Shoe and sock hybrid

Abstract

The present application is directed towards an article of footwear having an upper portion configured to surround a foot and a sole affixed without adhesives directly onto the upper portion. Sections of the upper portion are exposed on the bottom surface of the footwear's sole to enhance the flexibility of the footwear.

1 . A shoe and sock hybrid, comprising:
 a textile upper configured to surround a foot of a wearer;   a sole configured to be disposed between the upper and a ground surface in use; and   an interface at which the sole is formed onto the upper such that direct contact is provided between the textile upper and the sole;   wherein sections of the textile upper are exposed through the sole, enhancing the flexibility of the shoe and sock hybrid.   
     
     
         2 . The shoe and sock hybrid of  claim 1 , wherein the sole is formed of a flexible plastic material. 
     
     
         3 . The shoe and sock hybrid of  claim 2 , wherein the material comprises thermoplastic polyurethane. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe and sock hybrid of  claim 1 , wherein the sole has a thickness of less than 5 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe and sock hybrid of  claim 1 , wherein the sole has a thickness between 5 mm and 1.5 cm. 
     
     
         6 . The shoe and sock hybrid of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the hybrid where the upper remains exposed is between about 10% and about 20% of the total bottom surface area of hybrid. 
     
     
         7 . The shoe and sock hybrid of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the hybrid where the upper remains exposed is between about 5% and about 10% of the total bottom surface area of hybrid. 
     
     
         8 . The shoe and sock hybrid of  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the widest span of the exposed section to the thickness of the lower portion around the exposed section is about 40 or less to prevent the exposed upper portion from contacting the ground when worn. 
     
     
         9 . The shoe and sock hybrid of  claim 1 , wherein the textile upper comprises a laminate structure. 
     
     
         10 . The shoe and sock hybrid of  claim 9 , wherein the laminate structure comprises a plurality of panels and an overlay configured to hold adjacent panels together. 
     
     
         11 . The shoe and sock hybrid of  claim 1 , wherein the upper comprises a plurality of panels joined together without stitching. 
     
     
         12 . An article of footwear comprising:
 an upper portion configured to surround at least a portion of a foot; and   a sole affixed without adhesives directly onto the upper portion providing a bottom surface of the footwear;   wherein sections of the upper portion are exposed on the footwear's sole to enhance the flexibility of the footwear.   
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear of  claim 12 , wherein the sole is formed of a flexible plastic material. 
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear of  claim 13 , wherein the material comprises thermoplastic polyurethane. 
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 12 , wherein the sole has a thickness of less than 5 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear of  claim 12 , wherein a portion of the hybrid where the upper remains exposed is between about 5% and about 10% of the total bottom surface area of hybrid. 
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 12 , wherein a ratio of the widest span of the exposed section to the thickness of the lower portion around the exposed section is about 40 or less to prevent the exposed upper portion from contacting the ground when worn. 
     
     
         18 . An upper portion of a footwear configured to surround at least a portion of a foot, comprising:
 more than one component, and   an overlay material,   wherein the overlay material is used to join two or more components of the upper portion, thereby eliminating the need for stitching.   
     
     
         19 . (canceled)