Abstract:
A method and apparatus for custom fitting an article of footwear is disclosed. A container holding the article of footwear includes a steaming assembly that allows a customer to subject the article of footwear to steam. The method can include cooling the article of footwear on the customer&#39;s foot to custom fit the article of footwear.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/183,727, entitled “Method of Custom Fitting an Article of Footwear and Apparatus Including a Container”, filed on Jul. 15, 2011, and allowed on Nov. 16, 2011, which application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/562,904, entitled “Method of Custom Fitting an Article of Footwear and Apparatus Including a Container”, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,033,393, filed on Sep. 18, 2009, and issued on Oct. 11, 2011, which applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to a system and method of custom fitting articles, and in particular to a post-manufacturing customization system and method of custom fitting an article of footwear. 
     Methods of heating an article of footwear to mold one or more portions of the article of footwear have been previously proposed. Tuhkru et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2006/0049181) teaches a system for breaking in leather shoes. Tuhkru teaches a system that uses two bags filled with sea salt, gravel or other material that can hold heat that are heated in a microwave for several minutes. Tuhkru teaches that the bags are then placed inside of the shoes and the shoes containing the bags are then placed in a heat conservation bag. The process is completed by cooling the heated shoes on the foot. 
     Other systems and methods of molding an article of footwear to a wearer&#39;s foot have been proposed. Typically, other systems rely on a combination of heat and an applied vacuum to mold the article of footwear to the wearer&#39;s foot. The vacuum is used to apply an outside force to the article of footwear. The outside force from the vacuum presses the footwear against the wearer&#39;s foot and molds the footwear to the shape of the foot. However, these types of systems require use of a vacuum or some other apparatus to create pressure on the outside of the footwear. Thus, additional equipment not included in the container with the article of footwear must be purchased or obtained to mold the article of footwear to wearer&#39;s foot. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A method of custom fitting an article of footwear and an apparatus for custom fitting an article of footwear are disclosed. In one aspect, the invention provides a container for holding an article of footwear that can be configured as a steam tent. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a container lid comprising: a bottom portion containing holes; a first movable support; a second movable support; and a cover material disposed between the first and second movable supports to configure the container lid into a steam tent. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a kit for custom fitting an article of footwear comprising: a container; an article of footwear; and a steam tent attached to a lid of the container. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method of custom fitting an article of footwear, the method comprising: deploying a steam tent associated with a container lid; placing an article of footwear into the steam tent; and subjecting the steam tent containing the article of footwear to a source of steam. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a kit for custom fitting an article of footwear comprising: a container; and a steam tray sized and dimensioned to receive an article of footwear. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method of custom fitting an article of footwear, the method comprising: removing a steam tray from inside a container for holding an article of footwear; placing an article of footwear into the steam tray; and subjecting the steam tray containing the article of footwear to a source of steam. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a container lid having a predetermined removable area sized and dimensioned to fit a portion of an article of footwear. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a kit for custom fitting an article of footwear comprising: a container having a predetermined removable area sized and dimensioned to fit a portion of an article of footwear; and an article of footwear. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method of custom fitting an article of footwear, the method comprising: forming a hole sized and dimensioned to fit a portion of an article of footwear in a container; placing a portion of an article of footwear in contact with the hole; and subjecting the hole to a source of steam. 
     Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a container including a steam tent; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of an embodiment of an opened container with a lid containing a steam tent; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of an embodiment of a lid containing a steam tent; 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of an embodiment of a steam tent partially deployed; 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of an embodiment of a steam tent fully deployed; 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of an embodiment of a steam tent configured to receive an article of footwear; 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of an embodiment of a steam tent having an article of footwear disposed within; 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view of an embodiment of a steam tent containing an article of footwear disposed in proximity to a steam source; 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric view of an embodiment of a steam tent containing an article of footwear being subjected to steam; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a steam tent containing an article of footwear being subjected to steam; 
         FIG. 11  is an isometric view of an embodiment of an article of footwear after being subjected to steam; 
         FIG. 12  is an isometric view of an embodiment of an article of footwear receiving a foot after being subjected to steam; 
         FIG. 13  is an isometric view of an embodiment of an article of footwear after being molded; 
         FIG. 14  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a container including a steam tray; 
         FIG. 15  is an isometric view of an embodiment of an opened container including a steam tray; 
         FIG. 16  is an isometric view of an embodiment of a steam tray; 
         FIG. 17  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a steam tray; 
         FIG. 18  is an isometric view of an embodiment of a steam tray positioned to receive an article of footwear within; 
         FIG. 19  is an isometric view of an embodiment of a steam tray containing an article of footwear; 
         FIG. 20  is an isometric view of an embodiment of a steam tray containing an article of footwear disposed in proximity to a steam source; 
         FIG. 21  is an isometric view of an embodiment of a steam tray containing an article of footwear being subjected to steam; 
         FIG. 22  is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a steam tray containing an article of footwear being subjected to steam; 
         FIG. 23  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a container with a lid having a predetermined removable area; 
         FIG. 24  is an isometric view of an embodiment of an opened container with a lid having a predetermined removable area; 
         FIG. 25  is an isometric view of an embodiment of a lid having a predetermined removable area; 
         FIG. 26  is an isometric view of an embodiment of a lid having a predetermined removable area with the removable area partially removed; 
         FIG. 27  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a lid having a hole with an article of footwear positioned to be inserted into the hole; 
         FIG. 28  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a lid having an article of footwear inserted into a hole in the lid; 
         FIG. 29  is a cross sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a lid having an article of footwear inserted into a hole in the lid; 
         FIG. 30  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a lid having an article of footwear inserted into a hole in the lid disposed in proximity to a steam source; 
         FIG. 31  is a side view of an embodiment of a lid having an article of footwear inserted into a hole in the lid subjected to steam; and 
         FIG. 32  is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of an article of footwear inserted into a hole in the lid being subjected to steam. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Generally, a post-manufacturing customization system and method of custom fitting an article of footwear may be configured by providing a customer with an apparatus for steaming an article of footwear with the article of footwear in a container. 
       FIG. 1  is a view of an embodiment of a container  100  that is configured to receive an article of footwear. In some cases, the container may be a box with a detachable lid. In other cases, the container may be a box with a hinged lid. In one exemplary embodiment, article of footwear may be a shoe. However, in other embodiments, article of footwear could be any type of footwear, including, but not limited to: a running shoe, a basketball shoe, a high heel shoe, a boot, a slip-on shoe, a low top shoe, as well as other types of footwear. Additionally, while a single article of footwear is shown in the current embodiment, the same principles taught in this detailed description could be applied to a second, complementary article of footwear. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an apparatus for steaming an article of footwear may be provided within a container  100  holding the article of footwear. In this embodiment, container  100  includes a detachable lid  102 . In different embodiments, the apparatus for steaming an article of footwear may be provided in a container in various ways. In some embodiments, the apparatus for steaming an article of footwear is provided attached to a lid of the container. In a different embodiment, the apparatus for steaming an article of footwear may be provided separately in the container. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an apparatus for steaming an article of footwear  200  may be attached to a lid  102  of a container  100  for holding an article of footwear  200 . Container  100  holds article of footwear  200  and a steaming apparatus. In this embodiment, steaming apparatus is a steam tent  202  that can be attached to the container lid  102 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a steaming apparatus where steaming apparatus is a steam tent. Referring to  FIG. 3 , steam tent  202  is shown in a non-deployed position folded inside lid  102 . In one embodiment, steam tent  202  can include a bottom portion  304  arranged with holes, at least two movable supports  300 ,  302  and a cover material  306 . In one exemplary embodiment, cover material  306  is plastic sheeting. In different embodiments, cover material may be any material configured to envelop an article of footwear in a steam environment. Cover material may include, but is not limited to: plastic sheeting, metallic film, synthetic material, cloth, as well as other types of materials. In addition, in some cases, cover material may be transparent or semi-transparent. In other cases, cover material may be opaque or nontransparent. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , steam tent  202  is illustrated in a partially deployed position. In this embodiment, steam tent  202  includes a left movable support  300  and a right movable support  302 . In other embodiments, steam tent can include two or more movable supports. Right movable support  302  and left movable support  300  are raised from a non-use position. Cover material  306  can be attached to bottom portion  304  and disposed over right movable support  302  and left movable support  300 . Bottom portion  304  of steam tent  202  is provided with holes  400  for allowing steam to enter into steam tent  202  and subject article of footwear  200  to a steam environment. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a fully deployed position of steam tent  202 . Right movable support  302  and left movable support  300  are raised from non-use positions to fully deployed positions. In some embodiments, movable supports are fully deployed in an upright position. In some embodiments, movable supports may engage with bottom portion to maintain an upright position. In an exemplary embodiment, right movable support  302  and left movable support  300  may include legs  500  to hold the movable supports upright against bottom portion  304 . Cover material  306  can be disposed between fully deployed right movable support  302  and left movable support  300  to form steam tent  202 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , steam tent  202  is illustrated with a door  600 . Door  600  allows an article of footwear  200  to be inserted inside steam tent  202 . In an exemplary embodiment, door  600  may be provided along one side of steam tent  202 . In other embodiments, any entry point may be provided that allows an article of footwear to be placed in the interior of steam tent.  FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of steam tent  202  containing an article of footwear  200 . Article of footwear can be placed inside steam tent in any position. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , after article of footwear  200  is placed inside steam tent  202 , door  600  can be closed or sealed. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a source of steam  802 . In this embodiment, a source of steam  802  is a pot  800  containing boiling water. In other cases, a source of steam may be provided by introducing water to a heat source, including, but not limited to: a microwave, an oven, a stovetop, a heating coil, as well other sources of steam. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , steam tent  202  can be placed in proximity to a source of steam  802 . In this embodiment, steam tent  202  is placed over pot  800  containing boiling water. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , steam  802  enters from pot  800  into the interior of steam tent  202  through holes  400  in the bottom portion  304  of steam tent  202 . Steam  802  moves around article of footwear  200 . Steam  802  is trapped inside steam tent  202  by cover material  306 . Article of footwear  200  can be subjected to steam environment inside steam tent  202 . 
       FIGS. 11-13  illustrate an embodiment of a method of custom fitting an article of footwear. For purposes of illustration,  FIGS. 11-13  illustrate an embodiment of a method of custom fitting an article of footwear using a post-manufacturing customization system. However, the method of custom fitting an article of footwear described herein may be performed on an article of footwear subjected to a steam environment by any method. 
     Some embodiments may include provisions for instructing a user about how to customize an article of footwear. Generally, a set of instructions may be supplied in any format. In some cases, the set of instructions may be a printed copy of instructions. In one exemplary embodiment, instructions for custom fitting an article of footwear can be provided as a booklet within the container. In different embodiments, instructions for custom fitting an article of footwear may be provided in the container in various ways, including, but not limited to: as an instruction sheet, booklet, diagram or other printed material. In other embodiments, instructions for custom fitting an article of footwear may be printed on a container lid. In some cases, instructions for custom fitting an article of footwear may be printed on a steaming apparatus. In an exemplary embodiment instructions may be printed on a bottom portion, a top portion or both of a steam tray. In another exemplary embodiment, instructions may be printed on a cover material of a steam tent. In different embodiments, instructions may be provided both in the container and on a steaming apparatus. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , an article of footwear  200  is shown that has been subjected to a steam environment according to an exemplary embodiment. Article of footwear may be subjected to steam environment for a specified duration of time. The duration of time may vary and allows article of footwear to be exposed to steam environment for a sufficient amount of time to become moldable. In some cases, the duration of time may vary depending on the type of article of footwear. In other cases, the duration of time may vary depending on the size of article of footwear or may be the same for all types of article of footwear. As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , article of footwear  200  is removed from the steam environment and readied for a foot  1100  to be inserted. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , an embodiment of custom fitting an article of footwear to a foot is shown. As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , after article of footwear  200  is removed from the steam environment, foot  1100  is inserted into article of footwear  200 . In some cases, a foot may be kept inside article of footwear for a predetermined amount of time sufficient to allow article of footwear to conform to the shape and contours of the foot. Article of footwear can be composed of a moldable material that can stretch or shrink to assume a customized shape. Moldable material allows article of footwear to be custom fitted to a foot as the article of footwear cools. Moldable material may be any material that becomes pliable at an elevated temperature and is capable of retaining a shape as it cools. In some embodiments, the moldable material may be synthetic leather. In some cases, article of footwear may contain multiple moldable materials with different properties, including, but not limited to: pliability, temperature at which it becomes moldable, hardness, as well as other characteristics. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an article of footwear that has been custom fitted to a foot. As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , custom-fitted article of footwear  1300  retains its shape and contours molded from contact with the foot after the foot is removed from article of footwear  1300 . The method of custom fitting an article of footwear results in an article of footwear  1300  that closely fits the shape and contour of the foot that was inserted in article of footwear  1300  while it cooled. 
       FIGS. 14-22  illustrate another embodiment of an apparatus for steaming an article of footwear. Referring to  FIG. 14 , an apparatus for steaming an article of footwear may be included in a container  100  for holding an article of footwear. The container  100  holds an article of footwear and steaming apparatus. As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , in this embodiment, steaming apparatus is a steam tray  1500  that is provided in the container  100  for holding an article of footwear  200 . In this embodiment, article of footwear  200  can be packaged inside steam tray  1500  in container  100 . In other embodiments, article of footwear and steam tray may be packaged separately in the container. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a steaming apparatus where steaming apparatus is a steam tray. Referring to  FIG. 16 , steam tray  1500  sized and dimensioned to receive an article of footwear  200  can be included inside a container. In some embodiments, the steam tray may be held by a sleeve while in the container. In other embodiments, a sleeve may not be included to hold the steam tray. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates an embodiment of steam tray  1500 . In this embodiment steam tray  1500  can include a bottom portion  1700  and a top portion  1702 . Bottom portion  1700  is provided with holes  1704  for allowing steam to enter into steam tray  1500  and subject an article of footwear to a steam environment. In some cases, bottom portion may be metal. In other cases, bottom portion may be plastic. In one embodiment, top portion  1702  is releasably engaged to bottom portion  1700 . In some embodiments, top portion may be detachable from bottom portion. In other embodiments, top portion may be attached to bottom portion. In some cases, top portion may be rigid. In other cases, top portion may be a sheet or film. In addition, in some cases, top portion may be transparent or semi-transparent. In other cases, top portion may be opaque or nontransparent. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 18 and 19 , steam tray  1500  can be sized and dimensioned to receive an article of footwear  200 . In some cases, a steam tray may be provided of a size and dimension to receive a specific type of article of footwear. In other cases, a steam tray is sized and dimensioned to receive multiple types of article of footwear. As illustrated in  FIG. 18 , bottom portion  1700  of steam tray  1500  receives article of footwear  200 . Referring to  FIG. 19 , top portion  1702  is placed over bottom portion  1700  to enclose article of footwear  200  within steam tray  1500 . Article of footwear may be placed into the bottom portion of steam tray in any position. 
       FIGS. 20-22  illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a steam tray containing an article of footwear subjected to a steam environment. Referring to  FIG. 20 , steam tray  1500  can be placed in proximity to a source of steam  802 . As illustrated in  FIG. 21 , in this embodiment, steam tray  1500  is placed over a pot  800  containing boiling water. As illustrated in  FIG. 22 , steam  802  enters from pot  800  into the interior of steam tray  1500  through holes  1704  in the bottom portion  1700  of steam tray  1500 . Steam  802  moves around article of footwear  202 . Steam  802  is trapped inside steam tray  1500  by top portion  1702 . Article of footwear can be subjected to steam environment inside steam tray. Article of footwear is then custom fitted as illustrated in  FIGS. 11-13  and as discussed above. 
       FIGS. 23-32  illustrate another embodiment of an apparatus for steaming an article of footwear. Referring to  FIG. 23 , an apparatus for steaming an article of footwear may be provided as the lid  2300  of container  100 . 
       FIG. 23  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a steaming apparatus where steaming apparatus is the container lid. Referring to  FIG. 23 , container lid  2300  is provided with a predetermined removable area  2302  sized and dimensioned to fit a portion of an article of footwear. The predetermined removable area may be provided on container lid in any location. 
       FIG. 24  illustrates an embodiment of a steaming apparatus provided as a container lid. In an exemplary embodiment, container lid  2300  is configured as a steaming apparatus by forming a hole in lid  2300  of container  100  sized and dimensioned to hold a portion of an article of footwear  200 . A predetermined removable area  2302  is provided on container lid  2300  of a size and dimension of the hole to be formed in container lid  2300 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 25 , predetermined removable area  2302  is sized and dimensioned to receive a portion of an article of footwear  200 . In this embodiment, predetermined removable area  2302  is indicated by a delineated outline  2500  on container lid  2300 . In some cases, predetermined removable area may be of a size and dimension to receive a portion of a specific type of article of footwear. In other cases, predetermined removable area is sized and dimensioned to receive a portion of multiple types of article of footwear. In other cases, predetermined removable area may consist of multiple predetermined removable areas. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 26-28 , a hole  2600  sized and dimensioned to fit a portion of an article of footwear may be formed by removal of predetermined removable area  2302 . In one embodiment, predetermined removable area  2302  may be made removable by applying a force to punch out the removable area along the delineated outline  2500 . As illustrated in  FIG. 26 , predetermined removable area  2302  is partially separated from container lid  2300 . In some cases, predetermined removable area may be perforated. In other cases, predetermined removable area may be scored on one side. In other embodiments, predetermined removable area may be marked on either side of a container lid by dotted or dashed lines for removal by a customer. As illustrated in  FIG. 27 , predetermined removable area  2302  is fully removed from container lid  2300  to form hole  2600 . Hole  2600  is sized and dimensioned to fit a portion of an article of footwear  200 . 
       FIG. 28  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a steaming apparatus provided as a container lid holding in place an article of footwear. In one embodiment, hole  2600  in container lid  2300  is configured to hold an article of footwear  200  in an inverted position. In other embodiments, the hole in the container lid may hold an article of footwear in any position. 
       FIG. 29  illustrates a cross-section detail of an embodiment of a steaming apparatus as a container lid holding in place an article of footwear. In this embodiment, article of footwear  200  includes throat  2900  configured to receive a foot of a wearer. Throat  2900  allows a foot to be inserted into an interior portion  2902  of article of footwear  200 . In this embodiment, throat upper  2904  is a portion of article of footwear  200  that surrounds the throat  2900 . In some embodiments, hole  2600  in container lid  2300  is sized and dimensioned to hold article of footwear  200  in an inverted position by contacting throat upper  2904  of article of footwear. In other embodiments, hole in container lid may be sized and dimensioned to hold a different portion of article of footwear. 
       FIGS. 30-32  illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a steaming apparatus as a container lid containing an article of footwear subjected to a steam environment. Referring to  FIG. 30 , container lid  2300  containing an article of footwear  200  can be placed in proximity to a source of steam  802 . As illustrated in  FIG. 31 , in this embodiment, container lid  2300  containing an article of footwear  200  is placed over a pot  800  containing boiling water. As illustrated in  FIG. 32 , steam  802  enters from pot  800  through throat  2900  and into the interior  2902  of article of footwear  200 . Steam  802  moves around interior  2902  of article of footwear  200 . Article of footwear can be subjected to steam environment. Article of footwear is then custom fitted as illustrated in  FIGS. 11-13  and as discussed above. 
     While various embodiments of the invention have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.