Footwear assembly

Abstract

Disclosed is a footwear assembly ( 10 ) for forming at least part of an upper assembly of footwear, the footwear assembly defining an instep opening ( 8 ) and comprising: a water vapor permeable and waterproof functional layer ( 12 ) having a first elasticity, and a collar layer ( 14 ) attached to the water vapor permeable and waterproof functional layer ( 12 ) such as to define at least part of the instep opening ( 8 ), the collar layer ( 14 ) having a second elasticity.

1 . Footwear assembly for forming at least part of an upper assembly of footwear, the footwear assembly defining an instep opening and comprising:
 a water vapor permeable and waterproof functional layer having a first elasticity, and   a collar layer attached to the water vapor permeable and waterproof functional layer such as to define at least part of the instep opening, the collar layer having a second elasticity.   
     
     
         2 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the collar layer has elastic properties in more than one direction. 
     
     
         3 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the second elasticity is equal to, or larger, than a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         4 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the second elasticity is equal to, or larger, than the first elasticity. 
     
     
         5 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the collar layer extends along at least 30% of the instep opening, particularly along at least 60% of the instep opening, particularly along at least ⅔ of the instep opening. 
     
     
         6 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the collar layer is attached to the water vapor permeable and waterproof functional layer by means of an elastic seam. 
     
     
         7 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the elastic seam is formed by a thread having a third elasticity. 
     
     
         8 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the elastic seam is formed by a stitch pattern providing elastic characteristics. 
     
     
         9 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the elastic seam extends along at least 30% of the circumference of the instep opening, particularly along at least 60% of the circumference of the instep opening, particularly along at least ⅔ of the circumference of the instep opening. 
     
     
         10 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first elasticity and the second elasticity are measured in the same direction. 
     
     
         11 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first elasticity and the second elasticity are measured in a direction parallel to the horizontal direction. 
     
     
         12 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the water vapor permeable and waterproof functional layer and the collar layer are attached to each other via a seam and the first elasticity and the second elasticity are measured in a direction parallel to the seam. 
     
     
         13 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein a composite sample piece made of the water vapor permeable and waterproof functional layer and the collar layer attached to each other by a seam has a fourth elasticity, the fourth elasticity being equal to, or larger, than a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         14 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the water vapor permeable and waterproof functional layer has the configuration of a laminate made up with a water vapor permeable and waterproof membrane and a textile layer attached to the water vapor permeable and waterproof membrane. 
     
     
         15 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the textile layer has an elastic textile configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the textile layer comprises elastic filaments. 
     
     
         17 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the water vapor permeable and waterproof functional layer includes a water vapor permeable and waterproof film made of a fluoropolymer, particularly ePTFE. 
     
     
         18 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the collar layer is water vapor permeable, but not waterproof. 
     
     
         19 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 1 , having the configuration of an upper lining. 
     
     
         20 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 1 , having the configuration of a water vapor permeable and waterproof sock. 
     
     
         21 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 1 , having the configuration of a water vapor permeable and waterproof upper lining attached to a waterproof upper bottom. 
     
     
         22 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the water vapor permeable and waterproof functional layer extends to a height of at least 20% of the height of the footwear assembly, particularly to a height of at least 65% of the footwear assembly, particularly to a height of at least 95% of the footwear assembly. 
     
     
         23 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the collar layer comprises elastic extensions on its side opposite the water vapor permeable functional layer, the extensions being configured to be folded over and attached to an upper material layer, such as to form a backing layer covering openable portions, tongue portions and/or gusset portions of the upper material layer. 
     
     
         24 . Upper assembly of footwear, the upper assembly comprising:
 an upper material layer surrounding at least an upper portion of a foot, and   a footwear assembly comprising
 a water vapor permeable and waterproof functional layer having a first elasticity, and 
 a collar layer attached to the water vapor permeable and waterproof functional layer such as to define at least part of the instep opening, the collar layer having a second elasticity, 
   wherein the footwear assembly forms an upper lining arranged on an inner side of the upper material layer, the upper lining being independent of the upper material layer to such extent that the upper lining at least in the region of the first functional layer and the elastic collar is able to adapt its shape independent of the upper material layer.   
     
     
         25 . The upper assembly according to  claim 24 , wherein the upper material layer and/or the upper lining is configured to be attached to an upper bottom layer in such a way as to form a waterproof and water vapor permeable upper assembly. 
     
     
         26 . The upper assembly according  claim 24 , wherein the upper material layer comprises at least one openable portion, tongue portion and/or gusset portion, and the collar layer of the upper lining comprises elastic extensions on its side opposite the water vapor permeable and waterproof functional layer, the extensions being folded over and attached to the upper material layer, such as to form a backing layer covering the at least one openable portion, tongue portions and/or gusset portions of the upper material layer.