moisture based on sorption, diffusion and/or capillarity processes.
• a wicking material or structural element it is able to take off liquid or gaseous moisture from a first reservoir and transport such moisture along its extension to a second reservoir, as a consequence of its intermolecular or "micro" structure.
• moisture will be able to flow against gravity, such that moisture spontaneously rises.
• Typical materials or structural elements having wicking characteristics include narrow spaces, such as thin tubes, or are porous materials, such as paper or absorbent textiles.
• wicking characteristics e.g. some types of carbon fibers or nano-materials.
• Particular wicking materials include naturally hydrophilic materials or materials having been subject to a hydrophilic treatment. Examples for such materials are cellulose, leather, any materials having a porous structure, natural fibers, synthetic fibers and surfaces based on these fibers.
• Figure 1 shows a schematic cross section of a forefoot region of a shoe according to a first illustrative embodiment of the invention
• Figure 2 shows a schematic cross section of a forefoot region of a shoe according to a further illustrative embodiment of the invention
• Figure 3 shows schematic cross section of a forefoot region of a shoe according to a further illustrative embodiment of the invention
• Figures 4 to 14 show schematic bottom views of various exemplary upper assemblies having a first assembly sole according to embodiments.
• Figure 1 shows a schematic cross section of a forefoot region of a shoe 100 comprising an upper assembly 10 according to a first illustrative embodiment of the invention and a sole unit 12.
• the sole unit 12 is attached to the bottom side of the upper assembly 10.
• the sole unit 12 is attached to the upper assembly by overmolding, in particular by direct injecting of liquid polymeric material to the bottom of the upper assembly 10.
• the injected polymeric material forms part of an outsole 44.
• Figures 2 and 3 The same construction is shown in Figures 2 and 3.
• a sole unit having a prefabricated outsole 44 could be used, which is attached to the upper assembly by injecting liquid polymeric material forming a midsole, or the prefabricated sole unit 12 could be attached to the upper assembly 10 by gluing to the bottom of the upper assembly 10.
• the upper assembly 10 comprises an upper 14 and an upper bottom 16.
• the upper bottom 16 is connected with its outer peripheral edge to the sole sided edge of the upper 10.
• the upper section of upper is not shown in Figures 1 to 3. However, it is to be understood that the upper section of the upper 10 forms a closed pocket into which the foot is to be inserted.
• the upper 14 includes a water vapor permeable outer material layer 18 and an upper functional layer laminate 20 forming an upper liner.
• the upper functional layer laminate 20 comprises - from the outer side towards the inner side - a supporting textile layer in the form of a mesh layer 22, an upper functional layer or an upper membrane 24, and a supporting textile layer in the form of an upper liner layer 26.
• the outer material layer 18 has a sole sided lower end region 18a curved inwardly relative to the essentially vertically extending section of the upper 14.
• the upper functional layer laminate 20 is a three layer laminate having the upper functional layer 24 sandwiched in between the upper liner layer 26 on its inner side and an upper supporting mesh layer 22 on its outer side.
• the upper functional layer laminate 20 may be a two layer laminate 20 having the upper functional layer 24 supported by a supporting mesh layer 22 or liner layer 26, either on the inner or on the outer side. Further, in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 3, the laminate forms a closed pocket into which the foot is to be inserted. However, in some embodiments, the laminate 20 may not form a closed pocket, but only extend in the lateral sections of the upper 14 up to some height, such as to prevent penetration of water from the ground.
• the multilayer upper bottom 16 comprises - from its lower side, i.e. its sole facing side, towards its upper side, i.e. its side directed towards the inside of the upper assembly, - the first assembly sole 30 (also called first insole), an upper bottom functional layer laminate 32 having an upper bottom functional layer or an upper bottom membrane 34 supported by a supporting textile layer 36, and a second assembly sole 38.
• the upper bottom functional layer laminate 32 is a two layer laminate having an upper bottom functional layer 34 supported by a supporting textile layer 36.
• the upper bottom functional layer laminate 32 may be a three layer laminate having an upper bottom functional layer 34 sandwiched in between a first supporting textile Iayer36 and a second supporting textile layer 36, as exemplary shown for the embodiment of Figure 3.
• the sole sided end region 18a of the outer material layer 18 is joined by means of a stitch 28, e.g. a Strobel stitch or a zigzag stitch, to the outer peripheral end 30a of the first assembly sole 30. Thereby, during manufacture of the upper assembly 10, the outer material layer 18 of the upper 14 is closed towards the sole unit 12 via the first assembly sole 30.
• a stitch 28 e.g. a Strobel stitch or a zigzag stitch
• the second assembly sole 38 is joined at its outer peripheral end by means of a stitch 40, e.g. a Strobel stitch or a zigzag stitch, to the sole sided end region of the upper liner 20.
• a stitch 40 e.g. a Strobel stitch or a zigzag stitch
• the upper bottom functional layer laminate 32 is arranged immediately below the second assembly sole 38 and above the first assembly sole 30.
• the upper bottom functional layer laminate 32 has a larger lateral extent than the second assembly sole. This allows the upper bottom functional layer laminate 32 to be connected, e.g. by gluing, in a waterproof manner to the sole sided end region of the upper functional layer laminate 20.
• a waterproof seal is formed between the upper bottom functional layer 34 and the upper functional layer 24.
• the underside of the sole sided end region of the upper functional layer laminate 20 is connected by means of a sealing adhesive 42 in a waterproof manner to the upper side of the outer peripheral edge of the upper bottom functional layer laminate 32.
• the sealing adhesive 42 may either be superposed on the stitching 40 or may be arranged laterally outside of the stitching 40. In both cases the result is an allover waterproof and - when using not just waterproof but also water vapor permeable functional layers 24, 34 - an , allover water vapor permeable upper assembly 10.
• the sealing adhesive 42 penetrates through the upper supporting mesh 22, thus providing a waterproof sealing between the two functional layers 24, 34 relative to each other, and serves to secure and seal the upper bottom functional layer laminate 32 to the upper functional layer laminate 20.
• the upper bottom functional layer laminate 32 is not joined to the first assembly sole 30 and not joined to the second assembly sole 38, but rather merely abuts such first and second assembly soles. If at all, the upper bottom functional layer laminate 32 may be slightly fixed with respect to the first assembly sole 30 and/or with respect to the second assembly sole 38 in a manner not affecting water vapor permeability, e.g. by spot gluing.
• the sole sided lower end region of the upper functional layer laminate 20 is spaced from the sole sided lower end region 18a of the outer material layer 18, because of the outer peripheral edge of the upper bottom functional layer laminate 32.
• Such first region or interspace A widens towards the sole-sided end region of the upper 14 where the upper 14 is closed by the upper bottom 16.
• the outer periphery of the upper bottom functional layer laminate 32 forms an inner boundary of such first region or interspace A.
• the first region or interspace A is typically filled by air or by moisture (water in liquid and/or gaseous phase) vapor or by an air/moisture mixture.
• the sole unit 12 is attached to the sole sided lower end region 18 of the outer material layer 18a by means of injecting liquid polymeric material such as to form an outsole 44 to the bottom of the upper assembly 10.
• the sole unit 12 may be a prefabricated sole unit and may be glued to the bottom of the upper assembly 10 using sole adhesive.
• the sole unit 12 comprises the outsole 44 which forms the surrounding outer region thereof and which on its upper side extends somewhat upwardly in the outward direction in order to accommodate the curved region of the outer material layer 18 of the upper, where the sole-sided end region 18a of the outer material layer 18 is positioned.
• the outsole 44 also forms at least part of a tread surface 44a which, in use of the shoe, contacts the ground.
• the outsole 44 has a central cutout X in which are arranged - from the bottom to the upward direction - a supporting bar layer 46, a grid layer 48, and a barrier layer 50.
• the sole unit 12 has formed therein a number of through holes or perforations 52a, 52b.
• These through holes or perforations 52a, 52b are formed in the tread surface 44a and permit exchange of moisture between the tread surface 44a and the upper bottom functional layer 34.
• the trough holes or perforations 52a, 52b are in moisture transporting contact with a second region, designated as B in the drawings, underneath the upper bottom functional layer 34.
• the outsole 44 can be made as a single piece, as shown in the figures, or can be made from two or more pieces, e.g. in different colors.
• the through holes or perforations 52a, 52b are made as large as possible in order to allow a correspondingly high water vapor permeability.
• the sole unit 12 is horizontally traversed by a barrier layer 50 which provides a mechanical protection for the upper bottom functional layer laminate 32 against damage by foreign bodies, e.g. small stones, which might penetrate into the through holes or perforations 52a, 52b.
• the barrier layer 50 extends somewhat into the outsole 44, and thus is anchored in the latter and durably connected thereto.
• This barrier layer may be constructed using a thermally consolidated fibrous material, so that it can additionally also be configured as a stabilizing material for the sole unit 12. Additional stability to the sole unit is provided by the supporting bar layer 46 and the grid layer 48.
• the first assembly sole 30 is provided with a moisture transporting structure 54a, 54b.
• Such moisture transporting structure 54a, 54b is positioned in the outer peripheral regions of the first assembly sole 30 and provides for a moisture communication path connecting the first region or interspace A formed in between the upper functional layer laminate 20 and the outer material layer 18 of the upper 14 and/or the outer peripheral edge region 30a of the first assembly sole 30 with the second region B below the upper bottom laminate 32.
• Moisture having accumulated in the first region or interspace A thus is allowed to be transported away via such moisture transporting structure 54a, 54b to the second region B from where it can be transported to the outside via the through holes/perforations 52a, 52b formed in the sole unit 12.
• a similar moisture transporting structure 54c, 54d may be provided in the sole sided edge region 18a of the outer material layer 19 of the upper, as is depicted schematically for the embodiments of Figures 2 and 3.
• Such moisture transporting structure 54c, 54d preferably will be in water transporting communication with the corresponding moisture transporting structure 54a, 54b in the first assembly sole and further supports the moisture communication path connecting the first region or interspace A with the region B.
• the outer material layer 18 of the upper 14 extends far into the region under the upper bottom laminate 32, see Figure 3, it may be conceivable to use only the moisture transporting structure 54c, 54d and omit a corresponding moisture transporting structure 54a, 54b in the first assembly sole.
• connection region 56 is formed where the sole-sided end 18a of the outer material layer 18 is joined to the outer peripheral region 30a of the first assembly sole.
• Such connection region includes the areas where bonding between the sole sided end 18a of the outer material layer 18 and the outer peripheral region 30a of the first assembly sole 30 takes place, e.g. a seam covered by stitches 28, adhesive or the like, and/or seams where welding takes place.
• the connection region 56 also includes regions of the outer material layer 18 and the first assembly sole 30 adjacent to such seam 28. In the embodiments show in Figures 1 to 3, the connection region 56 can be considered to extend as far upwards as the sole-sided end region 18a of the outer material layer 18 comes into contact with the sole unit 12.
• connection region 56 may be considered to reach as far inwards from the joint 28 as an outer peripheral region 30a of the first assembly sole 30 encloses an inner peripheral region 30b of the assembly sole 30 overlying the through holes/perforations 52a, 52b when the sole unit 12 is attached to upper assembly 10.
• the sole-sided end region 18a of the outer material layer 18 is joined to the first assembly sole 30 such as to be impermeable with respect to bonding material, such as glue or adhesive, for attaching a sole unit 12 and/or with respect to liquid polymeric material used for providing a sole unit 12 by molding or injecting.
• bonding material such as glue or adhesive
• impermeable refers to suppressing penetration of any bonding material and/or liquid polymeric material into the outer material layer 18 and/or first assembly sole 30 to such extent that moisture transport from the first region A to the second region B underneath the upper bottom laminate 32 is disturbed significantly.
• the sole unit 12 is attached to the upper assembly 10 from below.
• impermeability is provided preferably with respect to the lower sides of the sole sided end region 18a of the outer material layer 18 and/or with respect to the bottom side of the first assembly sole 30.
• the region of the seam 28 joining the outer material layer 18 with the first assembly sole 30 is provided in such a way as to be impermeable with respect to liquid polymeric material for injecting the outsole 44 and/or with respect to sole adhesive.
• such seam 28 is arranged inside the region of the outer material layer 18 coming into contact with liquid polymeric outsole material or with sole adhesive.
• Impermeability with respect to liquid polymeric material and/or sole adhesive allows the use of bonding materials for attaching the sole unit 12 being chemically more aggressive than other materials conventionally used.
• the described impermeability allows to use materials having melting or softening regions at rather high temperatures. If such materials were allowed to penetrate through the layer structure formed by the outer material layer 18 and/or the first assembly sole 30, they would potentially harm the functional layers 24, 34 inside.
• an impermeable layer 58 is provided on the outer side of the sole-sided end region 18a of the outer material layer 18 and on the bottom side of the first assembly sole 30.
• Such impermeable layer 58 extends over the connection area of the sole-sided end region 18a of the outer material layer 18 and the outer peripheral region 30a of the first assembly sole 30. It also covers the seam 28 which joins the outer material layer 18 with the first assembly sole 30.
• the impermeable layer 58 comes into direct contact with any bonding material for attaching the sole unit 12 and/or with any liquid polymeric material used for injecting the outsole 44.
• the impermeable layer may be made of a tape or film material that is selected from at least one of polyurethane or silicone based materials, and that is attached by gluing.
• the impermeable layer may be formed by liquid or viscous adhesive material, e.g. polyurethane and/or reactive hotmelt type adhesive material. After drying and/or curing and/or hardening, such adhesive material forms a layer which is impermeable with respect to liquid or viscous sole material. Suitable liquid or viscous adhe- sives should have a sufficiently high viscosity.
• typical sole adhesive used to bond the sole unit to the upper assembly is an adhesive with a molecular weight above 100,000.
• Such adhesive has been used successfully to provide the impermeable layer.
• Examples are the following adhesives/adhesive systems: Fuller Ultraflex 4320 + Fuller Hardener FCUV, Ltderling Koraplast 188, ZHONG BU type PL 755 + 8% hardener 318.
• a ring shaped protective element 58' is used instead of an impermeable layer 58.
• Such ring shaped protective element 58' may be formed by applying a suitable adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, to the joint 28, after the sole sided end region 18a of the outer material layer 18 and the outer peripheral edge region 30a of the first assembly sole 30 have been joined to each other.
• the ring shaped protective element 58' is applied from the outer side of the sole-sided end region 18a of the outer material layer 18 and from the bottom side of the first assembly sole 30.
• an impermeable seal is provided which covers the seam 28 formed in between the sole-sided end region 18a of the outer material layer 18 and the outer peripheral part 30a of the first assembly sole 30, but also regions immediately adjacent to such seam 28.
• Applying a ring shaped protective element 58' is easier in case the joint 28 is located on a mostly horizontally extending region of the upper assembly 10. For this reason, in the embodiment of Figure 2 the outer material layer 18 of the upper extends relatively far down almost into the region under the upper bottom laminate 32.
• Figure 2 is identical to the embodiment of Figure 1. To avoid duplication, it is referred to the description of Figure 1 above which also applies to the embodiment of Figure 2.
• the outer material layer 18 is particularly long, and in fact longer than the upper liner 20.
• the outer material layer 18 extends over the lower curved region where the upper assembly 10 changes from a generally vertical extension into a generally horizontal extension which typically defines the upper bottom 16.
• the outer material layer 18 in fact extends lat- erally inwards into a region below the upper bottom laminate 32.
• the outer material layer 18 may even reach into the region below the upper bottom laminate 32 to such extend that it enters into a laterally inward region of the upper bottom 16 which, in a state in which a sole unit 12 is attached to the upper assembly 10, is superposed on the region where the through holes and/or perforations 52a, 52b are formed in the sole unit 12.
• the connection region 56 i.e.
• the joint 28 including the regions adjacent to it and coming into contact with any liquid polymeric material for injecting the outsole 44 and/or any sole adhesive, is formed by the joint 28 and the outer/bottom side of the sole-sided end region 18a of the outer material layer 18.
• the outsole 44 it is possible to press the barrier layer 50 against the bottom side of the sole-side end region 18a of the outer material layer 18 firmly enough to avoid penetration of liquid sole material.
• a sole unit 12 using a sole adhesive it is possible to use a configuration where sole adhesive is applied to the outer peripheral region of the of the sole unit 12 only, but is not applied to the region where the barrier layer 50 is superposed on the sole-sided end region 18a of the outer material layer 18.
• the barrier layer 50 When attaching the sole unit 12 to the upper assembly 10 under pressure, the barrier layer 50 is pressed against the sole-sided end region 18a of the outer material layer 18. Hence, an impermeable seal is provided which prevents penetration of liquid polymeric material and/or sole adhesive towards the upper bottom functional layer laminate 32.
• the embodiment of Figure 3 further differs from the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2 in that no second assembly sole is used for closing the upper 14 towards the sole unit 12. Rather, the upper bottom functional layer laminate 32 also provides the function of the second assembly sole 38 as used in the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2.
• the upper bottom functional layer laminate 32 and the upper liner 20 are joined to each other at joint 40 by any known method, e.g. by stitching (like Strobel stitch or zigzag stitch) which produces a stitched seam 40.
• a sealing material 42 e.g. a hot-melt adhesive, is applied to the joint 40 connecting the upper bottom functional layer laminate 32 and the upper liner 20.
• the sealing material is applied in liquid state and penetrates into the joint 40. After curing, the sealing material 42 makes the joint 40 between the upper bottom laminate 32 and the upper liner 20 waterproof.
• Other types of sealing materials 42 in particular seam tapes or sealing adhesives, might be used as known to the person skilled in the art.
• the upper bottom laminate 32 is configured in the form of a three layer laminate.
• a two layer laminate could be used.
• the three layer laminate 32 of Figure 3 could be used with the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2 as well.
• Figure 3 is identical to the embodiment of Figure 1. To avoid duplication, it is referred to the description of Figure 1 above which also applies to the embodiment of Figure 3.
• Figures 4 to 14 show schematic bottom views of various exemplary upper assemblies 10 having a first assembly sole 30 according to the embodiments.
• the upper assembly is designated by 10 and the first assembly sole, although being configured differently in each embodiment is designated by the same reference sign 30.
• the sole sided end region of the outer material layer 18 of the upper is designated by 18a.
• the joint between the sole sided end region 18a of the outer material layer 18 and the first assembly sole 30 is designated by 28 in each figure.
• the first assembly sole 30 and/or the outer material layer 18 of the upper is provided with a moisture transporting structure 54.
• such moisture transporting structures have been designated by 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d.
• each of the moisture transporting structures 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d shown in Figures 1 to 3 can have a configuration of any of the moisture transporting structures 54 shown in Figures 4 to 14.
• different of the moisture transporting structures 54, each shown exemplary in any of Figures 4 to 14, may be combined in a same upper assembly.
• the first assembly sole 30 as a whole is made from a material having wicking characteristics with respect to moisture, and thus the material of the first assembly sole 30 forms the moisture transporting structure 54.
• the first assembly sole 30 extends over the complete upper bottom 16.
• a material is referred to as having "wicking characteristics" in case it is able to take off liquid or gaseous moisture from a first reservoir and transport such moisture along its extension to a second reservoir, as a consequence of its molecular or “micro” structure, see above.
• wicking materials are hydrophilic natural fibers like cotton, and hydrophilic synthetic fibers like hydrophilic polyethylene, polyester and copolyester, or any fibers subject to a hydrophilic treatment, and mixtures thereof. All these materials not only provide for sufficient wicking efficiency, but at the same time provide for sufficient stability and flexibility to be used as an assembly sole.
• the first assembly sole and/or the sole-sided outer material end region in regions where a moisture transporting structure is provided, preferably includes materials capable of transporting moisture, e.g. and/or may be provided with a moisture conduit structure capable of allowing or even promoting transport of moisture, e.g. channel structures or wicking filaments.
• the first assembly sole and/or the sole-sided outer material end region may be provided with a moisture conduit structure, e.g. with a channel like structure, with an arrangement of wicking filaments, and/or with suitable perforations and/or recesses.
• the first assembly sole and/or the sole-sided outer material end region in principle, need not be made of a material having wicking characteristics as a consequence of its molecular or "micro” structure, since the wicking effect is achieved by the "macroscopic" moisture conduit structure.
• the first assembly sole and/or the sole-sided outer material end region may be made of an even water impermeable material.
• all possibilities may be combined in the sense that a material having wicking characteristics is used which is additionally provided with a macroscopic moisture conduit structure, in order to maximize moisture transport efficiency.
• the first assembly sole 30 is provided with an arrangement of filaments or yarns 60a, 60b, 60c (only three filaments are designated exemplary).
• Each of these filaments 60a, 60b, 60c has wicking characteristics, i.e. is capable of transporting moisture along its longitudinal extension.
• wicking characteristics basically results from the wicking filaments being made of material having wicking characteristics and/or the particular shape of configuration of the filaments or yarns.
• the wicking filaments preferably form a grid like structure and extend from the lateral edges of the first assembly sole towards laterally inner regions or cross the first assembly sole thereby connecting two opposed lateral edges.
• wicking filaments 60a, 60b, 60c as provided in Fig. 5 also the sole sided end region 18a of the outer material layer at least on its inner side may be provided with wicking filaments 60c, 60d, 60e.
• These wicking filaments 60c, 60d, 60e may be made of the same materials and may have the same configuration as the wicking filaments 60a, 60b, 60c of the first assembly sole 30.
• a first moisture transporting structure 54 is provided by the first assembly sole 30, and a second moisture transporting structure 54 is provided by the outer material layer 18.
• the first and second moisture transporting structures 54, 54 are in moisture transporting communication with each other. Therefore, in a preferred configuration the wicking filaments 60c, 60d, 60e of the second moisture transporting structure are oriented towards the lower edge of the outer material layer 18, i.e. towards the joint 28.
• the moisture transporting structure 54 in the case shown formed by an arrangement of wicking filaments as described above, need not cover the first assembly sole as whole. In the embodiment shown only the region of the forefoot, where most moisture accumulation is expected, is provided with a moisture transporting structure 54.
• Figure 8 shows another example where the first assembly sole 30 is only in parts thereof provided with moisture transporting structures 54.
• the first assembly sole 30 is made of different material which are connected to each other.
• the first assembly sole is made of a material having wicking characteristics, thus forming two moisture transporting structures 54, 54 in such regions.
• the first assembly sole 30 is made of a conventional insole material without any particular wicking characteristics.
• the first assembly sole 30 includes regions which provide a moisture transporting structure 54 and other regions which do not.
• the first assembly sole 30 is made of a material not having any particular wicking characteristics and not being provided with any moisture conduit structure. Only the forefoot region includes two water transporting structures 54. Each of these water transporting structures 54 spans the upper bottom 16 in lateral direction. Thus, moisture accumulating at the lateral sides of the upper bottom 16 will be transported towards the central region of the upper bottom 16 which is to be superposed on the through holes and/or perforations 52a, 52b formed in sole unit 12.
• the first assembly sole 30 includes a central region 30b which is made from a conventional insole material, and thus does not provide any particular moisture transporting structure.
• the central region 30b is surrounded by an outer peripheral region 30a made of a material having wick- ing characteristics, as described above.
• the outer peripheral region provides for a moisture transporting structure 54.
• Such moisture transporting structure 54 is adjacent to joint 28 with the sole sided end region 18 of the outer material layer 18.
• the first assembly sole 30 includes a central region 30b which is made from a conventional insole material, and thus does not provide any particular moisture transporting structure.
• the central region 30a is surrounded by an outer peripheral region 30a which is provided with a moisture conduit structure 54 in the form of an arrangement of a plurality of moisture transport conduits 62a, 62b, 62c.
• These moisture transport conduits 62a, 62b, 62c are oriented generally radially extending from an outer peripheral edge of the first assembly sole basically radial inwards.
• the moisture transport conduits 62a, 62b, 62c extend into a region B below the upper bottom laminate 32 and in moisture communication with through holes and/or perforations 52a, 52b formed in the sole unit 12.
• the moisture transport conduits 62a, 62b, 62c are open towards the bottom side of the first assembly sole 30, and thus visible in the bottom view of the upper assembly shown in Figure 11. Moisture transported in such channels towards the central region 30b of the first assembly sole 30 can be transported outside efficiently.
• the example of Figure 12 is identical to the example of Figure 11, except that the moisture transport conduits 62a, 62b, 62c are open towards the upper side of the first assembly sole 30, but not towards the bottom side. Thus the moisture transport conduit 62a, 62b, 62c are not visible in the bottom view of the upper assembly shown in Figure 12. This is indicated by dotted lines. Moisture transported in such channels 62a, 62b, 62c towards the central region 30b of the first assembly sole 30 can be transported outside via perforations 64 formed in the central region 30b of the first assembly sole 30.
• the examples shown in Figures 13 and 14 correspond to the examples shown in Figures 11 and 12, respectively.
• the outer material layer 18 is in its sole sided edge region 18a provided with an arrangement of moisture conduit channels 62d, 62e, 62f, such arrangement of moisture conduit channels forming a second moisture transporting structure 54, in addition to the first moisture transporting structure 54 formed by the arrangement of moisture conduit channels 62a, 62b, 62c formed in the outer peripheral region 30a of the first assembly sole 30.
• the moisture conduit channels 62a, 62d; 62b, 62e; 62c, 62f of the first and second moisture transporting structures 54, 54 are all oriented basically in radial direction and are positioned such as to correspond to each other. This provides for efficient transport of moisture from the first region A to the second region B.

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• 2011
  • 2011-07-29 CA CA2842451A patent/CA2842451A1/en not_active Abandoned
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