Portable Steaming System for Articles of Footwear

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016273152-A1
Application number	US-201514663189-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 19, 2015
Priority date	Mar 19, 2015
Publication date	Sep 22, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A steaming system includes a housing with a lid, a steaming compartment, and a heating chamber. The system also includes provisions for generating steam and exposing articles to the steam. Articles of apparel, including articles of footwear, may be placed in steaming system to help customize the articles of apparel for a user's fit and comfort. The steaming system can be configured to be portable and carried by a person.

First claim

1 . A man-portable steaming system, comprising:
a housing, wherein the housing is dimensioned so as to be carried by a person; the housing comprising a weight configured to be moved by a person; a compartment configured to receive one or more articles of apparel; the housing including a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a lid; wherein the compartment includes a first recess disposed adjacent to the first sidewall and a second recess disposed adjacent to the second sidewall; wherein the lid includes a first ledge portion and a second ledge portion; wherein the first ledge portion of the lid is configured to rest on the first recess and the second ledge portion of the lid is configured to rest on the second recess in a closed state of the housing; a heating chamber configured to provide steam to the compartment; and a power cord.

2 . The steaming system according to claim 1 , further comprising a portable and refillable container, and wherein the container is configured to supply water to the steaming system.

3 . The steaming system according to claim 1 , wherein the first recess has a first depth that is substantially similar to a first thickness of the first ledge portion, and wherein the first recess is configured to receive the first ledge portion such that the lid is substantially level with the top portion of the housing when the housing is in the closed state.

4 . The steaming system according to claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises a first wall joined to a second wall, and wherein the first wall includes the first ledge portion and the second ledge portion.

5 . The steaming system according to claim 2 , wherein the water utilized by the steaming system includes tap water.

6 . The steaming system according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of rails, the plurality of rails configured to receive one or more articles for steaming.

7 . A steaming system, comprising:
a housing, the housing including a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a front wall, a rear wall, a top portion, a lid, and a base portion; wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the front wall, and the rear wall are each attached to the base portion; wherein the housing includes an open state and a closed state; wherein the lid comprises a first wall and a second wall; wherein the lid includes a bent region, and wherein the first wall and the second wall are joined together along the bent region; wherein the second wall is joined to the top portion by a hinge portion; wherein the lid is raised to form a first opening and a second opening when the housing is in the open state; wherein the second wall of the lid directly contacts and rests upon the top portion of the housing in the open state; wherein the first opening is disposed along a plane associated with the front wall; wherein the second opening is disposed along a plane associated with the top portion; a compartment configured to receive one or more articles of apparel; a heating chamber configured to provide steam to the compartment; and wherein the steam evacuates the compartment through the first opening and the second opening when the housing is in the open state.

8 . The steaming system according to claim 7 , wherein the lid is substantially L-shaped.

9 . The steaming system according to claim 7 , wherein the second wall of the lid comprises a portion of the top portion of the housing when the housing is in the closed state.

10 . The steaming system according to claim 9 , wherein the first wall of the lid comprises a portion of the front wall when the housing is in the closed state.

11 . The steaming system according to claim 7 , further comprising an operations panel, wherein the operations panel includes a button, wherein the button is configured to start a steaming cycle when the button is pressed.

12 . The steaming system according to claim 11 , wherein the steaming system is configured to automatically turn off at the end of the steaming cycle.

13 . The steaming system according to claim 10 , wherein the heating chamber includes a heating element submerged in water.

14 . A steaming system, comprising:
a housing, the housing including a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a base portion; wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the front wall, and the rear wall are each attached to the base portion; a steaming compartment configured to receive one or more articles of apparel; the base portion including a heating chamber configured to heat water and provide steam to the steaming compartment; a plurality of rails, the plurality of rails including a first rail; the first rail extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall; the first rail being configured to receive at least a portion of one or more articles of apparel; a plurality of sleeves, the plurality of sleeves including a first sleeve; the first rail being disposed within the first sleeve; and wherein the first sleeve is configured to protect the first rail.

15 . The steaming system according to claim 14 , wherein the heating chamber further comprises a heating element.

16 . The steaming system according to claim 14 , further comprising a perforated plate, wherein the perforated plate is disposed between the heating chamber and the steaming compartment, wherein the perforated plate includes a plurality of perforations, and wherein the perforations are configured to provide fluid communication between the heating chamber and the steaming compartment.

17 . The steaming system according to claim 14 , wherein the plurality of sleeves are configured to be readily removable and replaceable.

18 . The steaming system according to claim 17 , wherein the plurality of rails are configured to be readily removable and replaceable.

19 . The steaming system according to claim 17 , wherein the first sleeve is configured to prevent contact between an article placed within the steaming compartment and the first rail.

20 . The steaming system according to claim 14 , wherein the plurality of rails includes a first rail and a second rail, and wherein the first rail and the second rail are arranged so as to provide a stable surface for an article of apparel.

21 . The steaming system according to claim 15 , wherein the heating chamber further includes a compartment for holding the water, and wherein the heating element is in direct contact with the water.

22 . The steaming system according to claim 15 , wherein the steaming system includes a button and wherein the water is heated to a predefined temperature of at least 100 degrees Celsius when the button is pressed.

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Farris Bryan N

Classifications

• D06F73/00 Primary

  Apparatus for smoothing or removing creases from garments or other textile articles by formers, cores, stretchers, or internal frames, with the application of heat or steam  (combined with external pressure means D06F71/00) · CPC title

• A43D11/00

  Machines for preliminary treatment or assembling of upper-parts, counters, or insoles on their lasts preparatory to the pulling-over or lasting operations; Applying or removing protective coverings · CPC title

• A47B61/04

  for shoes, hats, umbrellas, or the like {(shoe racks as an implement for the manufacture of shoes A43D117/00)} · CPC title

• A47L23/20

  Devices or implements for drying footwear, also with heating arrangements (cabinets for shoes A47B61/04) · CPC title

• D06F58/10

  Drying cabinets or drying chambers having heating or ventilating means · CPC title