Footwear article and method of manufacturing such a footwear article

Abstract

The present invention relates to an article of footwear (100) comprising an upper (110, 145, 155), and at least one sole (130) connected by means of at least one thermofused portion. The article comprises an internal textile part covering at least one part of the foot (145) comprising an external face (145a), and an external textile part covering at least part of the foot (155) comprising an internal face (155b). The external face (145a) of the internal textile covering part (145) comprises an external main region (148), and the internal face (155b) of the external textile covering part (155) comprises an internal main region (158) comprising at least one textile portion that is at least partially thermofused. Said regions (148, 158) are at least partially superimposed and are not glued together. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing said footwear article. Figure 7

Description

Title of the invention: Footwear article, and method of manufacturing such a footwear article Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of footwear, in particular sports shoes.

[0002] The present invention also relates to the field of methods for manufacturing such footwear. Prior art

[0003] Conventional footwear articles generally comprise an upper and a sole structure. The upper is secured to the sole structure and forms a void within the footwear article to comfortably receive and secure a foot. The sole structure is secured to a lower region of the upper, and operatively disposed between the ground, and the upper.

[0004] In athletic footwear, the sole structure may include a wear sole and a midsole. The midsole often includes a polymeric foam material that absorbs shock from the ground upon impact to lessen the effects on the foot and leg during walking, running, or other ambulatory activities. The sole structure may also include a liner positioned near the underside of the foot to enhance the comfort of the footwear.

[0005] The soles are traditionally joined to the uppers using a so-called Strobel assembly in which the various sole elements (insole, midsole and outsole in particular) are assembled. The manufacturing processes for a conventional shoe require dozens of steps, and produce a lot of waste from the cutting of materials.

[0006] It is sought to simplify the manufacturing processes of footwear articles, in particular by reducing the number of steps and / or the energy and material consumption. This problem is also part of the search for a manufacturing process that can be implemented as close as possible to the place of use of the footwear article in order to reduce its carbon impact, facilitate stock management, and allow the personalization of the footwear article.

[0007] One solution is to eliminate the sewing steps required to shape the initially flat upper in three dimensions. The upper is obtained from the assembly of one or a few pieces, and no longer from multiple pieces joined together by sewing.

[0008] WO 2019 / 234374 A1 thus proposes a first textile slipper formed in three dimensions directly at the outlet of a textile loom (for example a knitting loom), partially heat-meltable, used in the construction of the upper, then to secure this first slipper to a wear sole. The first textile slipper is reinforced by placing a second textile slipper, in three dimensions, partially heat-meltable, around the first slipper by wrapping the junction between the first slipper and the wear sole in order to improve resistance to delamination. The assembly comprising the first and second textile slipper and the wear sole undergoes a heat treatment to melt the heat-meltable threads and fix the shape of an upper. The manufacturing process is simplified by significantly reducing the number of manufacturing steps.

[0009] However, it is sought to improve these footwear articles, in order to lighten them, improve their resistance to abrasion and tearing, and their breathability. Indeed, the thermofused textile portions are not breathable. In addition, they stiffen the footwear article. They are necessary to provide abrasion resistance, tear resistance and fix the shape of the article, but they must not limit the flexibility and conformability of the footwear article.

[0010] Furthermore, limiting the number of steps in the manufacture of an item of footwear may restrict the scope of the desired technical functions and aesthetic results. It is indeed necessary that the reduced and simplified primary construction steps (knitting of a tubular element, and thermocompression or thermoforming for example) also make it possible to technically functionalize the item of footwear (in particular by ensuring the following property(ies): cushioning, rebound, comfort, proprioception, breathability, possibly impermeability, resistance to wear / abrasion / tearing, etc.) while offering varied visual aspects.

[0011] There is thus a need for an item of footwear comprising one or more thermofused textile portion(s), or at least partially thermofused, which is light, flexible, and breathable, while offering satisfactory resistance to abrasion and tearing, and comfortably fitting the shape of the foot.

[0012] There is also a need for a method of manufacturing such an article of footwear which is simplified while offering numerous possibilities as to the technical and aesthetic functions which can be imparted to the article of footwear. Statement of the invention

[0013] The present invention relates, according to a first aspect, to an article of footwear, in particular a sports shoe, responding at least in part to the aforementioned problems in that it comprises an upper, and a sole structure comprising at least one sole, said upper and said at least one sole are connected by by means of at least one portion, in particular textile, thermofused. Said footwear article further comprises: - an internal textile tubular element comprising an internal textile part covering at least part of the foot, said internal textile covering part comprising an external face, and - an external textile tubular element comprising an external textile part covering at least part of the foot, said external textile covering part comprising an internal face, said external textile tubular element receiving in an internal volume at least in part said internal textile tubular element, - the outer face of the inner textile covering part comprises an outer main region, and the inner face of the outer covering textile portion comprises an inner main region comprising at least one at least partially heat-fused textile portion, and - in that the outer and inner main regions are at least partially superimposed and are not glued together.

[0014] Advantageously, the superimposed external and internal main regions of the upper are not glued together, which improves the breathability and flexibility of the upper, and allows for different aesthetic results.

[0015] Furthermore, this arrangement is advantageously obtained by a manufacturing method allowing energy savings as described below, in particular with reference to a second aspect of the invention.

[0016] Preferably, the outer and inner main regions are not secured to each other.

[0017] Preferably, the upper and the sole, in particular the wear sole, are connected by means of at least one thermofused textile portion of the upper and / or at least one thermofused textile portion of the sole (for example originating from a textile part of the sole) and / or at least one thermofused portion (in particular non-textile) of the sole (for example originating from thermoplastic granules). Footwear item

[0018] The footwear article comprises a volume for receiving or accommodating the foot as well as an opening for introducing the foot for placing the foot in said volume for accommodating the foot.

[0019] Advantageously, the footwear article comprises a medial side and a lateral side, in particular said footwear article comprises a forefoot region arranged between the medial and lateral sides, a forefoot region arranged on the lateral side, a forefoot region arranged on the medial side, a midfoot region arranged on the side medial, a midfoot region disposed on the lateral side, a rearfoot region disposed between the medial and lateral sides, a rearfoot region disposed on the medial side, and a rearfoot region disposed on the lateral side, and optionally an instep area.

[0020] Advantageously, the footwear article comprises a medial edge, extending on the medial side, and a lateral edge extending on the lateral side.

[0021] Advantageously, the article of footwear comprises a front edge and a rear edge, in particular extending between the medial and lateral sides.

[0022] In this text, the medial side of the footwear article, and of any element it comprises (upper, sole structure, internal / external textile tubular element, internal / external (textile) foot covering part, etc.), is understood to mean any element or part of the footwear article arranged between the central longitudinal axis of the footwear article and the natural internal side of the foot.

[0023] In this text, the term "lateral side" of the footwear article, and of any element it comprises (upper, sole structure, internal / external textile tubular element, internal / external (textile) foot covering part, etc.), is understood to mean any element or part of the footwear article arranged between the central longitudinal axis of the footwear article and the natural external side of the foot.

[0024] Advantageously, the footwear article comprises a central longitudinal axis L extending between its front and rear edges.

[0025] Advantageously, the footwear article comprises a transverse axis T extending between its medial and lateral sides, in particular substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L.

[0026] Preferably, the inner textile tubular element and the outer textile tubular element are at least partially superimposed.

[0027] Preferably, the upper inner covering portion and the upper outer covering portion are at least partially superimposed. Stem

[0028] Advantageously, the upper comprises, in particular is essentially made up of, the internal textile part covering at least in part the foot of the internal textile tubular element and the external textile part covering at least in part the foot of the external textile tubular element.

[0029] Preferably, the upper extends into / covers one or more regions of the top of the foot selected from: the forefoot region disposed on the lateral side and / or the forefoot region disposed on the medial side; and / or the forefoot region extending between the lateral side and the medial side; and / or the instep area; and / or the midfoot region disposed on the lateral side and / or the midfoot region disposed on the medial side; and / or the rearfoot region disposed on the lateral side and / or the hindfoot region disposed on the medial side; and / or the hindfoot region extending between the lateral side and the medial side; and possibly at least partly the leg region.

[0030] Preferably, the upper extends into / covers the following regions: the forefoot region arranged on the lateral side, the forefoot region arranged on the medial side, the forefoot region extending between the lateral side and the medial side; and / or the midfoot region arranged on the lateral side, the midfoot region arranged on the medial side, the rearfoot region arranged on the lateral side, the rearfoot region arranged on the medial side, the rearfoot region extending between the lateral side and the medial side, and optionally at least partly the leg region and / or the instep area.

[0031] Preferably, the upper extends between a lateral side and a medial side of the article of footwear, and between a front edge and a rear edge of the article of footwear.

[0032] The upper may comprise other upper element(s), for example a logo, one or more functional element(s), and / or one or more aesthetic element(s) secured to the external textile covering part and / or to the internal textile covering part.

[0033] Advantageously, the functional element may be a rear buttress, a front hard end, or a lateral or medial reinforcement.

[0034] Advantageously, the external textile covering part comprises one or more regions in which threads are glued together or a thread is glued to itself.

[0035] Advantageously, the internal main region comprises, in particular is essentially made up of, threads glued together and / or a thread glued to itself. Sole structure

[0036] The sole structure comprises at least one sole, said at least one sole may be a wear sole and / or a midsole.

[0037] Naturally, the sole structure extends between the foot and the ground.

[0038] Advantageously, the footwear article comprises an external face, in particular an external face for engagement with the ground.

[0039] In a preferred example, the external face of the sole structure, or the external face of said at least one sole (in particular a wear sole), is the external face of engagement with the ground of the footwear article.

[0040] The sole structure may comprise a midsole and / or a sockliner, in particular arranged removably in the foot-receiving volume of the footwear item. In particular, the outer face of the midsole or the outer face of the sockliner is arranged directly opposite the inner face of the outsole.

[0041] The sole structure advantageously comprises the textile sole part of the internal textile tubular element and / or the textile sole part of the external textile tubular element, and possibly a textile pocket receiving one or more thermofusible element(s) at least in part and / or one or more sole element(s) (for example a sole insert, possibly thermocompressed, or a cushioning element).

[0042] A sole element may be a heat-fusible film, for example made of polyurethane, covering all or part of the external face of the textile sole part of the external textile tubular element.

[0043] Said at least one sole of the sole structure

[0044] Said at least one sole is preferably a wear sole.

[0045] Advantageously, said at least one sole is secured to the upper by at least one thermofused textile portion that the upper comprises, in particular by at least one thermofused textile portion of the internal textile covering part and / or of the external textile covering part, and / or that the sole structure comprises, in particular by at least one thermofused textile portion of the textile sole part of the internal textile tubular element and / or of the textile sole part of the external textile tubular element.

[0046] Said at least one sole may also be secured to the upper by one or more seams or another means other than a thermofused textile portion.

[0047] In one example, said at least one sole may be differentiated in its height, in particular may comprise a portion of its height in a composition A, in particular comprising one or more thermofused polymer material(s), and a portion of its height in a composition B different from composition A, in particular not comprising thermofused material.

[0048] In particular, the portion in composition A may be derived from a mixture of one or more thermofusible polymer(s) which has / have been thermofused, and the portion in composition B may be derived from a non-thermofusible or non-thermofusible mixture, for example rubber. It may be one or more element(s) in a non-thermofusible and abrasion-resistant material arranged in the bottom of the part(s) of the mold intended to form one or more parts of the external engagement face of the footwear article, or even secured after the thermocompression step during a sole finishing step, in particular for manufacturing a wear sole. Internal textile tubular element

[0049] Advantageously, the internal textile tubular element is woven or knitted (in particular with weft or warp stitches), preferably knitted (in particular with weft).

[0050] The internal textile tubular element is preferably a knitted tube, in particular a tube knitted on a circular knitting machine of small diameter (i.e. the diameter of which is between 5 cm and 20 cm, in particular between 5 cm and 15 cm).

[0051] The inner textile tubular element is preferably a tube comprising a portion angled, particularly intended to receive the heel.

[0052] The internal textile tubular element is advantageously a knitted sock.

[0053] The inner textile tubular element preferably comprises a front end open which is closed, more particularly closed by stitching. Preferably, the front open end which is closed by stitching is a toe reception area.

[0054] Advantageously, the internal textile tubular element comprises a volume for receiving or accommodating the foot and an opening for introducing the foot for accommodating the foot in said receiving volume.

[0055] Advantageously, the internal textile tubular element comprises an internal textile part covering at least part of the foot, and an internal textile part of the sole in textile connection (in particular knitted) with the internal textile part covering at least part of the foot.

[0056] Advantageously, the internal textile tubular element is of unitary knitted construction.

[0057] The internal textile part covering the foot can cover all or one or more regions of the top of the foot.

[0058] The internal textile sole part of the internal textile tubular element, also referred to in this text as internal sole part, may cover all or one or more regions of the underside of the foot.

[0059] The internal textile covering part and / or the internal sole part is / are arranged according to the configuration of the desired footwear item.

[0060] Preferably, the inner textile covering portion extends into / covers one or more regions of the top of the foot selected from: the forefoot region arranged on the lateral side and / or the forefoot region arranged on the medial side; and / or the forefoot region extending between the lateral side and the medial side; and / or the instep area; and / or the midfoot region arranged on the lateral side and / or the midfoot region arranged on the medial side; and / or the rearfoot region arranged on the lateral side and / or the rearfoot region arranged on the medial side; and / or the rearfoot region extending between the lateral side and the medial side; and optionally at least partly the leg region.

[0061] The underfoot region(s) in which the inner sole portion extends / (covers) is / are selected from: the forefoot region extending between the lateral and medial sides of the footwear article; and / or the midfoot region extending between the lateral and medial sides of the article of footwear; and / or the rearfoot region extending between the lateral and medial sides of the article of footwear.

[0062] Preferably, the internal textile tubular element comprises an external face and an internal face, in particular substantially opposite.

[0063] Preferably, the external face of the internal textile tubular element is oriented opposite the internal face of the external textile tubular element.

[0064] Preferably, the internal face of the internal textile tubular element is oriented opposite the volume for receiving the foot of the footwear article.

[0065] Preferably, the outer main region extends between the inner and outer faces of the inner textile tubular element, in particular forms a part of the latter.

[0066] Advantageously, the external main region is a textile region, in particular not comprising a thermofused textile portion or no partially thermofused textile portion.

[0067] Advantageously, the internal textile tubular element comprises one or more thread(s), and in particular one or more non-thermally melted thread(s), and / or one or more thermomelted thread(s) at least in part, in particular entirely or in part.

[0068] Preferably, the internal textile tubular element comprises one or more monofilament yarn(s) and / or one or more multifilament yarn(s) and / or one or more spun yarn(s) of fibers. External textile tubular element

[0069] Advantageously, the external textile tubular element is woven or knitted (in particular with weft or warp stitches), preferably knitted (in particular with weft).

[0070] The external textile tubular element is preferably a knitted tube, in particular a tube knitted on a circular knitting machine of small diameter (i.e. the diameter of which is between 5 cm and 20 cm, in particular between 5 cm and 15 cm).

[0071] The external textile tubular element is preferably a tube comprising a bent part, in particular intended to receive the heel.

[0072] The external textile tubular element is advantageously a knitted sock.

[0073] The outer textile tubular element preferably comprises a front end open, in particular which is closed, more particularly closed by sewing. Preferably, the open front end is a tip of the foot reception area.

[0074] Advantageously, the external textile tubular element comprises a volume for receiving or accommodating the foot and an opening for introducing the foot for accommodating the foot in said receiving volume.

[0075] Advantageously, the external textile tubular element comprises an external textile part covering at least part of the foot, and an external sole textile part in textile connection (in particular in knitted connection) with the external textile part. recovery.

[0076] Advantageously, the external textile tubular element is of unitary knitted construction.

[0077] The external textile part covering at least part of the foot can cover all or one or more regions of the top of the foot.

[0078] The sole portion of the external textile tubular element, also referred to in this text as external sole textile portion, may cover all or one or more regions of the underside of the foot.

[0079] The external textile covering part and / or the external textile sole part is / are arranged according to the configuration of the desired footwear article.

[0080] Preferably, the outer textile covering portion extends into / covers one or more regions of the top of the foot selected from: the forefoot region arranged on the lateral side and / or the forefoot region arranged on the medial side; and / or the forefoot region extending between the lateral side and the medial side; and / or the instep area; and / or the midfoot region arranged on the lateral side and / or the midfoot region arranged on the medial side; and / or the rearfoot region arranged on the lateral side and / or the rearfoot region arranged on the medial side; and / or the rearfoot region extending between the lateral side and the medial side; and optionally at least partly the leg region.

[0081] The underfoot region(s) in which the outer sole portion extends / (covers) is / are selected from: the forefoot region extending between the lateral and medial sides of the footwear article; and / or the midfoot region extending between the lateral and medial sides of the footwear article; and / or the rearfoot region extending between the lateral and medial sides of the footwear article.

[0082] Preferably, the external textile tubular element comprises an external face and an internal face, in particular substantially opposite.

[0083] Preferably, the internal face of the external textile tubular element is oriented opposite the external face of the internal textile tubular element.

[0084] Preferably, the external face of the external textile tubular element is oriented facing the exterior of the footwear article.

[0085] Preferably, the inner main region extends between the inner and outer faces of the outer textile tubular element, in particular forms a part of the latter.

[0086] Preferably, the internal main region is a textile region, in particular comprising a partially thermofused or thermofused textile portion.

[0087] Advantageously, the external textile tubular element comprises one or more thread(s), and in particular one or more non-thermally melted thread(s), and / or one or more thermomelted thread(s) at least in part, in particular entirely or in part.

[0088] Preferably, the outer textile tubular element comprises one or more thread(s) monofilament(s) and / or one or more multifilament yarn(s) and / or one or more spun yarn(s) of fibers.

[0089] In one embodiment, the inner textile tubular element and the outer textile tubular element are two distinct and separate knitted pieces.

[0090] In this case, when the internal and external textile tubular elements are at least partially superimposed, the internal textile tubular element being arranged in an interior volume for receiving the foot of the external textile tubular element, the internal mounting face of the external textile tubular element is oriented opposite the external mounting face of the internal textile tubular element.

[0091] The internal mounting face of the internal textile tubular element is then oriented opposite the volume for receiving the foot of the footwear article.

[0092] In one embodiment, the internal textile tubular element and the external textile tubular element are in the same textile piece (in particular knitted), in particular are in textile connection (in particular knitted) at the level of their openings for introducing the foot into their respective foot reception volumes or at the level of their respective open toes.

[0093] In this case, the internal textile tubular element being arranged in the receiving volume of the foot of the external textile tubular element by turning over, said internal and external textile tubular elements being superimposed at least in part, the internal mounting face of the external textile tubular element is oriented opposite the internal mounting face of the internal textile tubular element.

[0094] The external mounting face of the internal textile tubular element is then oriented opposite the volume for receiving the foot of the footwear article.

[0095] Advantageously, on the footwear article corresponding to the finished article, in practice, the external face of the internal textile tubular element is oriented directly opposite the internal face of the external textile tubular element.

[0096] In one embodiment, the external face of the outsole, or possibly the external face of engagement with the ground of the footwear article, comprises, in particular is essentially constituted, at least in part of the textile sole part of the external textile tubular element.

[0097] In particular, the textile sole part of the external textile tubular element fits, in particular forms a covering fitting, the contour of one or more slot(s) opening out and open on the external face of said outsole as well as the contour of said bottom(s) corresponding to said slot(s).

[0098] At least partially thermofused textile portion

[0099] Advantageously, an at least partially thermofused textile portion defined in the present text is: - a part of one or more wire(s) which is partially heat-melted so that said portion retains a recognizable textile structure, the thread(s) being glued to each other and / or to one or more other thread(s), and / or is / are stiffened (in particular without being glued to each other); or - a portion of one or more thread(s) which is heat-melted so that said portion forms a film or coating or a polymeric melt such as a binder (in particular the textile structure is no longer recognizable).

[0100] Advantageously, in all cases, a change in state of the thermofusible textile portion is observed, in particular making it possible to bond threads together and / or to form a film or a coating or a binder or a matrix, and / or to stiffen the thread(s), in order to retain the shape given during thermocompression and to form differentiated technical zones.

[0101] The internal / external textile tubular element may comprise one or more at least partially heat-melted textile portion(s), in particular one or more heat-melted or partially heat-melted textile portion(s).

[0102] The internal / external textile tubular element may comprise one or more textile portion(s) which are at least partially heat-melted, in particular one or more heat-melted or partially heat-melted textile portion(s).

[0103] A thermofused or partially thermofused textile portion may be a portion: - a single-component monofilament yarn which is at least partially heat-melted (and therefore in particular heat-meltable before its transformation) or two-component comprising at least a first component which is at least partially heat-melted (and therefore in particular heat-meltable before its transformation) and at least a second component which is not heat-melted (and therefore in particular not heat-meltable before its transformation) as defined in the context of the present invention, - a multifilament yarn comprising one or more single-component filament(s) which are at least partially heat-melted (and therefore in particular heat-meltable before transformation) or two-component filament(s), each filament comprising at least one first component which is at least partially heat-melted (and therefore in particular heat-meltable) and at least one second component which is not heat-melted (and therefore in particular not heat-meltable before transformation) as defined in the context of the present invention, optionally mixed with one or more single-component filament(s) which are not heat-melted (and therefore in particular not heat-meltable) in the context of the present invention.

[0104] For example, a single-component yarn is a polyurethane monofilament yarn, for example having a melting temperature ranging from about 80°C-120°C.

[0105] For example, a bi-component yarn comprises filaments each of which is of the core-coat type, i.e. comprising a coat comprising said first component having a melting temperature ranging from about 80°C-120°C and a core comprising said second component, in particular having a melting or softening temperature higher than that of the first component, for example ranging from 150°C to 190°C.

[0106] Said at least partially thermofused (or thermofusible) single-component or two-component yarn(s) preferably has / have (each) a linear mass ranging from 300 dtex to 1200 dtex, in particular ranging from 400 dtex to 800 dtex, in particular ranging from 600 dtex to 700 dtex.

[0107] One or more at least partially heat-melted yarns is understood to mean: one or more fully heat-melted yarns, and one or more partially heat-melted yarns. Preferably, said at least partially heat-melted yarn(s) is / are one or more single-component multifilament yarn(s).

[0108] Preferably, said single-component or two-component thermofusible multifilament yarn(s) each has / have an elongation at break greater than or equal to 80% or 100%, more preferably greater than or equal to 115, preferably less than or equal to 200%. Son)

[0109] The monofilament yarn(s) and / or the spun fiber yarn(s) and / or the multifilament yarn(s) cited in the present text may be in one or more materials chosen from: - a list I comprising: polyesters, in particular chosen from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or a combination thereof; polyamides, in particular chosen from PA 6, PA 6-6, and a combination thereof; polyolefins, in particular polyethylene, polypropylene, and a combination thereof; elastanes; and a combination thereof; and / or - a list II comprising: cotton, regenerated cellulose, for example viscose, linen, sisal, wool, jute, silk, hemp, and a combination of these; - a list III comprising: para-aramids, meta-aramids and carbon; and / or - a list IV including: recycled textiles, in particular recycled clothing, for example thermal protective clothing such as clothing for firefighters.

[0110] The material(s) listed in list I, and / or list II, and / or list III and / or list IV, can be recycled and / or biosourced at least in part. The monofilament yarn(s) preferably has / have a diameter greater than or equal to 0.01 mm and less than or equal to 5 mm, more preferably greater than or equal to 0.1 mm and less than or equal to 2 mm.

[0111] The multifilament yarn(s) and / or spun yarn(s) of fibers preferably has / have a linear mass greater than or equal to 10 dtex and less than or equal to 1000 dtex, more preferably greater than or equal to 30 dtex and less than or equal to 500 dtex.

[0112] Advantageously, the non-thermally melted thread(s) comprises / comprise, in particular is / are essentially made up of one or more polymer material(s) whose melting or degradation temperature is higher than the maximum temperature used in the manufacturing process of the footwear article.

[0113] The thread(s), in particular non-thermal melted, may also be one or more elastic thread(s).

[0114] Elastic thread is understood to mean any thread whose elongation at break is greater than or equal to 100% or 200%, in particular greater than or equal to 300%, in particular greater than or equal to 400%. The elastic thread preferably comprises an elastic core, in particular made of elastane, and possibly one or more cover threads. The elongation can be measured using the ASTM D 1578-93 (2016) standard. By definition, the elastic thread is not heat-melted. Definitions

[0115] In the present text, the term "hot-melt" or "first hot-melt component" means any material or first component which is hot-melted or partially hot-melted during the manufacture of the footwear article according to the invention.

[0116] In the present text, the term non-heat-meltable means any material / component which is not heat-melted during the manufacture of the footwear article according to the invention.

[0117] This material or component may be a thermoplastic material or not, but which has a melting or softening temperature or even a degradation temperature which is higher than the highest heating temperature used in the manufacturing process of the footwear article according to the invention.

[0118] In the present text, the term “at least partially thermofusible thread(s)” is understood to mean that said thread(s) is / are totally thermofusible or comprises / comprises only a portion of its structure which is thermofusible.

[0119] In a first embodiment, the footwear article comprises an internal textile tubular element, in particular an internal sock, an external textile tubular element, in particular an external sock, and one or more at least partially thermofused sole element(s).

[0120] For example, the at least partially thermofused sole element(s) is / are arranged between the inner and outer sole textile portions of said inner and outer textile tubular elements.

[0121] This arrangement is preferred when one or more sole elements comprise one or more hot-melt material(s) not compatible by hot bonding with one of the sole textile parts of an internal / external textile tubular element. In addition, the delamination resistance of the sole structure is improved.

[0122] Preferably, the sole portion of the external textile tubular element matches in whole or in part the geometry of the external engagement face of the footwear article.

[0123] The textile sole part of the external textile tubular element is therefore visible from the outside of the footwear item.

[0124] For example, the sole portion of the external textile tubular element comprises one or more patterns, for example one or more colored or transparent / translucent threads at least partially heat-fused or non-heat-fused, visible on the external engagement face of the footwear article.

[0125] For example, the at least partially thermofused sole element(s) is / are arranged between the outer sole textile part and the ground engagement face of the footwear article (in particular the inner face of the molding assembly described in the method below).

[0126] For example, each of the inner and outer sole textile parts of the inner and outer textile tubular elements comprises at least partly thermofused thread(s), in particular made of polyurethane, optionally mixed with one or more non-thermofused thread(s), for example made of high-tenacity polyester (PET for example).

[0127] For example, the internal textile part covering at least part of the foot comprises one or more non-thermal melted thread(s) (for example one or more multifilament thread(s), in particular made of polyester (PET for example), possibly mixed with one or more thermo-melted thread(s) at least in part.

[0128] The non-thermal-fused thread(s) has / have a linear mass ranging from 200 denier to 1000 denier, in particular from 400 denier to 950 denier.

[0129] For example, the external textile part covering at least part of the foot comprises one or more thermofused thread(s) at least in part, possibly mixed with one or more non-thermofused thread(s).

[0130] In an alternative embodiment, the external textile covering part comprises one or more additional internal region(s), and the internal textile covering part comprises one or more additional external region(s).

[0131] In particular, an external additional region is at least partly superimposed with an internal additional region, said external and internal additional regions are not glued together.

[0132] Advantageously, the additional internal region(s) comprises / (each comprises) a textile portion that is at least partially heat-melted.

[0133] Advantageously, the additional external region(s) does not comprise / (each comprises) a thermofused textile portion.

[0134] Advantageously, the external main region is distinct from the external additional region.

[0135] Advantageously, the internal main region is distinct from the additional region. internal.

[0136] In an alternative embodiment, the external, respectively internal, covering textile part comprises a medial or lateral upper edge which is substantially free over at least part of its length.

[0137] Advantageously, the main external textile region, respectively internal, extending substantially between said medial or lateral upper edge, and the sole textile part of the external tubular element, respectively internal.

[0138] In an alternative embodiment, the external textile covering part comprises a medial or lateral upper edge of which at least part of the length is not glued to the internal textile covering part, in particular to the corresponding medial or lateral upper edge.

[0139] In an alternative embodiment, the external textile covering portion comprises a medial or lateral upper edge comprising a first region, and the internal textile covering portion comprises a medial or lateral upper edge comprising a second region, the first and second regions are not glued together.

[0140] In an alternative embodiment, the external textile covering part comprises a medial or lateral upper edge comprising one or more external lacing zone(s), optionally the internal textile covering part comprises a medial or lateral upper edge comprising one or more internal lacing zone(s), possibly cooperating with said external lacing zone(s) for the passage of at least one common elongate element.

[0141] In an alternative embodiment, the outer main region does not comprise a thermofused textile portion.

[0142] Advantageously, the external main region comprises sections of movable (in particular sliding) yarn(s) relative to each other), in particular comprises knitted stitches movable relative to each other.

[0143] Advantageously, this arrangement makes it possible to provide flexibility to the main external region, and to maintain good breathability because the sections of mobile thread(s) promote the evacuation of heat and perspiration.

[0144] In an alternative embodiment, the internal textile tubular element comprises a sole textile portion comprising one or more thermofused textile portion(s), and the external textile tubular element comprises a sole textile portion comprising one or more thermofused textile portion(s).

[0145] In an alternative embodiment, at least 50% or 60% or 70% or 80% or 90% of the total mass of each of the sole parts of the internal and external textile tubular elements consists essentially of thermo-fused textile portion(s).

[0146] In a variant, at least 50% or 60% or 70% or 80% of the total mass of the external textile tubular element consists essentially of at least partially heat-fused textile portion(s).

[0147] This arrangement makes it possible to stiffen the footwear article, to improve its resistance to abrasion, and to protect, in particular from abrasion, the internal textile tubular element.

[0148] In one variant, at least a portion of the upper, and at least a portion of said at least one sole, are in a molded part, in particular in a thermocompressed part.

[0149] Advantageously, at least one part of the upper, and at least one part of said at least one sole are manufactured during the same molding step, in particular a thermocompression step.

[0150] In a variant, at least 20% or 30% or 40% or 50% or 60% or 65% or 70% or 75% or 80% or 85% or 90% or 95% or approximately 100% of the surface of the external face of the internal textile covering part is not glued, in particular is not secured, to the internal face of the internal textile covering part.

[0151] In a variant, the internal textile part covering at least part of the foot and the external textile part covering at least part of the foot are secured to each other essentially at their respective lower peripheral edges, in particular by means of one or more thermofused textile portion(s).

[0152] Advantageously, the lower peripheral edges are those respectively connecting the external textile covering part with said at least one sole and connecting the internal textile covering part with said at least one sole.

[0153] In a variant, the sole, in particular a wear sole, extending between an inner face and an outer face, comprises one or more slot(s) opening out and open on its outer face, each of said slot(s) having a bottom, and - the distance (d) between a bottom (in particular said bottom or a bottom chosen from said bottoms) and the inner face of the wear sole is less than or equal to 0.50 times, or 0.45 times or 0.40 times or 0.35 times or 0.30 times or 0.25 times or 0.20 times, the depth (p) of the slot corresponding to said bottom (or d<0.50 or 0.45 or 0.40 or 0.35 or 0.30 or 0.25 or 0.20 * p) (in particular designated in the present text by ratio A); and / or - the distance (d) between a bottom (in particular said bottom or a bottom chosen from said bottoms) and the internal face of the outsole is less than or equal to 0.50 times or 0.45 times or 0.40 times or 0.35 times or 0.30 times or 0.25 times or 0.20 times, the distance (D) between the internal face of the outsole and the top of the slot corresponding to said bottom (in particular designated in this text by ratio B).

[0154] Preferably, the outsole comprises a plurality of slots, in particular at least 10 or 15 or 20 slots.

[0155] The outsole may comprise one or more slots not satisfying the ratio stated above combined with one or more slots satisfying the ratio stated above.

[0156] The inventors have determined that the presence of slot(s) satisfying the ratio stated above makes it possible to attribute flexibility, and therefore good flexibility to the outsole, thus compensating for the rigidity conferred on the outsole by its thermocompression manufacturing process.

[0157] Indeed, the thermocompression process advantageously makes it possible to form a footwear article comprising an upper and a sole essentially in one step. However, this technique involves the use of specific thermofusible material(s) which is / are considered hard for the shoe application, in particular sports shoe.

[0158] The formation of slit(s) in the external face of the outsole provides flexibility and facilitates the rolling of the foot.

[0159] Advantageously, the slot(s) do(es) not open onto the internal face of the outsole.

[0160] Said sole, in particular said outsole, comprises one or more slots each having a front end and a rear end, a front end being able to face, or open onto, a medial or lateral edge or a front or rear edge, and a rear end being able to face, or open onto, a medial or lateral edge or a front or rear edge.

[0161] The slot(s) may have a substantially rectilinear or curved trajectory or comprise several curve(s), preferably rectilinear.

[0162] In one variant, the footwear article comprises a foot-receiving volume, and the inner face of the outsole opens directly into the foot-receiving volume of said footwear article.

[0163] Advantageously, the outsole being thermocompressed and therefore molded at the same time with part or all of the upper, the outsole is connected to the upper.

[0164] In conventional methods of manufacturing an article of footwear, a midsole is disposed between the upper and the outsole. A midsole generally comprises a foaming material in order to trap air. However, due to the thermocompression process of compacting the molten material, the implementation of such a midsole reliably is complex since it must be disposed between the upper and an outsole without being crushed / compacted and remaining correctly positioned.

[0165] Advantageously, in the invention, the thermocompressed outsole is thus directly connected to the upper. Preferably, the midsole and / or a insole is / are added after the thermocompression step.

[0166] In a variant, the outsole comprises several slots arranged so as to delimit at least one protrusion between at least two adjacent slots, in particular said at least one protrusion comprises at least two free side walls.

[0167] Advantageously, the outsole comprises several protrusions delimited by slots, in particular each of said slots having free side walls.

[0168] Advantageously, the protrusions each comprise a free external wall, in particular formed from a portion of the external face of said sole which is a wear sole.

[0169] Advantageously, each of the protrusions comprises a posterior portion connecting the latter to the body of the outsole.

[0170] Advantageously, each of the protrusions comprises at least three free side walls.

[0171] Advantageously, the protrusions comprise protrusions comprising four free side walls, and optionally protrusions comprising at least three free side walls, or five free side walls.

[0172] The foregoing arrangements allow freely deforming protrusions to be formed, which improves the cushioning and flexibility of the outsole in multiple directions.

[0173] In particular, the sole part of the external textile tubular element fits the free side walls, and possibly the free external wall(s) (notably defined below), of one or more protrusion(s).

[0174] In a variant, the footwear article comprises a medial edge and a lateral edge, the outsole extends between said medial and lateral edges, and the outsole comprises one or more transverse slit(s) extending at least in part between said lateral and medial edges of the footwear article, and possibly opening onto one of said lateral and medial edges, in particular opening onto said medial and lateral edges.

[0175] One or more transverse slits may extend across a portion of the width of the outsole or across substantially the entire width of the outsole, particularly in the rearfoot region and / or in the midfoot region and / or in the forefoot region.

[0176] Advantageously, the transverse slots of the outsole form zones of flexibility improving the rolling of the foot, and providing flexibility to said outsole manufactured from material(s) considered to be rigid and resistant to deformation for this type of application. Indeed, this type of thermo-compressed material(s) is considered to limit the natural movement of the foot when walking or running.

[0177] Advantageously, the outsole comprises one or more transverse slit(s) in the midfoot region, in particular at the level of the crease of the foot.

[0178] Advantageously, the resistance / flexibility constraint being the strongest in this region, this arrangement makes it possible to improve the rolling of the foot.

[0179] In this text, a transverse slit is understood to mean any slit whose front and rear ends are opposite the medial and lateral edges of the footwear item, respectively.

[0180] In a variant, the outsole comprises one or more slot(s) each of which has a length (L) greater than its width (1), in particular each of which has a length which is greater than or equal to 4 times or 5 times or 6 times or 7 times or 8 times or 9 times or 10 times or 15 times or 20 times or 25 times or 30 times or 40 times its width.

[0181] The length of a slot is the distance between the front and rear ends of the slot.

[0182] In a variant, the footwear article comprises a medial edge and a lateral edge, the sole, in particular the outsole, extends between said medial and lateral edges, and the sole comprises one or more transverse slot(s) extending between and opening onto said lateral and medial edges of the footwear article.

[0183] Advantageously, the longer the transverse slit(s) is / are, the greater the flexibility provided to the outsole in general and targeted manner in the area of ​​the sole comprising said slit(s).

[0184] In one variant, the article of footwear comprises a front edge and a rear edge, the outsole extends between said front and medial edges, and said outsole comprises one or more longitudinal slit(s) extending: - at least partly between said front and rear edges of the article of footwear and / or - extending into at least two regions of the article of footwear chosen from: a rearfoot region, a midfoot region, and a forefoot region.

[0185] One or more longitudinal slits may extend over a portion of the length of the outsole or over substantially the entire length of the outsole, in particular in the rearfoot region and / or in the midfoot region and / or in the forefoot region.

[0186] One or more longitudinal slot(s) may open onto at least one of the front and rear edges of the outsole, possibly opening onto the front and rear edges.

[0187] In this text, a longitudinal slot is understood to mean any slot whose front and rear ends are respectively: - opposite the front and rear edges of the footwear article, in particular opening onto one of the front and rear edges of said article or opening onto the front and back of said footwear, and / or - extending into at least two regions of the footwear article chosen from: the rearfoot region, the midfoot region, and the forefoot region.

[0188] In the latter case, a longitudinal slit may open onto one of the lateral and medial edges or onto both the lateral and medial edges.

[0189] In a variant, said at least one protrusion comprises a free external wall, or each of said protrusions comprises a free external wall, and the surface area (cm2) of said free external wall of said at least one protrusion, or of each of the protrusions, is less than or equal to 0.20 times, or 0.15 times or 0.10 or 0.08 times, or 0.05 times, the total surface area of ​​the external face of the outsole.

[0190] In a variant, the outsole comprises several protrusions, the total sum of the surfaces of the external walls free from the protrusions represents at least 50%, or at least 60% or at least 70% or at least 80%, of the total surface area of ​​the external face of the outsole.

[0191] The preceding provisions make it possible to further improve the flexibility and conformability of the outsole when the foot rolls.

[0192] In a variant, said slot or each of said slots has a depth (p) greater than or equal to 3 mm, in particular greater than or equal to 5 mm.

[0193] In a variant, the footwear article comprises a volume for receiving the foot, and comprises a sole element arranged in the volume for receiving the foot, in particular in a removable manner, and having an internal face arranged opposite the internal face of the outsole, in particular the sole element is an intermediate sole.

[0194] Advantageously, the sole element comprises an internal face and a substantially opposite external face.

[0195] Advantageously, the external face of the sole element is oriented opposite, in particular opens directly, into the volume for receiving the foot of the footwear article.

[0196] In a variant, the footwear article comprises a foot support zone arranged in the bottom of the foot receiving volume of the footwear article, and the outsole comprises a lateral edge, respectively medial, comprising a lateral edge, respectively medial, projecting substantially above the foot support zone towards the upper.

[0197] In a variant, the sole, in particular the outsole, comprises one or more thermofused recycled material(s), optionally one or more thermofused recycled textile material(s).

[0198] In a variant, the external textile part covering at least a part of the foot comprises an at least partially heat-fused textile portion having a melting or softening temperature Tl, and the outer sole textile portion comprises a thermofused textile portion having a melting or softening temperature T2, T2 being lower than Tl, in particular the ratio T2 / T1 is lower than 0.9 or 0.8.

[0199] In a variant, the inner face of the sole structure forms a foot support zone configured to be arranged under the foot when the footwear item is worn, and the foot support zone is set back vertically from the upper edge of the main edge of the sole structure along all or part of said main edge.

[0200] More particularly, the foot support zone of the sole structure is set back vertically from the upper edge of the main edge of the sole structure in the rear foot region of the footwear article along all or part of said rear foot region, by at least 5 mm or at least 10 mm.

[0201] This arrangement advantageously makes it possible to reduce the weight of the sole structure.

[0202] In one variant, the sole structure comprises a main edge comprising a front edge, a rear edge, a medial edge and a lateral edge, in particular corresponding to the front, rear, medial and lateral edges of the article of footwear.

[0203] An edge of the sole structure preferably extends vertically between the inner face of the sole structure and the upper edge of said edge.

[0204] In a variant, the internal covering textile part and / or the external covering textile part each comprises one or more textile lacing loops, in particular knitted, not comprising a thermofused textile portion, and optionally the footwear article comprises one or more lace(s) not comprising a thermofused textile portion.

[0205] The subject of the present invention is, according to a second aspect, a method of manufacturing an article of footwear, in particular according to any one of the variant embodiments according to a first aspect of the invention, comprising the steps: - (i) providing: an internal textile tubular element comprising an internal textile portion covering at least in part the foot, said internal textile covering portion comprising an external face comprising an external main region; an external textile tubular element comprising an external textile portion covering at least in part the foot, said external textile covering portion comprising an internal face comprising an internal main region, said external main region comprising at least one thermofusible textile portion, and a sole assembly, in particular comprising one or more at least partly thermofusible sole element(s); and (ii) arranging in an upper part of the mold: at least in part the internal and external textile parts covering at least in part the foot; and arranging in a lower mold part: said sole assembly, the sole textile part of the inner textile tubular element, the sole textile part of the outer textile tubular element, and optionally at least part of the outer covering textile part and at least part of the inner covering textile part, in that said outer textile tubular element receives in its interior volume at least in part said inner textile tubular element; and (iii) thermocompressing the inner and outer textile tubular elements, and the sole assembly, by heating the lower part of the mold to a temperature greater than, preferably greater than or equal to at least twice, the temperature of the upper part of the mold, (iv) demoulding the footwear article comprising an upper and a sole, the upper being connected to the sole by means of at least one portion, in particular textile, thermofused, and in that said at least one textile portion of said inner main region is at least partially heat-fused, and the outer and inner main regions are at least partly superimposed and are not glued together.

[0206] Advantageously, the method is here configured so that it is possible to dissociate the effect of thermocompression between the external textile covering part and the internal textile covering part, even though they are arranged in the upper part of the mold.

[0207] Advantageously, the external and internal main regions are not glued together by means of an at least partially heat-melted textile portion.

[0208] The outer and inner main regions can however be joined together for example using a seam, although this is not preferred.

[0209] Preferably, the outer and inner main regions are not secured to each other.

[0210] Advantageously, the internal main region is partially heat-melted, that is to say that the thread(s) that it comprises retains a textile structure.

[0211] Advantageously, the upper mold part and the lower mold part cooperate together and form between them an empty molding space having substantially the external shape of the footwear article.

[0212] Advantageously, the method comprises the arrangement of an inflatable bladder having substantially a foot shape, in particular corresponding substantially to the internal shape of the footwear article, in said empty molding space, in particular at least partly in the interior volume of the internal textile tubular element.

[0213] Advantageously, the bladder is hollow, and is connected in its upper part to a handle facilitating its grip, in particular said handle comprises at least one means for admitting an inflation fluid (e.g.: air) for inflation and a means for discharging the inflation fluid (which may be said air supply means).

[0214] The inflatable bladder is preferably made of a flexible material, for example silicone, resistant to temperatures, in particular resistant to a temperature greater than or equal to 150°C or 180°C or 200°C or 250°C (in particular depending on the melting temperature(s) of the hot-melt material(s)) used, and capable of undergoing several inflation and deflation cycles. When the inflatable bladder is deflated, it preferably substantially recovers its initial shape. Preferably, the inflatable bladder is reusable.

[0215] Preferably, the inflation pressure ranges from 3 bars to 5 bars.

[0216] In one exemplary embodiment, the inflatable bladder is inflated to a pressure of inflation ranging from 3 bars to 5 bars, for example around 4 bars.

[0217] In one embodiment, a sole element is a sole insert thermocompressed in a preliminary thermocompression step which is carried out before thermocompression step (iii). This preliminary thermocompression step comprises thermocompression of one or more thermofusible material(s) at least in part, optionally with one or more non-thermofusible material(s) (for example textile waste made of polyacrylic, or wool or cotton).

[0218] This preliminary thermocompression step can be carried out using the mold assembly used in step (ii).

[0219] The thermofusible material(s) at least in part may be thermofusible particles, in particular having an average size ranging from 1 mm to 6 mm, for example from 3 mm to 5 mm.

[0220] For example, hot melt particles have a Shore A hardness ranging from 45 to 80.

[0221] Advantageously, this thermocompressed sole insert is arranged in a sandwich between the internal and external sole textile parts of the internal and external textile tubular elements.

[0222] This arrangement promotes the attachment of the sole element(s) to the textile tubular elements, in particular makes it possible to overcome any possible lack of compatibility between the sole element(s) and the textile tubular elements.

[0223] For example, the thermofusible sole element(s) is / are arranged between the outer sole textile portion and the inner face of the molding assembly.

[0224] The thermofused material(s) that this thermocompressed sole element comprises is / are thermofused again at least in part during the thermocompression step (iii).

[0225] For example, the hot-melt / thermofused material(s) is / are chosen from polyurethanes, polyolefins (e.g. PP, PE), polyesters (PET, PBT).

[0226] For example, the heating temperature during the preliminary thermocompression step ranges from 110°C to 170°C, in particular from 120°C to 160°C.

[0227] For example, the duration of the preliminary, or final, thermocompression step (iii), ranges from 5 minutes to 30 minutes, in particular from 10 minutes to 25 minutes, more particularly from 15 minutes to 20 minutes.

[0228] For example, the heating temperature of the lower part of the mold during the thermocompression step iii) ranges from 160°C to 220°C, in particular from 170°C to 210°C.

[0229] Preferably, during the thermocompression step iii), the heating temperature of the lower part of the mold is greater than or equal to the highest melting temperature of the thermofusible material used and targeted to be at least partially thermofused.

[0230] In the state of the art, during a thermocompression step, the inner and outer textile tubular elements are bonded together at their superimposed regions comprising thermofused textile portions due to the thermocompression process. In particular, the thermofused textile portions form a film and / or a coating.

[0231] In one embodiment, the outer covering textile portion comprises one or more thermofusible textile portion(s) whose lowest melting or softening temperature is TA (°C), and the highest melting temperature of the material(s) used in the outer sole textile portion is TB (°C), the TA / TB ratio is greater than or equal to 1 or 1.1 or 1.2 and less than or equal to 1.5

[0232] In one embodiment, the lower mold portion is heated to a temperature Tinf (°C), and the upper mold portion is heated to a temperature Tsup (°C), Tinf being greater than or equal to twice, or three times, or four times, Tsup.

[0233] In particular, the upper mold part is heated by the heat coming from the lower mold part. Definitions

[0234] A thermofusible textile portion is understood to mean any textile portion before it becomes a partially thermofused, or thermofused, textile portion once transformed by the method according to the invention.

[0235] A partially thermofused textile portion is as defined above in this text.

[0236] In one variant, the upper mold portion is heated primarily by heat transmitted by the heated lower mold portion.

[0237] Advantageously, the heating heat of the lower part of the mold dissipates towards the upper part of the mold, the heat provided by the lower part of the mold is sufficient to bond together the at least partly heat-fusible wire(s) of the external covering part.

[0238] In one variant, the sole assembly comprises one or more sole elements which is / are one or more recycled thermofusible elements, optionally one or more recycled thermofusible textile elements.

[0239] In a variant, said sole assembly comprises between 80 g and 210 g of one or more thermofusible outsole element(s), in particular comprising one or more thermofusible recycled material(s), in particular derived from textile waste and / or footwear waste.

[0240] In a variant, during steps (ii) and (iii), the internal covering textile part and / or the external covering textile part each comprises one or more textile lacing loops, in particular knitted, not comprising a heat-melt textile portion, and at least one lace (in particular at least partly textile) is passed through one or more lacing loops and does not comprise a heat-melt textile portion.

[0241] This arrangement makes it possible to improve the productivity of the manufacturing process of the footwear article by avoiding lacing operations carried out after thermocompression (iii).

[0242] The variant embodiments, definitions and embodiments with reference to the first aspect of the invention apply independently of one another to the manufacturing method according to a second aspect of the invention. Description of the drawings

[0243] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of the embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0244] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] illustrates in a manner a shoe of the state of the art on which are represented the different upper regions defined in the present text with reference to the article of footwear according to the invention;

[0245] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates the different regions of the sole structure shown in [Fig.l];

[0246] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a first example of an element internal textile tubular arranged in the receiving volume of a foot of a first example of external textile tubular element;

[0247] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] schematically represents a second example of an element internal textile tubular and a second example of an external textile tubular element of unitary textile construction, in particular integral at the level of their foot introduction openings;

[0248] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] schematically represents the textile tubular element internal of [Fig.4] arranged in the receiving volume of the foot of the tubular element external textile of [Fig.4];

[0249] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] schematically represents, seen from the lateral side, a first example of an article of footwear according to the invention;

[0250] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] schematically represents a part of the footwear article 100 according to section plane VII-VII shown in [Fig.6];

[0251] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] schematically represents the article seen from the medial side footwear shown in [Fig.6];

[0252] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] schematically represents the article seen from below footwear of [Fig.6];

[0253] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] schematically represents, seen from the lateral side, the element internal textile tubular before thermocompression used in the manufacture of the footwear article shown in figures 6 to 9;

[0254] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] schematically represents, seen from the lateral side, the element external textile tubular before thermocompression used in the manufacture of the footwear article shown in figures 6 to 9;

[0255] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] schematically represents, seen from the side, the elements you internal and external textile bubbles placed in the upper and lower parts of the mold before their thermocompression. Description of the embodiments

[0256] For the purpose of reference of the terminology used in this text and associated with an article of footwear, the article of footwear 10 shown in [Fig.l], in particular a sports shoe, can be divided into three general regions: a forefoot region 12, a midfoot region 14 or also called midfoot 14; a heel region 16. The forefoot region 12 generally includes portions of the article of footwear 10 corresponding to the toes and the joints connecting the metatarsals to the phalanges. The midfoot region 14 generally includes portions of the shoe 10 corresponding to the arch of the foot. The heel region 16 generally corresponds to the rear portions of the foot, and notably includes the calcaneus bone.The footwear article 10 also includes a lateral side 17 and a medial side 18, which extend through each of the forefoot 12, midfoot 14, and heel 16 regions and correspond to opposite sides of the footwear article 10. More particularly, the lateral side 17 corresponds to an outer area of ​​the foot, and the medial side 18 corresponds to an inner area of ​​the foot. The footwear article 10 includes a foot insertion opening 5 for accessing the foot receiving (or reception) volume 6.

[0257] The footwear article 10 comprises an instep area 11 extending substantially centered between the lateral side 17 and the medial side 18 in the region of midfoot and possibly partially in the forefoot region 12.

[0258] The shoe 10 also comprises a longitudinal axis L and a transverse axis T, in particular substantially perpendicular to the axis L. The shoe 10 also comprises a front side 19a and a rear side 19b.

[0259] The footwear article 10 comprises an upper 15 and a sole structure, in particular a wear sole 20.

[0260] In addition to the footwear article 10, the forefoot region 12, the midfoot region 14, the heel region 16, the lateral side 17, the medial side 18, the front side 19a, the rear side 19b, the instep area 11, the foot insertion opening 5, and the foot receiving or accommodating volume 6, may be applied to the sole structure or outsole 20, to the upper 15, and to their individual elements, such as for example, in a non-limiting manner, to a textile tubular element alone, or to superimposed internal and external textile tubular elements, to their respective textile foot covering parts and to their respective textile sole parts.

[0261] [Fig.2] schematically represents for reference purposes, the different regions which can comprise a sole structure, corresponding to the regions defined in [Fig.l].

[0262] [Fig.3] schematically represents a first example of a tubular element inner textile 50 and a first example of a separate outer textile tubular element 60, each in a knitted textile piece, in particular each in a knitted sock. The inner textile tubular element 50 has an outer face 53 and an inner face 54, in particular substantially opposite the outer face 53. The outer textile tubular element 60 has an outer face 63 and an inner face 64, in particular substantially opposite the outer face 63. The inner textile tubular element 50 comprises an inner textile foot covering portion 52 and an inner textile sole portion 55, as well as a bent portion 56 for forming a heel region. In this specific example, the inner textile foot covering portion 52 extends into the forefoot, midfoot, and heel regions, from the lateral side to the medial side.In this specific example, the inner textile sole portion 55 extends between a front edge and a rear edge in the forefoot, midfoot, and heel regions, from the lateral side to the medial side.

[0263] The outer textile tubular element 60 comprises an outer textile foot covering portion 62 and an outer textile sole portion 65, as well as an angled portion 66 for forming a heel region. In this specific example, the outer textile foot covering portion 62 extends into the forefoot, midfoot, and heel regions, and between the lateral and medial sides. In this specific example, the outer textile sole portion 65 extends between a front edge and a rear edge in the forefoot, midfoot, and heel regions, and this between the lateral and medial sides.

[0264] For example, the internal textile tubular element 50 is arranged in the receiving volume 61 of the foot of the external textile tubular element 60, the tubular elements 50, 60 are thus substantially superimposed at least in part, the internal face 64 of the external tubular element 60 being opposite the external face 53 of the internal tubular element 50.

[0265] The inner 50 and outer 60 textile tubular elements are preferably placed on a foot-shaped preform (in particular the preform is arranged in the receiving volume of the foot of the inner 50 textile tubular element), then undergo a thermocompression step during which the thermofusible textile portions of said inner 50 and outer 60 textile tubular elements are thermomelted so as to secure the inner 50 textile tubular element to the outer 60 textile tubular element, and shape the assembly to the shape of the preform. The inner 50 and outer 60 textile tubular elements are then cooled on the preform preferably in order to freeze said shape.

[0266] During the thermocompression step, the preform is an inflatable bladder (in particular in a silicone or polyurethane material which can be inflated and deflated, and is therefore reusable). The heating temperature applied during the thermocompression step is determined so as to melt more or less the targeted thermofusible material(s). Thus, depending on the desired effects, threads can be glued together and / or stiffened and / or threads can form a film or a coating, for example coating the internal textile tubular element 50, or the external textile tubular element 60.

[0267] One or more sole elements (not shown in [Fig.3]), for example a wear sole or a flexible element in a material having a Shore A hardness of between 40 and 70, is / are arranged between the internal textile sole part 55 and the external textile sole part 65.

[0268] For example, the outsole is a part obtained by thermocompression of one or more sole element(s) which are at least partly thermofusible in a thermocompression step prior to the thermocompression step of the textile tubular elements 50, 60.

[0269] For example, a sole element is / comprises particles and / or fibers that are at least partly heat-meltable, in particular entirely heat-meltable, possibly in association with non-heat-meltable particles and / or fibers within the meaning of the invention.

[0270] For example, the particles are particles having an average size of 3 mm to 5 mm, and are made of polyurethane. The polyurethane can be virgin or recycled.

[0271] For example, the particles to be thermocompressed can be arranged in a partially or totally thermofusible textile pocket.

[0272] The Shore A hardness of the particles is for example 40 to 80.

[0273] Preferably, the internal textile part of sole 55 and the external textile part of sole 65 are each essentially made up of thermofusible wire(s) or each comprise at least 80% by mass of their total mass of thermofusible wire(s).

[0274] Preferably, the external textile covering portion 60 comprises at least 30%, in particular at least 60% by mass, of at least partially thermofusible thread(s).

[0275] For example, the outer textile covering part 60 and the inner textile covering part 50 each comprise at least 30% by mass of non-thermofusible yarn(s), for example multifilament yarn(s) made of polyester (e.g. PET) having a linear mass of 450 dtex or 900 dtex.

[0276] For example, the hot melt yarn is a 600 denier multifilament yarn, having a tenacity of the order of 2g / denier, an elongation at break of 130%, and a melting temperature of 100°C.

[0277] For example, the temperature applied during the preliminary step of thermocompression of the outsole ranges from 100°C to 140°C, for a duration of at least approximately 5 minutes and an inflation pressure of the inflatable bladder of the order of 3 bars to 5 bars.

[0278] For example, the temperature during the thermocompression step of the tubular elements 50, 60, and of the outsole, ranges from 140°C to 180°C, for example for 15 to 20 minutes, under a bladder inflation pressure of approximately 4 bars.

[0279] Preferably, during the thermocompression step, the at least partly thermofusible or entirely thermofusible threads of the internal and external textile sole parts (54, 64) are thermofused.

[0280] The inner and outer textile tubular elements 50 and 60 being preferably separate knitted pieces, they may have different configurations. For example, as shown in [Fig. 3], the outer textile covering portion of the foot 62 covers less of the foot than the inner textile covering portion of the foot 52, in particular the outer textile covering portion of the foot 62 does not include an instep area and covers less of the ankle than the inner textile covering portion 52.

[0281] [Fig.4] schematically represents a second example of an inner textile tubular element 70 and a second example of an outer textile tubular element 80 which are of unitary textile construction, in particular in a single U-shaped knitted piece. The inner textile tubular element 70 has an outer face 73 and an inner face 74.

[0282] The external textile tubular element 80 has an external face 83 and an internal face 84. The inner and outer textile tubular elements 70 and 80 are in textile connection at their foot insertion openings corresponding to the fold line 75 from which the inner tubular element 70 is returned into the foot receiving volume 85 of the outer textile tubular element 80. The inner 70 and outer 80 textile tubular elements are advantageously knitted socks, and each have a bent portion 72, 82. The textile tubular elements 70, 80 could alternatively be in knitted connection at their toes, the folding of the tubular element 70 then being carried out from the toe of the latter.

[0283] In the superimposed position, the inner face 74 of the inner tubular element 70 is arranged opposite the inner face 84 of the outer tubular element 80.

[0284] Preferably, the internal and external textile tubular elements 70, 80 are arranged on a foot-shaped preform (not shown), in particular the preform is arranged in the receiving volume of the foot of the internal textile tubular element 70. The internal 70 and external 80 textile tubular elements then undergo a thermocompression step during which thermofusible textile portions are thermomelted to secure said internal and external textile tubular elements 70, 80 together and form them to the shape of the preform.

[0285] The thermocompression step can take place as described with reference to the first examples of internal and external textile tubular elements (50,60).

[0286] Figures 6 to 12 represent a first example of an article of footwear 100, in particular a sports shoe. The article of footwear 100 comprises an upper 110, and a sole structure 120 comprising a wear sole 130. In this specific example, the sole structure 120 consists essentially of the wear sole 130.

[0287] The upper 110 and the outsole 130 are connected by means of at least one portion, in particular textile, which is thermofused.

[0288] Advantageously, the footwear article 100 comprises an internal textile tubular element 140 comprising an internal textile covering part 145 of at least a part of the foot and an external textile tubular element 150 comprising an external textile covering part 155 of at least a part of the foot.

[0289] Advantageously, said external textile tubular element 150 is substantially a knitted sock and the internal textile tubular element 140 is also a knitted sock distinct from the knitted sock of the element 150.

[0290] Alternatively, these tubular elements 140,150 could be knitted together at their foot insertion openings as shown in [Fig.4] or at their toes.

[0291] Advantageously, the external textile tubular element 150 receives in its internal volume 151, that is to say the foot-receiving volume, at least in part said tubular element internal textile 140.

[0292] In one example, the internal textile covering portion 145 comprises an external face 145a, and the external textile covering portion 155 of at least a portion of the foot comprises an internal face 155b.

[0293] In one example, the outer face 145a of the inner textile covering portion 145 comprises an outer main region 148, and the inner face 155b of the outer textile covering portion 155 comprises an inner main region 158 comprising at least one textile portion that is at least partially heat-fused. In particular, the inner and outer main regions 148 and 155 are at least partially superimposed and are not glued together, in particular are not secured to each other.

[0294] In one example, the outer main region 148 extends into the forefoot region on the lateral side 102 and the medial side 104 and partially therebetween, into the midfoot region on the medial side 104 and the lateral side 102, and into the rearfoot region on the lateral side 102 and the medial side 104 and partially therebetween. For example, the outer main region 148 does not extend into the instep area disposed partly in the midfoot region, and partly in the forefoot region, between the lateral 102 and medial 104 sides. In particular, the outer main region 148 occupies approximately 50%, in particular at least 80%, of the outer face 145a of the inner textile covering portion 145. In particular, the outer main region 148 extends between the inner 145b and outer 145a surfaces of said inner textile covering portion 145.

[0295] In one example, the outer main region 148 does not include a heat-fused or partially heat-fused textile portion.

[0296] In the particular example of footwear article 100 shown in Figures 6-8, the inner main region 158 and the outer main region 148 are substantially continuous.

[0297] The outer main region 148 could extend along the outer face 145a in a ratio less than 80%, and comprise one or more additional outer region(s), in particular distinct from each other, distinct and separate from the outer main region 148. This arrangement varies according to the number and location of the partially heat-melted or heat-melted textile portions on the inner covering textile part 145.

[0298] In this example, the inner main region 158 extends into the forefoot region on the lateral side 102 and on the medial side 104 and between them, into the midfoot region on the medial side 104 and the lateral side 102 and between them (in particular includes an instep area), and into the rearfoot region on the lateral side 102 and on the medial side 104 and between them. In particular, the internal main region 158 occupies approximately at least 50%, in particular at least 80%, of the internal face 155b of the internal textile covering part 155. In particular, the internal main region 158 extends between the internal 155b and external 155a faces of said external textile covering part 155.

[0299] The internal main region 158 comprises in one example one or more thermofused or partially thermofused textile portion(s), more preferably still comprises one or more thread(s) glued to itself and / or to each other.

[0300] The internal main region 158 could extend along the internal face 155b according to a ratio less than 80%, and comprise one or more additional internal region(s), in particular distinct from each other, distinct and separated from the internal main region 158. This arrangement varies according to the number and location of the partially thermofused or thermofused textile portions on the external covering textile part 155.

[0301] In this example, approximately at least 50%, in particular at least 80%, of the external face 145a of the internal textile covering part 145 is not glued, in particular is not secured, to the internal face 155b of the internal textile covering part 155.

[0302] Advantageously, the internal textile covering part 145 and the external textile covering part 155 are secured to each other essentially at their respective lower peripheral edges 146, 156 extending on the lateral side 102, the medial side 104 and the front and rear sides, in particular by means of one or more thermofused textile portion(s).

[0303] Advantageously, the internal textile covering part 145 comprises a free medial upper edge 145m and a free lateral upper edge 1451.

[0304] Advantageously, the internal textile covering part 155 comprises a free medial upper edge 155m and a free lateral upper edge 1551.

[0305] In particular, the medial upper edges 145m and 155m are not integral with each other, and the lateral upper edges 1451 and 1551 are also not integral with each other. The covering parts 145 and 155 thus delimit between them a space E accessible from the outside of the article of footwear 100. This space can advantageously be closed by means of a lace (not shown), for example passed through the lacing openings 112 provided near the edges 145m, 1451, 155m and 1551.

[0306] Advantageously, the internal textile tubular element 140 comprises a sole textile part 142, in particular consisting essentially of thermofused textile portions, and the external textile tubular element 150 comprises a sole textile part 152, in particular consisting essentially of thermofused textile portions. The sole parts 142 and 152 thus enter into the sole structure. 120, particularly in the outsole 130, and are arranged under the foot.

[0307] In this particular example, the upper 110 and the outsole 130 are of unitary molded construction, in particular by thermocompression as described below.

[0308] For example, thermofused materials in whole or in part, in particular recycled, form a thermocompressed sole insert 170 and arranged between the sole parts 142 and 152.

[0309] Advantageously, the outsole 130 extends between an internal face 130b and an external face 130a, in particular said external face 130a is a face of engagement with the ground of the footwear article 100.

[0310] Advantageously, the outsole 130 comprises several slots 132 opening out and open on the external face 130a, each of said slots 132 having a bottom 133 and a top 135 opposite said bottom 133. The distance d between a bottom 133 and the internal face 130b of the outsole 130 is less than or equal to 0.50 times the depth (p) of the slot corresponding to said bottom (ratio A). Thus, the depth (pi) shown in [Fig.7] is of the order of 20 mm for the slot 132i and the distance (di) is of the order of 3 mm between the bottom 133i corresponding to the slot 132i and the internal face 130b. The ratio A applies to all of the slots 132.

[0311] Advantageously, the distance (d) between a bottom 133 and the internal face 130b of the outsole 130 is less than or equal to 0.50 times the distance (D) between the internal face 130b of the outsole 130 and the top 135 of the slot corresponding to said bottom (ratio B). Advantageously, the ratio B applies to all of the slots 132.

[0312] The outsole 130 may further comprise slots not satisfying ratio A, and possibly not satisfying ratio B. It is however necessary for the outsole 130 to comprise slots 132 satisfying ratio A, and possibly ratio B, in order to provide sufficient flexibility to the outsole, and facilitate the rolling of the foot.

[0313] Advantageously, the footwear article 100 comprises a foot-receiving volume 105, and the inner face 130b of the outsole 130 opens directly into the foot-receiving volume 105. In particular, the outsole 130 extends between the medial 104 and lateral 102 edges, and the front 106 and rear 108 edges of the footwear article 100. In particular, the slots 132 are arranged so as to delimit protrusions 134, in particular having free side walls, more particularly four free side walls 134a, 134b, 134c and 134d. Advantageously, the slots 132 comprise transverse slots 132t extending between and opening onto said lateral 102 and medial 104 edges of the footwear article 100.

[0314] Advantageously, the slots 132 comprise longitudinal slots 1321 extending at least in part between said front 106 and rear 108 edges of the article of footwear 100, or extending at least in part in two regions chosen from the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the heel region, and possibly opening onto at least one of said lateral 102 and medial 104 edges.

[0315] Advantageously, the protrusions 134 each comprise a free external wall 134e, and the surface area (cm2) of a free external wall 134e is less than or equal to 0.20 times the total surface area of ​​the external face 130a of the outsole 130 corresponding to the external face of engagement with the ground of the footwear article.

[0316] In this exemplary embodiment, the total sum of the surfaces of the free external walls 134e represents approximately 80% of the total surface area of ​​the external face 130a of the outsole 130.

[0317] Advantageously, the textile sole part 152 of the external textile tubular element 150 perfectly matches the free side walls, for example the walls 134a, 134b, 134c and 134d, and the free external walls, for example the wall 134e, of the protrusions 134 delimited by the slots 132 as well as the bottoms 133 corresponding to said slots 132. The sole part 152 thus forms all or part of the external engagement face 130a of the shoe 7 but also covers the periphery of the protrusions 134.

[0318] In this example, the transverse slots 132t extend across the entire width of the outsole 130, and thus have lengths ranging from 40 mm to 80 mm.

[0319] For example, the slot 132ti has a length Li of approximately 55 mm, and a width li of approximately 5 mm. The width li of the slot 132ti is the distance between the respective side walls of the two adjacent protrusions delimiting said slot 132ti, said side walls facing each other.

[0320] The slots 132 may have different widths and lengths depending on the technical effects sought.

[0321] The width of the slots 132 is preferably greater than or equal to 1 mm, more preferably ranging from 3 mm to 8 mm.

[0322] In one example, the footwear article 100 comprises a sole element, in particular an intermediate sole (not shown), arranged in the foot receiving volume 105 in a removable manner, and having an external face arranged opposite the internal face 130b of the outsole 130.

[0323] In this non-limiting example, the dotted line A represents the inner face 130b of the sole structure 130, said inner face 130b forms a foot support zone configured to receive the bottom of the foot. The inner face 130b is thus set back vertically along all or part of the upper edge 131 of the main edge 138 of the sole structure 130, for example set back 10 mm from the upper edge 131 of the rear edge, in the rear-foot region. The sole structure 130 is thus hollowed out. This hollowed-out arrangement is possible due to the thermo-compression process described below. It makes it possible to lighten the sole structure and to form vertical edges over all or part of the periphery of the sole structure 130, in particular the front, rear, lateral and medial edges.

[0324] The numerous slots 132, transverse 132t and longitudinal 1321, delimit between them protrusions 134 having free lateral walls, and make it possible to provide flexibility to the outsole 130, in particular the rolling lines of the foot, thus improving comfort and proprioception.

[0325] In an exemplary embodiment not illustrated in the figures, the external 155 and internal 145 textile parts covering the foot at least in part are substantially secured to each other, in particular glued to each other, along their internal 155b and external 145a faces. In particular, said parts 145 and 155 are glued to each other by means of several partially heat-melted and / or heat-melted textile portions.

[0326] Figures 10 to 12 describe an example of a thermocompression manufacturing method according to the invention, cited without limitation, for obtaining the footwear article 100.

[0327] [Fig. 10] schematically represents the internal textile tubular element 140' before its thermocompression comprising an internal textile foot covering portion 145' and an internal sole textile portion 142', the element 140' preferably being a knitted sock. Advantageously, the internal textile foot covering portion 145' may comprise thermofusible textile portions, or does not comprise thermofusible textile portions. Advantageously, the internal sole textile portion 142' consists essentially of thermofusible yarn(s), in particular single-component monofilament yarns made of polyurethane, for example of approximately 600 denier.

[0328] [Fig. 11] schematically represents the external textile tubular element 150' before its thermocompression comprising an external textile foot covering part 155' and an external sole textile part 152', the element 150' preferably being a knitted sock.

[0329] Advantageously, the outer sole textile portion 152' is essentially made up of thermofusible threads, possibly in association with a high-tenacity, non-thermofusible synthetic thread. The outer foot covering textile portion 155' comprises in this example one or more thermofusible threads, mixed with one or more non-thermofusible threads.

[0330] As can be seen in Figures 10 and 11, in this specific non-limiting example, the textile parts of the inner sole 142' and outer sole 152' cover substantially the entire underside of the foot but also partially envelop the foot in order to form a rim for the sole structure once thermocompressed.

[0331] During the thermocompression step, the internal textile tubular element 140' is arranged in the receiving volume of the foot 151' of the external tubular element 150' then said elements 140' and 150' are arranged in a mold assembly 160 comprising an upper mold part 164 and a lower mold part 166.

[0332] Preferably, the textile parts covering the inner 145' and outer 155' foot are arranged partly in the upper mold part 164 and the textile parts of the inner 142' and outer 152' sole are arranged in the lower mold part 166. Line B represents the joint plane between the upper and lower mold parts 162 and 164, forming the separation line after demolding between the upper 110 and the outsole 130. Advantageously, a sole assembly comprising at least partly or entirely heat-meltable materials (recycled or not), possibly comprising textile materials, is arranged between the inner and outer sole parts 142', 152' and / or between the outer face 152'a of the outer sole part 152' and the lower mold part 166. Said sole assembly is therefore arranged in the lower mold part 166.Preferably, the mass of said sole assembly is greater than or equal to 100 g and less than or equal to 220 g, in particular of the order of 180 g.

[0333] Advantageously, the upper and lower mold parts 162 and 164 each comprise an internal cavity, and once assembled form a molding volume, in particular corresponding substantially to the external shape of the footwear article 100, receiving the nested internal and external tubular elements 140' and 150', and possibly said thermofusible materials.

[0334] During the thermocompression step, the mold assembly is sealed, then the lower mold part 160 is heated, in particular to a temperature between 160°C and 180°C, the inflatable bladder (not shown) is inflated, for example with an inflation pressure of the order of 4 bars to 6 bars, and thus presses the internal 140' and external 150' textile tubular elements, as well as possibly the sole assembly, against the internal cavities (not shown) of the upper 164 and lower 166 mold parts. The heat applied to the lower mold part 166 makes it possible to obtain the fusion of the thermofusible textile portions and all or part of the thermofusible material(s) of the sole assembly, which melted material forms and fills the internal cavity of the lower mold part 166.

[0335] For example, the duration of thermocompression is approximately 15-20 minutes.

[0336] Advantageously, the upper mold part 164 has a temperature much lower than the heating temperature of the lower mold part, in particular the upper mold part is not heated to a temperature between 160°C and 180°C since it is heated indirectly by the heat provided by the lower mold part. The heating temperature applied to the upper mold part 164 is therefore significantly lower than the heating temperature applied to the lower mold part 166.

[0337] The thermofusible textile portions arranged in the upper part of the mold 164 are thus advantageously partially thermofused, in particular the threads are glued together and / or the mesh structures are stiffened and / or glued together.

[0338] Managing the heating difference between the lower mold part 166 and the upper mold part allows the internal main region 148 not to be stuck with the external main region 158. This arrangement makes it possible to offer varied functionalization possibilities for the footwear article 100, for example to keep a breathable and flexible internal foot covering textile part 145, in whole or in part, with an external foot covering textile part 155 that is more rigid than the part 145, thus making it possible to freeze the final shape of the upper 110 using a simplified manufacturing process, and consuming little energy.

Claims

Claims

1. Footwear article (100), in particular a sports shoe (100), comprising an upper (110, 52, 145, 62, 155), and a sole structure (120) comprising at least one sole (130) characterized in that: - the upper (110) and said at least one sole (130) are connected by means of at least one thermofused portion, in that the footwear article comprises: - an internal textile tubular element (50, 70, 140) comprising an internal textile part for covering at least one part of the foot (52, 145), said internal textile covering part (52, 145) comprising an external face (53, 73, 145a), and - an external textile tubular element (60, 80, 150) comprising an external textile part for covering at least one part of the foot (62, 155), said external textile covering part (62,155) comprising an internal face (64,84,155b), said external textile tubular element (60,80,150) receiving in an internal volume (61,85,151) at least in part said internal textile tubular element (50,70,140), - in that the external face (53,73,145a) of the internal textile covering part (52,145) comprises an external main region (148), and the internal face (64,84,155b) of the external textile covering part (62,155) comprises an internal main region (158) comprising at least one textile portion at least partially heat-melted, and - in that the internal (148) and external (158) main regions are at least partly superimposed and are not glued together.,

2. Footwear article (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer main region (148) does not comprise a thermofused textile portion.

3. Footwear article (100) according to either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the internal textile tubular element (50,70,140) comprises a sole textile part (55,142) comprising one or more thermofused textile portion(s), and in that the external textile tubular element (60,80,150) comprises a sole textile part (65,152) comprising one or more thermofused textile portion(s).

4. Footwear article (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that at least 50% of the total mass of each of the textile sole parts (142, 152) of the internal (50, 70, 140) and external textile tubular elements (60,80,150) is essentially made up of thermo-fused textile portion(s).

5. Footwear article (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least 50% of the total mass of the external textile tubular element (60, 80, 150) consists essentially of at least partially heat-melted textile portion(s).

6. Footwear article (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least a portion of the upper (110, 52, 145, 62, 155), and at least a portion of said at least one sole (130), are in a molded part, in particular in a thermocompressed part.

7. Footwear article (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least 20% of the external face surface (53,73,145a) of the internal textile covering part (52,145) is not secured to the internal face (64,84,155b) of the external textile covering part (62,155).

8. Footwear article (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the internal textile covering part (52,145) and the external textile covering part (62,155) are secured to each other essentially at their respective lower peripheral edges (146,156), in particular by means of one or more thermofused textile portion(s).

9. Footwear article (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the footwear article (100) comprises a foot-receiving volume (105), and in that the sole (130) is a wear sole (130) whose internal face (130b) opens directly into the foot-receiving volume (105).

10. Footwear article (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said at least one sole (130) is a wear sole (130) extending between an inner face (130b) and an outer face (130a), in that said wear sole (130) comprises one or more slot(s) (132, 132i, 132t, 1321) opening out and open on the outer face (130a) of said wear sole (130), each of said slot(s) having a bottom (133, 133i), and in that the distance between a bottom (133, 133i) and the inner face (130b) of the wear sole (130) is less than or equal to 0.50 times the depth of the slot (132,132i,132t,1321) corresponding to said background (133,133i).

11. Footwear article (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that said slot has a depth (p) greater than or equal to 3 mm, in par- particular greater than or equal to 5 mm.

12. Footwear article (100) according to either of claims 10 and 11, characterized in that the outsole (130) comprises several slots (132, 132i, 132t, 1321) arranged so as to delimit at least one protrusion (134) between at least two adjacent slots (132, 132i, 132t, 1321), in particular said at least one protrusion comprises at least two free side walls (134a, 134b, 134c, 134d).

13. Footwear article (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that said at least one protrusion (134) comprises a free external wall (134e), and in that the surface area (cm2) of a free external wall (134e) of a protrusion (134) is less than or equal to 0.20 times the total surface area of ​​the external face (130a) of the outsole (130).

14. Footwear article (100) according to claim 13, characterized in that the outsole comprises several protrusions (134), and in that the total sum of the surfaces of the free external walls (134e) of said protrusions (134) represents at least 50% of the total surface area of ​​the external face (130a) of the outsole (130).

15. Footwear article (10) according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the footwear article (100) comprises a medial edge (104) and a lateral edge (102), in that the outsole (130) extends between said medial (104) and lateral (102) edges, and in that the outsole (130) comprises one or more transverse slots (132t) extending between and opening onto said lateral (102) and medial (104) edges of the footwear article.

16. Footwear article (100) according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the footwear article (100) comprises a front edge (106) and a rear edge (108), in that the outsole (130) extends between said front (106) and rear (108) edges, and in that the outsole (130) comprises one or more slots (1321) extending at least partly between said front (106) and rear (108) edges of the footwear article.

17. Footwear article (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 16, characterized in that the footwear article (100) comprises a foot-receiving volume (105), and in that the sole structure (120) comprises a sole element arranged in the foot-receiving volume, in particular in a removable manner, and having an external face arranged opposite the internal face (130b) of the outsole (130), in particular the sole element is an intermediate sole.

18. Footwear article (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that said at least one sole (130) comprises one or more thermofused recycled material(s), optionally one or more thermofused recycled textile material(s).

19. Method for manufacturing an item of footwear (100), in particular according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that it comprises the steps: (i) providing: an inner textile tubular element (140') comprising an inner textile portion covering at least in part the foot (145'), said inner textile covering portion (145') comprising an outer face comprising an outer main region; an outer textile tubular element (150') comprising an outer textile portion covering at least in part the foot (155'), said outer textile covering portion (155') comprising an inner face comprising an inner main region, said inner main region comprising at least one thermofusible textile portion; and a sole assembly (142', 152'); and (ii) arranging in an upper mold part (160,164): at least in part said internal and external textile parts covering at least in part the foot (145',155'); and arranging in a lower mold part (160,166): said sole assembly, the sole textile part (142') of the internal textile tubular element (140'), and the sole textile part (152') of the external textile tubular element (150), and optionally at least a part of the external textile covering part (155') and at least a part of the internal textile covering part (145'), in that said external textile tubular element (150') receives in its internal volume at least in part said internal textile tubular element (140'); and (iii) thermocompressing the inner (140') and outer (150') textile tubular elements, and the sole assembly, by heating the lower mold part (166) to a temperature higher than the temperature of the upper mold part (164), (iv) demolding the footwear article (100) comprising an upper (110, 52, 145, 66, 155) and a sole structure (120, 130) comprising at least one sole (130), the upper (110, 52, 145, 66, 155) being connected to said at least one sole (130) by means of at least one thermofused portion, and said at least one textile portion of said inner main region (158) is at least partially heat-melted, and the outer (148) and inner (158) main regions are at least partially superimposed and are not glued together.

20. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that the upper mold part (164) is heated essentially, in particular only, by the heat transmitted by the heated lower mold part (166).

21. Method according to either of claims 19 and 20, characterized in that the sole assembly comprises one or more sole element(s) which is / are one or more recycled thermofusible element(s), optionally one or more recycled thermofusible textile element(s).

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