SHOE HAVING SIMULATED FEATURES

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide for shoes having simulated features, and methods for making the same. An exemplary shoe with simulated features can comprise an upper including a toe region and a heel region, with the upper including a simulated feature and the heel region including a seam; and a sole coupled to the upper.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to shoes having simulated features, and methods of making the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A typical shoe, e.g., sneaker/trainer, is comprised of many different components. Combining these components to create the shoe requires significant labor and results in a lot of waste. This leads to increased costs for the shoe manufacturer, the shoe consumer, and society in general (e.g., as a result of the increased waste).

Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a shoe, and methods of making the same, using fewer components and resulting in less waste.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to shoes having simulated features, and methods of making the same.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a shoe with simulated features comprising: an upper including a toe region and a heel region, with the upper including a simulated feature and the heel region including a seam; and a sole coupled to the upper; wherein the simulated feature is planar to an outer surface of the upper; wherein the shoe is configured to completely cover a user's foot.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a shoe comprising: an upper including a heel region, the heel region including a seam, wherein the upper is formed of a single piece of material and the seam; a board coupled to the upper; and a sole coupled to the board; wherein the simulated feature is planar to an outer surface of the upper; wherein the shoe is configured to completely cover a user's foot.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of making a shoe with simulated features, the method comprising: printing a simulated feature on a material; cutting the material in a specified pattern, the specified pattern including a first heel portion and a second heel portion; coupling the first heel portion of the cut material to the second heel portion of the cut material to form an upper, the upper including an outer surface, an inner surface, and a mouth; and coupling the upper to a sole.

Further, with the embodiments of the present invention, shoes can be made with fewer components and, therefore, much less labor and waste. These and other advantages will be described more fully in the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary shoe with simulated features according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of an exemplary shoe with simulated features according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary heel pad according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary heel pad coupled to an exemplary shoe with simulated features according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary board of an exemplary shoe with simulated features according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary shoe with simulated perforations according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7A illustrates an exemplary material including simulated features which has been cut in a specified outline according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7B illustrates an exemplary material including a plurality of outlines according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of an exemplary upper portion including simulated features being coupled to an exemplary board according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of an exemplary upper portion without simulated features being coupled to an exemplary board according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of an exemplary upper portion including simulated features being coupled to an exemplary sole according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary material, including simulated features, which has been cut in a specified outline according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary material, including simulated features, which has been cut in a specified outline according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary material, including simulated features, which has been cut in a specified outline according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary material, including simulated features, which has been cut in a specified outline according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a pair of exemplary material, including simulated features, which have been cut in a specified outline, according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Some aspects of the disclosure are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and are for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the disclosure. In this regard, the description, taken with the drawings, makes apparent to those skilled in the art how aspects of the disclosure may be practiced.

One example embodiment of a shoe with simulated features according to the present disclosure is illustrated in FIG. 1 and indicated generally by reference number 100. Although FIG. 1 illustrates one example embodiment, it should be understood that the teachings of this disclosure are not limited to the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the shoe 100 is a footwear article that can include an upper 102 and a sole 104 coupled to the upper 102. The upper 102 can include at least one simulated feature. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper 102 can include simulated laces 106, a simulated tongue 108, a simulated material 110, simulated stitching 112, and a simulated overlay 114. The simulated features 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 can give the shoe 100 the appearance of having certain raised three-dimensional features (e.g., shoelaces, a tongue, a certain material, stitching, overlay, etc.) that are not physically present on the shoe 100 but are actually flat and planar to the outer surface of the upper 102. For example, the simulated laces 106 can be printed on the shoe 100 to simulate the appearance of shoelaces for tying the shoe 100, although the shoe 100 does not have any physical shoelaces. The simulated material 110 can create an appearance of a textured material, such as mesh, on the upper 102 of the shoe 100, wherein the simulated material 110 is distinct from the material of the upper 102. Simulated material 110 may simulate a variety of materials, including but not limited to, denim, suede, leather, canvas, etc. The simulated overlay 114 can provide the shoe 100 with an appearance of a multi-piece construction. For example, upper 102 can be formed from a single piece of material and simulated overlay 114 makes an impression that the shoe 100 is formed from a plurality of pieces of material. Further, by implementing at least one of the simulated features 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, the shoe 100 can be made with much less labor and waste.

The sole 104 can include a midsole 116 and an outsole 118. Midsole 116 can provide cushioning and shock absorption. Outsole 118 is distal to the midsole 116 such that the outsole 118 is the portion of the shoe 100 that touches a surface, e.g., the ground. The sole 104 can be composed of polyurethane. In some embodiments, the sole 104 can be composed of rubber, polyvinyl chloride, or a variety of other suitable materials. In some embodiments, the sole 104 can be composed of a water-resistant or water-proof material.

The upper 102 can include a toe region 120 and a heel region 122. As shown in FIG. 2, the heel region 122 can include a seam 124. Seam 124 can be disposed at the heel region 122 of the shoe 100 and substantially along a centerline of the shoe 100. Alternatively, seam 124 can be disposed at the toe region 120. In some embodiments, seam 124 can be disposed substantially offset from the centerline of the shoe 100. The seam 124 may be disposed at various other locations of the shoe 100.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the simulated material 110 can create an appearance of a patterned fabric material on the upper 102 of the shoe 100. For example, the simulated material 110 can simulate an animal-print patterned fabric. The simulated material 110 may simulate a variety of patterned fabrics, including but not limited to, houndstooth, camouflage, plaid, etc.

The upper 102 of shoe 100 can be composed of a spacer fabric (e.g., fabric including two outer layers and an intermediate connecting layer). The spacer fabric can be selected based on its fabric weight, yarn, stretch, and/or sheen. In some embodiments, the spacer fabric can be a polyester material. For example, the polyester material can be composed of yarn that is obtained from recycled plastic bottles to achieve a desired fabric weight, yarn, stretch, and/or sheen.

As shown in FIG. 1, the shoe 100 can be a footwear article that provides a complete covering for a foot not reaching above the ankle. In some embodiments, shoe 100 can be a slip-on shoe (e.g., a footwear article without a fastener, such as a shoe without shoelaces). In some embodiments, shoe 100 can be a sneaker that is typically worn for sports or casual occasions.

The upper 102 can include a mouth 126. The mouth 126 can be adjacent to the heel region 122 and provide an opening that allows a foot to be inserted into the shoe 100. The shoe 100 can include a collar binding 128 coupled to the mouth 126 of the upper 102. In some embodiments, the collar binding 128 can be coupled to the mouth 126 via stitching or sewing. In some embodiments, the collar binding 128 can be composed of nylon. However, it will be appreciated that a variety of materials are suitable for the collar binding 128. In some embodiments, the collar in the collar binding 128 can bound by a thin Lycra fabric that is folded over the edge to “finish” the shoe 100 and creates a comfortable accessory that does not irritate the wearer. In some embodiments, the collar binding 128 can be composed of a different material than the upper 102. Alternatively, the collar binding 128 can be composed of the same material as the upper 102.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary heel pad 130 that may be included in shoe 100. FIG. 4 depicts heel pad 130 coupled to shoe 100. Heel pad 130 can include a first side edge 132, a second side edge 134, an upper edge 136, and a lower edge 138. Side edges 132 and 134 can be substantially flat whereas other edges of heel pad 130, for example, upper edge 136, are substantially curved. In some embodiments, all edges 132, 134, 136, 138 can be substantially flat. Heel pad 130 can be coupled to the heel region 122 of the upper 102 of the shoe 100. Specifically, heel pad 130 can be coupled to an inner surface 140 of the upper 102. In an exemplary embodiment, heel pad 130 can be coupled to upper 102 via stitching or sewing at each of the edges 132, 134, 136, 138. In some embodiments, the first edge 132 of heel pad 130 can be coupled to heel region 122 of the upper 102 at a stitching 142 (as shown in FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 4, the collar binding 128 can also be coupled to the heel pad 130. In some embodiments, the heel pad 130 can be composed of the same material as the upper 102.

As shown in FIG. 5, the shoe 100 can include a board 144 (e.g., strobel board) that includes an outer surface 146 and is coupled to the upper 102. The upper 102 can be coupled to the board 144 via stitching and/or sewing to form a sock that may encase a foot. The board 144 can be composed of a non-woven fabric. In some embodiments, the board 144 is composed of a thin cloth material, ethel vinyl acetate, or other suitable materials. The outer surface 146 of the board 144 can be coupled to the sole 104 using an adhesive material. In some embodiments, the adhesive material can include glue, cement, or other suitable adhesive materials (e.g., water-based solvents).

FIG. 6 depicts a shoe 600 that can include an upper 602 that includes simulated perforations 648. Simulated perforations 648 can generate the appearance of the shoe 600 having certain features that are not physically present on the shoe 600 but are actually flat and planar to the outer surface of the upper 602. For example, the simulated perforations 648 can simulate the appearance of perforations or eyelets in the material of the upper 602, although upper 602 of the shoe 600 does not have any physical perforations or eyelets. For example, the shoe 600 can be formed from a continuous material, without eyelets or perforations. Further, by implementing the simulated perforations 648, the shoe 600 can be made with much less labor and waste.

An exemplary method of making a shoe having simulated features is described with reference to FIGS. 7A-15 and continued reference to the preceding figures. The method can include printing a simulated feature on a material, where the material is subsequently used to form the upper 102 of the shoe 100. The simulated feature can include at least one of simulated features 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, and 648. The simulated feature (e.g., 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, and/or 648) may be printed directly onto the material using a large format printer (e.g., roll-to-roll printer) and ink. In some embodiments, the material can be spacer fabric and can be composed of yarn from recycled plastic bottles.

The method can further include cutting the material in a specified pattern, or outline 150, shown in FIG. 7A. In this regard, the material can include a plurality of outlines 150, as shown in FIG. 7B. The outline 150 can include a first heel portion 152 and a second heel portion 154. After the material is cut according to the outline 150, the first heel portion 152 of the cut material can be coupled to the second heel portion 154 of the cut material to form the upper 102 (e.g., laser cutter). The outline 150 can be specified such that the upper 102 is formed from a single piece of material (e.g., the material within the outline 150) with only one stitching and/or sewing operation to couple the first heel portion 152 to the second heel portion 154. In an exemplary embodiment, the first heel portion 152 can be coupled to the second heel portion 154 via sewing and/or stitching to create the seam 124, shown in FIG. 2.

The method can also include coupling heel pad 130 to the inner surface 140 of the upper 102. Coupling may include sewing, stitching, or other suitable means of fastening (e.g., direct attach, vulcanization of parts, etc.). Coupling heel pad 130 to the inner surface 140 of the upper 102 can include stitching the upper edge 136 of the heel pad 130 to the mouth 126 of the upper 102, stitching the first edge 132 to the heel region 122 of the upper 102 at stitching 142, and stitching the second edge 134 to the heel region 122 of the upper 102.

Next, the collar binding 128 can be coupled to the upper 102. Specifically, the collar binding 128 can be coupled to the mouth 126 of the upper 102 via stitching. The board 144 can be coupled to the bottom of the upper 102 to form a sock 800, as shown in FIG. 8. Coupling the board 144 to the upper 102 may include sewing, stitching, or other suitable means of fastening the board 144 to the upper 102. FIG. 8 depicts a portion of shoe 100 (e.g., sock 800) where the heel pad 130 can be coupled to the upper 102 at stitching 142, the collar binding 128 is coupled to the mouth 126, and the board 144 is coupled to the upper 102.

The sole 104 can then be coupled to the upper 102. In an exemplary embodiment, the sole 104 can be coupled to the sock 800 portion of the shoe 100 depicted in FIG. 8. Specifically, the sole 104 can be coupled to the board 144 via an adhesive material. In some embodiments, the method can include applying the adhesive material, such as cement or glue, to the board 144 that is coupled to the upper 102. Alternatively, the adhesive material can be applied to the sole 104. In some embodiments, the sole 104 can be pre-treated with the adhesive material. In some embodiments, the sole 104 can be coupled to the upper 102 with heat and pressure. In this regard, the sole 104 can be pre-treated with cement, heated to approximately 400° Fahrenheit, and then pressure (e.g., 20 bar of hydraulic pressure) can be applied with a machine (e.g., sole press) to make sure the sole 104 and the upper 102 are securely adhered together.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, a sock portion 900 of shoe 100 can be optionally formed without printing simulated features on the material, such that the upper 902 does not include simulated features (e.g., 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, and/or 648). Alternatively, the simulated features can be printed on the material after the upper 902 is formed.

After the upper 102 is coupled to the sole 104, the shoe 100 is allowed to set and/or cool. After the shoe 100 is sufficiently set and/or cooled (e.g., so that the cement cures properly), the shoe 100 can be packaged. FIG. 10 depicts a shoe 100 that is ready for packaging.

FIGS. 11-15 depict alternative outlines 150 that can be used to form upper 102 that include various simulated features (e.g., 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, and/or 648). FIG. 15 depicts a pair of outlines 150 that can be used to create a pair of shoes 100.

Although the example embodiments described above are specific to shoes, it should be understood that the teachings of the present disclosure are applicable to any footwear articles, including boots and heels, and are therefore not limited to shoes.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A shoe with simulated features comprising:

an upper including a toe region and a heel region, the upper including a simulated feature, the heel region including a seam; and

a sole coupled to the upper;

wherein the simulated feature is planar to an outer surface of the upper;

wherein the shoe is configured to completely cover a user's foot.

2. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the simulated feature includes an appearance of a feature that is not physically present on the shoe.

3. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the simulated feature includes at least one of simulated laces, simulated perforations, a simulated multi-piece construction, a simulated material, a simulated tongue, and simulated stitching.

4. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the simulated feature is printed on the upper.

5. The shoe according to claim 1, further comprising a heel pad coupled to the heel region of the upper.

6. The shoe according to claim 5, wherein the heel pad is coupled to the upper via stitching.

7. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the sole includes a midsole and an outsole.

8. The shoe according to claim 1, further comprising a strobel board coupled to the upper and the sole.

9. The shoe according to claim 7, wherein the strobel board is made from a non-woven fabric.

10. The shoe according to claim 7, wherein the stobel board is coupled to the upper and the sole via cement.

11. The shoe according to claim 7, wherein the strobel board is sewn to the upper.

12. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the upper is a polyester material.

13. The shoe according to claim 12, wherein the polyester material includes yarn from recycled plastic bottles.

14. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the upper is a spacer fabric.

15. The shoe according to claim 1, further comprising a collar binding coupled to the upper.

16. The shoe according to claim 15, wherein the collar binding is a nylon material.

17. The shoe according to claim 15, wherein the collar binding is coupled to the upper via stitching.

18. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the upper further comprises a mouth.

19. The shoe according to claim 18, further comprising a collar binding coupled to the mouth of the upper.

20. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the shoe is a sneaker.

21. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the shoe is a slip-on shoe.

22. A method of making a shoe with simulated features, the method comprising:

printing a simulated feature on a material;

cutting the material in a specified pattern, the specified pattern including a first heel portion and a second heel portion;

coupling the first heel portion of the cut material to the second heel portion of the cut material to form an upper, the upper including an outer surface, an inner surface, and a mouth; and

coupling the upper to a sole.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising coupling a heel pad to the inner surface of the upper.

24. The method according to claim 22, further comprising coupling a collar binding to the mouth of the upper.

25. The method according to claim 22, further comprising coupling a strobel board to the upper.

26. The method according to claim 22, further comprising applying cement to the upper.

27. The method according to claim 22, wherein the sole is pre-treated with cement.

28. The method according to claim 22, wherein coupling the upper to a sole includes coupling the upper to the sole via heat and pressure.

29. A shoe comprising:

an upper including a heel region, the heel region including a seam, wherein the upper is formed of a single piece of material and the seam;

a board coupled to the upper; and

a sole coupled to the board;

wherein the simulated feature is planar to an outer surface of the upper;

wherein the shoe is configured to completely cover a user's foot.