EP3346866A1 - Inflatable shoe stuffing - Google Patents
Inflatable shoe stuffingInfo
- Publication number
- EP3346866A1 EP3346866A1 EP16766802.9A EP16766802A EP3346866A1 EP 3346866 A1 EP3346866 A1 EP 3346866A1 EP 16766802 A EP16766802 A EP 16766802A EP 3346866 A1 EP3346866 A1 EP 3346866A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- shoe
- shoe insert
- insert
- area
- section comprises
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43D—MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT OR METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING OR REPAIRING FOOTWEAR
- A43D3/00—Lasts
- A43D3/14—Stretching or spreading lasts; Boot-trees; Fillers; Devices for maintaining the shape of the shoe
- A43D3/1433—Shoe-trees
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43D—MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT OR METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING OR REPAIRING FOOTWEAR
- A43D3/00—Lasts
- A43D3/04—Pneumatic lasts; Elastic lasts
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to a shoe insert for various types of footwear; men's, women's, children's, athletic, formal, casual, boots and the like as well as other apparel accessories that may include an interior space that could become damaged during transportation, storage or handling. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a shoe insert that is made of one or more layers of plastic material such as polyethylene or polypropylene, and sealed along the end and side edges in such a manner as to allow inflation by various means.
- plastic material such as polyethylene or polypropylene
- the present invention discloses a shoe insert that is made of one or more layers of plastic material such as polyethylene or polypropylene, and sealed in such a manner as to allow inflation by various means.
- a shoe insert in one exemplary embodiment, includes a first section, central section and a back section, sized and configured to fit within a shoe.
- the shoe insert is further described as a polyethylene or polypropylene film extruded, printed, heat sealed and die cut in one single piece to match specific shoe styles and sizes as described above.
- the insert is sealed along its edges in a nearly continuous fashion other than one area where a self sealing inflation valve is provided.
- the inflation valve permits air or other gas to be inserted into the interior of the insert so as to fully inflate the insert.
- the shoe insert will be provided with a recusable inflation valve allowing the shoe insert to form fit the shoe. Additionally, a branding or customer facing capability can be printed on the inside or outside of the shoe insert. Other indicia can be provided including instructions for recycling or other marketing, promotional or use details.
- a shoe insert in a further exemplary embodiment, includes an extruded material, printed and die cut to configurations to fit within various styles of shoes, the extruded material is sealed substantially, completely around end edges. The at least one sealed area is created within an inner area of the die cut to create separation zones between each of a first, central and back sections.
- FIGURE 1 depicts a top view of the shoe insert intermediate
- FIGURE la shows a top view of the shoe insert intermediate with a portion of the matrix removed to illustrate the shoe insert configuration
- FIGURE lb provides an illustration of the removed matrix
- FIG URE 2 illustrates a top view of the shoe insert in a die cut configuration in the shape of a shoe
- FIG URE 3 provides a side elevation showing the insert in an inflated condition
- FIG URE 4 shows the insert disposed within a shoe.
- Figure 1 generally shows a non-inflated insert 8 for a shoe.
- the shoe insert 8 has a front section 10 or that portion which will fit in the "toe box", a central section 12 and a back section 14.
- the shoe insert 8 also has an inflatable bladder to provide for form fitting to the shoe which is actuated by a valve 16.
- the shoe insert 8 is made from extruded polyethylene or polypropylene film, or any other suitable material as is known in the art.
- the shoe insert 8 is made with 100% virgin polyethylene and nylon resins which are recyclable materials.
- the shoe insert 8 is recyclable.
- the insert may also be made from recycled materials.
- the shoe insert 8 While consisting of 3 sections, front 10, central 12, and back 14, the shoe insert 8 is a single piece that when inflated provides support for the shoe structure and integrity.
- the front section 10 is rounded to fit into the toe box area to help in support of this section of the shoe.
- the front section 10 is generally larger and bulbous in shape.
- the central and back sections are more narrow than the front portion.
- the central section 12 contains heat seal "dot" components 18 that force air out and up during the inflation process providing support for the shoe in the vamp and laces area. These "dot" components 18 are inserted during the die cutting process and act to direct air flow as the shoe insert 8 is being inflated via the inflation valve 16. One or more of these dots may be used to direct the orientation of the shoe insert so that the insert forms a left or right orientation upon inflation.
- the toe box or front section 12 can be pivoted about one or more of the dots 18 to change the orientation to a left or right shoe so that the insert fits within a shoe. Alternatively, the dots can be positioned on one side or the other of a center line of the insert so that the insert will automatically divert in the left or right orientation upon inflation of the insert.
- the back section 14 is cylindrical in shape to fit within the heel box and provides support for this section of the shoe.
- the back section 14 also contains the one-way inflation valve 16, or any other suitable valve as is known in the art. A user would manually inflate the inflation valve 16 or a machine could inflate the valve 16. Once inflated, the shoe insert 8 will be held in the inflated state 90 days or longer.
- the shoe inserts 8 are inflated after insertion into the shoes, however they can be inflated before insertion as well. If they are inflated before insertion, the waste 20 around the shoe insert 8 is torn off before or after inflation. The waste 20 is only present due to the tooling required to produce the shapes of the shoe insert 8 and does not impact inflation. If the shoe inserts 8 are produced in sheets of material, the entire sheet would be inflated at the same time and then the inflated shoe inserts 8 would be removed from the sheet and inserted into the shoes.
- customer facing or branded graphics, artwork, and/or messages can be printed on the inside or outside of the shoe insert 8, depending on the needs and wants of the manufacturer.
- the benefits of the shoe insert 8 are to (1) provide protection for the shoe structure and integrity during the transportation from manufacturing country of origin to retail store globally, and (2) meet or exceed packaging reduction requirements in various global geographies, and (3) provide supply chain costing savings through handling and waste disposal efficiencies.
- the parts are a single piece of polyethylene or polypropylene film, die cut to an identified size and shape not dissimilar to the shape of the inside of a shoe cavity, and a one-way inflation valve inserted in the heel portion.
- the inside of the film can be printed for branding and graphics by the brand.
- Figure la illustrates the shoe insert 8 in its intermediate condition with a portion of the matrix 26 pulled away from the die cut shape of the insert.
- the matrix is removable via a series of ties or perforations which easily separate from the die cut area of the shoe insert 8.
- the edge 13 of the shoe insert 8 is heat seal, that is two layer of plastic are sealed together to form a package that will retain the air or gas once the insert is inflated.
- Figure lb shows the matrix 26 fully removed from the shoe insert. Area or opening designated by reference numeral 28 illustrates were the valve assembly is positioned in the matrix and creates an open end for use in inflating the insert.
- Figure 2 Attention is now directed to Figure 2 in which the shoe insert 8 is shown removed from the matrix. As illustrated in Figure 1, the insert 8 has "dot" components 18 which are used to seal portions of the insert together so that the shoe insert 8 will form a right or left shoe insert due to the position or offsetting of the dots. By offsetting the dots from center one can change the orientation of the shoe insert to left or right.
- the toe box or front portion of the insert can be pivoted or shifted around the dot to form a left or right orientation.
- the dots 18 are the only other areas of the insert that are sealed together.
- FIG 3 there is shown a view of the inflated shoe insert 8.
- one heat seal dot 18 is used to direct the front portion 10 of the shoe insert 8 to a right foot configuration.
- Figure 3 also shows the valve 16.
- Figure 4 shows the show insert 8, in an inflated configuration disposed within a shoe 30.
- the insert prevents the shoe from being crushed during transit and substantially fills the interior volume 32 of the shoe.
- the insert 18 is removed from the matrix 26 at the production line.
- the insert can either be inserted into the shoe and then inflated via the valve 16 or in the alternative, the insert can be inflated first and then inserted into the shoe.
- the shoe insert of the present invention provides protection for the toe box and the shape of the shoe during transportation, shipping and handling and prevents the shoe from becoming wrinkled or collapsing during the shipment such that the shoe arrives at its intended retail destination and can be displayed for the retail consumer.
- the shoe insert of the present invention can be created in any number of sizes or styles, for men's, women's or children's shoes, boots or other footwear.
Landscapes
- Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US201562216171P | 2015-09-09 | 2015-09-09 | |
| PCT/US2016/050923 WO2017044728A1 (en) | 2015-09-09 | 2016-09-09 | Inflatable shoe stuffing |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP3346866A1 true EP3346866A1 (en) | 2018-07-18 |
Family
ID=56940454
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP16766802.9A Withdrawn EP3346866A1 (en) | 2015-09-09 | 2016-09-09 | Inflatable shoe stuffing |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20170065032A1 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP3346866A1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN107949292A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2017044728A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP3609806A1 (en) * | 2017-04-21 | 2020-02-19 | Avery Dennison Retail Information Services, LLC | Brassiere insert |
| WO2019046847A1 (en) * | 2017-09-01 | 2019-03-07 | Avery Dennison Retail Information Services, Llc | Shoe insert |
| DE102019127884A1 (en) * | 2018-11-16 | 2021-04-22 | Flöter Verpackungs-Service GmbH | Method for stabilizing the shape of shoes for transport as well as bag-like shoe insert shape stabilizing element |
| CN111602930A (en) * | 2019-02-26 | 2020-09-01 | 张瑞君 | Inflatable shoe stretcher |
| US20240324729A1 (en) * | 2023-03-30 | 2024-10-03 | Michelle Adams | Inflatable Footwear Stretcher |
Family Cites Families (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1493605A (en) * | 1921-09-03 | 1924-05-13 | George La Force | Shoe form |
| US2838872A (en) * | 1955-04-27 | 1958-06-17 | Kestral Corp | Inflatable figure toy |
| US4571853A (en) * | 1984-06-04 | 1986-02-25 | Medrano Walter A | Shoe insert |
| CN2069663U (en) * | 1989-09-15 | 1991-01-23 | 王树东 | Pneumatic lasts |
| US5769231A (en) * | 1994-07-13 | 1998-06-23 | Air-Ride Packaging Of America, Inc. | Air inflatable and deflatable end cap packaging components |
| AU2000246774A1 (en) * | 2000-04-28 | 2001-11-12 | Sealed Air Corporation | Inflatable shoe tree |
| US6971135B2 (en) * | 2004-04-28 | 2005-12-06 | World Packaging Inc. | Inflatable stuffing for footwear |
| US7395617B2 (en) * | 2004-12-16 | 2008-07-08 | Reebok International Ltd. | Air passage device for inflatable shoe bladders |
| DE202009000336U1 (en) * | 2009-01-13 | 2009-07-16 | SCHÄFER, Alfred | Shoe stretcher, expander for things of all kinds |
| CN201813961U (en) * | 2010-05-28 | 2011-05-04 | 谭凯元 | Support material for keeping shoe shape |
-
2016
- 2016-09-09 US US15/260,716 patent/US20170065032A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2016-09-09 WO PCT/US2016/050923 patent/WO2017044728A1/en not_active Ceased
- 2016-09-09 CN CN201680052044.6A patent/CN107949292A/en active Pending
- 2016-09-09 EP EP16766802.9A patent/EP3346866A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US20170065032A1 (en) | 2017-03-09 |
| WO2017044728A1 (en) | 2017-03-16 |
| CN107949292A (en) | 2018-04-20 |
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