Direct Attach Waterproof Footwear

Abstract

Waterproof, breathable shoes are described. They include an upper assembly and a sole assembly or alternatively an upper assembly, midsole, and outsole. Each configuration includes a means of facilitating the flow of polymer therein. The means may be an insole, a spacer material, or an insole/spacer material composite.

1 . Waterproof, breathable shoe comprising:
 an upper assembly, and   a sole assembly;
 wherein the upper assembly comprises upper and lower portions, each of the upper and lower portions comprising a outer material and a breathable layer or layers comprising at least one waterproof functional layer; further wherein the lower portion of the upper assembly further comprises a non-functional means of retaining the shape of the upper assembly, the non-functional means being connected to the breathable layer or layers comprising at least one waterproof functional layer 
 wherein the sole assembly comprises an outer sole, said outer sole comprising a lower portion of the outer material and the breathable layer or layers of the upper interspersed therein and a means of facilitating the flow of polymer throughout the sole assembly to adhere the sole assembly and the lower portions of the upper assembly together to form a waterproof seal. 
   
     
     
         2 . The waterproof breathable shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the means of facilitating the flow of polymer is a molded insole. 
     
     
         3 . The waterproof breathable shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the means of facilitating the flow of polymer is a spacer material. 
     
     
         4 . The waterproof breathable shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the means of facilitating the flow of polymer is a spacer material/insole composite. 
     
     
         5 . The waterproof breathable shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the means of facilitating the flow of polymer comprises one or more openings for facilitating the flow of adhesive material throughout the sole assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The waterproof breathable shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the non-functional means comprise a strobel board or an elastic material, or a textile. 
     
     
         7 . The waterproof breathable shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the non-functional means is string lasted. 
     
     
         8 . The waterproof breathable shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the breathable layer or layers further comprises one or more additional layers adapted to form a laminate with the at least one waterproof functional layer. 
     
     
         9 . The waterproof breathable shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the waterproof functional layer comprises polyurethane, polyester, polyether, polyamide, polyacrylate, copolyether ester or copolyether amides. 
     
     
         10 . The waterproof breathable shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the waterproof functional layer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
         11 . Waterproof, breathable shoe comprising:
 an upper assembly,   a midsole, and   an outsole
 wherein the upper assembly comprises upper and lower portions, each of the upper and lower portions comprising a outer material and a breathable layer or layers comprising at least one waterproof functional layer; further wherein the lower portion of the upper assembly further comprises a non-functional means of retaining the shape of the upper assembly, the non-functional means being connected to the breathable layer or layers comprising at least one waterproof functional layer 
 wherein the midsole comprises a lower portion of the breathable outer material of the upper interspersed therein and a a means of facilitating the flow of polymer throughout midsole to adhere the midsole and the lower portions of the upper assembly together to form a waterproof seal, and 
 wherein the outsole is adapted for attachment to the midsole 
   
     
     
         12 . The waterproof breathable shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the means of facilitating the flow of polymer is a molded insole. 
     
     
         13 . The waterproof breathable shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the means of facilitating the flow of polymer is a spacer material. 
     
     
         14 . The waterproof breathable shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the means of facilitating the flow of polymer is a spacer material/insole composite.