US2020245712A1PendingUtilityA1

Waterproof Knit Articles and Methods

31
Assignee: NORTH FACE APPAREL CORPPriority: Feb 4, 2019Filed: Feb 4, 2020Published: Aug 6, 2020
Est. expiryFeb 4, 2039(~12.5 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Chao Yun Lai
A43B 9/12A43B 7/125A43B 19/00A43B 23/07A43B 23/022
31
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Claims

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a waterproof bootie comprises cutting a membrane to result in at least a first bootie portion and a second bootie portion; coupling the first bootie portion to the second bootie portion to form a bootie; arranging a knit upper adjacent the bootie; and activating the heat-activated adhesive to couple the knit upper to the bootie.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing a waterproof bootie, the method comprising:
 cutting a membrane to result in at least a first bootie portion and a second bootie portion, wherein the membrane consists essentially of a lateral lining pattern and a medial lining pattern, and wherein a heat-activated adhesive is disposed on a surface of the membrane;   coupling the first bootie portion to the second bootie portion to form a bootie;   sealing one or more seams of the bootie;   arranging the bootie on a rigid member;   arranging a knit upper adjacent the bootie on the rigid member; and   coupling the knit upper to the bootie by activating the heat activated adhesive.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane consists of the lateral lining pattern and the medial lining pattern. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane is formed from one or more of PTFE or TPU/PU. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane is formed from a stretchable material. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane is formed from a breathable material. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting comprises laser cutting. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting comprises die cutting. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the die cutting uses the same die for each of the first bootie portion and a second bootie portion. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling the first bootie portion to the second bootie portion comprises stitching. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling the first bootie portion to the second bootie portion comprises arranging the first bootie portion to the second bootie portion in a mirrored configuration and wherein the bootie comprises an ankle opening defined between the coupled first bootie portion to the second bootie portion. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing comprises taping. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more of: coupling a toe box to the upper, coupling a heel counter to the upper, coupling an insole board to one or more of the upper or the bootie. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the activation comprises one or more of heat pressing, steam and vacuum, microwaving, or us of a heat tunnel, or a combination of the same. 
     
     
         14 . An article formed using the method of  claim 1 , wherein the article comprises footwear. 
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacturing a waterproof bootie, the method comprising:
 cutting a membrane to result in at least a first bootie portion and a second bootie portion, wherein a heat-activated adhesive is disposed on a surface of the membrane;   coupling the first bootie portion to the second bootie portion to form a bootie;   arranging a knit upper adjacent the bootie; and   activating the heat-activated adhesive to couple the knit upper to the bootie.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the membrane is formed from one or more of PTFE or TPU/PU. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the membrane is formed from a stretchable material or breathable material, or both. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the cutting comprises laser cutting or die cutting. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the activation comprises one or more of heat pressing, steam and vacuum, microwaving, or us of a heat tunnel, or a combination of the same. 
     
     
         20 . An article formed using the method of  claim 15 , wherein the article comprises footwear.

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