Vapor-permeable shoe with waterproof and vapor-permeable sole

Abstract

A vapor-permeable shoe with a waterproof and vapor-permeable sole, including: an upper assembly; a sole joined to the upper assembly and including a body made of waterproof material that includes a tread and at least one region permeable to water vapor; at least one waterproof and vapor-permeable membrane, which covers the region, toward an inside of the shoe; at least one protective element, which covers at least partially the lower face of the membrane; and at least one protective shield which is waterproof and vapor-permeable, covers the region and is substantially interposed between the region and the protective element, the protective shield being sealed in a waterproof manner to the body at at least one zone of the body that is peripheral to the region.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A vapor-permeable shoe with a waterproof and vapor-permeable sole, comprising:
 an upper assembly;   a sole, which is joined to the upper assembly and comprises a body made of waterproof material that includes a tread and at least one region that is permeable to water vapor;   at least one waterproof and vapor-permeable membrane, which covers the at least one region, toward an inside of the shoe;   at least one protective element, which covers at least partially a lower face of the at least one membrane; and   at least one protective shield which is waterproof and vapor-permeable, covers the at least one region and is substantially interposed between the region and the at least one protective element, the protective shield being sealed in a waterproof manner to the body at at least one zone of the body that is peripheral to the at least one region.   
     
     
         17 . The shoe according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one protective shield is microporous and includes pores with an average aperture of less than 1 μm. 
     
     
         18 . The shoe according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one protective shield comprises a sheet made of material obtained from a substantially uniform mixture including:
 a polyolefin with high molecular weight, in a percentage concentration of the volume of the mixture comprised between 8% and 98%;   a filler, configured to promote formation of micropores, in a percentage concentration of the volume of the mixture comprised between 1% and 92%;   a plasticizer, in a percentage concentration of the volume of the mixture comprised between 1% and 40%.   
     
     
         19 . The shoe according to  claim 18 , wherein the polyolefin is a UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight) polyethylene. 
     
     
         20 . The shoe according to  claim 18 , wherein the filler is selected between silicon dioxide and silicic acid, the plasticizer being a water-insoluble oil. 
     
     
         21 . The shoe according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one protective shield is made of a material selected among polytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane, polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene. 
     
     
         22 . The shoe according to  claim 21 , wherein the at least one protective shield has a structure selected among:
 a structure constituted by a single integral layer having a thickness substantially comprised between 0.1 and 5.0 mm;   a structure constituted by a plurality of layers joined by lamination to form a multilayer element whose thickness is substantially comprised between 0.1 and 5.0 mm;   a structure constituted by a plurality of laminated layers, a permeable material being provided between them and being cohesive with them.   
     
     
         23 . The shoe according to  claim 16 , wherein a peripheral portion of the at least one membrane is sealed impermeably to the body. 
     
     
         24 . The shoe according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one protective shield is sealed impermeably to the body, at the at least one zone of the body, which is peripheral with respect to the at least one region, by adhesive bonding. 
     
     
         25 . The shoe according to  claim 16 , wherein the material that forms at least one component of the body is co-molded on the at least one protective shield so as to grip it and form a waterproof seal at the at least one zone of the body, which is peripheral to the at least one region. 
     
     
         26 . the shoe according to  claim 16 , further comprising a permeable spacer, which is superimposed at least partially on the membrane to protect the membrane. 
     
     
         27 . The shoe according to  claim 16 , further comprising a lower portion and an upper portion of the body, the at least one protective shield being sealed to the lower portion that includes the at least one zone that is peripheral to the at least one region. 
     
     
         28 . The shoe according to  claim 27 , wherein the protective shield includes a perimetric band, which is exposed by the protective element and by the membrane, the protective shield, at the perimetric band, being associated so as to provide a waterproof seal with the upper portion. 
     
     
         29 . The shoe according to  claim 27 , wherein the upper portion includes a central portion that includes through openings or holes that form part of the region. 
     
     
         30 . The shoe according to  claim 23 , wherein the upper assembly comprises at least one outer vapor-permeable upper, a vapor-permeable lining and a vapor-permeable insole, which comprises the membrane, lower flaps of the at least one upper and of the at least one lining being joined to the insole, the body being further connected so as to provide a waterproof seal:
 in a lower region to the peripheral portion of the at least one membrane, and to the at least one protective shield at the zone, which is peripheral to the region that is permeable to water vapor.