STROBEL UNIT AND SHOE WITH STROBEL UNIT

Abstract

A strobel unit (1) for a shoe includes a plate element (2) having a bottom layer (21) and a top layer (22), and textile sheet (3), wherein the textile sheet (3) defines a textile flange portion (31), wherein the textile flange portion (31) completely peripherally surrounds the plate element (2) and wherein the textile sheet (3) is fixedly attached to the plate element (2) along a circumferential rim connection section (23) of the plate element (2). Furthermore, a shoe with such a strobel unit and a method for producing such a strobel unit is disclosed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention lies in the field of footwear technology and relates to a strobel unit for a shoe, methods for producing such a strobel unit and also to a shoe with such a strobel unit.

Discussion of Related Art

Shoes typically comprise an upper which is lasted with a strobel unit. The strobel unit closes the bottom portion of the upper to form a foot accommodation compartment. The strobel unit is typically stitched to the upper. Furthermore, a sole unit is typically arranged underneath the strobel unit.

In general, a sole unit can either be a single sole component or it may consist of different sole components, such as a midsole, an outsole and/or a plate element. Midsoles typically function as cushioning elements and therefore comprise polymer foams, channels or spring elements to enhance cushioning. Outsoles function most commonly as traction elements and also as protection elements for the typically softer midsole. Therefore, outsoles are commonly made from abrasion resistant materials. Commonly used plate elements are relatively rigid plates, which are bent during thread and roll-off. Since the plate elements typically show an elastic behavior, they return to their original shape upon push-off, thereby providing an energy release and forward propelling effect.

In general, such shoes have therefore often a layered configuration. As seen from the ground, there is an outsole covered by a midsole, covered by a plate element, covered by a strobel unit. Such a setup is however space demanding, in particular in the vertical direction and further increases the overall weight of the shoe. Additionally, using many different components and materials leads to generation of significant amounts of waste material both during production and also after the shoe has reached its end of lifetime. Furthermore, strobel units as known in the prior art typically fulfill only a single function, namely to stitch the upper to the sole and hold in in place during the assembly process to allow stock-fitting of upper and sole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the overall object of the present invention to advance the state of the art in the field of footwear technology, particularly, in the field of strobel units and to preferably overcome the problems associated with the prior art fully or partly. In advantageous embodiments, a multifunctional strobel unit and a method for producing such a strobel unit is provided, which requires less space, particularly along a vertical direction of a shoe, and/or allows to produce a shoe that is lighter than shoes with known strobel units and plate combinations and which further supports the running movement of the wearer. In further advantageous embodiments, a strobel unit and a method for producing such a strobel unit is provided, which enables to build a shoe which is in the vertical direction thinner than known shoes, without loss in function. In further advantageous embodiments, a strobel unit and a method for producing a strobel unit is provided, which generates less waste material.

The general object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments follow from the dependent claims and the overall disclosure.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a strobel unit for a shoe, in particular for a running shoe. The strobel unit comprises a plate element and a textile sheet. The plate element has a bottom layer and a top layer. The textile sheet defines a textile flange portion, which circumferentially surrounds the plate element, preferably completely circumferentially surrounds the plate element. Furthermore, the textile sheet is fixedly attached to the plate element along a circumferential rim connection section of the plate element. The strobel unit according to the invention therefore combines the functionality of a common strobel with a plate element in a single unit. The textile flange portion allows to efficiently attach, preferably stitch, the strobel unit to an upper of a shoe and the plate element provides for a forward propelling effect. Thereby, the number of layers and space required is decreased.

Typically, the plate element as used herein is a flat plate element. A flat element is an element which is in a first plane, e.g. in a plane in the longitudinal and transversal direction, larger than in a direction perpendicular thereto, e.g. the vertical direction. The top layer and the bottom layer are therefore oppositely arranged to each other and define each a surface area, i.e. the bottom layer surface area and the top layer surface area. In the mounted and operative state in a shoe, the bottom layer is facing towards the ground and the top layer is facing towards the foot of the wearer.

In some embodiments, the textile flange portion is configured such that it is stitchable, in particular by a sewing machine, i.e. directly stitchable without further modification such has hole drilling and the like. That is, the textile flange portion is typically devoid of cured polymer resin. In certain embodiments, the textile flange portion has a lower hardness than the plate element. It may be possible in some embodiments that the textile flange portion comprises carbon fibers, but not a cured polymer resin and thus the textile flange portion remains stitchable.

The term “fixedly attached” as used herein means that the textile sheet and the plate element are connected in such a manner with each other that disconnecting them can only occur by destroying the structural integrity of the components. For example, fixedly attaching can be achieved by material bonding, e.g. by gluing, molding or co-molding, or also by integral material bonding or welding, or by stitching. Both material bonded and stitched connections can only be released upon destroying the structural integrity of the elements (e.g. the plate element, the textile sheet or the yarn used for stitching). In contrast, a snap-fit connection or hook-and-loop connection is typically not considered as a fixed attachment, but as a releasable attachment.

The circumferential rim connection section of the plate element is a section which extends circumferentially along the plate element, preferably completely along the plate element, and is an outer section of a certain width circumferentially extending around the rest of the plate element. In some embodiments, the circumferential rim connection section is therefore a section, in particular the only section of the strobel unit, in which both the plate element and the textile sheet are arranged, e.g. in which they overlap. As seen from the outermost portion of the strobel unit to the center of the strobel unit, there is first arranged only the textile flange portion, then there is the circumferential rim connection section in which both the plate element and the textile sheet are arranged and then, arranged between the circumferential rim connection section and the center is only the plate element.

The plate element may preferably be a rigid plate element. The plate element may for example have a bending stiffness of 4 N/mm² to 12 N/mm², in particular 6 N/mm² to 9 N/mm². The plate element may particularly have a bending stiffness of 4.0 N/mm² to 12 N/mm², in particular 6.0 N/mm² to 9 N/mm².

The plate element is typically a molded plate element.

In some embodiments, the plate element may comprise a cured polymer resin, in particular a thermoplastic polymer resin.

In some embodiments, the plate element may be elastic and incompressible.

In some embodiments, only the circumferential rim connection section of the plate element is covered by the textile sheet. That is the rest of the plate element, in particular the rest of the bottom layer and the rest of the top layer are not covered by the textile sheet. This results in an easier and lighter setup of the strobel unit.

In some embodiments, the textile sheet element is included into the plate element at the circumferential rim connection section of the plate element. Thus, at the circumferential rim connection section, the plate element surrounds the textile sheet element.

In some embodiments, the textile sheet is fixedly attached to the plate element only along the circumferential rim connection section of the plate element.

In certain embodiments a majority of the surface area defined by the bottom layer and a majority of the surface area defined by the top layer are each uncovered, in particular not covered by the textile sheet. It is however understood that these majorities can be covered with other components of a shoe when the strobel unit is mounted to a shoe, for example with a midsole or an insole, but not by the textile sheet.

In some embodiments of the invention, the strobel unit comprises in cross section along the transversal direction and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, an area in which only the plate element is arranged, but not the textile sheet. Typically, this area may be at least 50%, particular at least 75%, more particular at least 80% of the total extension of the strobel unit along the transverse direction, i.e. the width of the strobel unit.

Typically, the strobel unit comprises only a single layer of the textile sheet.

In some embodiments, the textile sheet is fixedly attached to the plate element by a force-locking and/or form-locking and/or material bonding connection. In particular, the textile sheet may be fixedly attached to the plate element by stitching, welding, gluing and/or integral material bonding. The term “integral material bonding” refers to a material bonding connection between the two components to be connected without external means, e.g. without a glue. Integral material bonding may for example be achieved by melting a polymer, connecting it with the textile sheet and curing the polymer such that the polymer flows into the textile sheet.

In some embodiments, the ratio of the surface area of the circumferential rim connection section at the top layer is between 5% to 50%, preferably between 15% to 40%, of the surface area defined by the top layer, i.e. the total surface area of the top layer.

In some embodiments, the ratio of the surface area of the circumferential rim connection section at the bottom layer is between 5% to 50%, preferably between 15% to 40%, of the surface area defined by the bottom layer, i.e. the total surface area of the bottom layer.

In some embodiments the width of the circumferential rim connection section is between 1 mm to 7 mm, in particular between 3 mm and 5 mm.

In some embodiments, the rigid plate element comprises, or consist of, a polymeric material, in particular a thermoplastic material. For example the rigid plate element may comprise, or consist of, polyurethane, polyamide, such as PA-11, PA-12, PA-6.6 or PA-6, polyether block amide (PEBA), polyolefin, such as polypropylene or polyethylene or polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate. In certain embodiments, the rigid plate element may comprise fibers, such as carbon fibers, glass fibers aramid fibers, basalt fibers or natural fibers such as flax fibers, hemp fiber or linen fibers. Fiber materials significantly enhance the forward propelling effect of the plate element.

In some embodiments, the strobel unit is a single layer strobel unit. This means that, optionally with the exception of the circumferential rim connection section, the strobel unit comprises only one layer.

In some embodiments, the textile sheet consists of a textile frame defining an opening, i.e. a through-going opening or recess. The plate element is at least partially or completely arranged within this opening. Thus, along a vertical direction, which extends from the bottom layer towards the top layer of the strobel unit, at any position of the opening is typically arranged only the plate element.

In some alternative embodiments, the textile sheet is a continuous layer, which extends through the plate element, in particular along a plane being defined by the transversal and longitudinal direction. The transversal and longitudinal direction are perpendicular to the vertical direction. In the worn and mounted state, the longitudinal direction extends from heel to toe and the transversal direction from the medial to the lateral side. Thus, in such embodiments, the plate element may comprise a top portion being arranged in the vertical direction above the textile sheet and a bottom portion being arranged in the vertical direction below the textile sheet. In certain embodiments, in which the textile sheet is a continuous layer, the textile flange portion may be from a different material than the rest of the textile sheet. For example the textile flange portion may be from a non-meltable material or from a material with a higher melting point than the material of the rest of the textile sheet. The rest of the textile sheet may particularly be made from a meltable material, preferably a thermoplastic polymer.

In some embodiments, the strobel unit may have a thickness, i.e. extension along the vertical direction, of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, in particular of 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm.

In typical embodiments, the textile sheet is only in contact with any polymeric material of the plate element at the circumferential rim connection section. In particular, the textile flange portion is not covered with any polymer material of the plate element.

In some embodiments, the strobel unit only consists of the plate element and the textile sheet according to any of the embodiments described herein.

The strobel unit typically has a contour that matches the contour of the human foot.

In certain embodiments, the plate element may comprise of two or more sub-sections. For example, the plate element may comprise a lateral section and a medial section. The lateral and medial section may for example be spaced apart from each other.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a shoe, in particular a running shoe, which comprises an upper and a strobel unit according to any of the embodiments as described herein, in particular with respect to the first aspect of the invention. The upper is secured to the textile flange portion such that the upper and the strobel unit define together a foot accommodation compartment. In particular, a lower perimeter of the upper may be secured to the textile flange portion of the strobel unit.

In some embodiments, an insole may be inserted into the foot accommodation compartment, which covers the strobel unit.

The upper may preferably be a textile, such as for example a non-woven, a knit or a woven.

In some embodiments, the upper and in particular the lower perimeter of the upper may be secured to the textile flange by stitching.

In some embodiments, the shoe further comprises a sole unit. In general the sole unit can either be a single sole component or it may consist of different sole components, such as a midsole and/or an outsole. Importantly, an additional plate element is not required for the sole unit, since the plate element is already incorporated into the strobel unit.

In certain embodiments, the thickness of the strobel unit, i.e. the extension of the strobel unit along the vertical direction, respectively the distance between the top layer and the bottom layer is at most 10%, in particular at most 5%, more particular at most 2.5%, of the thickness of the sole unit.

The sole unit is typically attached directly to the bottom layer of the strobel unit. For example, the sole unit may be attached to the strobel unit by material bonding and/or stitching.

The sole unit may further define a receptacle for accommodating the strobel unit. In such embodiments, the overall thickness of the sole unit and the strobel unit together can be decreased, because the strobel unit is at least partially recessed within the sole unit.

In some embodiments, the shoe is divided along the longitudinal direction into a forefoot area, a heel area and a midfoot are being arranged between the forefoot are and the heel area. The plate element may in certain embodiments extend from the forefoot area into the midfoot area and preferably into the heel area. For example, the forefoot area extends from the strobel unit tip or shoe tip against, i.e. opposite, the longitudinal direction to 30-45% of the total length of the midsole in the longitudinal direction. The heel area extends, for example, from the heel edge in the longitudinal direction to 20-30% of the total length of the midsole in the longitudinal direction. The midfoot area extends directly between the heel area and the forefoot area, such that the length in the longitudinal direction of the midfoot area makes up the remaining portion of the total length, particularly from 15-50% of the total length.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing a strobel unit, in particular a strobel unit according to any of the embodiments as described herein, in particular with respect to the first aspect of the invention. The method comprises the steps of providing a textile sheet; molding a polymeric material to form a plate element; and fixedly attaching the textile sheet to the plate element along a circumferential rim connection section of the plate element such that a textile flange portion of the textile sheet completely peripherally surrounds the plate element. As it will be outlined further below, it is understood that these steps must not necessarily be performed in this order. It may well be possible to concomitantly form the plate element and fixedly attaching the textile sheet to it. Furthermore, the plate element may be produced first by molding and only thereafter may the textile sheet be attached to the molded plate element.

The polymeric material may preferably be a thermoplastic material.

In some embodiments molding may not only comprise molding a polymeric material, but a mixture of a polymeric material and fibers, such as carbon fibers, glass fibers, aramid fibers, basalt fibers and/or natural fibers such as flax fibers, hemp fibers or linen fibers.

Molding may for example be performed in a suitable mold. As the skilled person understands, molding typically comprises heating the materials to be molded under pressure for a predefined time period followed by curing.

In some embodiments, the first plate element is formed by first molding the polymeric material to form the plate element followed by fixedly attaching the textile sheet to the formed plate element. In some embodiments, fixedly attaching the textile sheet to the formed plate element may be achieved by material bonding, such as integral material bonding, e.g. by melting sections of the formed plate element followed by curing, or gluing or welding, or by stitching. If stitching is chosen, it may typically be advantageous in some embodiments to first generate stitching holes within the formed plate element, for example by drilling.

In some embodiments, the textile sheet is provided into a mold together with the polymeric material. Thereafter, the plate element is molded and the textile sheet is concomitantly fixedly attached to the plate element. In certain embodiments, the textile flange portion of the textile sheet is not in direct contact with the materials to be molded. In particular embodiments, the textile flange portion may be covered by a protecting element which prevents that polymer material is covering the textile flange portion.

In some embodiments, the textile sheet which is provided into the mold is either a continuous layer or consists of a textile frame defining an opening.

In some embodiments the textile sheet is made from the polymeric material and fibers, such as carbon fibers, glass fibers, aramid fibers, basalt fibers or natural fibers such as flax fibers, hemp fibers or linen fibers, which are attached to the textile sheet to form a molding blank. Then, the molding blank is molded, e.g. in a mold, to form the strobel unit, and as understood also the plate element. The fibers may preferably be attached to the textile sheet by stitching. However, it may also be possible to attach the fibers to the textile sheet by material bonding, such as gluing or integral material bonding. In these embodiments, a molding blank is first formed to which fibers can be arranged in a certain predefined manner. For example it may be possible to arrange a higher fiber density of fibers at a certain area as compared to another area. Since the textile sheet is made from a polymer material, in particular a thermoplastic material, it may serve as binder for the fibers after molding. Thus, additional resin may not be required.

In some embodiments, the fibers are attached to the textile sheet by tailored fiber placement. In particular, tailored fiber placement uses a yarn. The yarn may preferably also be made from a thermoplastic material, in particular from the same material as the textile sheet.

In certain embodiments, the textile sheet, in particular the textile flange portion, is produced through tailored fiber placement. Preferably, the material of the textile sheet, in particular the textile flange portion, may have a higher melting point then the material of the plate element.

The textile sheet as used in any of the embodiments herein, e.g. in the strobel unit according to the first aspect of the invention, the shoe according to the second aspect of the invention or the method according to the third aspect of the invention may be a fabric, preferably a non-woven, a knit or a woven.

A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing a shoe, in particular a shoe as described in any of the embodiments herein, in particular with respect to the second aspect of the invention. The method comprises either providing a strobel unit according to any of the embodiments as described herein, in particular with respect to the first aspect of the invention, or producing a strobel unit according to a method of any of the embodiments as described herein, in particular with respect to the third aspect of the invention. The method further comprises securing an upper to the textile flange portion of the strobel unit by stitching and/or gluing.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises attaching a sole unit to the strobel unit, preferably by stitching or gluing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The herein described invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which should not be considered limiting to the invention described in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 shows a top view onto the top layer of a strobel unit according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of a strobel unit according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the strobel unit according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a shoe according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective shoe of a strobel unit being connected to an upper according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6a shows a schematic representation of a stage of a method of producing a strobel unit according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6b shows a schematic representation of another stage of a method of producing a strobel unit according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6c shows a schematic representation of another stage of a method of producing a strobel unit according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6d shows a schematic representation of another stage of a method of producing a strobel unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a strobel unit 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. Strobel unit 1 comprises plate element 2 whose top layer 22 is shown. Furthermore, strobel unit 1 comprises textile sheet 3, which defines textile flange portion 31. As can be seen, textile flange portion 31 completely circumferentially surrounds plate element 2. Textile sheet 3 is fixedly attached to plate element 2 along circumferential rim connection section 23 of plate element 2. This section is schematically illustrated between the dotted line and the inner solid line. In this embodiment, the textile sheet 3 covers top layer 22 of plate element 2 only in circumferential rim connection section 23. However, it is generally also possible that the textile sheet 3 covers alternatively or additionally also the base layer of plate element 2 only in circumferential rim connection section 23. As seen from the outermost portion of strobel unit 1 towards center C, there is first only textile flange portion 31, then there is the circumferential rim connection section 23 in which both plate element 2 and the textile sheet 3 are arranged and then, arranged between the circumferential rim connection section 23 and center C, is only the plate element 2 (see also cross sectional view in FIGS. 2 and 3). In general, strobel unit 1 has the contour of the human foot.

FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of a strobel unit 1 according to a different embodiment. In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 1, textile sheet element 3 does not cover plate element 2 in the circumferential rim connection section 23, but it is arranged inside plate element 2. This can be achieved for example if plate element 2 and textile sheet 3 are connected via integral material bonding. For example, plate element 2 may be made from a polymer material which may during production at least in the area of circumferential rim connection section 23 be molten. By placing the textile sheet element 3 partially within the molten polymer material and subsequent curing, textile sheet element 3 can be arranged partially inside plate element 2 as shown in FIG. 2. The molten material then penetrates the textile sheet and its pores and loops and forms upon curing a fixed connection. In this embodiment, textile sheet 2 consists of a textile frame which defines an opening being completely filled by plate element 2. It should be noted that the thickness of strobel unit 1, plate element 2 and textile sheet 3, which extends along vertical direction V (see FIG. 3) are exaggerated for clarity purposes.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of strobel unit 1 of yet another embodiment according to the invention. In contrast to FIG. 2, textile sheet element 3 covers plate element 2 and particularly top layer 22 only in circumferential rim connection section 23. It is clear that circumferential rim connection section 23 in FIG. 3 is the part extending in transversal direction T of plate element 2 being covered by textile sheet 3. Textile sheet 3 is in this embodiment fixedly attached to plate element 2 by stitching, as can be seen by the zig-zag line. Alternatively, also in such embodiments a material bonding, either by gluing or integral material bonding may be possible. Textile sheet 3 further defines textile flange portion 31 which circumferentially completely surrounds plate element 2. As can be seen, the majority of top layer 22 and all of base layer 21 are uncovered by textile sheet 3. This reduced the amount of materials required and thus also the waste generated. For mounting strobel unit 1 to an upper, the upper can be stitched to strobel unit 1 at textile flange portion 31.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a shoe 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The shoe 100 comprises a strobel unit 1 according to the invention which again comprises plate element 2 with top layer 22 facing in the worn state the foot of the wearer being accommodated in foot accommodation compartment 60 and base layer 21 facing sole unit 70. Strobel unit 1 further comprises textile sheet 3 being fixedly connected to plate element 2 at the circumferential rim connection section of plate element 2. The textile sheet 3 defines textile flange portion 31 which is fixedly attached to a lower periphery of upper 50 of shoe 100 by stitching 40. By virtue of the arrangement of strobel unit 1, separate layers for a strobel and a plate element are not necessary, as strobel unit 1 combines these functionalities in a single unit and a single layer. Strobel unit 1 and upper 50 are connected in such a way with each other that they define, respectively delimit, foot accommodation chamber 60. Attached in the vertical direction V below strobel unit 1 and upper 50 is sole unit 70 which comprises midsole 71 and outsole 72. The thickness of sole unit 70, i.e. the extension of sole unit 70 in vertical direction V is significantly larger than the thickness of strobel unit 1, i.e. its extension in vertical direction V. In addition, insole 73 is arranged on top of strobel unit 1.

FIG. 5 shows how a strobel unit 1 according to the invention can be fixedly attached to an upper 50. Textile flange portion 31 of the textile sheet 3 of strobel unit 1 is stitched together with a lower perimeter of upper 50. Stitching is readily possible, because rigid plate element 2 only extends in the transversal and longitudinal plane into and until circumferential rim connection section 23 and not beyond, as indicated by the dotted line. The majority, e.g. at least more than 50%, of the surface area defined by bottom layer 21 of plate element 2 is not covered by textile sheet 3.

FIGS. 6a to 6d show schematically a production of a strobel unit 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. At first, a textile sheet 3 being made from a polymeric material, in particular a thermoplastic material, is provided (FIGS. 6a and 6b). The textile sheet is can either consist of a textile frame 32, which defines and circumferentially surrounds an opening, as shown in FIG. 6a or it can alternatively be a continuous textile sheet as shown in FIG. 6b. In a next step, fibers 24, for example carbon fibers are fixedly attached to textile sheet 3 to produce molding blank 80 (FIG. 6c). This may for example be achieved by tailored fiber placement. If the textile sheet is a continuous textile sheet as shown in FIG. 6b it is not necessarily required to add additional polymer material, such as a polymer resin as a binder before molding. However, it may be possible to add further polymer material after attaching the fibers. This is particularly beneficial for embodiments in which the textile sheet consists of a textile frame as shown in FIG. 6a. Adding additional polymer material may generally also be advantageous for increasing the stability of the plate element. Molding blank 80 can then be molded in a suitable mold upon which the fibers and the polymer material of textile sheet 3 are cured, typically however not at the textile flange portion 31, thereby generating strobel unit 1 (FIG. 6d). The textile flange portion section may for example be protected during molding, for example by placing it outside the mold or between protecting structures inside the mold.

Claims

1. A strobel unit for a shoe, the strobel unit comprising:

a. a plate element, having a bottom layer and a top layer, and

b. a textile sheet, wherein the textile sheet defines a textile flange portion, wherein the textile flange portion completely peripherally surrounds the plate element and wherein the textile sheet is fixedly attached to the plate element along a circumferential rim connection section of the plate element.

2. The strobel unit according to claim 1, wherein only the circumferential rim connection section of the plate element is covered by the textile sheet.

3. The strobel unit according to claim 1, wherein a majority of the surface area defined by the bottom layer and a majority of the surface area defined by the top layer are each uncovered by the textile sheet.

4. The strobel unit according to claim 1, wherein the textile sheet is fixedly attached to the plate element by a force-locking and/or form-locking and/or material bonding connection.

5. The strobel unit according to claim 1, wherein the plate element comprises a polymeric material.

6. The strobel unit according to claim 1, wherein textile sheet consists of a textile frame defining an opening, wherein the plate element is at least partially arranged within the opening.

7. The strobel unit according to claim 1, wherein the textile sheet is a continuous layer element extending through the plate element.

8. A shoe comprising an upper and a strobel unit according to claim 1, wherein the upper is secured to the textile flange portion such that the upper and the strobel unit define a foot accommodation compartment.

9. The shoe according to claim 8, wherein the upper is secured to the textile flange portion by stitching.

10. The shoe according to claim 9, wherein the shoe further comprises a sole unit, wherein a thickness of the strobel unit is at most 10% of the thickness of the sole unit.

11. The shoe according to claim 9, the shoe divided into a forefoot area, a heel area and a midfoot area arranged between the forefoot area and the heel area, and wherein the plate element extends from the forefoot area into the midfoot area.

12. A method for producing a strobel unit, the method comprising the steps of providing a textile sheet; molding a polymeric material to form a plate element; and fixedly attaching the textile sheet to the plate element along a circumferential rim connection section of the plate element such that a textile flange portion of the textile sheet completely peripherally surrounds the plate element.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein first the plate element is formed by molding the polymeric material, followed by fixedly attaching the textile sheet to the formed plate element.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the textile sheet is provided into a mold together with the polymeric material, followed by concomitantly molding the plate element and fixedly attaching the textile sheet to the plate element.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the plate element is formed by molding the polymeric material together with one or more of fibers, carbon fibers, glass fibers, aramid fibers, basalt fibers natural fibers, flax fibers, hemp fibers and linen fibers.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein textile sheet is made from the polymeric material and wherein one or more of fibers, carbon fibers, glass fibers, aramid fibers, basalt fibers, natural fibers, flax fibers, hemp fibers and linen fibers, are attached to the textile sheet to form a molding blank and wherein the molding blank is then molded to form the strobel unit

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the fibers are attached to the textile sheet by tailored fiber placement.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein the textile sheet is a fabric.

19. A method for producing a shoe (100), the method comprising the steps: producing a strobel unit by the method according to claim 12; securing an upper to the textile flange portion of the strobel unit by stitching and/or gluing.

20. The strobel unit according to claim 1, wherein the plate element comprises a polymeric material and one or more selected from fibers, carbon fibers, glass fibers, aramid fibers, basalt fibers, natural fibers, flax fibers, hemp fibers and linen fibers.