Upper with membrane regions

Abstract

An upper for an article of footwear. The upper comprises a first membrane region having a first set of characteristics, and second membrane region located in an area of the upper which is different from the first membrane region and having a second set of characteristics, a first value of at least one of the characteristics of the second set of characteristics being different from a second value of the corresponding characteristic of the first set of characteristics. Also, a shoe with such an upper.

1 . An upper for an article of footwear comprising:
 a first membrane region having a first set of characteristics; and   a second membrane region located in an area of the upper different from the first membrane region and having a second set of characteristics,   wherein a value of a characteristic of the first set of characteristics is different from a value of the corresponding characteristic of the second set of characteristics.   
     
     
         2 . The upper according to  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic of the first set of characteristics and the corresponding characteristic of the second set of characteristics is an elasticity, a vapor permeability, or a waterproofness. 
     
     
         3 . The upper according to  claim 2 , wherein the characteristic of the first set of characteristics and the corresponding characteristic of the second set of characteristics is an elasticity,
 wherein the value of the elasticity of the first membrane region is greater than the value of the elasticity of the second membrane region, and   wherein the first membrane region is located at an ankle region, a heel region, or a tongue region of the upper.   
     
     
         4 . The upper according to  claim 3 , wherein the value of the elasticity of the first membrane region ranges from 30% to 80%, and
 wherein the value of the elasticity of the second membrane region ranges from 1% to 30%.   
     
     
         5 . The upper according to  claim 2 , wherein the characteristic of the first set of characteristics and the corresponding characteristic of the second set of characteristics is a waterproofness,
 wherein the value of the waterproofness of the first membrane region is greater than the value of the waterproofness of the second membrane region, and   wherein the first membrane region is located closer to a lower surface of the upper than the second membrane region of the upper, the lower surface of the upper being configured to form a bite line with a sole when coupled thereto.   
     
     
         6 . The upper according to  claim 2 , wherein the characteristic of the first set of characteristics and the corresponding characteristic of the second set of characteristics is a vapor permeability, and
 wherein the value of the vapor permeability of the first membrane region ranges from 3 RET to 15 RET, and   wherein the value of the vapor permeability of the second membrane region ranges from 3 RET to 15 RET.   
     
     
         7 . The upper according to  claim 1 , further comprising a connecting region disposed between the first membrane region and the second membrane region. 
     
     
         8 . The upper according to  claim 7 , wherein the first membrane region comprises a first membrane, the second membrane region comprises a second membrane, and the connecting region comprises a join assembling the first membrane and the second membrane. 
     
     
         9 . The upper according to  claim 8 , wherein the join comprises at least one of an adhesive, a tape, a welded laser connection, a vibration connection, an infrared connection, a supersonic connection, a hot bar or hot pressing connection, or a seam with stiches. 
     
     
         10 . The upper according to  claim 1 , wherein the first membrane region defines a first zone within a membrane,
 wherein the second membrane region defines a second zone within the membrane,   wherein a connecting region disposed between the first membrane region and the second membrane region defines a third zone within the membrane connecting the first zone and the second zone, and   wherein a thickness, a density, or a material of the first zone is different from a corresponding thickness, density, or material of the second zone.   
     
     
         11 . The upper according to  claim 1 , wherein the first membrane region or the second membrane region includes a laminated structure having a carrier and a membrane layer, wherein the carrier is formed from at least one of an engineered mesh, a weft or warp knitted fabric, or a woven fabric. 
     
     
         12 . The upper according to  claim 1 , wherein the first membrane region is inserted into the second membrane region. 
     
     
         13 . The upper according to  claim 12 , wherein the first membrane region is U-shaped, rectangular shaped, trapezoid shaped, triangular shaped, or V-shaped. 
     
     
         14 . The upper according to  claim 13 , wherein the upper further comprises an outer layer at least partially overlapping the first membrane region and coupled to the second membrane region, and
 wherein the outer layer at least partially overlaps a connecting region disposed between the first membrane region and the second membrane region.   
     
     
         15 . The upper according to  claim 13 , wherein the upper further comprises an inner layer at least partially overlapped by the first membrane region and coupled to the second membrane region, and
 wherein the inner layer is at least partially overlapped by a connection region disposed between the first membrane region and the second membrane region.   
     
     
         16 . The upper according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper further comprises a shoelace,
 wherein the shoelace is coupled to a plurality of eyestay elements, and   wherein each eyestay element holds a loop of the shoelace at a respective point of fixation.   
     
     
         17 . The upper according to  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of eyestay elements are coupled to a connecting region disposed between the first membrane region and the second membrane region. 
     
     
         18 . The upper according to  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of eyestay elements are coupled to an edge of an outer layer of the upper, the outer layer being attached to the second membrane region. 
     
     
         19 . The upper according to  claim 1 , further comprising a third membrane region located in an area of the upper different from the first and second membrane regions and having a third set of characteristics,
 wherein the value of the characteristic of the first set of characteristics and the value of the corresponding characteristic of the second set of characteristics are different from a value of the corresponding characteristic of the third set of characteristics.   
     
     
         20 . A shoe comprising the upper according to  claim 1 .