Patent Description:
A shoe care apparatus is an apparatus for maintaining shoes by drying the shoes, keeping the shoes clean, or deodorizing the shoes.

The shoe care apparatus includes a cabinet, a care room provided inside the cabinet for accommodating shoes, and a door coupled with the cabinet to open and close the care room.

The door should have sufficient stiffness such that it is not deformed during a use process. Although there are various methods for reinforcing the stiffness of the door, a method for simplifying an assembly process while reducing material cost is described herein.

<CIT> describes a shoe cabinet comprising a cabinet body and a cabinet door. The cabinet body has a rectangular cuboid shape, and the cabinet door has a flat plate shape. The cabinet body has an open end face, and the cabinet door is disposed on the open surface of the cabinet body. A magnetic closure strip is arranged between the cabinet body and the cabinet door. When the locker door is closed, the entire interior of the shoe cabinet is closed.

<CIT> describes a shoe dryer with a housing that forms an outer shell. The housing comprises a door provided on the front side and opened/closed for taking shoes in and out, a left side panel, a right side panel, and a rear panel. Furthermore, the housing includes a top plate and a bottom plate.

It is an aspect of the invention to provide a shoe care apparatus including a door capable of simplifying an assembly process while reducing material cost.

It is another aspect of the invention to provide a shoe care apparatus capable of easily changing a design of a door.

It is still another aspect of the invention to provide a shoe care apparatus including a door implemented by coupling a rear body provided as an injection mold with a cover plate provided as a metal material by using a rivet.

According to one or more embodiments, a shoe care apparatus includes: a main body; a care room provided inside the main body and accommodating shoes; and a door opening and closing the care room, wherein the door includes: a front panel forming a front surface of the door, and including a side trim provided on a rear surface of the front panel or a magnet provided on the rear surface of the front panel; a rear body forming a rear surface of the door; and a reinforcement plate positioned between the front panel and the rear body, and detachably coupled with the front panel, and the reinforcement plate includes: a recess portion accommodating at least one portion of the side trim; and a magnet coupling portion coupled with the magnet by a magnetic force of the magnet, and arranged in parallel to the recess portion.

The door may include: a first door cover including the side trim and a first front panel including a first material; or a second door cover including the magnet and a second front panel including a second material that is different from the first material.

The door may include a bracket positioned between the reinforcement plate and the rear body, and coupled with the rear body and the reinforcement plate to couple the reinforcement plate with the rear body.

The reinforcement plate may be coupled with the rear body by a first coupling member.

The bracket may be coupled with the rear body by a second coupling member which is different from the first coupling member.

At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member may include a rivet.

The rear body may further include a rivet coupling portion with which the rivet is coupled, wherein the rivet coupling portion and the rear body are integrated into one body.

The rivet coupling portion may include: a rivet hole through which the rivet passes; and a rivet support plate in which the rivet hole is formed, the rivet support plate facing the reinforcement plate.

The rivet coupling portion may further include an accommodating space accommodating the rivet passed through the rivet hole.

One side of the accommodating space may open.

The recess portion may include a coupling groove in which at least one portion of the side trim is inserted.

The side trim may be coupled with the recess portion by being inserted in the coupling groove.

The side trim may include a pair of side trims.

The magnet may include a pair of magnets.

The recess portion may include a pair of recess portions accommodating at least one portion of each of the pair of side trims.

The magnet coupling portion may include a pair of magnet coupling portions coupled with the pair of magnets by a magnetic force.

The pair of magnet coupling portions may be positioned between the pair of recess portions.

The door may further include: a control panel embedded into an upper portion of the door; a wire extending from the control panel to inside of the main body; and a wire guide guiding the wire and covering a portion of the wire such that the wire passes a hinge of the door and extends to the inside of the main body.

The wire guide may include: a wire entrance formed at one side of the wire guide such that the wire extending from the control panel enters inside of the wire guide; and a wire exit formed at the other side of the wire guide such that the wire entered the inside of the wire guide extends to the inside of the main body.

The shoe care apparatus may further include: a supply duct supplying outside air of the care room to the care room; a shoe supporter configured to support shoes, connected to the supply duct, and supplying inside air of the supply duct to the shoes; and a supporter holder supporting the shoe supporter disconnected from the supply duct, and positioned on a rear surface of the door body.

A shoe care apparatus includes: a main body; a care room provided inside the main body and accommodating shoes; and a door opening and closing the care room, wherein the door includes: a rear body forming a rear surface of the door; a front panel forming a front surface of the door; and a reinforcement plate positioned between the rear body and the front panel, and detachably coupled with the front panel, the front panel includes a pair of side trims or a pair of magnets coupled with the reinforcement plate and protruding backward from the front panel, the reinforcement plate includes a pair of recess portions each accommodating at least one portion of each of the pair of side trims and a pair of magnet coupling portions respectively coupled with the pair of magnets by a magnetic force, and the pair of magnet coupling portions are positioned between the pair of recess portions.

The shoe care apparatus may further include a control panel embedded into an upper portion of the door, and a user interface of the control panel may be provided on an upper surface of the door.

The shoe care apparatus may further include a door hinge rotatably coupling the door with the main body, and a wire guide guiding a wire for supplying power to the control panel to extend toward the door hinge.

An accessory storage portion may be provided on a door body in such a way as to protrude toward the care room upon closing of the door.

According to one or more embodiments, a shoe care apparatus includes a door that is capable of simplifying an assembly process while reducing material cost may be provided.

According to one or more embodiments, shoe care apparatus is capable of easily changing the design of the door may be provided.

According to one or more embodiments, a shoe care apparatus includes a door that couples the rear body provided as an injection mold with the cover plate provided as a metal material by using a rivet may be provided.

Configurations illustrated in the embodiments and the drawings described in the present specification are only the preferred embodiments of the invention, and thus it is to be understood that various modified examples, which may replace the embodiments and the drawings described in the present specification, are possible when filing the present application.

Also, like reference numerals or symbols denoted in the drawings of the present specification represent members or components that perform the substantially same functions.

Also, the terms used in the present specification are merely used to describe embodiments, and are not intended to restrict and/or limit the invention. It will be understood that when the terms "includes," "comprises," "including," and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first", "second", etc., may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first component could be termed a second component, and, similarly, a second component could be termed a first component, without departing from the scope of the invention. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated listed items.

In the following description, the terms "front", "rear", "left", "right", etc. are defined based on the drawings, and the shapes and positions of the corresponding components are not limited by the terms.

<FIG> illustrates a shoe care apparatus according to embodiments of the invention. <FIG> illustrates a door open state of the shoe care apparatus shown in <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of <FIG>.

In the present specification, a main body may indicate a cabinet.

Referring to <FIG>, the X-axis direction may be defined as a left-right direction, the Y-axis direction may be defined as a front-back direction, and the Z-axis direction may be defined as an up-down direction.

Referring to <FIG>, a shoe care apparatus <NUM> according to embodiments of the invention may include a cabinet <NUM>, and a door <NUM> rotatably coupled with the cabinet <NUM>.

The cabinet <NUM> may be in a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped of which the front side opens. In the open front side of the cabinet <NUM>, a cabinet opening 10a may be formed. The door <NUM> may be rotatably coupled with the cabinet <NUM> to open and close a care room <NUM> formed in the cabinet <NUM>. The door <NUM> may be coupled with the cabinet <NUM> through a hinge <NUM>.

The door <NUM> may include a support holder <NUM> provided on one side facing the inside of the care room <NUM> upon closing of the care room <NUM>. At least one support holder <NUM> may be provided. The support holder <NUM> may easily hold a shoe supporter <NUM> which will be described below by hanging the shoe supporter <NUM> thereon. However, a use of the supporter holder <NUM> is not limited to this, and the supporter holder <NUM> may be used to hold other components. In the present specification, the supporter holder <NUM> may be an example of an accessory storage portion. The accessory storage portion may be provided on a door body <NUM> in such a way as to protrude toward the care room <NUM> upon closing of the door <NUM>.

The door <NUM> may further include a user interface such as an inputter (not shown) provided on an upper surface of the door <NUM>. A user may set various care courses through the inputter based on a kind of shoes that he/she wants to care. The inputter may include a control panel capable of receiving touch inputs, or a button capable of receiving physical pressure inputs. A control panel <NUM> may display a progress state of a care course, state information (shoes, clothes, etc.) of an accommodated object, etc. At least one portion of the upper surface of the door <NUM> may be made of a transparent material. Accordingly, a user interface of the control panel <NUM> embedded into an upper portion of the door <NUM> may be displayed on the upper surface of the door <NUM>. Also, the control panel <NUM> may display state information, etc. of smell sensed by a sensor <NUM>. Accordingly, a user may easily check state information of the shoe care apparatus <NUM> through the control panel <NUM> without opening the door <NUM>.

The cabinet <NUM> may include an external case <NUM> forming an outer appearance, and an internal case <NUM> installed inside the external case <NUM>. The internal case <NUM> may form the care room <NUM>. The care room <NUM> may accommodate a plurality of shoes, clothes, etc. Below the care room <NUM>, a machine room <NUM> may be provided to supply hot and dry air to the care room <NUM>.

In the cabinet <NUM>, a flow path along which air circulates through the care room <NUM> and the machine room <NUM> may be provided.

The shoe supporter <NUM> capable of supporting shoes may be provided inside the care room <NUM>. The shoe supporter <NUM> may be installed on one side surface of the care room <NUM>. In <FIG> and <FIG>, the shoe supporter <NUM> is shown to be located on a right side of the care room <NUM>. However, the location of the shoe supporter <NUM> is not limited to this, and the shoe supporter <NUM> may be located on a left side of the care room <NUM> or on a rear inner side of the care room <NUM>. The shoe supporter <NUM> may be detachable from the cabinet <NUM>. At least one shoe supporter <NUM> may be provided. The shoe supporter <NUM> may have a shape of being insertable into the inside of a shoe.

In the care room <NUM>, a supporter rail <NUM> for supporting the shoe supporter <NUM> may be provided. The shoe supporter <NUM> may be detachably attached to the supporter rail <NUM>. The supporter rail <NUM> may be provided on one side of the internal case <NUM>. The supporter rail <NUM> may be positioned to correspond to a supply opening <NUM> provided in one side of the internal case <NUM>.

The supporter rail <NUM> may include a rail opening 51a that is communicable with the supply opening <NUM>. The rail opening 51a may penetrate a body of the supporter rail <NUM>. The rail opening 51a may be opened or closed by a supply door <NUM> provided at the supply opening <NUM>.

The shoe supporter <NUM> and the supporter rail <NUM> may be located on one side of the cabinet <NUM> to communicate with the supply opening <NUM>. The shoe supporter <NUM> may be connected to a supply duct <NUM> by communicating with the supply opening <NUM>. For example, the shoe supporter <NUM> may be located on a right side surface of the care room <NUM>, although not limited thereto. However, the shoe supporter <NUM> may be located on a left side surface of the care room <NUM>.

Because the shoe supporter <NUM> is detachable from the care room <NUM>, a space of the care room <NUM> for caring relatively long shoes may be secured.

In the cabinet <NUM>, the machine room <NUM> includes equipment for dehumidifying or heating inside air of the care room <NUM>. The machine room <NUM> may be located below the cabinet <NUM>. The machine room <NUM> may be provided below the care room <NUM>. In the machine room <NUM>, equipment including a heat exchanger <NUM> for exchanging heat with air entered the machine room <NUM> may be positioned to supply hot and dry air to the inside of the care room <NUM>.

The machine room <NUM> may include an inlet 49a through which air enters the machine room <NUM> from the care room <NUM>, and an outlet 49b through which air is discharged to the care room <NUM>. Air entered through the inlet 49a may be humid air. Air discharged through the outlet 49b may be hot and dry air.

The inlet 49a of the machine room <NUM> may communicate with a recovery chamber <NUM>. The outlet 49b of the machine room <NUM> may communicate with the supply duct <NUM> which will be described below. Also, at the inlet 49a of the machine room <NUM>, a filter unit may be positioned. The filter unit may filter foreign materials from air which will enter the machine room <NUM>. That is, the filter unit may prevent foreign materials from entering the machine room <NUM>. For example, the filter unit may be configured with a filter frame <NUM> and a filter <NUM> installed in the filter frame <NUM>.

In a lower portion of the cabinet <NUM>, a drain fan <NUM> that is detachable from the cabinet <NUM> may be installed. The drain fan <NUM> may be adjacent to the heat exchanger <NUM> to easily collect condensed water generated by the heat exchanger <NUM> (specifically, a condenser <NUM>).

The heat exchanger <NUM> may be provided to dehumidify and/or heat inside air of the machine room <NUM> as necessary. The heat exchanger <NUM> may heat air collected from the care room <NUM> and supply hot and dry air to the care room <NUM>. The heat exchanger <NUM> may include an evaporator <NUM> and the condenser <NUM> through which a refrigerant circulates. The heat exchanger <NUM> may dehumidify and/or heat air.

In the machine room <NUM>, a refrigerant cycle may be formed. The refrigerant cycle may be formed by a refrigerant circulating through a compressor <NUM>, the evaporator <NUM>, an expansion valve (not shown), and the condenser <NUM>. The evaporator <NUM> may evaporate a refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve (not shown) to thereby dehumidify air entered the machine room <NUM>. Also, the condenser <NUM> may condense a refrigerant compressed by the compressor <NUM> to thereby heat air passed through the evaporator <NUM>. Accordingly, air passed through the heat exchanger <NUM> may become a hot and dry state.

A blow fan <NUM> may cause air to smoothly enter the machine room <NUM> and be smoothly discharged from the machine room <NUM>. The blow fan <NUM> may be a centrifugal fan that inhales air in a direction of a rotation shaft and discharges air in a radial direction. However, a kind of the blow fan <NUM> is not limited to a centrifugal fan, and the blow fan <NUM> may be provided as an axial flow fan or a mixed flow fan.

In the machine room <NUM>, a connection flow path <NUM> along which air passing through the evaporator <NUM>, the condenser <NUM>, and the blow fan <NUM> flows may be formed. The connection flow path <NUM> may be formed by a connection duct <NUM>. One end of the connection duct <NUM> may communicate with the care room <NUM>. The other end of the connection duct <NUM> may communicate with the supply duct <NUM> provided in one side wall of the cabinet <NUM>. The connection duct <NUM> may cover at least one portion of the evaporator <NUM>, the condenser <NUM>, and the blow fan <NUM>.

The recovery chamber <NUM> may be provided between the care room <NUM> and the machine room <NUM>. The recovery chamber <NUM> may be a space partitioned from the care room <NUM>, and guide air collected from the care room <NUM> to the machine room <NUM>. More specifically, the recovery chamber <NUM> may guide air collected from the care room <NUM> to the inlet 49a of the machine room <NUM>. One end of the recovery chamber <NUM> may communicate with the care room <NUM>, and the other end of the recovery chamber <NUM> may communicate with the machine room <NUM>. In the recovery chamber <NUM>, a recovery flow path <NUM> along which air flows from the care room <NUM> to the machine room <NUM> may be formed.

The recovery chamber <NUM> may be formed by a separation shelf <NUM> which will be described below. For example, the recovery chamber <NUM> may be a space partitioned in an up-down direction from the care room <NUM> by installing the separation shelf <NUM> in the internal case <NUM>.

In the care room <NUM>, the supply opening <NUM> may be provided. The supply opening <NUM> may be located in the side wall of the internal case <NUM>. More specifically, the supply opening <NUM> may be formed in the left side surface of the care room <NUM> in which the shoe supporter <NUM> is located. However, the location of the supply opening <NUM> is not limited to this, and the supply opening <NUM> may be formed in the right side surface of the care room <NUM> to correspond to the location of the shoe supporter <NUM>. At least one supply opening <NUM> may be formed. The supply opening <NUM> may supply hot and dry air passed through the heat exchanger <NUM> of the machine room <NUM> to the inside of the care room <NUM> to dry and/or dehumidify shoes. The supply opening <NUM> may be substantially in a shape of a circle, although not limited thereto. The supply opening <NUM> may have various shapes, such as a quadrangle, a polygon, etc..

The connection duct <NUM> may connect the supply duct <NUM> to the recovery chamber <NUM>. One end of the connection duct <NUM> may communicate with the supply duct <NUM>. At the other end of the connection duct <NUM>, the inlet 49a of the machine room <NUM> may be provided. The other end of the connection duct <NUM> may communicate with the recovery chamber <NUM>. Air entered the machine room <NUM> through a grille <NUM> of the separation shelf <NUM> may pass through the connection duct <NUM> to be dehumidified and/or heated, and then be again discharged to the care room <NUM> through the supply duct <NUM> and the supply opening <NUM>. Thereby, shoes, clothes, etc. accommodated inside the care room <NUM> may be cared (for example, dried, dehumidified, or sterilized) by hot and dry air discharged through the supply opening <NUM>.

The supply duct <NUM> may extend in the up-down direction between the external case <NUM> and the internal case <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>. The supply duct <NUM> may be positioned in the side of the cabinet <NUM> on which the shoe supporter <NUM> is mounted. One end of the supply duct <NUM> may communicate with the connection duct <NUM>, and the other end of the supply duct <NUM> may communicate with the supply opening <NUM>. The supply duct <NUM> may form a supply flow path <NUM> for guiding air discharged from the machine room <NUM> to the supply opening <NUM>.

The shoe care apparatus <NUM> may further include a water supply container (not shown), a steam generator (not shown) configured to receive water from the water supply container and generate a steam, and a steam spray (not shown) configured to receive a steam from the steam generator and spray the steam to the care room <NUM>.

The water supply container may be positioned below the care room <NUM>. Water stored in the water supply container may be supplied to the steam generator and used to form a steam. The water supply container may be detachable from the cabinet <NUM> to easily add water.

The steam generator may be positioned in the machine room <NUM>. The steam generator may generate a steam and guide the steam to the steam spray. The steam generator may be connected to the steam spray through a steam supply pipe (not shown).

The shoe care apparatus <NUM> may further include a deodorizing device <NUM>. The deodorizing device <NUM> may be positioned inside the machine room <NUM>. The deodorizing device <NUM> may be positioned in the connection duct <NUM> to remove smell of air passing through the care room <NUM>. In <FIG>, the deodorizing device <NUM> is shown to be positioned to the left of the blow fan <NUM>. However, the location of the deodorizing device <NUM> is not limited to this, and the deodorizing device <NUM> may be positioned to the right of the blow fan <NUM>.

The deodorizing device <NUM> may include a deodorizing filter 45a and a sterilizing lamp 45b. The deodorizing filter 45a may include a ceramic filter. The sterilizing lamp 45b may include an ultraviolet lamp, although not limited thereto. However, the deodorizing filter 45a may include various filters that are capable of removing smell of air. The sterilizing lamp 45b may include various devices that are capable of removing germs.

In the care room <NUM>, at least one shelf <NUM> may be provided. The shelf <NUM> may hold an object thereon. The supply opening <NUM> and the shoe supporter <NUM> may be positioned adjacent to the shelf <NUM>.

The shelf <NUM> may include a duct shelf <NUM>. The duct shelf <NUM> may include an internal flow path <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Heated air (or hot and dry air) passing through the internal flow path <NUM> may be sprayed toward an object from each of a spray port 95a of the duct shelf <NUM> and a spray port 97a of a circular duct <NUM>. Also, the heated air may pass through the internal flow path <NUM> and be discharged to the care room <NUM> through a shelf outlet <NUM>. In <FIG>, the shelf outlet <NUM> is shown to be positioned in an upper side of the duct shelf <NUM>, although not limited thereto. However, the shelf outlet <NUM> may be positioned in a lower side of the duct shelf <NUM>.

The shelf <NUM> may include a separation shelf <NUM>. The separation shelf <NUM> may form the recovery chamber <NUM>. For example, the separation shelf <NUM> may be installed in the internal case <NUM> to form the recovery chamber <NUM> partitioned from the care room <NUM>.

The separation shelf <NUM> may be detachably installed in the cabinet <NUM>. That is, the separation shelf <NUM> may be detachably attached to the cabinet <NUM>. Also, to easily attach/detach the separation shelf <NUM> to/from the cabinet <NUM>, a handle (not shown) may be provided at both sides of the separation shelf <NUM>.

In a front portion of the separation shelf <NUM>, a grille <NUM> for collecting inside air of the care room <NUM> may be formed. The grille <NUM> may form a recovery opening (not shown) for communicating the care room <NUM> with the recovery chamber <NUM>.

The shoe care apparatus <NUM> may include at least one sensor <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> may sense inside smell of the care room <NUM>. The shoe care apparatus <NUM> may display state information of the smell sensed by the sensor <NUM>. More specifically, the control panel <NUM> provided in the door <NUM> may display state information of smell sensed by the sensor <NUM>. Accordingly, a user may easily check state information of smell with his/her naked eyes through the control panel <NUM> without opening the door <NUM>.

The sensor <NUM> may be installed in the care room <NUM> and/or the shelf <NUM>, although not limited thereto. The sensor <NUM> may be installed at any location at which the sensor <NUM> is capable of sensing inside smell of the care room <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a door coupled with a first door cover, in a shoe care apparatus according to embodiments of the invention. <FIG> illustrates an exploded perspective view of a door cover and a door body of the door shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in the shoe care apparatus <NUM> according to embodiments of the invention, the door <NUM> may be separated into a door cover <NUM> and the door body <NUM>.

The door body <NUM> may be rotatably coupled with the cabinet <NUM>. The door body <NUM> may form a rear surface of the door <NUM>, and the door cover <NUM> may be detachably coupled with the door body <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the door cover <NUM> shown in <FIG> is referred to as a first door cover <NUM>, and a door cover <NUM> shown in <FIG> is referred to as a second door cover <NUM>.

The first door cover <NUM> may be detachably coupled with the door body <NUM>. The first door cover <NUM> may be coupled with the door body <NUM> to cover a front surface of the door body <NUM>. The first door cover <NUM> may form an outer appearance of the door <NUM>.

The first door cover <NUM> may include a first front panel <NUM>. The first front panel <NUM> may be provided with various colors and/or designs, and a user may select the first front panel <NUM> according to his/her taste. The first front panel <NUM> may include a glass material. The first front panel <NUM> may be provided in a shape of a plate.

The first door cover <NUM> may include side trims <NUM> and <NUM>, an upper trim <NUM>, and a lower trim <NUM>, which are provided on a rear surface of the first front panel <NUM>. Also, the first door cover <NUM> may further include a buffer member <NUM> provided on the rear surface of the first door cover <NUM>.

The side trims <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first side trim <NUM> and a second side trim <NUM>. The first side trim <NUM> and the second side trim <NUM> may have the same structure and be symmetrically arranged. According to embodiments of the invention, the side trims <NUM> and <NUM> may be provided as rigid bodies with little structural deformation, and recess portions <NUM> and <NUM> which will be described below may be provided as flexible materials with elastic deformation, although not limited thereto. However, the side trims <NUM> and <NUM> may be provided as flexible materials, and the recess portions <NUM> and <NUM> may be provided as rigid bodies.

The side trims <NUM> and <NUM> may be inserted in coupling grooves of the recess portions <NUM> and <NUM> which will be described below. By inserting at least one portion of the side trims <NUM> and <NUM> into the coupling grooves of the recess portions <NUM> and <NUM>, the side trims <NUM> and <NUM> may be coupled with the recess portions <NUM> and <NUM>.

The upper trim <NUM> may be positioned at an upper edge of the rear surface of the first front panel <NUM>. The upper trim <NUM> may be coupled with an upper trim coupling portion (a reference numeral is omitted) of the door body <NUM>. The upper trim <NUM> may be coupled with the upper trim coupling portion while rotating on the upper trim coupling portion as a rotation shaft.

The lower trim <NUM> may be positioned at a lower edge of the rear surface of the first front panel <NUM>. The lower trim <NUM> may be coupled with a lower trim coupling portion (a reference numeral is omitted) of the door body <NUM>. After the upper trim <NUM> is coupled with the upper trim coupling portion, the first door cover <NUM> may move toward the door body <NUM> and the lower trim <NUM> may be coupled with the lower trim coupling portion.

After the lower trim <NUM> is coupled with the lower trim coupling portion, a fixing member <NUM> may be coupled with a lower surface of the door <NUM> such that the first door cover <NUM> is not separated from the door body <NUM>. At least one portion of the fixing member <NUM> may pass through a hole (not shown) formed in the lower surface of the door body <NUM> and a fixing member hole 115a formed in the lower trim <NUM> to couple the first door cover <NUM> with the door body <NUM>. By coupling the fixing member <NUM> with the lower surface of the door <NUM>, the first door cover <NUM> may be not separated from the door body <NUM>.

The buffer member <NUM> may be positioned in a space formed between the first front panel <NUM> and the door body <NUM>. The buffer member <NUM> may prevent an impact applied to the first front panel <NUM> from being transferred to the door body <NUM>. Also, the buffer member <NUM> may absorb noise that may be generated in the first door cover <NUM>. The buffer member <NUM> may include expanded polystyrene.

<FIG> illustrates an exploded perspective view of a door body in a shoe care apparatus according to embodiments of the invention.

Hereinafter, a configuration of the door body <NUM> in the shoe care apparatus <NUM> according to embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

According to embodiments of the invention, the door body <NUM> may include a rear body <NUM> forming the rear surface of the door <NUM>, a reinforcement plate <NUM> coupled with the rear body <NUM> to reinforce strength of the rear body <NUM>, and a plurality of brackets <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> positioned between the rear body <NUM> and the reinforcement plate <NUM> to reinforce the strength of the rear body <NUM>.

Also, the door body <NUM> may further include a control panel <NUM> embedded into an upper portion of the rear body <NUM>, a wire <NUM> electrically connecting the control panel <NUM> to inside of the cabinet <NUM>, and a wire guide <NUM> guiding the wire <NUM>. Also, the door body <NUM> may further include a top cover <NUM> coupled with an upper side of the rear body <NUM> to cover the control panel <NUM>, the wire <NUM>, and the wire guide <NUM>. The control panel <NUM>, the wire <NUM>, and the wire guide <NUM> may be positioned in a space formed between the top cover <NUM> and an upper surface of the rear body <NUM>.

The rear body <NUM> may be formed by injection-molding. Accordingly, the rear body <NUM> may be made of a nonmetal material. The rear body <NUM> may include a rivet coupling portion <NUM> with which a rivet R is coupled, and a screw coupling portion <NUM> with which a screw S is coupled. The rivet coupling portion <NUM> and the screw coupling portion <NUM> may be integrated into the rear body <NUM>. Also, a plurality of rivet coupling portions <NUM> may be provided, and a plurality of screw coupling portions <NUM> may be provided.

The reinforcement plate <NUM> may be coupled with the rear body <NUM> to cover a front surface of the rear body <NUM>. The reinforcement plate <NUM> may reinforce the strength of the rear body <NUM> manufactured by inj ection-molding. The reinforcement plate <NUM> may be made of a metal material, or include a magnetic body. The reinforcement plate <NUM> may include a depressed portion <NUM> for reinforcing the strength of the reinforcement plate <NUM>. The depressed portion <NUM> may be formed by depressing a portion of the reinforcement plate <NUM> toward the rear body <NUM>, and a plurality of depressed portions <NUM> may be provided.

The reinforcement plate <NUM> may include a plurality of holes 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d into which the rivet R or the screw S is inserted. The reinforcement plate <NUM> may include the recess portions <NUM> and <NUM>. Also, the reinforcement plate <NUM> may include magnet coupling portions <NUM> and <NUM> arranged in parallel to the recess portions <NUM> and <NUM>. The magnet coupling portions <NUM> and <NUM> do not indicate separate components, and may indicate some areas of the reinforcement plate <NUM>. More specifically, the magnet coupling portions <NUM> and <NUM> may indicate areas being adjacent to the recess portions <NUM> and <NUM>. The magnet coupling portions <NUM> and <NUM> may be coupled with magnets <NUM> and <NUM> which will be described below by a magnetic force, and may indicate the reinforcement plate <NUM> at locations corresponding to the magnets <NUM> and <NUM>.

A pair of recess portions <NUM> and <NUM> may be provided. A pair of magnet coupling portions <NUM> and <NUM> may be provided. The pair of recess portions <NUM> and <NUM> and the pair of magnet coupling portions <NUM> and <NUM> may extend in the up-down direction, and may be arranged adjacent to both sides of the reinforcement plate <NUM>. Also, the pair of magnet coupling portions <NUM> and <NUM> may be positioned between the pair of recess portions <NUM> and <NUM>.

The brackets <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be coupled with the rear body <NUM> to reinforce the strength of the rear body <NUM>. Also, the brackets <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be coupled with the rear body <NUM> and the reinforcement plate <NUM> to mediate coupling between the rear body <NUM> and the reinforcement plate <NUM>.

The brackets <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include first brackets <NUM> and <NUM> extending in the up-down direction and coupled with both sides of the rear body <NUM>, second brackets <NUM> and <NUM> extending in the left-right direction and coupled with upper and lower sides of the rear body <NUM>, and connection brackets <NUM> and <NUM> connecting the first brackets <NUM> and <NUM>.

The first brackets <NUM> and <NUM> may have the same structure. The first brackets <NUM> and <NUM> may include holes 151a and 152a into which screws S are inserted. The first brackets <NUM> and <NUM> and the reinforcement plate <NUM> may be coupled with the rear body <NUM> by screws S.

The second brackets <NUM> and <NUM> may have the same structure. Both ends of the second brackets <NUM> and <NUM> may be coupled with both ends of the first brackets <NUM> and <NUM> by screws S. The second brackets <NUM> and <NUM> and the reinforcement plate <NUM> may be coupled with the rear body <NUM> by screws S.

The connection brackets <NUM> and <NUM> may have the same structure. The connection brackets <NUM> and <NUM> may include screw holes 161a, 161b, and 161d into which screws S are inserted, and rivet holes 161c into which rivets R are inserted. The connection brackets <NUM> and <NUM> may be coupled with the reinforcement plate <NUM> by the rivets R. Also, the connection brackets <NUM> and <NUM> may be coupled with the rear body <NUM> by screws S.

In the reinforcement plate <NUM>, the brackets <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and the rear body <NUM>, a plurality of holes may be formed. Hereinafter, coupling of the reinforcement plate <NUM>, the brackets <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and the rear body <NUM> will be described by using some of the holes as an example.

The first holes 130a of the reinforcement plate <NUM> may be positioned at locations corresponding to the rivet holes 161c of the connection bracket <NUM>. The reinforcement plate <NUM> may be coupled with the connection bracket <NUM> by passing the rivets R through the first holes 130a and the rivet holes 161c and then riveting the rivets R.

The second holes 130b of the reinforcement plate <NUM> may be positioned at locations corresponding to the lower holes 140b of the rear body <NUM>. The reinforcement plate <NUM> may be coupled with the rear body <NUM> by passing screws S through the second holes 130b and the lower holes 140b and screw-coupling the screws S with the rear body <NUM>.

The third holes 130c of the reinforcement plate <NUM> may be positioned at locations corresponding to the rivet coupling portions <NUM> of the rear body <NUM>. The reinforcement plate <NUM> may be coupled with the rear body <NUM> by passing rivets R through the third holes 130c and the rivet holes 141a of the rivet coupling portion <NUM> and then riveting the rivets R. The rivet coupling portion <NUM> will be described below.

The fourth holes 130d of the reinforcement plate <NUM> may be coupled with the rivet holes 140d of the rear body <NUM> by the same method by which the third holes 130c are coupled with the rivet holes 141a, and accordingly, overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

<FIG> illustrates an enlarged view of a part D shown in <FIG>.

Hereinafter, the rivet coupling portion <NUM> according to embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the rear body <NUM> may be coupled with rivets R, and include the rivet coupling portion <NUM> integrated into the rear body <NUM>.

The rivet coupling portion <NUM> may include a rivet hole 141a through which a rivet R passes, a rivet support plate 141b in which the rivet hole 141a is formed, and an accommodating space 141c accommodating a portion of the rivet R passed through the rivet hole 141a.

A diameter of the rivet hole 141a may be greater than that of a shaft of the rivet R such that the shaft of the rivet R passes through the rivet hole 141a. The diameter of the rivet hole 141a may be smaller than that of a head of the rivet R such that the head of the rivet R does not pass through the rivet hole 141a. The rivet hole 141a may penetrate the rivet support plate 141b.

The rivet support plate 141b may face the reinforcement plate <NUM>. A front surface of the rivet support plate 141b may be in contact with the reinforcement plate <NUM>.

The rivet coupling portion <NUM> may include the accommodating space 141c accommodating the rivet R. A side of the accommodating space 141c may open. The rivet coupling portion <NUM> may include the rivet support plate 141b, and connection plates 141d and 141e connecting the rivet support plate 141b to the rear body <NUM>. The accommodating space 141c may be formed by the rivet support plate 141b, the connection plates 141d and 141e, and the rear body <NUM>. An upper side of the accommodating space 141c may open as seen in <FIG>. In other words, the connection plates 141d and 141e of the rivet coupling portion <NUM> may not exist in the upper side of the accommodating space 141c. A direction of the upper side of the accommodating space 141c may be defined as seen in <FIG>.

Because one side of the accommodating space 141c opens, slide equipment may be taken out through the open side of the accommodating space 141c upon injection-molding. As described above, the rear body <NUM> may be manufactured by injection-molding, and slide equipment may be used for a reason such as undercut upon injection-molding. To take slide equipment out, a space through which the slide equipment is taken out may be used. According to embodiments of the invention, upon injection-molding of the rear body <NUM>, slide equipment may be taken out through the open side of the accommodating space 141c.

According to a concept of the invention, the rear body <NUM> manufactured by injection-molding may be coupled with the reinforcement plate <NUM> manufactured by pressing a metal plate by rivets.

In a case in which the rear body <NUM> is an injection-molding product being not a metal material, the rear body <NUM> may have weak strength, and accordingly, the rear body <NUM> may be reinforced. To reinforce the strength of the rear body <NUM>, the reinforcement plate <NUM> may be coupled with the rear body <NUM>. There may be various methods for coupling the reinforcement plate <NUM> with the rear body <NUM>, however, rivet coupling may be used as a method for reducing material cost and investment cost, improving utilization of space of the rear body <NUM>, and simplifying an assembly process.

The rivet coupling may have advantages of low material cost, low process investment cost, and a simple assembly process, compared with a process using foam treatment and application of an adhesive.

Also, screw coupling may have low utilization of space because the head of a screw occupies a larger space than that of a rivet, and an outer appearance of the rear body <NUM> may be contracted by a boss portion used for screw coupling, which may deteriorate quality of the outer appearance.

According to a concept of the invention, because the rear body <NUM> is coupled with the reinforcement plate <NUM> by rivets, the door <NUM> capable of reducing material cost and process investment cost, simplifying an assembly process, and improving utilization of space and quality of the outer appearance may be provided.

According to a concept of the invention, to couple the rear body <NUM> with the reinforcement plate <NUM> by rivets, the rear body <NUM> may include the rivet coupling portion <NUM>. The rivet coupling portion <NUM> and the rear body <NUM> may be integrated into one body by injection-molding. The rivet coupling portion <NUM> may include the accommodating space 141c in which a rivet R is accommodated, and one side of the accommodating space 141c may open.

<FIG> illustrates a part of a cross section taken along line B-B' of <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates an enlarged view of a part C shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, as described above, the rear body <NUM> may be coupled with the reinforcement plate <NUM> by rivets R.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the recess portion <NUM> may be coupled with the reinforcement plate <NUM> by a rivet R. The side trim <NUM> of the first door cover <NUM> may be inserted into a coupling groove 132a of the recess portion <NUM>. Upon inserting of the side trim <NUM> into the coupling groove 132a, the recess portion <NUM> made of a flexible material may be elastically deformed.

<FIG> illustrates a top view of a top cover separated from the door shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, in the shoe care apparatus <NUM> according to embodiments of the invention, the control panel <NUM> may be embedded into an upper portion of the door body <NUM>. In the upper portion of the rear body <NUM>, a preset space may be provided. The control panel <NUM> may be positioned in the preset space.

The wire <NUM> electrically connecting the control panel <NUM> to the inside of the cabinet <NUM> may extend from the control panel <NUM> to the inside of the cabinet <NUM>.

The wire guide <NUM> may be coupled with one side of the upper portion of the rear body <NUM> to cover the hinge <NUM> of the door <NUM>. The wire guide <NUM> may include a wire entrance 172a and a wire exit 172b. The wire <NUM> extending from the control panel <NUM> may enter the inside of the wire guide <NUM> through the wire entrance 172a. The wire <NUM> entered the inside of the wire guide <NUM> may exit the wire guide <NUM> through the wire exit 172b. Also, the wire <NUM> exited the wire guide <NUM> through the wire exit 172b may extend to the inside of the cabinet <NUM>.

The wire entrance 172a may be formed at one side of the wire guide <NUM>. The wire entrance 172a may be formed by cutting a portion of one side of the wire guide <NUM> or may be provided in a shape of a hole at one side of the wire guide <NUM>.

The wire exit 172b may be formed at the other side of the wire guide <NUM>. The wire exit 172b may be formed by cutting a portion of the other side of the wire guide <NUM> or may be provided in a shape of a hole at the other side of the wire guide <NUM>.

The wire guide <NUM> may be coupled with the upper portion of the rear body <NUM> to guide and cover the wire <NUM>, and cover the hinge <NUM>.

The top cover <NUM> may be coupled with the upper surface of the rear body <NUM>. The control panel <NUM>, the wire <NUM>, and the wire guide <NUM> may be accommodated between the top surface of the rear body <NUM> and the top cover <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an exploded perspective view of a door coupled with a second door cover, in a shoe care apparatus according to embodiments of the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the second door cover <NUM> will be described. A door body <NUM> of <FIG> is the same as the door body <NUM> described above, and therefore, overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

The second door cover <NUM> may include a second front panel <NUM>. The second front panel <NUM> may be made of a material that is different from that of the first front panel <NUM>. The second front panel <NUM> may be provided with various colors and/or designs, and a user may select the second front panel <NUM> according to his/her taste. The second front panel <NUM> may include a metal material.

The second front panel <NUM> may include bending portions 211a, 211b, 211c, and 211d bent backward at its four sides.

On a rear surface of the second front panel <NUM>, magnets <NUM> and <NUM>, an upper trim <NUM>, and a lower trim <NUM> may be provided. Also, on the rear surface of the second front panel <NUM>, a buffer member <NUM> may be provided.

The upper trim <NUM>, the lower trim <NUM>, and the buffer member <NUM> may have the same structures as or similar structures to the upper trim <NUM>, the lower trim <NUM>, and the buffer member <NUM> described above, and perform the same functions as those of the upper trim <NUM>, the lower trim <NUM>, and the buffer member <NUM>. A fixing member <NUM> may be the same as the fixing member <NUM> described above.

The second door cover <NUM> may include the magnets <NUM> and <NUM> provided on the rear surface. The magnets <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first magnet <NUM> and a second magnet <NUM>. The first magnet <NUM> and the second magnet <NUM> may be arranged adjacent to both sides of the second front panel <NUM>, and extend in the up-down direction.

The first magnet <NUM> and the second magnet <NUM> may be coupled with a first magnet coupling portion <NUM> and a second magnet coupling portion <NUM> of the reinforcement plate <NUM> by a magnetic force. As described above, the first magnet coupling portion <NUM> and the second magnet coupling portion <NUM> may indicate some portions of the reinforcement plate <NUM>. More specifically, the first magnet coupling portion <NUM> and the second magnet coupling portion <NUM> may indicate some areas of the reinforcement plate <NUM>, being adjacent to the recess portions <NUM> and <NUM>. The recess portions <NUM> and <NUM> may be positioned between the magnet coupling portions <NUM> and <NUM>. In the drawings, for convenience of description, the first magnet coupling portion <NUM> and the second magnet coupling portion <NUM> are shaded, however, the first magnet coupling portion <NUM> and the second magnet coupling portion <NUM> may be not shaded.

Claim 1:
A shoe care apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a main body;
a care room (<NUM>) provided inside the main body and configured to accommodate shoes; and
a door (<NUM>) configured to open and close the care room (<NUM>),
wherein the door (<NUM>) comprises:
a front panel forming a front surface of the door (<NUM>), and including a side trim (<NUM>, <NUM>) provided on a rear surface of the front panel or a magnet (<NUM>, <NUM>) provided on the rear surface of the front panel;
a rear body (<NUM>) forming a rear surface of the door (<NUM>); and
a reinforcement plate (<NUM>) positioned between the front panel and the rear body (<NUM>), and detachably coupled with the front panel, and
the reinforcement plate (<NUM>) comprises:
a recess portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to accommodate at least one portion of the side trim (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
a magnet coupling portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) coupled with the magnet (<NUM>, <NUM>) by a magnetic force of the magnet (<NUM>, <NUM>), and arranged in parallel to the recess portion (<NUM>, <NUM>).