Shoe Customization System Having Interchangeable Platens

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016159076-A1
Application number	US-201615045665-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 17, 2016
Priority date	Jan 7, 2011
Publication date	Jun 9, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Heat press platens for a shoe customization/decoration system and a method of using the same are disclosed. The platens may be quickly interchanged to allow the same equipment to be used to dye shoes of different sizes. The platens individually accommodate a pair of assembled shoes and are shaped to: reduce print sizes, maintain symmetry and flatness of the shoe, and accommodate a range of shoe sizes. The size and shape of the platens enable one shoe to be fitted on one side of a platen and another shoe to be fitted on the opposite side. The platens position the shoes so that they are mirror images of each other. This positioning allows a single print, including mirror images of the same design, to be applied to two shoes at the same time.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A heat press device for printing a design on a pair of shoes, comprising:
a flat press surface; a first curved edge; a second curved edge opposite the first curved edge; a first connecting edge connecting the first curved edge to the second curved edge; a first shoe receiving portion configured to receive a shoe, wherein the first shoe receiving portion is bounded by part of the first curved edge, part of the second curved edge, and the first connecting edge; a second shoe receiving portion configured to receive a shoe, wherein the second shoe receiving portion is disposed opposite the first shoe receiving portion; and a first piston spring tensioner disposed on the first shoe receiving portion; and a second piston spring tensioner disposed on the second shoe receiving portion.

2 . The heat press device according to claim 1 , wherein the first piston spring tensioner comprises a first rod and the second piston spring tensioner comprises a second rod.

3 . The heat press device according to claim 2 , wherein the first piston spring tensioner comprises a first piston head and the second piston spring tensioner comprises a second piston head.

4 . The heat press device according to claim 3 , wherein the first piston spring tensioner comprises a first spring and the second piston spring tensioner comprises a second spring.

5 . The heat press device according to claim 4 , wherein first spring is disposed on the first rod and the second spring is disposed on the second rod.

6 . The heat press device according to claim 2 , wherein the first rod extends in a direction parallel with the first connecting edge and the second rod extends in a direction parallel to the second connecting edge.

7 . The heat press device according to claim 1 , wherein the first curved edge and the second curved edge are curved in substantially the same direction.

8 . The heat press device according to claim 1 , wherein the first curved edge is longer than the second curved edge.

9 . A heat press device for printing a design on a pair of shoes, comprising:
a flat press surface; a first edge; a second edge opposite the first edge; a third edge connecting the first edge to the second edge; a fourth edge opposite the third edge, wherein the distance between the third edge and the fourth edge tapers from the first edge to the second edge; a first shoe receiving portion configured to receive a shoe, wherein the first shoe receiving portion is bounded by part of the first edge, part of the second edge, and the third edge; a first piston spring tensioner disposed on the first shoe receiving portion; and a second piston spring tensioner disposed on the second shoe receiving portion.

10 . The heat press device according to claim 9 , wherein the first piston spring tensioner comprises a first rod, extending in a direction parallel with the third edge, and
wherein the second piston spring tensioner comprises a second rod extending in a direction parallel to the fourth edge.

11 . The heat press device according to claim 10 , wherein the first piston spring tensioner comprises a first piston head and the second piston spring tensioner comprises a second piston head.

12 . The heat press device according to claim 11 , wherein the first piston head extends past the second edge.

13 . The heat press device according to claim 10 , wherein the first piston spring tensioner comprises a first spring disposed on the first rod and the second piston spring tensioner comprises a second spring disposed on the second rod.

14 . The heat press device according to claim 11 , further comprising:
a first protrusion disposed on the first edge; and a quick connect mechanism disposed on the first protrusion and designed to connect the heat press device to a heat press machine.

15 . A kit of parts, comprising:
a first heat press device, comprising:
a first flat press surface;
a first curved edge;
a second curved edge opposite the first curved edge;
a first connecting edge connecting the first curved edge to the second curved edge;
a first shoe receiving portion configured to receive a shoe, wherein the first shoe receiving portion is bounded by part of the first curved edge, part of the second curved edge, and the first connecting edge; and
a second heat press device, comprising:
a second flat press surface;
a third curved edge;
a fourth curved edge opposite the third curved edge, wherein the distance between the third curved edge and the fourth curved edge is greater than the distance between first curved edge and the second curved edge;
a second connecting edge connecting the third curved edge to the fourth curved edge; and
a second shoe receiving portion configured to receive a shoe, wherein the second shoe receiving portion is bounded by part of the third curved edge, part of the fourth curved edge, and the second connecting edge.

16 . The kit of parts according to claim 15 , wherein a length of the second connecting edge is greater than a length of the first connecting edge.

17 . The kit of parts according to claim 15 , wherein the first heat press device includes a first piston spring tensioner having a first rod and a first piston head, and
wherein the second heat press device includes a second piston spring tensioner having a second rod and a second piston head.

18 . The heat press device according to claim 17 , wherein the second rod extends beyond the first curved edge further than the first rod extends beyond the third curved edge.

19 . The heat press device according to claim 15 , wherein the first heat press device comprises:
a first protrusion disposed on the first edge; and a first quick connect mechanism disposed on the first protrusion and designed to connect the first heat press device to a heat press machine.

20 . The heat press device according to claim 19 , wherein the first heat press device comprises:
a second protrusion disposed on the third edge; and a second quick connect mechanism disposed on the second protrusion and designed to connect the second heat press device to a heat press machine.

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Leedy Gregory R

Classifications

• A43D95/14

  incorporating marking, printing, or embossing apparatus (ornamentation of shoe part blanks A43D8/16; printing per se , stamping per se B41) · CPC title

• B41F17/005 Primary

  Supports for workpieces; Devices for securing the workpieces to the supports · CPC title

• B29C65/56

  using mechanical means {or mechanical connections, e.g. form-fits} · CPC title

• A43B3/0084 Primary

  Arrangement of flocked decoration on shoes · CPC title

• B32B37/10

  characterised by the pressing technique, e.g. using action of vacuum or fluid pressure · CPC title