Smooth shoe uppers and methods for producing them
AssigneeReebok International Ltd.
InventorsWilliam Marvin, Paul Litchfield, Brian Christensen, Paul Davis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Shoe uppers having smooth seams and methods for producing them are disclosed. In one embodiment the upper uses thermoplastic seam tape which forms bonds between contiguous upper sections after being subjected to heat and/or pressure. In another embodiment, different parts of the shoe can be joined using hidden seams. Close seams can also be covered with a transfer material adapted to give the interior and/or exterior of the upper a smooth surface. In yet another embodiment, a method is disclosed which allows three-dimensional upper sections to be bonded on a last using thermoplastic seam tape.
Claims15
An upper for an article of footwear comprising:
- an interior portion of the upper having an interior side, wherein the interior portion further comprises a forward interior panel and an interior panel rearwardly adjacent the forward interior panel, wherein the forward interior panel and the adjacent interior panel are joined at least partially to one another by at least one stitchless seam, and wherein an edge portion of the forward interior panel overlaps an edge portion of the adjacent interior panel along the stitchless seam;
- and
- a thermoplastic seam tape disposed on the interior side of the interior portion and substantially covering the stitchless seam,
- wherein overlapping area of the forward interior panel and the adjacent interior panel is less than non-overlapping area of the forward interior panel and the adjacent interior panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.