Breathable workshoes and methods for manufacturing such

• US 20040231189A1
• Filed: 06/23/2003
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Crocs Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Western Brands, LLC
• Inventors: Seamans, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 6,993,858 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/3A
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0081 made at least partially of hook-and-loop type material hook and loop-type straps for fastening purpose A43C11/1493
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/14 made of plastics A43B1/028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/0042 with circular or circle shaped parts
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/12 Sandals; Strap guides thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/06 ventilated
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/08 with air-holes, with or without closures
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 35/02 made in one piece using a moulding technique, e.g. by injection moulding or casting

Abstract

Among other things, the present invention provides various footwear pieces, and methods for manufacturing such pieces. In various cases, the footwear pieces are molded from a lofting material. Further, in various cases, the footwear pieces include one or more ventilators formed in the footwear piece that are surrounded by liquid conductors capable of channeling liquid spilled on the surface of the footwear pieces away from a foot within the footwear pieces.

Claims

1. A breathable footwear piece, the breathable footwear piece comprising:

a base section, wherein the base section includes an upper and a sole; and

wherein the upper includes a substantially horizontal portion and a substantially vertical portion, and wherein the substantially horizontal portion is a solid portion, and wherein a plurality of ventilators are formed in the substantially vertical portion.

2. The breathable footwear piece of claim 1, wherein liquid conductors are formed around each of the plurality of ventilators.

3. The breathable footwear piece of claim 2, wherein the liquid conductors are attached to the upper.

4. The breathable footwear piece of claim 2, wherein the liquid conductors are formed as part of the upper.

5. The breathable footwear piece of claim 1, wherein the base section is molded of a continuous piece of foam material.

6. The breathable footwear piece of claim 5, wherein the plurality of ventilators in the form of holes are formed in the upper as part of molding the base section.

7. The breathable footwear piece of claim 5, wherein the foam material is manufactured using a resin.

8. The breathable footwear piece of claim 7, wherein the resin is mixed to exhibit an expansion coefficient, and a contraction coefficient.

9. The breathable footwear piece of claim 8, wherein a combination of the expansion coefficient and the contraction coefficient is between 1.46 and 1.58, inclusively.

10. The breathable footwear piece of claim 1, wherein the sole comprises a bottom surface and a support base, and wherein the support base includes a raised pattern where a foot contacts the support base.

11. A breathable workshoe, the breathable workshoe comprising:

an upper;

a sole; and

wherein the upper includes at least one ventilator surrounded by a liquid conductor.

12. The breathable workshoe of claim 11, wherein the upper and the sole are formed as a single part.

13. The breathable workshoe of claim 12, wherein the single part is manufactured from a foam material.

14. The breathable workshoe of claim 11, wherein the liquid conductor is formed as part of the upper.

15. The breathable workshoe of claim 11, wherein the liquid conductor is attached to the upper.

16. A method for manufacturing a breathable workshoe, the method comprising:

providing a mold, wherein the mold provides an outline of an upper and a sole, and wherein the upper includes the upper includes a substantially horizontal portion and a substantially vertical portion, and wherein the substantially horizontal portion is a solid portion, and wherein a plurality of ventilators are formed in the substantially vertical portion;

screwing a volume of resin into the mold, wherein the resin sets in the form of a footwear piece;

opening the mold; and

removing the footwear piece.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the outline of the upper includes liquid conductors formed around each of the plurality of ventilators.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the method further comprises:

air cooling the footwear piece.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the footwear piece expands when the mold is opened, and contracts when the footwear piece is cooled.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the combination of expansion and contraction is approximately 1.51.