Abstract: A shoe structure includes an upper made of an outer material, a waterproof and water vapor permeable functional layer, a lining, an insole, and an injection-molded sole. The upper has an extension made of a porous, permeable material and the insole is joined to the extension of the upper. The functional layer and the lining extend beyond a lower edge of the upper and only partially overlap the extension of the upper. The functional layer is spaced from an edge of the insole and the extension of the upper is penetrated by the material of the sole. A part of the functional layer extending beyond a lower edge of the upper is joined to the material of the sole, and a space between the functional layer and the edge of the insole is filled with the material of the sole as far as the interior of the shoe structure.

Abstract: A shoe includes a hollow insole component which has a horizontal part with an inner peripheral end confining an opening and an upward flange extending upward from a top face of the horizontal part, an upper having a bottom open end attached to the horizontal part; and a lining mounted within the upper and having a bottom open end attached to the upward flange, wherein the hollow insole component is made by forming an elongated strip into a loop, and the insole component has a connection joint extending transversely of the hollow insole component.

Abstract: A waterproof shoe structure having an exterior upper (1), an interior upper including a waterproof, water vapor permeable functional layer (2a) arranged adjacent to the exterior upper (1) and a lining (2) facing the shoe interior, an insole (4, 4a, 4c) and an outsole (6), wherein the interior upper has a lower end region (2b) that extends at least for the most part beyond the lower end of the exterior upper, and which is joined on the one hand to the exterior upper (1) and on the other hand to the insole (4, 4a, 4c). The lower end region of the interior upper that extends beyond the exterior upper (1) is folded outwards in such a way that the functional layer in the entire end region (2b) is turned back on itself, and the interior upper has a lower edge arising from this folding, that the free end of the outwardly folded interior upper is joined to the exterior upper (1), and that the lower edge of the interior upper is joined to the insole (4, 4a, 4c).

Abstract: Waterproof shoe structure with an exterior upper (1), an interior upper containing at least a waterproof, water vapor permeable functional layer (2) and a lining (3), an insole (4), and an outsole (8). The lower end of the exterior upper (1) and the insole (4) are joined by a seam (5), wherein the functional layer (2) at the lower end of the interior upper extends past the lining (3) and possibly additional layers of the interior upper by a lower portion of the functional layer. The extending portion of the functional layer (2) is joined to the lower end of the exterior upper (1) in a waterproof manner, and that the seam (5) joining the lower end of the exterior upper (1) to the insole (4) is located exclusively in the portion (a) of the lower end of the exterior and interior uppers in which the lower portion of the functional layer is joined to the exterior upper (1) in a waterproof manner.

Abstract: Injection molded welted construction footwear according to the present invention includes a perforated midsole welted to an upper. The perforated midsole permits molten outer sole material to flow through the midsole during the molding process and fill the space between the insole and the midsole and thus sandwich the midsole. This technique forms outer soles to be durably and flexibly attached to the upper without use of traditional adhesives.

Abstract: A shoe includes a hollow insole component which has a horizontal part with an inner peripheral end confining an opening and an upward flange extending upward from a top face of the horizontal part, an upper having a bottom open end attached to the horizontal part; and a lining mounted within the upper and having a bottom open end attached to the upward flange, wherein the hollow insole component is made by forming an elongated strip into a loop, and the insole component has a connection joint extending transversely of the hollow insole component.

Abstract: A one-piece boat-like shell for footwear constructed from an injection-molded sole to which a last cemented upper is secured. The last cemented upper includes a vamp and heel counter each comprising a sheet of water impermeable vinyl secured about the periphery of a insole board and secured to the sole by a double bonding process.

Abstract: A footwear sole include a rubber inner sole and a textile outer sole. The textile outer sole is at least partially impregnated into at least one surface of the inner sole. A method of forming a footwear sole includes the steps of forming at least one inner sole and at least partially impregnating a textile material into at least a portion of at least one surface of the inner sole.

Abstract: A waterproof shoe includes an upper having a bottom open end which has an outer surface and an inner surface, an outer welt extending along the outer surface of the bottom open end, and an inner welt extending along the inner surface. The bottom open end is sewn to the outer and inner welts, thus forming a stitch seam. An outsole has a top side connected integrally to the bottom open end and the outer and inner welts, a bottom side, and a peripheral face connected between the top and bottom sides. The top side penetrates through the stitch seam and clearances present between the bottom open end and the outer and inner welts. The outsole is produced by forming a molding material immediately below the upper and by causing the molding material to flow into the clearances during the forming of the molding material.

Abstract: A waterproof shoe whose structure comprises: a breathable upper, which is internally associated with a lining with a membrane permeable to vapor and impermeable to water; an insole, peripherally associated with the upper and the lining; and a sole or mid-sole, made of a material impermeable to water and directly injection-molded at least around the edge region of the assembled upper, lining and insole. The lower edge of the lining protrudes further downward than the upper to form a lower region in which said upper is replaced by a connecting element which is joined to the upper on one side and to the insole on the other side, the connecting element comprising waterproof material which is compatible, for adhesive bonding, with the molding material of the sole or mid-sole.

Abstract: A waterproof shoe includes an upper having a bottom open end which has an outer surface and an inner surface, an outer welt extending along the outer surface of the bottom open end, and an inner welt extending along the inner surface. The bottom open end is sewn to the outer and inner welts, thus forming a stitch seam. An outsole has a top side connected integrally to the bottom open end and the outer and inner welts, a bottom side, and a peripheral face connected between the top and bottom sides. The top side penetrates through the stitch seam and clearances present between the bottom open end and the outer and inner welts. The outsole is produced by forming a molding material immediately below the upper and by causing the molding material to flow into the clearances during the forming of the molding material.

Abstract: A shoe having a simplified construction includes an upper layer having a top edge and a bottom edge for enclosing a foot. An inner lining layer is joined to the top edge of the upper layer for providing comfort. A counter component is positioned between the upper layer and the inner lining layer for supporting a heel of the shoe. An outsole wall having a slanted inner surface for forming a cavity therein is joined to the bottom edge of the upper layer. An insole for supporting the foot is shaped to include a slanted outer surface for fitting within the cavity formed within the outsole wall. An outsole is joined to a bottom of the outsole wall and the insole for contacting the ground. In an alternative embodiment, the outsole wall includes a vertical inner surface for forming a rectangular-shaped cavity which accommodates a rectangular midsole filler layer.

Abstract: A waterproof shoe includes a hollow sole pad having an intermediate opening, an inner marginal end confining the opening, an outer marginal portion spaced from and extending around the inner marginal end, and an upstanding flange which projects from the sole pad between the outer marginal portion and the inner marginal end and which loops around the opening. An upper has a bottom open end stitched to one of the outer marginal portion and the upstanding flange. A lining sleeve is disposed inside the upper and is made of a material which is impervious to water but is pervious to vapors. The lining sleeve has a bottom open end stitched to the upstanding flange of the sole pad to form a stitch seam which is then sealed by means of waterproof means. The bottomless lining sleeve and the hollow sole pad permits the lining sleeve to be secured and sealed watertight to the sole pad in a less complicated manner. Drainage is permitted at the stitch seam of the sole pad and the upper.

Abstract: A waterproof shoe includes a vamp, a sole and a foot wrapper that is inside the vamp and located on the upper part of the sole. The foot wrapper is assembled by stitching the upper lining with the bottom part. A waterproof band is provided over every seam line of the foot wrapper. The waterproof shoe can withstand water when soaked in 3-4 cm deep water for over eight hours. They are suitable for being worn in rains and snows.

Abstract: A shoe having a sole includes a molded, rubber outsole and a molded midsole disposed within the outsole. The midsole may be contoured or shaped to approximate the shape of the sole of a wearer's foot. An upper disposed around a last may have a base portion that will take the shape of the midsole. The upper is permanently secured to the outsole by a foxing that is cured by application of a vulcanization process to fuse to both the outsole and the upper.

Abstract: A waterproof shoe includes a hollow sole pad having an intermediate opening, an inner marginal end confining the opening, an outer marginal portion spaced from and extending around the inner marginal end, and an upstanding flange which projects from the sole pad between the outer marginal portion and the inner marginal end and which loops around the opening. An upper has a bottom open end stitched to one of the outer marginal portion and the upstanding flange. A lining sleeve is disposed inside the upper and is made of a material which is impervious to water but is pervious to vapors. The lining sleeve has a bottom open end stitched to the upstanding flange of the sole pad to form a stitch seam which is then sealed by means of waterproof means. The bottomless lining sleeve and the hollow sole pad permits the lining sleeve to be secured and sealed watertight to the sole pad in a less complicated manner. Drainage is permitted at the stitch seam of the sole pad and the upper.

Abstract: A waterproof shoe includes an insole, an upper having a bottom open end secured to an insole, and a waterproof but vapor pervious lining sleeve disposed inside the upper. The lining sleeve includes a top open end connected to the top open end of the upper, and a bottom open end extending along an inner surface of the upper and ending at a distance from and above the bottom end of the upper. An adhesive or a waterproof adhesive tape is attached to and bonds together the bottom open end of the lining sleeve and the upper.

Abstract: A waterproof shoe includes an upper having a bottom open end secured to an insole, and a waterproof but vapor pervious lining sleeve disposed inside the upper. The lining sleeve includes a top open end connected to the top open end of the upper, and a bottom open end extending along an inner surface of the upper and ending at a distance from and above the bottom end of the upper. The bottom open end of the lining sleeve is stitched to the upper to form a seam. Waterproof means is attached to the inner surface of the upper and the inner surface of the lining sleeve adjacent to and along the seam so that the water invading the shoe can be diverted to drain out of the shoe through the seam.

Abstract: A shoe having a simplified construction includes an upper layer having a top edge and a bottom edge for enclosing a foot. An inner lining layer is joined to the top edge of the upper layer for providing comfort. A counter component is positioned between the upper layer and the inner lining layer for supporting a heel of the shoe. An outsole wall having a slanted inner surface for forming a cavity therein is joined to the bottom edge of the upper layer. An insole for supporting the foot is shaped to include a slanted outer surface for fitting within the cavity formed within the outsole wall. An outsole is joined to a bottom of the outsole wall and the insole for contacting the ground. In an alternative embodiment, the outsole wall includes a vertical inner surface for forming a rectangular-shaped cavity which accommodates a rectangular midsole filler layer.

Abstract: A waterproof shoe includes a hollow sole pad having an intermediate opening, an inner marginal end confining the opening, an outer marginal portion spaced from and extending around the inner marginal end, and an upstanding flange which projects from the sole pad between the outer marginal portion and the inner marginal end and which loops around the opening. An upper has a bottom open end stitched to one of the outer marginal portion and the upstanding flange. A lining sleeve is disposed inside the upper and is made of a material which is impervious to water but is pervious to vapors. The lining sleeve has a bottom open end stitched to the upstanding flange of the sole pad to form a stitch seam which is then sealed by means of waterproof means. The bottomless lining sleeve and the hollow sole pad permits the lining sleeve to be secured and sealed watertight to the sole pad in a less complicated manner. Drainage is permitted at the stitch seam of the sole pad and the upper.

Abstract: Waterproof shoe structure with an exterior upper (1), an interior upper containing at least a waterproof, water vapor permeable functional layer (2) and a lining (3), an insole (4), and an outsole (8). The lower end of the exterior upper (1) and the insole (4) are joined by a seam (5), wherein the functional layer (2) at the lower end of the interior upper extends past the lining (3) and possibly additional layers of the interior upper by a lower portion of the functional layer. The extending portion of the functional layer (2) is joined to the lower end of the exterior upper (1) in a waterproof manner, and that the seam (5) joining the lower end of the exterior upper (1) to the insole (4) is located exclusively in the portion (a) of the lower end of the exterior and interior uppers in which the lower portion of the functional layer is joined to the exterior upper (1) in a waterproof manner.

Abstract: A waterproof shoe whose structure comprises: a breathable upper, which is internally associated with a lining with a membrane permeable to vapor and impermeable to water; an insole, peripherally associated with the upper and the lining; and a sole or mid-sole, made of a material impermeable to water and directly injection-molded at least around the edge region of the assembled upper, lining and insole. The lower edge of the lining protrudes further downward than the upper to form a lower region in which said upper is replaced by a connecting element which is joined to the upper on one side and to the insole on the other side, the connecting element comprising waterproof material which is compatible, for adhesive bonding, with the molding material of the sole or mid-sole.

Abstract: Footwear including a molded shell for enveloping the wearer's foot and wherein an integral web platform is molded with the shell. The bottom of the shell and the web platform is cemented to the outsole and then the web portion is stitched to the outsole.

Abstract: A method is used for manufacturing a waterproof shoe having an enclosure to be secured or stitched to a shell, and a midsole and an outsole. The shell includes a widely opened bottom opening formed by the bottom peripheral portion of the shell for allowing the enclosure to be easily and quickly stitched to the shell. One or more flexible flaps are secured to the bottom peripheral portion of the shell. A shoe last and one or more insulating liners may also be easily engaged into the shell. The flaps may be solidly folded to engage with the shoe last or the midsole.

Abstract: A shoe comprises a flexible outersole, an insole and an upper, the upper being formed from a flat Thermo Plastic Rubber blank, a toe cap first being fabricated in the blank by means of a teacup crease special-use sewing machine, the blank or preform subsequently affixed to a last and joined by a second special purpose sewing machine, or disc feed overseaming machine, to a non-woven fabric midsole or insole, substantially completing the upper. Thermal processing on the resulting preform completes processing of the upper without use of an insole board. A third element of the shoe, the outersole, is unitary in construction, and equipped with a unique pattern of intersecting grooves, as well as an external bridge or instep support in lieu of an inner steel shank. Following bonding of the upper and the outersole, a shoe of unique flexibility is produced, while still providing adequate protection to an active user's foot.

Abstract: A shoe and an improved method of shoe construction comprising an upper, an insole, a midsole, and an outsole, that are coupled together to form a housing for receiving a foot, and wherein the midsole is enveloped by the bottom ends of the upper, the insole, and the outsole to provide a more secure and stable fit of the shoe to the foot. The shoe is constructed to have the midsole of the shoe enveloped by the combination of the upper, insole, and outsole. This method of shoe construction results in a shoe having an improved fit because the midsole is pulled from the top and the bottom to provide improved fit, support, stability, and cushioning characteristics.

Abstract: Footwear including a molded shell for enveloping the wearer's foot and wherein an integral web portion is molded with the shell. The bottom of the shell and the web portion is cemented to the outsole and then the web portion is stitched to the outsole.

Abstract: A shoe construction having a sole with an outsole shell that is filled with a filling material, such as polyurethane foam, and secured to the upper by a welt. The sole includes an insole having a downwardly extending rib, an outer shell defining a void containing the filling material, and a welt that interconnects the outsole shell and the insole with the upper. To assemble the construction, the upper is lasted and either stitched or stapled to the insole. The welt is then stitched or stapled to the insole/upper combination. Next, the filling material is poured into the void in the outsole shell and the shell is directly attached by the filling material to the upper/insole/welt assembly. The outsole welt is stitched to the shell around the entire periphery of the sole. The stitch extends between a stitch groove in the welt and a stitch groove in the outsole shell.

Abstract: Composite including a rubber/thermoplastic blend adherent by itself to a thermoplastic material; the blend is in the form of a thermoplastic matrix containing rubber nodules functionalized and vulcanized during the mixing with the thermoplastic. Composite articles obtained by overmolding the vulcanized rubber/thermoplastic blend onto the thermoplastic.

Abstract: An athletic shoe, such as a soccer shoe, has an upper defining a toe region, an insole connected to the upper, and an outsole secured to the insole. A vamp in the toe region is joined to the insole. The vamp is a full-grain leather composed of a grain layer and a leather fiber layer joined to the grain layer. An elastomeric coating is disposed on and partway penetrates into the leather fiber layer in a region where the fiber layer is joined to the insole. The coating has a thickness above the surface of the leather fiber layer of at least 0.1 mm. The coating may also be disposed in a region adjoining the region where the fiber layer is joined to said insole. The coating may also be reinforced with an embedded reinforcement.

Abstract: A shoe and an improved method of shoe construction comprising an upper, an insole, a midsole, and an outsole, that are coupled together to form a housing for receiving a foot, and wherein the midsole is enveloped by the bottom ends of the upper, the insole, and the outsole to provide a more secure and stable fit of the shoe to the foot. The shoe is constructed to have the midsole of the shoe enveloped by the combination of the upper, insole, and outsole. This method of shoe construction results in a shoe having an improved fit because the midsole is pulled from the top and the bottom to provide improved fit, support, stability, and cushioning characteristics.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a shoe, which includes the steps of:arranging an upper-insole assembly about a last;coupling an intermediate member comprising a toe portion and a heel portion to a lower region of the upper-insole assembly arranged about the last; andarranging the intermediate member in a mold and introducing plastic material into the mold so as to form an injected plastic material member which surrounds the intermediate member and which is integrally connected with both the intermediate member and the upper-insole assembly.

Abstract: A shoe includes an upper shell, a lining sleeve lining the upper shell, a sole, and a lower shell disposed between the sole and the upper shell. The lower shell consists of at least one waterproof strap which is made of a waterproof material and which has a bottom margin connected to the sole, and a top margin to connect with the upper shell and the lining sleeve. The top margin is bifurcated to form an upwardly extending water draining part and an upwardly extending sealing part. The sealing part extends inwardly of the water draining part and has a height approximately equal to or greater than that of the water draining part. The water draining part extends inwardly of and is sewn to the bottom open ends of said upper shell and said lining sleeve, thus forming a stitch joint. The sealing part is sealingly bonded to the stitch joint.

Abstract: A shoe structure includes an outer shaft, an inner shaft and a sole. The inner shaft includes at least one waterproof, water-vapor permeable functional layer and at least one layer of lining material which faces the inside of the shoe structure. An extension, made of a waterproof material, is connected in a waterproof manner to a lower end of the inner shaft which faces an outsole of the shoe. The inner shaft is fixed in place in the sole area by the extension only. The extension preferably encloses the lower end of the inner shaft.

Abstract: In a safety shoe provided with a toecap, a vamp, an insole, and a two-layer structure sole, the a two-layer structure sole includes an outsole part comprising a high hardness rubber material and a midsole part, laminated in the above outsole part, comprising a low hardness sponge rubber material and has a heel part. The outsole part is fused integrally with the midsole part by vulcanization molding, and the upper circumferential edge of the outsole part is fused integrally with the lower circumferential edge of the vamp by the vulcanization molding described above. Since the outsole part in a side in contact with the ground has a high physical strength and is excellent in an oil resistance, a chemical resistance and a heat resistance, and the midsole part in an inner side has a cushioning property, the shoe is less liable to bring about fatigue even after wearing it for a long period of time.

Abstract: A waterproof shoe structure including at least part of a shoe, has an outer layer, a lining including a functional layer that is waterproof but permeable to water vapor, an insole, and an outsole. The lining containing the functional layer has a lower end area that is turned in and arranged parallel to the outsole, the turned-in end area lies in a common plane with the insole and has an inner edge and an outer edge, the outer edge of the insole runs at least approximately parallel to the inner edge of the turned-in end area, and the insole is joined to the turned-in end area. The outsole is applied by adhesive over a full surface thereof at least to the turned-in end area of the functional layer of the lining, and the lower end of the upper layer is arranged substantially perpendicular to the outsole and at least in a shank area thereof is joined to a retainer arranged parallel to the outsole, and/or at least in a toe area thereof a netting of monofilaments is joined to the lower end of the outer layer.

Abstract: A vapor-permeable shoe which includes an upper, a tread made of elastomer, shaped so as to form a plurality of domes whose convexity is directed toward the ground, each dome having at least one minute through slit which is normally closed due to the elasticity of the material and allows the outflow of a mixture of air and water vapor formed inside the shoe when the compression applied by the sole of the foot of a user generates an overpressure at the chambers formed internally by said domes, a vapor-permeable or perforated insole, and a waterproof and vapor-permeable protective membrane. The lower part of the upper, the tread and the membrane are perimetrically sealed in the regions where they join.

Abstract: A process which serves to seal and waterproof the outsole-side end area of a waterproof shoe shaft and/or to pad the outsole-side end of a shoe by putting a liquid, curable, filling material into the space between the insole and outsole is described. The outsole is provided with an input opening for putting in the filling material. The outsole is adhered to the shaft only in a circumferential area and in such a way that the outsole-side end area of the shaft remains unadhered. The liquid filling material is put in through the input opening, between the insole and the outsole, from where it flows into the outsole-side end area of the shaft due to its good flowability. The liquid material contains polyurethane precursor ingredients which react to form a foam polyurethane.

Abstract: A shoe structure which includes at least part of a shoe and consists of: an upper, a first insole, a second insole and an outsole. The upper includes at least one outer layer and lining. The lining lines the inside of the outer layer and includes a waterproof and water-vapour permeable functional layer. The first insole closes the underside of the inner area of the shoe structure. The second insole and the outsole are bonded whereby the lining extends further downwards than the outer layer by the length of a lower end area. The lower end area of the lining is turned back to the inside and positioned against the second insole. The second insole has an outer edge around its periphery. The outer edge has a contour corresponding to the contour of the outer layer and joined to the lower end area of the outer layer. The shoe structure includes a second insole cut out to form an outer edge around its periphery and an inner edge around its periphery thus forming a strip between the outer edge and the inner edge.

Abstract: A shoe structure includes an upper, including at least an outer layer and a lining, an insole, and a sole. The lining lines the inside of the outer layer and includes a waterproof and water-vapor permeable functional layer. The insole is connected to a lower end area of the outer layer. The lower end area of the lining is turned back to the inside in the sole area at least approximately parallel to the direction in which the sole extends, whereby the turned back area of the lining is shortened to a width of between 0.5 and 3 cm. Cut-outs are made in the insole, at least in the area in which the turned back lower end area of the lining ends. The lower end area of the lining is embedded in a synthetic material which fills the cut-outs in the insole in such a manner that at least the surface of the end area of the lining facing the inner area of the shoe structure forms a continuous surface with the surface of the synthetic material facing the inner area of the shoe structure.

Abstract: A waterproof shoe structure, which includes an outer layer, a lining with a waterproof but water-vapor permeable functional layer, a lining sole, an insole and an outsole. The lining which contains the functional layer has a lower end area which is turned back to the inside and positioned parallel to the outsole. The shoe structure includes: the lower end area of the lining which is turned back lying at the same level as the lining sole, the outer edge of the lining sole at least approximately parallel to and connected to the inner border of the lower end area of the lining which is turned back, the insole bonded from below in a waterproof manner to the functional layer in the lower end area of the lining which is turned back, and the insole waterproofed at least on its surface which faces towards the inside of the shoe structure.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials chemically bonded together is disclosed. In one embodiment, the relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials are arranged in such a fashion to impart flexibility to the article of footwear. In particular, plastic and rubber materials are bonded together to improve the flexibility of an outsole of an article of footwear. The invention also is directed to the fabrication of new or improved devices and elements for use in articles of footwear and their associated methods of construction such as closure mechanisms comprising relatively elastic straps bonded to relatively inelastic anchor portions and vice versa, articulating inelastic and elastic exoskeleton constructions useful in skates and ski boots, and elastic or inelastic eyelets surrounded by inelastic or elastic materials.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials chemically bonded together is disclosed. In one embodiment, the relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials are arranged in such a fashion to impart flexibility to the article of footwear. In particular, plastic and rubber materials are bonded together to improve the flexibility of an outsole of an article of footwear. The invention also is directed to the fabrication of new or improved devices and elements for use in articles of footwear and their associated methods of construction such as closure mechanisms comprising relatively elastic straps bonded to relatively inelastic anchor portions and vice versa, articulating inelastic and elastic exoskeleton constructions useful in skates and ski boots, and elastic or inelastic eyelets surrounded by inelastic or elastic materials.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials chemically bonded together is disclosed. In one embodiment, the relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials are arranged in such a fashion to impart flexibility to the article of footwear. In particular, plastic and rubber materials are bonded together to improve the flexibility of an outsole of an article of footwear. The invention also is directed to the fabrication of new or improved devices and elements for use in articles of footwear and their associated methods of construction such as closure mechanisms comprising relatively elastic straps bonded to relatively inelastic anchor portions and vice versa, articulating inelastic and elastic exoskeleton constructions useful in skates and ski boots, and elastic or inelastic eyelets surrounded by inelastic or elastic materials.

Abstract: A process of making a shoe includes bonding a flat structure to an upper layer of the shoe to form a bonded structure. The flat structure has a melting temperature T.sub.2 and provides stability to a shape of the upper layer. The bonded structure is positioned into a mold so that an underside of the bonded structure faces the mold. A liquid sole material at a temperature T.sub.1 which is greater than T.sub.2 is sprayed into the mold, thereby contacting and melting the flat structure. The sole material cools and solidifies to form a shoe. The flat structure has a melting temperature T.sub.2 and provides stability to a shape of the upper layer.

Abstract: A rubber footwear product and method of making such products is provided. The rubber footwear product includes a molded rubber midsole having an integrally formed raised rubber welt portion around its periphery. By molding in a compression mold, injection mold, or the like, the midsole and welt may be formed in a variety of designs and will be accurately formed in the desired size and shape. The molded midsole is made of substantially cured rubber, and is secured to an uncured rubber upper by applying an uncured rubber coating onto the midsole and then vulcanizing to form a unitary rubber footwear subassembly. To this subassembly may separately be secured a variety of compositionally different outsoles made of various materials, and having various colors, designs, and specific utilities. The outsole may be attached to the subassembly by vulcanization, by conventional shoemaking cementing processes using adhesive compositions, or by injection molding directly onto the molded midsole.

Abstract: The invention is a waterproof shoe which is characterized in that the lower edge of the upper material and the lower edge of the functional material layer are cut to different lengths so that one of the two edges projects over the other edge, and characterized in that at least the area of the insole adjacent to the seam consists of a material which is permeable to the plastic material used for the outsole in its liquid injection state, and the lower edge of the functional material layer is embedded into the plastic material used for the outsole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a waterproof shoe with a laminate positioned against the inner side of the outer layer, which includes at least one waterproof, water-vapour permeable interlining and a lining, where: the lower area of the laminate is essentially parallel to the underside of the outsole; the upper surface of the lower area of the laminate facing into the inner area of the shoe forms a continuous surface with the upper side of the outsole facing into the inner area of the shoe and is essentially parallel to the underside of the outsole; the lower area of the outer layer is joined to the laminate exclusively via the outsole; provisions for shaping are fitted in the toe and shank areas of the outsole.

Abstract: The method for obtaining a shoe entails the execution of a nonrigid sock or upper, which is tensioned by means of an adapted last to allow the coupling thereto of an intermediate member on which multiple through holes are formed and which has an optional cavity at the arch region. Then the intermediate member is placed inside a mold and at least one first injection or pouring of preferably but not necessarily compact thermoplastic or thermosetting or expandable material is performed, so as to affect at least the intermediate structural element to obtain a semifinished item below which a sole is associable.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials chemically bonded together is disclosed. In one embodiment, the relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials are arranged in such a fashion to impart flexibility to the article of footwear. In particular, plastic and rubber materials are bonded together to improve the flexibility of an outsole of an article of footwear. The invention also is directed to the fabrication of new or improved devices and elements for use in articles of footwear and their associated methods of construction such as closure mechanisms comprising relatively elastic straps bonded to relatively inelastic anchor portions and vice versa, articulating inelastic and elastic exoskeleton constructions useful in skates and ski boots, and elastic or inelastic eyelets surrounded by inelastic or elastic materials.