Waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe

A waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe, including an upper that is lined at least partially by an upper membrane impermeable to water in a liquid state and permeable to water vapor. The upper membrane is connected hermetically to a sole which is impermeable to water in the liquid state. The hermetic connection is provided by a sealing element included in an assembly insole. The sealing element is permeable with respect to sealing material, or a glue, sealing adhesive, or polymeric material for providing the sole, and is impregnated with the sealing material, which grips the upper membrane and is connected to the sole or forms a single body therewith, sealing it to the upper membrane.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe.

BACKGROUND ART

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.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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.

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.

WAYS OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral10generally designates a waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe, which comprises an upper11that is lined at least partially by an upper membrane12, 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 membrane12is connected hermetically to a sole13that is impermeable to water in the liquid state.

A particularity of the shoe10according to the invention consists in that said hermetic connection between the upper membrane12and the sole13is provided by means of a sealing element14, which is comprised in an assembly insole15.

Said sealing element14is 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 membrane12and is connected to the sole13, or forms a single body therewith, sealing the sole13to the upper membrane12.

Preferably, the shoe10also comprises a vapor-permeable waterproof insert16, which comprises a membrane17of 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 portion18of the sole13, defined by an opening or a plurality of holes, which it covers.

The vapor-permeable waterproof insert16, the sole13and the upper membrane12are connected hermetically at least through the sealing element14, 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 insert16, the sole13and the upper membrane12are connected hermetically at least through the sealing element14.

The sealing element14is advantageously provided at the peripheral region of the vapor-permeable portion18and of the membrane17of the insert that covers it.

Moreover, the sealing element14is 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 shoe10advantageously comprises an inner lining19.

Conveniently, a fine nylon mesh20is associated with the upper membrane12and 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 toFIG. 8, the inner lining19preferably comprisesa vapor-permeable padding21made of open-cell foamed polymer,a vapor-permeable layer22made of fabric or leather located inside the shoe10.

The upper membrane12and the membrane17of the insert are preferably made of a material selected among expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane and the like.

With particular reference toFIG. 9, the vapor-permeable waterproof insert16comprises at least one amonga vapor-permeable supporting layer23, which is arranged below the membrane17of the insert and is provided if the extension or number of holes of the vapor-permeable portion18requires a reinforcement thereof in order to avoid the sinking of the foot of the user during use,a fine mesh24made of vapor-permeable synthetic material, for example nylon, which is associated in an upward region with respect to the membrane17of the insert in order to reinforce it and is suitable to improve its handling,a vapor-permeable protective layer25, which is associated in a downward region with respect to the membrane17of the insert to protect it against impacts, between it and the supporting layer23,a vapor-permeable layer26with high resistance to perforation and cutting, for example made of Kevlar®, between the membrane17of the insert and the supporting layer23.

In a first embodiment, illustrated in a first constructive variation thereof by way of non-limiting example inFIG. 2a, the shoe10advantageously comprises an inner insole27, which is vapor-permeable or diffusely perforated and is associated perimetrically with the lower edges of the inner lining19, conveniently by means of a first Strobel seam29a.

The inner lining19conveniently comprises the upper membrane12, which faces the upper11, conveniently with the interposition of the fine nylon mesh20, as shown by way of non-limiting example inFIG. 8.

Advantageously, the inner lining19has seams which are sealed by means of sealing adhesives or sealing tapes that are heat-sealed thereon.

The assembly insole15preferably comprises a central element28, which is permeable to water vapor or diffusely perforated, at the inner insole27.

At the same time, the sealing element14is constituted by a frame of the central element28, which is connected peripherally to the upper11, conveniently with a second Strobel seam29b, and is arranged so as to straddle the region of connection between the inner lining19and the inner insole27.

The sole13provides for the vapor-permeable waterproof insert16and the corresponding vapor-permeable portion18, which are conveniently arranged at the central element28.

Moreover, the sole13is preferably made of polymeric material and is molded by direct injection onto the lower part of the upper11, at the assembly insole15, where the sealing element14is impregnated by said polymeric material that has permeated through it so as to grip the upper membrane12, sealing the sole13to said upper membrane12.

Direct injection on the upper is a method of manufacture according to which the sole13is provided directly on the upper11in 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 sole13directly on the bottom of the upper assembly; the almost liquid polymeric material is in fact capable of permeating easily the material of the upper11and of the insole15and of anchoring itself firmly thereto.

The vapor-permeable waterproof insert16is sealed perimetrically to the sole13so as to cover the vapor-permeable portion18, for tightness of the sole13to water in the liquid state together with its permeability to water vapor, at the vapor-permeable waterproof insert16.

In a manner which is an alternative to direct injection and substantially equivalent thereto, the sole13is made of polymeric material and is advantageously pre-molded and associated by means of adhesive on the lower part of the upper11, at the assembly insole15.

The sealing element14is impregnated by said glue that has permeated through it so as to grip the upper membrane12, sealing the sole13to the upper membrane12.

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 element14is impregnated by said sealing adhesive material, which permeates it so as to grip the upper membrane12.

The sole13is sealed by means of adhesive to the sealing element14impregnated by the sealing adhesive material to complete the sealing to the upper membrane12.

At the same time, the vapor-permeable waterproof insert16is connected perimetrically and hermetically to the sole13so as to cover the vapor-permeable portion18, for the tightness of the sole13to water in the liquid state together with its permeability to water vapor at the vapor-permeable waterproof insert16.

In this first variation of said first embodiment, the vapor-permeable waterproof insert16is accommodated inside the sole13, which has a vapor-permeable or perforated portion30that covers it and lies opposite the vapor-permeable portion18with respect to it.

In a second variation of said first embodiment, illustrated by way of example inFIG. 2b, the vapor-permeable waterproof insert16is superimposed on the sole13, which supports it, at the assembly insole15.

In this second variation, the vapor-permeable waterproof insert16is sealed perimetrically to the sealing element14by the sealing adhesive material that impregnates it or, as an alternative, by means of adhesive or by the polymeric material that constitutes the sole13.

The sole13has a tread layer13a, which is conveniently perforated at the vapor-permeable portion18.

In an alternative assembly solution, illustrated by way of non-limiting example inFIG. 2c, the upper11has flaps11afor connection to the assembly insole15which are folded below it, so as to interpose themselves partially between it and the sole13, according to the working method known as “AGO lasting”.

In particular, said connecting flaps11aare folded below the assembly insole15so as to be interposed only partially between the sole13and the sealing element14, so as to not hinder an easy impregnation thereof to seal the upper membrane12.

It should be noted that the sealing element14is not completely covered by the connecting flaps11a, because otherwise the penetration of the polymeric material of the sole13or of the sealing material in the sealing element14would be prevented.

In this case, during the realization of the upper part of the shoe10, which has a “AGO lasting” working method, for its connection to the sole13, the flaps11aof the upper11that are folded below the assembly insole15are roughed for the anchoring of the adhesive.

During this operation, the assembly insole15is interposed between the upper membrane12, which is connected thereto, and the roughing machine, to contrast damage of the upper membrane12by said machine.

In a second embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example inFIG. 4, the shoe110conveniently comprises two assembly insoles, a first one115athereof comprising a first central element128a, which is permeable to water vapor or diffusely perforated and is surrounded by a first frame, which forms a first sealing element114a, the second assembly insole115bcomprising a second central element which is constituted by the vapor-permeable waterproof insert116, in a downward region at the first central element128aand surrounded by a second frame that constitutes a second sealing element114b.

Advantageously, the first sealing element114a, forming a frame, is connected perimetrically to the internal lining119, preferably by means of a first Strobel seam129a, and the second sealing element114b, forming a frame, is arranged so as to straddle the corresponding connecting region and in turn is connected perimetrically to the upper111, conveniently by means of a second Strobel seam129b.

The inner lining119conveniently comprises the upper membrane112, which faces the upper111, advantageously with the interposition of a fine nylon mesh, which is associated with the upper membrane112in order to improve its handling.

Advantageously, the inner lining119has seams which are sealed by means of sealing adhesives or sealing tapes that are heat-sealed thereon.

Moreover, the first sealing element114ais preferably superimposed on, so as to straddle it, the connecting region between the second sealing element114band the second central element, i.e., the vapor-permeable waterproof insert116.

The sole113is preferably made of polymeric material and is molded by direct injection on the lower part of the upper111, at the assembly insoles115aand115b, the first sealing element114aand the second sealing element114bbeing impregnated by said polymeric material that has permeated through them until it grips the upper membrane112, sealing the upper membrane112and the membrane117of the insert to the sole113.

During overmolding of the sole113on 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 element114afrom seeping into the shoe through it.

Alternatively, and in a substantially equivalent manner, the sole113is conveniently pre-molded by using polymeric material and is associated by means of adhesive on the lower part of the upper111, at the assembly insoles115aand115b, the first border114aand the second border114bbeing impregnated by said adhesive that has permeated through them so as to grip the upper membrane112, to seal the upper membrane112and the membrane117of the insert to the sole113.

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 element114aand the second sealing element114bare impregnated by sealing adhesive material that has permeated through them so as to grip the upper membrane112and the membrane117of the insert.

The sole113is sealed by means of adhesive to the second sealing element114bimpregnated 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 inFIG. 5, the upper111has flaps130for connection to the assembly insole115bwhich are folded below it, so as to be interposed partially between it and the sole113, according to the working method known as “AGO lasting”.

In particular, the connecting flaps130are folded below the assembly insole115bso as to be interposed only partially between the sole113and the second sealing element114b, so as to not hinder an easy impregnation to seal the upper membrane112.

In a third embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example inFIG. 6, the assembly insole215comprises a central element228, which is permeable to water vapor or diffusely perforated; at the same time, the sealing element214conveniently is constituted by a frame with respect to the central element228.

Preferably, the upper membrane212is internally associated with the upper211at 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 upper211has seams that are sealed by means of sealing adhesives or sealing tapes that are heat-sealed thereon.

The upper211and the upper membrane212are connected in a downward region with respect to the sealing element214, so as to be interposed partially between said sealing element and the sole213according to so-called “AGO lasting” working method, with the lower flaps of the upper membrane212interleaved between the upper211and the sealing element214, at their connection.

In particular, said lower flaps of the upper membrane212are folded below the assembly insole215so as to be interposed only partially between the sole213and the sealing element214, so as to not hinder an easy impregnation to seal the upper membrane212.

The lining219is conveniently connected to the perimetric peripheral region of the sealing element214, preferably by means of a Strobel seam229.

Advantageously, the sole213has the vapor-permeable waterproof insert216and the corresponding vapor-permeable portion218at the central element228.

In a variation to said embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example inFIG. 7, the central element228is constituted by the vapor-permeable waterproof insert216.

In this variation, the vapor-permeable waterproof insert216advantageously has the membrane217of the insert connected hermetically at a perimetric band, to the sole213.

The membrane217of the insert conveniently faces the vapor-permeable portion218of the sole213and is covered by a protective element made of vapor-permeable material, which leaves said perimetric band thereof exposed.

Moreover, the membrane217of the insert is connected perimetrically to the sealing element214.

The sole213is preferably made of polymeric material and is molded by direct injection onto the lower part of the upper211, at the assembly insole215, where the sealing element214is impregnated by said polymeric material that has permeated through it so as to grip the upper membrane212, sealing it to the sole213.

Said polymeric material further grips the membrane217of the insert.

In a manner which is alternative to direct injection and substantially equivalent, the sole213is made of polymeric material and advantageously pre-molded and associated by means of adhesive on the lower part of the upper211, at the assembly insole215.

The sealing element214is impregnated by said adhesive that has permeated through it so as to grip the upper membrane212, sealing it to the sole213.

Conveniently, the membrane217of the insert is bonded by adhesive to the sole213at 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.