Slipper and method for forming slipper

Abstract

An open heel slipper configuration is presented. The open heel slipper configuration includes a platform foot bed having a flexible sidewall, and a vamp secured to the flexible sidewall at a location adjacent a region of the platform foot bed that is secured to an outsole, during construction. The construction is such to provide a free extension of a portion of the sidewall of the platform foot bed, underneath a vamp, in the final product. A preferred method of assembly is also provided.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An open heeled slipper comprising: 
 (a) an outsole;    (b) a platform foot bed secured to the outsole; 
 (i) the platform foot bed having a flexible sidewall portion and a top foot pad portion; the flexible sidewall portion extending in direction between the top foot pad portion and the outsole; and,  
   (c) a vamp; 
 (i) the vamp being secured in the slipper with a free extension of the flexible sidewall portion projecting upwardly, from a line of attachment of the vamp to a remainder of the slipper, a distance of at least 60% of the greatest height of extension of the sidewall portion from the outsole covered by the vamp.  
   
     
     
         2 . A slipper according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 (a) the vamp is secured in the slipper with a free extension of the flexible sidewall portion projecting upwardly, from a line of attachment of the vamp to a remainder of the slipper, a distance of at least 80% of the greatest height of extension of the sidewall portion from the outsole covered by the vamp.  
 
     
     
         3 . A slipper according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 (a) the top foot pad portion is secured to the flexible sidewall portion by stitching.  
 
     
     
         4 . A slipper according to  claim 1  including: 
 (a) an insole filler positioned between the top footpad portion, of the platform foot bed, and the outsole.  
 
     
     
         5 . A slipper according to  claim 4  wherein: 
 (a) the insole filler comprises: 
 (i) a compressible midsole; and,  
 (ii) a heel portion; the heel portion being positioned between the compressible midsole and the outsole.  
 
 
     
     
         6 . A slipper according to  claim 5  wherein: 
 (a) the compressible midsole comprises a single piece of polymeric foam.  
 
     
     
         7 . A slipper according to  claim 6  wherein: 
 (a) the compressible midsole comprises a single piece of polyurethane foam having a density within the range of about 70 to 75 grams per cubic centimeter.  
 
     
     
         8 . A slipper according to  claim 5  wherein: 
 (a) the heel portion includes a beveled front edge defining a bevel surface; 
 (i) the heel portion being oriented with the bevel surface directed toward the midsole and away from the outsole.  
 
 
     
     
         9 . A slipper according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 (a) the top foot pad portion and the flexible sidewall portion of the platform foot bed each comprise flexible fabric material.  
 
     
     
         10 . A slipper according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 (a) the vamp comprises flexible fabric material.  
 
     
     
         11 . A slipper according to  claim 10  wherein: 
 (a) the vamp comprises two layers of flexible fabric material secured to one another along a perimeter stitch line.  
 
     
     
         12 . A slipper according to  claim 10  wherein: 
 (a) the vamp is secured to the platform foot bed by stitching.  
 
     
     
         13 . A slipper according to  claim 12  wherein: 
 (a) the vamp is secured to the platform foot bed along a stitch line which is positioned no farther than about 1 centimeter from the outsole, when the slipper is fully assembled.  
 
     
     
         14 . A slipper according to  claim 1  including: 
 (a) a flexible fabric binding secured to the sidewall of the platform foot bed at a location adjacent the outsole.  
 
     
     
         15 . A slipper according to  claim 14  wherein: 
 (a) the flexible fabric binding is secured to the sidewall of the platform foot bed by stitching.  
 
     
     
         16 . A slipper according to  claim 15  wherein: 
 (a) the binding is secured to the outsole, by stitching.  
 
     
     
         17 . A slipper according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 (a) the outsole is selected from: molded polymeric material and leather.  
 
     
     
         18 . The slipper according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 (a) the top foot bed portion is substantially flat.  
 
     
     
         19 . The slipper according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 (a) the top foot bed portion does not include any upwardly extending portions.  
 
     
     
         20 . A method of constructing an open heeled slipper; the method including a step of: 
 (a) securing a flexible vamp to a flexible sidewall portion of a platform foot bed along a line of attachment at least 80% of the height of the sidewall portion from a line of attachment of the sidewall portion to a top foot pad portion of the platform foot bed.