EP1421870A1

EP1421870A1 - A reinforcement fitting for shoes in general and a method for the production thereof

Info

Publication number: EP1421870A1
Application number: EP02425718A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alessio Migliorati; Armido Cremaschi
Original assignee: Ciscal SpA; Step-in Srl
Current assignee: Ciscal SpA; Step-in Srl
Priority date: 2002-11-22
Filing date: 2002-11-22
Publication date: 2004-05-26

Abstract

The invention relates to a reinforcement fitting for the middle part and the instep of a footwear item comprising an insert (1) in the form of an elongate, substantially shell-like hollow body (2), whose the side intended for facing the insole of said footwear item is open. The hollow body (2) is shaped after the footwear item itself and has suitable dimensions to fit inside said footwear item in substantial contact with the middle or instep part.

Description

Field of Application

The present invention broadly relates to the packaging of footwear items and such like.
In particular, the invention relates to a reinforcement fitting for shoes in general and a method for the production thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to a reinforcement fitting suitable for supporting and keeping the middle part and/or the so-called instep of the footwear item in which it is to be removably inserted. Throughout the following description and claims, said reinforcement fitting will also be referred to as the "insert" (reckoned as tile" in the specific jargon).

Prior Art

As it is well known, footwear item packaging generally implies the use of a deformable support to be inserted in the front part of the footwear item, in particular in the front or "toe" part of a shoe, so as to maintain a shape conforming the original model. In fact, the toe of a footwear item is recognized to be crucial to the item appearance, and it is on this account that great care is taken, especially at the packaging stage, not to get it out of shape.
The deformable support employed for the purpose is commonly a piece of tissue paper that is crumbled up so as to match, approximately, the interior shape of the toe end of the footwear item.
However, it is a recognized fact that the effectiveness of such a deformable reinforcement, roughly fashioned and hurrily fit, tends to be poor. In addition, the crumbled up paper , once in the footwear item, acts as a support only for the toe region of a shoe, where a reinforcing element has already been provided, and leaves the softer region of the shoe, i.e. the middle part and the so-called instep, unsupported.
In order to make a proper support also for the middle part and the instep region, several (at least three per shoe) paper sheets would have to be used, thus adding to cost and processing time.
Furthermore, the paper used as a reinforcement, is almost invariably discarded by the buyer of the footwear item, because unsuitable for reuse.
The underlying technical problem of this invention is to provide a reinforcement fitting for footwear items, in particular a reinforcement fitting for the middle part and/or the instep region of a shoe, with constructional and functional features appropriate to support said part and preserve its shape as designed.

Summary of the Invention

The technical problem is solved, according to the invention, by a reinforcement fitting for at least either the middle part or the instep region of a footwear item, characterized in that it comprises an insert in the form of an elongate, substantially shell-like hollow body,whose side oriented toward the insole of said footwear item is open, said insert being shaped after the footwear item interior and having suitable dimensions to fit inside said footwear item in substantial contact with said part.
Advantageously, the shell-like open hollow body of said insert is thermoformed onto a mould/shape, with a suitable sheet or plate ofplastic material of predetermined thickness.
The invention further relates to a method for making this reinforcement fitting, and to a mould for implementing the method.
The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a reinforcement fitting embodying it, given by way of non-limitative example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a reinforcement fitting according to the invention adapted for reinforcing the middle part or the instep of a footwear item;
Figure 2 is a perspective view in longitudinal cross-section of the reinforcement fitting shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows schematically a mould used for making the reinforcement fitting of this invention; and
Figure 4 shows schematically a die used for making the mould of Figure 3.

Detailed Description

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a reinforcement fitting for the middle part or the instep of a footwear item, according to the invention, is generally shown at 1.
Said piece 1 basically comprises an elongate hollow insert, in the form of a shell-like body 2 having suitable dimensions to fit inside a respective shoe (not shown) substantially in close touch with the shoe instep region.
The outer surface of said shell-like body 2 is patterned after the middle part and the instep, on which it is designed to press and stretch the footwear item. The body 2 is closed at its opposite ends by front and rear walls 3 and 4, and is open on the side intended to be facing the shoe insole.
Preferably, the walls 3 and 4 are flat and they lean outwards in the direction of the open side of the hollow body. Advantageously, the rear wall 4 includes an area 5, where a reference 5a, selected among symbols, marks, inscriptions, drawings, labels or, preferably a trademark can be applied.
The length of the insert 2 may be selected to leave said rear wall 4 exposed when the reinforcement fitting 1 is in its place, so that the trademark can be fully viewed.
Advantageously in this invention, a flat appendix 6, extending from the rear wall 4 and suitably sized so as to provide a convenient grip for easily locating and removing the reinforcement fitting 1 in and out of the footwear item.
In a preferred embodiment of the reinforcement fitting 1, a rod 2a is located so as to keep the footwear item stretched once the insert is positioned.
Advantageously in this invention, the reinforcement fitting 1 is thermoformed from a sheet of a suitable plastics material of predetermined thickness (preferably about 0.5 to 1.5 mm thick) on a shape 8.
According to another aspect of this invention, a mould 7 (Figure 3) is used for this purpose, which includes a base plate 9 carrying a plurality of shapes 8. Said mould 7 has suitable dimensions to allow full use of the width of the plastic material sheet for thermoforming.
In particular, the plurality of shapes8 can be selected to match footwear requirements and its manufacturing and packaging rate.
Advantageously in this invention, one or more shapes 8 may be replaced, according to the needs, with different shapes of a larger or smaller size, once a new die is provided for cutting the scrap, by optimizing each time the layout of the shapes 8 in the mold 7.
Thus, the designing and sizing rules established for the shapes 8 give freedom of arrangement both as regards footwear sizes and the shapes 8 themselves.
In practice, the base plate 9 will always be the same, and the shapes 8 will be assembled on it removably in different combinations as required.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each new combination is planned by using CAD instruments and accurately generates a path for a cutting die 10, formed with proper openings 10a, aligned to the locations of the shapes 8, and is produced without mistakes and approximations as shown schematically in Figure 4.
Advantageously, the base plate 9 may be made of aluminum, a material that can dissipate heat quickly on account of its excellent heat conductivity, thereby shortening thermoforming time.
The shapes 8 may also be made of aluminum, but also of other metal materials or even plastic materials, as long as the latter are properly filler added in order to dissipate the heat from the thermoforming process.
The shapes 8 may be cast or machined from solid, after a CAM model is prepared for each shape size.
A shape 8 may be designed by a pattern-maker or a stylist starting from any meaningful model of the reinforcement fitting. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this shape 8 can be derived from existing shapes that have been analysed in CAD environment.
The reinforcement fitting and the relevant multi-shape mould, according to the invention, have the following advantages:
low mould designing and manufacturing cost;
high output;
manufacturing flexibility, due to the possibility of varying the thickness of the plastic sheet used for making the insert, by using the same mould;
reinforcement fittings that can be perfectly stacked so as to reduce their storage space requirements;
convenient use in packaging;
commercial value due to the possibility of showing a logo;
practical to be re-used by the buyer of the footwear item incorporating the above-described reinforcement fitting.
In addition, the design of the shape 8 for producing a respective insert (reinforcement fitting 1) allows the insert to be adjusted to fit a large number of different shoes, since its width will conform to any envelopes, adhering adequately to the inner wall of a shoe requiring reinforcement support for its middle part or instep , so that different designs will not have to be provided.
This results, of course, in a simplified management and easieruse of the reinforcing piece of this invention.
Finally, it should be noted that, as a modification of the above embodiments, the reinforcement fitting of this invention could be fashioned and sized to support only either the middle part or the instep of a footwear item.
The invention as described may be variously modified by the skilled person in the art within the scope of this invention.

Claims

A reinforcement fitting for the the middle part and/or the instep of a footwear item , characterized in that it comprises an insert (1) in the form of an elongate, substantially shell-like hollow body (2), whose side oriented toward the insole of said footwear is openitem, said hollow body (2) being shpaed after said part of the footwear item itself, and having suitable dimensions to fit inside said footwear item in substantial contact with said middle part and/or instep.
A reinforcement fitting according to Claim 1, characterized in that said hollow body (2) is shaped after, and without gaps, both said middle part and said instep of the footwear item.
A reinforcement fitting according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said elongate hollow body (2) is closed at its opposite ends by front and rear walls (3,4).
A reinforcement fitting according to Claim 3, characterized in that at least said rear wall (4) of said hollow body (2) leans outwards in the direction of the open side of said body (2).
A reinforcement fitting according to Claim 4, characterized in that said rear wall (4) includes an area (5a) suitable to receive a reference (5a) selected among symbols, marks, inscriptions, identification signs, trademarks and the like.
A reinforcement fitting according to Claim 1, characterized in that said hollow body (2) is provided with an appendix (6), forming a handle, extending from said rear wall (4) thereof.
A reinforcement fitting according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is obtained through thermoforming of an appropriate plastic material having a predetermined thickness on a shape (8).
A method for making a reinforcement fitting (1) for the middle part and/or the instep of a footwear item, characterized in that it comprises the steps of providing a mould (7) incorporating at least one shape (8), and of thermoforming thereon a sheet of an appropriate plastic material, whose thickness is at least 0.5 mm .
A method according to Claim 8, characterized in that said plastic material sheet is 0.5 to 1.5 mm thick.
A method according to Claim 9, characterized in that said shapes (8) are obtained by preparing a CAM model of each size of the shapes themselves, followed by casting or machining from solid.
A method according to Claim 9, characterized in that said shapes (8) are derived from known forms, analysed in a CAD environment.
A mould for making reinforcement fitting (1) for the middle part or the instep of a footwear item, characterized in that it comprises a base plate (9) and a plurality of shapes (8) removably assembled on said plate (9).
A mould according to Claim 12, characterized in that said base plate (9) is of aluminum.
A reinforcement fitting as described and illustrated for the specified objects.