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  Waterproofed and ventilated item of footwearUSPTO Application #: 20060096123Title: Waterproofed and ventilated item of footwear Abstract: An item of footwear is described which comprises in combination: an outsole (11) having in its forepart at least a vent opening (12) which is made thsough the thickness of said outsole (11), a grating-like element (13) which is set into said vent opening (12) and acts as a screen by separating and protecting the inside of the footwear from the ground which comes into contact with said outsole (11), a pliable sheet insert (15) made from a breathable and waterproofed material which is embedded into the outsole (11) and is positioned inside the outsole (11) so as to overlie said vent opening (12), an insole (16) made of a breathable and waterproofed material, and an upper (17) made of a breathable and waterproofed material. (end of abstract) Agent: Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack, L.L.P. - Washington, DC, US Inventor: Gabriele Grandini USPTO Applicaton #: 20060096123 - Class: 03600300B (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060096123. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention generally relates to the technical field of footwear, and particularly an item of footwear featuring some important improvements in relation to the ability of allowing the perspiratory moisture given off from the feet to pass through an outsole of the footwear which is specifically designed to this purpose, while ensuring at the same time an effective waterproofness. BACKGROUND ART [0002] There are known in the art items of footwear which comprise an outsole made from a soling material such as rubber, or a compound mixed with rubber, or also polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride. Such soling materials used in the production of outsoles are capable of providing protection, traction, durability, waterproofness and play also a role in flexibility, stability and cushioning. [0003] However, the outsoles made from such materials suffer from an important disadvantage by not being permeable to the moisture which perspires from the plantar of the feet. Since the perspiration moisture can scarcely move away from the outsole of the footwear, it combines with the darkness and the warmth inside the footwear to create a fertile breeding ground for the fungi and bacteria that normally live on our skin. The decomposition of outer layers of the skin operated by the fungi and bacteria produces isovaleric acid which is associated with the typical foul foot odor. Moreover, if the perspiration moisture is not adequately removed from the footwear, the skin of the feet macerates and even mild friction in the footwear can cause painful blisters to appear on the skin of the feet. [0004] To overcome this drawback and maintain the environment inside the footwear as dry and healthy as possible, attempts have been made in order to allow the perspiratory moisture given off from the feet to breathe not only through the upper of the footwear, but also through the outsole of the footwear in order to vent the moisture and cool the inside of the footwear. [0005] Document EP 0 121 645 B1 concerns an item of footwear aimed at solving this technical problem. In particular, the footwear described in this document comprises a rubber outsole with holes distributed therethrough which are closed by small leather inserts arranged on the side intended to face the upper of the footwear. These leather inserts are glued and/or fixed into the holes with a suitable adhesive. The footwear is also provided with an insole made of cork. [0006] According to EP 0 121 645 B1, the object of the through holes distributed in the outsole of the footwear is to provide perspiration of moisture through the outsole. However, also the footwear disclosed in EP 0 121 645 B1 suffers from some disadvantages, specifically in relation to its manufacturing process and to its ability to ensure a durable breathability and waterproofness. [0007] As regards the process for manufacturing such a footwear, this process should comprise at least a first step for producing the perforated outsole, a second step for gluing the leather inserts into the holes made through the outsole and a third step for attaching the insole and the upper to the top side of the outsole. A manufacturing process of this kind is rather inefficient, and moreover the quality of the footwear thereby produced does not meet the high standards which are demanded in footwear at the present time. [0008] In relation to the waterprooffness of a footwear of this kind, it has been found that the leather inserts which are glued into the holes provided in the outsole of the footwear can become detached from the outsole upon repeated bending of the outsole during the normal use of the footwear. Thus, under rainy weather conditions water from the outside ambient can penetrate the footwear through the holes and cause great discomfort Moreover, no means is provided for imparting a level of waterproofness to the leather inserts which are inherently hydrophilic and in a short time tend to absorb and transmit liquid water, specially in the case the outsole of footwear contacts a wet or muddy ground. [0009] In connection with the breathability of the footwear of the kind known in the art, a major drawback consists in that, eventually, the holes made in the outsole become clogged with dirt and mud, thus they are no more capable of venting the moisture given off in perspiring from the feet. This drawback becomes apparent specially in the case the footwear is intended for use in leisure time and/or sport activities, during which it often occures that the outsole touches a dirty or muddy ground. [0010] Also document WO 97/28711A addresses the task of developing a breathable outsole for both normal and watertight footwear. According to this document the outsole is formed of two layers with an elastic and water vapour-permeable inner layer and an outer layer which covers less than 70% of the inner layer. [0011] However, the use of a footwear having such an outsole construction is rather uncomfortable because the outsole is not capable of providing stability, traction and cushioning action, especially in the case the footwear is intended for leisure time and/or sport activities. Moreover, the manufacturing process of the outsole disclosed in WO 97/28711A is rather inefficient and expensive. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an item of footwear intended for leisure time and/or sport activities which is improved in relation to its breathability and waterproofeess. [0013] Accordingly, this object is achieved with an item of footwear comprising i combination: [0014] an outsole having in its forepart at least a vent opening which is made through the thickness of said outsole, [0015] a grating-like element which is set into said vent opening and acts as a screen by separating and protecting the inside of the footwear from the ground which comes into contact with said outsole, [0016] a pliable sheet insert made from a breathable and waterproofed material which is embedded into the outsole and is positioned inside the outsole so as to overlie said vent opening, [0017] an insole made of a breathable and waterproofed material, and [0018] an upper made of a breathable and waterproofed material BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0019] The features of the present invention will appear in the course of the following description of an embodiment thereof chosen by way of example and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0020] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the bottom surface with the tread pattern of the outsole of the item of footwear according to the present invention; [0021] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section view of the footwear according to the present invention taken along line A-A of FIG. 1; and [0022] FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the footwear according to the present invention taken along line B-B of FIG. 1. BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION [0023] Referring to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, there is shown the item of footwear according to the present invention, generally designated by 10. The footwear comprises, in a manner known per se, an outsole 11 which is produced by injection moulding and is made of a suitable soling material such as rubber or a compound mixed with rubber, or also polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride. [0024] The outsole 11 is provided in its forepart with at least one large vent opening 12 which is made through the thickness of the outsole 11. In each vent opening 12 a grating-like element 13 is set which acts as a screen by separating and protecting the inside of the footwear from the ground contacted by the tread of outsole 11. The grating-like element 13 is formed of juxtaposed straight or curved, parallel or latticed bar elements 14 which are peferably integral with the outsole 11 and are produced together therewith by injection moulding. Alternatively, the bar elements 14 of the grating-like element 13 are integral with an insert (not shown) which is adapted to be inserted into the vent opening 12 and fixed therein. Continue reading... Full patent description for Waterproofed and ventilated item of footwear Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Waterproofed and ventilated item of footwear patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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