EP3772293B1 - Shoe and method for producing same - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a shoe comprising a sole part forming a sole section of the shoe and a shoe upper forming an upper section of the shoe, which can be or is fastened to the sole part, and a method for producing a shoe.

Shoes and methods for manufacturing shoes are basically known from the state of the art in a variety of different designs. US 2017/013912 A1 discloses a shoe with a sole part, wherein the sole part is designed as an integral foam structure made of elastomer material. However, known shoes or known manufacturing processes for shoes are in need of improvement or further development with regard to aspects of the ever-increasing need for sustainable use of resources.

Against this background, there is a need for a shoe and a process for manufacturing a shoe which enables a more sustainable use of resources from both a product and manufacturing perspective.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a shoe which is improved compared to the above-mentioned and a method for producing a shoe which is improved compared to the above-mentioned.

The object is achieved by a shoe according to claim 1, a sole part according to claim 13 and a method according to claim 14. The dependent claims relate to possible embodiments of the shoe and the method.

A first aspect of the invention described herein relates to a shoe. The shoe comprises a sole part forming a sole portion of the shoe and an upper part of the shoe that forms an upper shoe section and that is or can be attached to the sole part. The shoe therefore typically has - at least from a functional point of view - a multi-part structure consisting of the sole part and the upper part of the shoe. The sole part is completely manufactured by foaming an injection-moldable thermoplastic elastomer material at least in sections, and the sole part is designed as an integral foam structure made of a thermoplastic elastomer material or has such an integral foam structure.

The shoe can basically be any shoe model; the shoe can therefore be designed as an open shoe, a half-open shoe or a closed shoe. The area of use of the shoe is also basically open; the shoe can therefore be designed as a leisure shoe, a sports shoe or an evening shoe. The shoe can be a shoe for a woman or a man or for a child.

The sole part is typically formed by a sole part body or a sole part base body or comprises at least one such. The sole part or a corresponding sole part (base) body is the component of the shoe which has or defines a running surface facing a ground when the shoe is used as intended and a surface facing a wearer's foot (foot support surface) when the shoe is used as intended.

The shoe upper is typically formed by a shoe upper body or a shoe upper base body or comprises at least one such. The shoe upper or a corresponding shoe upper (base) body is typically the component of the shoe which has or defines a surface which, when the shoe is used as intended, encloses a wearer's foot at least in sections, possibly completely.

The sole part can have a one-piece or multi-piece construction, ie in particular a one- or multi-layer construction. In an embodiment in which the sole part has a one-piece construction, ie in particular a one-layer construction, the sole part can, for example, be designed as an outer, The sole part can be formed as a component that forms a midsole and an inner sole. In a corresponding one-piece embodiment, the sole part is typically manufactured with a tread section that forms a tread of the shoe.

The tread section can be designed at least in sections, if necessary completely, with a three-dimensional surface structure that forms a running profile. Alternatively or additionally, the tread section can be designed with a surface structure that influences the rolling behavior of the shoe; this can be designed in particular by one or more curves. In an analogous manner, a three-dimensional surface structure can also be designed at least in sections, if necessary completely, in the area of an upper side of the sole part that forms a foot support surface of the shoe or faces such a surface; a corresponding surface structure can have a positive influence on the wearing properties of the shoe.

In an embodiment in which the sole part has a multi-part structure, i.e. in particular a multi-layer structure, it can be or will be designed as a component group comprising several components which form an outer or middle or inner sole.

The shoe upper can also have a single or multi-part structure, i.e. in particular a single or multi-layer structure. The relevant statements in connection with the sole part apply analogously.

The sole part is formed or manufactured at least in sections, possibly completely, by foaming an injection-moldable thermoplastic elastomer material (hereinafter referred to as "TPE"). The sole part is therefore generally a foamed material manufactured as part of an injection molding process that includes a foaming process. Injection-molded part made of a TPE. The foamed and thus cellular structure of the sole part gives it special structural properties, which result in the shoe's special wearing properties; the combination of the inherently comparatively soft TPE and the at least partially, possibly completely, foamed structure results, for example, in special cushioning and recovery properties of the sole part, which have a positive effect on the shoe's wearing properties.

The sole part is or will have an integral foam structure (integral foam structure) in its entirety. A corresponding integral foam structure is typically characterized in that it has a density that decreases, in particular continuously, from the outside to the inside. Integral foam structures therefore typically have a cellular core and (almost) compact or solid edge regions. The sole part can therefore be or will have a corresponding integral foam structure that generally has different structural properties in at least some sections, in particular with different mechanical properties in at least some sections. A corresponding integral foam structure is therefore expedient for the sole part in that both a running surface of the sole part that faces a ground when the shoe is used as intended and a surface of the sole part that faces a wearer's foot when the shoe is used as intended (foot support surface) are or will be compact, and areas of the sole part that lie in between, which therefore e.g. B. provide special cushioning properties, are or will be (largely) cellular. As explained in more detail below, it is also conceivable that a running surface of the sole part facing a surface when the shoe is used as intended has different properties, ie in particular different abrasion, cushioning and softness properties, than a surface of the sole part facing a wearer's foot (foot support surface) when the shoe is used as intended.

In all embodiments, the TPE used is in particular a thermoplastic polyamide elastomer (TPA), a thermoplastic copolyester elastomer (TPC), a thermoplastic olefin elastomer (TPO), a thermoplastic styrene elastomer (TPS), a thermoplastic urethane elastomer (TPU), a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) or a mixture of the above. The term "TPE" therefore includes pure TPEs as well as mixtures of chemically different TPEs. The sole part can therefore be made from one of the above-mentioned TPEs.

The TPE can be a TPE that is at least partially, or possibly completely, recycled. The TPE can therefore in particular be a material mixture of recycled TPE and non-recycled TPE. For a corresponding material mixture, the weight proportion of the recycled TPE can be in a range between 1 and 80%, in particular in a range between 1 and 70%, further in particular in a range between 1 and 60%, further in particular in a range between 1 and 50%, further in particular in a range between 1 and 40%, in particular in a range between 1 and 30%, further in particular in a range between 1 and 20%, further in particular in a range between 1 and 10%. The TPE can therefore be a compound material containing recycled TPE.

The use of recycled TPE represents an important aspect of the possibility of sustainable use of resources from both a product and manufacturing perspective.

If recycled TPE is used, it can in particular be TPE that was obtained by recycling a corresponding sole part made from a TPE. It is therefore possible that components of the shoe, ie in particular the sole part, are recycled and used to manufacture a new shoe.

The sole part can be formed in particular by injecting a TPE loaded with at least one chemical and/or physical blowing agent into a shaping cavity of an injection molding tool and carrying out at least one measure for at least partially foaming the TPE loaded with the at least one blowing agent. In principle, the at least one measure for at least partially foaming the TPE loaded with the at least one blowing agent can be a chemical and/or a physical foaming process.

As a measure for foaming the TPE loaded with the at least one blowing agent at least in sections, a lifting movement of at least one tool element, in particular a tool mold half, of the injection mold relative to at least one other tool element, in particular a further tool mold half, of the injection mold can be carried out, for example, which increases the volume of the shaping cavity of the injection mold compared to a completely closed state of the injection mold. The use of at least one tool element that enables a corresponding lifting movement is conceivable.

As already indicated and as will become clear below, both the sole part and the upper part of the shoe can be components of the shoe which enable sustainable use of resources from both a product and manufacturing perspective.

The sole part can - as already indicated in connection with the mentioned possible design of the sole part as an integral foam structure - be designed with at least partially different structural properties, in particular with at least partially different mechanical properties. The sole part can therefore have at least partially different structural properties, ie in particular, at least in sections, have different mechanical properties. Different structural properties of the sole part result in particular from a different degree of foaming of the TPE used to manufacture the sole part. As mentioned, it is particularly conceivable that a running surface of the sole part facing a ground when the shoe is used as intended has different structural properties, ie in particular different abrasion, damping and softness properties, than a surface facing a wearer's foot (foot support surface) when the shoe is used as intended.

The degree of foaming of the TPE used to produce the sole part can generally vary between a minimum degree of foaming, i.e. typically a degree of foaming of 0%, up to a maximum degree of foaming, in particular material- and/or process-specific, i.e. in particular a degree of foaming of approximately 80%. It is therefore conceivable that the sole part (base) body has a first section and at least one further section, wherein the structural properties of the sole part (base) body in the first section differ from the structural properties of the sole part (base) body in the at least one further section. In other words, the sole part can be designed with a foam gradient, for example. Sole parts with locally varying structural properties can therefore be produced in a relatively simple process-technically manner, namely, for example, by varying the lifting movement that has a significant influence on the degree of foaming and/or by varying the blowing agent concentration.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sole part can be formed with a first degree of foaming in a first section forming a running surface of the shoe or facing a running surface of the shoe and with a second degree of foaming that is different from the first degree of foaming in a further section not forming a running surface of the shoe or facing away from a running surface of the shoe. The The sole part can therefore be designed (essentially) compactly, e.g. in a first section that forms a running surface of the shoe or faces a running surface of the shoe, i.e. with a degree of foaming of less than 5%, in particular a degree of foaming of 0%, and in a further section that does not form a running surface of the shoe or faces away from a running surface of the shoe, with a degree of foaming of at least 5%. In this embodiment, the sole part can thus form a running surface with a correspondingly reduced degree of foaming, so that at least in sections, possibly completely, the attachment of a separate running surface element can be dispensed with. The compact design of the sole part in the section that forms a running surface of the shoe or faces a running surface of the shoe can be achieved, e.g. by suitable tool temperature control, e.g. in particular tool temperature control close to the surface.

Alternatively or additionally, correspondingly differently designed first and further sections can be formed in the longitudinal direction of the sole part. In this way, different structural properties, i.e. in particular mechanical properties, such as damping properties, can be formed, for example, in a first section that can be assigned or is assigned to a forefoot area, a second section that can be assigned or is assigned to a midfoot area and a third section of the sole part that can be assigned or is assigned to a heel area.

The sole part can therefore generally be designed in at least two different spatial directions, i.e. in particular in a horizontal and a vertical spatial direction, with structural sections that differ in their structural properties, i.e. in particular mechanical properties.

The shoe upper can be made at least partially, if necessary completely, from a textile material, in particular a natural textile material, preferably a biodegradable, ie in particular compostable, Textile material. Such textile materials can be in the form of textile fabrics, i.e. in particular woven, knitted or crocheted fabrics. The shoe upper can therefore be in the form of a sock-like or sock-shaped textile fabric. Specific examples of suitable textile materials are natural fiber materials of plant or animal origin, such as cotton, bast, leaves, hemp, wool, etc. If the textile material is a biodegradable or compostable textile material, the shoe upper can be disposed of biologically, e.g. by composting.

The shoe upper is or is typically attached to the sole part in a detachable manner, in particular in a manner that can be separated by type, and vice versa. The attachment of the shoe upper to the sole part can therefore be designed with a view to a detachability or separation of the components of the shoe, i.e. in particular the shoe upper, the sole part and possibly any fastening materials for attaching the shoe upper to the sole part, such as sewing materials, so that removing the attachment of the shoe upper to the sole part, i.e. detaching the shoe upper from the sole part, enables a detachment of the shoe upper from the sole part. The detachable attachment of the shoe upper to the sole part in a manner that can be removed without causing damage or destruction.

A shoe upper can therefore be detached from the sole part and connected to a new sole part, for example if the sole part or parts need to be replaced, e.g. due to wear. In this way, a shoe upper can be reused to form a new shoe. Of course, in the opposite way, a sole part can be detached from the shoe upper and connected to a new shoe upper, for example if the sole part or parts need to be replaced, e.g. due to wear. In this way, a sole part can be reused to form a new shoe.

In principle, a user-specific configuration of a shoe can also be realized in this way, as the attachment of the shoe upper to the sole part of an existing shoe is released and a new shoe can be configured by attaching the existing shoe upper to another sole part - the same applies, of course, by attaching an existing sole part to another shoe upper.

The detachable attachment of the sole part to the shoe upper and vice versa is therefore an important aspect for the sustainable design of the shoe from both a product and manufacturing perspective.

The shoe upper can be fastened to the sole part, for example, by at least one form-fitting and/or force-fitting fastening method. For example, locking, snap-fit, clamping, tensioning or plug-in connections are possible. At least one fastening interface can therefore be formed on the sole part and/or on the shoe upper, which is designed to interact with at least one corresponding fastening interface of the shoe upper and/or sole part to form a fastening, in particular a detachable fastening, of the shoe upper to the sole part. A corresponding fastening interface can be formed in particular in one piece (monolithic) with the sole part.

A corresponding fastening interface can - in the case of a form-fitting fastening - be designed as a form-fitting element. A corresponding form-fitting element is designed to interact with at least one corresponding form-fitting element to form a form-fitting fastening of the shoe upper to the sole part and vice versa, in particular a fastening that can be released as required. A corresponding form-fitting element can, for example, be used as a receiving area for receiving a projection or be designed as a projection, in particular one with an undercut. A corresponding receiving area can be designed as a recess, opening, etc. in the sole part or in the shoe upper.

A preferred embodiment provides that the shoe upper is or will be attached to the sole part, and vice versa, by sewing or stitching, and thus by a sewing attachment. Sewing or stitching typically involves the formation of one or more seams, which cause the shoe upper to be attached to the sole part and vice versa. The attachment of the shoe upper to the sole part by sewing is therefore to be regarded as a preferred embodiment, as it enables a stable attachment of the shoe upper to the sole part, but if necessary, comparatively easily detachable and re-establishable.

The sole part can be designed with, in particular, recess-like or recess-shaped receiving areas for receiving a yarn-like or yarn-shaped sewing material, i.e. generally a linear textile structure, such as a yarn. Corresponding receiving areas are or will typically be designed in a running surface or a section of the sole part (base) body that forms a running surface of the shoe or faces a running surface of the shoe. Corresponding receiving areas can be designed, for example, as groove-like recesses in the sole part (base body) that extend at least in sections in a linear or linear manner along a corresponding section of the sole part (base) body. In this way, a corresponding sewing attachment can be designed comparatively easily. In addition, the sewing material is protected from direct contact with a surface when the shoe is in use, so that damage to the sewing material caused by friction on a surface, for example, when the shoe is in use, can be largely prevented.

Likewise, one or more, e.g. channel-like or -shaped, passage areas for the passage of a Sewing material can be or will be formed through the sole part (base) body. Corresponding feed-through regions are typically arranged and aligned in such a way that they enable a sewing material to be passed through from a first fastening point or region, i.e. in particular a fastening point or region arranged or formed on an underside of the sole part that forms a running surface of the shoe or faces such a surface, to a second fastening point or region, i.e. in particular a fastening point or region arranged or formed on an upper side of the sole part that forms a foot support surface of the shoe or faces such a surface. Corresponding feed-through regions can, for example, be arranged or aligned so as to extend vertically through the sole part (base) body.

The sole part can be designed with a fastening section comprising one or more fastening interfaces for fastening the shoe upper to the sole part. A fastening interface can correspond to an above-mentioned fastening point or area.

The fastening section can be designed to extend at least in sections, if necessary completely, in the area of an upper side of the sole part that forms a foot support surface of the shoe or faces such a surface. The fastening section can be designed to extend at least in sections, if necessary completely, in particular at the edge, all the way around the upper side of the sole part that forms a foot support surface of the shoe or faces such a surface. In principle, continuously or discontinuously encircling fastening sections are conceivable.

Conceivable embodiments provide, for example, that the at least one fastening section is or will be designed to extend, preferably at the edge, all the way around the sole part, and/or that the at least one fastening section extends at least partially, possibly completely, flatly in the area of a foot support surface of the sole part forming or facing an upper side of the sole part. A correspondingly flat design of the at least one fastening section can be provided, for example, for fastening a sock-like or sock-shaped shoe upper.

The fastening section can be designed in particular as a wall that extends at least partially, possibly completely, around the edge of a top side of the sole part that forms a foot support surface of the sole part or faces such a surface and is raised relative to the foot support surface of the sole part. The wall can be designed in such a way that it (co-)delimits or (co-)defines a foot support surface of the sole part. The wall can be designed in one piece (monolithic) with the sole part (base) body. The wall can therefore be designed with the sole part (base) body in particular in the injection molding process for producing the sole part. The wall can be designed in a strip-like or strip-shaped manner, for example.

A corresponding fastening interface can be designed in particular as an opening in the wall through which a sewing material can pass, in particular in the form of an eyelet.

In principle, it would be conceivable - particularly with the proviso of a detachable fastening, as mentioned above - as an alternative or in addition to a form-fitting and/or force-fitting fastening, also to have a material-fit fastening of the shoe upper to the sole part, for example by gluing.

Instead of an embodiment in which the shoe upper is or will be attached to the sole part as a separate component, it is also conceivable that the fastening of the shoe upper to the sole part takes place as part of an injection molding process. The fastening of the shoe upper to the sole part can therefore also take place in a (shaping) cavity of an injection molding tool. The sole part and the shoe upper can can therefore be formed in a single or multi-stage injection molding process. For example, but not exclusively, shoes whose uppers are designed like bands or straps, e.g. sandals, flip-flops, etc., can be manufactured in this way.

The fastening of the shoe upper to the sole part can thus be carried out by injecting an injection-moldable thermoplastic material forming the shoe upper onto the sole part or by injecting a TPE forming the sole part and loaded with at least one chemical and/or physical blowing agent onto the shoe upper. The shoe upper can accordingly be formed from an injection-moldable thermoplastic material, in particular one that is chemically similar to the TPE forming the sole part. It is of course conceivable that the sole part and the shoe upper are formed from the same material.

In such an embodiment, the shoe upper can be provided, for example, as an insert part that can be inserted into a shaping cavity of an injection mold, inserted into a shaping cavity of an injection mold, and the sole part can be attached to the shoe upper by injecting the TPE that forms the sole part and is loaded with at least one chemical and/or physical blowing agent onto the shoe upper. Of course, a reverse procedure is also conceivable, so that the sole part can be provided, for example, as an insert part that can be inserted into a shaping cavity of an injection mold, inserted into a shaping cavity of an injection mold, and the shoe upper is attached to the sole part by injecting it onto the sole part.

In this context, it should also be mentioned that in a conceivable embodiment, a separate tread element forming a possibly profiled tread of the shoe is provided as an insert part that can be inserted into a shaping cavity of an injection molding tool, inserted into a shaping cavity of an injection molding tool and the sole part by injecting the TPE forming the sole part, which is loaded with at least one chemical and/or physical blowing agent, onto the insert part.

For all embodiments, the sole part can be designed with a surface design, in particular modeled on a footbed, in the area of an upper side that forms a foot support surface of the sole part or faces such a surface. The sole part can therefore be designed in the area of its upper side at least in sections, if necessary completely, with an ergonomic surface design that supports the foot, i.e. in particular a footbed.

A second aspect of the invention described herein relates to a method for producing a shoe, comprising a sole part forming a sole section of the shoe and a shoe upper forming an upper section of the shoe and which can be or is fastened to the sole part. The method is particularly suitable for producing a shoe according to the first aspect of the invention.

The method comprises the steps of: producing or providing a sole part, wherein the sole part is completely, at least partially, foamed by an injection-moldable thermoplastic elastomer material, wherein the sole part is designed as an integral foam structure made of a thermoplastic elastomer material; Manufacturing or

Providing a shoe upper; and attaching the shoe upper to the sole portion to form the shoe.

All statements in connection with the shoe according to the first aspect of the invention apply analogously to the method.

Fig. 1 - 7

je eine Prinzipdarstellung eines Schuhs gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel; und

Fig. 8

eine Prinzipdarstellung eines Ablaufdiagramms eines Verfahrens zur Herstellung eines Schuhs gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel.

Individual aspects and features of the invention are explained using exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawings.

Fig. 1 - 7

each a schematic representation of a shoe according to an embodiment; and

Fig.8

a schematic representation of a flow chart of a method for producing a shoe according to an embodiment.

Fig.1 shows a schematic diagram of a shoe 1 according to an embodiment.

It can be seen that the shoe 1 comprises a sole part 2 forming a sole section of the shoe 1 and an upper part 3 forming an upper section of the shoe 1 and which can be fastened or is fastened to the sole part 2. The shoe therefore typically has - at least from a functional point of view - a multi-part structure consisting of the sole part 2 and the upper part 3.

Shoe 1 can basically be any shoe model; shoe 1 can therefore be designed as an open shoe, a half-open shoe or a closed shoe. The area of application of shoe 1 is also basically open; shoe 1 can therefore be designed as a leisure shoe, a sports shoe or an evening shoe. Shoe 1 can be a shoe for a woman or a man or for a child.

The sole part 2 is typically formed by a sole part body or a sole part base body 2' or comprises at least one such. The sole part 2 or a corresponding sole part (base) body 2` is typically the component of the shoe 1 which has or defines a running surface facing a ground when the shoe 1 is used as intended and a surface facing a foot of a wearer (foot support surface) when the shoe 1 is used as intended.

The shoe upper 3 is typically formed by a shoe upper body or a shoe upper base body 3' or comprises at least one such. The shoe upper 3 or a corresponding shoe upper (base) body 3' is typically the component of the shoe 1 which has or defines a surface which, when the shoe 1 is used as intended, encloses a foot of a wearer at least in sections, possibly completely.

The sole part 2 can have a one-part or multi-part structure, ie in particular a one- or multi-layer structure. The sole part 2 can be in a Fig.1 purely exemplary embodiment, in which the sole part 2 has a one-piece structure, ie in particular a single-layer structure, e.g. be or will be designed as a component forming an outer sole, midsole and inner sole. In a corresponding one-piece embodiment, the sole part 2 is or will typically be manufactured with a tread section 4 forming a tread of the shoe 1.

The tread section 4 can be designed, at least in sections, and possibly completely, with a three-dimensional surface structure that forms a running profile. Alternatively or additionally, the tread section 4 can be designed with a surface structure that influences the rolling behavior of the shoe 1. in particular by one or more curves. In an analogous manner, a three-dimensional surface structure can be formed at least in sections, if necessary completely, in the area of an upper side of the sole part 2 that forms a foot support surface of the shoe 1 or faces such a surface; a corresponding surface structure can have a positive effect on the wearing properties of the shoe 1.

In a like in Fig. 2 In the embodiment shown purely by way of example, in which the sole part 2 has a multi-part structure, ie in particular a multi-layer structure, the sole part 2 can be designed as a component group comprising several components 2.1 - 2.3, which form an outer or middle or inner sole.

Although not shown in the figures, the shoe upper 3 can also have a one-part or multi-part structure, i.e. in particular a one- or multi-layer structure. The relevant statements in connection with the sole part 2 apply analogously.

In all embodiments, the sole part 2 is formed or manufactured at least in sections, if necessary completely, by foaming an injection-moldable thermoplastic elastomer material (hereinafter referred to as "TPE") at least in sections. The sole part 2 is therefore generally a foamed injection-molded part made of a TPE as part of an injection molding process that includes a foaming process. The foamed and thus cellular structure of the sole part 2 gives it special structural properties that result in special wearing properties of the shoe 1; the combination of the inherently comparatively soft TPE and the at least partially, if necessary completely, foamed structure results, for example, in special damping or recovery properties of the sole part 2, which have a positive effect on the wearing properties of the shoe 1.

The sole part 2 is designed as an integral foam structure (integral foam structure) or has such.

A corresponding integral foam structure is typically characterized by the fact that it has a density that decreases, in particular continuously, from the outside to the inside. Integral foam structures therefore typically have a cellular core and (almost) compact or solid edge regions. A corresponding integral foam structure is therefore expedient for the sole part 2 because both a running surface of the sole part 2 that faces a ground when the shoe 1 is used as intended and a surface of the sole part 2 that faces a wearer's foot when the shoe 1 is used as intended (foot support surface) are or will be compact, and areas of the sole part 3 that lie in between, which thus ensure, for example, special damping properties, are or will be (largely) cellular. As explained in more detail below, it is also conceivable that a running surface of the sole part 2 that faces a ground when the shoe 1 is used as intended can have different properties, i.e. i.e. in particular different abrasion, damping and softness properties than a surface of the sole part 2 facing a foot of a wearer during intended use of the shoe 1 (foot support surface).

In all embodiments, the TPE used is in particular a thermoplastic polyamide elastomer (TPA), a thermoplastic copolyester elastomer (TPC), a thermoplastic olefin elastomer (TPO), a thermoplastic styrene elastomer (TPS), a thermoplastic urethane elastomer (TPU), a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) or a mixture of the above. The term "TPE" therefore includes pure TPEs as well as mixtures of chemically different TPEs. The sole part 2 can therefore be formed in particular from one of the above-mentioned TPEs.

The TPE can be at least partially, possibly completely, recycled TPE. The TPE can therefore in particular be a material mixture of recycled TPE and non-recycled TPE. For a corresponding material mixture, the weight proportion of the recycled TPE can be in a range between 1 and 80%, in particular in a range between 1 and 70%, further in particular in a range between 1 and 60%, further in particular in a range between 1 and 50%, further in particular in a range between 1 and 40%, in particular in a range between 1 and 30%, further in particular in a range between 1 and 20%, further in particular in a range between 1 and 10%.

The use of recycled TPE represents an essential aspect of the possibility of sustainable use of resources in terms of both product technology and manufacturing technology.

If recycled TPE is used, it can in particular be TPE that was obtained by recycling a corresponding sole part 2 made from a TPE. It is therefore possible that components of the shoe 1, i.e. in particular the sole part 2, are recycled and used to manufacture a new shoe 1.

The sole part 2 can be formed by injecting a TPE loaded with at least one chemical and/or physical blowing agent into a molding cavity of an injection molding tool and carrying out at least one measure for at least partially foaming the TPE loaded with the at least one blowing agent. In principle, the at least one measure for at least partially foaming the TPE loaded with the at least one blowing agent can be a chemical and/or a physical foaming process.

As a measure for at least partially foaming the TPE loaded with the at least one blowing agent, for example, a A lifting movement of at least one tool element, in particular a tool mold half, of the injection molding tool, which increases the volume of the shaping cavity of the injection molding tool compared to a completely closed state of the injection molding tool, can be carried out relative to at least one further tool element, in particular a further tool mold half, of the injection molding tool. The use of at least one tool element that enables a corresponding lifting movement is conceivable.

The sole part 2 can - as described below in connection with the Fig.3 , 4 shown embodiments explained - be or will be designed with at least partially different structural properties, in particular with at least partially different mechanical properties. The sole part 2 can therefore have at least partially different structural properties, ie in particular at least partially different mechanical properties. Different structural properties of the sole part 2 result in particular from a different degree of foaming of the TPE used to produce the sole part 2. As mentioned, it is particularly conceivable that a tread of the sole part 2 facing a ground when the shoe 1 is used as intended has different structural properties, ie in particular different abrasion, damping and softness properties, than a surface facing a foot of a wearer (foot support surface) when the shoe 1 is used as intended.

The degree of foaming of the TPE used to produce the sole part 2 can generally vary between a minimum degree of foaming, ie typically a degree of foaming of 0%, up to a maximum degree of foaming, in particular material- and/or process-specific, ie in particular a degree of foaming of approximately 80%. It is therefore conceivable that the sole part (base) body 2' has a first section 2.4 and at least one further section 2.5, wherein the structural properties of the sole part (base) body 2' in the first section 2.4 differ from the structural Properties of the sole part (base) body 2' in the at least one further section 2.5 differ. In other words, the sole part 2 can be designed with a foam gradient, for example. Sole parts 2 with locally varying structural properties can therefore be produced in a relatively simple process, namely, for example, by varying the lifting movement that has a significant influence on the degree of foaming and/or by varying the blowing agent concentration.

In the Fig.3 In the embodiment shown purely by way of example, the sole part 2 is or will be designed with a first degree of foaming in a first section forming a tread of the shoe 1 or facing a tread of the shoe 1, and with a second degree of foaming that is different from the first degree of foaming in a further section not forming a tread of the shoe 1 or facing away from a tread of the shoe 1. The sole part 2 can therefore, for example, be (substantially) compact, ie with a degree of foaming of less than 5%, in particular a degree of foaming of 0%, in a first section forming a tread of the shoe 1 or facing away from a tread of the shoe 1, and with a degree of foaming of at least 5% in a further section not forming a tread of the shoe 1 or facing away from a tread of the shoe 1. In this embodiment, the sole part 2 can thus form a running surface with a comparatively reduced degree of foaming, so that at least in sections, possibly completely, the attachment of a separate running surface element can be dispensed with. The compact design of the sole part 2 in the section forming a running surface of the shoe 1 or facing a running surface of the shoe 1 can be achieved, for example, by means of suitable tool temperature control, ie in particular tool temperature control close to the surface.

Alternatively or additionally - as in the embodiment according to Fig.4 shown purely as an example - correspondingly differently designed first and further sections 2.6 - 2.8 are or will be formed in the longitudinal direction of the sole part 2. In this way, different structural properties, i.e. i.e. in particular mechanical properties, such as damping properties, e.g. in a first section 2.6 that can be assigned or is assigned to a forefoot region, a second section 2.7 that can be assigned or is assigned to a midfoot region and a third section 2.8 that can be assigned or is assigned to a heel region of the sole part 2.

The sole part 2 can therefore generally be designed in at least two different spatial directions, i.e. in particular in a horizontal and a vertical spatial direction, with structural sections 2.4 - 2.8 that differ in their structural properties, i.e. in particular mechanical properties.

In all embodiments, the shoe upper 3 can be made at least in sections, if necessary completely, from a textile material, in particular a natural textile material, preferably a biodegradable, i.e. in particular compostable, textile material. Corresponding textile materials can be present in particular as textile fabrics, i.e. in particular woven, knitted or crocheted fabrics. The shoe upper 3 can thus be made, for example, as a sock-like or sock-shaped textile fabric. Specific examples of suitable textile materials are natural fiber materials of plant or animal origin, such as cotton, bast, leaf, hemp, wool, etc. If the textile material is a biodegradable or compostable textile material, the shoe upper can be disposed of biologically, e.g. by composting.

The shoe upper 3 can be attached to the sole part 2 in all embodiments, in particular in a pure separable, detachable manner and vice versa. The attachment of the shoe upper 3 to the sole part 2 can thus be carried out with regard to a pure separability or separation of the components of the shoe 1, ie in particular the shoe upper 3, the sole part 2 and possibly any fastening materials for Fastening of the shoe upper 3 to the sole part 2, such as sewing materials, can be carried out so that removing the fastening of the shoe upper 3 to the sole part 2, ie detaching the shoe upper 3 from the sole part 2, enables a pure separation of the shoe upper 3 from the sole part 2. The pure separable fastening of the shoe upper 3 to the sole part 2 can also include a fastening of the shoe upper 3 to the sole part 2 that can be removed without causing damage or destruction.

A shoe upper 3 can therefore be detached from the sole part 2 and connected to a new sole part 2, for example in the event of a replacement of the or a sole part 2 being necessary due to wear. In this way, a shoe upper 3 can be reused to form a new shoe 1. Of course, in the opposite way, a sole part 2 can be detached from the shoe upper 3 and connected to a new shoe upper 3, for example in the event of a replacement of the or a shoe upper 3 being necessary due to wear. In this way, a sole part 3 can be reused to form a new shoe 1.

In principle, a user-specific configuration of a shoe 1 can also be realized in this way, as the fastening of the shoe upper 3 to the sole part 2 on an existing shoe 1 is released and a new shoe 1 can be configured by fastening the existing shoe upper 3 to another sole part 2 - the same naturally applies analogously by fastening an existing sole part 2 to another shoe upper 3.

The shoe upper 3 can be fastened to the sole part 2 by at least one form-fitting and/or force-fitting fastening method. For example, locking, snap-fit, clamping, tensioning or plug-in connections are possible. Thus, at least one fastening interface 5, 6 can be formed on the sole part 2 and/or on the shoe upper 3, which is designed to be connected to at least one corresponding fastening interface of the shoe upper 3 and/or sole part 2, forming a fastening, in particular a detachable fastening, of the Shoe upper part 3 to cooperate with the sole part 2. A corresponding fastening interface can in particular be formed integrally (monolithically) with the sole part 2.

A corresponding fastening interface 5 can be provided as in the embodiment according to Fig.5 shown purely by way of example - in the case of a positive fastening - be or will be designed as a positive locking element. A corresponding positive locking element is designed to interact with at least one corresponding positive locking element to form a positive fastening, in particular a fastening that can be released as required, of the shoe upper 3 to the sole part 2 and vice versa. A corresponding positive locking element can be or will be designed, for example, as a receiving area for receiving a projection, in particular an undercut projection, or as a projection, in particular an undercut projection. A corresponding receiving area can be or will be designed, for example, as a recess, opening, etc. in the sole part 2 or in the shoe upper 3.

A in Fig.6 Another embodiment shown purely as an example provides that the shoe upper 3 is or will be attached to the sole part 2, and vice versa, by sewing or stitching, and thus by a sewing attachment. Sewing or stitching typically involves the formation of one or more seams, which cause the shoe upper 3 to be attached to the sole part 2 and vice versa. The attachment of the shoe upper 3 to the sole part 2 by sewing can therefore be considered a preferred embodiment, as this enables a stable attachment of the or a shoe upper 3 to the or a sole part 2, but if necessary, comparatively easily detachable and re-establishable.

The sole part 2 can be designed with, in particular, recess-like or shaped receiving areas 7 for receiving a yarn-like or shaped sewing material 8, ie generally a linear textile structure, such as a yarn. Receiving areas 7 are or will typically be formed in a running surface or a section of the sole part (base) body 2' that forms a running surface of the shoe 1 or faces a running surface of the shoe 1. Corresponding receiving areas 7 can be formed as groove-like recesses in the sole part (base body) 2' that extend at least in sections in a linear or linear manner along a corresponding section of the sole part (base) body 2'. In this way, a corresponding sewing attachment can be formed comparatively easily. In addition, the sewing material 8 is protected from direct contact with a surface when the shoe 1 is used, so that damage to the sewing material 8 caused by friction on a surface, for example, can be largely prevented when the shoe 1 is used.

Likewise, like Fig.6 also purely by way of example - in the sole part (base) body 2' one or more, e.g. channel-like or -shaped, feed-through areas 9 for feeding a sewing material 8 through the sole part (base) body 2' are or will be formed. Corresponding feed-through areas 9 are typically arranged and aligned in such a way that they enable a sewing material 8 to be fed through from a first fastening point or area, i.e. in particular a fastening point or area arranged or formed on an underside of the sole part 2 forming a running surface of the shoe 1 or facing such a surface, to a second fastening point or area, i.e. in particular a fastening point or area arranged or formed on an upper side of the sole part 2 forming a foot support surface 12 of the sole part 2 or facing such a surface. Corresponding feed-through areas 9 can, for example, be arranged or aligned extending perpendicularly through the sole part (base) body 3'.

Based on Fig.6 it is further apparent that the sole part 2 can be designed with a fastening section 10 comprising one or more fastening interfaces 11 for fastening the shoe upper 3 to the sole part 2. or can be. A fastening interface 11 can correspond to a fastening point or area mentioned above.

The fastening section 10 can be designed to extend in the area of an upper side of the sole part 2 that forms a foot support surface 12 of the sole part 2 or faces such a surface. The fastening section 10 can be designed to extend in particular around the edge of the upper side of the sole part 2 that forms a foot support surface 12 of the sole part 2 or faces such a surface. In principle, continuously or discontinuously extending fastening sections 10 are conceivable.

Possible implementation examples are shown in Fig.6 shown - that the fastening section 10 is designed to extend circumferentially around the sole part 2, preferably at the edge. The fastening section 10 can therefore be designed as a wall 13 which extends circumferentially at least in sections, if necessary completely, around an upper side of the sole part 2 forming a foot support surface 12 of the sole part 2 or facing such a surface, and which is raised relative to the foot support surface 12 of the sole part 2. The wall 13 can be designed in such a way that it (co-)delimits or (co-)defines a foot support surface 12 of the sole part 2. The wall 13 can be designed in one piece (monolithic) with the sole part (base) body 2'. The wall 13 can therefore be designed with the sole part (base) body 2', in particular in the injection molding process for producing the sole part 2. The wall 13 can, for example, be designed in a strip-like or strip-shaped manner.

Alternatively or in addition - although in Fig.6 not shown - the fastening section 10 is or will be designed to extend at least partially, if necessary completely, in the area of the upper side of the sole part 2 forming a foot support surface of the sole part 2 or facing such a surface. A correspondingly flat The fastening section 10 can be designed, for example, for fastening a sock-like or sock-shaped shoe upper 3.

In Fig.6 It is also indicated purely schematically by way of example that a corresponding fastening interface 11 can be designed in particular as an opening in the wall 13 through which a sewing material 8 can pass, in particular an eyelet-like or eyelet-shaped opening.

In principle, it would be conceivable - in particular with the proviso of a detachable fastening, as mentioned above - as an alternative or in addition to a positive and/or non-positive fastening, also to have a material-locking fastening of the shoe upper part 3 to the sole part 2, for example by gluing.

In Fig.7 an embodiment is shown in which the fastening of the shoe upper 3 to the sole part 2 takes place as part of an injection molding process. The fastening of the shoe upper 3 to the sole part 2 can thus also take place in a (shaping) cavity of an injection molding tool. The sole part 2 and the shoe upper 3 can thus be formed in a single or multi-stage injection molding process. For example, but not exclusively, shoes 1 whose shoe uppers 3 are designed like bands or straps, e.g. sandals, flip-flops, etc., can be manufactured in this way.

The fastening of the shoe upper 3 to the sole part 2 can thus be carried out by injecting an injection-moldable thermoplastic material forming the shoe upper 3 onto the sole part 2 or by injecting a TPE forming the sole part 2 and loaded with at least one chemical and/or physical blowing agent onto the shoe upper 3. The shoe upper 3 can accordingly be formed from an injection-moldable thermoplastic material, in particular one that is chemically similar to the TPE forming the sole part 2. It is of course conceivable that the Sole part 2 and the shoe upper part 3 are or will be made of the same material.

In such an embodiment, the shoe upper 3 can be provided, for example, as an insert part that can be inserted into a shaping cavity of an injection molding tool, inserted into a shaping cavity of an injection molding tool, and the sole part 2 can be attached to the shoe upper 3 by injecting the TPE that forms the sole part 2 and is loaded with at least one chemical and/or physical blowing agent onto the shoe upper 3. Of course, a reverse procedure is also conceivable, so that the sole part 2 can be provided, for example, as an insert part that can be inserted into a shaping cavity of an injection molding tool, inserted into a shaping cavity of an injection molding tool, and the shoe upper 3 can be attached to the sole part 2 by injecting it onto the sole part 2.

In this context, it should also be mentioned that in a conceivable embodiment, a separate tread element forming a possibly profiled tread of the shoe 1 is provided as an insert part that can be inserted into a shaping cavity of an injection molding tool, inserted into a shaping cavity of an injection molding tool and the sole part 2 can be attached to the insert part by injecting the TPE forming the sole part 2, which is loaded with at least one chemical and/or physical blowing agent, onto the insert part.

For all embodiments, the sole part 2 can be designed in the area of an upper side forming a foot support surface 12 of the sole part 2 or facing such an upper side with a surface design, in particular modeled on a footbed. The sole part 2 can therefore be designed in the area of its upper side at least in sections, if necessary completely, with an ergonomic surface design or surface design that supports the foot, ie in particular a footbed.

Fig.8 shows a schematic representation of a flow chart of a method for producing a shoe 1 according to an embodiment.

Claims (14)

1. Shoe (1), comprising a sole portion of the shoe (1) forming a sole part (2), wherein the sole part (2) is the component of the shoe (1), which has a running surface facing a substrate when used as intended of the shoe (1) and a shoe upper (3) facing a foot of a carrier when used as intended of the shoe (1), and a shoe upper (3) forming an upper shoe portion of the shoe (1), which can be attached to the sole part (2) or fixed to the sole part (3), wherein the sole part (2) is completely made of an at least partially foamed injection moldable thermoplastic elastomer material and the shoe upper (3) is attached to the sole part (2) under the formation of the shoe (1), in particular separable, removable or fixed,
   the sole part (2) is formed as an integral foam structure of a thermoplastic elastomer material or has such a structure.
2. Shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the sole part (2) has at least partially different structural properties, in particular with at least partially different mechanical properties.
3. Shoe according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sole part (2) is manufactured in the first portion forming a tread of the shoe (1) or facing a tread of the shoe (1) with different structural properties than in a further portion forming no tread of the shoe (1) or facing away a tread of the shoe (1).
4. Shoe according to claim 3, characterized in that the sole part (2) in the first portion forming a tread of the sole part (2) or facing a tread of the shoe (1) with a first foam degree and in a no tread of the shoe (1) forming or facing away a tread of the shoe (1) further portion with a different from the first foam degree second foam degree is manufactured.
5. Shoe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shoe upper (3) is attached to the sole part (2) by at least one form- and / or force-locking fastening method.
6. Shoe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shoe upper (3) is attached to the sole part (2) by sewing.
7. Shoe according to claim 6, characterized in that the sole part (2), in particular recess-like or -shaped, receiving areas (7) for receiving a sewing material (8) has.
8. Shoe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sole part (2) has at least one or more fastening interfaces (11) comprising fastening portion (10).
9. Shoe according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least one fastening portion (10) is formed at least partially, optionally completely, in the region of a foot support surface (12) of the sole part (2) forming or facing such a top of the sole part (2) extending, wherein the at least one fastening portion (10) is formed, preferably on the edge, circumferentially extending around the sole part (2), and / or
   The at least one fastening portion (10) is formed at least partially, optionally completely, flat in the region of a foot support surface (12) of the sole part (2) forming or extending such a facing top of the sole part (2).
10. Shoe according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that a fastening interface (11) is formed as an opening enforceable by a sewing material (8).
11. Shoe according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sole part (2) is at least partially made of a recycled thermoplastic elastomer material.
12. Shoe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shoe upper (3) is made at least partially, optionally completely, of a textile material, in particular a natural textile material, preferably a compostable textile material.
13. Sole part (2) for a shoe (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sole part (2) is completely made of an at least partially foamed injection moldable thermoplastic elastomer material, wherein the sole part (2) is formed as an integral foam structure of a thermoplastic elastomer material or has such.
14. Method for manufacturing a shoe (1) comprising a sole portion of the shoe (1) forming a sole part (2), wherein the sole part (2) is the component of the shoe (1) which has a running surface facing a substrate when used as intended of the shoe (1) and a surface facing a foot of a wearer when used as intended of the shoe (1), and a shoe upper (3) forming an upper shoe portion of the shoe (1), attachable to the sole part (2) or fastened to the sole part (3), characterized by the steps:

    - producing or providing a sole part (2), wherein the sole part (2) is or is completely produced by at least partial foaming of an injection moldable thermoplastic elastomer material, wherein the sole part (2) is formed as an integral foam structure from a thermoplastic elastomer material;

    - manufacture or supply of uppers (3);

    - Attach the upper (3) to the sole (2) while forming the shoe (1).

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