Method Of Custom Fitting An Article Of Footwear And Apparatus Including A Container

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016286907-A1
Application number	US-201615186091-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 17, 2016
Priority date	Sep 18, 2009
Publication date	Oct 6, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method and kit for custom fitting an article of footwear is disclosed. A container holding the article of footwear includes a steaming apparatus that allows a customer to subject the article of footwear to steam. The article of footwear is placed within the steaming apparatus to subject the article of footwear to steam. The method can include cooling the article of footwear on the customer's foot to custom fit the article of footwear.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A steaming apparatus for custom fitting an article of footwear comprising:
a container including an interior portion bounded by a bottom portion and a top portion; the interior portion of the container being sized and dimensioned to receive an article of footwear, wherein the article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure; the bottom portion including a lower surface, the lower surface comprising a plurality of apertures, the plurality of apertures providing fluid communication between an external steam source and the interior portion; wherein the top portion is releasably engaged to the bottom portion; wherein the container has an open position and a closed position; and the plurality of apertures being configured to create a steam environment in the container when the container is in the closed position.

2 . The steaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures are centrally located in the lower surface.

3 . The steaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures are positioned to form a substantially geometric pattern.

4 . The steaming apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of apertures are positioned to form a substantially circular pattern.

5 . The steaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the container is a steam tray.

6 . The steaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the top portion is engaged to the bottom portion in the closed position.

7 . The steaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the top portion is disengaged from the bottom portion in the open position.

8 . A kit for custom fitting articles of footwear comprising:
a steaming apparatus and a first article of footwear, the first article of footwear including an upper and a sole structure; the steaming apparatus comprising a container, the container including a bottom portion and a top portion; the container having an open position and a closed position; the container including an interior that is sized and dimensioned to receive at least the first article of footwear, the first article of footwear being packaged within the container; the bottom portion including a lower surface, the lower surface comprising a plurality of apertures, the plurality of apertures being configured to provide fluid communication with a source of steam; and the steaming apparatus being configured to subject the first article of footwear to a steam environment when the container is in the closed position and when steam enters through the plurality of apertures.

9 . The kit of claim 8 , further comprising a second article of footwear, the interior of the container being sized and dimensioned to receive both the first article of footwear and second article of footwear.

10 . The kit of claim 8 , wherein the top portion is releasably engaged to the bottom portion using a hinge.

11 . The kit of claim 8 , wherein the top portion is detachable from the bottom portion.

12 . The kit of claim 8 , wherein the bottom portion containing the plurality of apertures is disposed on an opposite side of the container from the top portion, and wherein the plurality of apertures provide access to the interior of the container.

13 . The kit of claim 8 , wherein the container is a steam tray.

14 . A method of using a kit for custom fitting articles of footwear, the kit including a steaming apparatus and a first article of footwear, the steaming apparatus including a bottom portion with a lower surface, the lower surface having a plurality of apertures, the first article of footwear comprising an upper and a sole structure that is more rigid than the upper, the method comprising the steps of:
positioning the first article of footwear within the steaming apparatus; and placing the steaming apparatus containing the first article of footwear over a source of steam, permitting fluid communication between the source of steam and an interior of the steaming apparatus, thereby subjecting the first article of footwear to a steam environment.

15 . The method according to claim 14 , further including a step of engaging a top portion to the bottom portion, thereby transitioning the steaming apparatus from an open position to a closed position.

16 . The method according to claim 14 , further including a step of aligning the plurality of holes with the source of steam.

17 . The method according to claim 14 , further including a step of aligning the first article of footwear with the plurality of holes.

18 . The method according to claim 14 , further including the step of removing the first article of footwear from the steam environment, then inserting a foot into the first article of footwear thereby allowing the first article of footwear to conform to a shape of the foot.

19 . The method according to claim 14 , further including the step of enclosing the first article of footwear within the steaming apparatus by covering the bottom portion with a top portion.

20 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein the steaming apparatus is a container sized and dimensioned to receive both the first article of footwear and a second article of footwear, the second article of footwear being complementary to the first article of footwear.

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Baker Brian D
• Baudouin Alexandre
• Dieter William M

Classifications

• A43D95/12 Primary

  Devices for conditioning, tempering, or moistening (preparatory to pulling-over or lasting A43D11/14) · CPC title

• B65D43/16

  hinged for upward or downward movement · CPC title

• B65D85/187

  for footwear · CPC title

• B65D2205/02

  Venting holes · CPC title

• A43D63/00

  Machines for carrying-out other finishing operations · CPC title