Articles of Footwear

Abstract

An article of footwear that includes a sole and an upper attached to the sole. The upper comprises at least one alterable portion that switches between at least a first state and a second state upon exposure to a liquid. The first state allows viewing of a first image of the alterable portion and second state allowing viewing of a second image of the alterable portion.

1 . An article of footwear comprising:
 a sole; and   an upper attached to the sole, the upper comprising at least one alterable portion;   wherein the alterable portion switches between at least a first state and a second state upon exposure to a liquid, the first state allowing viewing of a first image of the alterable portion and the second state allowing viewing of a second image of the alterable portion.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second images comprise different colors. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the alterable portion displays a first image in the first state and a second image in the second state. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 3 , wherein the alterable portion comprises at least one of a hydrochromatic ink and a water-metachromatic laminate. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the alterable portion is opaque in the first state and at least substantially transparent in the second state. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 5 , wherein the alterable portion displays a first image in the first state and allows viewing of a second image in the second state, the second image disposed on the upper underneath the alterable portion. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the alterable portion is formed integral with the upper. 
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the alterable portion comprises a thread stitched to the upper. 
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the upper comprises a woven material and the alterable portion comprises a yarn woven into at least one portion of the woven material. 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the alterable portion comprises an ink applied to the upper. 
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the sole comprises at least one alterable portion. 
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein the alterable portion is formed integral with the sole. 
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear of  claim 12 , wherein the alterable portion comprises an ink applied to the sole. 
     
     
         14 . An upper for an article of footwear, the upper comprising at least one alterable portion changing between at least a first, dry state and a second, wet state upon exposure to a liquid, the alterable portion being opaque in the first, dry state and displaying a first image, the alterable portion being at least substantially transparent in the second, wet state allowing viewing of a second image disposed on the upper underneath the alterable portion. 
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the alterable portion comprises at least one of a hydrochromatic ink and a water-metachromatic laminate. 
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the alterable portion and second image are formed integral with the upper. 
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the alterable portion comprises a thread stitched to the upper. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the upper comprises a woven material and the alterable portion comprises a yarn woven into at least one portion of the woven material. 
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the alterable portion comprises an ink applied to the upper. 
     
     
         20 . The article of footwear of  claim 19 , wherein the ink comprises rubber resin, organic pigment, and Toluene.