Washable liner for footwear and a method for making such liner

Abstract

An inner liner adapted to equip an article of footwear, and a process for manufacturing such inner liner. The liner includes wedging elements positioned between the upper and the lining. These wedging elements are connected to the upper by mechanical assemblies such as seams, i.e., by stitching. The liner thus obtained can be washed in a hot fluid whose temperature is within a range of about 40 to 100 degrees Celsius.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An inner liner for footwear comprising: 
 an upper having an inner surface located on the side of a wearer's foot;    a lining adapted to be in contact with the foot, said lining comprising an outer surface opposite said inner surface of said upper;    wedging elements inserted between said upper and said lining;    at least one of said wedging elements being fixed on said upper by a mode of mechanical assembly resistant to a hot fluid.    
     
     
         2 . An inner liner for footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said wedging elements is fixed, on said outer surface of the lining, by said mode of mechanical assembly resistant to a hot fluid.  
     
     
         3 . An inner liner for footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein said mode of mechanical assembly comprises stitching.  
     
     
         4 . An inner liner for footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein said upper includes at least one pocket, located on said inner surface of said upper, at least one of said wedging elements being housed in said pocket.  
     
     
         5 . An inner liner for footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein said wedging elements use a material including cavities, most of said cavities being sealed so that the washing fluid does not impregnate the material.  
     
     
         6 . An inner liner for footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the hot fluid is at a temperature whose value is comprised within a range of about 30 to 90 degrees Celsius.  
     
     
         7 . An inner liner for footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein said upper and/or said lining are multi-layered having a stratification obtained by a mode of mechanical assembly resistaant to separation in the hot fluid.  
     
     
         8 . An inner liner for footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said wedging elements is fixed on said inner surface of said upper by a co-molding process on said inner surface.  
     
     
         9 . An inner liner for footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said wedging elements is fixed on said inner surface of said upper by a bi-injection process.  
     
     
         10 . An inner liner for footwear according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sole affixed to said upper.  
     
     
         11 . A method for manufacturing an inner liner for footwear in which the inner liner includes an upper having an inner surface located on the side of a wearer's foot, a lining adapted to be in contact with the foot, the lining further including an outer surface opposite the inner surface of the upper, and wedging elements inserted between the upper and the lining, said method comprising: 
 fixing at least one of said wedging elements on said upper by means of a mechanical assembly resistant to a hot fluid.    
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein said fixing comprises fixing at least one of said wedging elements on said outer surface of said lining, by means of said mechanical assembly resistaant to a hot fluid.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein said fixing comprises fixing at least one of said wedging elements on said upper by means of stitching.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein said upper includes at least one pocket located on an inner surface of said upper, said fixing comprising housing said at least one of said wedging elements in said pocket.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein said at least one said wedging elements include a material having cavities, most of said cavities being sealed to avoid said washing fluid impregnating said material.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the hot fluid is at a temperature whose value is comprised within a range of about 30 to 90 degrees Celsius.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein said upper and/or said lining are multi-layered having a stratification obtained by a mode of mechanical assembly resistant to separation in the hot fluid.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein said fixing comprises fixing said at least one of said wedging elements on said inner surface of said upper by co-molding on said inner surface.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein said fixing comprises fixing said at least one of said wedging elements on said inner surface of said upper by bi-injection.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising affixing a sole to said upper.