Safety Boot with Protective Layer

Abstract

Safety footwear manufactured in a foamed plastic material with an additional protective outer layer, and having three-dimensionally shaped inserts provided therein is disclosed. The protective outer layer provides the safety footwear with improved cleanliness and durability, enabling it to be used in extreme environments. A method for manufacturing the footwear is also disclosed.

1 . Footwear having an upper section of foamed plastic material and a liner of plastic material covering the outer surface of said upper section, characterized in that the upper section further comprises a three-dimensionally shaped insert. 
     
     
         2 . The footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein said insert is at least partially embedded in said foamed material, more preferably entirely embedded in said foamed material. 
     
     
         3 . The footwear according to  claim 2 , wherein said insert is a safety cap, positioned in the toe-section of the footwear. 
     
     
         4 . The footwear according to  claim 3 , wherein the foamed material contacts said liner and wherein no glue or mechanical fastening means is applied between the foamed material and the liner. 
     
     
         5 . The footwear according to  claim 4 , wherein said insert resists an impact force of at least 100 joules and a compression force of at least 10000N. 
     
     
         6 . The footwear according to  claim 5 , wherein said insert is manufactured in a material chosen from the group consisting of metal, in particular steel, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate and reinforced glass fibers. 
     
     
         7 . The footwear according to  claim 6 , wherein said foamed material is a polyurethane based foam material. 
     
     
         8 . The footwear according to  claim 7 , wherein said liner is composed of a polyurethane based material, preferably a thermoplastic polyurethane based material. 
     
     
         9 . The footwear according to  claim 8 , wherein said footwear is a low shoe, ankle boot, half-knee boot, knee-height boot, thigh boot. 
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing footwear as identified in  claim 1 , said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a mold;   providing a three-dimensionally shaped material in the mold cavity;   a liner in the mold cavity;   immobilizing said liner to the inner surface of the mold cavity; and   subsequently injecting and foaming a foamable plastic material in said mold cavity to manufacture the footwear.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein said foamable plastic is injected and foamed directly against said liner. 
     
     
         12 . The footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein said insert is a safety cap, positioned in the toe-section of the footwear. 
     
     
         13 . The footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the foamed material contacts said liner and wherein no glue or mechanical fastening means is applied between the foamed material and the liner. 
     
     
         14 . The footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein said insert resists an impact force of at least 100 joules and a compression force of at least 10000N. 
     
     
         15 . The footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein said insert is manufactured in a material chosen from the group consisting of metal, in particular steel, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate and reinforced glass fibers. 
     
     
         16 . The footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein said foamed material is a polyurethane based foam material. 
     
     
         17 . The footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein said liner is composed of a polyurethane based material, preferably a thermoplastic polyurethane based material. 
     
     
         18 . The footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein said footwear is a low shoe, ankle boot, half-knee boot, knee-height boot, thigh boot.