Abstract:
A footwear construction that includes an improved footwear upper liner is provided. The liquid impermeable footwear upper liner is constructed of air permeable, waterproof and moisture vapor transmissive materials as well as air impermeable, waterproof and moisture vapor impermeable materials. A process for constructing a footwear component utilizing the improved footwear upper liner is also provided. The process comprises providing a sole; providing an upper that together with the sole define a volume for receiving and protecting a wearer&#39;s foot against external elements and securing the improved liquid impermeable footwear upper liner within the footwear so that the footwear upper liner is located underneath the upper. In an alternative embodiment, the improved footwear upper liner is attached to a sole to form a bootie for use in footwear construction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Footwear that is currently available and marketed as being “waterproof and breathable”, moisture vapor permeable but not air permeable, has been found by the user to be excessively hot, wet and uncomfortable. The reason for this discomfort is that most conventional waterproof and moisture vapor transmissive footwear is not air permeable. The waterproof liner is most commonly made of a bicomponent laminate, which has one part made of monolithic polyurethane that is air impermeable. The user&#39;s foot is therefore completely sealed without access to fresh air. 
   The present invention is directed to overcoming this limitation on comfort caused in part by air impermeable materials and in part by moisture vapor transmitting materials. A further advantage to the present invention is the potential for reducing the proportion of expensive components while maintaining or enhancing the moisture vapor transmitting performance of the improved upper liner. Yet another advantage is to optimize the use of materials in areas of footwear that may be susceptible to wear or damage. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   In one aspect of the invention, an improved footwear upper liner is provided. The liquid impermeable footwear upper liner is adapted to be incorporated into a footwear structure and comprises at least one air permeable, liquid water impermeable and moisture vapor transmissive first portion and at least one air impermeable, liquid water impermeable and moisture vapor impermeable second portion. 
   In another aspect of the invention a process for constructing a footwear component is provided. The process comprises providing a sole; providing an upper that together with the sole define a volume for receiving and protecting a wearer&#39;s foot against external elements. A liquid impermeable footwear upper liner, having at least one air permeable and moisture vapor transmissive first portion and at least one air impermeable and moisture vapor impermeable second portion is secured within the footwear so that the footwear upper liner is located within the upper of the footwear. 
   These are merely two illustrative aspects of the present invention and should not be deemed an all-inclusive listing of the innumerable aspects associated with the present invention. These and other aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the following disclosure and accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illustrative, but nonlimiting, footwear construction embodying the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken along Line  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1  that illustrates one embodiment of the improved inner liner of the footwear embodying the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the footwear upper liner of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the footwear upper liner of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view that illustrates the sole liner according to one embodiment of the present invention prior to being shaped into a usable configuration. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an illustrative footwear item, e.g., boot, is generally indicated by numeral  10 , although virtually any type of footwear can be utilized with the present invention. The footwear may be constructed of any conventional method, including double-lasting, as is well know in the art. 
   This illustrative footwear  10  includes both a sole  12  and a portion for receiving a human foot that is otherwise known as an upper  14 . The footwear  10  typically includes a front lacing  26  that is engaged in eyelets  24 . Moreover, the footwear  10  typically includes a tongue portion  32  that is preferably secured at the sides to the remainder of the footwear  10  through fold portions  34 . This allows for the contraction and expansion of the upper  14  of the footwear  10  so that the user of the footwear  10  can insert and remove his or her foot. Moreover, this also provides room for adjustment so that when the front lacing  26  is secured, the footwear  10  is firmly attached to the foot of the user. For this particular type of footwear  10 , in this nonlimiting embodiment, there is a top connecting strip or cap  28  that is doubled over the top of the upper  14  and preferably, but not necessarily, held in position by stitching  22 . The upper  14  of the footwear  10  can be manufactured with a wide variety of materials and is preferably leather. The illustrative, but nonlimiting, embodiment can include flexible, lightweight material  20  located in cutout portions on the upper  14  of the footwear  10 . The upper  14  can be secured to the sole  12  of the footwear  10  by a wide variety of attachment processes, which preferably includes adhesives. 
   Optionally and preferably, there is at least one layer of textile material forming an upper layer  42  located underneath the upper  14  of the footwear  10  next to the foot of the wearer of the footwear  10 . A wide variety of textile fabrics can be utilized including woven, nonwoven and knit fabrics. An illustrative, but nonlimiting, type of fabric that can be utilized for this upper layer  42  is a warp knit fabric. Examples of warp knit fabrics include the ECLIPSE 100H™ (an abrasive resistant polyester and nylon combination fabric), ECLIPSE 200S™ (an abrasive resistant polyester and nylon combination fabric) and ECLIPSE 400H™ (a lightweight, nylon fabric), all manufactured by Tempo Shain Corporation, having a place of business at 27 Congress Street, Salem, Mass. 01970. Another illustrative, but nonlimiting, fabric that can be utilized for this upper layer  42  includes a three (3) bar knit fabric. Still another illustrative, but nonlimiting, fabric that can be utilized for this upper layer  42  includes a nonwoven fabric that is a combination of nylon  6  and nylon  66 , which is point thermally embossed, abrasion resistant and marketed as CAMBRELLE® fabric, which is manufactured by the Faytex Corp., having a place of business at 185 Libbey Parkway, Weymouth, Mass. 02189. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , there is a footwear upper liner, which is defined as being an internal liner for the footwear  10  and is generally indicated by numeral  200 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the footwear upper liner  200  is located inside the upper  14  of the footwear  10  and above the upper layer  42  (if the optional upper layer  42  is present). Optionally, there may be one or more additional layers of textile-type material that are located between the upper  14  and the footwear upper liner  200  or the footwear upper liner  200  and the upper layer  42 . However, the footwear upper liner  200  may be directly attached to the upper  14  of the footwear  10 . Some of these additional layers of textile material may include virtually any type of textile material including scrims, tricot knits, nonwovens, among numerous other possibilities. Illustrative, but nonlimiting, methods of attaching the footwear upper liner  200  to the upper  14  of the footwear  10  preferably includes lamination, however, adhesives and stitching may be utilized. 
   The sole  12  may include an outsole  16 , a midsole  18  and an insole  30 . A modified midsole  18  is illustrated. However, the sole  12  may combine one or more of these elements into a single unitary structure that combines one or more of these components and any permutation thereof. The upper  14  can be secured to the sole  12  of the footwear  10  by a wide variety of attachment processes, which preferably includes adhesives. In this illustrative, but nonlimiting example, the upper  14  is secured to the sole  12  of the footwear  10  by the method of stitching  38 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the footwear upper liner  200 , is comprised of two general types of materials. A first portion,  210  of the footwear upper liner  200  is air permeable, moisture permeable and liquid impermeable. A second portion  211 , typically a toe portion  212  and a heel portion  214  of the footwear upper liner  200  is air impermeable, moisture impermeable and liquid impermeable. The term “liquid impermeable” and the term “waterproof” are used interchangeably throughout the present application. 
   The ratio of air permeable first portion  210  to air impermeable second portion  211  is determined by the intended use of the constructed footwear, and is not limited by the following examples. A typical footwear upper liner  200  of the present invention has about 25% to about 75% first portion  210  and about 75% to about 25% second portion  211 . Naturally, when the percentage of air permeable first portion  210  is decreased, the level of comfort for the user is also decreased accordingly. In a preferred embodiment the footwear upper liner  200  is about 40% to about 60% first portion  210  and about 40% to about 60% second portion  211 . These percentages are based on percent area of the overall footwear upper liner. 
   The footwear upper liner  200 , either by itself or in conjunction with a plurality of additional layers of textile-type material is liquid impermeable, which provides protection from liquid for the foot. A preferred definition of liquid impermeable is that the footwear upper liner  200  does not leak as indicated by the presence of detectable liquid on the exterior of the footwear upper liner  200  when applied with water having maximum pressure of 200 milibar (2.901 p.s.i.g.) for one (1) minute. An alternative test method is for the footwear upper liner  200 , in the form of fabric laminate only, being able to pass the hydrostatic test for textile fabrics, which is a determination of the resistance to liquid penetration established by the International Organization for Standardization under ISO-811. Another applicable, but less recognized, test method is that designated ASTM D751, by the American Society for Testing and Materials. The hydrostatic resistance of the footwear upper liner  200  in the form of fabric only, while supported, is measured in accordance with Section  41  of this Test. 
   Preferably, the first portion  210  of footwear upper liner  200  is air permeable, which allows the human foot to breathe. Air permeability of the first portion  210  is defined by the test method designated ASTM D737-96, by the American Society for Testing and Materials. This is preferably measured by a Frazier Air Permeability Tester, a Textest FX 3300 Air Permeability Tester or an equivalent type of testing device. The air permeability needs to provide for air flow of at least 0.03 cubic centimeter per minute per square centimeter at a pressure of a 1.27 centimeter water column (0.05 cubic feet per minute per square foot at a pressure of a 0.5 inch water column) through the first portion  210  only of the footwear upper liner  200 . Preferably, there is air flow of at least 0.05 cubic centimeter per minute per square centimeter at a pressure of a 1.27 centimeter water column (0.1 cubic feet per minute per square foot at a pressure of a 0.5 inch water column) through the first portion  210 . More preferably there is air flow of at least 0.15 cubic centimeter per minute per square centimeter at a pressure of a 1.27 centimeter water column (0.3 cubic feet per minute per square foot at a pressure of a 0.5 inch water column) through the footwear upper liner  200  and most preferably there is air flow of at least 0.51 cubic centimeter per minute per square centimeter at a pressure of a 1.27 centimeter water column (1.0 cubic feet per minute per square foot at a pressure of a 0.5 inch water column) through the first portion  210 . 
   The toe portion  212  and heel portion  214  are air impermeable, which means there is air flow of less than 0.03 cubic centimeter per minute per square centimeter at a pressure of a 1.27 centimeter water column (0.05 cubic feet per minute per square foot at a pressure of a 0.5 inch water column) through the toe portion  212  and the heel portion  214 . The toe portion  212  and heel portion  214  are preferably made from a material that can withstand increased damage and wear typically found in these areas of the footwear  10 . It is well known to those practiced in the art of footwear making that the most commonly worn (abraded) areas of the footwear upper liner  200  include the toe portion  212  and the heel portion  214 . These areas can benefit from materials that are more abrasion resistant. Eliminating the constraints of air permeability and water vapor permeability greatly broadens the commercially available choices of materials to resist damage in the toe portion  212  and the heel portion  214  of the footwear upper liner  200 . Extensive literature supports the use of Abrasion Resistance by the Martindale Method ASTM D4966-98 as a method of selecting materials that are more abrasion resistant. 
   Since the preferred embodiment of the improved of the footwear upper liner  200  utilizes a first portion  200  that can include laminates with the highest possible air permeability and moisture vapor transmission rate, the Martindale abrasion resistance in the air impermeable second portion  211 , such as in the toe portion  212  and heel portion  214 , is preferably higher than in the first portion  210 . 
   In addition, the first portion  210  is moisture vapor transmissive, which allows perspiration and other vapors to exit the footwear upper liner  200  while still remaining impervious to fluids such as water. Liquid vapor permeability or the moisture vapor transmission rate of the first portion  210  is preferably defined by the test method designated JIS L 1099:1993 method B2 by the Japanese Standards Association, which provides for moisture vapor transmission of at least 500 grams per square meter (14.85 ounces per square yard) or more of water (H 2 O) vapor in a twenty-four (24) hour period through the footwear upper liner  200 . Preferably, at least 9,000 grams per square meter (267.20 ounces per square yard) or more of water (H 2 O) vapor in a twenty-four (24) hour period passes through first portion  210  of the footwear upper liner  200 . More preferably at least 15,000 grams per square meter (445.33 ounces per square yard) or more of water (H 2 O) vapor in a twenty-four (24) hour period and most preferably at least 17,000 grams per square meter (504.71 ounces per square yard) or more of water (H 2 O) vapor in a twenty-four (24) hour period. Such preferable materials, having more preferably at least 15,000 grams per square meter (445.33 ounces per square yard) or more of water (H 2 O) vapor in a twenty-four (24) hour period like ECLIPSE 400H™ (a lightweight, nylon fabric) have abrasion resistance by the Martindale Method ASTM D4966-98 of less than 50,000 cycles dry to failure. 
   An abrasion resistance value of less than 50,000 cycles dry to failure would be appropriate for “light duty” if used throughout the footwear upper liner  200 , but would fail in principal areas of wear on the footwear  10  in heavy-duty end uses. In the preferred embodiment, the second portion of the footwear upper liner  200 , made with impermeable materials will have an abrasion resistance by the Martindale Method ASTM D4966-98 of at least 75,000 cycles dry to failure (1.5 times) with a preferred abrasion resistance of greater than 100,000 cycles dry to failure (2 times) and a most preferred abrasion resistance of greater than 200,000 cycles to dry failure (4 times). Such preferred abrasion resistant materials that can be utilized for the toe portion  212  and heel portion  214  of the footwear upper liner  200  that is liquid impermeable, air impermeable and moisture vapor impermeable includes nonporous, monolithic membrane laminates to ECLIPSE 200S™ (an abrasive resistant polyester and nylon combination fabric), which has a Martindale abrasion resistance (dry) of greater than 100,000 cycles to failure. 
   There are a number of materials that may be utilized for the first portion  210  of footwear upper liner  200 . The type of material that can be utilized for the first portion  210  that is liquid impermeable, air permeable and moisture vapor transmissive includes microporous membranes. A first illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material is eVENT® Fabric, which is a chemically treated expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (hereinafter also referred to as ePTFE) membrane manufactured by BHA Technologies, Inc., having a place of business at 8800 East 63rd Street, Kansas City, Mo. 64133. Additional details regarding this technology can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,228,477, which issued to BHA Technologies Inc. on May 8, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference and U.S. Pat. No. 6,410,084, which also issued to BHA Technologies Inc. on Jun. 25, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
   A second illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material is Gore-Tex™ XCR™, which is otherwise known as VISI000001 which is also a chemically treated ePTFE membrane manufactured by W. L. Gore &amp; Associates, Inc., having a place of business at 555 Paper Mill Road, Newark, Del. 19711. A third illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material is TETRATEX®, which is also a ePTFE membrane, which may be chemically treated, and is manufactured by the Donaldson Company, Inc., having a place of business at P.O. Box 1299, 1400 West 94th Street, Minneapolis, Minn. 55440-1299. A fourth and fifth illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material include SUPOR® and VERSAPOR®, which are both polysulfone membranes manufactured by Pall Corporation, having a place of business at 2200 Northern Boulevard, East Hills, N.Y. 11548. A sixth illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material is PORELLE®, which is a coagulated polyurethane membrane manufactured by Porvair P.L.C. Company, having a place of business at Estuary Road, King&#39;s Lynn, Norfolk England PE30 2HS. A seventh illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material is sold under the trademark MILLIPORE®, which is also a chemically treated ePTFE membrane manufactured by the Millipore Corporation, having a place of business at 80 Ashby Road, Bedford, Mass. 01730. An eighth illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material is ENTRANT®, which is a coagulated polyurethane membrane manufactured by Toray Kabushiki Kaisha TA Toray Industries, Inc., having a place of business at 2-1, 2-chome, Nihonbashi-Muromachi Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. A ninth illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material is coagulated polyurethane sold by Graboflex under the trademark FOLIO I™. A tenth illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material is a polyethylene sold under the trademarks ACE-SIL®, FLEX-SIL®, MICROPOR-SIL®, and CELLFORCE®, which are manufactured by Amerace, Microporous Products L.P. having a place of business at 596 Industrial Park Road, Piney Flats, Tenn. 37686. 
   In addition to microporous membranes, another type of material that can be utilized for the first portion  210  and is liquid impermeable, air permeable and moisture vapor transmissive is a select group of specialized leathers. As an illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material is a family of leather materials such as Pittards Leather, manufactured by Pittards p.l.c., having a place of business at Sherborne Road, Yeovil, Somerset, England BA21 5BA. 
   A first category of material that can be utilized for the toe portion  212  and heel portion  214  of the footwear upper liner  200  that is liquid impermeable, air impermeable and moisture vapor transmissive includes nonporous, bicomponent membranes. A first illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material is GORE-TEX Classic®), which is a bicomponent membrane with a layer of ePTFE and a layer of polyurethane manufactured by W. L. Gore &amp; Associates, Inc., having a place of business at 555 Paper Mill Road, Newark, Del. 19711. A second illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material is TETRATEX®, which is also a bicomponent membrane with a layer of ePTFE and a layer of polyurethane manufactured by Donaldson Company, Inc., having a place of business at P.O. Box 1299, 1400 West 94th Street, Minneapolis, Minn. 55440-1299. A third illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material is ENTRANT®, which is a bicomponent membrane that includes coagulated polyurethane membrane and a seal coating manufactured by Toray Kabushiki Kaisha TA Toray Industries, Inc., having a place of business at 2-1, 2-chome, Nihonbashi-Muromachi Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. A fourth illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material is sold by Graboflex, under the trademark FOLIO II™, which is also a bicomponent membrane that includes coagulated polyurethane with a seal coating. A fifth illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material is PORELLE®, which is also a bicomponent membrane that includes coagulated polyurethane with a seal coating manufactured by Porvair P.L.C. Company, having a place of business at Estuary Road, King&#39;s Lynn, Norfolk, England PE30 2HS. 
   A second category of material that can be utilized for the toe portion  212  and heel portion  214  that is liquid impermeable, air impermeable and moisture vapor transmissive includes nonporous, monolithic membranes. A first illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material is DERMIZAC™, which is a monolithic polyurethane membrane manufactured by Toray Kabushiki Kaisha TA Toray Industries, Inc., having a place of business at 2-1, 2-chome, Nihonbashi-Muromachi Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. A second illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material is HYTREL®, which is also a monolithic polyurethane membrane, which is manufactured by E. I. Du Pont de Nemours &amp; Company, having a place of business at 1007 Market Street, Wilmington, Del. 19898. A third illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material is also a monolithic polyurethane membrane manufactured under the trademark DERMAFLEX™. A fourth illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material is DIAPLEX®, which is also a monolithic polyurethane membrane, manufactured by Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Ta Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., having a place of business at Marunochi 2-Chome, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. 
   A third category of material that can be utilized for the toe portion  212  and heel portion  214  that is liquid impermeable, air impermeable and moisture vapor impermeable and includes nonporous, monolithic material but is not limited to polymeric membranes such as polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, poly(ethylene terephthalate) and polyester. 
   A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention footwear upper liner  200  is shown in  FIG. 3 . This particular embodiment includes a tongue portion  256  and an opening  254  that conforms to upper  14  of footwear  10 . The tongue portion  256  conforms to the tongue portion  32  for the upper  14  of the footwear  10  so that the upper  14  can expand and contract when a human foot is either inserted into the footwear  10  or removed from the footwear  10 . The tongue portion  256  is joined through seams  258 ,  259  at tongue portion  256  folds  257 ,  277 . The first portion  210 , the toe portion  212  and the heel portion  214  are joined together at seams  216 ,  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  272 ,  276 ,  258  and  259 . The seams  216 ,  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  272 ,  276 ,  258  and  259  can be made by any of a wide variety of thread-type material in the form of strands or cords and include spun fibers, spun fibers encircling a core filament, bonded fibers and monofiliment-type material that may or may not be coated with a liquid impermeable coating. In addition, adhesives may be utilized as well as electro-die sealing methods. It is also understood that the location and number of the seams  216 ,  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  272 ,  276 ,  258  and  259  can vary tremendously depending on the type of footwear  10 . 
   Also, seams can be sealed with seam tapes  236 ,  238 ,  240 ,  242 ,  274 ,  278 ,  260  and  261  positioned over the seams  216 ,  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  272 ,  276 ,  258  and  259  respectively, heat applied through the application of hot air and pressure through a nip roll is then applied to the top of the seam tapes  236 ,  238 ,  240 ,  242 ,  274 ,  278 ,  260  and  261 . The heat from the hot air is preselected to soften the adhesive in the seam tapes  236 ,  238 ,  240 ,  242 ,  274 ,  278 ,  260  and  261  without detrimentally affecting any of the desired qualities found in the footwear upper liner  200  of the footwear  10 . An application of heat preferably ranges from about 150 degrees Celsius (302 degrees Fahrenheit) to about 250 degrees Celsius (482 degrees Fahrenheit) for most applications. A preferred application of pressure is from about 3 kilograms per square centimeter (42.67 pounds per square inch) gauge to about 5 kilograms per square centimeter (71.12 pounds per square inch) gauge such as that applied by a PFAFF® seam making machine. PFAFF® is a registered trademark of Pfaff Industrie Maschinen GmbH, having a place of business at Königstr. 154, 67655 Kaiserslautern, Germany. However, the applied temperature and pressure are completely dependent on the type of material used for the footwear upper liner  200 , the threads used to create the seams  216 ,  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  272 ,  276 ,  258  and  259 , the adhesives and the type of material utilized for the seam tapes  236 ,  238 ,  240 ,  242 ,  274 ,  278 ,  260  and  261 . By such a process, a solid structural weld is formed that provides at least a liquid impermeable quality in the seams  216 ,  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  272 ,  276 ,  258  and  259  to virtually the same extent as the remainder of the footwear upper liner  200  and the sole liner  40  with the seams  216 ,  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  272 ,  276 ,  258  and  259  covered and sealed. 
   An illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of seam tape, utilized as seam tapes  236 ,  238 ,  240 ,  242 ,  274 ,  278 ,  260  and  261 , includes a three (3) layer MF-12™ manufactured by Nisshinbo Industries, Inc., having a place of business at 31-11 Nihonbashi Ningyo-cho 2-chome Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. A second illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of seam tape, utilized as seam tapes  236 ,  238 ,  240 ,  242 ,  274 ,  278 ,  260  and  261 , includes Model 2000 manufactured by Melco Embroidery Systems, having a place of business at 1575 West 124th Avenue, Denver, Colo. 80234. A third illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of seam tape, utilized as seam tapes  236 ,  238 ,  240 ,  242 ,  274 ,  278 ,  260  and  261 , includes Model ST-302 manufactured by Bemis Manufacturing Company, having an address at 1 Bemis Way PO Box 717, Shirley Mass. 53085-0901. 
   In an alternative embodiment, a footwear upper liner  36  can be seamed with a sole liner  40  to form a bootie  100  as seen in  FIG. 4 . The bootie  100  includes a top opening  54  that conforms to the upper  14  for the footwear  10  and includes a tongue portion  56  having fold portions  57 ,  77 . The tongue portion  56  of the footwear upper liner  100  conforms to the tongue portion  32  for the upper  14  of the footwear  10  so that the upper  14  can expand and contract when a human foot is either inserted into the footwear  10  or removed from the footwear  10 . The bootie  100  is seamed together at seams  62 ,  66 ,  70 ,  72 ,  280 ,  284  and  82  with seam tapes  60 ,  64 ,  68 ,  74 ,  282 ,  286  and  80 , respectively, preferably around the perimeter. The seam tapes are preferably liquid impermeable and are formed of the materials and by the methods as described above for footwear upper liner  200 . 
   In the embodiment illustrated, the sole liner  40  and the toe portion  212  and heel portion  214  are cut from a single piece, as is seen in  FIG. 4  This embodiment is merely for illustration, as the sole liner  40 , toe portion  212  and heel portion  214  can be made from separate pieces, or from separate materials. This allows the sole liner  40  to be formed of a material that may be less suitable for the footwear upper liner  36  for the particular use desired. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the sole liner  40  can include a first toe portion  301 , a second toe portion  302 , a first heel portion  304  and a second heel portion  306 . 
   In either case, the sole liner  40  is, but not limited to, impervious to both moisture vapor and air. A preferred definition of liquid impermeable is that the sole liner  40  does not leak as indicated by detectable liquid on the exterior of the sole liner  40  when applied with water having maximum pressure of 200 mbar (0.5 p.s.i.g.) for one (1) minute. An alternative test method is for the sole liner  40 , in the form of fabric laminate or coated fabric only, being able to pass the hydrostatic test for textile fabrics, which is a determination of the resistance to liquid penetration established by the International Organization for Standardization under ISO-811. Another applicable, but less recognized, test method is that designated ASTM D751, by the American Society for Testing and Materials. The hydrostatic resistance of the sole liner  40  in the form of fabric only, while supported, is measured in accordance with Section  41  of this Test. In the preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2 , when the sole liner  40  is in the form of fabric laminate or coated fabric, the sole liner  40  can be attached to the footwear upper liner  200  by seam  290  and seam  292  in conjunction with seam tapes  294  and  296 , respectively. 
   In the absence of air permeability of the sole liner  40  is defined by the test method designated ASTM D737-96, by the American Society for Testing and Materials. This is preferably measured by a Frazier Air Permeability Tester, a Textest FX 3300 Air Permeability Tester or an equivalent type of testing device. The air permeability needs to provide for air flow of less than 0.03 cubic centimeter per minute per square centimeter at a pressure of a 1.27 centimeter water column (0.05 cubic feet per minute per square foot at a pressure of a 0.5 inch water column) through the sole liner  40 . 
   In addition, the sole liner  40  is impervious to moisture vapor transmission. Liquid vapor permeability or the moisture vapor transmission rate of the sole liner  40  is preferably defined by the test method designated JIS L 1099:1993 B2 by the Japanese Standards Association, which provides for less than 500 grams per square meter (14.85 ounces per square yard) of water (H 2 O) vapor in a twenty-four (24) hour period through the sole liner  40 . 
   In addition, the sole liner  40  is preferably inelastic. “Inelasticity” is defined as material that when subjected to a stress-strain test will not provide 100% recovery when deflected more than 10% from the yield point. 
   A first category for the type of materials that can be utilized for the sole liner  40  includes inelastic, thermoplastic material, e.g., sheet goods. This can include, but is not limited to: polypropylene; polyethylene; polyester; inelastic polyurethane; nylon; and vinyl. A second category of material for the sole liner  40 , includes fiber reinforced polymeric materials. This can include fibers made of: polyester; nylon; polypropylene; polyethylene; rayon; cotton; and the like, as illustrative, but nonlimiting, examples. A third category of material for the sole liner  40 , includes all nonthermoplastic material. This can include as illustrative, but nonlimiting, examples: reactive polyurethane; epoxy; styrene; butadiene; acrylic(s); and vulcanized rubber. 
   A first nonlimiting, but illustrative, example of this material utilized in the sole liner  40  includes BONTEX® manufactured by Bontex, Inc., having a place of One Bontex Drive, Buena Vista, Va. 24416. A second illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this material utilized in the sole liner  40  includes that manufactured by Foss, Inc., having a place of 380 Lafayette Road, P.O. Box 5000, Hampton, N.H. 03843-5000. A third illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this material utilized in the sole liner  40  is UPACO™ manufactured by Worthen Industries, Inc., having a place of business at 3 East Spit Brook Road, Nashua, N.H. 03060. A fourth illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this material utilized in the sole liner  40  is SOVERE™ manufactured by Sovere s.r.l., having a place of business at Via della Metallurgia, 24-37139, Verona, Italy. A fifth illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this material utilized in the sole liner  40  is MOREL™ manufactured by Industria Chemica, having a place of business at Gradisca 18, 20151 Milano, Italy. A sixth nonlimiting, but illustrative, example of this material utilized in the sole liner  40  is ALCANTARA®, manufactured by Alcantara S.p.A., having a place of business at 1 Via Mozart, 20122 Milan, Italy. A seventh illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this material utilized in the sole liner  40  is VITA™, manufactured by 2001 Giovanni Crespi S.p.A. having a place of business at Via Pasubio, 38 20025 Legnano, Milan, Italy. An eighth illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material utilized in the sole liner  40  is Rhenoflex® manufactured by Rhenoflex GmbH, having a place of business at P.O. Box 150480, 67029 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany. A ninth illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material utilized in the sole liner  40  is manufactured by Quinorgan International, having a place of business at Poligono Industrial Pla d&#39;en coll C/Fresser, 21-23 08110, Montcada i Reixach Spain. A tenth illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material utilized in the sole liner  40  is manufactured by Forestali, having a place of business at Via-Kennedy, 75 20010 Marcallo con Casone MI, Italy. An eleventh illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material utilized in the sole liner  40  is manufactured by Bartoli, having a place of business at Via Traversa di Parezzana 12/14/16-I 55061 Carraia Lucca, Italy. A twelfth illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material utilized in the sole liner  40  is FOOTLEVERS® manufactured by Foot Levelers, Inc., having a place of business at 518 Pocahontas Ave. N.E., Roanoke Va. 24027-2611. A thirteenth illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material utilized in the sole liner  40  is manufactured by Polymer Dynamics, Inc., having a place of business at 2200 S. 12th Street, Allentown, Pa. 18103. 
   The sole liner  40  can also be moisture permeable. In a first illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this material, which may be moisture vapor permeable, utilized in the sole liner  40  is PORELLE®, which is manufactured by Porvair P.L.C. Company, having a place of business at Estuary Road, King&#39;s Lynn, Norfolk, England PE30 2HS. A second illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this material utilized in the sole liner  40  is PORON® manufactured by the Rogers Corporation, having a place of business at One Technology Drive, Rogers, Conn. 06263. A third illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this material utilized in the sole liner  40  is TEXON® manufactured by Texon U.S.A., Inc., having a place of business at 400 Research Drive, Wilmington, Mass. 01887 as well as having a place of business at 100 Ross Walk, Leicester, LE4 5BX, England. 
   Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention and the method of using the same has been described in the foregoing specification with considerable details, it is to be understood that modifications may be made to the invention which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims and modified forms of the present invention done by others skilled in the art to which the invention pertains will be considered covered by the claims in this present patent application when those modified forms fall within the claimed scope of this invention.