Footwear for climbing, and method of manufacturing footwear for climbing.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a climbing shoe (10) comprising first and second tubular textile elements (20, 30) overlapping at least partially and comprising one or more thermofused textile portions, and a molded sole shell (40), at least partially thermoplastic, comprising a sole portion (42) including a concave midfoot region (42b) situated between a forefoot region and a rearfoot region. The molded sole shell (40) and said tubular textile elements (20, 30) are joined by means of at least one thermofused portion selected from: at least one thermofused portion of the molded sole shell (40), at least one thermofused textile portion of a tubular textile element (20, 30), or a combination thereof. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a climbing shoe (10). Figure for the abridged version: Fig.1.

Description

Title of the invention: Footwear for climbing, and method of manufacturing a footwear item for climbing. technical field

[0001] Conventional footwear generally comprises an upper and a sole structure. The upper is secured to the sole structure and forms a cavity within the footwear to comfortably receive and secure a foot. The sole structure is secured to a lower area of ​​the upper and is positioned between the ground and the upper. In athletic footwear, the sole structure may include an outsole and a midsole. The midsole often comprises a polymer foam material that absorbs shocks from the ground upon impact to mitigate the effects on the foot and leg during walking, running, or other ambulatory activities. The sole structure may also include a lining positioned near the underside of the foot to enhance the comfort of the footwear.The soles are traditionally attached to the uppers using a construction method called the Strobel method, during which the various sole components (insole, midsole, and outsole, in particular) are joined. The manufacturing processes for a classic shoe require dozens of steps and produce a significant amount of waste from material cutting.

[0002] Climbing shoes are still manufactured in the traditional way, starting with a flat upper, usually made of leather, which is three-dimensionally shaped and glued to an outsole shell. The outsole shell is typically made from a cross-linked, non-recyclable rubber, available only in black. Due to the specific shape of the outsole shell required for climbing, the manufacture of these shoes involves numerous steps. Furthermore, these shoes are not recyclable.

[0003] The aim is therefore to simplify the manufacturing processes for footwear, particularly by reducing the number of steps and / or energy and material consumption. This issue also relates to the search for a manufacturing process that can be implemented as close as possible to the point of use of the footwear in order to reduce its carbon footprint, facilitate inventory management, and allow for the personalization of the footwear.

[0004] One solution is to eliminate the sewing steps necessary to shape the initially flat stem into three dimensions. The stem is obtained from from the assembly of one or a few pieces, and no longer from multiple pieces joined together by sewing.

[0005] WO 2019 / 234374A1 describes a method for manufacturing a footwear article in which the outsole is positioned between the sole sections of two textile socks that are wholly or partially heat-fused. This arrangement notably improves resistance to delamination between the outsole and the upper while reducing the number of manufacturing steps compared to a conventional Strobel-type assembly. However, since the outsole is sandwiched between the sole sections of two superimposed tubular textile elements, the outer surface of the sole that engages with the ground comprises heat-fused polyurethane yarns whose properties are not optimal in terms of grip and abrasion resistance.Indeed, the sole of a climbing shoe must be high-performing, rigid while still offering a minimum of flexibility, durable (abrasion-resistant), and provide grip / friction with the climbing surface. However, some of these properties are contradictory. Thus, the more grippy a sole is, the faster it will wear out, and vice versa. WO 2021 / 170682A1 describes a method for manufacturing footwear in which the outsole is formed from one or more heat-fusible textile elements, at least partially, molded by thermocompression. This method does not allow for the formation of an outsole for climbing that has a shape and surface satisfactory in terms of grip / adhesion, flexibility, and durability.

[0006] Indeed, these processes involve constraints regarding the three-dimensional functionalization of the upper, which is more complex than when flat, and regarding the shoe's performance that can be achieved for a sport such as climbing. This performance is complex and often contradictory (grip / friction, durability, speed, rebound, targeted or general local rigidity, etc.). Thermocompression molding of the heat-fusible textile material produces compact structures which, when used in a sole structure, are rigid and do not provide sufficient rebound and / or flexibility, and / or adequate grip / friction for climbing, and this in a sustainable manner.These manufacturing processes make it possible to obtain a thermo-compressed shoe assembly, drastically reducing the number of manufacturing steps for a shoe, but the materials available for implementing these processes and the possibilities for functionalization do not allow for the creation of a climbing shoe with satisfactory performance. There is therefore a need for a footwear item for climbing that is lightweight, has good rebound / grip, friction, durability, and support properties, and whose recycling is improved.

[0007] There is also a need to lighten footwear for climbing, while improving their comfort, allowing a wide range of possible functions (reinforcement, cushioning, hard toe, etc.) and this in a localized way on the volume of the footwear, while retaining the properties of resistance to abrasion, delamination, flexibility, etc., usually sought.

[0008] Finally, there is a need for a manufacturing process for such footwear for climbing that reduces the number of manufacturing steps and facilitates the subsequent recycling of the footwear. Description of the invention

[0009] The present invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a footwear article for the practice of climbing comprising: - at least one tubular textile element comprising one or more thermofused textile portion(s), said at least one tubular textile element comprising a sole portion and a covering portion at least partially covering the dorsal surface of the foot, and - a molded sole shell, at least partly thermoplastic, comprising a sole portion including a concave midfoot region disposed between a forefoot region and a rearfoot region, said sole shell further comprising: - a portion of the lateral edge extending from and above the sole part of the sole shell and covering a portion of the lateral edge of the covering part, at least partially, of the dorsal face of the foot, - a portion of the front edge extending from and above the sole part of the sole shell and continuing into a forefoot region of the covering part, at least partially covering the dorsal surface of the foot, so as to form, with the sole part of the sole shell, an auxiliary shell covering at least the phalanges of the big toe of the foot, and - a portion of the rear edge extending from and above the sole portion of the sole shell and covering at least part of a portion of the rear edge of the covering part of the dorsal surface of the foot, and - the molded sole shell and said at least one tubular textile element are joined, in particular heat-bonded, by means of at least one heat-molded portion selected from: at least one heat-molded portion of the shell molded sole, at least one thermofused textile portion of said at least one tubular textile element, or a combination thereof.

[0010] Advantageously, the footwear article comprises a flexible upper including the textile covering part of the dorsal face of the foot attached to a sole shell, at least partly thermoplastic and molded, by means of hot-melt portion(s) from the sole shell and / or the tubular textile element without the use of exogenous agents such as complex adhesives to be recycled.

[0011] Advantageously, the molded sole shell has a shape adapted to the practice of climbing and wraps the foot continuously between the sole part and the lateral, front and rear edge portions.

[0012] Advantageously, the sole shell being at least partly thermoplastic implements one or more polymer material(s) which can / may have one or more color(s), which offers more aesthetic possibilities.

[0013] Advantageously, it is understood that the molded sole shell and said at least one tubular textile element are heat-bonded in that one or more heat-fused textile portion(s) of said at least one tubular textile element is / are heat-bonded to one or more heat-fused portion(s) of the sole shell. Tubular textile element(s)

[0014] In particular, the term textile tubular element is used interchangeably for the footwear article, after its thermocompression c), in which case at least a textile part of the latter is thermomelted, or for the footwear assembly before its thermocompression c), in which case the latter does not yet include a thermomelted textile part.

[0015] The footwear article may include one or more textile tubular element(s), for example a first textile tubular element and a second textile tubular element, and possibly a third textile tubular element and / or a fourth textile tubular element.

[0016] In this text, the term "textile tubular element" refers to a first, second, third, or fourth textile tubular element. Therefore, any characteristic described with reference to a textile tubular element described in this text applies to a first, second, third, and / or fourth textile tubular element(s).

[0017] Advantageously, a tubular textile element comprises one or more thermofused textile portion(s).

[0018] Advantageously, the footwear article comprises said tubular textile element including a sole portion, in particular textile, thermo-fused at least in part, and a part, in particular textile, of covering at least in part, or totally, of the dorsal face of the foot which is thermofused at least in part.

[0019] Advantageously, the footwear assembly comprises said tubular textile element including a part of a textile sole that is heat-fusible at least in part during the thermocompression step c), and a textile part covering, at least in part, or totally, the dorsal face of the foot that is heat-fusible at least in part during the thermocompression step c).

[0020] A textile tubular element can be a knitted, woven or non-woven tubular element or a combination thereof.

[0021] Preferably, a textile tubular element is a knitted tubular element with picked stitches or chain stitches, in particular with picked stitches.

[0022] Preferably, a tubular textile element is knitted on a circular knitting machine, in particular one of small diameter (i.e., whose diameter is between 5 cm and 20 cm, in particular between 5 cm and 15 cm), for example a sock knitting machine.

[0023] The said tubular textile element(s) can also be knitted on a small-diameter knitting machine comprising a single circular bed, in particular enabling an intarsia knitting technique. In particular, said circular bed comprises at least four circular bed sections configured to knit yarns independently of each other. This could be, for example, the knitting machine called the "Single cylinder Argyle machine, X-machine" marketed by Santoni.

[0024] Preferably, a textile tubular element is a bent textile tubular element, in particular a sock. For example, the bent textile part corresponds to a heel reception area.

[0025] Preferably, a textile tubular element includes a foot receiving void, and a foot insertion opening for the insertion of the foot into the foot receiving void.

[0026] Preferably, a tubular textile element, particularly one of unitary textile construction, comprises an open toe, or a through-opening arranged in the textile sole portion. In particular, the open toe, or said through-opening in the textile sole portion, is closed, in particular by a seam, a weld (for example, by ultrasound), or a combination thereof.

[0027] Preferably, the open toe end is a toe reception area.

[0028] In a first embodiment, the footwear article, or footwear assembly (described below with reference to the second aspect), comprises a first tubular element textile and a second tubular textile element which are joined by a textile, particularly knitted, connection, especially at their foot insertion openings, or at their open toes. In particular, the toes are closed, notably by a seam, a weld, or a combination thereof.

[0029] In particular, the first and second tubular textile elements are of unitary textile construction, specifically of unitary knitted construction. Indeed, the first and second tubular textile elements are in a single piece of textile, specifically knitted, obtained at the output of a textile machine, specifically a knitting machine.

[0030] In a second embodiment, (possibly in combination with the first embodiment), the footwear article, or footwear assembly, comprises a first textile tubular element and a second textile tubular element disposed in the foot-receiving void of the first textile tubular element.

[0031] Advantageously, the footwear article, or footwear assembly, comprises first and second superimposed tubular elements.

[0032] Preferably, the sole part, in particular textile, of a tubular textile element covers at least part, possibly totally, the plantar surface of the foot or the underside of the foot.

[0033] Preferably, the sole part, in particular textile, of a tubular textile element includes a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a rearfoot region.

[0034] Preferably, the covering part, in particular textile, of the dorsal face of the foot includes a forefoot region, a midfoot region and a hindfoot region.

[0035] Preferably, the covering part, in particular textile, of the dorsal face of the foot of a tubular textile element covers all or part of the dorsal face of the foot or the top of the foot.

[0036] In one embodiment, the textile sole part of the textile tubular element includes at least one elastic yarn, in particular at least one elastane yarn.

[0037] In one embodiment, the textile sole portion of a textile tubular element is knitted and includes loops, and the heat-fusible textile mass fraction of the textile sole portion in step c) is greater than or equal to 50%, in particular greater than or equal to 80%.

[0038] Advantageously, the footwear article comprises a tubular textile element comprising one or more yarn(s), and in particular one or more non-thermally fused yarn(s), and / or one or more thermally fused yarn(s) at least in part, in particular entirely or in part.

[0039] Advantageously, the footwear assembly (with reference to the process described below) comprises at least one textile tubular element comprising one or more yarn(s), and in particular one or more non-heat-fusible yarn(s) during step c) of thermocompression, and / or one or more heat-fusible yarn(s) at least in part, in particular fully or in part, during step c) of thermocompression.

[0040] Preferably, the textile tubular element comprises one or more monofilament yarns and / or one or more multifilament yarns and / or one or more spun fibers. The yarn(s) may be those described in the following text.

[0041] Preferably, a tubular textile element comprises an outer face and an inner face, in particular substantially opposite.

[0042] Preferably, the external face of the external textile tubular element is oriented towards the outside of the footwear article.

[0043] In one embodiment, the footwear article, or footwear assembly, comprises first and second tubular elements, the second tubular element being disposed in the foot-receiving volume of the first tubular element, and the inner face of the first tubular element is oriented towards the outer face of the second textile tubular element, in particular at least a part of the outer face of the first tubular element is at least a part of the outer face of the upper.

[0044] Thermally fused textile portion(s) during step c) of thermocompression, or thermally melted following step c) of thermocompression in the footwear article (in particular for a tubular textile element, a textile layer (in particular woven) as described below, or for the sole structure assembly described below)

[0045] Advantageously, any heat-fusible textile portion in step c) is a heat-fusible textile portion in the thermocompression step c) which may include a textile tubular element, a textile layer (in particular woven) of the sole structure assembly, or the sole structure assembly.

[0046] Advantageously, any thermo-melted textile portion, in particular following the thermocompression step c), is a thermo-melted thermoplastic portion which may include a thermo-melted textile tubular element at least in part, a thermo-melted textile layer at least in part, or the entire thermo-melted sole structure assembly at least in part.

[0047] Advantageously, a thermofused textile portion is a part of one or more yarn(s) that is thermofused, in particular in such a way that said portion retains a recognizable textile structure (e.g., the yarn(s) being glued together, and / or the yarn(s) being glued to one or more other yarn(s), and / or is / are stiffened) or forms a polymer film or coating or polymeric molten material such as a binder or matrix (in particular the textile structure is no longer recognizable).

[0048] Advantageously, in all cases, a change of state is observed in the thermofusible textile portion which has been thermomelted, in particular allowing the bonding of threads together, and / or the formation of a polymer film or coating or a binder or matrix, and / or the stiffening of the thread(s), in order to retain the shape imparted during thermocompression molding and to form differentiated technical zones.

[0049] Advantageously, a tubular textile element may include one or more thermofused textile portion(s) arranged according to one or more particular zone(s) of the part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot.

[0050] Advantageously, a heat-fusible textile portion during step c) of thermocompression, or a thermo-melted portion (i.e., following step c) of thermocompression), may be a portion: - of a single-component, heat-fusible monofilament wire (at step c) or thermally fused, or of a two-component monofilament wire comprising at least a first component, which is either heat-fusible in step c) or thermally fused, and at least a second component, which is not heat-fusible in step c) or thermally fused (as defined in the context of the present invention), or - of a multifilamentary wire comprising one or more single-component filament(s), hot-melt(s) in step c) or hot-melt(s) or two-component(s), each filament comprising at least one first component, hot-melt(s) in step c) or hot-melt(s), and at least one second component, not hot-melt(s) in step c) or not hot-melt(s), as defined in the context of the present invention, possibly mixed with one or more single-component filament(s), not hot-melt(s) in step c) or not hot-melt(s).

[0051] For example, a single-component hot-melt wire in step c) of thermocompression is a multifilament or monofilament wire of polyurethane or polyethylene terephthalate or polyolefin, for example polyurethane having a melting temperature greater than or equal to 80°C and less than or equal to 180°C, in particular less than or equal to 160°C, possibly less than or equal to 120°C.

[0052] For example, a two-component wire that is at least partially fused during step c) of thermocompression is a multifilament or monofilament wire comprising one or more filaments, each of which is of the core-mantle or side-by-side type, i.e., comprising a mantle, or side, comprising said first component having a melting temperature greater than or equal to 80°C and less than or equal to 180°C, in particular less than or equal to approximately 120°C, and a core, or side, including said second component, in particular having a melting or softening temperature higher than that of the first component, for example greater than or equal to 150°C, or greater than or equal to 190°C, or greater than or equal to 210°C or 250°C.

[0053] The said heat-fused wire(s) at least in part (or heat-fusible at least in part during step c)) single-component or two-component a / have (each) preferably a linear mass ranging from 300 dtex to 1200 dtex, in particular ranging from about 400 dtex to 800 dtex, in particular ranging from about 600 dtex to 700 dtex.

[0054] Preferably, the said wire(s) which are at least partially heat-fused or at least partially hot-melted during step c), is / are one or more single-component multifilament wire(s).

[0055] Preferably, the multifilamentary wire(s) which are at least partially hot-melted in step c), or at least partially hot-melted, single-component or two-component, each 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%.

[0056] Advantageously, the textile tubular element(s), and / or the textile layer(s) of the sole structure assembly, may comprise: - one or more yarns at least partially heat-fusible during step c), or at least partially thermally melted; and / or - one or more wires not heat-fusible at least in part during step c), or not heat-fused at least in part.

[0057] The yarn(s) may be one or more monofilament yarns, and / or one or more multifilament yarns, and / or one or more spun fiber yarns, and / or one or more elongated elements (for example, a ribbon or a braid), or a combination thereof. Preferably, a yarn that is at least partially heat-fused is a multifilament yarn or a monofilament yarn that is at least partially heat-fused.

[0058] The wire(s) may be of different colors or of the same color, possibly transparent or opaque.

[0059] The monofilamentary wire(s) preferably has a diameter greater than or equal to 0.01 mm and less than or equal to 5 mm, more preferably a diameter greater than or equal to 0.1 mm and less than or equal to 2 mm.

[0060] The multifilamentary yarn(s) and / or spun fiber yarn(s) and / or monofilamentary yarn(s) preferably has a count 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.

[0061] The textile tubular element(s), and / or the textile layer(s) of the sole structure assembly, and / or the textile reinforcement layer(s), may comprise one or more monofilament yarns and / or spun fiber yarns and / or one or more multifilament yarns (in particular not at least partially heat-fused or not at least partially heat-fusible during step c); or at least partially heat-fused or at least partially heat-fusible during step c)), according to the invention, which may be made of one or more materials selected from: - a list I comprising: polyesters, in particular selected from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or a combination thereof; polyamides, in particular selected from PA 6, PA 6-6, and a combination thereof; polyolefins, in particular polyethylene, polypropylene; olefinic elastomers, and a combination thereof; elastanes; and a combination thereof; and / or - a list II including: cotton, regenerated cellulose, for example viscose, linen, sisal, wool, jute, silk, hemp, and a combination thereof; and / or - a list III including: para-aramids, meta-aramids, carbon and glass, in particular carbon and glass; and / or - a list IV including: recycled textiles, in particular recycled clothing, for example thermal protective clothing such as that for firefighters.

[0062] The material(s) listed in list I, and / or list II, and / or list III and / or list IV, can be recycled and / or bio-based at least in part.

[0063] The monofilamentary wire(s) preferably has 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.

[0064] The multifilament yarn(s) and / or spun yarn(s) of fibers preferably has 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.

[0065] Advantageously, the non-thermally melted yarn(s) comprises, in particular is / are made up essentially 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.

[0066] The wire(s), in particular non-thermally melted, may also be one or more elastic wire(s).

[0067] Elastic yarn is understood to mean any yarn whose elongation at break is greater than or equal to 100% or 200%, in particular greater than or equal to 300%, especially greater than or equal to 400%. The elastic yarn preferably comprises an elastic core, in particular made of elastane, and optionally one or more covering yarns. Elongation can be measured using ASTM D 1578-93 (2016). By definition, elastic yarn is not heat-molded.

[0068] In one embodiment, a textile tubular element comprises at least one textile tubular member in textile bond, in particular knitted, with an opening of said textile tubular element, for example in bond with a foot entry opening or a toe exit opening or a through opening arranged in the textile sole portion of said textile tubular element. Preferably, said textile tubular member comprises one or more heat-fusible yarns, at least partially during step c), or heat-melted yarns, at least partially within the footwear.

[0069] Said textile tubular member is folded against the inner or outer face of the textile tubular element in its forefoot region so as to form a hard front end or in its rearfoot region to form a heel counter.

[0070] Said textile tubular member may be a textile housing comprising a functional part (a foam, a film, a pad,...) disposed in said housing.

[0071] In one embodiment, the footwear article classically comprises a rear heel counter and / or a front toe. Molded sole shell

[0072] Preferably, a molded sole shell includes an inner surface or internal face, in particular facing the foot's receiving void, and an outer surface or external face, in particular including at least a portion of engagement with the ground and / or directly facing the ground.

[0073] Preferably, the sole shell is a wear sole shell.

[0074] Preferably, the sole part of the sole shell is a sole part wear and tear.

[0075] Advantageously, the molded sole shell extends lengthwise between a front edge and a rear edge, in particular the sole shell has a variable thickness in the direction extending between the front edge and the rear edge.

[0076] Advantageously, the sole shell extends in width between a lateral side and a medial side, in particular the sole shell has a variable thickness in the direction extending between the lateral and medial sides.

[0077] Advantageously, the sole shell comprises a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a rearfoot region.

[0078] Advantageously, the front and rear edges of the sole shell coincide / correspond respectively with the front and rear edges of the footwear article.

[0079] Advantageously, the lateral and medial sides of the sole shell coincide respectively with the lateral and medial sides of the footwear article.

[0080] Advantageously, the sole shell has a maximum wall thickness of less than or equal to 10 mm, in particular greater than or equal to 8 mm, more particularly less than or equal to 6 mm, even more particularly less than or equal to 4 mm, and in particular greater than or equal to 1 mm.

[0081] The relatively low thicknesses of the sole shell, as well as the thermoplastic material(s) used in the sole shell, allow the sole shell to be heat-bonded with at least one textile tubular element, and possibly a sole structure assembly as described below in a thermocompression step c), in particular including a preform in the shape of substantially an inflatable foot.

[0082] Advantageously, the sole shell includes a lateral border extending substantially at least partly into the rearfoot region, at least partly into the midfoot region, and at least partly into the forefoot region, in particular over approximately the entire length of the lateral side of the footwear.

[0083] Advantageously, the sole shell includes a medial border extending at least partly into the rearfoot region and / or at least partly into the forefoot region.

[0084] Advantageously, the sole shell does not include a medial border extending from the sole portion into the midfoot region.

[0085] Advantageously, the portions of the front, rear and lateral edges, or even the front, rear and lateral edges, and possibly medial, of the sole shell are superimposed and / or cover and / or heat-bonded to the covering part of the dorsal face of the foot.

[0086] Advantageously, the sole part of the sole shell comprises an inner surface or internal face, in particular opening out towards the void receiving the foot, and an outer surface or external face, in particular comprising at least a portion of engagement with the ground and / or directly facing the ground.

[0087] Advantageously, the concave midfoot region of the sole part of the sole shell is curved towards the receiving void of the foot of the footwear article or from the external face towards the internal face of the sole part of the sole shell.

[0088] This arrangement gives the footwear a particular shape, since when the latter is placed on a substantially flat surface (the sole facing said surface), only the forefoot and rearfoot regions of the sole shell are in contact with said surface. In particular, the midfoot region of the sole shell is not in contact with the solid surface.

[0089] Advantageously, the concave midfoot region has a bridge or arch shape that substantially follows at least part of the plantar arch of the foot.

[0090] Preferably, at least 50% by mass of the total mass of the sole shell, or at least 60% or at least 70% or at least 80% or at least 90% or at least 95% by mass, or about 100% by mass, of the total mass of the sole shell, comprises one or more thermoplastic material(s), in particular one or more thermoplastic polymeric material(s).

[0091] Preferably, a thermofused portion of the molded sole shell has a melting or softening temperature greater than or equal to 120°C and less than or equal to 220°C, in particular less than or equal to 180°C.

[0092] In this text, thermoplastic material means any material, in particular polymeric, having a glass transition temperature (Tg) or a melting or softening temperature (Tf) at which it can be heated to enable its transformation in a thermoplastic material transformation process (extrusion, calendering, thermocompression, heat sealing / bonding, blow molding extrusion, extrusion calendering, ...).

[0093] It is understood from a portion of the border extending from and above the sole part of the sole shell that this portion of the border, or border, extends from the inner face of said sole part towards the foot-receiving void of the footwear article so as to cover the foot.

[0094] In one embodiment, the front edge portion of the sole shell extends from and above the sole part of the sole shell and continues into a forefoot region of the covering part at least partially over the dorsal face of the foot so as to form, with the sole part of the sole shell, an auxiliary shell covering / receiving at least the phalanges of the big toe of the foot (or hallux), and optionally at least the phalanges of the second toe of the foot (or secundus or depasus) and / or at least the phalanges of the third toe of the foot (or tertius or centrus).

[0095] Advantageously, the shape of the auxiliary shell is partially closed over the top of the foot to protect it. In particular, the auxiliary shell includes a boundary, or lateral auxiliary border, separated from the lateral border portion, in particular from the lateral border of the sole shell, in the forefoot region of the footwear, by a portion of the part covering at least part of the dorsal surface of the foot and / or a portion of the tubular textile element.

[0096] In particular, the auxiliary shell comprises an auxiliary upper wall arranged to cover at least the phalanges of the big toe (or hallux), and optionally at least the phalanges of the second toe (or secundus or depasus) and / or at least the phalanges of the third toe (or tertius or centrus), and optionally the auxiliary shell further comprises an auxiliary medial wall extending from and disposed above / vertically above the part of sole of the sole shell and / or an auxiliary front wall in line with and arranged above / vertically above the sole part of the sole shell.

[0097] Advantageously, the auxiliary medial wall of the auxiliary shell extends into the forefoot region, in particular does not extend into the midfoot region and / or the hindfoot region.

[0098] Advantageously, the front edge portion of the sole shell includes the auxiliary upper wall of the auxiliary shell.

[0099] More particularly, the auxiliary upper wall of the auxiliary shell comprises substantially opposed external and internal surfaces, the internal surface is oriented towards the internal face of the sole part of the sole shell. Footwear for climbing

[0100] The footwear article includes 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.

[0101] Advantageously, the footwear article, or the sole, comprises a medial side and a lateral side.

[0102] Advantageously, said footwear article, or sole (or sole shell), comprises a forefoot region, a midfoot region and a rearfoot region, and optionally an instep region.

[0103] Advantageously, the footwear article, or the sole (or the sole shell) comprises a medial edge, extending on the medial side, and a lateral edge extending on the lateral side.

[0104] Advantageously, the footwear article, or the sole (or the sole shell), comprises a front edge and a rear edge, in particular extending between the medial and lateral sides.

[0105] Advantageously, the footwear article comprises a central longitudinal axis L extending between its front and rear edges.

[0106] 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.

[0107] Advantageously, the footwear article, or thermo-compressed footwear assembly, includes an upper comprising (in particular formed from) the part(s) covering the dorsal face of the foot of the textile tubular element(s).

[0108] Advantageously, the footwear article, or thermo-compressed footwear assembly, includes a sole comprising (in particular formed of) the sole part(s) of the textile tubular element(s), the sole part of the sole shell, and possibly the sole structure assembly described in particular below.

[0109] In this text, the medial element / part / portion of the footwear article / sole shell / auxiliary shell / textile tubular element is understood to mean that the medial element / part / portion is disposed between the central longitudinal axis L of the footwear article and the natural inner side of the foot.

[0110] In this text, the term lateral element / part / portion of the footwear article / sole shell / auxiliary shell / textile tubular element means that said element / part / portion is disposed between the central longitudinal axis L of the footwear article and the natural external side of the foot.

[0111] In one embodiment, the footwear article and / or footwear assembly comprises a majority by mass of at least one of the following materials: polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate and polyurethane.

[0112] In one embodiment, the footwear article comprises one or more textile tubular element(s), a sole shell, and optionally a sole structure assembly, having a total mass less than or equal to 130g, preferably less than or equal to 100g, particularly for a size 43.

[0113] In one embodiment, at least 50% by mass of the total mass of the footwear assembly and / or the footwear article comprises one or more materials chosen from: polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyurethane. Definitions

[0114] In this text, "thermally fused" means any material / portion / part / wire / film or component which is thermally fused during the manufacture of the footwear article according to the invention, in particular during step c) of thermocompression.

[0115] In this text, "non-heat-fusible" means any material / portion / part / wire or component that is not heat-melted during the manufacture of the footwear article according to the invention, in particular during step c) of thermocompression.

[0116] In the present text, "thermally melted" means any material / portion / part / wire / film or component that is thermally melted during the manufacture of the footwear article according to the invention, in particular during step c) of thermocompression.

[0117] In this text, "non-thermally melted" means any material / portion / part / wire or component that is not thermally melted during the manufacture of the footwear article according to the invention, in particular during step c) of thermocompression.

[0118] A material / part / portion / yarn / textile reinforcement or component may be non-heat-fusible, or non-thermally melted, although thermoplastic or non-thermoplastic, but having a melting or softening temperature or a degradation temperature that is higher than the highest heating temperature implemented in the manufacturing process of the footwear article according to the invention, particularly higher than the heating temperature applied during the thermocompression step c).

[0119] Advantageously, step c) is a thermocompression molding step.

[0120] In this text, "at least in part" means "the whole" or "only a part" (for example, of a textile tubular element or of a thermofusible or thermofused sole structure assembly at least in part).

[0121] In the present text, the term polymer material means any polymer which can be a homo, a co or a terpolymer.

[0122] In this text, the term polymer or polymeric matrix means any matrix comprising, in particular consisting essentially (i.e. at least 90% or about 100% by mass) of one or more polymer(s), a polymer being a homo, a co or a terpolymer.

[0123] In one embodiment, the molded sole shell is in one molded piece.

[0124] Advantageously, the sole shell is molded entirely in one piece, for example by extrusion, which simplifies the manufacturing process since it is not necessary to glue different pieces, forming a sole shell, to an upper.

[0125] This arrangement also makes it possible to form a sole shell that is more resistant to shear, improving the transmission of forces from one region to another without rupture. In addition, recyclability is improved. Finally, this arrangement facilitates the positioning of the sole shell, the textile tubular element(s) and possibly the entire sole structure around the inflatable bladder, and thus facilitates the thermocompression step c).

[0126] In one embodiment, said at least one textile tubular element, in particular the first and / or second textile tubular element(s), comprises, or each comprises, a lateral region, in particular a rear lateral region and / or a midfoot lateral region, extending between a foot entry opening and the sole portion of said at least one textile tubular element, said lateral region having a minimum height Dl, and the lateral edge portion of the sole shell comprises a minimum height dl, dl being greater than or equal to 0.30 * Dl (or 0.30 multiplied by Dl), in particular greater than or equal to 0.50 * Dl (or 0.50 multiplied by Dl).

[0127] Preferably, the minimum height Dl is the minimum distance or height measured between the sole part and the foot entry opening of the textile tubular element passing through a longitudinal cutting plane P extending between the front and rear edges of the footwear article, in particular passing through a median longitudinal cutting plane P separating the footwear article into a left half and a right half.

[0128] Advantageously, this arrangement allows for the formation of a very enveloping sole shell on the lateral side of the foot, at least over approximately 1 / 3 of the foot's height in the rear and / or midfoot region. This shape thus protects the toes during complex climbing postures.

[0129] In one embodiment, the front edge portion of the auxiliary shell is joined to the part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot by means of at least one thermofused portion chosen from: at least one thermofused portion of the front edge portion of the auxiliary shell, at least one thermofused textile portion of the part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot, or a combination of the latter.

[0130] This arrangement improves the bonding, in particular the heat bonding, between the auxiliary shell and the stem and ensures good resistance to delamination, without the need for an exogenous bonding agent.

[0131] In one embodiment, the lateral edge portion of the sole shell is joined, in particular heat-bonded, to the part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot by means of at least one heat-molded portion chosen from: at least one heat-molded portion of the lateral edge portion of the sole shell, at least one heat-molded textile portion of the part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot, or a combination of the latter.

[0132] Advantageously, no bonding agent is required. This feature simplifies the manufacturing process and improves recyclability.

[0133] In one embodiment, the rear edge portion of the sole shell is joined, in particular heat-bonded, to the part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot by means of at least one heat-molded portion chosen from: at least one heat-molded portion of the rear edge portion of the sole shell, at least one heat-molded textile portion of the part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot, or a combination of the latter.

[0134] Advantageously, this arrangement facilitates the manufacturing process and improves recyclability.

[0135] In one embodiment, the part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot includes a portion of the thermofused medial border connected and directly extending with the sole part of the sole shell, in particular said portion of the thermofused medial border is a portion of the outer surface of the footwear or upper.

[0136] In particular, said portion of the thermally fused medial edge is / forms a polymer coating, notably extending substantially over at least 30%, in in particular at least 50%, of the height of the total medial border of the part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot.

[0137] Advantageously, said portion of thermofused medial border extends into the midfoot region of the footwear article, in particular extends longitudinally along the longitudinal axis (L) of the footwear article, notably continuously in the midfoot region of the footwear article.

[0138] Advantageously, the thermofused medial border portion is disposed in the midfoot region of the footwear article, in particular extending between the auxiliary shell and the rear border portion, in particular the rear border, of the sole shell.

[0139] Advantageously, the sealing of the footwear article is preserved along the medial side.

[0140] In one embodiment, the sole shell, viewed from the outer surface of its sole part, has a shape substantially like a bean.

[0141] This shape facilitates complex postures during climbing.

[0142] Advantageously, a sole shell having this shape can be implemented with the thermocompression manufacturing process of the footwear article.

[0143] In one embodiment, the sole shell comprises one or more (co)polymer(s) selected from: polyolefins; thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers; thermoplastic styrenic elastomers; olefinic thermoplastic elastomers; vulcanized thermoplastic elastomers selected from: a mixture of a vulcanized olefinic elastomer and a polyolefin, and a mixture of a vulcanized olefinic elastomer and a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer, and a mixture of the latter; or a mixture of the latter.

[0144] Polyolefin(s) for the sole shell and / or one or more yarn(s) of textile tubular element(s) and / or the auxiliary sole shell and / or one or more yarn(s) of textile layer(s) and / or one or more polymer film(s), is / are chosen from polyolefin homopolymers, possibly grafted, polyolefin copolymers or terpolymers, possibly grafted.

[0145] Polyolefin copolymers comprise two olefin repeat units, optionally grafted. Polyolefin terpolymers comprise three or more olefin repeat units, optionally grafted.

[0146] The olefinic repeating units preferably include units derived from alkenes, in particular from ethylene or propylene.

[0147] The polyolefin(s) used in the present invention is / are by definition thermoplastic(s).

[0148] Polyolefin filament(s) for the sole shell and / or one or more yarn(s) of textile tubular element(s) and / or the auxiliary sole shell and / or one or more yarn(s) of textile layer(s) and / or polymer film(s) is / are chosen preferably from a list I comprising (in particular consisting of) polypropylene; polyethylene, in particular high-density polyethylene, very high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and very low-density polyethylene (LLDPE); polymethylpentene (PMP), polybutene-1 (PB-1), polyisobutene; preferably from polypropylenes and polyethylenes, in particular polyethylene is chosen from high-density polyethylene, very high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and very low-density polyethylene (LLDPE).

[0149] The polyolefin(s) for the sole shell and / one or more yarn(s) of textile tubular element(s) and / or the auxiliary sole shell and / or one or more yarn(s) of textile layer(s) and / or one or more polymer film(s), may be selected from olefin-based mineral oils, such as poly-alpha-olefins, in particular those which are plasticizers of styrenic thermoplastic elastomers.

[0150] The polyolefin can be a bio-based or petroleum-based polyolefin, in particular bio-based, that is to say derived from renewable material(s), for example it can be a bio-based polyethylene derived from sugar cane.

[0151] Bio-based material is understood to mean any material derived from renewable material(s), as opposed to petroleum-based material.

[0152] One or more olefinic thermoplastic elastomers for the sole shell and / or one or more yarns of textile tubular element(s) and / or the auxiliary sole shell and / or the auxiliary sole shell and / or one or more yarns of textile layer(s) and / or one or more polymer film(s), is / are selected from: - polyisobutylenes (PIB); and / or - ethylene, propylene, and diene terpolymers (EPDM); ethylene and propylene copolymers; ethylene and alpha-olefin copolymers, for example ethylene and butene copolymers or ethylene and octene copolymers, and a mixture thereof; preferably EPDM and ethylene and propylene copolymers; and / or - mixtures of a polyolefin, in particular polypropylene, with one or more non-vulcanized olefinic thermoplastic elastomers, and optionally one or more plasticizers (for example, mineral, naphthenic, or paraffinic oil). The said olefinic thermoplastic elastomer(s) may be ethylene-propylene copolymers, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers, or ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers (for example, ethylene-butene copolymers or ethylene-octene copolymers).

[0153] Preferably, one or more vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer(s) (TPE-V) for the sole shell and / or the auxiliary sole shell and / or one or more yarn(s) of textile tubular element(s) and / or one or more textile layer yarn(s) and / or one or more polymer film(s), is / are chosen from: - a mixture of a vulcanized olefinic elastomer (in particular forming the rubber phase) and a polyolefin (in particular as defined in this text, more particularly forming the thermoplastic phase), in particular polypropylene, or - a mixture of a vulcanized olefinic elastomer (in particular as defined in this text and vulcanized, more particularly forming the rubber phase) and a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer (in particular as defined in this text, more particularly forming the thermoplastic phase), in particular SEBS or SBS.

[0154] Vulcanization generally takes place during the extrusion-granulation step. Preferably, the highly vulcanized rubber phase is dispersed within the thermoplastic phase. This elastomer has the advantage of exhibiting good adhesion to olefin polymers, such as polypropylene and polyethylene. This vulcanization is known in the prior art as dynamic vulcanization, during which the elastomer is vulcanized while being mixed in the molten state with a suitable thermoplastic polyolefin.

[0155] Said vulcanized olefinic elastomer is preferably selected from ethylene, propylene, and diene terpolymers (EPDM); ethylene and propylene copolymers; ethylene and alpha-olefin(s) copolymers, for example ethylene and butene copolymers or ethylene and octene copolymers, and a mixture of the latter; preferably EPDM and ethylene and propylene copolymers. In this text, polyurethanes are not considered to be vulcanized thermoplastic elastomers.

[0156] Preferably, the styrenic thermoplastic elastomer(s) for the sole shell is / are chosen from: thermoplastic elastomers comprising styrenic repeating motifs (TPE-S) (in particular a styrene group: -CH(C6H5)-CH2), preferably among thermoplastic elastomers comprising one or more styrenic block(s) and optionally one or more olefin block(s) (possibly grafted), preferably among poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) (SEBS); poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene) (SBS); poly(styrene-butadiene) (SBC); poly(styrene-isoprene-styrene) (SIS); poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene) (SEPS), for example marketed under the brand name Septon SEPS® by the company Kuraray, or Kraton G® by the company Kraton.

[0157] Advantageously, the thermoplastic elastomers selected within the framework of the present invention have better processability and a lower associated energy cost than thermosetting elastomers, in particular for conventional thermoplastic processes such as injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, blow molding, etc. Foundation structure assembly

[0158] The sole structure assembly with reference to the first aspect (i.e. to the footwear article) or to the second aspect (i.e. to the manufacturing process) of the present invention may include any of the features / (sub)variants of embodiment defined in this text and in particular below.

[0159] In one variant, the footwear article, or footwear assembly, comprises a tubular textile element including a sole part having a substantially opposite inner face and outer face, and a sole structure assembly disposed against the inner or outer face of said sole part, or distributed over the inner and / or outer face of the sole part, preferably in the foot reception void against the inner face of the sole part.

[0160] In one variant, the footwear article, or footwear set, comprises: - a first tubular textile element and a second tubular textile element arranged in the receiving void of the foot of the first tubular textile element, in particular so as to be substantially superimposed at least in part, each of the first and second tubular textile elements comprising sole portions having substantially opposite internal and external faces and - a sole structure assembly arranged between the sole parts of the first and second tubular textile elements, i.e. between the inner face of the sole part of the first tubular element and the outer face of the sole part of the second tubular element (i.e. in the receiving void of the foot of the first tubular element); or arranged against the inner face of the sole part of the second tubular element (i.e. in the receiving void of the foot of the second tubular element), or arranged against the outer face of the sole part of the first tubular element, or distributed according to the various locations mentioned above.

[0161] The arrangement of the structure assembly against the inner face of the sole part of the first or second tubular element (and therefore in the receiving void of the foot of said tubular element), and / or between the sole parts makes it possible to maintain the sole structure assembly in position during thermocompression molding c), in particular with the inflatable preform, without using additional fixing means.

[0162] When the entire base structure or a part thereof is placed against the outer face of the base portion of the first tubular element, it is It is preferable to use one or more means of fixing to hold the textile layers in place, for example a hot-melt sewing thread or one or more weld points.

[0163] In one embodiment, said article includes a sole structure assembly comprising a layer of textile reinforcement, in particular woven, or several layers of textile reinforcement, in particular woven, possibly superimposed at least in part.

[0164] Advantageously, the textile reinforcement layer(s), in particular woven, comprises / include, or is / are formed, of yarns and / or fibers, in particular not thermally melted.

[0165] Preferably, said sole structure assembly comprises a polymer matrix (or one or more thermally melted or hot-melt textile portion(s) in step c) described below forming a polymer matrix), in particular based on (or comprising predominantly by mass) polyester(s), polyolefin(s), polyurethane(s) or a combination thereof.

[0166] Advantageously, the polymer matrix, or the thermofused textile portion(s) (or thermofusible portion(s) during step c) of thermocompression described below forming a polymer matrix), represents at least 30% by mass, or at least 40% by mass, or even at least 50% by mass, of the total mass of said sole structure assembly.

[0167] Advantageously, the mass fraction of the polymeric matrix in said sole structure assembly is less than or equal to 80% or 70%, preferably less than or equal to 60%, of the total mass of said sole structure assembly.

[0168] Preferably, the mass fraction of the polymeric matrix in said sole structure assembly is about 50% at + / - 10%, more preferably at + / - 5%.

[0169] Advantageously, the textile reinforcement layer(s), in particular woven, comprises one or more polyester yarn(s) (e.g. PET and / or PBT), in particular of high tenacity.

[0170] Preferably, the sole structure assembly comprises at least two or at least three or at least four layers of textile reinforcement, more preferably at least six or at least eight layers of textile reinforcement.

[0171] Preferably, the sole structure assembly comprises at most 24 layers of textile reinforcement, more preferably at most 20 layers of textile reinforcement, preferably at most 16 layers of textile reinforcement, for example between 8 layers of textile reinforcement and 14 layers of textile reinforcement.

[0172] In particular, said layers of textile reinforcement are arranged so as to extend between the medial and lateral edges, and in the forefoot and / or regions midfoot, and / or rearfoot, of the entire sole structure and / or of the sole.

[0173] The textile reinforcement layer(s) may be one or more woven, non-woven, knitted, braided reinforcement layers or a combination thereof.

[0174] Preferably, the textile reinforcement layer(s) comprises / include, in particular is / are, one or more woven reinforcement layers, in particular comprising (each) one or more warp yarn(s) woven with one or more weft yarn(s), in particular said yarn(s) are not heat-fused (or not heat-fusible in step c)).

[0175] In one example, a textile reinforcement layer, in particular woven, comprises warp yarns and / or weft yarns of polyester(s), such as PET or PBT, in particular of high tenacity and / or high melting point.

[0176] Preferably, the textile reinforcement layer(s) is / are made of one or more materials selected from: polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and / or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), in particular high-tenacity and / or high-melting-point polyesters; polyolefins, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, very high-density polyethylene, or a co- or terpolymer of these, or a mixture thereof; carbon; glass; or a combination thereof.

[0177] Preferably, the polyester, in particular PET or PBT, with a high melting point has a melting temperature greater than or equal to 180°C, in particular greater than or equal to 230°C, more particularly greater than or equal to 240°C.

[0178] Preferably, the polyester, in particular PET or PBT, with high tenacity has a tenacity at break greater than or equal to 5 grams / dtex, in particular greater than or equal to 8 grams / dtex.

[0179] Preferably, the textile reinforcement layer(s), in particular woven, is / are not in textile connection, i.e. via a woven or knitted yarn, with a textile tubular element, in particular with its sole part.

[0180] Advantageously, the textile reinforcement layer(s), particularly woven, and / or the entire sole structure, is / are independent of a textile tubular element, in particular of the first and / or second textile tubular element(s). In particular, the textile reinforcement layer(s), and / or the entire sole structure, is / are not of unitary textile construction with a textile tubular element. This arrangement allows for customized functionalization of the sole of the footwear, in particular by differentiating the various regions of the footwear.

[0181] In one example, the textile reinforcement layer(s) comprises / include, in particular is / are, one or more woven reinforcement layers whose weave is chosen from a plain weave, a twill weave (for example 2 / 2), or a combination thereof.

[0182] In one embodiment, said footwear article comprises a sole structure assembly including a layer of textile reinforcement, in particular woven, or several layers of textile reinforcement, in particular woven, superimposed at least in part, said sole structure assembly includes a polymer matrix and one or more layers of textile reinforcement embedded in said polymer matrix, preferably the mass fraction of textile reinforcement layer(s) of said sole structure assembly is greater than or equal to 30% or 40% or 50% of the total mass of said sole structure assembly.

[0183] Advantageously, the mass fraction in textile reinforcement layer(s) of said sole structure assembly is less than or equal to 80% or 70%, or preferably less than or equal to 60%, of the total mass of said sole structure assembly.

[0184] Preferably, the mass fraction in textile reinforcement layer(s) of said sole structure assembly is about 50% at + / - 10%, more preferably at + / - 5%.

[0185] This arrangement makes it possible to form a sole structure assembly providing reinforcement and flexibility via the polymer matrix, and to form a sole in combination with the sole shell which is functionalized according to determined areas.

[0186] In an embodiment, one or more textile reinforcement layers, in particular woven, correspond(s) to the textile reinforcement part(s) (in particular non-heat-fusible during step c) of thermocompression described below) of one or more self-reinforced polyester or polyolefin layer(s), for example designated in the prior art under the acronym sr layer(s).

[0187] A self-reinforced layer is preferably molded by thermocompression, particularly during step c).

[0188] In one embodiment, the sole structure assembly, and / or one or more layers of textile reinforcement, in particular woven, comprises (each) a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a rearfoot region, optionally extending between the front and rear edges of the footwear (or sole) and / or extending between the medial and lateral edges of the footwear (or sole).

[0189] Advantageously, the entire sole structure, particularly in the footwear article, has a thickness in its forefoot region that is greater than its thickness in its rearfoot or midfoot region.

[0190] The thickness of the sole structure assembly is the distance between its inner face and its outer face, measured, for example, on a cross-sectional plane extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the sole. For example, it is possible to observe a cross-section under a microscope and measure said thickness.

[0191] In one embodiment, the footwear article includes a sole, said sole includes, in particular, is formed of the sole part(s) of the textile tubular element(s), the sole part of the sole shell and said sole structure assembly.

[0192] In one embodiment, the number of textile reinforcement layer(s), in particular woven, in the forefoot region of the sole structure assembly, or in the forefoot region of the sole of the footwear article, is greater than or equal to, in particular greater than or equal to twice, the number of textile reinforcement layer(s), in particular woven, in the rearfoot region of the sole structure assembly, or in the rearfoot region of the sole of the footwear article.

[0193] In one embodiment, the mass fraction of textile reinforcement layer(s), in particular woven, in the forefoot region of the sole structure assembly, or in the forefoot region of the sole of the footwear article, is greater than or equal to, in particular greater than or equal to twice, the mass fraction of textile layer(s), in particular woven, in the rearfoot region of the sole structure assembly and / or in the midfoot region of the sole structure assembly, or in the rearfoot region of the sole of the footwear article and / or in the midfoot region of the sole.

[0194] Advantageously, the sole has a thickness in its forefoot region that is greater than its thickness in its hindfoot region or its thickness in its midfoot region.

[0195] In one embodiment, the sole structure assembly comprises a rearfoot region, a midfoot region and a forefoot region, and each of said regions comprises at least two or at least three or at least four layers of textile reinforcements, in particular woven, or at least six layers of textile reinforcements, in particular woven, or at least eight layers of textile reinforcements, in particular woven.

[0196] In one embodiment, the sole structure assembly comprises a rearfoot region, a midfoot region and a forefoot region, and the rearfoot region comprises at least two layers of textile reinforcement, in particular woven, or at least three layers of textile reinforcement, in particular woven, or at least four layers of textile reinforcement, including woven, and the midfoot area and / or the forefoot area comprises (each) at least 4 layers of textile reinforcement, including woven, or at least six layers of textile reinforcement, including woven, or at least eight layers of textile reinforcement, including woven.

[0197] Preferably, the number of layers of textile reinforcements, in particular woven, in the midfoot region and / or in the forefoot region of the sole structure assembly is greater than or equal to, in particular twice, the number of layers of textile reinforcements, in particular woven, in the rearfoot region of the sole structure assembly.

[0198] In one variant, the sole structure assembly comprises one or more polymer film(s) that are at least partially, in particular fully, thermofused, arranged between layers of textile reinforcement of the sole structure assembly.

[0199] This arrangement improves cohesion and resistance to delamination between the layers of textile reinforcement.

[0200] Preferably, the polymeric film(s) is / are (each) in one or more materials selected from: polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polybutylene terephthalate; polyurethanes (in particular polyurethane elastomers); polyolefins, such as polypropylene and polyethylene or a copolymer of the latter; preferably polyurethanes, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, or a mixture of the latter.

[0201] In one embodiment, said footwear article comprises a sole structure assembly comprising one or more self-reinforced layers of polyester(s) or polyolefin(s), in particular polyethylene terephthalate or polypropylene (PP) and / or polyethylene (PE), in particular comprising a thermofused textile fraction.

[0202] In particular, a self-reinforced layer made of polyester, or of PP and / or PE, comprises: - one or more textile portion(s) in polyester, or in PP and / or in PE, thermally melted forming a polymeric matrix (or thermally melted textile portion(s)), and - further comprises one or more textile portion(s) of reinforcement in polyester, or in PP and / or in PE, embedded in said polymeric matrix, in particular forming a woven reinforcement layer (as described in this text).

[0203] Advantageously, a self-reinforced layer of polyester(s) or polyolefin(s) is a layer comprising at least 80% by mass, in particular at least about 95% by mass, relative to its total mass, of polyester(s) or polyolefin(s). In one embodiment, said article includes a second tubular textile element comprising a sole part and a covering part at least partially of the dorsal face of the foot, disposed in the internal void receiving the foot of said tubular textile element.

[0204] In one embodiment, said at least one textile tubular element, and optionally said second textile tubular element and / or the sole structure assembly, and the molded sole shell are thermo-compressed in one piece.

[0205] This arrangement facilitates the manufacturing process and makes it possible to form a monolithic skeleton for the footwear article whose resistance to abrasion, resistance to delamination, and resistance to deformation are improved.

[0206] The present invention relates, according to a second aspect, to a method of manufacturing a footwear article for the practice of climbing, in particular according to any one of the variants, sub-variants and embodiments defined with reference to the first aspect of the invention.

[0207] Advantageously, said process comprises: (a) provide a set of footwear comprising: - at least one textile tubular element comprising a textile part covering at least part of the dorsal surface of the foot and a textile sole part, said textile tubular element comprising one or more heat-fusible textile portion(s) during step c) and one or more non-heat-fusible textile portion(s) during step c), and - a molded sole shell, at least partly thermoplastic, comprising a sole portion including a concave midfoot region disposed between a forefoot region and a rearfoot region, said sole shell further comprising: - a portion of the lateral border extending from and above the sole portion of the sole shell and arranged to cover a portion of the lateral border of the covering portion at least partially over the dorsal surface of the foot, - a portion of the front border extending from and above the sole portion of the sole shell and continuing into a forefoot region of the covering portion at least partially over the dorsal surface of the foot so as to form, with the sole portion of the sole shell, an auxiliary shell arranged to cover at least the phalanges of the big toe, and - a portion of the rear edge extending from and above the sole portion of the sole shell and arranged to at least partially cover a portion of the rear edge of the covering portion of the dorsal surface of the foot, and (b) arranging said footwear assembly in a mold structure, including a sole impression and / or a partial overlay impression covering at least part of the dorsal surface of the foot; and (c) thermo-compress said footwear assembly so as to obtain the melting and / or softening of the thermofusible textile portion(s) of said at least one tubular textile element, and the partial melting and / or partial softening of the sole shell; (d) demold said footwear assembly comprising a sole shell and said at least one textile tubular element joined together, in particular heat-bonded, by means of at least one heat-molded portion selected from: at least one heat-molded portion of the molded sole shell, at least one heat-molded textile portion of said at least one textile tubular element, or a combination thereof.

[0208] Advantageously, the heat-fusible textile portion(s) (in particular of a tubular textile element or of the sole structure assembly) has a melting or softening temperature Tl.

[0209] Advantageously, the non-heat-fusible textile portion(s) (in particular of a textile tubular element or of the sole structure assembly) has a melting or softening temperature T2.

[0210] Advantageously, the sole shell has a melting or softening temperature T3.

[0211] Preferably, step c) of thermocompression includes heating the shoe assembly to a heating temperature Te greater than or equal to T1 and / or T3, and less than T2.

[0212] In one variant, step a) includes providing a footwear assembly further comprising a sole structure assembly comprising a textile layer, or several superimposed textile layers at least in part, the textile layer(s) comprising (in particular each) one or more heat-fusible textile portion(s) in step c) and one or more non-heat-fusible textile portion(s) in step c).

[0213] Preferably, the textile portion(s) thermally melted during step c) form(s) a polymeric matrix, in particular based on (or comprising predominantly by mass) polyester(s), polyolefin(s), polyurethane(s) or in a combination thereof.

[0214] Advantageously, the polymer matrix, or the thermofusible textile portion(s) during step c) of thermocompression of the sole structure assembly, represents(s) at least 30% by mass, or at least 40% by mass, or even at least 50% by mass, of the total mass of said sole structure assembly.

[0215] Advantageously, the mass fraction of the polymer matrix, or of the thermofusible textile portion(s) during step c) of thermocompression of the sole structure assembly, is less than or equal to 80% or 70%, preferably less than or equal to 60%, of the total mass of said sole structure assembly.

[0216] Preferably, the mass fraction of the polymer matrix, or of the heat-fusible textile portion(s) during step c) of thermocompression of the entire sole structure, is about 50% at + / - 10%, more preferably at + / - 5%.

[0217] In one example, the textile layer(s), in particular woven layer(s), comprises one or more polyester yarn(s) (e.g. PET and / or PBT), in particular of high tenacity.

[0218] Preferably, the sole structure assembly comprises at least two or at least three or at least four textile layers, more preferably at least six or at least eight textile layers.

[0219] Preferably, the sole structure assembly comprises at most 24 textile layers, more preferably at most 20 textile layers, preferably at most 16 textile layers, for example between 8 textile layers and 14 textile layers.

[0220] In particular, said textile layers are arranged so as to extend between the medial and lateral edges, and in the forefoot and / or midfoot, and / or rearfoot regions, of the entire sole structure and / or the sole covering.

[0221] The textile layer(s) may be one or more woven, non-woven, knitted, braided or a combination thereof.

[0222] Preferably, the textile layer(s) comprises / include, in particular is / are, one or more woven layer(s), in particular comprising (each) one or more warp yarn(s) woven with one or more weft yarn(s).

[0223] In one example, a textile layer, in particular woven, comprises warp yarns and / or weft yarns of polyester(s), such as PET or PBT, in particular of high tenacity and / or high melting point, in particular not heat-fusible in step c).

[0224] Preferably, the textile layer(s) comprises, in particular, is / are formed from: - one or more non-heat-fusible textile portions during step c) of thermocompression in one or more materials selected from: polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and / or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), particularly high-tenacity and / or high-melting-point polyesters; polyolefins, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, ultra-high-density polyethylene, or in a co- or terpolymer of these, or in a mixture of the latter; carbon; glass; or a combination thereof, and - one or more heat-fusible textile portion(s) during step c) of thermocompression in one or more material(s) chosen from: polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and / or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), in particular low melting point; polyolefin(s), such as polypropylene, polyethylene, or in a co or terpolymer of the latter, or in a mixture of the latter; thermoplastic elastomers of polyolefins; polyurethanes; or a combination of the latter.

[0225] Preferably, the polyester, in particular PET or PBT, with a high melting point has a melting temperature greater than or equal to 180°C, in particular greater than or equal to 230°C, more particularly greater than or equal to 240°C.

[0226] Preferably, the polyester, in particular PET or PBT, with high tenacity has a tenacity at break greater than or equal to 5 grams / dtex, in particular greater than or equal to 8 grams / dtex.

[0227] Preferably, the textile layer(s), in particular woven layer(s), is / are not in textile connection, i.e. via a woven or knitted yarn, with a tubular textile element, in particular with its sole part.

[0228] Advantageously, the textile layer(s), particularly woven layer(s), and / or the entire sole structure, is / are independent of a textile tubular element, in particular of the first and / or second textile tubular element(s). In particular, the textile layer(s), and / or the entire sole structure, is / are not of unitary textile construction with a textile tubular element. This arrangement allows for customized functionalization of the sole of the footwear, in particular by differentiating the various regions of the footwear.

[0229] In one example, the textile layer(s) includes, in particular is / are, one or more woven layers whose weave is chosen from a plain weave, a twill weave (for example 2 / 2), or a combination thereof.

[0230] Advantageously, a woven layer comprises warp yarns and / or weft yarns of polyester(s), such as PET and / or PBT, in particular of high tenacity.

[0231] Advantageously, the textile layer(s) comprises one or more polyester yarn(s) (e.g. PET and / or PBT), in particular of high tenacity.

[0232] In one variant, the sole structure assembly comprises a mass fraction of non-heat-fusible textile portion(s) in step c) greater than or equal to 30% of the total mass of said sole structure assembly, preferably greater than or equal to 40% or 50% of the total mass of said sole structure assembly.

[0233] Advantageously, the mass fraction of non-heat-fusible textile portion(s) during step c) of said sole structure assembly is less than or equal to 80% or 70%, or preferably less than or equal to 60%, of the total mass of said sole structure assembly.

[0234] Preferably, the mass fraction of non-heat-fusible textile portion(s) during step c) of said sole structure assembly is about 50% at + / - 10%, more preferably at + / - 5%.

[0235] In one embodiment, the mold structure includes a sole imprint and said sole structure assembly is arranged in the mold structure such that the mass fraction of textile layer(s), in particular woven, or the number of textile layer(s), in particular woven, arranged in a forefoot part, and possibly in the midfoot part, of the sole imprint is greater than or equal to the mass fraction of textile layer(s), in particular woven, or the number of textile layer(s), in particular woven, in the rearfoot part of the sole imprint.

[0236] For example, the number of textile layer(s) in the forefoot part of the sole imprint is greater than or equal to twice the number of textile layer(s) in the rearfoot part of the sole imprint.

[0237] For example, the mass fraction of textile layer(s) in the forefoot part, and possibly in the midfoot part, of the sole footprint, is greater than or equal to twice the mass fraction of textile layer(s) in the rearfoot part of the sole footprint.

[0238] In an alternative embodiment, one or more textile layers of said sole structure assembly is / are one or more self-reinforced layers of polyester or polyolefin.

[0239] In one embodiment, said sole structure assembly comprises one or more self-reinforced layer(s) of polyester(s) or polyolefin(s), in particular the self-reinforced layer(s) comprising a thermo-fusible textile fraction in step c).

[0240] In particular, a self-reinforced layer made of polyester(s) or polyolefin(s) comprises: - one or more textile portion(s) made of polyester(s), in particular PET and / or PBT, or PP and / or PE, which is heat-fusible during step c), and - further comprises one or more textile reinforcement portions made of polyester(s), in particular PET and / or PBT, or polyolefin(s), in particular selected from: polypropylene, polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, very high-density polyethylene, or a combination thereof; not heat-fusible during the step (c) in particular said at least one textile reinforcing portion comprises / is fibres and / or yarns, including warp yarns and weft yarns woven together.

[0241] In one embodiment, one or more textile layer(s), in particular woven, comprises (each) a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a rearfoot region, optionally extending between the front and rear edges of the footwear (or sole) and / or extending between the medial and lateral edges of the footwear (or sole).

[0242] In one embodiment, the number of textile layer(s), in particular woven layer(s), in the forefoot region of the sole structure assembly, or in the forefoot region of the sole of the footwear article, is greater than or equal to, in particular greater than or equal to twice, the number of textile layer(s), in particular woven layer(s), in the rearfoot region of the sole structure assembly, or in the rearfoot region of the sole of the footwear article.

[0243] In one embodiment, the mass fraction of textile layer(s), in particular woven layer(s), in the forefoot region of the sole structure assembly, or in the forefoot region of the sole of the footwear article, is greater than or equal to, in particular greater than or equal to twice, the mass fraction of textile layer(s), in particular woven layer(s), in the rearfoot region of the sole structure assembly and / or in the midfoot region of the sole structure assembly, or in the rearfoot region of the sole of the footwear article and / or in the midfoot region of the sole.

[0244] In one embodiment, the sole structure assembly comprises a rearfoot region, a midfoot region and a forefoot region, and each of said regions comprises at least two or at least three or at least four textile layers, in particular woven, or at least six textile layers, in particular woven, or at least eight textile layers, in particular woven.

[0245] In one embodiment, the sole structure assembly comprises a rearfoot region, a midfoot region and a forefoot region, and the rearfoot region comprises at least two textile layers, in particular woven, or at least three textile layers, in particular woven, or at least four textile layers, in particular woven, and the midfoot region and / or the forefoot region comprises (each) at least four textile layers, in particular woven, or at least six textile layers, in particular woven, or at least eight textile layers, in particular woven.

[0246] Preferably, the number of textile layers, in particular woven, in the midfoot region and / or in the forefoot region of the sole structure assembly is greater than or equal to, in particular twice, the number of textile layers, in particular woven, in the rearfoot region of the sole structure assembly.

[0247] In one variant, the sole structure assembly includes one or more polymeric film(s) that are at least partially heat-fusible during step c) of thermocompression, in particular fully heat-fusible during step c), arranged between textile layers of the sole structure assembly.

[0248] This arrangement improves cohesion and resistance to delamination between textile layers.

[0249] In one embodiment, said thermo-compressed sole structure assembly after thermo-compression step c) comprises a layer of textile reinforcement, or several layers of textile reinforcement superimposed at least in part, in particular a layer of textile reinforcement or each of said layers of textile reinforcement is / are not thermo-fusible during step c).

[0250] The (sub)variants of embodiment, advantageous embodiments, definitions indicated in this text with reference to the first aspect of the invention can be combined independently of each other with a second aspect of the invention. Description of the drawings

[0251] The invention will be better understood upon reading the description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0252] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] schematically illustrates a first example of an article footwear for the practice of climbing according to the invention seen in perspective along its lateral side;

[0253] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates the article of footwear of [Fig.1] seen in perspective and from above;

[0254] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] schematically represents the article footwear of figures 1 and 2 seen in perspective and according to its medial side;

[0255] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] schematically represents the article fitting figures 1 to 3 in perspective and from below;

[0256] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] schematically represents a first example of a textile layer, in particular woven, of a sole structure assembly which can be used for the manufacture of the footwear article shown in figures 1 to 4; [Fig.6] [Fig.6] schematically represents a first example of a footwear assembly according to the invention before thermocompression c);

[0257] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] schematically represents a variant of the arrangement of the footwear assembly of [Fig.6] before thermocompression c);

[0258] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] schematically represents a second example of a footwear assembly according to the invention before thermocompression c). Description of the implementation methods

[0259] The first example of a climbing shoe 10 shown in Figures 1 to 4 comprises a first tubular textile element 20 and a second tubular textile element 30, each in particular sock-like in shape. Advantageously, the first and second tubular elements (20, 30) are knitted together at their foot openings (22, 32). The second tubular textile element 30 is arranged within the interior volume of the first tubular textile element 20 so that they are superimposed. The first and second tubular textile elements (20, 30) each comprise: at least one heat-molded textile portion, a sole portion (not visible in Figures 1 to 4), and a portion covering at least part of the dorsal surface of the foot (24, 34).

[0260] Advantageously, the footwear article 10 comprises a molded sole shell 40, at least partly thermoplastic, and comprising a sole part 42 comprising a concave midfoot region 42b disposed between a forefoot region 42a and a rearfoot region 42c of the sole shell 40.

[0261] Said sole shell 40 includes a lateral edge portion 44a, in particular a lateral edge 44 extending between the front 12 and rear 14 edges of the footwear article 10. The lateral edge portion 44a, in particular the lateral edge 44, extends from and above the sole portion 42 of the sole shell 40 and covers a lateral edge portion 24a of the covering portion at least in part of the dorsal face of the foot 24.

[0262] Said sole shell 40 comprises a front edge portion 46a, in particular a front edge 46, extending between a medial side / edge 16 and a lateral side / edge 18 of the footwear article 10. The front edge portion 46a, in particular the front edge 46, extends from and above the sole portion 42 of the sole shell 40 and continues into a forefoot region 24b of the covering portion at least partially over the dorsal face of the foot 24 so as to form, with the sole portion 40 of the sole shell 42, an auxiliary shell 50 covering at least the phalanges of the big toe of the foot, and preferably also the phalanges of the second and third toes of the foot.

[0263] Said sole shell 40 includes a rear edge portion 48a, in particular a rear edge 48, extending from and above the sole portion 42 of the sole shell 40 and covering at least part of a rear edge portion 24c of the covering part at least part of the dorsal face of the foot 24.

[0264] Advantageously, the molded sole shell 40 is at least partly thermoplastic, in particular substantially entirely thermoplastic. By For example, the sole shell is molded from a thermoplastic polyurethane-based mixture, including a thermoplastic elastomer, comprising a component improving its adhesion with the tubular elements 20,30 and the sole structure assembly, in particular improving its adhesion with polyesters such as PET and / or PBT and / or polyolefins.

[0265] Advantageously, the molded sole shell 40 is in one molded piece.

[0266] Advantageously, the molded sole shell 40 and the first tubular element textile 20 are joined together by means of at least one thermofused portion chosen from: a thermofused portion of the molded sole shell 40 and said at least one thermofused textile portion of the first tubular textile element 20.

[0267] Advantageously, the first tubular textile element 20 comprises a lateral region 24d, in particular a rear lateral region 24e and a midfoot lateral region 24f, extending between the foot entry opening 22 and the sole portion of said first tubular textile element 20. Said lateral region 24d having a minimum height Dl, and the lateral edge portion 44a of the sole shell 40 comprises a minimum height dl, dl being greater than or equal to 0.30 * Dl, in particular greater than or equal to 0.50 * Dl.

[0268] The front edge portion 46a, the side edge portion 44a, and the rear edge portion 48a of the auxiliary shell 50 are attached to the part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot 24 by means of thermofused portions from said front edge portions 46a, side edge portion 44a, rear edge portion 48a, or thermofused textile portions of the part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot 24, or a combination of the latter.

[0269] Advantageously, the auxiliary shell 50 includes a lateral auxiliary border 52 spaced from the lateral border portion 44a, in particular from the lateral border 44, in the forefoot region 10a of the footwear article 10, by portions 24g,34g of the covering parts at least in part of the dorsal face of the foot 24,34.

[0270] Advantageously, the auxiliary shell 50 comprises an auxiliary upper wall 54 arranged to cover at least the phalanges of the big toe (or hallux), and optionally at least the phalanges of the second toe (or secundus or depasus) and / or at least the phalanges of the third toe (or tertius or centrus), and furthermore an auxiliary medial wall 56 in the extension and disposed above the sole part 42 of the sole shell 40 and an auxiliary front wall 58 in the extension and disposed above the sole part 42 of the sole shell 40.

[0271] Advantageously, the auxiliary medial wall 56 extends into the forefoot region 10a, in particular does not extend into the midfoot region 10b and / or the rearfoot region 10c of the footwear article 10.

[0272] Advantageously, the front edge portion 46a includes / extends through the auxiliary upper wall 54.

[0273] More particularly, the auxiliary upper wall 54 comprises substantially opposed external and internal surfaces, the internal surface is oriented towards the internal face of the sole part 42 of the sole shell 40.

[0274] Advantageously, the part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot 24 of the first tubular textile element comprises a portion of thermofused medial border 24h (hatched on the [Fig.3]) in connection and in direct extension with the sole part 42 of the sole shell 40, in particular said portion of thermofused medial border 24h is a portion of the outer surface of the footwear article 10 and forms a waterproof coating.

[0275] Advantageously, the sole shell 40 has, viewed from the outer surface 42a of its sole part 42, a shape substantially like a bean.

[0276] Advantageously, the footwear article 10 comprises a sole structure assembly (not visible in Figures 1 to 4) comprising several layers of textile reinforcement superimposed at least in part, said sole structure assembly comprising one or more heat-fused textile portion(s) and one or more non-heat-fused textile portion(s) formed from said woven reinforcement layer(s). Preferably, the mass fraction of non-heat-fused textile portions of said sole structure assembly represents at least 50% of the total mass of said sole structure assembly.

[0277] In particular, said sole structure assembly comprising one or more self-reinforced layers of polyester(s) or polyolefin(s) which have been thermo-compressed.

[0278] The footwear article 10 advantageously comprises an upper 60 and a sole 70. The sole 70 advantageously comprises the sole portion 42 of the sole shell 40, the sole portions of the textile tubular elements 20, 30, and the thermo-compressed sole structure assembly. The upper 60 advantageously comprises the portions covering at least part of the dorsal surface of the foot 24, 34, and the auxiliary shell 50, as well as the portion of the sole shell 40 extending over the sole portion 42 of the sole shell 40. The sole structure assembly allows the sole to be functionalized in a localized and precise manner, independently of the textile tubular elements 20, 30.

[0279] For example, the sole structure assembly comprises 2 or 4 layers of woven reinforcement, or self-reinforced layers of polyester(s), in particular in high tenacity polyethylene terephthalate, arranged in the forefoot region 10a of the footwear article 10, and one or two layer(s) of woven reinforcement or self-reinforcing layer(s) of high tenacity PET in the rearfoot region 10c of the footwear article 10. A woven reinforcement layer is a layer comprising weft yarns and warp yarns woven together.

[0280] In another example, the sole structure assembly comprises between 6 and 12 superimposed layers of woven reinforcement configured to extend into the forefoot 10a, midfoot 10b, and rearfoot 10 regions, substantially between the medial and lateral edges 16,18 and the front and rear edges 12,14 of the footwear article 10 (or equivalently of the sole).

[0281] Fig. 5 represents a first example of a textile layer, in particular woven, extending into the forefoot 10a, midfoot 10b and rearfoot 10c regions of the footwear article 10, and comprising heat-fusible textile portions in step c) and non-heat-fusible textile portions in step c) which will form a textile reinforcement layer, for example a woven reinforcement layer comprising warp yarns and / or weft yarns, in particular high-tenacity polyester.

[0282] Advantageously, the footwear article 10 is manufactured in a manufacturing process comprising a step c) of thermocompression allowing the melting or softening of the heat-fusible textile portions present.

[0283] Advantageously, the first and second tubular textile elements (20,30), and the sole structure assembly, and the molded sole shell 40 are thermo-compressed in one piece.

[0284] Figure 6 shows an example of a foot assembly 90 that can be implemented in step a) of the manufacturing process for a footwear article according to the invention, such as the footwear article 10. The second textile tubular element 30 is disposed in the foot recess of the first textile tubular element 20. The foot assembly 90 comprises a non-thermo-compressed sole structure assembly 80 disposed between the sole portions 25, 35 of the first and second textile tubular elements 20, 30, which are also non-thermo-compressed. Alternatively, the textile layers 82 of the sole structure assembly 80 can be disposed against the inner face 75a of the sole portion 35, i.e., in the foot recess of the second tubular element 30. It is also possible to combine these two positions.This arrangement allows the entire sole structure 80 to be held in position without any means of holding the textile layers 82 during the thermocompression step c).

[0285] Figure 6 represents a variant of the arrangement of the entire footing structure assembly 80 in which the footing structure assembly 80 is positioned against the external face 25b of the footing portion of the first tubular element 20. preferably in this case, a means of holding the textile layers 82 to the sole part 25 is used, for example a seam and / or ultrasonic welding.

[0286] Figure 7 shows a variant of the footwear assembly that can be used in step a) in which a single textile tubular element 20 is implemented. The sole structure assembly 80 can then be positioned against the outer face 25b of the sole part 25 (as shown in Figure 7) or against the inner face 25a of the sole part 25, or the textile layers 82 are distributed according to these two locations (against the inner face 25a and / or outer face 25b). Preferably, the sole structure assembly 80 is positioned in the foot recess of the tubular element 20, against the inner face 25a, in order to avoid using retaining means and improve productivity.

Claims

Demands

1. Footwear (10) for the practice of climbing, characterized in that said footwear (10) comprises: - at least one tubular textile element (20, 30) comprising one or more thermofused textile portion(s), said at least one tubular textile element (20, 30) comprising a sole portion (25, 35) and a portion covering at least part of the dorsal surface of the foot (24, 34), and - a molded sole shell (40), at least partly thermoplastic, comprising a sole portion (42) comprising a concave midfoot region (42b) disposed between a forefoot region (42a) and a rearfoot region (42c), said sole shell (40) further comprises: - a lateral edge portion (44a) extending from and above the sole portion (42) of the sole shell (40) and covering a portion of the lateral border (24a) of the part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot (24),- a portion of the front edge (46a) extending from and above the sole portion (42) of the sole shell (40) and continuing into a forefoot region (24b) of the covering portion, at least partially covering the dorsal surface of the foot (24), so as to form, with the sole portion (42) of the sole shell (40), an auxiliary shell (50) covering at least the phalanges of the big toe, and - a portion of the rear edge (48a) extending from and above the sole portion (42) of the sole shell (40) and covering at least partially a portion of the rear edge (24c) of the covering portion, at least partially covering the dorsal surface of the foot (24), and in that - the molded sole shell (40) and said at least one tubular textile element (20, 30) are joined by means of at least one portion thermofused material selected from: at least one thermofused portion of the molded sole shell (40),at least one thermofused textile portion of said at least one tubular textile element (20,30), or a combination thereof.

2. Footwear article (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the molded sole shell (40) is in one molded piece.

3. Footwear article (10) according to either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said at least one tubular textile element (20,30) comprises a lateral region (24d), in particular a rear lateral region (24e) and / or a midfoot lateral region (24f), extending between a foot entry opening (22) and the sole portion (25) of said at least one tubular textile element (20), said lateral region (24d) having a minimum height Dl, and in that the lateral edge portion (44a) of the sole shell (40) comprises a minimum height dl, dl being greater than or equal to 0.30 * Dl, in particular greater than or equal to 0.50 * Dl.

4. Footwear article (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the front edge portion (46a) of the auxiliary shell (50) is joined to the part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot (24) by means of at least one thermofused portion selected from: at least one thermofused portion of the front edge portion (46a) of the auxiliary shell (50), at least one thermofused textile portion of the part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot (24), or a combination of the latter.

5. Footwear article (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lateral edge portion (44a) of the sole shell (40) is joined to the part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot (24) by means of at least one thermofused portion selected from: at least one thermofused portion of the lateral edge portion (44a) of the sole shell (40), at least one thermofused textile portion of the part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot (24), or a combination of the latter.

6. Footwear article (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rear edge portion (48a) of the sole shell (40) is joined to the part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot (24) by means of at least one thermofused portion selected from: at least one thermofused portion of the rear edge portion (48a) of the sole shell (40), at least one thermofused textile portion of the part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot (24), or a combination of the latter.

7. Footwear article (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot (24) comprises a portion of thermofused medial border (24h) in connection and in direct extension with the sole part (42) of the sole shell (40), in particular said portion of thermofused medial border (24h) is an outer surface portion of the footwear article (10).

8. Footwear article (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sole shell (40) has, viewed from the outer surface of its sole part (42), a substantially bean-like shape.

9. Footwear article (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the sole shell (40) comprises one or more (co)polymer(s) selected from: polyolefins; thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers; thermoplastic styrenic elastomers; olefinic thermoplastic elastomers; vulcanized thermoplastic elastomers selected from: a mixture of a vulcanized olefinic elastomer and a polyolefin, and a mixture of a vulcanized olefinic elastomer and a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer, and a mixture of the latter; or a mixture of the latter.

10. Footwear article (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said footwear article (10) comprises a sole structure assembly (80) comprising a layer of textile reinforcement, in particular woven, or several layers of textile reinforcement, in particular woven, superimposed at least in part, said sole structure assembly (80) comprises a polymer matrix and one or more layers of textile reinforcement embedded in said polymer matrix, preferably the mass fraction of textile reinforcement layer(s) of said sole structure assembly (80) is greater than or equal to 30% of the total mass of said sole structure assembly (80).

11. Footwear article (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said article (10) comprises a sole structure assembly (80) comprising one or more self-reinforced layer(s) of polyester(s) or polyolefin(s).

12. Footwear article (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said article (10) comprises a second tubular textile element (30) comprising a sole part (35) and a part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot (34), disposed in the internal void receiving the foot of said tubular textile element (20).

13. Footwear article (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said at least one textile tubular element (20), and optionally said second textile tubular element (30) and / or the sole structure assembly (80), and the molded sole shell (40) are thermo-compressed in one piece.

14. A method for manufacturing a footwear item (10) for climbing, in particular according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said method comprises: (a) providing a footwear assembly (90) comprising: - at least one textile tubular element (20, 30) comprising a textile portion covering at least part of the dorsal surface of the foot (24, 34) and a textile sole portion (25, 35), said at least one textile tubular element (20, 30) comprising one or more heat-fusible textile portion(s) in step (c) and optionally one or more non-heat-fusible textile portion(s) in step (c), and - a molded sole shell (40), at least partly thermoplastic, comprising a sole portion (42) comprising a concave midfoot region (42b) disposed between a forefoot region (42a) and a hindfoot region (42c),said sole shell (40) further comprising: - a lateral edge portion (44a) extending from and above the sole portion (42) of the sole shell (40) and arranged to cover a lateral edge portion (24a) of the covering portion at least partially of the dorsal surface of the foot (24), - a front edge portion (46a) extending from and above the sole portion (42) of the sole shell (40) and continuing into a forefoot region (24b) of the covering portion at least partially of the dorsal surface of the foot (24) so ​​as to form, with the sole portion (42) of the sole shell, (40), an auxiliary shell (50) arranged to cover at least the phalanges of the big toe, and - a rear edge portion (48a) extending from and above the sole portion (42) of the sole shell (40) and arranged to cover at least part of a rear edge portion (24c) of the part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot (24), and (b) arrange said footwear assembly (90) in a mold structure, including a sole imprint and / or an imprint of part covering at least part of the dorsal face of the foot; and (c) thermo-compress said footwear assembly (90) so as to obtain the melting and / or softening of the thermofusible textile portion(s) of said at least one tubular textile element (20,30), and the partial melting and / or partial softening of the sole shell (40);(d) demold said footwear assembly (90) comprising a sole shell (40) and said at least one textile tubular element (20,30) joined together by means of at least one thermofused portion selected from: at least one thermofused portion of the molded sole shell (40), at least one thermofused textile portion of said at least one textile tubular element (20,30), or a combination thereof.;

15. A manufacturing method according to claim 14, characterized in that step a) comprises providing a footwear assembly (90) further comprising a sole structure assembly (80) comprising a textile layer (82), or several textile layers (82) superimposed at least in part, the textile layer(s) (82) comprising one or more heat-fusible textile portion(s) in step c) and one or more non-heat-fusible textile portion(s) in step c).

16. A manufacturing method according to claim 15, characterized in that the sole structure assembly (80) comprises a mass fraction of non-heat-fusible textile portion(s) in step c) greater than or equal to 30% of the total mass of said sole structure assembly (80).

17. A manufacturing method according to either of claims 15 and 16, characterized in that the mold structure comprises a sole imprint and in that said sole structure assembly (80) is arranged in the mold structure such that the mass fraction of textile layer(s) (82), or the number of textile layer(s) (82), arranged in a forefoot portion of the sole imprint is greater than or equal to the mass fraction of textile layer(s) (82), or the number of textile layer(s) (82), arranged in the rearfoot portion of the sole imprint.

18. A manufacturing method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that one or more textile layer(s) (82) of said sole structure assembly (80) is / are one or more self-reinforced layer(s) of polyester(s) or polyolefin(s).

Images