Manufacturing process for a footwear item, and corresponding footwear item

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a footwear article (1), and the corresponding footwear article, comprising at least one sole element (4) and at least one textile element (2), in particular circularly knitted, bonded to each other. According to the method: - at least a portion of the textile element and at least a portion of the sole element are brought into contact with each other on a last, then - the assembly is subjected to a thermocompression step. Prior to said thermocompression step, a heat-sealing reinforcement element (10) is positioned on at least a portion of the interface between the textile element (2) and the sole element (4), and the thermocompression step is configured to bond the heat-sealing reinforcement element (10) to the textile element (2) and the sole element (4) at said interface portion. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Method for manufacturing a footwear article, and corresponding footwear article technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to footwear. More specifically, the present invention relates to footwear obtained in particular by assembling at least one three-dimensional textile slipper with a sole element. Prior art

[0002] Conventional footwear generally comprises an upper and a sole structure. The upper is secured to the sole structure and forms a receptacle for the foot within the footwear to comfortably receive and secure the foot. The sole structure is secured to a lower area of ​​the upper and, in use, is positioned between the ground and the upper. In footwear designed for sports, the sole structure may include a thin sole, a thick sole, an outsole combined with a midsole, or a sole of varying thicknesses / rigidities. 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 within the footbed and near the bottom surface to enhance the comfort of the shoe. Soles are traditionally attached to the uppers using a construction known as the Strobel method, in which the various sole components (such as the insole, midsole, and outsole) are joined, for example, by gluing certain components like the midsole and outsole together. The manufacturing processes for a typical shoe involve dozens of steps and generate a significant amount of waste from material cutting.

[0003] The aim is thus to simplify the manufacturing processes for footwear, in particular by reducing the number of steps, for example those requiring labor, and in particular skilled labor, and / or energy and material consumption. Such modifications are notably achieved by eliminating the sewing steps that consist of shaping the initially flat upper into three dimensions.

[0004] Document WO 2019 / 234374 discloses a process for forming a first three-dimensional textile slipper directly at the output of a textile loom (by (For example, a knitting machine), partially heat-fusible, acts as the upper, and this upper is then bonded to an outsole. This upper is reinforced by placing a second, three-dimensional, partially heat-fusible textile layer around the first layer, enveloping the junction between the first layer and the outsole to improve resistance to delamination. The manufacturing process is simplified by significantly reducing the number of production steps. However, this footwear, comprising an upper resulting from the layering of two, three, or four textile layers, may be too heavy for certain activities, particularly sports.

[0005] Document WO 2021 / 170685 relates to a footwear article comprising a main textile element including a main textile sock having a sole portion bonded, at least partially, to at least one sole element. The main textile element also includes one or more thermofused textile portion(s). The sole portion includes a first through-opening, and the main textile element includes at least one first additional textile portion, of unitary textile construction with the main textile sock, and connected to said first through-opening. The first additional textile portion may project inside or outside the foot pocket of the main sock, and may optionally reinforce the bond with the sole element.However, such an item may still be complex to produce and may not be entirely satisfactory from an aesthetic point of view compared to the look initially sought by the designer, or from the point of view of resistance to wear over time. Description of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the various technical problems stated above. In particular, the present invention aims to provide a method for manufacturing a footwear article, and the corresponding footwear article, exhibiting high resistance, particularly at the interfaces between parts of the footwear article, while maintaining a limited weight.

[0007] Thus, according to one aspect, a method for manufacturing a footwear article is proposed, comprising at least one sole element and at least one textile element, preferably knitted and more preferably circularly knitted. Said sole element and said textile element are joined to each other, and preferably are at least partially exposed in the footwear article.

[0008] According to the process: - at least a portion of the textile element and at least a portion of the sole element are brought into contact with each other, with or without an adhesive layer between the two, on a form corresponding to the desired shape for the footwear item, so as to obtain an assembly formed by the sole element and the textile element, then - the assembly formed by the sole element and the textile element is subjected to a thermocompression step during which an increase in temperature is applied to said assembly, and then, or simultaneously, pressure is applied between said assembly and the last.

[0009] After bringing said at least one portion of the sole element and said at least one portion of the textile element into contact on said form, and prior to said thermocompression step, a thermoadhesive reinforcement element, preferably attached, is positioned on at least one part of the interface between said at least one portion of the textile element in contact with said at least one portion of the sole element, and the thermocompression step is configured to bond the thermoadhesive reinforcement element with the textile element and the sole element at said part of the interface, and optionally to bond said at least one portion of the textile element with said at least one portion of the sole element.

[0010] The textile element and the sole element can, for example, be brought into contact on the form, by interposing an adhesive layer between them, to allow them to be joined together before and / or during thermocompression, or the assembly formed by the textile element and the sole element can be devoid of an adhesive layer at the interface between the textile element and the sole element, in which case the assembly of the textile element and the sole element can be carried out by the thermo-adhesive reinforcement element after thermocompression.

[0011] It is also possible to provide a sole having at least one surface, in particular an internal surface intended to come into contact with the upper, configured to be thermally activated or reactivated during the assembly of the sole onto the upper, for example during thermocompression. Such a sole surface can thus, after activation or reactivation, provide additional adhesion between said sole surface and the upper, whether temporarily, during the manufacturing process, or permanently.

[0012] The heat-bonded reinforcing element is separate from the textile element and the sole element, and is positioned at least above a portion of the interface between the textile element and the sole element to improve its resistance, particularly to delamination. The heat-bonded reinforcing element is designed to be positioned at least on a portion of the interface between the textile element and the sole element, but can also completely cover the interface between the textile element and the sole element.

[0013] The heat-sealed reinforcement element can thus have a rectangular shape, with a larger dimension corresponding to the length of the interface portion covered by said heat-sealed reinforcement element. The heat-sealed reinforcement element can even be configured to go around the entire shoe to completely cover the interface between the textile element and the sole element.

[0014] Alternatively, the heat-adhesive reinforcement element may have any shape covering, on the one hand, at least part of the interface between the sole element and the textile element, and on the other hand, one or more portions of the sole element and / or the textile element. In this latter case, the heat-adhesive reinforcement element forms an additional surface layer providing extra wear resistance to the covered portions of the footwear.

[0015] Thanks to the heat-activated reinforcing element, it becomes possible to effectively improve the strength of the interface between the textile element and the sole element, without complicating the manufacturing process. Indeed, the positioning and bonding of the heat-activated reinforcing element is carried out on an assembly (formed by the textile element and the sole element) that is already positioned on a mold corresponding to the desired final shape of the footwear. The application and processing steps of the heat-activated reinforcing element are therefore performed on a geometry corresponding to the final geometry of the footwear. The heat-activated reinforcing element thus becomes fixed within the geometry of the footwear in use, thereby enhancing the advantages provided by the heat-activated reinforcing element.

[0016] Finally, the heat-adhesive reinforcement element is separate from the textile element, which facilitates both the manufacturing process of the shoe and also the choice of material for the heat-adhesive reinforcement element, independently of that of the textile element.

[0017] Preferably, said textile element comprises hot-melt yarns melted either before or during the thermocompression step, so as to obtain one or more thermo-melted portion(s) in said textile element, in the footwear article.

[0018] The textile element is thus configured to exhibit, in the final footwear, sufficient rigidity to match that of traditional leather or imitation leather shoe uppers. Indeed, a textile element is generally too flexible to directly form an upper with the expected geometry and rigidity. The textile element is therefore designed with heat-fusible yarns and is placed on a last and then heat-treated to allow the formation of molten portions configured to exhibit, in the final footwear, a higher rigidity than the textile element. initial. We then obtain a stem with a desired geometry and which is durable over time, despite being made from a textile, in particular circularly knitted.

[0019] Such a process can in particular allow the simultaneous heat treatment of the textile element, namely the melting of the hot-melt yarns in at least certain portions of the textile element, and the heat treatment of the heat-adhesive reinforcement element, namely its shaping and its adhesion to the surface of the covered textile element and the covered sole element.

[0020] Thermally melted textile portions correspond to textile portions comprising one or more thermally melted yarns in whole or in part (and therefore thermally fused in whole or in part before their melting).

[0021] The hot-melt wires may be wires comprising at least one component, preferably an exposed component, having a melting temperature less than or equal to the temperature of the thermocompression step.

[0022] The hot melt wires can be single-component wires whose melting temperature is less than or equal to the temperature of the thermocompression step, or two-component wires with a first component having a melting temperature less than or equal to the temperature of the thermocompression step, and with a second component having a melting temperature greater than the temperature of the thermocompression step.

[0023] Said hot-melt wires may be selected from one or more monofilament wires, one or more spun fiber wires, one or more multifilament wires, one or more elongated elements (for example, a braid, a cable, a ribbon, etc.), or a combination thereof. The wires may be of the same color or of different colors.

[0024] Preferably, said at least one portion of the sole element may include an end groove, or shoulder, configured to accommodate the portion of the heat-adhesive reinforcement element intended to cover said portion of the sole element.

[0025] Such an end groove makes it easier to position the heat-adhesive reinforcement element on the interface between the textile element and the sole element.

[0026] Preferably, the heat-adhesive reinforcing element has a thickness substantially equal to the depth of the end groove of the portion of the sole element.

[0027] By providing a groove with a depth substantially equal to the thickness of the heat-adhesive reinforcement element, it is then possible to obtain a final footwear article in which the heat-adhesive reinforcement element is fully integrated into the sole element, without forming a potentially unsightly over-thickness.

[0028] Preferably, the heat-adhesive reinforcing element is homogeneous in rigidity and / or thickness, that is to say, it has the same value of rigidity and / or thickness over its entire surface.

[0029] Preferably, the heat-adhesive reinforcement element has several stiffness values, with higher values ​​in the part covering the portion of the sole element, and lower values ​​in the part covering the portion of the textile element.

[0030] Varying the rigidity of the heat-activated reinforcing element, depending on the area to which it is applied, allows the mechanical behavior of the heat-activated reinforcing element to be adapted to the mechanical behavior of the covered area. This variation in rigidity thus makes it possible to limit shear stresses at the interface.

[0031] Preferably, the rigidity of the heat-adhesive reinforcement element depends on its thickness, and the heat-adhesive reinforcement element has a greater thickness in the part covering the portion of the sole element, and a lower thickness in the part covering the portion of the textile element.

[0032] Preferably, the heat-adhesive reinforcing element comprises several films, for example of different sizes, at least partially superimposed on each other.

[0033] Manufacturing the heat-adhesive reinforcement element by partially layering several films allows for a heat-adhesive reinforcement element with sections of varying thicknesses, depending on the number of overlapping films forming those sections. Thus, it is possible to have a heat-adhesive reinforcement element with two or more overlapping films in the section covering the portion of the sole element, and a single film in the section covering the portion of the textile element.

[0034] Preferably, the textile element comprises two superimposed textile layers, for example an inner layer comprising hot-melt yarns and an outer layer comprising hot-melt thermoplastic yarns, preferably thermoplastic polyurethane.

[0035] The textile element may alternatively comprise, on the one hand, an inner layer intended to delimit a portion of the cavity for receiving the user's foot, and on the other hand, an outer layer covering both the inner layer and at least partially the sole element. In order to obtain a footwear item with an upper having a defined geometry, the inner layer, and / or the outer layer, may comprise heat-fusible yarns intended to form at least molten portions after heat treatment. Furthermore, the outer layer may also comprise thermoplastic yarns intended to increase the wear resistance of the item. footwear. In particular, the outer layer may contain thermoplastic polyurethane threads which help to limit wear on the outer surface of the shoe.

[0036] Preferably, the sole element includes protruding elements, for example cleats or cleat fixing elements, and said reinforcement element is positioned around one or more or each of the protruding elements of the sole element.

[0037] In the case of a single-layer textile element bonded to the upper surface of the sole element, the heat-sealed reinforcement element can also cover the outer surface of the sole element, except for any protruding parts. For this purpose, the heat-sealed reinforcement element can be in the form of a shell with openings for the protruding parts of the sole element. The heat-sealed reinforcement element is thus positioned over the sole element and the interface between the sole element and the textile element, allowing the protruding parts to fit into the corresponding openings in the heat-sealed reinforcement element. With the exception of the protruding parts, the sole element is therefore entirely covered by the heat-sealed reinforcement element, up to the interface with the textile element.

[0038] In such an embodiment, it is understood that by encapsulating the sole element and at least part of the textile element, the heat-adhesive reinforcing element can bond them together at the interface when it is itself bonded to the sole element and said part of the textile element. It is then no longer necessarily required to have an adhesive layer between the sole element and the textile element to bond them together.

[0039] In the case of a textile element comprising an inner layer and an outer layer, the latter may cover all or part of the sole element, and in particular portions of the sole element located between protruding elements. Thus, the outer layer of the textile element may include, in the area intended to cover the sole element, holes for the passage of said protruding elements. In such an embodiment, the heat-adhesive reinforcement element may comprise a plurality of heat-adhesive strips, each positioned around a protruding element, to reinforce the interface between the portion of the sole element forming the base of the protruding element and the outer layer of the textile element.Alternatively, the heat-adhesive reinforcing element may be in the form of a shell with passage holes for the protruding elements, which is intended to cover at least the lower surface of the outer layer of the textile element, and the interface between said outer layer of the textile element and the part of the sole element forming the base of the protruding elements.

[0040] Preferably, the textile element is first positioned on the form, then the sole element is brought into contact with the textile element, and / or the sole element is first positioned on the form, then the textile element is brought into contact with the sole element.

[0041] As previously stated, the manufacturing process for the footwear with a heat-bonded reinforcement element utilizes a last and a thermocompression step for forming the upper, in order to position and bond the heat-bonded reinforcement element simultaneously to the rest of the footwear. Specifically, when positioning the textile element and the sole element on the last, the assembly order can be determined by the geometry of the textile element, and in particular by the presence or absence of an outer layer intended to cover, at least partially, the sole element. The components of the footwear are, in any case, positioned on the last in the order of proximity to the user's foot during use.

[0042] Preferably, the heat-adhesive reinforcement element is positioned on said interface part between said at least one portion of the textile element and said at least one portion of the sole element, when said assembly is positioned on the last.

[0043] To ensure correct positioning that corresponds to the final geometry of the footwear, the heat-bonded reinforcement element is positioned after the textile element and the sole element have already been placed on the last. Since the heat-bonded reinforcement element is designed to limit the risk of delamination at the interface between the textile element and the sole element, it is important that the heat-bonded reinforcement element be mounted on the final geometry of the interface. The heat-bonded reinforcement element also helps maintain the interface in the geometry defined during the heat-compression stage, thus limiting the possibility of play between the textile element and the sole element under the heat-bonded reinforcement element. Such play could, in particular, lead to weakening of the interface over time due to repeated movements or displacements at the interface.

[0044] Preferably, said one or more heat-adhesive reinforcement elements are positioned at the heel, and / or at the toes, and / or on the lateral part, and / or at protruding elements of the sole, for example cleats, of the footwear article.

[0045] The heat-adhesive reinforcement element(s) can be placed on the parts of the footwear that are subjected to the greatest stresses during use. Thus, the heat-adhesive reinforcement elements can be placed on the interface at the toes, heel, or lateral part of the footwear, or even at each cleat. This reinforces the weak points of footwear, especially when used in a sustained or intensive manner.

[0046] Preferably, the heat-adhesive reinforcing element comprises polyurethane laminated with a heat-adhesive layer, optionally with a thermoplastic polyurethane layer intercalated between.

[0047] As previously stated, the heat-activated reinforcing element is independent of the textile element, allowing for greater freedom in the choice of material. Thus, the heat-activated reinforcing element may comprise a polyurethane backing combined with a heat-activated adhesive layer, and optionally a thermoplastic polyurethane layer. This makes it possible to achieve high resistance, particularly to wear, while maintaining compatibility with the materials used for the other components of the footwear.

[0048] Preferably, the heat-sealing reinforcement element comprises a heat-sealing layer having an adhesive, for example with a low melting point, and the heat compression step includes a heating step from an environment to a temperature between 90°C and 240°C, preferably between 150°C and 220°C, for a duration of between 120 and 200 seconds.

[0049] The adhesive used to secure the heat-sealing reinforcement element to the interface can be a low melting point adhesive.

[0050] According to another aspect, a footwear article obtained directly by the process described above or capable of being obtained by the process described above is also proposed.

[0051] Preferably, the textile element forms all or part of the stem.

[0052] According to another aspect, a footwear article is also proposed comprising at least one sole element and at least one circularly knitted textile element, said sole element and said textile element being bonded to each other, and preferably being at least partially exposed within the footwear article. The footwear article also comprises a heat-adhesive reinforcing element, preferably attached, positioned on at least one part of the interface between said at least one portion of the textile element in contact with said at least one portion of the sole element, and bonded to the textile element and the sole element at said part of the interface.

[0053] Preferably, the heat-adhesive reinforcement element, the sole element and / or the textile element have the characteristics described above.

[0054] Preferably, the textile element comprises hot-melt yarns, and the textile element comprises one or more parts for which said hot-melt yarns are at least partially melted.

[0055] Preferably, the textile element forms all or part of the stem.

[0056] Preferably, the exposed surface of the textile element is less than the surface of the textile element covered by the heat-adhesive reinforcement element.

[0057] Preferably, the exposed surface area of ​​the sole element is less than the surface area of ​​the sole element covered by the heat-sealed reinforcing element. Brief description of the drawings

[0058] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 represents, schematically, a footwear article according to the present invention;

[0059] [Fig.2] Fig.2 represents, schematically, a flowchart of a manufacturing process for the footwear article illustrated in Fig.1, according to the present invention;

[0060] [Fig.3] Fig.3 represents, schematically, a second embodiment of a footwear article according to the present invention;

[0061] [Fig.4] Fig.4 schematically represents a third embodiment of a footwear article according to the present invention; and

[0062] [Fig. 5] Figure 5 schematically represents a fourth embodiment of a footwear article according to the present invention; and

[0063] [Fig.6] Fig.6 represents, schematically, a fifth embodiment of a footwear article according to the present invention. Description of the implementation methods

[0064] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a footwear article 1 according to the present invention, in this case a shoe for practicing a sporting activity.

[0065] The footwear article 1 includes in particular an upper formed, in the example illustrated in [Fig.1], by a textile element 2, and an outsole forming, in the example illustrated, a sole element 4.

[0066] The textile element 2 is advantageously knitted circularly, so as to obtain a flexible element having the desired general shape for the user's foot cavity. In particular, compared to flat-knitted elements, the textile element 2 according to the present invention has a three-dimensional geometry without requiring prior shaping, assembly, or sewing.

[0067] The textile element 2 advantageously comprises fused hot-melt yarns forming one or more fused portions 6, and one or more flexible portions 8 devoid of hot-melt yarns and / or not fused. The fused portions 6 thus exhibit greater rigidity than the flexible portions 8 of the textile element, thereby allowing the stem to have a specific geometry. The fused portions 6 are obtained, in particular, by treatment thermal, localized or not, of the hot-melt threads of the textile element 2. The heat treatment is carried out for example during a thermocompression step.

[0068] In order to reinforce the resistance of the footwear article 1 to delamination, it also includes a heat-adhesive reinforcing element 10.

[0069] The heat-adhesive reinforcement element 10 may comprise polyurethane laminated with a heat-adhesive layer, optionally with a layer of thermoplastic polyurethane sandwiched between. The polyurethane provides improved wear resistance, as well as resistance to the stresses to which the interface between the upper and the outsole is subjected.

[0070] The heat-adhesive layer advantageously comprises a low melting point adhesive.

[0071] To facilitate the assembly of the footwear article 1, the sole element 4 may include a groove along the interface, configured to accommodate a part of the heat-adhesive reinforcement element 10. The edge of the groove then forms a stop facilitating the positioning of the heat-adhesive reinforcement element 10 on the interface between the sole element and the textile element.

[0072] Fig. 2 illustrates, in the form of a flowchart, a manufacturing process 100 of a footwear article as illustrated, for example, in Fig. 1.

[0073] The manufacturing process 100 thus provides, in a first step 200, for bringing the textile element 2 and the sole element 4 into contact with each other on a form corresponding substantially to the desired shape for the footwear article 1. This contacting can in particular be carried out by positioning the textile element 2 on the form, then positioning the sole element 4 on a portion of said textile element 2, so as to obtain, on the form, an assembly comprising the sole element 4 and the textile element 2. An intermediate adhesive layer may or may not be provided at the interface between the textile element 2 and the sole element 4, in order to facilitate the positioning and retention of the sole element 4 on the form.

[0074] In a second step 300, the manufacturing process 100 then provides for a positioning of the heat-adhesive reinforcement element 10 at the interface between the textile element 2 and the sole element 4. The textile element 2 and the sole element 4 being already positioned on a form representative of the final footwear article 1, the positioning of the heat-adhesive reinforcement element 10 is carried out correctly, even if the upper is not yet fully formed.

[0075] Finally, in a third step 400, a heat treatment is carried out in the form of thermocompression with a temperature increase followed, either simultaneously or in part, by the application of pressure to the last. This heat treatment step 400 thus makes it possible, on the one hand, to fix the thermo-adhesive reinforcement element 10 to the textile element 2 and the sole element 4, within the final shape of the footwear 1. Furthermore, It is also possible to melt, during the same heat treatment step, the hot-melt threads of the textile element 2, in order to form the thermo-melted portion(s) 6 of the footwear article 1.

[0076] Thus, and without adding an additional thermal step, it is possible to produce a footwear article 1 as illustrated in [Fig.1], with improved resistance at the interface between the textile element and the sole element.

[0077] Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment of a footwear article 1 according to the present invention. In this second embodiment, the heat-sealed reinforcement element 10 has different stiffness values. Thus, the heat-sealed reinforcement element may comprise a first portion 10a extending from the side of the textile element 2 and having a first stiffness value, a second portion 10b extending from the side of the sole element 4 and having a second stiffness value greater than the first, and a third portion 10c extending between the first and second portions 10a, 10b, and having a third stiffness value between the first and second. Such a heat-sealed reinforcement element 10 thus allows for variable stiffness adapted to that of the underlying material.This allows for similar mechanical behavior between the material of the heat-sealed reinforcement element and the underlying material, which limits the risks of delamination of the heat-sealed reinforcement element and shear stresses.

[0078] Variations in the rigidity of the heat-sealed reinforcement element 10 can be achieved, in particular, by varying the thickness of the heat-sealed reinforcement element. Thus, the heat-sealed reinforcement element 10 can have a thickness that decreases from the portion covering the sole element 4 to the portion covering the textile element 2.

[0079] Figure 4 illustrates a third embodiment of a footwear article 1 according to the present invention. In this third embodiment, the sole element 4 has a substantially flat main surface with projecting elements 12 extending downwards from the main surface of the sole element 4. The heat-sealed reinforcement element 10 is, in this case, in the form of a shell designed to cover all or part of the main surface of the sole element 4, with through openings to allow the projecting elements 12 to pass through. The heat-sealed reinforcement element 10 thus almost completely covers the sole element 4 and the lower part of the textile element 2.In particular, it is possible to provide, with such a thermo-adhesive reinforcement element 10, for an absence of adhesive layer between the textile element 2 and the sole element 4, the said elements being able to be joined together by the thermo-adhesive reinforcement element 10.

[0080] Once the heat treatment has been carried out and the thermo-adhesive reinforcement element 10 has been bonded to the rest of the footwear article 1, it is then possible to fix cleats 14 on the protruding elements, for example by injection, in order to obtain the desired adhesion for the footwear article 1.

[0081] In another embodiment not shown in the figures, the textile element may include an inner layer on which the sole element is mounted, and an outer layer covering the inner layer and a substantially flat main surface of the sole element, with the exception of protruding elements as illustrated in [Fig.4].

[0082] In particular, the upper layer of the textile element may include yarns containing polyurethane or thermoplastic polyurethane, to increase the wear resistance of the footwear.

[0083] Before mounting the crampons on the protruding elements, a heat-sealed reinforcement element, for example in the form of rings, is positioned around the protruding elements at the interface between the outer layer of the textile element and the sole element, prior to the application of the heat treatment. Once the heat treatment has been applied and the heat-sealed reinforcement element has been bonded to the rest of the footwear, the crampons can then be mounted on the protruding elements.

[0084] Figure 5 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a footwear article 1. In this fourth embodiment, the sole element 4 is not in the form of a substantially flat surface with protruding elements, but in the form of a three-dimensional structure with hollowed-out portions, partially covering a part of the textile element 2. Once the sole element 4 is positioned around the textile element 2, the heat-adhesive reinforcement element 10, for example in the form of a shell with through openings for the protruding elements of the sole element, is then positioned so as to cover the sole element 4 and the corresponding part of the textile element 2. The heat-adhesive reinforcement element 10 thus almost completely covers the sole element 4 and the lower part of the textile element 2.In particular, it is possible to provide, with such a thermo-adhesive reinforcement element 10, for an absence of adhesive layer between the textile element 2 and the sole element 4, the said elements being able to be joined together by the thermo-adhesive reinforcement element 10.

[0085] Once the heat treatment has been carried out and the thermo-adhesive reinforcement element 10 has been bonded to the rest of the footwear article 1, it is then possible to fix cleats 14 on the protruding elements, for example by injection, in order to obtain the desired adhesion for the footwear article 1.

[0086] Figure 6 illustrates a fifth embodiment of a footwear article 1 according to the present invention, after positioning of the heat-adhesive reinforcement and before the step of thermocompression. In this fifth embodiment, the sole element 4 has a substantially flat main surface with cleats 14 extending downwards from the main surface of the sole element 4. The heat-adhesive reinforcement element is, in this case, in the form of two films 10a, 10b positioned respectively on the front and rear sides of the footwear 1. Each film 10a, 10b of the heat-adhesive reinforcement comprises a main portion 16a, 16b designed to cover part of the main surface of the sole element 4, with through openings to allow the cleats 14 to pass through.

[0087] At least one film, preferably both films 10a, 10b, of the heat-adhesive reinforcement also comprises at least two distinct lateral protrusions 18a, 18b, extending laterally beyond the main portion 16a, 16b. The lateral protrusions 18a, 18b are designed to position themselves, before or during the heat-compression step, at the interface between the textile element 2 and the sole 4. The heat-adhesive reinforcement is therefore designed to only partially cover the interface between the textile element 2 and the sole 4, the latter not being covered by the reinforcement 10 in the parts located between the protrusions 18a, 18b. In particular, the protrusions 18a, 18b can advantageously be provided on the stressed parts of the interface between the textile element 2 and the sole 4, that is to say on the front lateral part in priority, and on the rear medial part. In the example illustrated in [Fig.6], the heat-adhesive reinforcement thus comprises: four lateral protrusions on the front lateral part, one on the front medial part and one on the rear lateral part which are part of the front film 10a; as well as two on the rear medial part and one behind the heel which are part of the rear film 10b. .

[0088] Advantageously, the lateral projections 18a, 18b can have an ear-like shape, that is, a general disc shape with a connection to the main portion 16a, 16b that is narrower than a diameter of the lateral projection. Such a close connection between the lateral projection and the main portion facilitates the folding of the lateral projection onto the sides, and in particular the interface, of the footwear article 1, that is, its flattening, despite a small radius of curvature.

[0089] Thus, thanks to the manufacturing process as described above, it becomes easy and quick to manufacture footwear articles reinforced at the interface between the upper and the sole, in particular against delamination, while keeping a footwear article of classic design, for example with a circularly knitted upper.

Claims

Demands

1. A method of manufacturing (100) a footwear article (1) comprising at least one sole element (4) and at least one textile element (2), preferably knitted and more preferably circularly knitted, said sole element and said textile element being bonded to each other, and preferably being at least partially exposed in the footwear article, a method in which: - at least a portion of the textile element and at least a portion of the sole element are brought into contact with each other, with or without an adhesive layer between them, on a form corresponding to the desired shape for the footwear article (1), so as to obtain an assembly formed by the sole element (4) and the textile element (2), then - the assembly formed by the sole element and the textile element is subjected to a thermocompression step during which an increase in temperature is applied to said assembly, then, or simultaneously,Pressure is applied between said assembly and the form, characterized in that, after bringing said at least a portion of the sole element and said at least a portion of the textile element into contact with said form, and prior to said thermocompression step, a thermo-adhesive reinforcement element (10), preferably attached, is positioned on at least a portion of the interface between said at least a portion of the textile element in contact with said at least a portion of the sole element, and in that the thermocompression step is configured to bond the thermo-adhesive reinforcement element (10) with the textile element (2) and the sole element (4) at said interface portion, and optionally to bond said at least a portion of the textile element with said at least a portion of the sole element.

2. Method (100) according to claim 1, wherein said textile element (2) comprises hot-melt yarns melted either before or during the thermocompression step, so as to obtain one or more hot-melt portion(s) (6) in said textile element, in the footwear article (1).

3. A method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the textile element (2) comprises two superimposed textile layers, for example an inner layer comprising hot-melt yarns and an outer layer comprising hot-melt thermoplastic yarns, preferably thermoplastic polyurethane.

4. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sole element (4) comprises projecting elements (12), for example cleats or cleat fixing elements, and wherein said reinforcing element (10) is positioned around one or more or each of the projecting elements (12) of the sole element.

5. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the textile element (2) is first positioned on the form, then the sole element (4) is brought into contact with the textile element, and / or wherein the sole element (4) is first positioned on the form, then the textile element (2) is brought into contact with the sole element.

6. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat-adhesive reinforcing element (10) is positioned on said interface part between said at least one portion of the textile element and said at least one portion of the sole element, when said assembly is positioned on the last.

7. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said one or more thermo-adhesive reinforcing elements (10) are positioned at the heel, and / or at the toes, and / or on the lateral part, and / or at protruding elements (12) of the sole, for example cleats, of the footwear article (1).

8. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat-adhesive reinforcing element (10) comprises polyurethane laminated with a heat-adhesive layer, optionally with a thermoplastic polyurethane layer intercalated between.

9. A method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat-sealable reinforcing element (10) comprises a heat-sealable layer having an adhesive, for example with a low melting point, and wherein the step (400) of thermocompression includes a step of heating an environment to a temperature between 90°C and 240°C, preferably between 150°C and 220°C, for a period of between 120s and 200s.

10. Footwear article (1) obtained by the process according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. Footwear article (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the textile element (2) forms all or part of the upper.

12. Footwear article (1) comprising at least one sole element (4) and at least one circularly knitted textile element (2), said sole element and said textile element being bonded to each other, and preferably being at least partially exposed in the footwear article, the footwear article (1) also comprising a heat-adhesive reinforcement element (10), preferably attached, positioned on at least one part of the interface between said at least one portion of the textile element in contact with said at least one portion of the sole element, and bonded to the textile element (2) and the sole element (4) at said part of the interface.

13. Footwear article (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the textile element (2) comprises hot-melt yarns, and wherein the textile element (2) comprises one or more parts (6) for which said hot-melt yarns are at least partially melted.

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