KR20140051848A - Seamless upper for footwear and method for making the same - Google Patents

Abstract

In general, the present invention relates to shoes and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly to a seamless shoe upper shell and a method for manufacturing the same. In another aspect of the invention, the upper is a monolithic structure defined as an inner space for receiving seams and / or feet comfortably.

Description

The present invention relates to a seamless upper shoe upper and a method for manufacturing the same,

The present invention relates to a shoe upper, more preferably a seamless shoe upper and a method of manufacturing the same.

The upper portion of the shoe varies in configuration and design based on several design parameters including function / performance, weight, cost, aesthetics, comfort and ease of manufacture. Athletic shoes, for example, are generally influenced by performance by emphasizing performance. Running shoes are usually lighter than tennis shoe because they do not require lateral support of tennis shoes in general. Due to the specific price competitiveness of shoes and related volumes, ease of manufacture is another important consideration. Also, all shoes should be comfortable.

In general, athletic footwear includes shell leather and shoe sole. The upper provides a cover to safely receive and position the foot in relation to the insole structure. The upper may also have a shape that provides ventilation and protects the feet by cooling the feet and removing sweat. The sole structure is generally secured to the lower surface of the upper and is generally located between the feet and the floor. The upper and sole structure work together to provide a comfortable fit for a wide variety of walking activities, such as walking and running.

The material forming the upper may be selected, for example, according to the properties of abrasion resistance, flexibility, stretchability, and air-permeability. With respect to the outer layer, the toe portion and the heel portion can be formed of leather, synthetic leather, or a rubber material giving a relatively high degree of abrasion resistance. However, leather, synthetic leather and rubber materials may not exhibit the desired degree of flexibility, air permeability. Thus, various other portions of the upper layer of the upper may be formed of synthetic or natural fiber materials. Thus, the upper layer of the upper can be formed of a number of material elements, each of which imparts different properties to a specific part of the upper. Likewise, the upper layer of the upper may be formed of a moisture-wicking textile that immediately removes perspiration from the area around the foot. Traditional sneakers can combine various layers with adhesives, and can be used to join elements in one layer or to reinforce a specific area of the upper.

Mainly, fabrics or fibers have been used as the epidermis of sneakers. It is known to be advantageous in that the inherent resilience inherent in the shoe upper made of fabric does not give a sense of pressure and fatigue. For a shoe upper made of this elastic fabric, US Pat. No. 3,793,750 and US Pat. No. 4,043,058 (incorporated by reference for all purposes) disclose a polyurethane foam layer between the outer fabric layer and the inner fabric layer, Layer sandwich structure made by interposing and bonding a plastic foam layer such as a layer having a multi-layered sandwich structure. However, the aforementioned shoe upper with a plastic foam layer interposed therein is not necessarily satisfactory for air permeability. Therefore, the shoe causes problems in the inside of the shoe due to the non-ideal temperature rise due to sweat and heat generated in the foot during the exercise, resulting in a problem in that the shoe becomes insufficiently heated and inconvenient. Furthermore, although the resin foam layer is resilient, it has a great resistance to movement between the outer and inner fabric layers because each outer and inner fabric layer is bonded with an adhesive , Which leads to a large resistance of the shoe upper to beding. This inhibited the suppressive effect of feet and the relieving effect of fatigue. The fibers used on the shoe upper generally provide a lightweight, air-permeable structure that is flexible and accommodates your feet comfortably. In general, knitting materials have increased movement and flexibility. Textiles can be defined as being produced from fibers, filaments or yarns characterized by their flexibility, fineness and high length to thickness ratio. However, a seam is generally required prior to using fabrics and / or fibers on the shoe upper. Joints present difficulties and limitations, including the difficulty of manufacturing and free design, and the unintended wear caused by users causing blistering and poor performance.

To add other attributes to the shoe, including resistance to durability and elasticity, the fibers are typically combined with additional materials, including, for example, leather, synthetic leather, or rubber. With respect to durability, U.S. Patent No. 4,447,967 discloses an upper formed in Zaino, which is formed of a fibrous material that injects a polymeric material into a specific area to strengthen the area for wear or other forms.

It is desirable to minimize the number and type of materials in shoes, especially athletic shoes. Less material can save money and improve efficiency in that footwear manufacturing is a labor intensive process. A typical shoe manufacturing process involves cutting the upper material, reducing the thickness of the edge bond ("skimming"), reducing the thickness of the upper piece ("splitting"), ("Interlining"), forming holes, stitching the upper piece together, finally forming the upper layer ("lasting"), and hardening, molding, or sewing the shoe sole to the upper (&Quot; bottoming "). Modern shoe designs, especially sneaker designs, require numerous pieces of uppers and complicated manufacturing steps leading to high labor costs. In addition, the process of incorporating separate materials on the upper may include several different manufacturing steps that require multiple people. The use of various materials other than fibers may lower the breathability of shoes. Furthermore, new patterns are required and the manufacturing process must be reorganized for new designs and styles and for each desired shoe size.

As a reference for all purposes, here is a description of how to use heat embossing to minimize the number of manufacturing steps, in an effort to reduce labor costs, as published in PCT publication WO 90/03744. do. The patent discloses a process for manufacturing a shoe component comprising a whole piece of upper. In the manufacturing process, the multi-layered upper material incorporates a functional design or pattern line to reduce the thickness of the material, And thermo-embossed by compression molding for strain management. After the embossing step, the back of the embossed upper material is stitched together by a back strip, and the upper material is last and finished to form the finished shoe. This process can greatly reduce the cutting and stitching steps and eliminate the skiving, splitting and interlining steps of a typical shoe manufacturing process. However, this shoe manufacturing process does not significantly reduce the cost associated with the re-formation of the manufacturing process for assembly time, new pattern creation, new designs, new styles and other shoe sizes. Rather, new patterns and new embossing formulations for each design change should be made and separate embossing formations should be used for the desired shoe size. Likewise, in order to accommodate the desired changes in style, a number of upper materials must be kept in an inventory using a variety of colors and textures.

From a manufacturing standpoint, using multiple materials to impart different attributes to a shoe can be an inefficient method. For example, the various materials used in conventional uppers are generally not available from a single supplier.

Therefore, manufacturing establishments should coordinate to ensure that there is a specific business practice and that there are multiple suppliers that can be located in different regions or countries. A variety of materials may require additional machines or other assembly line techniques to cut, or else you may need to prepare materials for your footwear. In addition, incorporating separate materials in the upper may include a number of unique manufacturing steps that require multiple people. In addition to fiber, the use of various materials may reduce the breathability of the shoe. For example, leather, synthetic leather, or rubber is generally not permeable to air. Thus, leather, synthetic leather, or rubber located on the outside of the upper can inhibit airflow through the upper by increasing the amount of sweat, water vapor, and heat trapped within the upper and the feet.

Previous shoe uppers typically use multiple components or materials and require multiple manufacturing steps. Furthermore, previous uppers generally require one or more seams. Thus, the existing upper has resulted in reducing the performance of the shoe, increasing the complexity, time, cost, and freedom of design freedom of manufacture. Therefore, there is a need for a seamless upper shoe and a process for making it.

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 473,473, entitled " Seamless Shoe Upper and Method of Making It, " filed on April 8, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference into the present application .

An object of the present invention is to provide a footwear for a footwear, which comprises an upper portion, the skin is composed of a seamless knit material and a foot-receiving portion, The shoe being characterized in that the shoe is made of a synthetic resin.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of knitting a knee joint, comprising the steps of: forming the seamless knit material including a foot-receiving portion; forming an opening for receiving a user's foot in a foot receiving portion in a knitting process; A step of shaping the upper part of the shoe so as to form the upper part of the shoe.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of knitting a fiber element with a surrounding fiber structure, the knitted fiber element being configured to form a seamless shoe, removing the knitted fiber element from the surrounding knit fiber structure, And forming a footwear skin with knitted fibers.

An object of the present invention is to provide a footwear for a footwear, which comprises an upper portion, the skin is composed of a seamless knit material and a foot-receiving portion, The shoe being made of a synthetic resin.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of knitting a knee joint, comprising the steps of: forming the seamless knit material including a foot-receiving portion; forming an opening for receiving a user's foot in a foot receiving portion in a knitting process; A step of shaping the upper part of the shoe.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of knitting a fiber element with a surrounding fiber structure, the knitted fiber element being configured to form a seamless shoe, removing the knitted fiber element from the surrounding knit fiber structure, And forming a footwear skin with the knitted fibers.

According to the present invention, the knitted structure having air permeability, tightness, support, cushioning and abrasion resistance through the seamless shoe upper and its manufacturing method, and the knitted structure having the maximum It is possible to provide a shoe having an inner space that comfortably accommodates feet, including comfort and freedom of design.

The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and form a part of the specification to describe several embodiments. The drawings together with the description explain the principles of the present invention. The drawings illustrate preferred and alternative embodiments of how an invention may be made and used and are not to be construed as limiting the invention to only the embodiments described and illustrated.
Additional technical features and advantages will become apparent from the following more detailed and various embodiments of the invention, as described by reference to the following drawings.
Figure 1A is a perspective view of one seamless embodiment of a shoe upper;
Figure 1B is a bottom-view of the seamless embodiment of the shoe upper of Figure 1A;
Figure 1C is a top-view of a seamless embodiment of the shoe upper of Figure 1A;
FIG. 1D is a lateral three-fourths view of the seamless embodiment of the shoe upper of FIG. 1A; FIG.
FIG. 1E is a medial three-fourths view of the seamless embodiment of the shoe upper of FIG. 1A;
Figure 2 is an overview of weaving, weft knitting and warp knitting;
Figure 3 shows one of the methods of making a plurality of shoe uppers;
Figure 4 shows another method of manufacturing a plurality of shoe uppers;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of another seamless embodiment of the shoe upper;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment for a seamless shoe upper through a plastic dip step;
7A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a knit hole;
7B is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the knit hole;
8A is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a seamless shoe upper;
Figure 8B is a top view of an embodiment of the seamless shoe upper of Figure 8A;
Figure 9 is a plan view of one of the manufacturing methods of the embodiment of the seamless shoe upper of Figure 8A;
10A is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a seamless shoe upper;
10B is a plan view of an embodiment of the seamless shoe upper of FIG. 10A in which the toe cap reinforcement is not assembled to a seamless upper; FIG.
10C is a plan view of an embodiment of the seamless shoe upper of FIG. 10A in which the vamp reinforcement portion is not assembled to a seamless upper; FIG.
10D is a plan view of an embodiment of the seamless shoe upper of FIG. 10A that is not assembled to a seamless upper portion;
11 is a side view of yet another embodiment of a midsole portion with a seamless shoe upper;
Figure 12 is a cut-away side-view illustrating an embodiment of a seamless shoe upper with a mid-window portion of Figure 11;
Figure 13 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a seamless shoe upper;
14 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a seamless shoe upper;
15A is a side elevational view of still another embodiment of a seamless shoe upper;
15B is a side elevational view of still another embodiment of a seamless shoe upper; and
16 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a shoe upper which is not shown.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A particular embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of making a shoe upper and a shoe upper. The present invention involves the application of a knitting process to the shoe upper and to the overall shoe production. In a preferred embodiment, the knit process begins to manufacture a complete seamless shoe skin. The process can produce seamless shoes in a single process. In another embodiment, complete seamless shoes comprising an upper are produced. Some advantages of this process include easy and efficient production, reduced assembly time, maximum comfort through reduced seams and freedom of design. The method may comprise a woven and / or knitted upper. The knitting process generally involves the formation of a top by interconnecting a series of stitches or loops.

While many embodiments focus on athletic footwear, other applications are possible. Such applications include one or more of those activities that increase the performance of the shoe, reduce manufacturing complexity, time and cost, and require greater freedom of the person. Furthermore, the use of the disclosed seamless shoe upper can be used in any application requiring a protective wrappings or cover, packaging material for burn patients, elderly care and seamless coverings, It has applications other than shoes as a treatment.

Furthermore, the concepts disclosed for shoe and shoe upper are applicable to shoe styles designed for various other athletic activities including, for example, basketball, baseball, football, soccer, walking, and hiking, It can also be applied to non-athletic shoe styles.

The concept is also applicable to shoe styles that are generally considered non-sneakers, including formal shoes, leather loafers, sandals, and work boots. Therefore, this concept discloses a wide variety of shoe styles here. Aspects of the present invention may be applied to other parts of the shoe structure, for example layers in an upper member structure, interior lining (e.g. a sock liner) and short boots member of a shoe product, (Optionally included in the shoe structure).

As used herein, the term " a or an " means one or more entities. As such, the terms "a or an", "one or more" and "at least one" may be used interchangeably herein. It should also be noted that the terms " comprising ", " including ", and " having "

As used herein, "at least one," "one or more," and "and / or" are all open-ended expressions of conjunctive and disjunctive. For example, each "at least one A, B and C", "at least one A, B or C", "one or more A, B and C" A and B "," A and C "," B and C "or" A "and" A " B and C ".

As used herein, the term " innersole " refers to a removable shoe which is designed to be inserted into the shoe from the opening of the upper so as to provide support to the wearer's foot, depending on the anatomy of the wearer and the use of the shoe It means the window part.

The term " midsole " as used herein refers to the window portion of a shoe sandwiched between an insole and an outsole and connects the sole.

The term " outsole " as used in the present invention means the corresponding part of the sole of the shoe farthest from the upper.

&Quot; Knit construction " as used herein means one or both of knitted stitches and / or yarns comprising knit stitches and / or threads. The terms "knit element", "knit structure", "textile" and "textile element" used in the present invention refer to the material used to construct the upper .

The term " vamp " as used in the present invention refers to a shoe upper covering a portion of the top part of the foot that is connected to the foot between the toes and the legs.

The term " upper " as used in the present invention refers to any part of the shoe above the shoe sole.

As used herein, the terms " shoe " and " footwear " refer to things that wear on the user's feet.

For the purposes of clarifying the nature of the shoe upper and knitting, and for the explicit purpose of further describing the various tools and other devices generally associated therewith, the following additional background information, circumstances and circumstances of 35 USC § 112 Quot; Flannel Sheeting Fabric for Use in Home Textiles " U.S. Publication No. 2011/0059288; U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2011/0067455, entitled " Knitting Machine ", which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for further description and feasibility requirements; "Warp Knitted Fabric, Method of Manufacturing the Same, and Knit Structure of Warp Knitted Fabric" U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2011/0067455; "Shoe and Method of Manufacturing the Same" US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0241374 to " Garment " Oya, " Warp Knitting Fabric And Its Manufacturing Method " U.S. Published Patent Application 2009/0064721; US Patent No. 7,770,271 entitled " Device And Method For Spreading A Carbon Fiber Hank ", US Patent No. 7,536,761, entitled " Device For Feeding Fiber Bands To A Knitting "Quot; Knitting Machine " in U.S. Patent No. 7,331,2, " Knitting Machine " in U.S. Patent No. 7,299,660; "Guide Bar Drive In A Knitting Machine," U.S. Patent No. 7,332,836; US Patent No. 7,120,976; " Method And System For Producing A Multi-Layer, Pre-Fixed Thread Or Fiber Arrangement "; US Patent No. 6,993,939; " Fabric For The Formation Of Garment U.S. Patent No. 6,691,435; " Method And Device For Treating Filament Yarn With Air "; U.S. Patent No. 6,651,420; US Patent No. 6,354,069; " Joint Bearing Between Two Structural Elements Of Warp Knitting Machines ", US Patent No. 6,322,255; " Warp Knitting Machine With Pattern "; U.S. Patent No. 6,253,583; ? "Gripping Breadth Holders In A Warp Knitting Machine" U.S. Patent No. 6,247,337; "Warping Machine And Process For Producing Pattern Warps" U.S. Patent No. 6,233,798; US Patent No. 6,121, 915; " Warp Knitting Machine With Thread Sheet Turning Arrangement "; U.S. Patent No. 6,212,915; " Device For Fastening Active Components To The Bar Of A Wrap Knitting Machine And Accompaning Tool For Removing And Installing The Active Components " US Patent No. 6,151,923 entitled " Process For A Knitting Machine Employing Thread Processing Elements Embedded In Carrier ", US Patent No. 6,009,729 US Patent Application No. 2010/0146823 on "Sold and Method of Manufacturing Sole" for Yoshihiro; "Sportswear" on US Patent Application Serial No. 2010/0011479 to Onod; "Sole Structure for a Shoe" U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2009/0241377; "Upper Structure for a Shoe" for Sato; U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2008/0120871; "Mid for Sato" US Patent No. 7,886,461; " Light Subassembly for Industrial Fabrics " for Orei et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0179030; Kondou et al &Quot; Double Needle Bar Elastomeric Spacer Knit " for Waldrop et al., U. S. Patent No. 7,552, 604, Heinrich et < RTI ID = 0.0 & &Quot; Method for Producing a Multidirectional Fabric Web " for Heinrich et al., US Published Patent Application 2009/0056857, " Fabric and Textile Product " for Shimazaki, US Patent Publication No. 2007/0224897, &Quot; Fluid-Filled Bladder For An Article Of Footwear " by Thomas et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,070,845.

In addition, the following references provide additional background information, context and written explanations, and additional information for further explanations of the characteristics and knitting of the shoe upper and the various instruments and other devices generally associated therewith, as well as 35 USC § 112 As more fully described in the provisioning method further satisfying the competence requirements of the US Patent Application No. US2005 / 0153544, US2005 / 0193592; 2010/0325916; U.S. Published Patent Application No. US2012 / 0005922; 2008/0196181, US Publication No. 2012/0079743, US Publication No. 2012/0079741, US Patent Publication No. 2009/0084142, US Patent Publication No. 2010/0107590, US Patent Publication No. 2010/0107383; U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2010/0107382, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2011/0214313, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2012/0005923, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2012/0011744, U.S. Patent No. 4,785,558, U.S. Patent No. 5,377,430; US Patent No. 6,393,620, United States Patent No. 6,533,885, United States Patent No. 7,347,011, United States Patent No. 7,814,598, United States Patent No. 8,042,288, United States Patent No. 8,128,457, United States Patent No. 8,133,824, US Pat. No. 8,104,197, US Pat. No. 8,100,532, US Pat. No. 8,099,797, US Pat. No. 8,099,796, US Pat. No. 8,095,996, US Pat. No. 8,042,289, US Pat. United States Patent No. 7,941,869; United States Patent No. 7,870,682; United States Registered Patent No. 7,945,342; United States Patent No. 7,982, Patent No. 7,845,023, United States Patent No. 7,845,022, United States Patent No. 7,814,687, United States Patent No. 7,814,574, United States Patent No. 7,788,827, United States Patent No. 7,784,111, United States Patent No. 7,774,956, US Patent No. 7, 775, 072; U.S. Patent No. 7,637,032; U.S. Patent No. 7,636,950; U.S. Patent No. 7,565,703; U.S. Patent No. 7,562,471; U.S. Patent No. 7,555,851; U.S. Patent No. 7,543,397; U.S. Patent No. 7,278,173, U.S. Patent No. 7,131,296, U.S. Patent No. 7,076,891, U.S. Patent No. 7,070,845, United States Registered Patent 6,986, 269; 6,931, 762; 6,931, 762; 6,910,288; 6,654,964; 6,484,419; 7,331,363 and 5,271,101;

In one embodiment of the invention, the shoe upper comprises a fiber element formed of a knitting machine. In one aspect of the invention, the upper is a seamless and / or unified structure. The knitting machine may have a configuration that forms the fiber element through one of warp knitting or weft knitting.

Another aspect of the invention includes a method of making shoes. The method includes, for example, operating a yarn mechanically using a circular knitting machine to form a cylindrical fiber structure. The method also includes removing at least one fiber element from the fiber structure and bonding the fiber element to the shoe upper for seamless shoe upper and / or seamless overall shoe manufacturing.

In another aspect of the present invention, the shoe upper has a seamless sole structure fixed to the upper and upper. The upper comprises a fiber element formed of a knitting machine. The fiber element is removed from the fiber structure including the outline of the fiber element and the fiber element includes edges joined together to define at least a portion of the space for receiving the foot.

In one embodiment, the upper is at least partially formed of a fiber element that defines an interior space for receiving the foot comfortably and securing the position of the foot relative to the sole structure. The various edges of the fiber element are then secured together to form the shape of the upper. In some embodiments, the fiber element can form the entire upper, substantially the entire upper, or only a portion of the upper.

A variety of materials can be used to make shoes upper. For example, the upper of a running shoe may be formed of several material layers including an outer layer, an intermediate layer and an interior layer. The material forming the outer layer of the upper may be selected, for example, according to the characteristics of abrasion resistance, flexibility, and air permeability. With respect to the outer layer, the toe region and the heel region may be formed of leather, synthetic leather, or a rubber material to impart relatively high abrasion resistance. Leather, synthetic leather, and rubber materials may not exhibit the desired degree of flexibility and air permeability desired. Thus, various other regions of the upper layer may be formed from synthetic or natural fibers. Therefore, the upper layer of the upper can be formed from a plurality of materials, each of which imparts different properties to specific portions of the upper.

This disclosure provides a method of seamlessly knitting the upper of a tubular for shoes. Circular knitting and warp knitting are examples of processes that form the upper part. Warp knitting is a type of knitting that moves along the fabric length in a yarn zigzag, that is, moving along adjacent wales of knitting rather than moving in a single course. The circular or top knit process involves knitting one yarn around a circular tubular form. Woven fabrics always provide dimensional stability, while weft knitted fabrics are generally more resilient. Warp knitted fabrics combine these two attributes: they can be produced dimensionally stable and resilient as well as high elasticity. Yarn knit fabrics are commonly used in sportswear, swimwear, and gowns that require more durable knitted fabrics.

The upper layer of the upper may be formed of a lightweight polymer foam material that provides cushioning and protects the feet from objects contacting the upper. Similarly, the inner layer of the upper can be formed of moisture-absorbing fibers that immediately remove sweat around the feet. In some of the shoes, the various layers may be bonded together with an adhesive, and stitching may be used to join the elements in one layer or to strengthen certain parts of the upper.

The material chosen for the upper is very diverse, but the fibrous material often forms at least the outer and inner layers. Fibers may be defined as being made of fibers, filaments or yarns having a high proportion of flexibility, precision and thickness to length ratio.

Textiles belong to two general categories. The first category includes fibers made directly from filaments or fibril webs by random engagement to produce non-woven fabrics and felts. The second category includes, for example, fibers that are fabricated through the fabrication of woven fabrics by manipulating the yarn mechanically.

Yarn is the raw material used to form the second category of fibers. Generally, a yarn is defined as an assembly having a considerable length and a relatively small cross-section composed of at least one filament or a plurality of fibers. Fibers have a relatively short length and require a twisting or twisting process to produce yarns of suitable length for use in the fibers. Common examples of fibrin are cotton and wool. However, filaments have an infinite length and can simply be combined with other filaments producing yarns suitable for use in fibers. Modern filaments include a number of synthetic materials such as rayon, nylon, polyester, and polyacrylic, such as silk, which is a basic, natural-generation exception. The yarn can be formed as a single filament, which is conventionally referred to as a monofilament yarn, or as a plurality of individual filaments. In addition, the yarn may comprise separate filaments formed of different materials, or may comprise filaments each formed of two or more different materials. Similar concepts apply to yarns formed from fibrin. Thus, a yarn generally can have a variety of configurations that conform to the definition provided above.

Various techniques for mechanically manipulating yarns into fibers include interweaving, intertwining and twisting, and interlooping. Interweaving is the intersection of two yarns crossing at right angles to each other and interweaving. The yarn used for interweaving is commonly referred to as warp and weft. Weaving and twisting involves the process of braiding and knotting yarns together to form fibers. Interrooping involves knitting, the most common method, and forming intermeshed loops of multiple columns.

The advantages of a knit knit for at least some of the circular knit are: durability; large design architectural range; ability to make mesh types and sizes; position and type compression, stretchability and thickness; The ability to change the yarn along with the ability to change the yarn between the front and back of the knit tube, the ability to create a substantially seamless structure, and the ability to create a substantially seamless structure in a shoe making / format. For example, the upper can be knitted to have areas of cushioning, compression, breathability, color, and yarn content.

Flat knitting, when used in an embodiment structure according to the present invention, can be used to provide fiber structures with various advantages. Flat knitting, for example, can be used to provide a fiber structure for use in a final desired form of a shoe upper that can avoid the fiber cutting step (waste removal, avoiding the need for completion of the section, Saving, cost saving, etc.). The transverse knitting elements can be formed directly on the desired three-dimensional shape, which helps prevent the need to use additional support structures for the entire shoe structure (also saves time, cost, etc .; produces lighter and / or more flexible products ; Joints and at least some stitching can be removed). By selectively arranging several different yarns and / or stitch patterns at different positions in the overall structure during the knitting process, the transverse knitted product can be placed in different positions or regions within a single structure (e.g., (E.g., different stretchability, different moisture management capabilities, etc.) that are different from each other within the structure. In addition, transverse knitting can be used to create pockets, tunnels, or other layered structures in the final product.

The fiber element can be formed through a transverse knitting process. Generally, transverse knitting is a method of manufacturing a knitted material that is set at regular intervals (i.e., knitted on the side where the material alternates). Both sides of the material (otherwise referred to as " faces ") are conventionally referred to as the " right side " (i.e., the outward facing side approaching the viewer) (I. E., The side facing away from the viewer). Transverse knitting can always be contrasted with circular knitting of a fabric knit on the same side. Various circular knitting techniques are known, for example, as narrow tube circular knitting and wide tube circular knitting. A more preferred example of a transverse knitting technique is described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/019359, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In contrast to circular knitting, transverse knitting can be more complicated because the stitches as seen from the table are made by two different movements when knitted from the table and from the inside. Thus, the knit stitches seen from the front side can be produced by knit stitches on the outer side or by purl stitch on the inner side. In transverse knitting, the fabric typically changes direction after every row. Transverse knitting provides a suitable method for forming a fiber element, but other types of knitting include wide circular tubing knitting, narrow tubular circular knitting jacquard, single knit circular knitting jacquard, double knit circular knitting jacquard And a warp knit jacquard can be used. The advantage of transverse knitting for various other types of knitting is that the process of transverse knitting generally creates a three-dimensional structure or the layers of the material overlap each other (i. E., At least partially The present invention can be used to form a structure occupying a space occupying a space, more particularly, a transverse knitting process can be formed by combining one layer of the opposite side with another layer, The transverse knitting can be used to form stitch areas of other types of stitches that are different from those of other types of yarns. For example, the forward portion of the upper may include non-ribs of the middle and / -ribbed configuration. Further, the fiber element can be designed from a less stiff stitch type than the front portion, The yarn for the selected fiber may be more wear-resistant than the yarn selected for the front portion. As another example, the knit / yarn combination used for the rear portion may be used to impart elasticity and recovery to ankle opening The transverse knitting process can be used to form a superstructure or to form a superposition structure comprising regions having different characteristics made from a combination of different types of stitches and different types of yarns. , Which reduces waste and saves time and money in the manufacturing process.

In one embodiment, the upper is formed of a fiber element and may include a shoelace or other element associated with a conventional shoe upper. A fiber element is one material element that represents a single (i.e., one piece), and the fiber element is shaped to form or extend around the foot. The fiber element can be formed as a part of a large fiber element. The fiber element is then removed from the large fiber element to form the shape of the upper.

The fiber element is a single material element having one structure as described above. As defined for the purposes of the present invention, a single structure and / or " seamless " is intended to represent that portion of the fiber element that is not bonded to each other by a seam or other connecting portion. The fiber elements are formed primarily of one or more yarns that are manipulated mechanically through interweaving, intertwining, and twisting, or interloping. As explained, the weaving is the intersection of two yarns by intersecting each other at right angles and mixing them together. The yarn used for weaving is usually called warp and weft. Weaving and twisting involves the process of weaving yarns together to form fibers, knotting the same position together. Therefore, a fiber element can be formed from one of these fiber manufacturing processes.

Various mechanical processes have been developed for fiber production. In general, the mechanical process can be classified as one of warp knitting or top knitting. With regard to knitting yarn, various specific subtypes that can be used in the manufacture of fibers include tricot, raschel and double needle-bar raschel (jacquard double needle- including -bar raschel. With respect to top knitting, the various specific subtypes that can be used for fiber fabrication are circular knitting and transverse knitting. Various types of circular knitting include sock knitting (narrow tubular), body garments (seamless or wide tubular), and jacquard.

The fiber element may be formed through any of the machine processes as described above. Thus, the fiber element can be made by one of a warp knitting machine or a top knitting machine. One example of a suitable knitting machine for making a fiber element is a circular knit jacquard machine, as an example of not intending to limit the disclosure. In one embodiment, the fiber element is manufactured through a circular knit jacquard machine so that the fiber element has various facets of relaxation, compression, breathability, color, yarn coverages.

Another suitable knitting machine for forming the fiber elements is the Santoni S.P.A. Tube type circular knitting machine produced by the Lonati group by Santoni S.p.A. The wide-tube circular knitting machine produced by Santoni S.P.A generally forms a cylindrical fiber structure and can form various types of stitches within a single fiber structure. Generally, a wide-tube circular knitting machine can be programmed to change the design on the fiber structure through needle selection. That is, the type of stitches formed at each location on the fiber structure can be selected by programming a wide-tube circular shape that applies a particular needle that does not accept or accept yarn at each stitch location. In this way, various patterns, tissues, or designs can be selectively and intentionally imparted to the fiber structure.

As mentioned above, the fiber structure may be formed of a wide-tubular circular knitting machine. The type of stitch that forms the fiber structure may be altered to form one or more outlines on the fiber structure. That is, the wide-tubular circular knitting machine can be programmed to form other types of stitches of the fibrous structure for the contours of one or more fiber elements. The yarn forming the fiber element can be defined as an assembly having a considerable length and a relatively small cross-section which is formed of at least one filament or a plurality of fibers.

Another example of a suitable knitting machine for forming a fiber element that is not intended to limit initiation is U.S. Patent No. 8,132,431. The disclosure relates to a shogging drive, to a swing-through drive, and to at least one swing-through drive which is movable by a swing-through drive in a direction perpendicular to the direction And a guide bar of the guide bar. The order of the movement of the guide bars is controlled in such a manner that the guide bars move forward and backward once in the direction of the shogging in forming the loop. (The shogging direction is a direction corresponding to the extension of the guide bar in the longitudinal direction, that is, a direction in which all the guides of the guide bar are arranged behind one another). In addition, the slide surface pairing has two slide surfaces that are oriented perpendicular to the direction of the shogging, and the shoehucking drive operates on the guide bar via the slide surface pairing. According to embodiments, the shoemaking drive may include a transfer element that is guided in a shogging direction to support one of the slide surfaces of the slide surface pairing. The transmission element may be formed as an actuator rod. U.S. Patent No. 8,132,431 is incorporated by reference for all purposes.

Without intending to limit the present invention, yarns with elastane fibers may be used to provide elasticity and recovery properties to the upper and / or the fiber elements. Such Alaskan fibers are available from EI duPont de Nemours under the Lycra trademark. Such fibers may have the shape of a covered lycra, including a Lycra core surrounded by a nylon sheath. For example, one suitable yarn includes a 70 denier alustane core covered with nylon having two strands (ply), 80 denier, and a 92 filament structure. Other fibrils or filaments exhibiting elasticity may be used, including spandex, elaspan, creora, roica, dorlastan, linel and ESPA, It is not limited.

As mentioned above, yarns comprising alaskanic fibers are suitable for fiber elements. Whether elastic or inelastic, many other yarns are also suitable for fiber elements. The characteristics of the yarn selected as the fiber element are mainly dependent on the material forming the various filaments and fibers. For example, cotton provides soft hands, natural aesthetics, and biodegradability. Alaskantha fiber described above provides considerable stretch and recoverability. Rayon provides high gloss and moisture absorption. The wool provides high water absorption as well as insulation. Polytetrafluoroethylene coatings can provide low friction contact between the fibers and the skin. Nylon is a durable and wear-resistant material with high strength. Finally, polyester is a hydrophobic material that provides relatively high durability. Thus, the material comprising the yarn may be selected to impart a variety of physical properties to the fiber element, for example, physical properties may include strength, stretchability, supportability, rigidity, resilience, suitability and form .

For varying the type of stitches that form the texture, the yarn types used in various fields of the fiber element may be varied to give different properties to one another. For example, the yarn may be formed of cotton, wool, alaskan, rayon, nylon, polyester. Each of these yarn types can provide different properties. For example, alaskan can be used to impart elasticity, wool can be used for insulation, and nylon can be used for durability. Thus, different yarn types can be used to impart different attributes to one another. The types of knitting that are formed and used from different regions with different characteristics (e.g., the characteristics of the yarn, the texture, etc.) may be those described above, such as tricot, raschel, The inclusion of a variety of warp knit and top knit procedures, such as double needle-bar raschel, flat knit and transverse knit, can vary considerably.

Fiber elements are generally described as having a smooth, non-diverse stitch configuration. That is, similar stitches are used throughout the fiber element to impart a common texture to the various parts of the fiber element. However, as mentioned above, a wide-tube circular knitting machine can generally form various types of stitches within a single fiber structure. Therefore, the wide-tubular circular knitting machine can vary the stitches in the fiber elements to create various patterns, designs, or textures. The various types of stitches can be formed by different types of knitting machines.

Most of the existing shoes incorporate different material elements and upper which represent different properties of each.

For example, the first material element can be smoothed, and the second material element is textured. The first and second material elements were then stitched together to form the existing upper portion. Textile elements were also expressed in soft and textured areas. However, in contrast to the existing upper, the first and second tissues were integrated into one unified fiber element, rather than two separate elements, stitched or otherwise joined together.

Various warp knitting or weft knitting processes can be used to form fiber elements or the various fiber elements mentioned above. The advantage of this process is that the various stitches can be incorporated into specific locations of the fiber element to modify the physical properties or aesthetics of the fiber element. Existing uppers include various elements that combine with stitches or adhesives, whereas fiber elements are a single element of the material. From a manufacturing standpoint, using multiple materials to impart different attributes to a shoe can be an inefficient method. However, one of the materials, forming the fiber element with the unified element, the increased efficiency in the upper may include a single fiber element rather than a plurality of coupling elements.

As described above, a variety of knitting procedures can be used to form the fiber element. As a specific example, a jacquard double needle-bar lath knitting machine may be used to form a transverse fiber structure and may be used to form a fiber structure having a composition of spacer mesh fibers. Unlike the fiber structure, which generally represents a cylindrical configuration, a fiber structure formed by a Jacquard double needle-bar lath knitting machine will exhibit a transverse configuration. However, as with the fiber structure, the contour of the fiber element can be imparted by a fiber structure formed by a jacquard double needle-bar lath knitting machine. That is, the difference in stitches in the fiber structure can be outlined in the shape and ratio of the intended fiber element. Thus, the fiber element can be removed from the fiber structure and incorporated into the shoe. In addition, a Jacquard double needle-bar lace knitting machine can be used to impart a variety of textures, different attributes, or different yarn types to the fiber elements. Likewise, other types of knitting, such as transverse knitting, can be used within the scope of the present invention to impart a variety of textures, other attributes, or other yarn types to the fiber element.

The double needle-bar lace is an example of a warp knit machine that can simultaneously knit both sides of the fabric. It is possible to use the type of machine to knit the warp knit tube by stitching both sides of the fabric together during the knitting process. The warp knitting machine can be designed to knit a shaped tube using a jacquard double needle-bar machine. The electronic jacquard double needle bar can be used to make a molded tube with a designed configuration. There are many possibilities for upper design and performance. The following can be adjusted to create an upper for a particular application: Yarn types (stretch, unstretch, yarn size, fibrin type (eg denier, combination, polyester, nylon, etc.) Stitch composition (eg, mexh, more closed or open to ventilation and / or durability), elastic and / or elastic properties, rigidity (for support and conformity), size (comfort of shoes).

In an embodiment, the shoe upper has been knit using a knitting machine such as a tricot knitting machine or a lacelle knitting machine. Knitting may be performed step by step through knitting one or more knit layers or types (e.g., outer and inner knit fabric layers, etc.) and connecting one or more knit layers or types crossing needles . Alternatively, the knitting can be configured using a double lath knitting machine which is capable of knitting the upper in one step simply because it can perform the two steps mentioned above simultaneously.

Any desired type of cutting operation can be used without starting from the present invention, including die cutting, laser cutting, hand cutting, and the like. Also, any desired type of material can be used without departing from the present invention. The present material may have a resistance to sagging or a compressive force (for example, to apply a function to a spandex, cotton, polyester, or other fabric element making up the structure) relative to that of a fabric element making up the upper and / (E.g., providing more resistance to tensile stretching forces and / or higher compressive force) than a material having a higher modulus of elasticity As a more specific example, the material may generally be a material used in, for example, tackle twill production, canvas-type materials, polyester-type materials, thermoplastic polyurethane adhesive materials.

In some embodiments, the seamless upper component formed via warp knitting and / or circular knitting is heat-treated to conform to the final shoe. Then, the seamless upper was attached to the shoe window to create the finished shoe. In some embodiments, the upper can be knit and bonded to the structural elements to form a shoe comprising one or both upper and structural elements supporting the structure, exoskeleton formation, very easy (cinching) or easy system . Some embodiments include insole insertion.

In an embodiment, the upper knit fabric is not of a substantially uniform thickness, but instead forms contours, ridges, or patterns.

In an embodiment, the upper of the shoe is a seamless knit. In another embodiment, the entire shoe including the upper is in a seamless, seamless manner.

In an embodiment, the fiber element is a " dimensionalized " structure, as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,133,824, incorporated by reference for all purposes.

In an embodiment, the upper comprises one or more knit holes which are seamless and / or complete and / or simultaneously shaped like an upper structure.

In an embodiment, the upper comprises a type of knitted structure. In an embodiment, the upper comprises a single layer and / or a single stitch form.

In an embodiment, the upper is configured to have no longitudinal edges.

In an embodiment, the upper is configured to integrate into a single type of fiber having a plurality of knitted structures. In an embodiment, the upper is configured to integrate into a single type of fiber having a single type of knit structure. In an embodiment, the upper is constructed using a circular knitting machine to form a cylindrical textile structure comprising a single type of fibers having a plurality of knitted structures.

In an embodiment, the upper comprises a weft-knitted fiber element comprising a single type of fiber having a single knit structure.

In an embodiment, the knitting element comprises a knitting process.

In an embodiment, the upper is not characterized by an overlapping arrangement of knitted materials and / or layers.

In an embodiment, the upper comprises a knitted element rather than a woven element. In an embodiment, the upper is not composed of woven elements and / or consists essentially of elements formed in the loom.

In an embodiment, the shoe includes a window structure attached to the upper and the upper.

In an embodiment, the shoe comprises a window structure attached to the upper and the upper, the upper comprising lace-receiving elements and / or holes and lace- but does not include a strand that expands proximally to the receiving element.

In an embodiment, the upper comprises a knit element having a lateral side and an opposite intermediate side, the knit element being formed between two spaced-apart knit layers and having at least one side channel positioned on the side and two spaced- At least one intermediate channel formed between the layers and located on the intermediate side, and a side channel and an intermediate channel formed by each single structure.

The foregoing is a brief summary of the invention which provides an understanding of some aspects of the present invention. This summary is an overview of the present invention which is neither broad nor exhaustive and is a variety of examples thereof. While this is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the present invention and not to delineate the scope of the present invention, it presents a selected concept of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the detailed description presented below . As can be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention, alone or in combination, are possible to use with one or more of the features presented above or as described in detail below.

In various embodiments, the disclosure, organization, or aspects of the present invention may be practiced in various other manners without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims, including various aspects, configurations, subcombinations and subsets thereof, And a device describing it. Those skilled in the art will, after the disclosure, understand how to make and use various aspects of the present invention, embodiments, configurations, sub-combinations and portions of the present invention. In various aspects, the disclosure, embodiments, and configurations of the present invention include the absence of such items, such as those that have been used in existing devices or processes, such as improving performance, easily achieving, or reducing implementation costs To provide an apparatus and process in the absence of an item that is not depicted and / or described herein, or in various aspects, embodiments, or arrangements.

The discussion of the disclosure of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure of the present form or form. For example, various features of the disclosure in the foregoing detailed description are grouped together, formulated, or constructed in terms of one or more aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. Features, practices, or configurations of aspects of the disclosure may be combined with other aspects, implementations, and configurations other than those described above. This disclosure method should not be construed as reflecting a claim requiring more functionality than is expressly recited in each claim. More precisely, aspects of the invention, as reflected in the following claims, lie in less than all the features of the above-described one aspect, embodiment, or configuration. Accordingly, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment.

It is also to be understood that the description of the present disclosure is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the description of one or more aspects, Configurations and specific variations and modifications, and other similar variations, combinations, and modifications. Whether or not such alternate, exchange and / or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, without intending to be openly subject to any patentable subject matter, this is to be construed as an alternative, Or to set an allowance, authority, or other aspect of the invention, including the steps of the method of claim 1 or claim.

details

The present invention relates to a method of making a shoe upper and a shoe upper. The present invention involves the application of a knitting process in the manufacture of a shoe upper. In a preferred embodiment, the knitting process initiates creation of a complete seamless upper portion of the shoe. This process can form a shoe upper in step 1. Some of the benefits of this process are maximum comfort and freedom of design through convenient and efficient production, reduced assembly time, and reduced seams. The method may include weaving and / or upgrading. In general, the knitting process includes an upper formed by a series of stitches or interconnections of loops.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of the present invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or more generally described to prevent obscuration of the present invention. In many cases, the description of the operation is sufficient to enable various aspects of the invention to be practiced, particularly when the operation is performed in software. It should be noted that there are a variety of different alternative configurations, devices and techniques to which the disclosed invention may be applied. The full scope of the invention is not limited to the examples described below.

The following description will generally refer to specific structure implementations and methods. While there is no intention to limit the invention to the specifically disclosed embodiments and methods, it will be understood that the invention may be practiced using other functions, elements, methods and embodiments. The preferred embodiments are described to illustrate the invention in order not to limit the scope defined by the claims. Also, the embodiments discussed may be combined with one or more other embodiments, which are expressly or implicitly mentioned herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize various equivalent changes in the following description. And are generally referred to as " reference numerals ", such as elements in various embodiments.

In an embodiment of the invention, the shoe upper comprises a fiber element formed of a knitting machine. In one aspect of the invention, the upper is a seamless and / or unified structure. The knitting machine may represent a configuration that forms the fiber element through one of warp knitting or weft knitting.

Yet another aspect of the invention includes a method of making an upper of a shoe. The method includes, for example, operating a yarn mechanically using a circular knitting machine to form a cylindrical fiber structure. The method also includes removal of at least one fiber element from the fiber structure and incorporating the fiber element into the shoe upper to form a seamless shoe upper and / or seamless overall shoe.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the shoe upper has a window structure fixed to the seamless upper and upper. The upper comprises a textile element formed by a knitting machine. The fiber element is removed from the fiber structure comprising the contour of the fiber element and the fiber element has an edge joined together to secure at least some of the space for receiving the feet.

In an embodiment, the upper is formed from a fiber element that defines an interior space that at least partially comfortably accommodates the foot and that secures the position of the foot relative to the window structure. The various edges of the fiber element are then secured together to form an upper shape. In some embodiments, the fiber element comprises a whole upper, substantially all of the upper, or only a fiber element that can be part of the upper.

Referring to Figures 1-16, various representations and configurations of the present invention are shown. 1A-E, one embodiment of a seamless shoe is depicted. Shoe 100 is represented by a bottom portion 130 and an upper portion (referred to herein as " upper " or " upper skin ") 120. The shoe 100 comprises a heel portion 103, a toe portion 102, a vamp portion 104 and an upper covering 108. In the embodiment of the shoe 100 shown in Figures 1A-E, the shoe 100 is depicted as three types of knit. More specifically, the heel portion 103 and the toe portion 102 include a wear-resistant knit, a vamp portion 104 such as a supportive knit, and an upper covering 108 and an open / Such as the bottom 130 of the knit 108. The supportive knit of the buoyant portion 104 is generally a harder knit than the open / breathable knit of the upper covering 108 and the bottom 130. However, the various knits are configured to be substantially or completely seamless. 1A depicts shoe 100 as worn by a user (not shown) (not shown). In the configuration of FIG. 1A, the upper forms an empty space 130 inside the shoe 100 for accommodating the user's feet. On the other hand, FIG. 1C depicts a top view of the shoe 100 that is not worn when the user does not wear it, such as the aforementioned space being nearly or completely closed. In an embodiment, another knit with elastic properties may be used to extend the aforementioned space sufficiently to form and enable the interior of the shoe 100 to accommodate the user ' It is perfectly fitted to the skin.

The knitted upper may have one or more support and / or tight regions. The knit structure of one or more support and / or tight regions may include elastomeric yarns and / or knits that further contract within a more tight region in the unstretched region. In addition, the support and / or tight area may comprise a knit structure that is stronger than the knitted structure of the non-tight area and has the ability to carry rougher and / or more load. One or more regions of the upper may include open knit. Preferably, the open knit is a " breathable " knit structure. As used herein, "breathable" refers to the permeability of one or more of air, oxygen, and water vapor.

One or more regions of the upper may include a cushioning knit. Preferably, the cushion knit is a knitted structure having at least some shock absorption properties. As used herein, " shock absorption " refers to such things as smoothing, damping and / or radiating shock and / or impact energy, such as impact energy of a person's foot hitting a surface when running or walking. The cushion knit is generally disposed in at least one tight region (s) and in the insole.

Preferably, one or more regions of the upper are substantially wear resistant. More preferably, the abrasion resistant region (s) comprise a knitted structure that is substantially durable to wear. As used herein, " abrasion resistance " refers to scrubbing and / or tearing by mechanical and / or frictional action. Even more preferably, the one or more abrasion resistant regions comprise a wear resistant knitted structure. Non-limiting examples of abrasion resistant knit structures include high density knit and / or abrasion resistant yarns and / or needles.

It is understood that the knitted top may optionally have one or more breathable regions, one or more tightness and / or support regions, one or more cushioning regions, and optionally one or more abrasion resistant regions . In addition, any one of the one or more of breathability, tautness and / or support, cushion and abrasion resistant areas may be applied to the knitted structure, breathable knitted structure, tautness and / or support, cushioning and abrasion resistant knit structure May be further included. For example, the breathable region as well as the inclusion of a breathable knitted structure, in some embodiments, may also include a cushion knitted structure.

With respect to Figure 2, a schematic of weaving, top knitting, and warp knitting was provided. More specifically, basket weave as well as top knit and warp knit were described. In an embodiment, the shoe 100 and / or the skin 120 comprises one or more of an over knit and a warp knit material.

Various warp knit or top knit procedures may be used to form the fiber element or the various fiber elements mentioned above. The advantage of this process is that various stitches can be incorporated into specific locations of the fiber element to modify the physical attributes or the aesthetics of the fiber weave. Whereas conventional uppers contain various elements that combine with stitches or adhesives, the fiber element is a single, unified element of the material. From a manufacturing standpoint, using multiple materials to impart different attributes to the shoe upper may be an inefficient method. However, by forming the fiber element as a unifying element that is one of the materials, the efficiency is increased so that the upper includes the single fiber element, rather than including a plurality of coupling elements.

As described above, the knitting process can be used to form fiber elements in a variety of ways. As a specific example, a jacquard double needle-bar lath knitting machine can be used to form a fiber structure that can be used to form a transverse fiber structure and also has the configuration of a spacer mesh textile. Unlike the fiber structure, which generally represents a cylindrical configuration, the fiber structure formed by a Jacquard double needle-bar lath knitting machine will have a transverse configuration. However, as with the fiber structure, the contour of the fiber element can be imparted to the fiber structure formed by a Jacquard double needle-bar lath knitting machine. That is, the difference in stitches within the fiber structure can outline the shape and ratio of the intended fiber element. Thus, the fiber element can be removed from the fiber structure and incorporated into the shoe. In addition, a Jacquard double needle-bar lace knitting machine can be used to impart a variety of textures, different attributes, or different yarn types to the fiber elements. Likewise, other types of knitting, such as transverse knitting, can be used within the scope of the present invention to impart a variety of textures, other attributes, or other yarn types to the fiber element.

In Figures 3 and 4, the present manufacturing method and / or the shaving of the shoe and / or the skin 302 are depicted. In each of Figures 3 and 4, the top-most area represents one knit sheet 301 produced from a knitting machine (not shown). FIG. 3 shows that in some embodiments, a plurality of knit uppers 302 are formed in one knit sheet 301. It will be appreciated that the process of forming a plurality of knitted tops during the knitting process may be desirable for the process of forming individual knitted tops and / or the process of forming the knitted tops. Figure 4 illustrates that in some embodiments the upper 302 may be cut on a single knit sheet 301 in a configuration that is substantially less than a portion of the knit upper,

In Figure 5, a perspective view of another embodiment of a seamless upper of the shoe 500 is depicted. FIG. 5 shows that, in some embodiments, knit direction 501 may wrap around the wearer's foot in the side / inward direction. In another embodiment, the knit direction 501 can be placed about the wearer ' s feet in a forward (toe) / back (heel) orientation.

It will be appreciated that an embodiment having a knitted direction 501 in the side / inward direction may further include one or more support and / or tight regions disposed about the wearer's foot in the side / inward direction.

In some embodiments, the knit upper 504 may include a knitted toe 502. The toe knit structure 502 may be one or more of breathable, taut and / or support, cushioning and abrasion resistant knit structures. One or more of breathability, tightness and / or support, cushioning and abrasion resistant knit structures may be formed of one or more yarns forming knit stitches or knit stitches.

In another embodiment, the knit upper 504 may include a knit heel 503. The heel knit structure 504 may be one or more of breathable, taut and / or support, cushioning and abrasion resistant knit structures. One or more of the breathability, tightness and / or support, cushioning and abrasion resistant knit structures may be formed of one or more yarns forming knit stitches or knit stitches.

6, a perspective view of another embodiment of a seamless shoe upper 600 is shown. In an embodiment, FIG. 6 shows that the shoe 600, including the knitted upper, is not limited to being coated with a material such as a plastic dip 610. Plastic dips may or may not provide a shoe with wear resistance, water resistance, one or more team colors, decorative elements, or the like. Figure 6 shows the toe 602 and the heel 603 coated with a plastic dip. In some embodiments, the plastic dip may be applied by the owner of the shoe, and in other embodiments the plastic dip may be applied by one of the shoes. A "plastic" dip can be any material known to those skilled in the art, for example, a material having abrasion resistant properties and wrapped in natural rubber, latex, synthetic rubber, and resin materials, synthetic materials, Other fibers may be included.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of two embodiments of knit holes known as knit upper 700. 7A embodiment, an eyelet void 701 is formed on the top surface. In the embodiment of FIG. 7B, an eyelet loop 702 is formed in the upper 700. The hole may comprise any knitted structure formed of any knitted stitch known in the art.

In Figures 8A-B and 9, another embodiment for a seamless shoe upper is shown. Fig. 8A is a perspective view, and Fig. 8B is a top-view of an embodiment of a seamless upper 801. Fig. Figure 9 is a top-view of one of the manufacturing methods of the seamless cutter 801 that depicts a seamless upper 801 and a knit front (vamp) (or side) 802 made with a knitting machine The top and bottom parallel lines of the output rolls are drawn in dotted lines. The knit upper 801 can be knitted with one or more knit sides 802, toes 803 and heel 804 wings. Knit side 802, toe 803 and heel 804 wings may include any knitted structure. Further, the knit structure of the side surface 802, the toes 803 and the heel 804 may be the same or different. In some embodiments, one or more knit sides 802, toes 803 and heel 804 wings may include one or two different knit stitches and other yarns than the knit upper 801. In some embodiments, By way of example, but not by way of limitation, one or more of the knit sides 802, toes 803 and heel 804 wings may be woven from knit stitches and / or yarn (s) of the knit upper 801 Other reinforcement and / or abrasion resistant knit stitching and / or yarn. In some embodiments, knit side 802, toe 803, and heel 804 wings may include a tubular knit structure 805. In a non-limiting manner, the tubular knitted structure 805 may form a spacer knit surrounding the wearer's foot.

10A-D, another embodiment for a seamless shoe upper 801 is shown. 10A is a perspective view of the present embodiment. Figures 10B-D are top plan views, in which portions of the toe cap reinforcement 803, the front (side) reinforcement 802, and the heel cap 804 are unassembled to the seamless upper 801 top-view. In this embodiment, the knitted side wing (VAMPS) 802 forms a quarter of the shoe. The knitted side wing / VAMPS (802) can be made in the form of a space mesh that can be wrapped around a quarter of the shoe to give more of the aesthetic qualities of a traditional shoe upper.

In an embodiment, the knit upper has one or more intermediate and / or side wings 802. The side wings may be wrapped around the knit upper 801 against one or more intermediate and / or sides of the knit upper 801. Preferably, the side wings 802 further support the medial side and side of the foot located within the upper and / or knitted upper 801. More preferably, one or both of the knitted toe 802 and the heel 804 wings are constructed of a wear resistant knitted structure.

11 shows a side view of another embodiment of a seamless shoe upper 1100. Fig. 11 shows a shoe 1100 that includes a knitted upper 1102 having a knitted mid-sole 1101. As shown in Fig. The knitted mid-window 1101 is located between the upper 1102 and the window 1103. Preferably, the knit mid-window 1101 joins the upper 1102 to the window 1103. The knitted mid-window 1101 may include a knit construction that is different from the knitted construction of the knitted upper 1102. [ In an embodiment, the knitted mid-window 1101 is formed by the adhesive bonding of the window 1103 to the forming and / or knit upper 1102. More specifically, as the resin is injected into the mold to form the window 1103 while molding the window 1103 in the upper 1102, the injected resin forms the knitted mid-window 1101 At least a portion of the knit upper 1102 is impregnated. It will be appreciated that when the window 1103 is adhesively bonded to the knitted top 1102, the adhesive will impregnate the knit upper to form the knitted mid-window 1101.

In Figure 12, a cut-away side view of another embodiment for a seamless shoe upper is depicted. 12 shows a shoe constituting a knit upper coupled to a vamp wing 1205 of a knit upper through engagement with a window 1201 or through a space 1204 of a window 1201, Describe. The window 1201 is composed of an intermediate layer 1202 and a sole 1203 and the space 1204 is preferably located with respect to the middle layer 1201.

13, a perspective view of another embodiment of a seamless shoe upper 1300 is depicted. Fig. 13 depicts a knitted shoe 1303 constituting a shoe upper 1301 coupled to a shoe window 1303. Fig. The knitted shoe upper 1300 may include a plurality of spaces 1302. The knitted shoes 1300 can be one of sandals, slippers, water, or shoe items. The window 1303 may be one of the bonded, molded, and formed knitted structures on the knitted upper 1301.

14, a perspective view of another embodiment of a seamless shoe upper 1400 is depicted. Fig. 14 shows a shoe / footwear 1400 that includes a window 1403 and a knitted upper that is connected to a frame 1402. Fig. The frame 1402 may or may not be interconnected with the knit upper 1401. Preferably, the frame 1402 is one of interconnected or bonded to the frame 1402. The frame 1402 may be rigid or may comprise a semi-rigid material. &Quot; Semi-rigid " as used herein refers to at least any flexible material that is stressed but is not permanently distorted due to fracture and / or stress. Stress is usually applied within the stresses encountered by shoes. Non-limiting examples of shoe types include street, casual, athletic, industrial, professional, work, dress, casual use, Shoes. Preferably, the frame is made of a polymeric material.

In Figures 15A-B, a side cut view of another embodiment of a seamless shoe upper 1500 is depicted. 15 shows a cross-sectional plan view of a shoe / shoe 1500 including a window 1501 and a knitted upper 1502. Fig. The knit upper 1052 has one or more knit upper blank spaces (not depicted). The window 1501 comprises at least one arm 105 interconnecting the inner-sole 1503 and the outer-sole 1504 elements. The knit upper is interconnected to the window 1501 by delivering the insole 1503 element through one or more knit upper bin spaces (not depicted). It will be appreciated that one or more open spaces in the knitted upper 1502 may be knitted to preferably form one or more knit upper open spaces.

16, a perspective view of another embodiment of a seamless shoe upper 1600 is depicted. Figure 16 depicts a shoe 1600 having a plurality of knitted channels 1602 in an upper 1601. [ Preferably, each of the plurality of channels 1602 is configured to permit the component 1603. Each component 1603 may be one or both different in shape and physical properties. For example, some components may have more or less flexibility and / or hardness than other components 1603. In addition, some elements may have different contours, widths, lengths, thicknesses, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the wearer of the shoe 1600 selects a number of components 1603 that make up the shoe 1600 to suit his / her needs and / or feet. The component 1603 may include any material. Preferably, the component 1603 comprises a polymeric material.

While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it is evident that modifications and alternative embodiments thereof will occur to those skilled in the art. However, as set forth in the following claims, these changes and alternatives are clearly understood to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The foregoing discussion of the disclosure is provided for illustrative purposes. It is not intended to limit the forms disclosed herein. For example, in the foregoing detailed description, various functionalities of the invention have been grouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The method of the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being intended to require more functions than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, aspects of the invention are described less than all features of one disclosed embodiment. Accordingly, the following claims are included in the detailed description of the specification, with each claim standing on its own as the disclosure of a separate preferred embodiment.

Furthermore, although the present disclosure includes one or more embodiments, certain variations and modifications, it is to be understood that other variations and modifications may be made, after having knowledge of the present invention, for example, Modifications are within the scope of this disclosure. It is intended to cover such alternative, exchange and / or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps, whether or not substituted, exchanged and / or described herein, and without intent to provide an openly patentable subject matter, Is intended to obtain rights, including alternate embodiments, to the extent allowed, including functionality, scope, or steps.

Claims (20)

The footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the footwear comprises an upper portion and the footwear receiving portion comprises a seamless knit material and a foot-receiving portion, shoes.
The method of claim 1, wherein the seamless knitted material comprises at least one of an interloop knit, an interweave knit, a warp knit, a weft knit, a circular knit, A flat knit, and a flat knit.
The method of claim 1, wherein the seamless knit material comprises at least one of rayon, polyester, silk, cotton, wool, and elastane. ≪ / RTI >
The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the upper comprises at least one of a tip cap, a front wing and a heel.
5. The shoe according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the end cap portion, the front wing portion and the heel portion comprises an elastomeric material.
The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the underarm skin is configured to be used as a footwear sole.
The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the underarm skin is configured for use as one or more structural inserts to communicate with the upper anterior wing.
The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the skin is formed of shoes.
The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the skin of the cap comprises a plurality of knitted holes.
The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the knitted material has a plurality of different knitted structures formed by alteration of at least one of a stitch type and a yarn type.
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of forming the knitted fabric comprises the steps of: forming the seamless knitted fabric including a foot-receiving portion; forming an opening to receive a user's foot in a foot receiving portion during a knitting process; The method of manufacturing the skin of the foot of a shoe.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the forming comprises using a double needle knit process to form a knit element.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the skin of the skin comprises a plurality of eyelets.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the skin is used as a sole.
Knit the fiber element with a surrounding fiber structure, the knitted fiber element being configured to form a seamless shoe, removing the knitted fiber element from the surrounding knit fiber structure, And forming the shoe.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the knitted fiber element has a substantially flat arrangement by removal from the surrounding knitted fiber structure.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the knitted fiber element has a plurality of different knit structures formed by alteration of at least one of a stitch type and a yarn type.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the knitted fiber element having a fiber structure at the same time includes using a jacquard double needle-bar raschel knitting machine.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the skin of the skin comprises a plurality of knitted holes.
16. The shoe manufacturing method according to claim 15, wherein the armor skin is configured to be used as a sole.

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