U.S. patent application number 10/605335 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-10 for shoe construction utilizing a bootie with an impervious sole and a method of production.
This patent application is currently assigned to BHA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Bastianelli, Peter, King, Clare, Wilson, Frederic T..
Application Number | 20050028405 10/605335 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29248083 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050028405 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wilson, Frederic T. ; et
al. |
February 10, 2005 |
SHOE CONSTRUCTION UTILIZING A BOOTIE WITH AN IMPERVIOUS SOLE AND A
METHOD OF PRODUCTION
Abstract
A shoe construction that includes a sole and an upper, wherein
the sole and the upper together define a volume for receiving and
protecting a wearer's foot against external elements. There is a
liquid impermeable bootie that includes an inner, upper liner that
is attached to a sole liner. The inner, upper liner is preferably
air permeable, moisture vapor transmissive, oleophobic and liquid
impermeable and is located inside the upper. The sole liner is air
impermeable, moisture vapor impermeable and liquid impermeable and
is located above the sole. The sole liner is preferably, but not
necessarily, inelastic. Materials that may be utilized for the
inner, upper liner can include treated membranes. Some of the types
of materials that may be used for the sole liner can include
inelastic, thermoplastic materials, fiber reinforced polymeric
materials and nonthermoplastic materials.
Inventors: |
Wilson, Frederic T.;
(Elkton, MD) ; King, Clare; (Providence, RI)
; Bastianelli, Peter; (Fife, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLACKWELL SANDERS PEPER MARTIN LLP
4801 Main Street
Suite 1000
KANSAS CITY
MO
64112
US
|
Assignee: |
BHA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
8800 East 63rd Street
Kansas City
MO
|
Family ID: |
29248083 |
Appl. No.: |
10/605335 |
Filed: |
September 23, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10605335 |
Sep 23, 2003 |
|
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10063458 |
Apr 24, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/55 ; 36/10;
36/9R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/125 20130101;
A43B 23/07 20130101; A43B 9/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/055 ;
036/010; 036/009.00R |
International
Class: |
A43B 001/02; A43B
017/00; A43B 003/10; A43B 023/07; A43B 019/00 |
Claims
1. A liquid impermeable bootie adapted to be incorporated into
footwear structure, which comprises: an inner, upper liner that is
air permeable, moisture vapor transmissive, oleophobic and liquid
impermeable; and a sole liner that is air impermeable, moisture
vapor impermeable and liquid impermeable, wherein the inner, upper
liner is attached to the sole liner.
2. The liquid impermeable bootie according to claim 1, wherein the
liquid impermeable bootie does not leak as indicated by detectable
water on the liquid impermeable bootie's exterior when applied with
water having a maximum pressure of 36 milibar (0.5 p.s.i.g.) for
one (1) minute.
3. The liquid impermeable bootie according to claim 1, wherein the
inner, upper liner allows 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) and the inner, upper
liner allows for moisture vapor transmission of at least 500 grams
per square meter (14.85 ounces per square yard) or more of water
(H.sub.2O) vapor in a twenty-four (24) hour period.
4. The liquid impermeable bootie according to claim 1, wherein the
inner, upper liner allows for 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) and the inner, upper
liner allows for moisture vapor transmission of at least 9,000
grams per square meter (267.20 ounces per square yard) or more of
water (H.sub.2O) vapor in a twenty-four (24) hour period.
5. The liquid impermeable bootie according to claim 1, wherein the
inner, upper liner allows for 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) and the inner, upper
liner allows for moisture vapor transmission of at least 15,000
grams per square meter (445.33 ounces per square yard) or more of
water (H.sub.2O) vapor in a twenty-four (24) hour period.
6. The liquid impermeable bootie according to claim 1, wherein the
inner, upper liner allows for 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) and the inner, upper
liner allows for moisture vapor transmission of at least 17,000
grams per square meter (504.71 ounces per square yard) or more of
water (H.sub.2O) vapor in a twenty-four (24) hour period.
7. The liquid impermeable bootie according to claim 1, wherein the
sole liner allows 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) and the sole liner allows for
moisture vapor transmission of less than 500 grams per square meter
(14.85 ounces per square yard) of water (H.sub.2O) vapor in a
twenty-four (24) hour period.
8. The liquid impermeable bootie according to claim 1, wherein the
inner, upper liner includes a microporous membrane, wherein the
microporous membrane is chemically treated from the group
consisting of a fluoropolymer, a polyurethane or a fluorinated
urethane.
9. The liquid impermeable bootie according to claim 8, wherein the
microporous membrane includes an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene
membrane.
10. The liquid impermeable bootie according to claim 1, wherein the
sole liner is inelastic.
11. The liquid impermeable bootie according to claim 10, wherein
the sole liner will not fully recover when deflected more than ten
percent (10%) from a point of yield.
12. The liquid impermeable bootie according to claim 10, wherein
the sole liner includes material selected from the group consisting
of an inelastic, thermoplastic material, a fiber reinforced
polymeric material and a nonthermoplastic material.
13. The liquid impermeable bootie according to claim 12, wherein
the inelastic, thermoplastic material is selected from the group
consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, inelastic
polyurethane, nylons and vinyl and the fiber reinforced polymeric
material is selected from the group consisting of fibers of
polyester, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, rayon, and cotton
and the nonthermoplastic material is selected from the group
consisting of reactive polyurethane, epoxy, styrene, butadiene,
acrylics and vulcanized rubber.
14. A liquid impermeable bootie adapted to be incorporated into
footwear structure, which comprises: an inner, upper liner that is
air permeable, moisture vapor transmissive, oleophobic and liquid
impermeable and includes a microporous membrane treated with an
oleophobic fluoropolymer; and a sole liner that is air impermeable,
moisture vapor impermeable and liquid impermeable, wherein the sole
liner is selected from the group consisting of inelastic,
thermoplastic material, fiber reinforced polymeric material and
nonthermoplastic material, wherein the inner, upper liner is
attached to the sole liner.
15. A liquid impermeable bootie adapted to be incorporated into
footwear structure, which comprises: an inner, upper liner that is
air permeable, moisture vapor transmissive, oleophobic and liquid
impermeable and the inner, upper liner allows 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)
and the inner, upper liner allows for moisture vapor transmission
of at least 500 grams per square meter (14.85 ounces per square
yard) or more of water (H.sub.2O) vapor in a twenty-four (24) hour
period and includes a microporous membrane; and a sole liner that
is inelastic, air impermeable, moisture vapor impermeable and
liquid impermeable and the sole liner allows 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)
and the sole liner allows for moisture vapor transmission of less
than 500 grams per square meter (14.85 ounces per square yard) of
water (H.sub.2O) vapor in a twenty-four (24) hour period and the
sole liner is selected from the group consisting of inelastic,
thermoplastic material, fiber reinforced polymeric material and
nonthermoplastic material, wherein the inner, upper liner is
attached to the sole liner.
16. The liquid impermeable bootie according to claim 15, wherein
the inner, upper liner includes a microporous membrane wherein the
microporous membrane is chemically treated from the group
consisting of a fluoropolymer, a polyurethane or a fluorinated
urethane.
17. A process for producing a shoe construction comprising:
providing a sole; providing an upper that together with the sole
define a volume for receiving and protecting a wearer's foot
against external elements; and securing a liquid impermeable
bootie, having an inner, upper liner that is attached to a sole
liner, within the shoe so that the inner, upper liner that is
located underneath the upper and the sole liner is located inside
the upper, wherein the inner, upper liner is moisture vapor
transmissive, oleophobic and liquid impermeable and the sole liner
is air impermeable, moisture vapor impermeable and liquid
impermeable.
18. A process for producing a shoe construction comprising:
providing a sole; providing an upper that together with the sole
define a volume for receiving and protecting a wearer's foot
against external elements; and securing a liquid impermeable
bootie, having an inner, upper liner that is attached to a sole
liner, within the shoe so that the inner, upper liner that is
located underneath the upper and the sole liner is located inside
the upper, wherein the inner, upper liner is air permeable,
moisture vapor transmissive, oleophobic and liquid impermeable and
the sole liner is air impermeable, moisture vapor impermeable and
liquid impermeable.
19. The process for producing a shoe construction according to
claim 18, further comprising: securing at least one layer of
textile material either outside or inside the inner, upper liner;
and securing at least one layer of textile material either outside
or inside the sole liner.
20. The process for producing a shoe construction according to
claim 18, wherein the inner, upper liner includes a microporous
membrane and the sole liner is inelastic.
21. The process for producing a shoe construction according to
claim 20, wherein the microporous membrane is chemically treated
from the group consisting of a fluoropolymer, a polyurethane or a
fluorinated urethane.
22. The process for producing a shoe construction according to
claim 18, wherein the sole liner is selected from the group
consisting of an inelastic, thermoplastic material, a fiber
reinforced polymeric material and a nonthermoplastic material.
23. The process for producing a shoe construction according to
claim 18, wherein the inner, upper liner allows 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)
and the inner, upper liner allows for moisture vapor transmission
of at least 500 grams per square meter (14.85 ounces per square
yard) or more of water (H.sub.2O) vapor in a twenty-four (24) hour
period and the sole liner allows 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) and the sole
liner allows for moisture vapor transmission of less than 500 grams
per square meter (14.85 ounces per square yard) of water (H.sub.2O)
vapor in a twenty-four (24) hour period.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/063,458 filed Apr. 24, 2002,
currently pending.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Footwear that is currently available that is marketed as
being "waterproof and breathable" has been found by the user to be
excessively hot and uncomfortable. The reason for this discomfort
is that although this footwear is waterproof and moisture vapor
transmissive, this footwear is not air permeable. Therefore, the
human foot is completely sealed and does not have any access to
fresh air.
[0003] The present invention is directed to overcoming at least
this problem as set forth above.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0004] In one aspect of this invention, a shoe construction is
disclosed. This shoe construction includes a sole and an upper,
wherein the sole and the upper together define a volume for
receiving and protecting a wearer's foot against external elements.
There is a liquid impermeable bootie that includes an inner, upper
liner that is attached to a sole liner. The inner, upper liner is
moisture vapor transmissive, oleophobic and liquid impermeable and
is located inside the upper. In the preferred embodiment, the
inner, upper liner is air permeable. The sole liner is air
impermeable, moisture vapor impermeable and liquid impermeable and
is located above the sole.
[0005] In another aspect of this invention, a process for producing
a shoe construction is disclosed. This process includes providing a
sole and providing an upper that together define a volume for
receiving and protecting a wearer's foot against external elements.
This is followed by securing a liquid impermeable bootie, having an
inner, upper liner that is attached to a sole liner, within the
shoe so that the inner, upper liner that is located underneath the
upper and the sole liner is located inside the upper. The inner,
upper liner is moisture vapor transmissive, oleophobic and liquid
impermeable. In the preferred embodiment, the inner, upper liner is
air permeable. The sole liner is air impermeable, moisture vapor
impermeable and liquid impermeable.
[0006] 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
[0007] 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, shoe
construction embodying the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken
along Line 2-2 of FIG. 1 that illustrates the inner, upper liner of
the shoe embodying the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken
along Line 3-3 of FIG. 1 that illustrates the inner, upper liner of
the shoe embodying the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken
along Line 4-4 of FIG. 1 that illustrates the inner, upper liner of
the shoe embodying the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bootie of the present
invention, including a inner, upper liner and a sole liner, shown
apart from the illustrative shoe construction.
[0012] FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along Line 6-6 of
FIG. 5 that illustrates the bottom of the sole liner for the bootie
embodying the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, an illustrative shoe
is generally indicated by numeral 10, although virtually any type
of shoe can be utilized with the present invention. This shoe 10
includes both a sole 12 and a portion for receiving a human foot
that is otherwise known as an upper 14. The shoe 10 typically
includes a front lacing 26 that is engaged in eyelets 24. Moreover,
the shoe 10 typically includes a tongue portion 32 that is
preferably secured at the sides to the remainder of the shoe 10
through fold portions 34. This allows for the contraction and
expansion of the upper 14 of the shoe 10 so that the user of the
shoe 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 shoe 10 is firmly attached to the foot of the user.
For this particular type of shoe 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
shoe 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 shoe 10. The upper 14 can be
secured to the sole 12 of the shoe 14 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 shoe 14 by the method of stitching 38, as best
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0014] Optionally and preferably, there is at least one layer of
textile material forming an upper layer 42 located underneath the
upper 14 of the shoe 10 next to the foot of the wearer of the shoe
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.TM. (an abrasive resistant polyester and nylon combination
fabric), ECLIPSE 200S.TM. (an abrasive resistant polyester and
nylon combination fabric) and ECLIPSE 400H.TM. (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.RTM. fabric,
which is manufactured by the Faytex Corp., having a place of
business at 185 Libbey Parkway, Weymouth, Mass. 02189.
[0015] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is bootie, which
defined as being a sock-like internal liner for the shoe 10 and is
generally indicated by numeral 100. The bootie 100 is formed by an
inner, upper liner 36 that is attached to a sole liner 40.
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the inner, upper liner 36
that is located inside the upper 14 of the shoe 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
inner, upper liner 36 or the inner, upper liner 36 and the upper
layer 42. However, the inner, upper liner 36 may be directly
attached to the upper 14 of the shoe 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 inner, upper liner 36 to the upper 14 of
the shoe 10 preferably includes lamination, however, adhesives and
stitching may be utilized. However, the bootie 100 may even be
removable from the shoe 10.
[0017] The sole 12 can preferably include an outsole 16, a midsole
18, an insole 30, and the sole liner 40 located between the insole
30 and the midsole 18. 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
midsole 18 is optional and can be attached to either the outsole 16
or the sole liner 40.
[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the inner, upper liner 36,
of the bootie 100, includes a top opening 54 that conforms to the
upper 14 for the shoe 10 and includes a tongue portion 56. The
tongue portion 56 of the inner, upper liner 36 conforms to the
tongue portion 32 for the upper 14 of the shoe 10 so that the upper
14 can expand and contract when a human foot is either inserted
into the shoe 10 or removed from the shoe 10. A preferred method of
manufacturing the inner, upper liner 36 is to connect a first
portion 58, which is preferably one-half of the inner, upper liner
36, to a second portion 59, which is preferably the other one-half
of the inner, upper liner 36, with a back seam 62 of stitching. The
back seam 62 of stitching is sealed with a back seam tape 60. The
first portion 58 of the inner, upper liner 36 is also connected to
the second portion 59 of the inner, upper liner 36 through a front
seam 66 that is sealed by a front seam tape 64. In addition, the
tongue portion 56 of the inner, upper liner 36 is secured to the
first portion 58 of the inner, upper liner 36 by a first tongue
seam 70 at a fold portion 57. The first tongue seam 70 is sealed by
a first tongue tape 68. The tongue portion 56 of the inner, upper
liner 36 is secured to the second portion 59 of the inner, upper
liner 36 by a second tongue seam 72 at a fold portion 77. The
second tongue seam 72 is sealed by a second tongue tape 74. The
sole liner 40 is attached to the inner, upper liner 36 by a bottom
seam 82 that completely encircles the bottom periphery of the
bootie 100. This bottom seam 82 is sealed by a bottom seam tape 80.
The seam tapes 60, 64, 68, 74 and 80 are preferably liquid
impermeable.
[0019] The seams 62, 66, 70, 72 and 82 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 62, 66, 70, 72
and 82 can vary tremendously depending on the type of shoe 10.
[0020] With the seam tapes 60, 64, 68, 74 and 80 positioned over
the seams 62, 66, 70, 72 and 82, 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 60, 64, 68, 74 and 80. The
heat from the hot air is preselected to soften the adhesive in the
seam tapes 60, 64, 68, 74 and 80 without detrimentally affecting
any of the desired qualities found in the bootie 100 of the shoe
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.RTM. seam making machine. PFAFF.RTM. is a
registered trademark of Pfaff Industrie Maschinen GmbH, having a
place of business at Konigstr. 154, 67655 Kaiserslautern, Germany.
However, the applied temperature and pressure are completely
dependent on the type of material used for the inner, upper liner
36, the sole liner 40, the threads used to create the seams 62, 66,
70, 72 and 82 or adhesives and the type of material utilized for
the seam tapes 60, 64, 68, 74 and 80. By such a process, a solid
structural weld is formed that provides at least a liquid
impermeable quality in the seams 62, 66, 70, 72 and 82 to virtually
the same extent as the remainder of the inner, upper liner 36 and
the sole liner 40 with the seams 62, 66, 70, 72 and 82 covered and
sealed.
[0021] An illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of
seam tape, utilized as seam tapes 60, 64, 68, 74 and 80, includes a
three (3) layer MF-12.TM. 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 60, 64, 68, 74 and 80, 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 60, 64, 68, 74 and 80, includes Model ST-302 manufactured by
Bemis Manufacturing Company, having an address at 1 Bemis Way PO
Box 717, Shirley, Mass. 53085-0901.
[0022] The inner, upper liner 36, 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 inner, upper liner 36 does not leak as indicated by the
presence of detectable liquid on the exterior of the inner, upper
liner 36 when applied with water having maximum pressure of 36
milibar (0.5 p.s.i.g.) for one (1) minute. An alternative test
method is for the inner, upper liner 36, in the form of 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 inner, upper liner
36 in the form of fabric only, while supported, is measured in
accordance with Section 41 of this Test.
[0023] Preferably, the inner, upper liner 36 is air permeable,
which allows the human foot to breathe. Air permeability of the
inner, upper liner 36 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 inner, upper liner 36. Preferably, there is airflow 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 inner, upper liner 36. 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 inner, upper liner 36 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 inner, upper liner 36. As an
alternative embodiment, the inner, upper liner 36 is 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 inner, upper
liner 36.
[0024] In addition, the inner, upper liner 36 is moisture vapor
transmissive, which allows perspiration and other vapors to exit
the inner, upper liner 36 while still remaining impervious to
fluids such as water. Liquid vapor permeability or the moisture
vapor transmission rate of the inner, upper liner 36 is preferably
defined by the test method designated JIS L 1099:1993 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.sub.2O) vapor in a twenty-four
(24) hour period through the inner, upper liner 36. Preferably, at
least 9,000 grams per square meter (267.20 ounces per square yard)
or more of water (H.sub.2O) vapor in a twenty-four (24) hour period
passes through the inner, upper liner 36. More preferably at least
15,000 grams per square meter (445.33 ounces per square yard) or
more of water (H.sub.2O) 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.sub.2O) vapor in a
twenty-four (24) hour period.
[0025] Furthermore, the inner, upper liner 36 is oleophobic. The
term "oleophobic" is used to describe a material that is resistant
to contamination by absorbing oils, greases or body fluids, such as
perspiration and certain contaminating agents.
[0026] There are a number of materials that may be utilized for the
inner, upper liner 36. The type of material that can be utilized
for the inner, upper liner 36 that is liquid impermeable, air
permeable, oleophobic and moisture vapor transmissive includes a
treated membrane.
[0027] There is a wide variety of ways of chemically treating a
membrane to make the membrane oleophobic. A first illustrative, but
nonlimiting, chemical treatment can include providing a water-based
dispersion having solids of an oleophobic fluoropolymer, diluting
the dispersion of the oleophobic fluoropolymer with a
water-miscible liquid wetting agent, wetting surfaces which define
the pores in the membrane with the diluted dispersion of the
oleophobic fluoropolymer, removing the wetting agent and other
fugitive materials from the membrane, and coalescing the solids in
the dispersion of the oleophobic fluoropolymer on surfaces that
define the pores in the membrane. This is described in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,228,477, issued on May 8, 2001 to BHA Technologies, Inc. and
is incorporated herein by reference. This is also described in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,410,084, issued on Jun. 25, 2002 to BHA Technologies,
Inc. and is incorporated herein by reference. This same
illustrative, but nonlimiting, example fabric is commercially
available as EVENT.RTM. 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, MD.
64133.
[0028] A second illustrative, but nonlimiting, chemical treatment
to make a membrane oleophobic can include putting a thin,
continuous layer of polyurethane over the surface of the membrane,
e.g., ePTFE. However, a drawback to this approach is that the
polyurethane can absorb and retain moisture. A third illustrative,
but nonlimiting, chemical treatment to make a membrane oleophobic
can include applying a fluorinated urethane to the membrane, e.g.,
PTFE. This same illustrative, but nonlimiting, commercial source of
fluorinated urethane is NRD-342.TM. that is available from E. I. du
Pont de Nemours and Company, having a place of business at 1007
Market Street, Wilmington, Del. 19898. These example chemical
treatments, which prevent the membrane from having an affinity for
oil should not be deemed an all-inclusive listing.
[0029] The sole liner 40 is impervious to both liquid 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 36 milibar (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 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.
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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 by the Japanese Standards
Association, which provides for less than 500 grams per square
meter (14.85 ounces per square yard) of water (H.sub.2O) vapor in a
twenty-four (24) hour period through the sole liner 40.
[0032] 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] A first nonlimiting, but illustrative, example of this
material utilized in the sole liner 40 includes BONTEX.RTM.
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 PORELLE.RTM., which is manufactured by Porvair
P.L.C. Company, having a place of business at Estuary Road, King's
Lynn, Norfolk, England PE30 2HS. A fourth illustrative, but
nonlimiting, example of this material utilized in the sole liner 40
is PORON.RTM. manufactured by the Rogers Corporation, having a
place of business at One Technology Drive, Rogers, Conn. 06263. A
fifth illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this material
utilized in the sole liner 40 is TEXON.RTM. 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. A sixth illustrative,
but nonlimiting, example of this material utilized in the sole
liner 40 is UPACO.TM. manufactured by Worthen Industries, Inc.,
having a place of business at 3 East Spit Brook Road, Nashua, N.H.
03060. A seventh illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this
material utilized in the sole liner 40 is SOVERE.TM. manufactured
by Sovere s.r.l., having a place of business at Via della
Metallurgia, 24 37139, Verona, Italy. An eighth illustrative, but
nonlimiting, example of this material utilized in the sole liner 40
is MOREL.TM. manufactured by Industria Chemica, having a place of
business at Gradisca 18, 20151 Milano, Italy. A ninth nonlimiting,
but illustrative, example of this material utilized in the sole
liner 40 is ALCANTARA.RTM., manufactured by Alcantara S.p.A.,
having a place of business at 1 Via Mozart, 20122 Milan, Italy. A
tenth illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this material
utilized in the sole liner 40 is VITA.TM. , manufactured by 2001
Giovanni Crespi S.p.A. having a place of business at Via Pasubio,
38 20025 Legnano, Milan, Italy. An eleventh illustrative, but
nonlimiting, example of this type of material utilized in the sole
liner 40 is Rhenoflex.RTM. manufactured by Rhenoflex GmbH, having a
place of business at P.O. Box 150480, 67029 Ludwigshafen am Rhein,
Germany. A twelfth 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 Polgono
Industrial Pla d'en coll C/Fresser, 21-23 08110, Montcada i Reixach
Spain. A thirteenth 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. A fourteenth 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
fifteenth illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of
material utilized in the sole liner 40 is FOOTLEVERS.RTM.
manufactured by Foot Levelers, Inc., having a place of business at
518 Pocahontas Ave. N.E., Roanoke Va. 24027-2611. A sixteenth
illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of this type of material
utilized in the sole liner 40 bis manufactured by Polymer Dynamics,
Inc., having a place of business at 2200 S. 12th Street, Allentown,
Pa. 18103.
[0035] The insole 30 is preferred, but optional, and typically
includes a wide variety of different materials including foam such
as that made of latex and polyurethane. In addition, cellulosic
materials, rubbers, nowovens, and the like, can also be utilized.
The insole is merely to provide tactile comfort to the foot of the
person wearing the shoe 10.
[0036] 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 infringements of this
invention when those modified forms fall within the claimed scope
of this invention.
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