Stretchable Waterproof Liner for Secure Laceless Footwear Fit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Waterproof footwear often lacks the ability to adjust fit to conform snugly to a user's foot, leading to sliding and slipping, particularly for users with narrower heels or ankles, causing discomfort and poor balance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a waterproof liner with a stretchable material in the upper portion from the midfoot to the collar region, allowing for expansion during foot insertion and maintaining a secure fit once inserted, along with optional additional stretchable components like straps or belts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If waterproof footwear is formed of stiff material without laces or tongue, then waterproof integrity is improved, but fit adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof integrityVSAvoidfit adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a stretchable waterproof liner made of flexible material that can conform to the user's foot shape. The liner includes a stretchable panel in the upper portion that provides flexibility and adaptability while maintaining waterproof integrity, resolving the contradiction between stiff waterproof material and fit adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the liner material by using stretchable fabric with specific elastic properties. The stretchable panel allows the liner to expand and contract, adapting to different foot shapes and sizes while maintaining waterproof performance, thus resolving the contradiction between waterproof integrity and fit adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If waterproof footwear uses stiff material, then structural stability is improved, but comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stretchable waterproof liner provides structural stability through its continuous fabric construction while simultaneously improving comfort through the elastic properties of the stretchable panel. The flexible material allows the footwear to conform to the foot's movements, reducing discomfort and blisters associated with stiff materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If laces or tongue are added to waterproof footwear, then fit adjustability is improved, but waterproof integrity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefit adjustabilityVSAvoidwaterproof integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates laces and tongue structures that would compromise waterproof integrity. Instead, it uses a stretchable waterproof liner that provides fit adjustability through its elastic properties, allowing the liner to expand and contract with foot movements while maintaining continuous waterproof coverage without any openings or seams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of manufacture

If waterproof footwear lacks stretchable material, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but foot security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidfoot security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates stretchable material in the upper portion of the liner to improve foot security. The stretchable panel provides a snug fit that secures the foot within the footwear, preventing sliding and slipping during walking activities, while the manufacturing process remains relatively simple by integrating the stretchable panel directly into the liner construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Provides a snug and versatile fit that minimizes foot movement, preventing sliding and slipping, while maintaining waterproof integrity and eliminating the need for laces or tongues.

Implementation Method 1

a second stretchable waterproof material provided in a region of the upper portion running from a midfoot region to a collar region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3997996B1Stretchable waterproof liner

Publication Date: 2025.12.03 TBL LICENSING LLC

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AI summary

Waterproof articles of footwear having an improved fit and waterproof stretchable liners are provided. The footwear and liners of the present technology may include various stretchable components configured to tightly secure and conform to a user's foot and adapted to provide a tighter and more versatile fit around the differently sized and shaped feet of various different users. In some aspects of the present technology, the waterproof liner may contain one or more stretchable panels and one or more non-stretchable or less stretchable panels. In other aspects, waterproof footwear may be provided with stretchable components such as straps or bands adapted to secure a user's foot.