EP4021237B1 - Shoe and method for making a shoe - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a shoe which comprises a shoe upper and a sole, wherein the shoe upper comprises an upper section which is arranged on an upper side of the foot of the wearer of the shoe when the shoe is worn, and wherein the upper section of the shoe upper comprises a knitted fabric includes.

The DE 10 2016 201 973 A1 discloses a shoe comprising a shoe upper and a sole, wherein the shoe upper comprises an upper portion which is arranged on an upper side of the foot of the wearer of the shoe when the shoe is worn, wherein the upper portion of the shoe upper may comprise a knitted fabric and wherein the upper portion of the shoe upper comprises a first yarn containing a hydrophobic synthetic fiber material and a second yarn containing a synthetic fiber material.

The US 2015/313316 A1 discloses a shoe comprising a shoe upper and a sole, wherein the shoe upper comprises an upper portion which is arranged on an upper side of the foot of the wearer of the shoe when the shoe is worn, and wherein the upper portion of the shoe upper comprises a knitted fabric, wherein the upper part of the shoe comprises a sole-side section, which is arranged on a sole side of the foot of the wearer of the shoe when the shoe is worn and comprises a knitted fabric.

The US 2015/351483 A1 discloses a shoe according to the preamble of claim 1.

The DE 10 2013 207 156 A1 discloses a shoe whose upper part is made, for example, from knitted fabric and whose midsole is formed from a spacer knit. Furthermore, this shoe includes an outsole which is made, for example, of rubber or plastic and is connected to the midsole, for example by gluing, sewing or welding (using ultrasound, using high-frequency welding or laser).

The present invention is based on the object of creating a shoe of the type mentioned in which moisture resulting from a sweating foot of the wearer of the shoe is particularly effectively removed from the interior of the shoe.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a shoe with the features of claim 1 in that the shoe upper comprises a sole-side section, which is arranged on a sole side of the foot of the wearer of the shoe when the shoe is worn, the sole-side section comprising a knitted fabric and wherein the upper section and/or the sole-side section of the shoe upper comprises a first yarn which contains a hydrophobic synthetic fiber material and a second yarn which contains a - preferably hydrophilic - synthetic fiber material or a hydrophilic natural fiber material.

The combination of the first yarn and the second yarn in the at least partially knitted shoe upper results in a particularly effective removal of moisture, in particular sweat, through the shoe upper into the area of the sole of the shoe.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the first yarn comprises a polyamide material, a polyethylene material and/or a polypropylene material.

The second yarn may include a polyamide material, a polyethylene material and/or a polypropylene material.

The second yarn preferably comprises a wool material, a cotton material, a viscose material and/or a lyocell material.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the knitted fabric of the shoe upper has an inner layer which faces the foot of the wearer of the shoe when the shoe is worn, and an outer layer which faces away from the foot of the wearer of the shoe when the shoe is worn , includes.

In principle, it can be provided that the outer layer of the knitted fabric comprises the first yarn and/or the inner layer of the knitted fabric comprises the second yarn.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, however, it is provided that the inner layer comprises the first yarn and/or the outer layer comprises the second yarn.

In particular, it can be provided that the inner layer is formed predominantly from the first yarn and/or the outer layer is predominantly formed from the second yarn.

It is particularly favorable if the second yarn comprises a hydrophilic material.

The moisture is then transported from the wearer's foot and possibly through a piece of legwear worn by the wearer of the shoe, for example a sock or stocking, and through the hydrophobic inner layer into the hydrophilic outer layer of the knitted fabric of the shoe upper.

A - preferably air-permeable - insole can be arranged between the wearer's foot or the legwear on the one hand and the knitted fabric of the shoe upper on the other.

The piece of legwear, for example the sock or stocking, is preferably formed from one or more hydrophilic yarns.

When the shoe is worn, the upper part of the shoe encloses the wearer's foot like a sock or stocking.

It is preferably provided that the upper section and the sole-side section of the shoe upper are knitted in one piece with one another.

It is particularly favorable if the shoe upper is essentially made entirely of a, preferably two-layer, knitted fabric.

The shoe upper is preferably formed from a shoe upper preform, which is brought into a shape adapted to the last (shaped piece that is modeled on a foot) and/or to the shape of the foot of the wearer of the shoe and in this form by sewing edges of the shoe upper -Preform is fixed.

In particular, it can be provided that the shoe upper has a sole-side seam, on which two partial areas of the sole-side section of the shoe upper are sewn together.

The sewing can be done in particular by strobing, whereby the two sections of the shoe upper to be sewn together are sewn together without overlapping on the edge.

The knit of the shoe upper can be flat knitted.

Alternatively, it can also be provided that the knitted fabric of the shoe upper is circular knitted.

The invention provides that the sole of the shoe comprises a spacer fabric.

The spacer fabric is preferably cohesively connected to the upper part of the shoe.

In order to enable moisture to be transported from the shoe upper into the spacer fabric as unhindered as possible, it is advantageous if the top of the spacer fabric is not cohesively connected to the shoe upper over its entire surface.

Rather, it has proven to be advantageous if a connection area of a shoe top of the spacer fabric facing the shoe upper, which is cohesively connected to the shoe upper, accounts for at most 90%, in particular at most 80%, of the area of the top of the spacer fabric facing the shoe upper.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if a connection area of the upper side of the spacer fabric facing the shoe upper, which is cohesively connected, makes up at least 30%, in particular at least 40%, particularly preferably at least 50%, of the area of the upper side of the spacer fabric facing the shoe upper.

Preferably, at least one outer edge of the spacer fabric is cohesively connected to the upper part of the shoe along its entire circumference.

The spacer knitted fabric comprises an upper carrier layer, a lower carrier layer and an intermediate layer arranged between the upper carrier layer and the lower carrier layer, which comprises at least one spacer thread by which the upper carrier layer and the lower carrier layer are kept at a distance from one another.

Through the open stitches of the upper carrier layer, the moisture coming from the upper part of the shoe can be passed on and reach the intermediate layer of the spacer fabric stretched by the spacer threads, where it evaporates. With every step the wearer of the shoe takes, the moist air is forced laterally out through the edge of the intermediate layer and down through the open meshes of the lower carrier layer. This creates a pumping effect that draws new, moist air and/or moisture from the shoe upper through the upper carrier layer of the spacer fabric into the intermediate layer of the spacer fabric.

To reinforce the moisture-wicking function of the upper carrier layer of the spacer knit, it can be provided that the upper carrier layer contains at least one hydrophilic yarn.

In order to avoid the development of odors in the area of the spacer fabric, it can be provided that the upper carrier layer of the spacer fabric contains at least one yarn with an antibacterial property.

The cohesive connection of the spacer fabric to the shoe upper can be achieved, for example, by welding and/or by gluing, in particular by means of a breathable adhesive.

The shoe includes a midsole which is attached to an underside of the spacer fabric.

Such a midsole at least partially covers a lateral outer edge of the spacer fabric.

The midsole preferably has cushioning properties.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the midsole has a three-dimensional profiling on its upper side facing the spacer fabric.

As a result, the midsole, whose three-dimensional profiling pushes through the spacer fabric and the sole-side section of the shoe upper, forms a footbed, in particular with support of the transverse arch and / or the longitudinal arch of the wearer of the shoe.

This means that there is no need for inserts when wearing the shoe, which could interfere with the removal of moisture from the interior of the upper part of the shoe.

In order not to impede the escape of moist air from the spacer fabric, the midsole comprises at least one ventilation recess through which air can escape from the spacer fabric into the surroundings of the shoe.

Such a ventilation recess can be arranged in particular on the underside and/or on an outer edge of the midsole.

The shoe includes an outsole which is attached to an underside of the midsole.

The outsole has at least one vent recess which is in fluid communication with the at least one vent recess of the midsole.

This creates a continuous ventilation path from the spacer fabric, in particular the intermediate layer of the spacer fabric, through the midsole and the outsole of the shoe into the outer space of the shoe.

The upper carrier layer and/or the lower carrier layer of the spacer knit preferably comprises at least one elastic yarn.

Due to the elastic recovery ability of the at least one elastic yarn in the upper carrier layer and / or in the lower carrier layer of the spacer fabric, the upper carrier layer or the lower carrier layer contract again when the spacer fabric is relieved of the pressure acting on the spacer fabric when it occurs, and the spacer threads of the intermediate layer stand up again so that the spacer fabric regains its original height, as it was before the pressure load.

The deformation of the spacer knit when walking, when the spacer knit is subjected to pressure due to the contact of the shoe with the ground and due to a shift in the weight of the wearer of the shoe onto the shoe, and the subsequent straightening of the spacer knit when the pressure is relieved, results in a pumping effect through which moist air escapes from the intermediate layer and further air flows into the intermediate layer of the spacer knit.

This results in effective ventilation of the shoe, since the spacer fabric is arranged under a knitted shoe upper, through the meshes of which air can pass from the interior of the shoe upper into the spacer fabric of the shoe sole.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that at least one spacer thread of the intermediate layer has a thickness of at least 0.15 mm, in particular at least 0.20 mm. It is particularly favorable if all the spacer threads of the intermediate layer have a thickness of at least 0.15 mm, in particular at least 0.20 mm.

Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous if at least one spacer thread of the intermediate layer has a thickness of at most 0.40 mm, in particular at most 0.30 mm. It is particularly favorable if all the spacer threads of the intermediate layer have a thickness of at most 0.40 mm, in particular at most 0.30 mm.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that at least one spacer thread of the intermediate layer has a thickness of approximately 0.25 mm. It is particularly favorable if all the spacer threads of the intermediate layer have a thickness of approximately 0.25 mm.

In a special embodiment of the invention it is provided that at least one spacer thread of the intermediate layer is designed as a single thread (monofilament). In particular, it can be provided that all spacer threads of the intermediate layer are each designed as a single thread.

Alternatively or in addition to this, it can be provided that at least one spacer thread of the intermediate layer is designed as a multifilament. In particular, it can be provided that all spacer threads of the intermediate layer are each designed as a multifilament.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is further provided that at least one spacer thread of the intermediate layer comprises a polyethylene material, a polyamide material and/or a polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) material. It is particularly favorable if all of the spacer threads of the intermediate layer comprise a polyethylene material, a polyamide material and/or a polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) material.

In particular, it can be provided that at least one spacer thread of the intermediate layer is formed essentially entirely from a polyethylene material, a polyamide material and/or a polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) material. It is particularly favorable if all of the spacer threads of the intermediate layer are formed essentially entirely from a polyethylene material, a polyamide material and/or a polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) material.

Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous if the elastic yarn in the upper carrier layer and/or in the lower carrier layer is formed from one or more elastic threads with a total fineness of at least 500 dtex.

It can also be provided that the elastic yarn in the upper carrier layer and/or in the lower carrier layer is formed from one or more elastic threads with a total fineness of at most 700 dtex.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the upper carrier layer and/or the lower carrier layer comprises stitches formed from a stitch-forming yarn, into which an elastic compression yarn is knitted as a catching insert.

For the reshaping ability of the spacer fabric during walking, it is particularly favorable if the stitch forming yarn comprises at least one elastic thread.

The elastic stitch forming yarn and/or the elastic compression yarn can in particular comprise elastane.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the elastic compression yarn and/or the stitch-forming yarn comprises a hot-melt adhesive thread.

The spacer fabric can be heat treated.

In particular, it can be provided that the spacer fabric is dampened at a temperature of preferably at least 90 ° C, in particular at least 100 ° C, and / or preferably at most 130 ° C, in particular at most 120 ° C. It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the spacer fabric is dampened at a temperature of approximately 110°C.

The heat treatment, in particular the steaming, of the spacer fabric causes a contraction of the elastic yarn or yarns in the upper carrier layer and/or in the lower carrier layer of the spacer fabric, whereby the spacer threads of the intermediate layer are further erected.

The spacer fabric can be knitted to the desired shape of the sole.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the spacer fabric is separated from a knitted or knitted sheet material, for example by punching or cutting out, in particular by laser cutting or by mechanical cutting.

The present invention further relates to a method for producing a shoe comprising an upper and a sole.

The present invention is based on the further object of using such a method to create a shoe in which moisture is transported away particularly efficiently from the sweating foot of the wearer of the shoe.

This object is achieved by a method for producing a shoe comprising an upper and a sole, according to claim 13.

Preferably, essentially the entire shoe upper is produced as a knitted fabric.

The knit of the shoe upper can be created by flat knitting.

Alternatively, it can also be provided that the knitted fabric of the shoe upper is produced by circular knitting.

The advantages of the method according to the invention for producing a shoe and special embodiments of this method have already been explained above in connection with special embodiments of the shoe according to the invention.

The method according to the invention for producing a shoe is particularly suitable for producing a shoe according to the invention.

The shoe according to the invention has a moisture control system which brings about a particularly effective removal of moisture from the sweating foot of the wearer of the shoe. Furthermore, the development of odors in the shoe is largely avoided.

The moisture is preferably transported from the wearer's sweating foot into a spacer fabric, where it evaporates particularly effectively.

The moisture control system of the shoe according to the invention preferably causes a halo effect, in which the moisture arriving in the upper carrier layer is distributed over a large area by a hydrophilic yarn in the upper carrier layer and so the spacer fabric acts as a transport accelerator for the moisture in the moisture control system.

Moisture caused by sweat release on the wearer's foot can pass through the open-mesh knit of a piece of legwear worn by the wearer of the shoe, for example a sock or stocking, if present, and the open-mesh knit of the shoe upper into the open-mesh upper support layer of the spacer knit. The moisture then migrates downward along the spacer threads of the intermediate layer of the spacer fabric, with the spacer threads forcing this moisture transport.

At the latest in the lower carrier layer of the spacer fabric, the moisture evaporates very quickly due to a constant exchange of air, which is caused in the spacer fabric by a pumping effect when walking.

The shoe upper and/or the upper support layer of the spacer fabric preferably have one or more moisture-conducting yarns in order to promote the effect of the moisture-conducting system.

The optional outsole of the shoe serves to protect against slipping and to protect against excessive wear of the midsole, if present, and/or the spacer fabric.

The upper section and/or the sole-side section of the shoe upper can optionally contain at least one yarn with anti-microbial properties.

The midsole preferably consists of a shock-absorbing material. In particular, it can be provided that the midsole comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) material and/or a polyurethane (PU) material.

The Shore A hardness of the midsole is preferably at least 20 and/or preferably at most 50, in particular at most 40. In particular, it can be provided that the Shore A hardness of the material of the midsole is approximately 30.

The outsole can in particular comprise a hard rubber material, a carbon rubber material, a rubber material or a mixture of one of the above-mentioned materials. Preferably, the outsole is formed from one of the above-mentioned materials or from a mixture of such materials.

The midsole and/or the outsole can be connected to the spacer fabric, for example by gluing, casting, injection molding or by producing the midsole or the outsole in a 3D printing process on the spacer fabric.

The outsole can be connected to the midsole, if present, by gluing, casting, injection molding or by creating the outsole on the midsole using a 3D printing process.

Further features and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the graphic representation of exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht eines Schuhs, welcher ein gestricktes Schuh-Oberteil, eine Sohle aus einem Abstandsgestrick, eine Zwischensohle mit Entlüftungs-Ausnehmungen und eine Außensohle umfasst;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Explosionsdarstellung des Schuhs aus Fig. 1, mit der Blickrichtung auf eine Seitenfläche des Schuhs;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Explosionsdarstellung des Schuhs aus den Fig. 1 und 2, mit der Blickrichtung auf eine Rückseite des Schuhs;

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht auf die Außensohle des Schuhs aus den Fig. 1 bis 3, mit der Blickrichtung von unten;

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht auf eine Schuhoberteil-Vorform des Schuhs aus den Fig. 1 bis 4;

Fig. 6

ein Maschenlaufbild, welches die Herstellung des Abstandsgestricks auf einer Flachstrickmaschine darstellt;

Fig. 7

ein Maschenlaufbild, welches die Herstellung der Schuhoberteil-Vorform auf einer Flachstrickmaschine darstellt.

Fig. 8

ein Maschenlaufbild, welches die Herstellung der Schuhoberteil-Vorform auf einer Rundstrickmaschine gemäß einer ersten Bindungsart darstellt;

Fig. 9

ein Maschenlaufbild, welches die Herstellung der Schuhoberteil-Vorform auf einer Rundstrickmaschine gemäß einer zweiten Bindungsart darstellt; und

Fig. 10

ein Maschenlaufbild, welches die Herstellung der Schuhoberteil-Vorform auf einer Rundstrickmaschine gemäß einer dritten Bindungsart darstellt.

Shown in the drawings:

Fig. 1

a side view of a shoe comprising a knitted shoe upper, a spacer knit sole, a midsole with ventilation recesses and an outsole;

Fig. 2

a schematic exploded view of the shoe Fig. 1 , facing a side surface of the shoe;

Fig. 3

a schematic exploded view of the shoe from the Fig. 1 and 2 , facing the back of the shoe;

Fig. 4

a top view of the outsole of the shoe from the Fig. 1 to 3 , facing from below;

Fig. 5

a top view of a shoe upper preform of the shoe from the Fig. 1 to 4 ;

Fig. 6

a stitch pattern showing the production of the spacer fabric on a flat knitting machine;

Fig. 7

a stitch pattern showing the production of the shoe upper preform on a flat knitting machine.

Fig. 8

a stitch pattern showing the production of the shoe upper preform on a circular knitting machine according to a first type of binding;

Fig. 9

a stitch pattern showing the production of the shoe upper preform on a circular knitting machine according to a second type of binding; and

Fig. 10

a stitch pattern showing the production of the shoe upper preform on a circular knitting machine according to a third type of binding.

Identical or functionally equivalent elements are designated with the same reference numerals in all figures.

One in the Fig. 1 to 5 The shoe shown, designated as a whole by 100, comprises a shoe upper part 102, which is also referred to as an "upper", a sole 104 adjoining an underside of the shoe upper part 102, which comprises a spacer fabric 106, and a midsole adjoining an underside of the sole 104 108, which partially covers a lateral outer edge of the spacer fabric 106, and an outsole 110 adjoining the underside of the midsole 108.

The shoe upper 102 is formed from a knitted fabric 112, which encloses both the top of the foot of the wearer of the shoe 100 and the entire sole of the foot of the wearer of the shoe 100 in the manner of a stocking.

The shoe upper 102 comprises an upper section 114, which is arranged on an upper side of the foot of the wearer of the shoe 100 when the shoe 100 is worn, and a sole-side section 116, which is on a sole side of the foot of the wearer when the shoe 100 is worn Shoe 100 is arranged.

The shoe upper 102 is made from the in Fig. 5 Shoe upper preform 118 shown is formed.

The shoe upper preform 118 comprises the upper section 114 and two partial regions 120a and 120b of the sole-side section 116 of the shoe upper 102, which each adjoin one of the opposite edges of the upper section 114 of the shoe upper 102 along a bending line 122a, 122b.

After the shoe upper part preform 118 has been brought into the final shape of the shoe upper part 102 surrounding the last (shaped piece that is modeled on the shape of a foot) or the foot of the wearer of the shoe 100, the two sole-side portions 120a and 120b of the sole-side section 116 at their edges 124a and 124b facing away from the upper section 114 of the shoe upper 102, which rest against one another in the final shape of the shoe upper 102, are fixed to one another, preferably by sewing.

In particular, it can be provided that the sewing is carried out by strobing, that is, the partial areas 120a, 120b of the sole-side section 116 of the shoe upper part 102, which lie against one another without overlap, are sewn together on the edge.

Likewise, a left portion 126a and a right portion 126b of the upper portion 114 of the shoe upper 102 are secured to one another at their rear edges 128a and 128b, for example by sewing.

The sewing of the partial areas 126a and 126b of the upper section 114 of the shoe upper 102 is preferably carried out by strobing, that is to say the left partial area 126a and the right partial area 126b are sewn together on the edge without overlapping.

The tip of the upper 102 is closed in that front edges 130a and 130b of the partial areas 120a and 120b of the sole-side section 116 of the upper 102 are respectively on a front edge 132a of the left partial area 126a and on a front edge 132b of the right partial area 126b of the upper section 114 of the shoe upper 102 can be fixed, for example by sewing.

This sewing is preferably carried out by strobing, that is, the left partial area 126a of the upper section 114 of the shoe upper 102 is sewn without overlap on the edge with the left partial area 120a of the sole-side section 116 of the shoe upper 102, and the right partial area 126b of the upper section 114 of the shoe upper 102 is sewn without overlap on the edge with the right portion 120b of the sole-side section 116 of the shoe upper 102.

The shoe upper preform 118 can be placed on a knitting machine on the in Fig. 5 The shape shown can be knitted or, alternatively, knitted onto a larger shape and then separated from the larger shape, for example punched out or cut out.

The shoe upper 102 can have shoelace openings 130, which are, for example, separated from the shoe upper preform 118, for example punched or cut out, or are knitted into the shoe upper preform 118.

The shoelace openings 130 are used to receive a shoelace 132 (see Fig. 1 ).

The shoe upper preform 118 is knitted on a flat knitting machine or on a circular knitting machine, with the course direction 134 of the knitted fabric 112 of the shoe upper 102 preferably being aligned transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to a longitudinal direction 136 of the shoe 100 and a wale direction 138 of the knitted fabric 112 of the shoe upper 102 is preferably aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction 136 of the shoe 100.

The knitted fabric 112 of the shoe upper 102 comprises an inner layer 140, which faces the wearer's foot when the shoe 100 is worn, and an outer layer 142, which faces away from the wearer's foot when the shoe 100 is worn.

The inner layer 140 includes a first yarn 146 which contains a hydrophobic synthetic fiber material.

The outer layer 142 comprises a second yarn 148, which contains a - preferably hydrophilic - synthetic fiber material and / or a hydrophilic natural fiber material.

The first yarn 146 preferably comprises a hydrophobic polyamide material, a hydrophobic polyethylene material and/or a hydrophobic polypropylene material.

This yarn preferably has a fineness of at least 500 dtex, in particular at least 700 dtex.

Furthermore, this yarn preferably has a fineness of at most 1,100 dtex, in particular at most 900 dtex.

For example, five double threads, each with a fineness of 78 dtex, can be used, giving a total fineness of 780 dtex.

The second yarn 148 preferably includes a wool material, a cotton material, a viscose material and/or a lyocell material.

The inner layer 140 of the shoe upper 102 may include at least one additional yarn, for example an antibacterial yarn, in addition to the hydrophobic first yarn 146.

The outer layer 142 of the shoe upper 102 may comprise, in addition to the second yarn 148, at least one further yarn, for example at least one additional hydrophilic yarn and/or at least one antibacterial yarn.

In a preferred manufacturing method for the shoe upper 102, the shoe upper preform 118 is knitted on a flat knitting machine as shown schematically in the stitch pattern of Fig. 7 shown.

In the mesh image of Fig. 7 the knitting processes for successive knitting rows 152 are each separated from one another by a horizontal continuous line 144. Within each knitting row 152, the upper row of dots symbolizes the back row of needles of the flat knitting machine and the lower row of dots symbolizes the front row of needles of the flat knitting machine.

For example, the outer layer 142 is knitted from the second yarn 148 with the front row of needles. For example, the inner layer 140 is knitted from the first yarn 146 with the back row of needles.

Conversely, it could also be provided that the inner layer 140 is knitted from the first yarn with the front row of needles and the outer layer 142 is knitted from the second yarn with the rear row of needles.

The mesh pattern of Fig. 7 shows an example of a preferred type of binding for producing the shoe upper preform 118 on a flat knitting machine. For design reasons in particular, other bindings can also be knitted, but always knit a back and a front row.

According to Fig. 7 In each knitting row 152 only the front row of needles or the back row of needles is actuated. However, only the front row of needles could be actuated in two or more consecutive knitting rows 152 and then only the rear row of needles could be actuated in two or more consecutive knitting rows 152, or vice versa.

A knitting row 152, in which the front row of needles is actuated, follows in the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 7 a knitting row 152 in which the back row of needles is actuated. In each row of needles operated, one stitch is knitted with each needle 150, so that a continuous knit is created both in the inner layer 140 and in the outer layer 142.

It can also be provided that the shoe upper preform 118 is knitted according to another type of weave in which the first yarn 146 and/or the second yarn 148 is knitted partly in the back row of needles and partly in the front row of needles.

For example, with every third needle (or generally: with every nth needle) the yarn can be brought from the rear needle bed into the front needle bed and / or the yarn from the front needle bed into the rear needle bed
However, the inner layer 140 is preferably formed predominantly from the first yarn 146 and/or the outer layer 142 is predominantly formed from the second yarn 148.

As an alternative to producing the shoe upper 102 on a flat knitting machine, the shoe upper 102 can also be produced on a circular knitting machine, as shown schematically in Fig. 8 shown.

Fig. 8 shows the stitch pattern of the circular knitting machine for a first type of binding.

Each needle 150 of the circular knitting machine is shown twice in each knitting row 152 to show the different knit bonds with which the first yarn 146 lying in the inner layer 140 and the second yarn 148 lying in the outer layer 142 are knitted.

A stitch is knitted from the second yarn 148 in each knitting row 152 with each needle 150.

The first yarn 146 is at the in Fig. 8 The first type of binding shown is inserted in a catch binding 1:3, that is, the first yarn 146 is placed on a needle 150a and lies smoothly over the three subsequent needles 150, whereupon it is then inserted again into the next needle 150a.

The needles 150a, into which the first yarn 146 is inserted in successive knitting rows 152, are offset from one another, for example by two needles 150 each.

Both the first yarn 146 and the second yarn 148 preferably consist of several threads.

With a second type of weave, the stitch pattern on a circular knitting machine Fig. 9 is shown, the first yarn 146 is inserted in a tuck weave 1:1, that is, the first yarn 146 is placed on a needle 150a and lies smoothly over the subsequent needle 150, whereupon it is then inserted again into the next needle 150a.

The needles into which the first yarn 146 is inserted in successive knitting rows 152 are offset from one another by one needle 150 each.

With a third type of binding, the stitch pattern on a circular knitting machine in Fig. 10 is shown, the first yarn 146 is as in Fig. 9 The second type of binding shown is inserted in a catch binding 1:1, that is, the first yarn 146 is inserted onto a needle 150a and lies smoothly over the subsequent needle 150, whereupon it is then inserted again into the next needle 150a.

The needles 150a, into which the first yarn 146 is inserted in successive knitting rows 152, are not offset from one another.

The types of binding with offset or without offset of the needles 150a, into which the first yarn 146 is inserted in successive knitting rows 152, do not differ functionally, but only in terms of their appearance.

As an alternative to the three types of binding described above, it can also be provided that the first yarn 146 is inserted in a tuck weave 1:5, that is, the first yarn 146 is placed on a needle 150a and lies smoothly over the five subsequent needles 150, whereupon it is then inserted again into the next needle 150a.

The needles 150a, into which the first yarn 146 is inserted in successive knitting rows 152, can be offset from one another by any number of needles 150 or not offset from one another.

In general, the first yarn 146 can be inserted in a 1:n tuck weave, that is, the first yarn 146 is placed on one needle 150a and lies smoothly over the n subsequent needles, whereupon it is then inserted again into the next needle 150a.

The needles 150a, into which the first yarn 146 is inserted in successive knitting rows 152, can be offset from one another by any number of needles 150 or not offset from one another.

The smaller the number of needles 150 over which the first yarn lies afloat, the more yarn is available to dissipate moisture, the more voluminous the inner layer 140 becomes and the greater its moisture conductivity becomes.

It has been proven that the inner layer 150 is the most voluminous when using a 1:3 or 1:5 tether.

In principle, the first yarn 146 and the second yarn 148 can also be interchanged with one another, that is to say the first yarn 146 is then knitted in the outer layer 142 and the second yarn 148 is knitted in the inner layer 140.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the second yarn 148 contains a, preferably hydrophobic, polyamide material, polyethylene material and/or polypropylene material.

In particular, it can be provided that the second yarn 148 is identical to the first yarn 146.

The spacer fabric 106 from which the sole 104 is formed and which is also referred to as a “spacer” comprises an upper carrier layer 154, a lower carrier layer 156 and an intermediate layer 158 arranged between the upper carrier layer 154 and the lower carrier layer 156.

The upper carrier layer 154 and the lower carrier layer 156 are preferably designed identically to one another.

In particular, it can be provided that the upper carrier layer 154 and the lower carrier layer 156 are each formed from several elastic threads, in particular elastane threads, with a total fineness of 500 dtex to 700 dtex.

For example, it can be provided that the upper carrier layer 154 and the lower carrier layer 156 are each formed from six elastane threads, each with a fineness of 104 dtex.

The intermediate layer 158 is formed from stiff spacer threads 160, which are also referred to as pile threads.

These stiff spacer threads 160 keep the upper support layer 154 and the lower support layer 156 at a distance from one another.

The spacer threads 160 can each be designed as a single thread (monofilament) or as a multifilament (twisted from several threads).

The spacer threads 160 can in particular comprise polyethylene, polyamide and/or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

The thickness of the spacer threads is preferably at least 0.15 mm.

Furthermore, the thickness of the spacer threads is preferably at most 0.40 mm.

The spacer fabric can be knitted as a sheet material from which the sole 104 is separated in the desired shape, for example by punching out, laser cutting or mechanical cutting.

Alternatively, the spacer fabric 106 can already be knitted on the knitting machine with the desired outer contour.

The spacer fabric 106 is preferably produced or knitted on a flat knitting machine.

A method for producing the spacer fabric 106 on a flat knitting machine is described below with reference to the stitch pattern of Fig. 6 explained.

According to the stitch pattern Fig. 6 knitted rows 152 follow one another from top to bottom and are separated from each other by horizontal solid lines 162.

In each knitting row 152, the upper points symbolize the needles 150 of the back row of needles and the lower points symbolize the needles 150 of the front row of needles of the flat knitting machine.

First, in the first area 164 of the stitch pattern Fig. 6 the intermediate layer 158 of the spacer fabric 106 is produced by inserting the spacer thread 160 alternately into a needle 150a of the rear row of needles and into a needle 150a of the front row of needles.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the spacer thread 160 is inserted as a catch in every fifteenth needle in both the back row of needles and in the front row of needles, so that the spacer thread 160 lies smoothly over 14 needles in each row of needles.

The number n of needles over which the spacer thread 160 lies smoothly can be freely chosen. The smaller n is, the smaller the distance between the upper carrier layer 154 and the lower carrier layer 156 of the spacer fabric 106.

From knitting row 152 to knitting row 152, the needles 150a, into which the spacer thread 160 is inserted as a catch, are offset from one another in such a way that the spacer thread 160 is finally inserted into each needle 150.

Then in the second area 166 of the stitch pattern Fig. 6 an elastic compression yarn 168 is inserted as a catch in every second needle 150a of the front row of needles and in every second needle 150a of the back row of needles.

This process is repeated with an offset of one needle, so that the elastic compression yarn 168 is finally inserted as a catch in each needle 150 of the back row of needles and in each needle 150 of the front row of needles.

Instead of being inserted into every second needle 150a, the elastic compression yarn can also be inserted into every mth needle 150a of the front row of needles and into every mth needle 150a of the rear row of needles as a catch, with m>2.

Then in the third area 170 of the mesh pattern of Fig. 6 the stitches of the upper carrier layer 154 and the lower carrier layer 156 of the spacer knit 106 are formed by inserting and knitting an elastic stitch forming yarn 172 in each knitting row 152 into several needles 150 of the front row of needles or into several needles 150 of the rear row of needles.

The elastic stitch-forming yarn 172 lies smoothly between the stitch-forming needles 150.

This process is repeated until one stitch has been knitted on each needle 150 of the front row of needles and on each needle 150 of the back row of needles.

The smaller the number of needles 150 on which one stitch is knitted per knitting row 152, the more knitting rows 152 are required to form the upper carrier layer 154 and the lower carrier layer 156, and the higher the mechanical stability of the upper carrier layer 154 and the lower carrier layer 156.

Through the above described and in Fig. 6 In the knitting technique shown, the elastic compression yarn 168 is knitted as a catching insert into the stitches of the elastic stitch forming yarn 172, so that the elastic compression yarn 168 remains in the upper carrier layer 154 or in the lower carrier layer 156 and is not pulled into the intermediate layer 158.

Furthermore, the spacer fabric 106 has a high level of elasticity thanks to the knitting technique described.

When pressure is exerted from above, that is to say from the side of the shoe upper 102, onto the spacer fabric 106, the stitches of the upper carrier layer 154 and the lower carrier layer 156 are pressed wide, and the spacer threads 160 lie flat, making the spacer fabric 106 flatter overall becomes.

When the spacer fabric 106 is relieved of the pressure, the upper carrier layer 154 and the lower carrier layer 156 contract again due to the ability of the stitches from the elastic stitch-forming yarn 172 to deform and due to the elastic restoring force of the elastic compression yarn 168 inserted as a catch, and the spacer threads 160 come into place again so that the spacer fabric 106 regains its original height.

The elastic compression yarn 168 and the elastic stitching yarn 172 form elastic yarns 174 contained in the upper backing layer 154 and the lower backing layer 156 of the spacer fabric 106.

The elastic stitch forming yarn 172 can, for example, consist of two threads of polyamide and two threads of elastane, which are knitted together like a thread.

The elastic compression yarn 168 can, for example, consist of two or more threads of elastane.

In an alternative embodiment of the spacer fabric 106, the elastic stitch forming yarn 172 can consist of n threads of elastane, for example four threads of elastane, which are knitted together like a thread.

In this case, the elastic compression yarn 168 can consist of two threads of elastane.

In a further alternative embodiment of the spacer fabric 106, the elastic stitch forming yarn 172 can consist of four threads of elastane, which are knitted together like one thread.

In this case, the elastic compression yarn can consist of two threads of elastane and an additional hot melt adhesive thread.

The spacer fabric 106 produced on the flat knitting machine is preferably steamed at a temperature of 90 ° C to 130 ° C, in particular at a temperature of 110 ° C. This heat treatment causes the elastic yarns 174 in the upper support layer 154 and in the lower support layer 156 to contract, which causes the spacer threads 160 in the intermediate layer 158 to stand up further.

The upper support layer 154 of the spacer knit 106 of the sole 104 may comprise, in addition to the elastic yarns 174 or instead of one of the elastic yarns 174, a yarn with hydrophilic properties and/or a yarn with antibacterial properties.

The sole 104 designed as a spacer fabric 106 is preferably connected to the sole-side section 116 of the shoe upper part 102 in a materially bonded manner, in particular by welding or by gluing, for example by means of a breathable adhesive.

In order to achieve better moisture conductivity of the contact area between the shoe upper 102 and the spacer fabric 106, preferably not the entire surface of the top 176 of the spacer fabric 106, which faces the shoe upper 102, is cohesively connected to the shoe upper 102, but rather remains a part of the Surface of the top 176 of the spacer fabric 106 unconnected to the shoe upper 102.

Preferably, an outer edge of the spacer fabric 106 is connected to the shoe upper 102 in a materially bonded manner.

The connection area of the upper side 176 of the spacer fabric 106 facing the shoe upper part 102, which is cohesively connected to the shoe upper part 102, preferably comprises at least 30%, in particular at least 50%, of the area of the upper side 176 of the spacer fabric 106 facing the shoe upper part 102.

Furthermore, the connection area of the upper side 176 of the spacer fabric 106 facing the shoe upper part 102, which is cohesively connected to the shoe upper part 102, preferably comprises at most 90%, in particular at most 80%, of the area of the upper side 176 of the spacer fabric 106 facing the shoe upper part 102.

The midsole 108 preferably includes a shock-absorbing material, such as a polyurethane material and/or an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) material.

The Shore A hardness of the material of the midsole 108 is preferably at least 20 and/or preferably at most 50. For example, the Shore A hardness of the material of the midsole 108 may be approximately 30.

The fixing of the midsole 108 to the spacer fabric 106 can be done, for example, by gluing, casting, spraying or by applying the midsole 108 to the spacer fabric 106 using a 3D printing process.

The midsole 108 is preferably pulled upwards on its outer edge over the outer edge of the sole 104 designed as a spacer fabric 106 (see Fig. 1 ).

The midsole 108 is provided with ventilation recesses 178 along its outer edge and/or on its underside (see the Fig. 1 and 2 ).

Through these ventilation recesses 178 in the midsole 108, moist air can escape from the spacer fabric 106, in particular from the intermediate layer 158 of the spacer fabric 106, through the midsole 108 into the surroundings of the shoe 100.

In the illustrated embodiment, the midsole 108 has a three-dimensional profiling on its upper side 180, which faces the spacer fabric 106, which includes elevations corresponding to a healthy footbed, in particular to support the longitudinal arch and the transverse arch of the foot of the wearer of the shoe 100.

The three-dimensional profiling of the midsole 108 presses upwards through the sole 104, which is formed from the spacer fabric 106, and through the sole-side section 116 of the shoe upper part 102, so that in the interior of the shoe upper part 102 on the sole of the foot of the wearer of the shoe 100 a footbed is created.

It is therefore not necessary to use 100 separate insoles when wearing the shoe, which would hinder the removal of moisture from the shoe.

In an alternative embodiment of the midsole 108, it has no three-dimensional profiling; In this case, it may make sense to insert a - preferably air-permeable - insole into the shoe upper 102.

The outsole 110 arranged under the midsole 108 and secured to the midsole 108 is preferably formed from a rubber material, a hard rubber material, a carbon rubber material or a mixture of such materials.

The outsole 110 serves to protect the wearer of the shoe 100 from slipping and to protect against excessive wear of the shoe 100, in particular the midsole 108.

The outsole 110 has on its outer edge and/or on its underside ventilation recesses 182, which are essentially aligned with a ventilation recess 178 of the midsole 108, whereby the intermediate layer 158 of the spacer fabric 106 passes through the ventilation recesses 178 of the midsole 108 and the vent recesses 182 of the outsole 110 are in contact with the environment of the shoe 100, so that moist air from the intermediate layer 158 of the spacer fabric 106 through the vent recesses 178 of the midsole 108 and through the vent recesses 182 of the outsole 110 in the environment of the shoe 100 can escape.

Due to the described structure of the shoe 100, a moisture control system is formed in it, which makes it possible to transport moisture from the sweating foot of the wearer of the shoe 100 out of the shoe 100 and to largely prevent the formation of odorous substances.

The moisture created by sweating when wearing the shoe 100 passes, if necessary, through the stitches of a knitted sock, which the wearer of the shoe 100 wears and which is preferably formed from one or more yarns with hydrophilic properties, and through the stitches of the knitted fabric 112 on the sole side Section 116 of the shoe upper 102 and through the open stitches of the upper carrier layer 154 the sole 104 designed as a spacer fabric 106 into the intermediate layer 158 of the spacer fabric 106 stretched by the spacer threads 160, where this moisture evaporates.

With every step taken by the wearer of the shoe 100, the moist air is released from the intermediate layer 158 of the spacer fabric 106 through the outer edge of the spacer fabric 106 to the side and through the ventilation recesses 178 of the midsole 108 and through the ventilation recesses 182 of the outsole 110 into the Pressed around the shoe 100.

This results in a pumping effect, which again draws new moisture and/or moist air caused by sweat formation from the upper part of the shoe 102 and/or from the upper carrier layer 154 of the spacer fabric 106 into the intermediate layer 158 of the spacer fabric 106.

The spacer fabric 106 thus acts as a moisture wicking accelerator in the moisture management system of the shoe 100.

Thanks to the hydrophilic yarns, the moisture arriving in the upper carrier layer 154 of the spacer fabric 106 is quickly distributed over the largest possible area. The moisture then migrates along the spacer threads 160 downwards into the intermediate layer 158, with the spacer threads 160 forcing this moisture transport.

At the latest when the moisture has arrived in the lower carrier layer 156 of the spacer fabric 106, the moisture essentially completely evaporates due to the constant air exchange in the spacer fabric 106, which is caused by the pumping effect during the walking movement of the wearer of the shoe 100.

If the shoe upper 102 and/or the upper carrier layer 154 of the spacer fabric 106 each comprises at least one yarn with antibacterial or anti-microbial properties, the formation of odor substances in these areas of the shoe 100 can be essentially completely prevented.

The use of the outsole 110 is optional; Alternatively, only the midsole 108 can be arranged on the underside of the spacer fabric 106, or the spacer fabric 106 is used without a midsole 108 and without an outsole 110.

Claims (15)

1. Shoe comprising

   a shoe upper (102) and a sole (104),

   wherein the shoe upper (102) comprises an upper portion (114), which in the worn state of the shoe (100) is arranged on a top side of the foot of the wearer of the shoe (100), and

   wherein the upper portion (114) of the shoe upper (102) comprises a knitted fabric (112),

   wherein the shoe upper (102) comprises a sole-side portion (116), which in the worn state of the shoe (100) is arranged on a sole side of the foot of the wearer of the shoe (100), and

   wherein the sole-side portion (116) comprises a knitted fabric (112), wherein the upper portion (114) and/or the sole-side portion (116) of the shoe upper (102) comprise(s) a first yarn (146), which contains a hydrophobic synthetic fiber material, and a second yarn (148), which contains a synthetic fiber material or a hydrophilic natural fiber material,

   characterized in that

   the sole (104) comprises a spacer knitted fabric (106) and

   in that the shoe (100) comprises a midsole (108), which is fixed to the spacer knitted fabric (106) and at least partially covers a lateral outer rim of the spacer knitted fabric (106),

   wherein the midsole (108) comprises at least one ventilation recess (178) through which air from the spacer knitted fabric (106) is able to escape into the surroundings of the shoe (100) and

   wherein the shoe (100) comprises an outsole (110), which is fixed to the midsole (108) and has at least one ventilation recess (182), which is in fluidic connection with the at least one ventilation recess (178) of the midsole (108).
2. Shoe in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that the first yarn (146) comprises a polyamide material, a polyethylene material, and/or a polypropylene material.
3. Shoe in accordance with either of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the second yarn (148) comprises a wool material, a cotton material, a viscose material, and/or a lyocell material.
4. Shoe in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the knitted fabric (112) of the shoe upper (102) comprises an inner layer (140), which in the worn state of the shoe (100) faces toward the foot of the wearer of the shoe (100), and an outer layer (142), which in the worn state of the shoe (100) faces away from the foot of the wearer of the shoe (100).
5. Shoe in accordance with Claim 4, characterized in that the inner layer (140) comprises the first yarn (146) and/or the outer layer (142) comprises the second yarn (148).
6. Shoe in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the upper portion (114) and the sole-side portion (116) of the shoe upper (102) are knitted in one piece with one another.
7. Shoe in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the shoe upper (102) has a sole-side seam at which two partial regions (120a, 120b) of the sole-side portion (116) of the shoe upper (102) are sewn to one another.
8. Shoe in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the knitted fabric (112) of the shoe upper (102) is flat knitted.
9. Shoe in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the knitted fabric (112) of the shoe upper (102) is circular knitted.
10. Shoe in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the spacer knitted fabric (106) is connected to the shoe upper (102) by substance-to-substance bond.
11. Shoe in accordance with Claim 10, characterized in that a connecting region of a top side (176) of the spacer knitted fabric (106) that faces toward the shoe upper (102) and is connected to the shoe upper (102) by substance-to-substance bond constitutes at least 30% and/or at most 90% of the area of the top side (176) of the spacer knitted fabric (106) that faces toward the shoe upper (102).
12. Shoe in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the midsole (108) has a three-dimensional profiling on its top side (180) facing toward the spacer knitted fabric (106).
13. Method for producing a shoe (100), which comprises a shoe upper (102) and a sole (104), said method comprising the following:

    - knitting a knitted fabric (112) of the shoe upper (102) using a first yarn (146), which comprises a hydrophobic synthetic fiber material, and a second yarn (148), which comprises a synthetic fiber material or a hydrophilic natural fiber material;

    wherein the shoe upper (102) comprises a sole-side portion (116), which in the worn state of the shoe (100) is arranged on a sole side of the foot of the wearer of the shoe (100),

    wherein the sole (104) comprises a spacer knitted fabric (106),

    wherein the shoe (100) comprises a midsole (108), which is fixed to the spacer knitted fabric (106) and at least partially covers a lateral outer rim of the spacer knitted fabric (106),

    wherein the midsole (108) comprises at least one ventilation recess (178) through which air from the spacer knitted fabric (106) is able to escape into the surroundings of the shoe (100) and

    wherein the shoe (100) comprises an outsole (110), which is fixed to the midsole (108) and has at least one ventilation recess (182), which is in fluidic connection with the at least one ventilation recess (178) of the midsole (108).
14. Method in accordance with Claim 13, characterized in that the knitted fabric (112) of the shoe upper (102) is produced by flat knitting.
15. Method in accordance with Claim 13, characterized in that the knitted fabric (112) of the shoe upper (102) is produced by circular knitting.

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