2) United States Patent Polegato Morett WATERPROOF AND VAPOR-PERMEABLE SHON Inventor: Mario Polegato Moretti, Croceta Del ‘Montello (FT) GEOXS. Assignee A., Montebellun (IT) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the tem ofthis pateat is extended or adjusted under 38 U.S.C. 154(b) by 1021 days, ay Appl.No: 13/141,830 (2) PCTFiled: Dee. 4, 2009 (86) PCT Ne. $371 (o\), (2),(4) Date PCTIBP2009/066442 Jun. 22,2011 (87) PCT Pub. No 0201007254 PCT Pui. Date: Jul 1, 2010 6s) Prior Publication Data US 201190252667 A1 Get. 20,2011 G0) Foreign Application Priority Data Dee. 22,2008 (IT) PD2008A0377 6) Int.Cl. AGB 1328 ASB 708 AASB 23002 (2006.01) (2006.01) (2006.01), (Continued) us. CPC. A438 7/08 (2013.01); A438 77087 (2013.01); ‘A430 7725 (2013.01), A43B 9/00 201301): Ad3B 14/14 2013.01); ABB 230022 (2013.01) (58) Fleld of Classification Search CPC soe AMBB 7/125; AABB 708; AASB 23022: 43 9102; Ad3B 5100 19 Bs 22 12 2% 'US009215906B2 (10) Patent No. 4s) Date of Patent: US 9,215,906 B2 Dec. 22, 2015 usre See application file for complet search history 36i12 66) References Cited US. PATENT DOCUMENT Continved) POREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS im19e2 a (Continved) (OTHER PUBLICATIONS Intemational Preliminary Report on Patentability issued in PCT -EP2009106642 on Jun. 29,2011 (Continved) Primary Examiner —Ted Kavanaugh (74) Attorney, Agent, or Frm — Oblon, MeCllland, Maier & Neustadt, LLP. on ABSTRACT A waterproof and vapor-pemeable shoe, iachading an upper that is fined atleast partially by an upper membrane imper- :meable to waterinaliquidstate andl permeable o water vapor. The upper membrane is connected hermetically t0 a sole \whieh is impermeable to water in the Fiquid state. The her ‘metic conscction is provided bya sealing element included ia ‘an assembly insole. The sealing elemeat is permeable with respoct to sealing material, ora glue, sealing adhesive, oF polymeric material foe providing the sole, ais impregnated ‘with the sealing material, whieh grips the upper membrane ‘and is connected tothe sole or forms single body therewith, sealing ito the upper membrane 11 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets \ ( a J ) } 1" - 18 oe 30 rt « (eecca 13 ) 3 )\— Wo 18US 9,215,906 B2 ee oy mc. xorg 9 AABB 13/14 (2006.01) i’ diem atoso1) mR Mpa § Ad3B 9/00 (2006.01), WO — WO 2006/010578 AL 66) References Che YS eoammaas US. PATENT DOCUMENTS 640841 B1e 62002 Toivaas Bie $2007 7s23297 B2_ 112010 2ooed2ak7st ALS 11/2006 aongoaieast AL* |9.2008 doovorssit AL 72009 Polepato Mort zono0300042 AL 12000 Peiker dotooesois) AL 132010 Polepato dovoonedss AL 32010 Hamer! 20100132228 AL 2010. Polepao Moret FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS. DE 202007000658 32007 DE boos 009 954 AL 9.2007 w dovesi2i32 AY 42006 WO —WO2008008375 Al 3612 wo? 3008116772 WO 2008 119685 i (OTHER PUBLICATIONS 3648 Combined Office Action and Search Report assed Sep. 24 2014 in ‘363A. Taiwanese Pateat Application No, OOS14426S (with English lan age warslation, US. Appl No. 18611536, fled Sep. 12,2012, Poegato Moret US. Appl. No, 13393,000 filed Fet 28 2012. Polspato Mort Ingenatonal Search Rept Issued Apu 6, 3010 in PCTEPOD (644 filed De 4, 2008. Oce Action saved Now 26, 2013 in Japanese Patent Application ‘No, 2011-S41304 (with English langngetnslation, US. Appl No. 10263,822 fled Oct 10,2011, Plepato Mont * cited by examinerU.S. Patent Dec. 22, 2015 Sheet 1 of 5 US 9,215,906 B2 4 MMU.S. Patent Dec. 22, 2015 Sheet 2 of 5 US 9,215,906 B2 eee OncU.S. Patent Dec. 22, 2015 Sheet 3 of 5 US 9,215,906 B2U.S. Patent Dec. 22, 2015 Sheet 4 of 5 US 9,215,906 B2 EN 12 AX 122 129a \ 115b p m1 tt ; : 130 114b Fig. 5 212 219 ; 21 on s 9 214 228 OG 3 ZZ 217 216 + Fig. 6 *”U.S. Patent Dec. 22, 2015 Sheet 5 of 5 US 9,215,906 B2US 9,215,906 B2 1 WATERPROOF AND VAPOR-PERMEABLE, SHOE TECHNICAL FIELD ‘The present invention relates to a waterproof and vapor permeable shoe BACKGROUND ART “The fact is cureatly known thatthe comfort ofa shoe is inked not only to corret anatomically fiting properties but also fo correct outward permeation ofthe water vapor formed, Jnsde the shoe die to perspiration, Traditionally, vapor-pemeable shoes ae those which use natural materials such 8 leather or equivalent products ‘which however, in the presence of rain or bad weather, because of their vapor-permeable properties, do pot ensure ood! waterproofness and indeed absorb water rather easily or his reason, shoes with an upper made ofleather (or he like) associated to ining wth avapor-pormteable and water- proof membrane (made for example of a material such as {Expanded polytetrafuoroethylene, «PIPE, polyurethane, PU, or the lke), sewn or glued tan insole, have now heea in use for several years. ‘Moreover, as is known, however, most ofthe perspiration ‘ofthe foot is generated at the interlace berween the sole of the foot and the sole of the shoe, which is typically made of polymeric material. It's evident thatthe perspiration that has formed on such interface is unable to evaporate, acconfingly condensing on the footbed on which the footrest; only a minor percentage ‘of the perspiration evaporates through the upper. Accordingly shoes have now been devised for years whieh have vapor-permeble and waterproof soles (such a for ‘example the one disclosed in Talian patent no, 1,282,196), ‘which are associated with waterproof and vapor permeable uppers such asthe anes deseribed above, in order to provide shoes that are completely waterproof and vapar-pemmicable. 'A shoe of this type is disclosed for example in WO087/ 14326 The shoe disclosed in WO007/14326 in practice has a sole provided with a tread with holes and « membrane which is waterproof and vapor-permeable, covers the holes and is Joined perimetrcally and hermetically to the tread, x0 a to ‘not all ifileations of water ‘This sole ensures comet vpor permeation in addition to ‘an effective exchange of heat and water vapor bersieen the ‘eaviroament inside the shoe and the outside environment, at the same time ensuring the necessary tightness with respect to ‘extemal moisture and water, in @ manner similar to what is Performed by the upper with which the membrane i associ ated, Tn this shoe configuration, the sole and the upper are two «distinct parts, both of which are vapor-permeable and water- proof, which are associated and sealed ane another so as to {Noid the rise of water in the connecting points, Te soles used in these shoes are therfore structured so as ‘wallow vapor permeation but not the passage of water Irom ‘ouside inwardly: the structure ofthe sole is therefore more ‘complicated than a teditioml sole, and this compleity arises from the accommodation of the membrane snd from the ‘coroctperimetric sealing ofthe later with respect to the sole ‘Usually, te structure of the upper af shoes a the described type is very complicated with respect to a traditional upper and this complexity arises from the need to fold the lining nembrate ont itel's0 aso allow its sealing witha 0 o 2 additional membrane arranged below the insole or from the need to havea lining with a membrane that s lager than the ‘upper, so a to provide a perimetre seal ofthe latter with the sole, ‘Resorting to these solutions leds 1 some drawbacks dat the shoe thus provided has: creases in fact form easily in the lining with membrane, whether folded ort, athe te an at the hel, othe full dttiment ofan easy’ sealing of the mem- branes ofthe upper and of the one arranged a the insole ‘In general, regardless of whether the sole is vapor-perme= ableorno, inthe manufacture ofthese shoes itis important to ay attention othe sealing ofthe connecting regions between the insole, the ining with membrane and the sole, in order to avoid even te slightest seepage of water from outside SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION “The aim ofthe present invention isto providea watemproof ‘and vapor-peemeable shoe that hasan effective sealing othe connecting regions between the insole, the membrane and the sole, ‘Within tis aim, an object of the invention is to propose a shoe which is Waterproof and permeable to water vapor and is structurally simple to obtain. Anotlier object ofthe preset invention sto providea shoe that s completely waterproof and permeable to wialer vopor and is tough and durable “Another object ofthe present invention isto provide shoe ‘hat is wateeproof and permeable to water vapor and ean be ‘manufactured with known systems and technologies. This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hercinalice are achieved by a waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe, comprising an upper that i Lined at least partially by aa upper membrane which i impermeable ‘fo water inthe liquid state and permeable to water vapor, said upper membrane being connected hermetically 10 a sole ‘which i impermeable to water in the liquid state, character- ined in that said hemnetie connection is provided by means of sealing element comprised in an assembly insole, sd sea ing element being permeable with respect o sealing material, such as glue, sealing adhesive or polymeric material for pro- viding the sol, said sealing element impregnated with said sealing material gripping said upper membrane and being connected to said sole or forming a single body therewith scaling sai sole to said upper membrane. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OP THE DRAWINGS. Punter characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of some pre- {ered bat not exclusive embodiments of the shoe according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, whereas FIG. 1 isa perspective view of a shoe according to the TFIGS, 2a, 2hand 2c ar enlarged-scale sectional viewsof a {etal ofthe shoe according tothe invention in three variations ofa frst embodiment, FIG. 3 is a view of a detail of the shoe aeconding to the invention in ssid frst embodiment; FIG. 4 san enlarged-seale sectional view of a detail ofthe shoe according to the invention in a second embodiment; FIG. 8 isan enlarged-seale sectional view of a detail ofthe shoe according tothe invention ina variation wth respoct to sid second embodiment FIG. 6s an nlarged-scale sectional view ofa detail of the shoe according tothe invention ina third embodimentUS 9,215,906 B2 3 FIG, Tis an enlarged-scale sectional view of a detail ofthe shoe aevording fo the invention ina variation with respect © sai third embodiment; FIG. #is an enlarged-scale view of a detail ofthe eros section ofthe upper part of the shoe ascoring tothe inven- FIG. 9 is an enlanged-scale view of a detail ofthe eros section ofthe sole ofthe shoe according othe iaventon. is noted that anything. found o be already known during the patenting proces is understood not to be claimed and © be the subject ofa disclaimer. WAYS OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 10 generally designates. waterproof and vapor-permieable shoe, ‘which comprises an upper 1 thats fined atleast partially by upper membrane 12, which is impermeable to water inthe Tiguid state and permeable to water vapor. “Advantageously, the upper is reinforeed with a toe cap and 1 rear counter, which are not shown in the accompanying figures and both of which are vapor-permeable or perforated and joined tothe upper by means of spots of glue in order to not prevent thei vapor permeability The upper membrane 12s connected hermetically to asole 13 that is impermeable to water inthe lguid state A panicularity of the shoe 10 according tothe invention ‘consist in that sad hermetie connection between the upper membrane 12 and the sole 13 is provided by means of a scaling clement 14, which is comprised in an assembly insole 18 ‘Said sealing clement 14 is permcable to sealing materia, whieh for example can be glue or the polymeric material of Which the Sole is made, and is impregnated with sai sealing material, whieh grips the upper membrane 12 and is con- nected to the sole 13, or forms asingle body therewith, sealing the sole 13 tothe upper membrane 12 Preferably; the shoe 10 also comprises a vapor-permeable ‘waterproof insert 16, which comprises a membrane 17 ofthe inset that is impermeable to water in the liquid state and permeable to water vapor, the inset being arranged at at least ‘one vapor-permeabe portion 18 of the sole 13, defined by an ‘opening or plurality of holes, which it covers. “The vapor-pemcuble waterproof insert 16, he vole 13 and the upper membrane 12 are connected hermetically at last through the sealing element 14, in order to make said shoe impermeable to water inthe lighid state ‘More generally. inaltemative solutions at leasttwo among the vaporspermeable waterproof inset 16, the sole 13 and the upper membrane 12 are conticted hermetically at last through the sealing element 14 “The sealing element 14 is advantageously provided atthe peripheral region ofthe vapor-permeable portion 18 and of the membrane 17 ofthe inset that covers ‘Morsover, the sealing element 14 is conveniently made of ‘9 material selected among three-dimensional fabric, mesh made of synthetic material, mesh made of metallic material ‘and amid fiber fabric, The shoe 10 advantageously comprises an inne ining 19. Conveniently, fine nylon mesh 20 js associated with the upper membrane 12 and is suitable to improve its handling. Tn embodiments which are not described further there is ‘more than one fine nylon mesh associated with the upper membrane. ‘With particular reference to PIG. 8, the inner fining 19 preferably comprises 4 a vapor-permeable paiding 24 made of open-cell foamed polymer, 4 Naporpermeable layer 22 made of fabrie or leather located inside the shoe 1 5 Theupper membrane 12 and the membrane 17 of the insert are preferably made of a material selected among expanded polsterafluoroethylene, polyurethane and te ike. ‘With particular reference to FIG. 9, the vapor-permeable ‘waterproof insert 16 comprises at least one aiong, ‘a vapor-permeable supporting layer 23, which is arranges ‘below the membrane 17 ofthe inser and is provided if theextension orsumber ot holes of the vapor permeable portion 18 requires a reinforcement thereof in oder to avoid the sinking ofthe foot ofthe user during use a fine mesh 24 made of vapor-pemeable synthetic mate rial, forexample nylon, whichisassociatedinanupward region with respect tothe membyane 17 ofthe inser in, ‘order to reinforce it and is suitable to improve its han- ling, ‘vapor pemneable protective layer 28, which is associated inna downward region wit respect to the membrane 17 ‘of the insert to protect it against impacts, between it and the supporting layer 28, 4 vapor-permeable layer 26 with high resistance to perfo- ration and cutting, for example made of Kevlark, between the membrane 17 of the inser and the support ing layer 23, In a fist embodimeny, illustated in a fist constructive variation thereoF hy way of non-limiting example in FIG. 2a, 20 the shoe 10 advantageously comprises an inner insole 27, ‘which i vapor-permeablc or diffisely perforated and is asso" ciated perimetrieally with he lower edges of the inner lining 19, convenically by means ofa ist Sobel seam 29a, ‘The inner lining 19 eoaveniently comprises the upper membrane 12, which faes the upper 11, conveniently with the interposition ofthe ine nylon mesh 20, as shown by way ‘of non-limiting example in FIG. 8 Advantageously, the inner fining 19 has seams whieh are sealed by means of sealing adhesives or sealing tapes that are 4 heat-sealed thereon ‘The assembly insole 1S preferably comprises a central clement 28, which is permeable to water vapor or diffusely perforated, atthe inner insole 27. Ate same time, the sealing element 14 is constituted by ‘frame of the cena element 28, which is connected periph- erally 10 the upper H1, conveniently with a second Strobel seam 295, and is aranged so as to straddle the region of cgonneetion between the inner lining 19 and the inner insole 7, The sole 13 provides forthe vapor-permeable waterproof insert 16 and the corresponding vapor-pemeable portion 18, ‘whieh are conveniently arranged at the central element 2. ‘Moreover, the sole 13 is preferably made of polymeric ‘material and is molded by direct injection onto the lower pat of the upper 11, atthe assembly insole 18, where the sealing ‘element 14 simpregnated by sai polymeric materia that has permeated through it so as to grip the upper membrane 12 ‘sealing the sole 13 1 said upper membrane 12 Direct injection on the upper is method of manufacture 4 aecording 1 which the sole 13 i provided directly on the Upper 11 ina single operation of injecting polymeric material fn appropriately mantfactured mold is closed by a metalic Jast on whieh the entire upper assembly is ited, "The polymerie material, which is of course Muid or ren- ered tid by heating, is injected into the mold in order to {orm the sole 13 directly onthe bottom of teupper assembly the almost liquid polymeric material isin fact capable of 0US 9,215,906 B2 5 permesting easily the material of the upper L1 and of the insole 18 and of anchoring itself ily thereto. ‘The vapor-permeable waterproof insert 16 is sealed peri= metrically to the sole 13 so as to cover the vapor-permeable portion 18, for tighiness ofthe sole 13 to water inthe liguid Sate together with its permeability to water vapor, at the vaporspermeable waterproof insert 16. Ina manner which isan alternative to dre injection and substantially equivatent thereto, the sole 13 is made of poly- meric material and is advantageously pre-molded and asso- ‘ciated by means of adhesive on the lower part ofthe upper 11, atthe assembly insole 15 ‘The sealing clement 1d is impregnated by sacl lu that has permuted through it so as to grip the upper membrane 12 scaling the sole 13 to the upper membrane 12 ‘Asan altemtive to sad glu, itis possible to use adhesive and sealing materials suchas silicone adhesives or theemo- plastic adhesives or sealants commonly knovn 38 “reactive hot melt for example polyurethanes such as the one know by the trademark Ipatherm S 14/176, or the like Inparticulr, the sealing element 14 is impregnated by sid scaling adhesive material, which permeates itso as to grip the Upper membrane 12. The sole 13 is sealed by means of adhesive tothe sealing ‘element 14 impregnated By the sealing adhesive material (0 ‘complete the sealing tothe upper membrane 12. At the same time, the yapor-permeable waterproof insert, 16isconnectedperimetrically and hermetically tothesole 13 50 a8 fo cover the vapor-permeable portion 18, for the tght- ress af the sole 13 10 water in the lg state together with its permeability to water vapor at the vapor-pemeable water- proof insert 16 In this fist variation of said first embodiment, the vapor. permeable waterproof insert 16 is accommodated inside the sole 13, which hasa vapor-permeable or perforated portion 30 that eovers it and ies opposite the vapor-permeable portion 18 with respect to it In. sccond variation of sad frst embodiment, illustrated by way’ of example in FIG. 2, the vapor-permeable water- proof inser 16 is superimposed on the sole 13, which sup- Port it, atthe assembly insole 15. In this second variation, the vapor-permcable waterproof insert 16 is sealed perimetscally othe sealing element 14 by the sealing adhesive material that impregnates itor, as un ‘altemative, by means of adhesive or by the polymeric mate= Fal that constitute the soe 13, ‘The sole 13 has a tread layer 12a, which is conveniently perforated atthe vapor permeable portion 18. In an alternative assembly sohution, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in FIG. 2o, the upper 11 has aps La Jor connection tothe assembly insole 18 which are folded sterpose themselves parially between itand the sole 13, according to the working method known as “AGO lasting” ‘In particular, said connecting flaps Ha are folded below the assembly insole 15 40 as to be interposed only partially between the sole 13 and the sealing element 14, 02s to not hinder an easy impregnation thereof to seal the upper mem brane 12. I should be noted that the sealing element 14 is not com- pletely covered by the connooting flaps 1a, because other- ‘wise the penetration ofthe polymeric material of the sole 13, ‘or ofthe sealing material inthe sealing element 14 would be prevented, In this case, during the realization ofthe upper part ofthe shoe 10, which has a “AGO lasting” working method, for its 0 o 6 connection tothe sole 13, the Maps L1a ofthe upper 1 thatare folded below the assembly insole 18 are roughed for the anchoring ofthe adhesive ‘During this operation, the assembly insole 18 is interposed between the upper membrane 12, which is connected thereto, and the roughing machine, to contrast damage of the upper ‘membrane 12 by ssid machine. Tnasecondembodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting ‘example in FIG. 4, th shoe 110 conveniently comprises two asseutbly insoles, a ist one 1150 thereof comprising a first central element 1282, which is permeable to water vapor or iusely perforated and is surrounded by a first frame, Which forms a first sealing element 14a, the second assembly insole 1185 comprising a second cent elemeat which is constituted by the vapor-permeable waterproof insert 116, ia downward region at the frst central element 1284 and surrounded by a second frame that constitutes a second sea- ing element 1148, Advantageously, the fist sealing element 1144, forming 2 frame, is connected perimerically to the inten lining 119, preferably by means of a first Strvbel seam 1292, and the Second sealing clement 114b, forming a frame, is arranged so asto straddle the corresponding connecting region and intra js connected perimettealiy tothe upper 111, conveniently by sieans ofa second Strobel seam 129, ‘he inner lining 119 conveniently comprises the upper membrane 112, which faces the upper 111, advantageously ‘with the interposition ofa fine nylon mosh, which i aso ated with the upper membrane 112 in order to improve its handling, Advantageously the inner lining 19 has seams which are sealed by means of sealing adhesives or sealing tapes that are beat-sealed thereon, ‘Moreover, the fist sealing element 11a is preferably superimposed on, so as o straddle it, the connecting region between the second sealing element 114 and the second central element, ie, the vapor-permeable waterproof inset 116. The sale 113 is preferably made of polymeric material nd is molded by direct injection on the lower part of the upper 11, atthe assembly insoles 118a and 1184, the ist sealing clement 1144 and the second sealing element 1146 being ‘impregnated by said polymeric material that has permeated ‘rough them until it grips Use upper membrane 112, sealing the upper membrane 112 and the membrane 117 ofthe insert tothesole 113 During overmolding ofthe sole 113 on the lower par ofthe upper a last for direct injection is provided, onto which the er part ofthe shoe is fitted, sai last being suitable to prevent the polymeric material that permeates by injection the fist eating element 114 from seeping into the shoe trough y.and ina substantially equivalent manner, the sole 113 is conveniently pre-mokled by using polymeric ‘material and is associated by means of adhesive on the loser part ofthe upper 111, a the assembly insoles 14Sa nd 1186, the first border 114 and the second border 114b being impregnated by said adltsive that bas pemneated trough thom so ast grip the upper membrane 112, 0 seal the upper ‘membrane 112 and themembrane 117 of theinser tothe sole 113. ‘As an altemative 10 said adhesive itis possible 10 use adhesive materials and sealant, such as silicone or theemio- plastic adhesives or sealants commonly known as “reactive bot melt” for example polyirethanes sich as the one known by the trade name Ipaerm S 14176, othe like.US 9,215,906 B2 1 In particular, the first sealing element L14a and the second scaling element 1146 are impregnated by sealing adhesive ‘material that has permeated through them so as to grip the upper membrane 112 and the membrase 117 of te inser. ‘The sole 113 is sealed by means of adhesive to the second scaling clement 1145 inapregnated by the sealing adhesive material to complete the sel Inthis second embodiment also, ina alternative assembly solution, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in FIG. the upper 111 hes flaps 130 for connection to the assembly insole 1186 which are folded below it, so as tobe interposed parially between it and the sole 113, nevording tothe work- {ng method known as “AGO lasting” Tnpartcula, the connecting ups 130 are folded below the assembly insole 118) so as to be interposed only partially bberwoen the sole 113 and the second sealing element 114, 0 sto not hinder an essy impregnation to seal the upper mem- brane 112 Ina third embodiment, luststed by way of non-limiting ‘example in FIG. 6, the assembly insole 218 comprises 3 ‘central element 228, which is permeable to water vapor oF sliffusely perforated: atthe same time, the sealing element 214 conveniently is constituted by a frame with respect to the ‘central element 228 Preferably the upper membrane 212 is intemally assock- ated with the upper 211 at least in a part theroof and is ‘conveniently covered, for example on its face, directed ‘owant the isideof the shoe by at Teast a fine nylon mesh that js suitable to improve its handling Advantageously the upper 211 has seams that are sealed by means of sealing adhesives or sealing tapes that are heal- seed thereon, "The upper 211 and the upper membrane 212 are connected Jina downward region with respect tothe sealing clement 214, 0 8 io be intexposed partially between said sealing element andthe sole 213 aeconting to so-called "AGO lasting” works ‘ng method, with the lower flaps ofthe upper membrane 212 interleaved between the upper 211 and the sealing element 214 a their connection In particular, said lower Naps ofthe upper membrane 212 are folded below the assembly insole 215 so as to be inter posed only partially between the sole 213 and the sealing ‘element 214,80 as to not hinder an easy impregnation seal the upper membrane 212, “The lining 219 is conveniently connected tothe peimetic peripheral region ofthe sealing element 214, preferably by means ofa Strobel seam 229 ‘Advantageously, the sole 213 has the vapor-permeable waterproo! insert 216 and the corresponding waporperme- able portion 218 a the central element 228. ia variation to said embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in FIG. 7, the central element 228 is ‘constituted by the vapor permeable waterproof insert 216, "In this variation, the tapor-perneable waterproof insert, 216 advantageously has the membrane 217 of the insert con- rected hermetically ata perimetic band, the sole 213. The membrane 217 of the insert conveniently faces the ‘aporspermeable portion 218 of the sole 213 and is covered by a protective elemeat made of vapor permeable material, ‘hich leaves said perimetrie hand thereof exposed ‘Moreover, the membrane 217 of the inset is connected perimetrially tothe sealing element 214, ‘The sole 213 is preferably made of polymere material and js molded by direct injection onto the lower part ofthe upper 211, atthe assembly insole 218, where the sealing element 0 o 8 214 is impregnated by sad polymeric material that has per ‘cated through it s0 as to grip the upper membrane 212, sealing ito the sole 213, ‘Said polymeric material further grips the membrane 217 of she insert, ‘Ina manner which is altemative to direct injection and substantially equivalent, the sole 213 is made of polymeric ‘material and advantageously pre-molded and associated by ‘means of adhesive on the lower part ofthe upper 211, atthe assembly insole 218. ‘The sealing element 214 is impregnated by said adhesive that has permeated through itso a8 to grip the upper mem- brane 212, sealing it tothe sole 213 Conveniently, the membrane 217 ofthe inserts bonded by adhesive to the sole 219 ata perimetrie band thereof, ‘As an alternative to said adhesive, itis possible to use adhesive and sealing materials, such as silicone of theemie- plastic adhesives or sealants commonly known ae “reactive ‘hot met” for example polyurethanes such as the one known by the tre name Ipattenn S 14176, othe like TInpracticeithas been found tha the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, providing a waterproof and vapor- permeable shoe that has an effective seal ofthe connecting regions between te insole, the membrane and the sole, pro- vided hy the sealing element formed by the assembly insole. nparticula, the shoe aeconting to the invention allows an effective sealed connection ofthe membrane of the upper to the sole andlor toa membrane of the inser. ‘Moreover, a shoe whichis impermeable to water and per- :meable to water vapor according to the invention is structur ally simple to obtain, tough and durable, and eae be man ‘iactured with known systems and technologies. “The invention thus conceived is susceptible of mens medications and variations, allof which ae wihinthe scope ofthe appended claims; all the details may lunherbereplaced with other technically equivalent elements. Inpractce, the materials used, as long as they are coms ‘ble Wit the specific use, as Well asthe coatingent shapes and dimensions, may he any according o requirements and to the state of the ar. “The disclosures in Islian Patent Application No, 'PD2008A000377 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference ‘Wihere technical features mentioned in any claim ae fal. lowed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included forthe sole purpose of inreasing the intelligibility ofthe claims and accordingly such reference signs do not ‘have any Fimiting effet on the interpretation ofeach element identified by way of example by suc reference signs. The invention claimed is 1A waterproof and vapor-pemeable shoe, comprising: ‘an upper thats lined at least parlly by an upper miem- ‘brane which impermeable to waterin a Higuid state and permeable to water vapor, the upper membrane being connected hermetically to a sole Which is impermeable to water in the gui state: ‘an inner lining, which comprises atleast one among: a ‘vapor-permeable padding made of open-cell foamed polymer anda vapor permeable layer Whieh is intemal to the shoe: and 4 vapor-penmeable or diffusely perforated inner insole, ‘which is associated perimetrcaly with lower edges of | said inner lining which comprises said uppee membrane, ‘wher said hermetic eomnection is provided by a sealing ‘clement comprised ian assembly insole, said assembly insole comprising a central clement, which is permeable to water vapour or diffusely perforated, at aid innerUS 9,215,906 B2 being pemeable with respect to sealing material, ora glue. a sealing adhesive, or 2 polymeric material for providing the sole, said sealing ‘lement impregnated with sid sealing material gripping ‘tid upper membrane and being connected tothe sole or forming a single body therewith scaling said soleto said ‘upper membrane, and ‘wherin said sealing clement heing constituted asa border ‘with respect to said central element, which is connected peripherally 10 said upper and is arranged so as to straddle a region for connecting sad inner ning 10 said inner ioe, 2, The shoe according to claim 1, further comprising 4 vapor permeable waterproof insert, which comprises a ‘membrane ofthe insert that s impermeable to water in the liquid state and permeable to Water vapor, said insert being arranged at atleast one vapor-permeable portion of said sole defined by at least one opening or by 2 plurality holes, and said upper membrane being con- ‘nected hermetically atleast through said sealing ele- ‘ment, for tightness to water in the liquid state of said shoe, said scaling element heing provided at the peripierl region of stid vaporpermeable portion and of said ‘membrane of the insert that covers i 3. The shoe according to claim 2, wherein said upper mem brane and said membrane ofthe insert are made ofa material selected among expanded polytetralluoroedylene, polyune- thane 4. The shoe according to claim 2, wherein sad vapor: permeable waterproof insert comprises at least one among 1 vapor-permeable supporting layer, which is armanged ‘below suid membrane of the inser, a vapor-permeable fine mesh, made of synthetic material ‘associated in an upper region with respect lo said mem ‘brane ofthe insert to reinforce it, ‘a vapor-permeable protective layer, which is associated in ‘lower rogion with said membrane ofthe inseet to pro= tcl gin impacts between an wk suponing layer, avaporspermeable layer with high resistance ta perforation ‘and cutting, which is between said membrane of the insert and said supporting layer. 5, The shoe according claim 2, ‘wherein sid sole has seid vapor-permeable waterproof insert and the corresponding sid vapor-permeable por- tion a least at said central element 6.The shoe according to claim 2, wherein said sole is made ‘of polymeric material and is molded by direst injection on 8 Jowter part of sid upper at said assembly insole, said sealing 10 clement being impregnated by said polymeric material that thas permeated through itso as to grip suid upper membrane, scaling sai sole to sid upper membrane, said vapor-permeable waterproo insert being sealed peri- metrically to said sole so as 10 cover said vapor-perme= thle portion, for tightness of ssid sole to water in the liquid state together with its permeability to water vapor at said vapor-permeable waterproof inser. ‘7.Theshoe according to claim 2, wherein said soles made of polymere material and is pre-molded and associated by adhesive ona lower part of saiduupper, at sad assembly insole, said sealing element being impregnated by suid adhesive ‘which has permestod through it so as 10 grip said upper membrane, sealing said sole to sad upper membrane, ssid vapor-permeable waterproof inser being connected perimetrcally to said sole so as to form a seal so that it ‘covers said vapor-pemeable portion, for tightness of said sole to water in the liquid state together with its permeability to water vapor at said vaporspermeable ‘waterproof inset 8. Theshoe acconding to claim 2, wherein saidsoleis made of polymerie material, is pre-moided and is associated by adhesive ons lower par oT said upper a saidassembly insole, sid sealing element being impregnated by sealing adhesive ‘matecal that has permeated through i soa to grip said upper ‘membrane, sid sole being seal by adhesive to said sealing element impregnated by said sealing adhesive material 10 ‘complete the seal sid upper membrane, said vapor-permeable waterproof insert being connected perimetrically so as to form a seal to said sole so as to ‘cover sid vapor-permeable portion, for tightness of said Sole to water in the igud state together with ts perme= ability to Water vapor at said vaporspermeable water= proof insert 9. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein said sealing clement is male of @ material selected among three-dimen- sional fabric, synthetic material mesh, metallic material ‘mesh, aramid fiber Tabec 10. The shoe accosing to claim 1, further comprising fine raylon mesh, which is intimately connected to said upper ‘membrane to improve is handling. 11, The shoe aevording to claim 1, wherein said upper ‘comprises laps for connection to sie assembly insole which fare folded below it 30a to interpose themselves partially between said sealing element and said sole, according to & AGO lasting working metho.