Article of footwear containing a photoreactive composition

Abstract

An article of footwear that includes a photoreactive composition capable of reversibly changing color when contacted with ultraviolet light is provided. The photoreactive composition is incorporated into a panel member that is secured to the article of footwear. For example, in one embodiment, a photoreactive composition, which is initially optically transparent, is contacted with ultraviolet light so that it changes to one or more visible colors (e.g., violet, blue, red, orange, yellow, etc.) during exposure, and then returns substantially to its original color in the absence of ultraviolet light. Likewise, in another embodiment, a photoreactive composition, which initially has one or more visible colors, is contacted with ultraviolet light so that it changes to one or more different visible colors.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An article of footwear, wherein at least one panel member is secured to said article of footwear, said panel member containing an optically transparent polymeric material and a photoreactive composition that is capable of undergoing a reversible color change upon exposure to ultraviolet light.  
     
     
         2 . An article of footwear as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said photoreactive composition changes from being optically transparent to having one or more visible colors upon exposure to ultraviolet light.  
     
     
         3 . An article of footwear as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said photoreactive composition changes from having a first visible color to having a second visible color upon exposure to ultraviolet light.  
     
     
         4 . An article of footwear as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said photoreactive composition is selected from the group consisting of spiropyrans, spirooxazines, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         5 . An article of footwear as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said photoreactive composition further comprises an ultraviolet stabilizer, an antioxidant, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         6 . An article of footwear as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of polyol(allyl carbonate)-polymers, polyacrylates, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylates, cellulose acetate, cellulose triacetate, cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, polyacetal resin, acetyl cellulose, poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl alcohol), polyurethanes, polycarbonates, polystyrene, poly(styrene methylmethacrylate) copolymers, poly(styrene acrylonitrile) copolymers, polyvinylbutyral, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         7 . An article of footwear as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said panel member is formed by injection molding.  
     
     
         8 . An article of footwear as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a sole and an upper attached to said sole, said upper including portions adapted to reside at least partially about the foot of a wearer.  
     
     
         9 . An article of footwear as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said panel member is secured to said upper.  
     
     
         10 . An article of footwear as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said panel member is stitched to said article of footwear.  
     
     
         11 . An article of footwear as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said panel member is secured to said article of footwear with an adhesive.  
     
     
         12 . An article of footwear as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the article of footwear is a shoe.  
     
     
         13 . An article of footwear as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the article of footwear is a boot.  
     
     
         14 . An article of footwear as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the article of footwear is a sandal.  
     
     
         15 . An article of footwear comprising: 
 a) an outsole;    b) an upper attached to said sole, said upper being adapted to reside at least partially about the foot of a wearer; and    c) at least one panel member secured to said upper, said panel member containing an optically transparent polymeric material and a photoreactive composition that is capable of undergoing a reversible color change upon exposure to ultraviolet light.    
     
     
         16 . An article of footwear as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said photoreactive composition changes from being optically transparent to having one or more visible colors upon exposure to ultraviolet light.  
     
     
         17 . An article of footwear as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said photoreactive composition changes from having a first visible color to having a second visible color upon exposure to ultraviolet light.  
     
     
         18 . An article of footwear as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the article of footwear is a shoe.  
     
     
         19 . An article of footwear as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the article of footwear is a boot.  
     
     
         20 . An article of footwear as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the article of footwear is a sandal.  
     
     
         21 . A shoe comprising: 
 a) an outsole;    b) an upper attached to said sole, said upper including a vamp, a toe portion, quarters, and a heel portion; and    c) at least one panel member secured to said upper, said panel member containing an optically transparent polymeric material and a photoreactive composition that is capable of undergoing a reversible color change upon exposure to ultraviolet light.    
     
     
         22 . A shoe as defined in  claim 21 , wherein said photoreactive composition changes from being optically transparent to having one or more visible colors upon exposure to ultraviolet light.  
     
     
         23 . A shoe as defined in  claim 21 , wherein said photoreactive composition changes from having a first visible color to having a second visible color upon exposure to ultraviolet light.  
     
     
         24 . A shoe as defined in  claim 21 , wherein said panel member is secured to said vamp, said quarters, said toe portion, said heel portion, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         25 . A shoe as defined in  claim 21 , further comprising a tongue.  
     
     
         26 . A shoe as defined in  claim 25 , wherein said panel member is secured to said tongue.