GB2485013A - Foldable boots - Google Patents

Abstract

Compactable footwear 100 comprising a sole 103, an upper potion 102 and an upwardly extending portion 104 extending from the upper portion; the upwardly extending portion comprising a flexible material which can be compacted, the footwear further comprising a fastening means 105 which can maintain the upwardly extending portion in a compacted state. The upwardly extending portion may be formed from rubber, or a composite of rubber with a polyester/spandex textile. The fastening means may be a spring loaded toggle, an elastic loop, button means, tie means or hook and loop material. Also claimed is a boot with an upwardly extending portion made from 80-90% polyester and 10-20% spandex, and a method of forming a boot.

Description

COMPACTABLE FOOTh EAR Flak. cithe hiverflion oooi The oresent nvenhon relates to ccmpactabe tootwea-Backrond to the Jnvenhon [QOQ23 Marty diffrert kind of fobtvSar. but:is for mae*s and fannaes re we known n tie art Footwe& types ndude, bt are not limited to framers, wcdk ng boots We Ingto boots tugh-hee ed shoes, cat shoes, running shoes I 0 and fasFüonshoes.

OOO3] The main features of a shoe generally conipr*ses soe assemby nd a shoe Upper porboti up n whch the shoe upper portvn comprises ai opening n wbich a too can be nsefla$. The opening of: a shce per pQiO IS j 5 generafly oca te d at the, top ofa shoe upper porUon: towards the rear of the. shoe A boot s a tyoc a' footwear whch s oifferent to that of a shoe Boots usuaLy hae a heat hlh,. i,s:ari.y.distfrigshebe' from the rest of the soe. however boots with flat soles are also KflOWfl Although the upper of a boot s commonv made of leather or rubber, other known. boots are made of a variety:o materials a such as: suede or synthetic plestk that.. are.substantiaily rigid enough Such that the upper of the boot is maintained in a fuy extended state [0004) Books ae commonly dcsgned and developeo for reasois QC etnor ole or a c mbnato' of tner funchonaty and/or thew s'ye ara fashon Boots whcb are desgned for a purpose or for fnchonafty are generaiy eone sc' to prer tre enty of water, smoke, mua or cwt into the intenor of the boot [0305 A boot can be &stiriqwshed from a shoe oy the extent of hicb the upper poron extends uP tne woaerts eg When a boot is won by a wea.er, the 30. upper pa,..rUc..n:extends..upwardiy from the ankle. and.y4iJ end on a leg, between lie top of the ankle ard the thigh. of the wearer so that thefl Supper most part of the boot upper:pth"ticn is generafly located higher up th,e wearers leg than with a shoe, for whch a shoe generally eaves the wearers ank[e exposed, The uowarcfly extendng parflon of the boot geieraEy prowdes a r'eans for anc or eSi $uppert, or provkflng. warmth or protection to the.wearer from envfronmentS andftkInso.for tashon.

[Oc.061 FashiOn boots tendto he, Sdd di*recUy tO:the pubic for ftshionaMe wear, rather than for specilc 3ndJstr!a outose such as a work boot, a kng boot or mPJary xot.. aflhQugh f:shon:boots may still be hard we:arng arij reiativey warm to wear.

(000fl.A specific type of boot is the WeUington boot. The Wellington boot is also known as rubber boots, weffles, top boots, gun boots, farm boots, muck boots., or rain boots. Wellington.bocts.are known.to be used.for both fashion and ir.,dustrial. purposes.

I

fOODS] WSngton boots ao desigred pnmarfly o be waterproof Tie upper of a Wefl3ngtor boot can range n hegnt from ust above the woare-s ankle to, 0: exme cases. :thigb. height toots, cSd Waders, worn by anglers. which can extend upward to the hip of'the wearer. Wéllirgton beats are usually made from. a robust rubber or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

0009] The most co ii non type of Wethngton boots are those vv th an upper which. have, a height. that extends just.belcw'..knee-high of the wearei, A We hngzon boot ca also be used n terms of safety or hvg1ene n seffings such 2 5: as heavy indu'stry.r industry whe.r' the wor r are: exposed to': SfigIflus chemicala LDOW] Convertora Wel wigton boots can be cumbersore aid heavy Even modern ano more ghtweght versions of Weflrgton boots are cEfflctht to transport..due to their awkward substantially &ong.ate shape.

[0011] Currenuy, with convenUona WefflngtQn boots, the side wa and uptxr of the Wohngtor boo4 whth extends tp a aerson a eg, comonses a mater & SLC3' that the boot upper s mantaned rn a substantiaily pr ght ooson such that the Weffingion. hoot is maintained in an upright position. of fts own accord ever when the wearer s not weanng the WSkrig:on boot AEthoug trns functonahty s benefa for stcraqe at a users ho'e whreby tho user as a arge storage area (storing the boot -i an upnght posrttonI, the comoosEte rnatena ano design of Lonventiona WeLngton boots is disadvantageo\As fri wearers who require compact sorage of ther Wethngton boots, cr require condonsea storage in of the Wellington boot when in transit travelling or eve limited storage space.

(0012] TraditionS Wellington hoots are difficuft to be compacted in the following ways: S An uowaroLy extending poston of the WeU ngton boot ay be roec into itself to form. a compact rolL * An Jowarols exter dng position the Wellngton boot ma be fo dod r sections.. 21)

a An.upwardy extending position of the Wellington boot may be inverted' in order to decrease the: height,of the upper.

An.upwardy extending. p.ositi::n.may.be:wrapped around the sole of the WeUi.ngton.,boct (001 3 All of the above options have inheret disadvantages Firstly, the material of the conventional Wellington boots are such that the compostion s of a materi which is too, for the Wellington bootto t,ef(dOd.rOlied or wrapped. 131)

(001.4]: Furthermore, where the' Wellington boct is managed to be rolled; wrapped or foec4, he Wethngton boot s unabte to e mantwned in its fo1ded, Wrapped tFr rolled state of ts own accord and wiU uncompact. Th1s is parUculady thsadvantageous to wear em who require rnirilrna. Space atocatt*n for footwear such astrwSers, back packers and festival-goers.

c: :aoi 5] A fodaoe W&ington Doot 5 chsdosed on rittaL&ww Lovethflqes wmch discloses a W&hngton boot featunng an etasticated cuff at the top of the upoer where be wearer nserts thew foot Tne We ngton boot bias uo efter n to themselves or n asmI (oflvontjoa bag, compact enough to fit in a rucksack I C or sai.,he kowever, the composaon of the uoocr of the WeJngton boot as dsdosed on the Love Those Shoesv vebste s not suffident such * that the Vvellington boot can befl: rolled and maintained in its rolled posWon of its own accord The Lo'e Those Shoes Wethngton boats are advantageous over other prior art as the: materia[ of the upper Is. mare flexible:than those.of conventional c Wohngon boots, however not llexSe enough such that the boot car re martaned UI: a rolled state once ths: user has rolled: the. Welftngton boot As a resbft once the ove Those Shoes Wel ngtoi boot s roea f the user tner reeases the rol of The Wofflngton hoot, the Welhngton boot wd return to rs ful y extended unrdlled state.

[00161. Therefore, the inventors have identified that there exists a need for a compactabie footwear, and mare specifically a compactabie bOot whereby the upwardly extending upper portion of the: compactabe:* boot can be. roiled,1 folded :Q' wrapped. with ease and that the:cornpactable. boot can be:nlaintaifled 1ff itS 2 k fo ded wrapped or roDeo oosMon such that the compactable boot s 1n a corn paC state.

O17] In view of The d sathantages inflerert in the cLrrelt known typos o boots, and in: parllcuiar Welllnaton.:boots, a new rollab.ie boot isd:isOhise:d herein. -(5,

nvention L001$I According: to: a first aspect there f the present invention, there is.

provided: a compactabie fooM'ear.for compact storage comprising: a sole porhon, an upper portion fo.r covering a weacers foot;: an upwardly extending portion which fl USE. extends at least around a wearers ankle: and wherein said upwardly extending portion comprises a flexible. material such tbt saic upwarthy extenthng port on car' be compacted, sad cc'mpactaole i footwetr furtne' compses a fastenng mears configured to rnairan sad upward y extcndng portion n ts compact state :10019] Preferably said fastening means.15 located: on said:upwardl extending portion.

[0020] Preferablysaid fastening means. comprises atoggie. flans 10021:] .Preferabiy:said toggle:means is spring loaded.

100221 FtefCr?bty saidfaste.ning means cornpn'ses an elastic::ioop.

[0023] Preferfl.ly sak: upwardly: extending portion comprises a rubber membrana.

0. [0024J Preferably said: rubber membrane comprises at least.50% rubber contentS.

10025] Preferably said rubber membrane is between 0.5mm -2mm in thickness.

10020] PMecably said' rubber membrane is I 3mm in thickness.

10027] :PrSrabysak. upwardly extending portion comprises: a Uning.

100281 F:ret'erably said upwa rd'y extending portion comprises a lycra layer.

[0029] Preferably said upwardly extending portion configured to be wrapped around said sole portion to form said. compact state of said compactablé footwear, :0030] refe-abry said unwaraly exteno ig portion corrpnses a knred 15: outer iayer.

100311 Freferablysak compactable footvear is'a wefflnç ton bout [00321 Maybe said fastening: means comprises tieup means, [0033]: Maybe said fastening means comprises Velcro, 0034j Maybe said fastening mea s comprises button fastening means.

2 10035] Accoro ng to a second asoect of the present}nvent on, there s prcded a copactatio tootwear for corpact storage compnng a sole: portion;' an upper portion for covering a wearers foot; an upwardy extending portion which in use extends at ieast around the wearers ank'e; and whwen said upwardly extendmg norton cornpnses a flexme mater a suen s that sa d pwardIy extondng norton can be compacted and sad Pex be meteS $compose� M S0% 90%:payesterand. 10-20%spandeX [PU$61 Fteferably said flexil naterici cornpdses 85. polyester and 15% spandex 10* [0037j Preferably said corn pactabte footwear further corn.pthes a fastening means configured to maintain upwarcily extending porUon in a compact state E0038] °rsferaby saa fasening means s ocated on saa upwarcfv extendIng portion.

[0039j Maye said fastening means:compSesa toggle meant [0Q40] Maybe said tOgle meant 1$ apringias�ed.

[OO$fl Ma&te said fastening mEans comprises an elastic loop.

[0042: Preferably sao upward y exterding portion cornpnses a rubber membrane.

[00431 Maybe said rubber membrane comprises at least 50% rubber content.

[OC44 Maybe s.a rubber membrane is between 05mm 2mm:jfl :Q thickness; 0045] Maybe said rubber membrane is 11mm in thickness, OO46]I Preferab'y aEki upwarthy extendng pordn comprises a inng.

[P047] Maybe said u.pwarthy extending portion corn rise.s a lycra layer.

0048] Maybe said uowardly ex4end ng porto contigued to be wrapped arouro sad soe pohor to form sata wmpact state of said compactanie footwear 13 [00491 Maybe sad upwardly extend ncj porton corpnses a knitted outer layer.

100501 Maybe aid campactab:etootv.ea.r is a wellington hoot.

i [0051] Maybe. sSd:faste.ning means:cornprises tieu.p means:.

*052J Maybe said lastening. rneansoompdses Velcro, 0053] Maybe saio rastentng means compnses button fastening mear's 4 U [0054] According to a thrd aspect of the present invention, there is prcMded a processfor nw.iufacture of a compactabie footwear comprisinq the steps of: outing a 31119 fabnc and shapmg said tabic over a ts to forni a Cempactable footwear lining;.

combmng a floxtb'e matenal comprising 80% 90% polyester and 10% 20% soandex with a 1 mm to 1 2 mm th,ck rubber sheet troLgh a roller nachne to form a fiexib e matenalirubber sheet ard passng the flexible materta /rubber o mix composition; cutting said flSbe materiaL/rubber sheet cOmposition and forrnthg the cut components on to said compactatte footwear ning to form a crude state:: compactanie' footwear; baking said' crude state cdmpctabiefot'twear;: cooling said. crude compactabe: footwear to. result:compacta'bie footwear; mu -removing said compaciabie footwear from Sd Last.

[0055]. Maybe said compactabFe footwear iining substantiaUy composed. cf poiyester,.

-5 O56] Maybe said flexibLe mater1a corn puses 85% poyester and 15% :SpafldeX 10,0571 Maybe"said r bher.5"he'et:.'h." 1.1 rrim 4hiqk, 100581 Maybe said hakinq of said crude compactabe footwear s carned cat an for $7 to 63,minutes.

[0059] Maybe said baking of SO crude compactable footwear is carriOd out at l27tto 133°C.

25. (0050] Maybe said step of coolinç. is carried out for.at east30 minutes..

gjDescnpsnafthewawrnos 0061] C0r a befter undorstandina of the invenhon and to show how The same may be earned nto effect there wifi now be descnbed by way ol example 3 n at. srecic erboments, rethods and orocesses accord ng to the oresent invention with: reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 1:0-Figure Ia ifiustratessehernaticaily a compactabe footwear n an uncompact according to apreferred: embodImentof:the present frtvention.

Fgure. : I b Uustrate*s schemaUcally aeompactabe compacted S state:acordkig to a preferred embodiment, of the present nver.ton..

Fgure 2a thistrates schematcay a front on vew at a fastening neans according toa:preferred en:bqdment of thepresent invention.

1 u F;gure 2b illustrates sc5ernatcafly a side on view o a fastering means according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fiqu:re. 3 illustrates: schematically a front on view of a compactabie footwear and malntafrflr,g. means: acc rding to a preferred embodiment of the present :15 nvention.

r gure 4 illustrates schematcally a mainta3nlng "eans according to a preferred embodiment of the present: invention..

PtS4 DescdptIon [00621 There will now be described by way of example a specific mode contemplated by the hiventors. In the following description numerous specific detak are:: set forth in order to provide: a thorocgh understatiding. It wifi be apparent however1 to one.:skilled in: the.: art that. the present. invention ma9. be 2:5: practiced. without limitation to these specific dctaUs. In. otherinstar:ces, well known methoos aid structures have not been descnbeo n deta so as not to u:nreOessaulycbscwe the:descriptkn.

Fbiire: lailiustrates. compactabie: footwear W0 in an uncom act state, upwardly extencing portion 101, conpactbe footwear upper 102 sole poror I 03, upwardly extending portion main body iO4, fastening means i o5.

compactahtefootwer cavIty 106., directIonal arrov 1.07.

-i I -Figure 1 b illustrates corn pactabe footwear.In a cornpacted state 200, upwardly Mendng20i 5fastening means oop 202, so'e porlion 203.

Fgure: 2 ifiustrates faterün:g. rreans 300,: togge. 301 backing' 302, icop: z entrvpoI943O3 toggeoop 304 Fgure 2G fikistratos fasenrq means 300, togg'e 30, back ng 302, boo entry:Pt 333, toggle. loot 304. bIdlon rrleans 305.

-a Figtire 3 ffbustrates' compactabe footwear and eontanThg means 400, sole portion 40 upwarcfly extendng portion 402, containhig means:&de wall 403, fastening.rsans $04 nantanng means cavity 405..

FgLre 4 ilkistrates mantanmq means 500, mafntan% rnens base 501 _s rnainainng rneas sUe Wa 502, maintaining mea'is cavity 503, rrarzalmg means main.body:504. fastening means 505. reinforcement stitching 506.

:03631 A compactable footwear is one whth can he cbosely oackeo together and. neatly fine, into a re,stnTcted space.. The footwear may: be ckmpac$ed b' rners 01 rong, wrappE -g, or Mding or a srni ar;orm o' compacting:whereby thespacethat. th:a'fbotwear takes up is reduced.

[CO$4 The present mventlon reates to any type of boot eTher for a fashor ind.ustnj' or oth,eiwise., hcwever for the purpose ofciailty so as not to obscure the 2 Jwenton at hand, tne tigures herein have been referred to con cerr'np the preferred embcdiment of.a..weflington boot 0O651 R&emng to Figure 1 a neran, compactabte footwear 100 compnsec trree pr mary components, a soe porbon 103, a compactable footwear uope i o 102 and an upwarciiy exteroing portion I ft The comoactabe fcotwear upoer 102 comprises the portion of compactable footwear 10.0 which covers the' wearers foot ThciudThg the wearers toes and the bridge of the pot. Compactabë footweariQO rr.ay be anytype of bootfootwear known in the art [Q.Q:66 ime compaptabie tQOtMIat upper would be known to the sidiled E: person to represent the fabnc connected to me soe ootor I 03 whc s abe to hi y cover or parvaUy cover the top of a wearers foot Comoactabe footwear uone O2 s genera known 0 be made of vanous fabncs mCuong but io4 imaea to, suece, rnoesn canvas pastcs or rubber, meshng or ieathr The conpactabe rootweae upper O2 s cornronly, but not a ways comprsed of a fabric *üch Is the same as the upwardly extending poruon id of a bbbt.

CommoMy the compactabe fooiweatUpper I 02 *an,J upwardlly extendng portion: 101 are,rnnufac:tured. :a one continuous fabric or m. aterial however. upwardly ecenong rorton 101 and comoactanle footwear upper 102 may be rade o1 two different fabrics or rna4enals and/or upwardly extendinq oorbon 101 may e conipactabie footwear up per iO2 C$7] Preferaoy compactable footwear 100 will ne manufactured such that tne upward ex4en&ng po4on 101 and compacaoie footwear upper 102 are made from a ontnuous faorc or matena and when manufactured for tre 2 purpose o compactablo footwear 100 as a welhngton ooot, upwardly exterthig porton 10:1 and compactabie footwear upper 102 will comprise a waterproof or treated layer. This, is advantageous such that the wearers legs and foot will not get wet during adverse weather conditionssuch. rain,, sleet, snow, hall, or if the wearer is. in the vicinify of any substrate which the wearer wishes to prevent:the 2 E: WE arers feet and legs from coming into contact with.

[0Q68] As weB as to prevent water and/or mud for, or example:. Est1 goers who may wear the ccnoactable footwear 100 n ndustrv the kbnc or matenal That upwardly extenthrg porbon 101 ano/or compactable footwear upper u 102 s compnsed ot, may act to prevent harmfu' or Lnwanted sohds, tOUIOS or gases to penetrate the compactable footwear 100, therefore preventing the.

narmfui or unwanted substrates from contactmg wtn the wearers egs or feet.

f0069 The upward y e,denc rg poror 101 cornpnses an Lpwardy extendng pcr4on ma n body hay ng sde wa s whsch extend.ipwardy around a persons ank'e skr and caff musde Howeser, the upwaty extenong porUon S 101 may extend upwardy CrOfl anywhere between a persors ane aia tap of the persona thgh.

:ooio] r comoaornb!e footwear 100 s n ts uri-compactea sta4e Lrwarcflv exzendrg DOrUOfl WI extends upwarcPy -and e atth pependtuar to so'e IC portion iO3.

[0071:1 A compactabie footwea.r cavity 106 is located at the top of upwardly extending:POrtIO:n WI, generafty at: an' end furthest:'away from sole portion 103b Corn pactabic footw ear cewtv 106 aitows the wearer to nser teir toot into lbS. .COrnpttSt&f&twear 100 in i. :rtht to wSST co'nlpadtábiE. footwear 100.

0072J A1triatvev, corn pactable footwear 100 may corpnse an uraste ing means (lot s'own) for examp a a zip wh4ch is con9gured to bcrease the sza o cornoactabo footwear cavity 106 such that compactabie oowe& 100 ao is easier for the user to insert their foot.

[0073] The sole pp:rt.ion 102 comprises an inner sole, a mid sole, and an out 5016. although the inner sole and: mid sole are inside the boot and are not viowWe when the book is bong worn The sole pflon 102 may be contigured 2.5 as a flatoutsole or a heeledoutsois.

[0074 Upwardly exte'ridihg podi&t 101 must be flexible: enough" sucti flya upwardly extenong porvon 101 can be compactect such that comoactable footwear 100 forms a compacted state The user will be abTe to compact upwardly extending portion in the following ways:.

1Q075J The free end * .of the up*arcfly. extending portion nearest the cavity 10$ .s rolleddownwardFy towards conipactabe shoe upper 102 t�fbrm a neatroft above QQflPeCthhS footwear upper I OZ [OO7$J The upward extendmg port on I 01 may ue foaeu once over onto tseff or numerous'y to reduce the physcaI 5021CC that the upwardly cx ending porUon 101.

ooii; The upward1, exendirg porion I 01 may be inve1eo trorn ca try -C 06 ana the nverted pOrtoi then ou1ed oowr towards conpdctabe footwear upper I O2cand therefore decreasing the height of the upwardy extendng pottkr 101 and exposng the rntern& face of upardv extendirg portion n this arrangement. t woi.ild preferab for fastening means I 05 to be fixed to the interS faceof upwarcHy extending:porUon I 05; !03?8] Upwaroiy extenthng portion 101 is wrapoect aroma sole porton 03 sucn that uovs&rdly extenthng portion 101 is wrapped around the unoemetb of SO PofliP:fl 103 and brought hack around. and then wrapped again until compactab e footwear 100 a n a Mv compacted state (as shown w ti compactaiS.footwear in its compacted state 200asshown in figure 1 h).

0079 in order for compacts be. footwear 100 to he flexible enough to be compacted, it is advantageous for the material of the upwardly: extending 101 to have. suitabiyfiexible.properties. 4:

[0080 reerablv, rain body 104 of upwarthy extend ng portion 01 s cornpr seo f a material with a 50% or less coroosition of uober conent r has been found tnd using a compostte rnatera of 50% or less rubber corter fo ise as a Lpwardlv extending portion 101 alows for upwardi exter'drig porter 01 o ne botn soft and 9exte It nas also been found tnat where the upwarcth, extending portion main body 104 comprises a rubber. membrane, ideally of 50% or less rubber.content. it is advantageous that the rubber membrane is thin enough sothat the upvtatd1yextendng: portion can be easily corhçacted. ideally, upwardyextendng porUDn mahi body 101 s.of a thickness of 03mm to.2 mrt:'i owever X has Deen found that the most advantageous tNc kness o the rubber rnembrare in oroer to provide suitab'e fiexthHy, whilst std provicig the advantages of aurabthtv and waterproot/sbsb ate prope-ty would be to iave a theknoss of a rubber rembrane of I 3 mm r an uea confguraton o cornpactabe fc'otwear 100 LDWard exiendng portion 101 wifi compise at east 3 layers The nier layer w compnse a hnng A lrnng s athantagoos as 4 p'rovid� CTfOft and.warmth to thewearer of thecomgactableiootw ear 100.

I C

(00811 The nng may consistof a materaF for exarnpe hutnot Urnited to, wooL cQttop, fur, polyester and the like. The m:ddie ayer will cmprse of the rubber membrane whereas an outer layer will be the:ayer that can be physically seen externally of the: compactabie:: fooiear 100. The outer ayer of upwardly s extenthng poton 101 ray compnse a woven woo3 or krutted outc ayer Att.ematively the outer layer may: comprise a four way stretch i.ycra: bonded omoostion The OL:er ayer s advantageos as ths ay comprise a facmionablo design to Ue extema of tie compactabe footwear 100 as weB as provara tor a orotectable coatnq for the upwardly extenthng uorhon ra,n body 2:0 104 Le the rubber men.brane. Theouter ayerof upwardly extending portion 101 may also be configured to be easily cleaned.

10082] n a preferred emboonent the upwardy extenthng porton 101 s flexble enough such that when upwardy exlenthng pothon 101 s wrapped 2 arono the outer sole of soc portion 103 to form a compacted sa4e, the cornpactaWe tQotyar 100 is able to ne maritained in ls compactec state of its oTh ac cr0. vitho.ut uncompachng.

:0083] In a preferred embodrnent compactable footwear comorses a 3.0 fastening means 105, [0084] Fastening. means I 05 may be any means to mantain compactab!e tootwea'-; 00 n ts comoacted state once compactabe footwear I 00 has bee'i compipted. ideafly, . feteng means I 05 is pQ53tIQned towards. the: free end of uowaivy ex'endnq Dorbon I 01, however a4erratw&y fastening teans I 05 may S be tcatea at any posmor on compac'abk' footwear I QQ e thor nterna y or xternaFy A astenng means may comrse bbt s not bmaed to a togg'e, te-strings, Vdcro, bttton 4astenng means, or the hke As those sk ted n the wt wth uncerstand substantaby any type of sutabe tastenng device may be usea The fastonwg means ray be attached to the footwear I 00 at t may be confgured to I C deacbabv at4ach to or othenwse comrnuncaLe with toorwear 100 n orcer to maintain fc*wear 100 nthe foded position.

[00851 e'ornig to fiçwres 2a and lb nere n preferaby the fas4enmg means o icmpactab e tootwear I 00 comonses astenng means 300 con'gured : as a toyg e fasten ry n"eans Tho toggo tasteing means compnses a *ogge 3O anti ooo entry po nt 303 Preferably the togge 301 and hop entry pore $03 are omprseci 0* a olastics mate rial he toggle 301 an loop enty point 303 houses a portion o toggte bop 304 The toggle oop may be any king of era or string and lS: preferably elasticated. The. toggle: loop 304 may bS extended or decrease in se such that a oorbon of The togge loop 304 extema% to togg e 30 and loop entry point 303 is changed in loop size. This is can ted out by manio aton of toggle 301 wftcr comprises a spnng loaded mechan sni c onfigi roc to ncreose or decrease oop s'ze of toggle boo 304 and further confi.gun.d to: :rPantaIn toggle. loop.304 at a set positlon [QQ86 Ma:fflpu:iati.on: :f toggle 301 can be operated by: pressng a button 305 Button 305 is connecbb e to the sunrg oaded mechansm not shown) When the button 305 s depressea, toggle loop 304 can be extended or decreased in sze When button 305 is suosequertly released, the toggle loop 3 o size of toggle loop 304 s maintained Refemng to figure 1 o herein there s shown a: compactable footwear when ft is in its ccmpacted state and further shows the fastening toggle means. as outlined in figures 2a and 2b when in i7-operavon. Preferaby, si d fasierüng means further comprises a backing means 302. hi a preferred embodiment, the backfrig means is arranged as a rubber based c'ackmg matena whch may be stitched on to upward extencrng poño 101 (tigure Ia) The racKr'g moans [5 advaitageous}n tha rt prodes ; enforced SLDpOrt for trw %stet'nng means 300 to ncrease the durabthty o the cornpacAabo footwear suth that there s a reduced nsk of teanrg of the upwardy extendirg:if*the:fase:g mea:r; is vi:orous'lyused by the user.

[00871.n order to: o.mpact the cempactable' footwear In the. cc mpacted U state 200. a is 0tferabe for fastomng neais 3C0 to be ocated on a sde wai of upwarcfiyeendIng portcn main body104 (figure Ia). The skie wall of upwardiy extendnq main body is That iocated at eithersde ofoompactabie footwear I 00.

[0088] Directona arrow 107 shows ther direeflon Ot with extercnng porhan wrapped around sole portion < 03 ir order o form a corrnactabie state such that fastemng means I 05 can be operated to rnanthwi cornpactaoe footwear lOC) m rts compacted state 200 Upwardly exten>ig portion. 101. is wrapfleU around Sc pb.rJbn 103. in the diréctidn 4Q7 such tht fastening. rr cans 105 remains v'isthi.e.: and opposed to the side wall of the upward y extendmg ooron 01 that makes contact wIth sole Dortlon 103 when ( is wrapped Upwardly extenthng portk,:n 101 may be nartially or fully wrapped to torn a cornaced state Toggle loop 304 (figures 2a and 2b) can thor be stretched, and pulled over upwardly dxtehdi'ng pottion.201, sQi� pcflioh 203 In order to loom: a loop 202... The. fastening means loop 202 fdmied upon 2: corruactlng of cornpactable footwear 100 nto as cornpacte state 200 acts to macitaln and bold the compac4able footwear c Its cor%npacted state 200 O089 The more tmes that the upwardly extendung portIon 101 s wrapoen around so'e porion 103 and the smaller the boop sze of tastenng eais Icon 3: 202 formed around the upwardly oxterthng poror 201 and sole poton 203 the more compact the compactabie footwejr 200 can be." compacted..

[0090] Referring. to figure 3 herS, there is shown a cornpadabe footwear wherein a.corn:pactabe footwear for thS right foot ahda compactabie footwear.ôr the efi. tgct S maintained Ifl a maintaining means 400..

lOOt!']: n. an enthothment shown In figtwa 3,, th compacb'ble foot ear may o may lot ompnse a tastening neans [0092]. A seça.rate. maintaining re,. 4flS coidd beused for each indM:du&* compactabe ootwear boot a one for the right boot and one for tne eft boot C lowever oreferab y a singe mantarnn'g means coud be utsed to ma rta n both of the.rght:and deft boot of a compactabe footwear.

[0G$3J The compacta.hIe fooyar would be required to, be compacted pnor to s'oago 0* t-'e conpactabe totwear in tre mamtaining moans. with 1.5: fastening means 1.05 of the. compactable..footwear,maintaning the. corn pactabte footwear in its camp actable shape as shown in figure 2.

Once the cornpactaoie footwear s in as compactS state, t can then be. inserted iengthways* in to maintaining means 400. Maintaining rP:eatis c 400 may be in the form. of a bag or pouc.h 0C9SJ The maintaining means: 400 will generally b.c comprised of a durable and gbweight matenal such as cloth, PVC, eatfrr or the like A i athar'tage of maintain ng a compactable footwear in a mainta nng means is that R5. :th. compactabie footwear is protectS. by the:.maintaining: means from geheral W08:r and tear;when OCt in use by the: USSL j0096] The mantan ng means 400 is preferably of a rectangular shape wtth an elongate sidewall 403 This is advantageous to substantially replcate the shape of to compaciedfc twear to be inserted in the maintaining:m:eans.400 The ramnta4ninq moans 400 tself may also comonse a fastening eans 405 such that the compactabie footwear can be maintained in the maintaining meant such that the compacted.faofyear does not faU out of the maintanng means 400. ThemantainWig means 400 may be com9gured such that the w hole or part of the P1.t.IPPtth fQWeBr is storédlV.flhdn the tnng meS 400.

[0097: rVerabIy tra mantarng means comprses a fasterung means such as a togg'e arrargement as desonbed n figLros 2a and 2b Pteferab y Pe fastennq neans 404 s posftioned n the genera ray t rarnta1nng means entra:ta.yjs/ 405.

-U po9a: Se'emng $ f>gure 4 heern El our preferrea enbod ment mantainng means 500 s shown as.a suitable bag, pouch or the Hke for ra ntamrg the nght and/or efl boot of a comoactab footwear Preferab, a compatabIe, footwear when t fl: iS compacted: State. can be. .nserted. n to: rraintaining ifleans: :500 va..mai:ntafflng means. cavity 503 such that a I compactane footwear may be encosed withw mantairng means 530 ano inseUd all th W8:Y dovn' Ia base 501 of rflans:5tJ0' The mantanng means 500 may comrse rentorcod fltc'hmg 506 on the man boay 504 posit oned towards the mantaning means caty 503 to nrease the strength and durability of the niaintalring means. Preferably, faSteflifl means 42 505 s ncatoo between tNe maintaining means cavity 503 and the reinforcement stitching 566.. The side walis 502 maintaining means.500 may be: reinforced or a rigid material such that.the shape. of the, maintaining means 500 is retained.

309$] Ppferabrv conpautaba feotwear upper 102 r alternatively pwaro y extenthng poiwn main body 104 only compnses r a four way stretch tahnc The four way stretth fabrc allows for a tiexinle upwardl extend ng portion man haay 104 preferably aliowing the fabric to be stretched n fair driferent arectio-is wtnout damage or tear ng the matena The tour wa& stretci tabric oroferably nas eastic properties cdeaiy the four way stretch fabne of o uowardly extending portion main booy 104 s composed of 35% polyester and I 5% spandex. However; a polyester: spand.ex composition of 80% ± / 5% polyester: 20% ÷ / -5% spandex would So be suitable to provide the with the desrabe stretch, &astic and co:rnpactabe advantages. In an afternative arrangement, the compaetabe footwer upper ¶O2or upwardly extending portS maw boay I 04 onv. may comprise a four wa strecb mater& omoc'str whereby the four way stretch tabno cornpnsed 92 5% + I 5% nyor and 7 5% + I 5% spandex four way stretcn matonal mears th& the fabnc or matena s elastic n aJ drectons The upper 1C2 or upwar&y extenthng rna hody 104 s pretera5y comprised of a four way stretch matenS %hch has beon mxed with a rubber shee4 preferabv I mm thcK) sucn as to provde a waterproof, flexbe, cornpactabieand duraNe upper 102/ü�Wardiy extsid:ing. mafri t.ody Q4

I U

The Uning could he any natural or synthetic fabric incFuthng but not limfted to polyester. Wool, nylon. acryho or cottom ldeay the ncr surface of the upwardly extenong train body 104 is parUy or partially covered with a lining to improve the comfort of the footwear when in (01 0 The process of man ufactrer of the cornpac:abie footwear comprises the following steps: The fabric forming the fining:Of the compactabie footwear boot is cut and stitched rflo a generai shape of a stocktng ano s farmed ovc-a last P eferab y the lining is formed of polyester, howE er the linin may bewooL, cotton, acryfic: or any other: material which increases users: comfort' when wearing the corn pactab 2 footwear boot A last s a torrr in the approxnate sflape a' a root ano 5 commonly rowr n the art and can be made o varous maenais The four way stretch abric s then combined wi a rbbor sheet Preterably the fabric and rubber sneet are combned by a being passed ttrougn a 3 roller machre s mu taneously, the piessure exerted by the roUee resULng in a faa'-iciwbber mix sheet being formed Preferably the rubber is 1 mm Thick ± 0 1 -21 -mm and the four way stretch fabn'c made of 86% po[yester ± . 5 % and I 5% spandex ±fiY; 0 The ccrrbined four way stretch fabre a'a rubber sheet matera mxure s 5: then cut flO: the individual cQnpoc:eMs that make up the Qompattabie footwear.

The cut' coponents that tflflkö PP th Qc*p*tfl fOc.,tteth,r toot aS thei adhesec/g Lea/attached onto the p&vester nng wrvcn is ocated on the welly ast, to farm a corn actabe hoot product in a ciude state.

.The, crude state compactabie boot is then put into a vulcanizer (or the heater whch aows te baknq of the product) and s vucsn 7eo (bakec) for a oer>od & 1 hour j- mrnutes at a tempera ure of 130°c ± 3c ft the came state product heated at a:higherl,ftWer wmperature than this Would ead tb is d&orrna'ho of the product The process of bk ng the crude state uoot ri to seS the rubber, thus ma king.the::boo wate:rprobf...

t Trio corn nactable footwear ooot s then emoved from the ucan zer after one nour ano ahawed to cool for at least 23-30 mnutes The compactabie footwear boot Is then removed from the wefly fast (de-asted) m cc.i'npactable footwear is then sent to be cleaned ready for 25: packaging. Preferably the.,cornpactabie boot is packaged/stored ih Pt.lybag5 [ClcV AThougi oreferably the process of mantJacLne s seqLentay the same as listed anove, the orocess may be sequence to sutanFy manufacture a. compactabie.ft otwear bool comprising the general steps of: Preparation and formation of a boot ining..

Locating the ining over a last.

! combining afour way stretchiabric wfth a rubber sheeL , Quthng/shaping the fabric/ruhb.*er* :Q A.h:Sng tt!e cut.fàbric/rubbertothe iinIng toiorm a.product.

e Heabng then COOk{99 the product and remova' 1rom the ast to result a ompactahe.footw. ear.

Aftemabvob the lining and/or four way stretch fabnc and/or rLbber sheet may he n. a pie-shaped form.

$:rflat&eiy, the comp tate boot manufacture process may not comprise the. step cf formThg the lining as the: end compactabie footwear boot may not have a lining.

(01 02J in an: afternative process., a foufrway. stretch rna:ten'ai having a cornooston of ?2 5% Nyon and 7 5% Soaldex is appiEea to a sheet of rubber (typcahy 0 8mm --mm n thickness) This is done via c high oressLEe roLer se4 at a low temperature The effect is to integrate the: materials so they become one, gMng the rubber a textured finish:.

101 Q31 From ttj new materia the upper shapes are cut. The uppers are then asted onto aiurmnum lasts which are coverea with a tqcn texthe fabc which 2 r cons'iLites the ng of the boot Tie boots are then ucanizeo (baked) at a ten'peratve of 20 degrees Celsius for at least 45 rrvnutes to one hour Tns process seais the rubber and the components so that it s waterproof ano 4he rubber boot is oroduced The boat is Then cooled for at least 20 ninutes Cahus

Claims (4)

1. I A compctabIe footv:Srfcr compactstoage cornprsing: a s ale portbn; an upper cortion far coverng a wearer's foot, an upwafly extending portion wtich in use extends at least around a jo wearers anide; and wherein said upwardly extending: portion comprises a flexible' material such that sad Lpwaroly exte9dFng portion cn oc rornpactea saci compactabe footwear fyrfli:er comprises a fastening means configured. to maintain sad: a. s u:pwardiyextending portion' in a compact'state.
2. 2 A compactabe footwear accordu-q to carr whereri sad fasten'ing.means. ls: lbcated,;on:sak: upWatdly exténdinç pOthod.
3. 3... A. compactabie footwear according: to any one of the preceding claim wherein sad fastening means comphses a toggle means.
4. 4. A compactabte footwear according to claim 3 wherein., said toggk.means is spnflg ioaded. 2.5A compactable footwear accorthng to any one of the preceding clans Wh&el.ft said fastening mean's comprises: err elastic loop..ft. A corn pactable footwear according. to any the preceding 3 clams wherej sa,d upwaidly extenthng portion comprises a rubber rrerrbrare 7.. A compactabie footwear according to claim 6' said rubber membrane comprises at' least 50% rubber content.8.. A compactabe footwear' according to. dafrns 6 and 7 wherein said rubber membrane s between 0 5mm -2mm tr thckness 9 A cornaactabe footwear accorcLng to dams 6 to 8 whereu' sao rubber rnerbrane s 3mm w thcness A compactabe 4ootwear accorcng o any one of the oreceding uams wheran sa'd upward', extenthng porton comonses a Lmng 1 Kt :4, V Ii. A compactabe footwear according to any one.01 the preceding ciaims wherein said upw.rdh, extending portion comprises a iycra ayer.12 A compacable ootwear accorth ig to any one of Pe precethng cans wheren saa ipwaroly extenthng perton con!gureo to be wrapped around said'sSporrtcn to form &id bt ft at sad Smpactábie fOotwear,.13 A corn pactable footwear acco'thng to ary one ot the preceang clairns'whereinSd upwaMy extending. portion comprises a knitted: outer layer.14. A compactabie footwear accordIng tb any one of the preceding.claims wherein said ccmpactablefootwear is a we:Wngton' boot A compacta.ble footwear according to claims 1. to 2 wherein said.tstening ens Ct:flipfls.e$:h&up means,.1 A compactabie fOotWs.'"accc'rthng. to claims. ¶ to 2' Wherein said fasterurg means compnses Veicro I 7. .A compactable footwear according to dams I to. 2 wh:er&n said fasterüng. fl:iGaflS comprises button fastenftig means: 18. A compactable footwearfor compact stcrae corn prsing: a soe portion; an upper portion for covering a wearers foot; an upwardy extendirq porbon whch m use extenos at <east around the wearers ankle; and wneee>n sa d upward y extendmg poñor compnses a iexthle materia such that said upwardly extending portion can $:cOrfljj)aCtEd an saki flexible taterial is compcsed of 80. 90% polyester and 10 20% spandex, 19 A compactabe footwear accorthng to dan' 18 wnerem sad f1exble rr.atsrial comprises 85% polyester and I 5%H gpaflj( 2.0. 20. *A compactable footwear according to any one of claims 18 or 19 wherein said compactabie footwear further comprises a:fa.stenino means configured to maintain.upwarcfly extending portion ma comp act state 21.: A compactable fooear according to cisim:20 wherein said as fastening: means is locatedon. said upwardiy extending rortion fl A:cornpactable1 footwear according toany one clafrr 20-21 Wherein said fastening means comprises a toggle means.10. 23: A compactabie footwearaccording to daim 22 whereinsaid togge means is spring loaded., 24. A compactabie footwear according to any one of daims 21-23 wherSn said fastenng means comprises an eJastic oop.A compactabe oQhvear accorthng to ary ore ot dams 1&24 -; wheren said upwarcfly extencnng porton cornonses a rubber merrbrare 2$ cornpactabe footwear according to darn 25 sad rLbber membrane compnses atieast50% rubber content.27. A compactable footwear accorthng to any one of ti ms 25 and 26 wbere sad amber membrane is between U 5mm 2rnr' n tlickness 28. A compactflFe footwear $ccetding to any of daiS 25 to 27 wherer sat ruboer membrane s 11 mm bfl thickness 5: 29 A compactale footwear according to any one o aarns 828 wherein said.4pwardiy extending portion comprises a kflin9:; A compactaibEe footwear according to. any one of claims 18.2:9 2:0 wherei said upwardly extending portion comprises alycra layer.31. A compactable footwear according to any one of claims 1.8-30 wherer sam upwarcfly extending poiton configi4red to be wrapped around sad sole porticn: to form saiL compact state of said compactdble footwear.32 A comoactabie tootwe?r according to any one of cia ms 18-31 wherein id up*adiy exter.chngpodion:compnses a knItted amer layer.33. A compactab!e footwear according to any one of ciairns 1&32.3 o wherein said ompactabie fcOtWear is a weWngton. boot.34. A compactable footwear according to claim 20 wherein said fastening. means comprises tie-up means.A compactabe footwear acco ing to dairn 20 wher&n said fastening means.comprses Velcro.36 A compactable footwear accothrg to cawn 20 wheren sa fastening means comprises button fastening means.A process: for manufacture of a �c:m:pactabie fdOtWsw corn pri&ng the steps of cuthng a lining fabric and shaping said fabric over a East to form a compactahie footwear Uning; -oombnn.g a flexthie rnatenai: CO m:pnsing:80% -O% polyester aria 10% - 20% spandex wtth a I 1 2 mm thck rubber sheet and passing the flexible matedanibber nt through a rofler machine, to, farm a flexible material/rubber sheet:COfliOS Won cuthng said flexible materiaL/rubber sheet composition and forming "the.2 @ cut uornpnnents on to swd comçctaoie fooiw ear unrig to own a cruae wate compactabi.e footwear; -baking said crude $tate cornpactshle footwear,; :25 -* cooling said mide:compactable footwear to result a co.rnpactsbie footwear;.-removing said cornpactuble footwear frOfriald last.a 3$ A process fo-manuacturc of a cooactable %otwear accord ng to claim 37 wherein said compactable lining 15 substantially composed of polyester.39. A process, for manufacture of a compactabe footwear accorthng b claim 37 or 38 whereinsaid flexihie materiai comprises 85% poiyester and 15% spandëx.A process tor manufacture o a ampactable footwea accorthng to dflV one of c]anis 37-39 wierein swd rubber shea4 s 1 mm thick 41. A process: for manufactire of a corn pactable footwear according to any one of claims 37-40 wherein said baking of s&d crude compactable footwear I. is carried outfor 57 to 6:3 minutes.42. A process: for manufacture of a compactable fOotwear according to any one of. claims 3741. wherein said taking of sa.id.crude.conipactabk footwear is carried out..at I 27t to 133t.IS43 A process for manufacture a compactabe footwear accorñng to any ore of c aims 3742 where n sa d steo of coobng s carned out for at icast 30 ITilnutes.. 2.0 25.