Measuring and testing – With fluid pressure – Leakage
Patent
1994-11-09
1996-07-16
Brock, Michael J.
Measuring and testing
With fluid pressure
Leakage
73 498, G01M 304
Patent
active
055356176
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a test apparatus for leak-testing waterproof footwear, in particular footwear which includes a waterproof water vapour permeable breathable material such as GORE-TEX or similar material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Waterproof footwear including a waterproof (i.e. impermeable to liquid water) water vapour permeable membrane, such as that available under the GORE-TEX trademark, has been on the market for some time. This has been produced by first of all forming a "bootee" of a laminate of the membrane material, which can then be leak tested by immersion in water. However, it has more recently been proposed to integrate the waterproof membrane into the construction process of the shoe. In this latter case, it becomes necessary to carry out the leak testing on an assembled or partially assembled shoe, rather than a flexible bootee. There is in any case a benefit in being able to leak-test the shoe in its semi-finished state prior to application of the sole. At this stage any leaks can still be corrected. Any test apparatus must, of course, be capable of giving rapid test results in a production line environment.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,384 discloses a bootee testing machine wherein the entrance to the bootee is sealed by clamping together the flexible sides of the ankle portion of the bootee. This is only applicable to flexible booties and cannot be used to leak-test assembled or partially assembled shoes.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,981 discloses an apparatus for measuring the moisture vapour transmission rate through the sides of a shoe, which involves inserting a waterproof water-vapour-permeable liner inside the shoe, filling the liner with water and measuring the amount of water lost in a given time by transmission through the walls of the liner and the shoe.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for leak testing waterproof footwear, which may be used on assembled or partially assembled items of footwear.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a test apparatus for leak-testing waterproof footwear, which comprises: footwear for sealably closing the entrance to the footwear; and of the sealed footwear item.
The invention also provides a corresponding method of leak-testing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a test apparatus inserted into a shoe for testing the waterproofness of the shoe; and
FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferably, the support means includes a foot which bears against the inside sole area of the footwear. The extension of the foot relative to the support means may be adjustable to cope with footwear items of different sizes or styles.
The collar means may be arranged so as to seal under an area of the ankle region which is tapering upwardly. In conjunction with a foot bearing against the sole of the footwear, this allows a generally upwardly directed sealing force to be applied by the collar means against the ankle region of the footwear item, thereby enhancing sealing.
Preferably, the collar means is formed of a flexible material which may be inflated under gas pressure. A duct for introducing gas pressure into the inflatable collar means is preferably included.
The means for introducing a super atmospheric pressure of gas into the interior of the sealed footwear item is preferably a further duct extending down the support means and communicating with the sealed interior of the .footwear item. The footwear is immersed in water and any leaks are indicated by bubbles of escaping gas. Alternatively a sonic probe may be used to listen for leaks.
The item of footwear may be a boot, shoe or any other waterproof item of footwear which requires testing for waterproofness.
The test apparatus shown in FIG. 1 comprises a hollow post 2 having an extendable foot 4 in screw threaded engagement with the bottom of the post so as to vary the effective length of the post.
Down the inside of the hollow post are passed a first pipe 6 and second pipe 8 fo
REFERENCES:
patent: 2054204 (1936-09-01), McDonald
patent: 3603138 (1971-09-01), Peterson
patent: 3991604 (1976-11-01), Hayes et al.
patent: 4799384 (1989-01-01), Casali
U.K. and PCT International Search Reports.
Brock Michael J.
Samuels Gary A.
W. L. Gore & Associates (UK) Ltd.
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