Article of footwear with improved structure

Abstract

An article of footwear including a first envelope, the first envelope extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and heightwise from a bottom to a top end. The article of footwear further includes a functional component arranged opposite the first envelope, as well as a positioner to position the functional component with respect to the envelope.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . Article of footwear comprising:
 a first envelope extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and height-wise from a bottom to a top end;   a functional component arranged opposite the first envelope; and   a functional component positioner configured to position the functional component in relation to the envelope.   
     
     
         23 . Article of footwear according to  claim 22 , wherein:
 the first envelope comprises yarns mechanically linked to one another.   
     
     
         24 . Article of footwear according to  claim 22 , wherein:
 the functional component has a three-dimensional structure.   
     
     
         25 . Article of footwear according to  claim 22 , wherein:
 the functional component comprises yarns mechanically linked to one another; and   at least a portion of the yarns comprise at least one hot-melt filament.   
     
     
         26 . Article of footwear according to  claim 25 , wherein:
 the portion of the yarns that comprise at least one hot-melt filament are distributed over an entirety functional component.   
     
     
         27 . Article of footwear according to  claim 22 , wherein:
 the functional component is made from a tubular section.   
     
     
         28 . Article of footwear according to  claim 22 , wherein:
 the functional component is located in a metatarsal zone.   
     
     
         29 . Article of footwear according to  claim 22 , wherein:
 the functional component is a rear stiffener of the article of footwear.   
     
     
         30 . Article of footwear according to  claim 22 , wherein:
 the functional component is a front end-piece.   
     
     
         31 . Article of footwear according to  claim 22 , wherein:
 the functional component positioner comprises reversibly extensible yarns, the yarns being associated with a structure of the functional component.   
     
     
         32 . Article of footwear according to  claim 22 , wherein:
 the functional component positioner comprises an adhesive product.   
     
     
         33 . Article of footwear according to  claim 22 , wherein:
 the functional component positioner comprises fastening elements.   
     
     
         34 . Article of footwear according to  claim 22 , wherein:
 at least a portion of the yarns of the first envelope comprises at least one hot-melt filament.   
     
     
         35 . Article of footwear according to  claim 34 , wherein:
 the yarns of the first envelope that comprise at least one hot-melt filament are distributed over an entirety of the first envelope; and   the melting of the yarns contributes to the strength and/or gluing and/or abrasion resistance of the first envelope.   
     
     
         36 . Article of footwear according to  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a second envelope extending lengthwise from a rear to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side to a medial side, and heightwise from a bottom to a top end.   
     
     
         37 . Article of footwear according to  claim 36 , wherein:
 the second envelope comprises yarns mechanically linked to one another mechanically;   at least a portion of the yarns comprising at least one hot-melt filament;   the yarns comprising at least one hot-melt filament being distributed over an entirety of the second envelope; and   a shape of the second envelope being solidified by melting the yarns comprising at least one hot-melt filament.   
     
     
         38 . Article of footwear according to  claim 36 , wherein:
 the first envelope and second envelope are co-extensive.   
     
     
         39 . Article of footwear according to  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a reinforcement carrying a tightening device.   
     
     
         40 . Article of footwear according to  claim 22 , further comprising:
 outer sole assembly.   
     
     
         41 . Method of manufacture of an article of footwear that includes at least a first envelope extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and heightwise from a bottom to a top end, said method comprising:
 fitting the first envelope onto a last, thereby creating a lasted envelope;   adding a functional component onto the lasted envelope; and   assembling an outer sole to the article of footwear, whereby the outer sole is assembled prior to the adding of the functional component.   
     
     
         42 . Method of manufacture according to  claim 41 , further comprising:
 providing the functional component with a functional component positioner configured to position the functional component in relation to the envelope.