Method for decorating a ski boot and ski boot decorated by such method

Abstract

A method of decorating a shell portion of a boot, particularly a ski boot, as well as a boot thus decorated, the method of which includes the following: preparing a transfer layer having a design constituted by the arrangement of a plurality of different colored sublimable inks; transferring the design from the transfer layer to a decorating layer made from a transparent or translucent material, particularly polyamide or polyester, which is compatible with the transfer techniques; making a complex having the decorating layer with a fastening layer; positioning the complex in a mold; injection molding a thermoplastic material in the mold; extracting the shell portion from the mold.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A ski boot comprising: 
 a rigid shell portion comprising a layer of thermoplastic material, said rigid shell portion having been made by injection molding;    a decorating layer comprising a transparent or translucent material, said decorating layer being compatible with transfer techniques and comprising a design constituted by an arrangement of a plurality of different colored inks; and    a fastening layer positioned between said decorating layer and said layer of thermoplastic material.    
     
     
         2 . A ski boot according to  claim 1 , wherein said decorating layer comprises polyamide.  
     
     
         3 . A ski boot according to  claim 1 , wherein said decorating layer comprises polyester.  
     
     
         4 . A ski boot according to  claim 1 , wherein said layer of thermoplastic material is polyurethane.  
     
     
         5 . A ski boot according to  claim 1 , wherein said layer of thermoplastic material is polypropylene.  
     
     
         6 . A ski boot according to  claim 1 , wherein said ski boot is an alpine ski boot having a collar, wherein said rigid shell portion is said collar, and wherein said decorating layer is pressed onto a medial side of said collar.  
     
     
         7 . A method for decorating a shell portion of an alpine ski boot comprising; 
 preparing a transfer layer comprising a design constituted by an arrangement of a plurality of differently colored sublimable inks;    transferring said design from said transfer layer to a decorating layer made from a transparent or translucent material, said transparent or translucent material being compatible with transfer techniques;    making a complex having said decorating layer with a fastening layer;    positioning said complex in a mold;    injection molding a thermoplastic material in said mold;    extracting said shell portion from said mold.    
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein said decorating layer comprises polyamide.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein said decorating layer comprises polyester.  
     
     
         10 . A method for decorating a shell portion of an alpine ski boot according to  claim 7 , wherein said complex is made after transfer of said design to said decorating layer.  
     
     
         11 . A method for decorating a shell portion of an alpine ski boot according to  claim 7 , wherein said complex is made before transfer of said design to said decorating layer.