Waterproofing method for footwear

Abstract

A method for waterproofing footwear may include spraying a waterproofing liquid onto an inner surface of the upper of the footwear during the manufacturing process. A liner attached to the footwear may be turned inside out and/or pulled at least partially out of the upper to uncover the interior surface of the upper. By spraying the liquid onto the interior surface and onto the seam between the liner and the upper, these surfaces may be made waterproof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for waterproofing footwear, the method comprising:
 attaching an inner liner to an upper of an article of footwear by sewing the inner liner to the upper to form a seam, such that a plurality of stitch holes are formed in the upper along the seam;   turning the inner liner inside out, such that the seam and an interior surface of the upper are uncovered; and   spraying a waterproofing liquid through an opening in a bottom portion of the upper onto the seam and the interior surface of the upper;   wherein the plurality of stitch holes are substantially filled by the waterproofing liquid.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the waterproofing liquid comprises a durable water repellent. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further including attaching a sole portion of the article of footwear to the opening in the bottom portion of the upper. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein spraying the waterproofing liquid includes spraying the liquid through a nozzle coupled to a pressurized source of the waterproofing liquid. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein spraying the waterproofing liquid includes automatically moving the nozzle within the upper using an actuator operatively connected to the nozzle. 
     
     
         6 . The method of any of  claim 1 , further comprising allowing the waterproofing liquid to cure for a selected amount of time before repositioning the liner to cover the interior surface of the upper. 
     
     
         7 . A method for waterproofing footwear, the method comprising:
 positioning an inner lining attached to an upper of an article of footwear such that an inner surface of the upper is exposed; and   spraying a waterproofing liquid onto the exposed inner surface of the upper through an opening in a bottom portion of the upper.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein positioning the inner lining includes causing the inner lining to be withdrawn at least partially through a top opening of the upper. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the opening in the bottom portion of the upper comprises an attachment area for a sole of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising attaching the sole of the footwear to cover the opening in the bottom of the upper. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , further including attaching the lining to the upper by sewing the lining to the upper. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein sewing the lining to the upper causes one or more holes to be present in the liner and in the upper, and wherein spraying the waterproofing liquid causes the one or more holes to be filled. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , further including drying the liquid to form a waterproof coating on the inner surface of the upper. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , further including inserting the lining into the upper, such that the lining is adjacent to the inner surface of the upper. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the lining comprises a waterproof material. 
     
     
         16 . A system for waterproofing footwear, the system comprising:
 a spray nozzle in fluid communication with a source of a waterproofing liquid;   a pressure source operatively connected to the source of the waterproofing liquid; and   a fixture configured to hold an upper of an article of footwear, such that an opening of the upper allows access to an inner surface of the upper;   wherein the spray nozzle is insertable into the opening of the upper and configured to spray the waterproofing liquid onto the inner surface of the upper.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the spray nozzle has a single orifice. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the spray nozzle is rotatable. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the spray nozzle is coupled to a wand portion having an actuator configured to reciprocate the wand portion into and out of the upper. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the pressure source comprises pressurized air.