Abstract: Slipper-boots made of synthetic polymeric foam sheeting material comprise an upwardly flared foot-receiving throat having an upper opening with a first perimetral length to provide excess material for stress distribution and a lower opening having a second, smaller perimetral length to grip the wearer's ankle. Gussetted bottom soles also may be provided for additional width. An apparatus and method for making such slipper-boots comprise means or steps for simultaneously forming the heel of a leading slipper and the toe of a following slipper across an intermittently moving folded band of material, whereby slipper size may be varied by altering the time of movement of the folded band of material between formations of the slipper-boot heels and toes. Material folding means are also disclosed.

Abstract: Slippers of heat-sealable synthetic polymeric sheeting comprise a sole member and an upper member joined thereto by a heat-seal joint, the upper member having a progressively wider portion of said sheeting relative to the sole member, as measured across the slipper, whereby a permanent foot-receiving pocket is provided to facilitate donning the slipper without requiring the use of the hands. Method and apparatus for making such slippers comprise steps or means for joining separate bands of the material by heat-sealing the bands to each other on profiles corresponding to the sole and upper members, while simultaneously providing extra width in the upper member to create the foot receiving pocket.