Waterproof/breathable moisture transfer liner and composite for snowboards, alpine boots, hiking boots and the like

Abstract

The waterproof/breathable moisture transfer liner for a snowboard boot includes an inner liner selected from technically advanced fabrics which are carefully selected. A series of layers are provided outside the inner liner including foam material layers, breathable membranes, a supportive mesh or a moldable foam, and an outer shell fabric. The applicability of the liner to alpine, cross country and hiking boots, along with appropriate variations for each application.

1 . A technical performance composite for apparel or footwear articles having an integral or removable portion, for transferring moisture vapor therethrough, comprising: 
 a layer of germicidal, breathable, moldable and flexible, moisture transfer open cell foam treated with reversible enhanced thermal molecules that adjust to temperature changes, the open cell foam functioning to absorb, move and transfer moisture vapor and fluids therethrough; and    a moisture transferring, breathable, absorbent non-woven material including polyester, wood pulp and Spandex® fibers attached or integrated into a layer of moisture transfer, germicidal, breathable, open cell foam, wherein the moisture vapor and fluids are absorbed from the layer of foam by the moisture transferring, breathable, absorbent non-woven material and are thereafter transferred through the non-woven material to one of an abutting foam material layer or exterior fabric layer.    
   
   
       2 . A technical performance composite for apparel for footwear articles according to  claim 1 , wherein the non-woven material contains absorbent, moisture transferring, natural and synthetic fibers.  
   
   
       3 . The technical performance composite for apparel or footwear articles according to  claim 1 , wherein said non-woven material includes at least one, or a blend thereof, of material selected from a group consisting of spandex, wood pulp, cotton, polypropylene, polyester and rayon.  
   
   
       4 . A technical performance composite for apparel or footwear articles having an integral or removable portion, for transferring moisture vapor therethrough, comprising: 
 a first layer of germicidal, breathable, moldable and flexible, moisture transfer open cell foam that transfers moisture vapor and fluids; and    a first breathable and stretchable non-woven material that absorbs and transfers moisture, 
 wherein the moisture vapor and fluids are absorbed from the first layer of breathable, open cell foam by the first absorbent and moisture transfer non-woven material and is thereafter transferred through the first non-woven material to an abutting layer or the exterior.  
   
   
   
       5 . A technical performance composite for apparel or footwear articles according to  claim 4 , wherein the technical performance composite for apparel or footwear articles has reversible enhanced thermal properties.  
   
   
       6 . A technical performance composite for apparel or footwear articles according to  claim 4 , wherein the first breathable, moisture absorbent and moisture transferring non-woven material includes at least one, or a blend thereof, of natural and synthetic fibers consisting of spandex, wood pulp, cotton, polypropylene, polyester and rayon.