Patent Grant
9215906
The present invention relates to a waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe.
The fact is currently known that the comfort of a shoe is linked not only to correct anatomically fitting properties but also to correct outward permeation of the water vapor formed inside the shoe due to perspiration.
Traditionally, vapor-permeable shoes are those which use natural materials such as leather or equivalent products, which however, in the presence of rain or bad weather, because of their vapor-permeable properties, do not ensure good waterproofness and indeed absorb water rather easily.
For this reason, shoes with an upper made of leather (or the like) associated to a lining with a vapor-permeable and waterproof membrane (made for example of a material such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, e-PTFE, polyurethane, PU, or the like), sewn or glued to an insole, have now been in use for several years.
Moreover, as is known, however, most of the perspiration of the foot is generated at the interface between the sole of the foot and the sole of the shoe, which is typically made of polymeric material.
It is evident that the perspiration that has formed on such interface is unable to evaporate, accordingly condensing on the footbed on which the foot rests; only a minor percentage of the perspiration evaporates through the upper.
Accordingly, shoes have now been devised for years which have vapor-permeable and waterproof soles (such as for example the one disclosed in Italian patent no. 1,282,196), which are associated with waterproof and vapor-permeable uppers such as the ones described above, in order to provide shoes that are completely waterproof and vapor-permeable.
A shoe of this type is disclosed for example in WO097/14326.
The shoe disclosed in WO097/14326 in practice has a sole provided with a tread with holes and a membrane which is waterproof and vapor-permeable, covers the holes and is joined perimetrically and hermetically to the tread, so as to not allow infiltrations of water.
This sole ensures correct vapor permeation in addition to an effective exchange of heat and water vapor between the environment inside the shoe and the outside environment, at the same time ensuring the necessary tightness with respect to external moisture and water, in a manner similar to what is performed by the upper with which the membrane is associated.
In this shoe configuration, the sole and the upper are two distinct parts, both of which are vapor-permeable and waterproof, which are associated and sealed one another so as to avoid the rise of water in the connecting points.
The soles used in these shoes are therefore structured so as to allow vapor permeation but not the passage of water from outside inwardly; the structure of the sole is therefore more complicated than a traditional sole, and this complexity arises from the accommodation of the membrane and from the correct perimetric sealing of the latter with respect to the sole.
Usually, the structure of the upper of shoes of the described type is very complicated with respect to a traditional upper and this complexity arises from the need to fold the lining with the membrane onto itself so as to allow its sealing with an additional membrane arranged below the insole or from the need to have a lining with a membrane that is larger than the upper, so as to provide a perimetric seal of the latter with the sole.
Resorting to these solutions leads to some drawbacks that the shoe thus provided has: creases in fact form easily in the lining with membrane, whether folded or not, at the toe and at the heel, to the full detriment of an easy sealing of the membranes of the upper and of the one arranged at the insole.
In general, regardless of whether the sole is vapor-permeable or not, in the manufacture of these shoes it is important to pay attention to the sealing of the connecting regions between the insole, the lining with membrane and the sole, in order to avoid even the slightest seepage of water from outside.
The aim of the present invention is to provide a waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe that has an effective sealing of the connecting regions between the insole, the membrane and the sole.
Within this aim, an object of the invention is to propose a shoe which is waterproof and permeable to water vapor and is structurally simple to obtain.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe that is completely waterproof and permeable to water vapor and is tough and durable.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe that is waterproof and permeable to water vapor and can be manufactured with known systems and technologies.
This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe, comprising an upper that is lined at least partially by an upper membrane which is impermeable to water in the liquid state and permeable to water vapor, said upper membrane being connected hermetically to a sole which is impermeable to water in the liquid state, characterized in that said hermetic connection is provided by means of a sealing element comprised in an assembly insole, said sealing element being permeable with respect to sealing material, such as glue, sealing adhesive or polymeric material for providing the sole, said sealing element impregnated with said sealing material gripping said upper membrane and being connected to said sole or forming a single body therewith, sealing said sole to said upper membrane.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the shoe according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
a, 2b and 2c are enlarged-scale sectional views of a detail of the shoe according to the invention in three variations of a first embodiment;
It is noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.
With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 10 generally designates a waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe, which comprises an upper 11 that is lined at least partially by an upper membrane 12, which is impermeable to water in the liquid state and permeable to water vapor.
Advantageously, the upper is reinforced with a toe cap and a rear counter, which are not shown in the accompanying figures and both of which are vapor-permeable or perforated and joined to the upper by means of spots of glue in order to not prevent their vapor permeability.
The upper membrane 12 is connected hermetically to a sole 13 that is impermeable to water in the liquid state.
A particularity of the shoe 10 according to the invention consists in that said hermetic connection between the upper membrane 12 and the sole 13 is provided by means of a sealing element 14, which is comprised in an assembly insole 15.
Said sealing element 14 is permeable to sealing material, which for example can be glue or the polymeric material of which the sole is made, and is impregnated with said sealing material, which grips the upper membrane 12 and is connected to the sole 13, or forms a single body therewith, sealing the sole 13 to the upper membrane 12.
Preferably, the shoe 10 also comprises a vapor-permeable waterproof insert 16, which comprises a membrane 17 of the insert that is impermeable to water in the liquid state and permeable to water vapor, the insert being arranged at at least one vapor-permeable portion 18 of the sole 13, defined by an opening or a plurality of holes, which it covers.
The vapor-permeable waterproof insert 16, the sole 13 and the upper membrane 12 are connected hermetically at least through the sealing element 14, in order to make said shoe impermeable to water in the liquid state.
More generally, in alternative solutions, at least two among the vapor-permeable waterproof insert 16, the sole 13 and the upper membrane 12 are connected hermetically at least through the sealing element 14.
The sealing element 14 is advantageously provided at the peripheral region of the vapor-permeable portion 18 and of the membrane 17 of the insert that covers it.
Moreover, the sealing element 14 is conveniently made of a material selected among three-dimensional fabric, mesh made of synthetic material, mesh made of metallic material and aramid fiber fabric.
The shoe 10 advantageously comprises an inner lining 19.
Conveniently, a fine nylon mesh 20 is associated with the upper membrane 12 and is suitable to improve its handling.
In embodiments which are not described further there is more than one fine nylon mesh associated with the upper membrane.
With particular reference to
The upper membrane 12 and the membrane 17 of the insert are preferably made of a material selected among expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane and the like.
With particular reference to
In a first embodiment, illustrated in a first constructive variation thereof by way of non-limiting example in
The inner lining 19 conveniently comprises the upper membrane 12, which faces the upper 11, conveniently with the interposition of the fine nylon mesh 20, as shown by way of non-limiting example in
Advantageously, the inner lining 19 has seams which are sealed by means of sealing adhesives or sealing tapes that are heat-sealed thereon.
The assembly insole 15 preferably comprises a central element 28, which is permeable to water vapor or diffusely perforated, at the inner insole 27.
At the same time, the sealing element 14 is constituted by a frame of the central element 28, which is connected peripherally to the upper 11, conveniently with a second Strobel seam 29b, and is arranged so as to straddle the region of connection between the inner lining 19 and the inner insole 27.
The sole 13 provides for the vapor-permeable waterproof insert 16 and the corresponding vapor-permeable portion 18, which are conveniently arranged at the central element 28.
Moreover, the sole 13 is preferably made of polymeric material and is molded by direct injection onto the lower part of the upper 11, at the assembly insole 15, where the sealing element 14 is impregnated by said polymeric material that has permeated through it so as to grip the upper membrane 12, sealing the sole 13 to said upper membrane 12.
Direct injection on the upper is a method of manufacture according to which the sole 13 is provided directly on the upper 11 in a single operation of injecting polymeric material; an appropriately manufactured mold is closed by a metallic last on which the entire upper assembly is fitted.
The polymeric material, which is of course fluid or rendered fluid by heating, is injected into the mold in order to form the sole 13 directly on the bottom of the upper assembly; the almost liquid polymeric material is in fact capable of permeating easily the material of the upper 11 and of the insole 15 and of anchoring itself firmly thereto.
The vapor-permeable waterproof insert 16 is sealed perimetrically to the sole 13 so as to cover the vapor-permeable portion 18, for tightness of the sole 13 to water in the liquid state together with its permeability to water vapor, at the vapor-permeable waterproof insert 16.
In a manner which is an alternative to direct injection and substantially equivalent thereto, the sole 13 is made of polymeric material and is advantageously pre-molded and associated by means of adhesive on the lower part of the upper 11, at the assembly insole 15.
The sealing element 14 is impregnated by said glue that has permeated through it so as to grip the upper membrane 12, sealing the sole 13 to the upper membrane 12.
As an alternative to said glue, it is possible to use adhesive and sealing materials, such as silicone adhesives or thermoplastic adhesives or sealants commonly known as “reactive hot melt”, for example polyurethanes such as the one known by the trademark Ipatherm S 14/176, or the like.
In particular, the sealing element 14 is impregnated by said sealing adhesive material, which permeates it so as to grip the upper membrane 12.
The sole 13 is sealed by means of adhesive to the sealing element 14 impregnated by the sealing adhesive material to complete the sealing to the upper membrane 12.
At the same time, the vapor-permeable waterproof insert 16 is connected perimetrically and hermetically to the sole 13 so as to cover the vapor-permeable portion 18, for the tightness of the sole 13 to water in the liquid state together with its permeability to water vapor at the vapor-permeable waterproof insert 16.
In this first variation of said first embodiment, the vapor-permeable waterproof insert 16 is accommodated inside the sole 13, which has a vapor-permeable or perforated portion 30 that covers it and lies opposite the vapor-permeable portion 18 with respect to it.
In a second variation of said first embodiment, illustrated by way of example in
In this second variation, the vapor-permeable waterproof insert 16 is sealed perimetrically to the sealing element 14 by the sealing adhesive material that impregnates it or, as an alternative, by means of adhesive or by the polymeric material that constitutes the sole 13.
The sole 13 has a tread layer 13a, which is conveniently perforated at the vapor-permeable portion 18.
In an alternative assembly solution, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in
In particular, said connecting flaps 11a are folded below the assembly insole 15 so as to be interposed only partially between the sole 13 and the sealing element 14, so as to not hinder an easy impregnation thereof to seal the upper membrane 12.
It should be noted that the sealing element 14 is not completely covered by the connecting flaps 11a, because otherwise the penetration of the polymeric material of the sole 13 or of the sealing material in the sealing element 14 would be prevented.
In this case, during the realization of the upper part of the shoe 10, which has a “AGO lasting” working method, for its connection to the sole 13, the flaps 11a of the upper 11 that are folded below the assembly insole 15 are roughed for the anchoring of the adhesive.
During this operation, the assembly insole 15 is interposed between the upper membrane 12, which is connected thereto, and the roughing machine, to contrast damage of the upper membrane 12 by said machine.
In a second embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in
Advantageously, the first sealing element 114a, forming a frame, is connected perimetrically to the internal lining 119, preferably by means of a first Strobel seam 129a, and the second sealing element 114b, forming a frame, is arranged so as to straddle the corresponding connecting region and in turn is connected perimetrically to the upper 111, conveniently by means of a second Strobel seam 129b.
The inner lining 119 conveniently comprises the upper membrane 112, which faces the upper 111, advantageously with the interposition of a fine nylon mesh, which is associated with the upper membrane 112 in order to improve its handling.
Advantageously, the inner lining 119 has seams which are sealed by means of sealing adhesives or sealing tapes that are heat-sealed thereon.
Moreover, the first sealing element 114a is preferably superimposed on, so as to straddle it, the connecting region between the second sealing element 114b and the second central element, i.e., the vapor-permeable waterproof insert 116.
The sole 113 is preferably made of polymeric material and is molded by direct injection on the lower part of the upper 111, at the assembly insoles 115a and 115b, the first sealing element 114a and the second sealing element 114b being impregnated by said polymeric material that has permeated through them until it grips the upper membrane 112, sealing the upper membrane 112 and the membrane 117 of the insert to the sole 113.
During overmolding of the sole 113 on the lower part of the upper a last for direct injection is provided, onto which the upper part of the shoe is fitted, said last being suitable to prevent the polymeric material that permeates by injection the first sealing element 114a from seeping into the shoe through it.
Alternatively, and in a substantially equivalent manner, the sole 113 is conveniently pre-molded by using polymeric material and is associated by means of adhesive on the lower part of the upper 111, at the assembly insoles 115a and 115b, the first border 114a and the second border 114b being impregnated by said adhesive that has permeated through them so as to grip the upper membrane 112, to seal the upper membrane 112 and the membrane 117 of the insert to the sole 113.
As an alternative to said adhesive it is possible to use adhesive materials and sealants, such as silicone or thermoplastic adhesives or sealants commonly known as “reactive hot melt”, for example polyurethanes such as the one known by the trade name Ipatherm S 14/176, or the like.
In particular, the first sealing element 114a and the second sealing element 114b are impregnated by sealing adhesive material that has permeated through them so as to grip the upper membrane 112 and the membrane 117 of the insert.
The sole 113 is sealed by means of adhesive to the second sealing element 114b impregnated by the sealing adhesive material to complete the seal.
In this second embodiment also, in an alternative assembly solution, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in
In particular, the connecting flaps 130 are folded below the assembly insole 115b so as to be interposed only partially between the sole 113 and the second sealing element 114b, so as to not hinder an easy impregnation to seal the upper membrane 112.
In a third embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in
Preferably, the upper membrane 212 is internally associated with the upper 211 at least in a part thereof and is conveniently covered, for example on its face, directed toward the inside of the shoe, by at least a fine nylon mesh that is suitable to improve its handling.
Advantageously, the upper 211 has seams that are sealed by means of sealing adhesives or sealing tapes that are heat-sealed thereon.
The upper 211 and the upper membrane 212 are connected in a downward region with respect to the sealing element 214, so as to be interposed partially between said sealing element and the sole 213 according to so-called “AGO lasting” working method, with the lower flaps of the upper membrane 212 interleaved between the upper 211 and the sealing element 214, at their connection.
In particular, said lower flaps of the upper membrane 212 are folded below the assembly insole 215 so as to be interposed only partially between the sole 213 and the sealing element 214, so as to not hinder an easy impregnation to seal the upper membrane 212.
The lining 219 is conveniently connected to the perimetric peripheral region of the sealing element 214, preferably by means of a Strobel seam 229.
Advantageously, the sole 213 has the vapor-permeable waterproof insert 216 and the corresponding vapor-permeable portion 218 at the central element 228.
In a variation to said embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in
In this variation, the vapor-permeable waterproof insert 216 advantageously has the membrane 217 of the insert connected hermetically at a perimetric band, to the sole 213.
The membrane 217 of the insert conveniently faces the vapor-permeable portion 218 of the sole 213 and is covered by a protective element made of vapor-permeable material, which leaves said perimetric band thereof exposed.
Moreover, the membrane 217 of the insert is connected perimetrically to the sealing element 214.
The sole 213 is preferably made of polymeric material and is molded by direct injection onto the lower part of the upper 211, at the assembly insole 215, where the sealing element 214 is impregnated by said polymeric material that has permeated through it so as to grip the upper membrane 212, sealing it to the sole 213.
Said polymeric material further grips the membrane 217 of the insert.
In a manner which is alternative to direct injection and substantially equivalent, the sole 213 is made of polymeric material and advantageously pre-molded and associated by means of adhesive on the lower part of the upper 211, at the assembly insole 215.
The sealing element 214 is impregnated by said adhesive that has permeated through it so as to grip the upper membrane 212, sealing it to the sole 213.
Conveniently, the membrane 217 of the insert is bonded by adhesive to the sole 213 at a perimetric band thereof.
As an alternative to said adhesive, it is possible to use adhesive and sealing materials, such as silicone or thermoplastic adhesives or sealants commonly known as “reactive hot melt”, for example polyurethanes such as the one known by the trade name Ipatherm S 14/176, or the like.
In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, providing a waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe that has an effective seal of the connecting regions between the insole, the membrane and the sole, provided by the sealing element formed by the assembly insole.
In particular, the shoe according to the invention allows an effective sealed connection of the membrane of the upper to the sole and/or to a membrane of the insert.
Moreover, a shoe which is impermeable to water and permeable to water vapor according to the invention is structurally simple to obtain, tough and durable, and can be manufactured with known systems and technologies.
The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.
In practice, the materials used, as long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.
The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. PD2008A000377 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.
Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PD2008A0377 | Dec 2008 | IT | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2009/066442 | 12/4/2009 | WO | 00 | 6/22/2011 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2010/072547 | 7/1/2010 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5689903 | Aumann | Nov 1997 | A |
| 5711093 | Aumann | Jan 1998 | A |
| 6408541 | Moretti | Jun 2002 | B1 |
| 7219446 | Haimerl | May 2007 | B1 |
| 7823297 | Polegato Moretti | Nov 2010 | B2 |
| 20060248751 | Haimerl | Nov 2006 | A1 |
| 20080216358 | Polegato Moretti | Sep 2008 | A1 |
| 20090188134 | Polegato Moretti | Jul 2009 | A1 |
| 20090300942 | Peikert | Dec 2009 | A1 |
| 20100050480 | Polegato | Mar 2010 | A1 |
| 20100064453 | Haimerl | Mar 2010 | A1 |
| 20100132228 | Polegato Moretti | Jun 2010 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1731942 | Feb 2006 | CN |
| 101232826 | Jul 2008 | CN |
| 20 2007 000 668 | Mar 2007 | DE |
| 10 2006 009 974 | Sep 2007 | DE |
| 2006-512132 | Apr 2006 | JP |
| 2008-508004 | Mar 2008 | JP |
| 2009-502272 | Jan 2009 | JP |
| 2009-538646 | Nov 2009 | JP |
| 200812516 | Mar 2008 | TW |
| WO 2006010578 | Feb 2006 | WO |
| WO 2007012415 | Feb 2007 | WO |
| WO 2007137604 | Dec 2007 | WO |
| WO 2008003375 | Jan 2008 | WO |
| 2008 116772 | Oct 2008 | WO |
| 2008 119683 | Oct 2008 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| International Preliminary Report on Patentability issued in PCT/EP2009/066442 on Jun. 29, 2011. |
| Combined Office Action and Search Report issued Sep. 24, 2014 in Taiwanese Patent Application No. 098144265 (with English language translation). |
| U.S. Appl. No. 13/611,536, filed Sep. 12, 2012, Polegato Moretti. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 13/393,090, filed Feb. 28, 2012, Polegato Moretti. |
| International Search Report Issued Apr. 6, 2010 in PCT/EP09/066442 filed Dec. 4, 2009. |
| Office Action issued Nov. 26, 2013 in Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-541304 (with English language translation). |
| U.S. Appl. No. 13/263,822, filed Oct. 10, 2011, Polegato Moretti. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20110252667 A1 | Oct 2011 | US |
