阅读说明：本技术 以可剥离方式粘附到鞋的鞋底的可弯曲层 (Flexible layer for releasable adhesion to the sole of a shoe ) 是由 马修·欧契帕 约翰·M·切西那 于 2019-10-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种鞋,其包含可弯曲层,所述可弯曲层以可剥离方式贴合地粘附成与所述鞋的鞋底的可接地表面的鞋底外周成大体上匹配接合。(A shoe comprising a flexible layer peelably adhered snugly into substantially mating engagement with a sole periphery of a ground-accessible surface of a sole of the shoe.)

1. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper secured to the sole;

a bendable layer having opposing first and second surfaces extending to a bendable layer perimeter substantially matching a sole perimeter of an accessible surface of the sole, and further comprising a plurality of patterned surface elements;

an adhesive layer disposed on the first surface or the second surface of the bendable layer or on the ground-accessible surface of the sole of the shoe,

the pliable layer is peelably adhered snugly to the ground-accessible surface of the sole of the shoe, the pliable layer periphery being disposed in substantially mating engagement with the sole periphery of the ground-accessible surface of the sole.

2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the flexible layer comprises a substantially uniform sheet of material.

3. The shoe of claim 2, wherein the flexible layer comprises a substantially uniform sheet material that allows visualization of the accessible surface of the sole.

4. The shoe of claim 3, wherein the visualization of the ground-accessible surface of the sole comprises a visualization of a sole pattern on the ground-accessible surface of the sole.

5. The shoe of claim 2, wherein the substantially uniform sheet of material is selected from the group consisting of: velvet, cotton, knitwear, woven fabrics, chamois, nylon, rayon, flax, LYCRA (LYCRA), canvas, jersey, silk, jersey, mesh, wool, synthetic fabrics, tweed, jacquard, leather, microfiber, poplin, polar fleece, or combinations thereof.

6. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the flexible layer peelably snugly adhered to the ground-accessible surface of the sole comprises a disposable flexible layer peelably snugly adhered to the sole, wherein the disposable flexible layer is incapable of being re-adhered to the ground-accessible surface of the sole after being peeled away from the ground-accessible surface of the sole.

7. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the plurality of patterned surface elements include a bendable layer pattern of reduced thickness.

8. The shoe of claim 7, wherein the configuration of the reduced thickness flexible layer pattern allows for visualization of the sole pattern on the ground-accessible surface of the sole.

9. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising disposing a plurality of anti-slip patterned surface elements on the first surface or the second surface of the pliable layer.

10. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising disposing a slip resistant layer on the first surface or the second surface of the bendable layer.

11. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the shoe comprises a pair of shoes, and wherein the pliable layer comprises a one-piece pliable layer extending to the pliable layer periphery, the pliable layer periphery configured to provide:

a sole engaging the first surface, adherable into substantially mating engagement with the sole periphery of the ground engaging surface of a left shoe of the pair of shoes; and

a sole engaging the second surface adherable into substantially mating engagement with the sole periphery of the ground engaging surface of a right shoe of the pair of shoes.

12. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising a tab extending from a periphery of the flexible layer, the tab being graspable to peel the flexible layer off of the accessible surface of the sole of the shoe.

13. A shoe according to claim 1 wherein the adhesive layer disposed on the first or second surface of the flexible layer or on the ground-accessible surface of the sole of the shoe creates a peel adhesion between the flexible layer and the ground-accessible surface of the sole sufficient to avoid the flexible layer peeling away from the sole during shipping of the shoe.

14. The shoe of claim 13, wherein the peel adhesion is about 0N/m to about 814N/m.

15. The shoe of claim 14, wherein the adhesive is selected from the group consisting of: rubber adhesives, acrylic adhesives, silicone adhesives, emulsion-based adhesives, solvent-based adhesives, hot melt adhesives, peelable adhesives, ultra-peelable adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, UV adhesives, or combinations thereof.

16. A method of making a shoe, comprising:

securing the upper to the sole;

configuring a flexible layer capable of conforming to the sole of a shoe, the flexible layer having opposing first and second surfaces extending to a flexible layer periphery that substantially matches a sole periphery of the shoe, and the flexible layer further comprising a plurality of patterned surface elements;

disposing an adhesive layer on the first surface or the second surface of the bendable layer or on the sole of the shoe;

adhering the pliable layer snugly in a peelable manner to the sole of the shoe, the pliable layer periphery adhered to the sole in substantially mating engagement with the sole periphery of the shoe.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the flexible layer comprises a substantially uniform sheet of material.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the flexible layer comprises a substantially uniform sheet material that allows visualization of an accessible surface of the sole.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the visualization of the ground-accessible surface of the sole comprises a visualization of a sole pattern on the ground-accessible surface of the sole.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the substantially uniform sheet of material is selected from the group consisting of: velvet, cotton, knitwear, woven fabrics, chamois, nylon, rayon, flax, LYCRA (LYCRA), canvas, jersey, silk, jersey, mesh, wool, synthetic fabrics, tweed, jacquard, leather, microfiber, poplin, polar fleece, or combinations thereof.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein releasably adhering the flexible layer to the sole of the shoe comprises releasably adhering the flexible layer to the sole of the shoe in a one-time use manner, wherein peeling the flexible layer from the sole causes the flexible layer to be discarded.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of patterned surface elements comprise a bendable layer pattern of reduced thickness.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the reduced thickness flexible layer pattern allows visualization of a sole pattern on the accessible surface of the sole.

24. The method of claim 16, further comprising disposing a plurality of anti-slip patterned surface elements on the first surface or the second surface of the bendable layer.

25. The method of claim 16, further comprising disposing a slip resistant layer on the first surface or the second surface.

26. The method of claim 16, wherein the shoe comprises a pair of shoes, and wherein the pliable layer comprises a one-piece pliable layer extending to the pliable layer periphery, the pliable layer periphery configured to provide:

a first sole engaging surface adherable into substantially mating engagement with the sole periphery of a left shoe of the pair of shoes; and

a second sole engaging surface adherable into substantially mating engagement with the sole periphery of a right shoe of the pair of shoes.

27. The method of claim 16, further comprising extending a tab from the flexible layer periphery, the tab being graspable to peel the flexible layer off of the sole of the shoe.

28. The method of claim 16, wherein disposing the adhesive layer on the first surface or the second surface of the pliable layer or on the sole of the shoe comprises disposing the adhesive layer to create a peel adhesion between the pliable layer and the accessible surface of the sole sufficient to avoid the pliable layer from peeling away from the sole during shipping of the shoe.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the peel adhesion is from about 0N/m to about 814N/m.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the adhesive is selected from the group consisting of: rubber adhesives, acrylic adhesives, silicone adhesives, emulsion-based adhesives, solvent-based adhesives, hot melt adhesives, peelable adhesives, ultra-peelable adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, UV adhesives, or combinations thereof.

31. A sole protector for shoes, comprising:

a pliable layer extending to a pliable layer periphery, further comprising a plurality of patterned surface elements, the pliable layer periphery configured to provide:

a first surface-engaging sole capable of being adhered in substantially mating engagement with a sole periphery of a ground-engaging surface of a left shoe of the pair of shoes; and

a second surface-engaging sole adherable into substantially mating engagement with a sole periphery of the ground-engaging surface of a right shoe of the pair of shoes;

an adhesive layer disposed on the first sole engaging a first surface or the sole engaging a second surface of the flexible layer or on an accessible surface of the sole of the left or right shoe of the pair of shoes,

the pliable layer is adhered peelably snugly to the ground-accessible surface of a sole of the left or right shoe of the pair of shoes, the pliable layer periphery adhered in substantially mating engagement with the sole periphery of the ground-accessible surface of the sole of the left or right shoe of the pair of shoes.

32. A sole protector for a sole of a shoe, comprising:

a bendable layer having opposing first and second surfaces extending to a bendable layer perimeter that substantially matches a sole perimeter of an accessible surface of the sole, and the bendable layer further comprising a plurality of patterned surface elements;

an adhesive layer disposed on the first surface or the second surface of the bendable layer or on the ground-accessible surface of the sole of the shoe,

the pliable layer being peelably adhered snugly to the ground-accessible surface of the sole of the shoe, the pliable layer periphery being disposed in substantially mating engagement with the sole periphery of the ground-accessible surface of the sole; and

the flexible layer allows visualization of the ground-accessible surface of the sole.

33. A sole protector for a sole of a shoe, comprising:

a bendable layer having opposing first and second surfaces extending to a bendable layer perimeter that substantially matches a sole perimeter of an accessible surface of the sole, and the bendable layer further comprising a plurality of patterned surface elements;

an adhesive layer disposed on the first surface or the second surface of the bendable layer or on the ground-accessible surface of the sole of the shoe,

the pliable layer is conformably adhered to the ground-accessible surface of the sole in a peelable manner, wherein the pliable layer cannot be re-adhered to the ground-accessible surface of the sole after being peeled away from the ground-accessible surface of the sole.

34. A sole protector for a sole of a shoe, comprising:

a bendable layer having opposing first and second surfaces extending to a bendable layer periphery substantially matching a sole periphery of the sole, and the bendable layer further comprising a plurality of patterned surface elements;

a plurality of anti-skid patterned surface elements disposed on the first surface or the second surface of the pliable layer;

an adhesive layer disposed on the first surface or the second surface of the bendable layer or on the sole of the shoe,

the pliable layer is peelably adhered snugly to the sole of the shoe, the pliable layer periphery positioned in substantially mating engagement with the sole periphery of the sole, the plurality of anti-skid patterned surface elements positioned to provide an anti-skid accessible surface.

35. A method of transporting footwear comprising:

conformably adhering a flexible layer to a sole of the shoe in a peelable manner, the flexible layer having opposing first and second surfaces extending to a flexible layer periphery that substantially matches a sole periphery of the shoe, and the flexible layer further comprising a plurality of patterned surface elements, the flexible layer periphery adhered to the sole in substantially mating engagement with the sole periphery of the shoe;

transporting the shoe to a point of purchase;

peeling the flexible layer off of the sole of the shoe.

36. A method of transporting a plurality of shoes, comprising:

conformably adhering a flexible layer to a sole of each of the plurality of shoes in a peelable manner, the flexible layer having opposing first and second surfaces extending to a flexible layer periphery that substantially matches a sole periphery of each of the plurality of shoes, and the flexible layer further comprising a plurality of patterned surface elements, the flexible layer periphery adhered to the sole in substantially mating engagement with the sole periphery of the plurality of shoes;

transporting the plurality of shoes to a point of purchase;

stripping the flexible layer from the soles of the plurality of shoes.

Technical Field

A shoe comprising a flexible layer peelably adhered snugly into substantially mating engagement with a sole periphery of a ground-accessible surface of a sole of the shoe.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, it may be a broad object of the invention to provide a shoe comprising one or more of the following: an upper secured to the sole; a pliable layer having opposing first and second surfaces extending to a pliable layer perimeter substantially matching a sole perimeter of an accessible surface of a sole; and an adhesive layer disposed on the first or second surface of the pliable layer or on the ground-accessible surface of the sole, wherein the pliable layer is conformably adhered to the ground-accessible surface of the sole in a peelable manner and a flexible layer periphery is disposed in substantially mating engagement with a sole periphery of the ground-accessible surface of the sole.

Another broad object of the invention can be to provide a method of making footwear, the method comprising one or more of: securing the upper to the sole; configuring a flexible layer conformable to a sole, the flexible layer having opposing first and second surfaces extending to a flexible layer periphery substantially matching a sole periphery; disposing an adhesive layer on the first or second surface of the flexible layer or on the sole; and adhering the flexible layer snugly to the sole in a peelable manner, the flexible layer periphery in substantially mating engagement with the sole periphery.

Another broad object of the invention can be a method of using a shoe, the method comprising one or more of: transporting a shoe from a first location to a second location, the shoe comprising one or more of: an upper secured to the sole, a flexible layer peelably adhered snugly to the ground-accessible surface of the sole and having a periphery disposed in substantially mating engagement with a sole periphery of the ground-accessible surface of the sole; and peeling the flexible layer from the sole of the shoe before or after the shoe is worn by the wearer.

Of course, other objects of the invention are disclosed in other areas of the specification, drawings, photographs and claims.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a particular embodiment of a shoe including a flexible layer.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a particular embodiment of a shoe including a flexible layer.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a particular embodiment of a shoe including a flexible layer.

FIG. 4 is a first side view of a particular embodiment of a shoe including a flexible layer.

FIG. 5 is a second side view of a particular embodiment of a shoe including a flexible layer.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a particular embodiment of a shoe including a flexible layer.

FIG. 7A is a bottom view of a particular embodiment of a shoe including a flexible layer.

Fig. 7B is an enlarged view of a portion of fig. 7A.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a particular method of peeling a flexible layer from an accessible surface of a sole of a shoe.

Fig. 9 is an illustrative exploded view of a particular embodiment of a method of making a shoe that includes a flexible layer having a first sole engaging surface adherable to an accessible surface of a sole of a left shoe and having a second sole engaging surface adherable to an accessible surface of a right shoe.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a particular embodiment of a shoe including a flexible layer, a non-slip layer, and a rigid layer.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram depicting a particular method of transporting a particular embodiment of a shoe including a flexible layer.

Detailed Description

Referring generally to fig. 1-11, embodiments of the shoe (1) may include one or more of the following: an upper (2) fixable to the sole (3); a pliable layer (4) having opposing first (5) and second (6) surfaces, the first (5) and second (6) surfaces extending to a pliable layer perimeter (7) that substantially matches a sole perimeter (8) of an accessible surface (9) of a sole (3) of a shoe (1); an adhesive layer (10) disposed on the first surface (5) or the second surface (6) of the flexible layer (4) or on an accessible surface (9) of the sole (3) of the shoe (1), and the flexible layer (4) is adhered in a peelable manner snugly to the accessible surface (9) of the sole (3) of the shoe (1), the flexible layer periphery (7) being disposed in substantially mating engagement with the sole periphery (8) of the accessible surface (9) of the sole (3).

Referring now primarily to fig. 1-7A, in particular embodiments, a shoe (1) may include an upper (2) secured to a sole (3). The upper (2) fixed to the sole (3) can define an internal space (11) for housing a foot (12) of a wearer (13). The upper (2) may extend upwardly from an upper periphery (14) secured to the sole (3), terminating in a throat (15), the throat (15) defining an aperture (16) of sufficient size to receive a foot (12) of a wearer. In the illustrative example of fig. 1, the collar (15) surrounds the ankle (17) of the wearer. The collar (18) can be connected with the welt (15) of the vamp (2); this illustrative embodiment is not intended to exclude other configurations of the upper (2) that may be configured to extend further upward from the legs (19) of the wearer (13) or to only partially cover the toes, or heel of the wearer, or various combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the sole (3) may be manufactured separately, and the upper (2) may be optional.

Also, referring primarily to fig. 1-7A, embodiments of the upper (2) may additionally include one or more upper snaps (20) that may be used to conform the upper (2) to the foot (12) of a wearer. In certain embodiments, the vamp hasp (20) may be a series of pairs of eyelets that receive a lace, wherein the ends of the lace may be pulled to conform the vamp (2) to the wearer's foot (12). In the illustrative example of fig. 1 to 8, the strap (21) can be adjustably placed on the upper (2) by means of an engageable catch (22) and a loop (23); however, this illustrative embodiment is not intended to exclude embodiments that include other types of vamp clasps (20), such as: buttons, zippers, snaps, straps, and the like, as well as combinations thereof.

The upper (2) may comprise any one or combination of materials such as woven fabric (natural or synthetic), leather, imitation leather, lacquer leather, plastic or other similar materials.

Also, referring primarily to fig. 1-7A, sole (3) refers to the portion of footwear (1) that may be engaged to a support surface (24) or ground (25) during normal use. The sole (3) can be made of one integral piece or of a plurality of pieces. As a particular example, the heel portion (26) of the sole (3) may be made of a different material than the midfoot portion (27) of the sole (3) or the forefoot portion (28) of the sole (3). The sole (3) may have a height (29), the height (29) being disposed between an accessible surface (9) of the sole (3) in contact with the support surface (24) and an inner sole surface (30) facing the upper (2). The sole (3) may be secured to the upper (2), typically the outer periphery (31) of the upper secured to the sole periphery (32), by adhesive, stitching or other suitable securing means.

The sole (3) can be made of natural materials, such as: leather, wood or natural rubber, and also from synthetic materials, such as: styrene butadiene rubber, nitrile butadiene rubber, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, neoprene, polyether, polyester, and the like, or combinations thereof, whether as a solid material or as a foam, thermal foam, closed cell foam or layer, or combinations thereof. In particular embodiments, the sole (3) may be translucent, transparent, or partially translucent or transparent.

Referring now to fig. 1-10, particular embodiments of footwear (1) may include a flexible layer (4). The flexible layer (4) may comprise opposing first (5) and second (6) surfaces. The first surface (5) and the second surface (6) may extend to a flexible layer periphery (7). The flexible layer perimeter (7) may substantially match a sole perimeter (8) of a ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3). However, in certain embodiments, the flexible layer perimeter (7) may not substantially match the sole perimeter (8) of the ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3). In particular embodiments, the flexible layer perimeter (7) may match all or a portion of the sole perimeter (8). In other particular embodiments, the flexible layer perimeter (7) may not match the sole perimeter (8).

In particular embodiments, the pliable layer (4) may, but need not, be a substantially uniform sheet of material (33). After the pliable layer (4) is applied to the ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3), the substantially uniform sheet of material (33) may be conformed to the sole periphery (8) of the ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3). As shown in the illustrative example of fig. 7, in certain embodiments, the substantially uniform sheet of material (33) may be sufficiently conformable to the ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3), or may be sufficiently thin or transparent such that the ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3) is capable of being visualized through the flexible layer (4). In a particular embodiment, the visualization of the ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3) may be a visualization of a tread pattern (47) disposed on the ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3).

Also, referring to fig. 1 to 10, the bendable layer (4) may additionally comprise a plurality of patterned surface elements (34). The patterned surface element (34) may be arranged on the first surface (5) or the second surface (6) of the flexible layer (4). The patterned surface element (34) may, but need not necessarily, comprise a plurality of repeating flexible layer patterns, whether woven fibers, or raised or recessed indentations extending over the first surface (5) or the second surface (6) (or both surfaces) of the flexible layer (4). The repeating flexible layer pattern (35) may, but need not, be checkerboard.

In a particular embodiment, the plurality of patterned surface elements (35) may be a bendable layer pattern (36) of increased thickness. The patterned surface elements (35) of the increased thickness flexible layer pattern (36) may each comprise a central portion (37) extending outwardly from the flexible layer (4). Between each central portion (37) of the patterned surface elements (35) may be a boundary recess (38) defining a geometric configuration (39) of each of the plurality of patterned surface elements (35). The thickness of each boundary recess (38) may be less than the thickness of the central portion (37) of each patterned surface element (35).

In a particular embodiment, the plurality of patterned surface elements (35) may comprise a bendable layer pattern (40) of reduced thickness. The reduced thickness flexible layer pattern (40) may comprise a repeating plurality of recessed pattern surface elements (41). The plurality of repeating recessed pattern surface elements (41) may each extend to and be enclosed by a patterned wall element (42) or a wall element interconnecting network (43). In a particular embodiment, the patterned wall elements (42) may be flush with the first surface (5) or the second surface (6) of the bendable layer (4) or may extend to a distance from said first surface (5) or second surface (6). The patterned wall element (42) may define a geometry (39) of the recessed pattern surface elements (41) and an interior space (44) bounded by the configuration of the patterned wall element (42) and a bottom surface (45) of the recessed pattern surface elements (41). In particular embodiments, the bottom surface (45) of the recessed patterned surface element (41) may further define or include a pattern aperture (46). The pattern apertures (46) may be open to the first surface (5) and the second surface (6) of the flexible layer (4). The pattern apertures (46) may permit visualization of a tread pattern (47) on the ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3). In still other embodiments, the reduced thickness flexible layer pattern (40) may comprise a plurality of repeating geometric formations (39), the geometric formations (39) having a mixture of patterned perforated and unpatterned bottom surfaces (45).

In the exemplary embodiment of fig. 7B, the repeating plurality of patterned surface elements (35) may be a repeating plurality of diamond-recessed patterned surface elements (48) extending on the first surface (5) or the second surface (6) (or both surfaces) of the bendable layer (4). Each of the plurality of repeating diamond-recessed patterned surface elements (48) may extend to a patterned wall element (42), the patterned wall element (42) defining a diamond-shaped interior space (49) bounded by a diamond-shaped patterned wall element (50) and a bottom surface (45) of a diamond-recessed patterned surface element (33). The thickness of the diamond-shaped pattern wall elements (50) may be greater than the thickness of the bottom surface (45) of the diamond-shaped recessed patterned surface elements (48), thereby creating a bendable layer pattern (40) of reduced thickness.

The flexible layer (4) may be selected from the group consisting of: velvet, cotton, knitwear, woven fabrics, chamois, nylon, rayon, linen, LYCRA (LYCRA), canvas, jersey, silk, jersey, mesh, wool, synthetic fabrics, tweed, jacquard, leather, microfiber, poplin, polar fleece, or other similar materials, or combinations thereof.

Referring now to fig. 9 and 10, particular embodiments of footwear (1) may include an adhesive layer (10). The adhesive layer (10) may be disposed on the first surface (5) or the second surface (6) of the flexible layer (4). In other particular embodiments, the adhesive layer (10) may be disposed on the ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3). The adhesive layer (10) may create a peel strength (51) at the accessible surface (9) of the flexible layer (4) and the sole (3) sufficient to avoid peeling of the flexible layer (4) from the sole (3) during transportation of the shoe (1). In particular embodiments, the adhesive (52) of the adhesive layer (10) may be a one-time adhesive (53) or a multi-use adhesive (54). When the disposable adhesive (53) is used, the bendable layer (4) that is peelably adhered snugly to the ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3) may be a disposable bendable layer (55). The disposable flexible layer (55) is peelable from the ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3). The disposable, flexible layer (55) cannot be re-adhered to the ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3) once peeled from the ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3). In a particular embodiment, the disposable adhesive (52) leaves little residue on the accessible surface (9) of the sole (3). In other particular embodiments, the pliable layer (4) releasably adhered snugly to the ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3) may be a multi-use pliable layer (56). The multi-use flexible layer (56) is peelable from the ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3). The multi-use flexible layer (56) is capable of re-adhering to the ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3) once peeled from the ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3).

Referring now primarily to fig. 8-10, in particular embodiments, the tab (57) may extend from the flexible layer periphery (7). The tongue (57) is graspable to peel the flexible layer (4) off of the accessible surface (9) of the sole (3) of the shoe (1). The peel strength (51) of the adhesive layer (10) may be from about 0N/m to about 814N/m. In particular embodiments, the peel strength may be selected from the group consisting of: about 5N/m to about 50N/m, about 25N/m to about 75N/m, about 50N/m to about 100N/m, about 75N/m to about 125N/m, about 100N/m to about 150N/m, about 125N/m to about 175N/m, about 150N/m to about 200N/m, about 175N/m to about 225N/m, about 200N/m to about 250N/m, about 225N/m to about 275N/m, about 250N/m to about 300N/m, about 275N/m to about 325N/m, about 300N/m to about 350N/m, about 325N/m to about 375N/m, about 350N/m to about 400N/m, about 375N/m to about 425N/m, about 400N/m to about 450N/m, About 425N/m to about 475N/m, about 450N/m to about 500N/m, about 475N/m to about 525N/m, about 500N/m to about 550N/m, about 525N/m to about 575N/m, about 550N/m to about 600N/m, about 575N/m to about 625N/m, about 600N/m to about 650N/m, about 625N/m to about 675N/m, about 650N/m to about 700N/m, about 675N/m to about 725N/m, about 700N/m to about 750N/m, about 725N/m to about 775N/m, about 750N/m to about 800N/m, about 775N/m to about 810N/m, or combinations thereof. The adhesive (52) may be selected from the group comprising: rubber adhesives, acrylic adhesives, silicone adhesives, emulsion-based adhesives, solvent-based adhesives, hot melt adhesives, peelable adhesives, ultra-peelable adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, UV adhesives, or combinations thereof.

Also, referring to fig. 1 to 10, the flexible layer (4) may be adhered snugly to the ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3) of the shoe (1) in a peelable manner, wherein the adhesive layer (10) is disposed between the flexible layer (4) and the ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3). The flexible layer periphery (7) may be disposed in substantially mating engagement with a sole periphery (8) of a ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3).

Also, referring to fig. 1-10, particular embodiments of footwear (1) may, but need not necessarily, include an anti-slip layer (58). The non-slip layer (58) may be disposed on the first surface (5) or the second surface (6) of the flexible layer (4) opposite the adhesive layer (10). In a particular embodiment, if a pliable layer (4) made of a substantially uniform sheet of material (33) is included, the anti-slip layer (58) may be disposed over the entire substantially uniform sheet of material (33) or over a portion of the substantially uniform sheet of material (33). In other particular embodiments, the anti-slip layer (58) may be positioned on the central portion (37) of the patterned surface element (35) if the bendable layer (4) comprises a plurality of patterned surface elements (35) which may be bendable layer patterns (36) of increased thickness. In yet other particular embodiments, an anti-slip layer (58) may be disposed on each patterned wall element (42) if the bendable layer (4) comprises a plurality of patterned surface elements (35) that may be reduced thickness bendable layer patterns (40). The non-slip layer (58) may be a layer of material that increases the friction between the first surface (5) or the second surface (6) of the flexible layer (4) and the support surface (24) or the ground (25). The non-slip layer (58) may be selected from the group consisting of: polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, neoprene, nitrile, rubber, or similar materials, or combinations thereof.

Referring now to fig. 10, particular embodiments of footwear (1) may, but need not necessarily, include a rigid layer (59). The rigid layer (59) may increase the stiffness of the flexible layer (4) to facilitate placement of the flexible layer (4) on the ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3). The rigid layer (59) may be disposed on the first surface (5) or the second surface (6) of the flexible layer (4) opposite the adhesive layer (10). Disposed between the rigid layer (59) and the flexible layer (4) may be a film of an adhesive (60) that is releasably adhered. The releasably adhering adhesive (60) may be an acrylic adhesive, a rubber adhesive, a silicone adhesive, a pressure sensitive adhesive, or a combination thereof, or similar material. The rigid layer (59) may be a silicone-coated paper or film material, or other similar material having a hardness greater than that of the flexible layer (4).

Referring now to fig. 9, particular embodiments of the shoe (1) may include a flexible layer (4) capable of adhering to either a left shoe (1) or a right shoe (1). The flexible layer (4) may be a one-piece flexible layer (4) extending to a flexible layer periphery (7). The flexible layer perimeter (7) may be configured to provide a first sole engaging surface (5), the first sole engaging surface (5) being adherable into substantially mating engagement with a sole perimeter (8) of an accessible surface (9) of a left shoe (1) of a pair of shoes (1). The flexible layer perimeter (7) may also be configured to simultaneously provide a second sole engaging surface (6), the second sole engaging surface (6) being adherable into substantially mating engagement with a sole perimeter (8) of an accessible surface (9) of a right shoe (1) of a pair of shoes (1).

Referring generally to fig. 1-11, a particular method may include transporting an embodiment of a shoe (1) having an adhered peelable pliable layer (4) from a first location (61) to a second location (62). The method of transporting the shoe (1) may comprise one or more of the following: adhering a flexible layer (4) snugly to a sole (3) of a shoe (1) in a peelable manner, the flexible layer (3) having opposing first (5) and second (6) surfaces, the first (5) and second (6) surfaces extending to a flexible layer periphery (6) that substantially matches a sole periphery (8) of the shoe (1), the flexible layer periphery (7) adhered to the sole (3) in substantially mating engagement with the sole periphery (8) of the shoe (1); transporting the shoe (1) from a first location (61) where the shoe (1) can be manufactured to a second location (62) (also referred to as a point of purchase (63)) where the shoe (1) can be sold; and removing the flexible layer (4) from the sole (3) of the shoe (1) in a peelable manner before or after the shoe (1) is worn by the purchaser (64). The point of purchase (63) may be a physical location where a purchaser of the shoe (1) completes a transaction to purchase the shoe (1). Non-limiting examples of the point of purchase (63) may include a home, retail store, delivery address, or other location where ownership of the shoe (1) may be transferred to the purchaser (64). A significant advantage of the method of transporting the embodiment of the shoe (1) is that the ground-accessible surface (9) of the sole (3) can be protected from wear or foreign objects during the temporary use of the shoe (1) by the purchaser (64) prior to purchase thereof for promotional and marketing purposes.

In other particular methods of transporting the shoe (1), the shoe (1) may be a plurality of shoes. The method may comprise adhering the flexible layer (4) snugly to each sole (3) of a plurality of shoes in a peelable manner.

From the foregoing it will be readily appreciated that the basic concepts of the invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. The present invention relates to footwear, methods of making footwear, and many different embodiments of using such footwear, including the best mode.

Thus, the particular embodiments or elements of the invention disclosed by the specification or shown in the drawings and tables accompanying this application are not intended to be limiting, but rather are exemplary of the many different embodiments the invention generally encompasses or is equivalent to any particular element thereof. Additionally, a particular description of a single embodiment or element of the invention may not explicitly describe all possible embodiments or elements; the specification and drawings implicitly disclose a number of alternatives.

It should be understood that each element of an apparatus or each step of a method may be described by an apparatus term or a method term. Such terms may be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As just one example, it should be understood that all steps of a method may be disclosed as actions, means for taking the actions, or elements that cause the actions. Similarly, each element of a device may be disclosed as a physical element or an action facilitated by the physical element. As but one example, the disclosure of "adhesive" should be understood to encompass the disclosure of an "adhesion" action-whether or not explicitly discussed-and conversely, if an "adhesion" action is effectively disclosed, then this disclosure should be understood to encompass the disclosure of an "adhesive" and even an "means for adhering. These alternative terms for each element or step should be understood to be explicitly included in the specification.

In addition, with respect to each term used, it should be understood that unless the use of the term in this application is inconsistent with such interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood to be included in the description of each term contained in the second edition of the landen house westdown version of the dictionary, each definition being incorporated herein by reference.

All numerical values herein are assumed to be modified by the term "about," whether or not explicitly indicated. For the purposes of this invention, a range can be expressed as from "about" one particular value to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value to the other particular value. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers subsumed within that range. Numerical ranges of one to five include, for example, the numbers 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, etc. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. When values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term "about" generally refers to a number of numbers that one of ordinary skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited number or having the same function or result. Similarly, the antecedent "substantially" largely, but not exclusively, indicates the same form, manner or degree, and that a particular element will have a range of configurations, which one of ordinary skill in the art would consider to have the same function or result. When values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "substantially," it will be understood that the particular element forms another embodiment.

Furthermore, for the purposes of the present invention, the terms "a" and "an" refer to one or more of the entities unless otherwise limited. Thus, the terms "a/an", "one or more" and "at least one" are used interchangeably herein.

The applicant should therefore understand that at least: i) each shoe disclosed and described herein, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) analogs, equivalents, and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative embodiments that perform each of the functions shown, disclosed, or described, v) those alternative designs and methods that perform each of the functions shown, such as implicitly performing the functions disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as a separate and independent invention, vii) applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting product produced by such systems or components, ix) the methods and apparatus substantially as described above and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, x) the various combinations and permutations of each of the preceding elements disclosed.

The background section of this patent application provides a statement of the field to which the invention relates. This section may also incorporate or contain a recitation of certain U.S. patents, patent applications, publications, or subject matter of the claimed invention for the purpose of associating information, problems, or concerns related to the state of the art with which the invention is directed. Any U.S. patent, patent application, publication, statement or other information cited or incorporated herein is not to be interpreted, construed or regarded as prior art to the present invention.

The claims, if any, set forth in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference as part of the specification of the present invention, and the applicants expressly reserve the right to use all or part of this incorporation of such claims as an additional description to support any or all claims, or any elements or components thereof; and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move any partial or full incorporation of such claims or any element or component thereof from the specification to the claims or vice versa in light of the requirements to define the subject matter claimed in this application or any subsequent application or continuation, division or continuation-in-part application thereof or to obtain any benefit of reduced expense or compliance with any national or treaty patent laws, rules or regulations; and this content, which is incorporated by reference, shall continue to exist throughout the pendency of this application, including any subsequent continuation, division, or partial continuation thereof or any reissue or delay made thereto.

In addition, the claims set forth in this specification, if any, are intended to further describe the scope and breadth of a limited number of preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as the broadest embodiment of the present invention or as an exhaustive list of embodiments of the present invention that may be claimed. The applicant hereby gives notice that further claims may be formulated to such claims without departing from the spirit of any subsequent, divided or partially subsequent applications or portions thereof.