subject: Elastomeric Slippers [print this page] Elastomeric wholesale slippers, having an upper blank joined to a lower blank to form a bottom sole and at least a front-of-the-foot cavity, exhibit improved tear resistance by the formation of the marginal rear edge of the upper blank in such a way as to form an acute angle with the coextensive marginal edge of the lower blank. Additional tear resistance is added when the marginal rear edge is formed as a forwardly extending cusp so as to circumvent the upper half of the foot's instep.
This invention relates to wholesale slippers formed from elastomeric material and having improved tear resistance. More particularly, this invention relates to slippers wholesale of either the heel-binding or scuff type which exhibit improved tear resistance at the point of rear-most intersection between the upper and lower blank.
The reason for the reduction of failures obtained when following the teachings of the present invention are not definitely known. It is believed, however, that one of the major causes of failure was due to the folded over top layer which stretched less than the single bottom layer to which it was sealed. Thus, when the foot was flexed during use so as to stretch the slipper, the upper layer stretched less (i.e., resisted more) than the lower layer, putting a non-uniform stress at point A. On the other hand, this was not the only cause of failure since wholesale slippers having single layered uppers also failed in the same way. It is further believed, therefore, that regardless of the type layers employed, point A (or thereabouts) constitutes a maximum pressure or stress point in the slipper structure when in use.
