Shoes and making method thereof
By installing an elastic shaping shell on the back of the shoe, the problems of easy falling off and complex manufacturing of existing hands-free shoes are solved, quick wearing and taking off and improved structural strength are achieved, and manufacturing costs are reduced.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511036322.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-09-12
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing hands-free quick-on and take-off shoes are easy to fall off when walking or exercising naturally, and the manufacturing process is cumbersome and costly. The traditional shoe structure has the risk of damage and cannot meet the needs of the elderly, disabled people and people in special occupations.
The elastic molded shell includes an extension part, a neck deformation part and a hemispherical part, and is manufactured through an injection molding process. The molded shell deforms when the shoes are put on to achieve quick wearing of the shoes, and returns to its original shape during exercise to prevent falling off. Combined with the fixed part, the structural strength is enhanced.
It enables quick putting on of shoes without using hands, prevents them from falling off during exercise, reduces the complexity and cost of the manufacturing process, enhances the overall structural strength of the shoes, and provides a better fit.
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Figure CN120732232A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of shoemaking, in particular to a shaped shell for the purpose of easy wearing and taking off, shoes equipped with the shaped shell and a manufacturing method thereof. Background Art
[0002] In recent years, with the improvement of people's living standards, the demand for hands-free footwear that can be quickly put on while standing, without the use of a shoe horn, has continued to increase. In particular, the elderly, people with disabilities, and those in special occupations all desire shoes that are easy to put on and take off. Technologies for such shoes include improving the shape of the shoe's heel and its handle, as well as designs that incorporate elastic structures on the shoe's heel to allow it to recover its shape. Technologies for improving the shape of the shoe's heel and its handle include Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3.
[0003] Patent Document 1 proposes a guide portion angled upward, away from the rear edge, on the shoe's heel, on the inside rear edge of the shoe opening. This makes the shoe easier to put on without increasing the shoe opening area. To form this guide portion, the mold shell employs a dual structure: a hard first support, typically used on shoe heels, and a softer second support with a cutout that forms the guiding core.
[0004] Patent Document 2 proposes a shoe with a hard protrusion extending upward and diagonally rearward from the upper edge of the shoe's heel. This protrusion reliably guides the heel lowering from above into the shoe. The heel support used here is rigid enough to support the heel and shaped to act as a heel slide, allowing the foot to slide diagonally forward and downward.
[0005] Patent Document 3 discloses a technology comprising a compressible heel cup, a hard heel cup, an instep support, a compressible lining, and a foot support as a technology to facilitate easier shoe insertion. A technology similar to the present invention is the compressible heel cup. This compressible heel cup is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, forming a pear shape. Furthermore, to enhance compressibility, the thickness of the heel cup is designed to be uneven, with the center portion being thinner than the rest of the body. This makes the center portion more susceptible to compression when subjected to foot pressure.
[0006] Prior art literature Patent Document 1, Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3212460; Patent Document 2, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-139151; Patent document 3, International Publication No. 2023 / 064568.
[0007] Shoes that can be put on and taken off quickly and hands-free must not only be quick to put on, but also be difficult to fall off during natural walking and exercise, have a snug fit, and be able to meet the need of not having to take off the shoes with your hands. The heel in Patent Document 1 is of a fixed shape. In order to fix the heel and prevent the shoes from falling off during natural walking and exercise, the heel curve design is adopted, which tilts inwards as it approaches the rear edge. Therefore, in order to achieve hands-free shoe removal, a stepping portion is provided on the outer surface of the heel to facilitate shoe removal, but this poses problems in terms of shoemaking and aesthetic appearance. In addition, the second heel is provided with a cutout to achieve softness, and there is a risk of damage if stepped on hard by the heel. Moreover, the dual structure of the first and second heels not only complicates the process but also leads to increased costs.
[0008] The shoe's shoulder strap in Patent Document 2 is made of a hard material, and its upper extension is a narrow, linear design. This stiffness creates a risk of breakage if significant heel pressure is applied. Furthermore, because the shoulder strap's shape is fixed, excessive emphasis on ease of wear could lead to the shoe falling off during natural walking or exercise. To mitigate this, a cushioning element is necessary.
[0009] The compressible heel cup of Patent Document 3 is intentionally thinner in the middle to improve compressibility, resulting in insufficient resistance to repeated stress. Furthermore, as in Patent Document 2, due to the risk of the shoe falling off during natural walking or exercise, a foam body must be provided above the user's heel bone, extending to at least a portion of the ankle area.
[0010] Therefore, the present invention provides a technology that uses a molded shell with an extremely simple structure to solve the above-mentioned existing problem of quickly putting on shoes without using hands, simplify the manufacturing process of shoes, and achieve a significant cost reduction. Summary of the Invention
[0011] A flexible, molded shell for a shoe heel, comprising an extension, a neck deformation, a hemispherical portion, and a fixing portion. The extension and neck deformation, as well as the neck deformation and hemispherical portion, are smoothly connected. The upper end of the extension is inclined upward and away from the shoe heel in an arc shape, while its middle portion is lower and inwardly concave, forming an arc-shaped tray. The horizontal opening width of the neck deformation is equal to or slightly narrower than the maximum horizontal opening width of the extension. The hemispherical portion is hemispherical in structure, with its horizontal opening width gradually increasing from the connection point with the neck deformation, maintaining a roughly uniform horizontal opening width from its middle to its lower half. Furthermore, a fixing portion is distributed along the lower portion of the hemispherical portion. This fixing portion is thinner than the lower portion of the hemispherical portion, has a curved shape, and is fixed to the shoe sole. When the tray portion of the extension is subjected to downward pressure, it bends and deforms accordingly, causing the neck deformation to expand in width, forming a V-shaped opening. Upon release of the pressure, the tray portion immediately returns to its original shape. As a result, the shoes can be easily deformed according to the pressure of the heel when wearing, thereby achieving hands-free and quick shoe wearing; and when walking or exercising naturally, their shape will return to their original shape, providing shoes that are not easy to fall off and give the user a fit.
[0012] A shoe having an elastic shaping shell at the back of the shoe, the shaping shell comprising an extension portion, a neck deformation portion, and a hemispherical portion. The middle portion of the extension portion is lower and the outer edge is higher. When viewed from the side, it extends obliquely upward and rearward in an arc shape to form a tray portion. The neck deformation portion is in the shape of a roughly circular V-arc with a narrower rear side and a wider front side. The hemispherical portion is a hemispherical shell structure that fits the heel. The shaping shell has supporting strength characteristics and elastic properties. When the tray portion of the extension portion is subjected to downward pressure, the tray portion will correspondingly undergo reverse deformation; when the pressure is released, it will immediately return to its original shape. As a result, when the shoe is put on, the back of the shoe can be easily deformed according to the pressure of the heel, thereby achieving quick shoe putting on without the assistance of hands.
[0013] In the above-mentioned shoes, the neck deformation portion of the molded shell has a V-shaped horizontal opening, the width of which is narrower than the width of the heel, thereby being able to properly fit the heel and not easily fall off during natural walking or exercise.
[0014] In the aforementioned shoes, the molded shell includes a fixing portion. Thus, the shoe back forms a structure capable of supporting strong forces from above, thereby enhancing the overall structural strength of the shoe. Furthermore, since the molded shell is fixed to the sole, it is prevented from shifting in the vertical, left-right, and front-back directions.
[0015] In the aforementioned shoes, the molded shell has a uniform thickness, with its edges gradually tapering from the inside to the outside. This prevents localized stress concentration and allows the shoe to withstand repeated pressure from the heel. Furthermore, by chamfering the edges, the molded shell's outline is less noticeable on the shoe surface and reduces discomfort caused by the shell's hardness even when the edges of the shell contact the user's ankle when wearing the shoes.
[0016] In these shoes, when downward pressure is applied to the tray portion of the extended portion of the molded shell, the neck portion deforms into a V-shaped shape, widening the horizontal opening. Once the pressure is released, the shell immediately returns to its original shape, ensuring a secure fit around the heel and preventing it from falling off during natural walking and exercise.
[0017] In the above-mentioned shoes, the mold shell includes a central positioning mark. Thus, in the manufacturing process of the shoes, the mold shell can be accurately aligned with the central position of the shoe upper by visual or tactile recognition of the central positioning mark.
[0018] In the above-mentioned shoes, the surface of the mold shell has a fine texture, thereby improving the adhesion of the adhesive.
[0019] In the above-mentioned shoes, the bottom of the mold shell is provided with a notch, thereby forming a space for shrinkage. During shoe manufacturing, the mold shell can be more easily adapted to the shape of the shoe last and the back of the mold by the force of the upper, thereby being able to adapt to various shoe back designs.
[0020] To avoid foot discomfort, the shoe is designed with padding. The molded shell and padding together form the heel support assembly. This reduces pressure and friction on the heel caused by the hardness of the molded shell, improving the fit and creating a structure that can withstand the strong forces from the upper heel.
[0021] In the above-mentioned shoes, the shaping shell is mounted on the inner side of the shoe upper in the direction of the shoe opening, thereby enabling the shoes to present different design styles.
[0022] A shoe with a molded shell assembled on the back of the shoe, the molded shell comprising an extension portion, a neck deformation portion, and a hemispherical portion. The extension portion has a lower middle portion and a higher outer edge, and extends obliquely upward and rearward in an arc shape when viewed from the side, forming a tray portion. The neck deformation portion is provided with a roughly arc-shaped V-shaped horizontal opening portion that is narrower at the rear and wider at the front, and the width of the V-shaped horizontal opening portion is narrower than the width of the heel. The hemispherical portion is a hemispherical shell structure that fits the heel. The molded shell has supporting strength characteristics and elastic characteristics. When the tray portion of the extension portion is subjected to downward pressure, the neck deformation portion will deform to expand the width of the V-shaped horizontal opening; when the pressure is released, it will immediately return to its original shape. When putting on the shoes, the user inserts the toes into the shoe. When the heel applies downward force to the built-in extension tray, the extension deforms and expands outward under the force, increasing the space for the foot to enter the shoe opening. Simultaneously, the neck deformation also expands. The heel slides down the tray, smoothly passes through the expanded neck deformation, and slides into the hemispherical portion. Once the heel slides into the hemispherical portion, the pressure on the neck deformation instantly disappears. The neck deformation immediately returns to its original shape due to its elastic recovery force, conforming to the heel and maintaining this state. When removing the shoes, as the heel moves upward to remove the shoes, the neck deformation is stretched and expanded, allowing the heel to slip out of the back of the shoe.
[0023] A method for manufacturing a shoe having an elastic molded shell assembled on the back of the shoe, wherein the molded shell includes an extension portion, a neck deformation portion, and a hemispherical portion. The extension portion has a lower middle portion and a higher outer edge, and extends obliquely upward and rearward in an arc shape when viewed from the side. The neck deformation portion is in the shape of a roughly circular V-arc, narrower at the rear and wider at the front. The hemispherical portion is a hemispherical shell structure that fits the heel. The molded shell is integrally formed by an injection molding process, and the mold used is made of a chromium-nickel-molybdenum alloy. As a result, in addition to ensuring the precision and consistency of the product, it also has excellent durability, is less prone to deterioration and deformation, and can extend its service life. At the same time, it can improve the production efficiency of the molded shell, achieve mass production, and significantly reduce costs.
[0024] The lower base of the hemispherical portion is formed with a fixing portion that is thinner than the hemispherical portion. This fixing portion is bent and secured to the sole. This creates a structure that supports strong forces from above, enhancing the overall structural strength of the shoe. Furthermore, its attachment to the sole prevents the molded shell from shifting vertically, horizontally, and forward and backward.
[0025] To prevent foot discomfort, padding is incorporated into the molded shell, which together form the heel support assembly. This reduces pressure and friction on the heel caused by the hardness of the molded shell, improving the fit and creating a shoe structure that can withstand the strong forces from the upper heel.
[0026] When using the uppering method to manufacture the above-mentioned back support assembly, the midsole is shortened to the length of the fixed portion. When using the pull-up method, the fixed portion is pulled under the midsole for assembly. This creates a strong back support assembly, integrating the back, midsole, and sole, thereby enhancing the overall structural strength of the shoe. Beneficial effects
[0027] In summary, the present invention uses a material with elastic restoring force to make a shaping shell. When putting on shoes, the back of the shoe can be easily deformed according to the pressure of the heel, realizing quick shoe putting on without the help of hands. In addition, because the shaping shell of the present invention is provided with a V-shaped horizontal opening, its shape will return to its original shape during natural walking and exercise, making the shoes less likely to fall off and providing a fit feeling for the user. Traditional shoe covers are not used to support the force applied to the back from the top, but to prevent the back from tilting excessively to the left and right by supporting it from the side of the back. The shaping shell of the present invention, with the help of a back support assembly including a fixed part, forms a structure that can withstand the strong force from the upper part of the back of the shoe. In this way, the back of the shoe, the midsole and the sole can be integrated, thereby enhancing the overall structural strength of the shoe. In addition, the shaping shell of the present invention can be manufactured by injection molding, so it can be produced in large quantities at low cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG1 is a side view of a shoe according to the present invention, in which a shaping shell having elasticity is assembled on the shoe upper.
[0029] FIG2 is a perspective view of a molded shell according to the present invention.
[0030] FIG3 shows a molded shell of the present invention, wherein (a) is a front view and (b) is a right side view.
[0031] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the molded shell of the present invention, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA' of Figure 3(a), (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB' of Figure 3(a), and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the shape of the edge of the molded shell.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating deformation of the molded shell of the present invention due to pressure on the top.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating that the V-shaped horizontal opening of the molded shell of the present invention is deformed due to pressure on the top.
[0034] FIG. 7 is a side view of a molded shell of different specifications according to the present invention.
[0035] FIG8 is a front view of the deformation of the top of the shaped shell when it is subjected to pressure in one embodiment, (a) is before deformation, and (b) is after deformation.
[0036] FIG9 is a side view of the deformation of the top of the shaped shell when it is subjected to pressure in one embodiment, (a) is before deformation, and (b) is after deformation.
[0037] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a molded case having a notch and a central positioning mark.
[0038] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a mold for producing the molded shell of the present invention.
[0039] FIG12 is a view of a shoe equipped with a shaping shell according to the present invention, taken from an oblique upper perspective.
[0040] FIG. 13 is a top view of a shoe equipped with a shaping shell according to the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 14 is a back view of a shoe equipped with a shaping shell according to the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a filler insertion portion, (a) being a side view and (b) being a top view.
[0043] FIG16 is a diagram showing a method of installing the back support assembly of the present invention on a shoe, wherein (a) is a schematic diagram of a shoe uppering method, and (b) is a schematic diagram of a shoe uppering method.
[0044] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a method of assembling the mold shell of the present invention onto a shoe using an upper making method.
[0045] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a method of assembling the mold shell of the present invention onto a shoe using a drawstring method.
[0046] FIG19 is a schematic diagram showing a style in which the shaping shell of the present invention is installed on the inner side of the shoe upper in the direction of the shoe opening.
[0047] The names of the parts and their corresponding symbols in the figure are: shoe 1; upper part 2; sole part 3; midsole 4; insole 5; shoe mouth 6; back upper 7; back upper support assembly 8; forming shell 10; extension part 110; tray part 111; neck deformation part 120; V-shaped opening part 121; right end part 121R; left end part 121L; hemispherical part 130; fixing part 140; edge part 150; notch part 160; central positioning mark 170; upper material 21; lining material 22; filling material 23; upper foot 24; sewing part 25; mid shoe 26; front shoe 27; upper end part 71 of the back shoe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0048] The following describes embodiments of the present invention based on the accompanying drawings. The present invention can be implemented in various forms. The following describes an embodiment of the present invention applied to shoes. Of course, the present invention can also be applied to other footwear besides single shoes. As shown in Figure 1, the shoe 1 of the present invention, which has an elastic molding shell on the rear upper, includes an upper portion 2, an insole 5, a midsole 4, and a sole 3. The upper portion 2 is composed of a shoe opening 6, a midsole 26 on the inside and outside of the shoe opening, a fore-shoe 27 in front of the shoe opening 6, and a rear-shoe 7 behind the shoe opening 6. The molding shell 10 of the present invention is mounted on the rear upper 7.
[0049] First, the molded shell 10 used for the shoe upper of the present invention will be described in detail. Figure 2 is an oblique view of the molded shell 10, Figure 3(a) is a front view, and Figure 3(b) is a right side view. The molded shell 10 consists of an extension portion 110, a neck deformable portion 120, a hemispherical portion 130, and a fixed portion 140. As shown in Figure 3(a), the molded shell 10 is arc-shaped with an opening at the front. Regarding the width of the opening, the extension portion 110 expands in a roughly arc-like shape from the top to the neck deformable portion 120. The opening width of the neck deformable portion 120 is equal to or slightly narrower than that of the extension portion 110. The opening width of the hemispherical portion 130 gradually increases from the connection point with the neck deformable portion 120, maintaining a roughly uniform opening width from the center to the lower half.
[0050] As shown in the side view of Figure 3(b), the top of the extension portion 110 of the molded shell 10 extends upward and obliquely rearward in an arcuate shape. The extension portion 110 is concave, with a lower center and higher outer edges, forming an arched tray portion 111. The neck deformation portion 120 mimics the shape of the Achilles tendon, forming a roughly circular V-shaped arc, narrower at the rear and wider at the front. The width of this V-shaped horizontal opening 121 is slightly narrower than the width of the heel, as shown in Figure 4(a). Figure 4(a) is an end view of the molded shell 10 taken along line AA' in Figure 3(a). Specifically, the V-shaped horizontal opening 121 is the opening in the center of the neck deformation portion, located between the right end 121R and the left end 121L in the front view of Figure 3(a) and the end view of Figure 4(a).
[0051] The hemispherical portion 130 mimics the shape of the heel bone and is a hemispherical shell structure that can wrap the heel bone. That is, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the hemispherical portion 130 is formed in a substantially semicircular shape relative to the horizontal plane with its opening width as the diameter.
[0052] The fixing portions 140 are distributed in a substantially quadrilateral shape along the bottom of the hemispherical portion 130 , and are provided in plurality. Furthermore, in order to be able to be bent and fixed to the outsole, the fixing portions 140 are thinner than the hemispherical portion 130 .
[0053] Figure 4(c) is an end view taken along line BB' in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 4(c), the mold shell 10 is curved in a flat, roughly S-shape in the vertical direction, and, as shown in Figure 4(a), in the horizontal direction, it is curved in an arc shape. The thickness of the extension portion 110, the neck deformation portion 120, and the hemispherical portion 130 are approximately uniform. The edge portions 150 of each portion gradually become thinner from the inside to the outside, as shown in Figure 4(b). Figure 4(b) is an enlarged end view of the edge portion 150 of the mold shell 10. Maintaining a uniform thickness of the mold shell 10 prevents stress concentration points, allowing it to adequately withstand repeated pressure from the heel. Furthermore, by chamfering the edge 150 in this manner, not only can the outline of the molded shell 10 be made less noticeable on the surface of the shoe, but also when the user wears the shoe, even if the edge 150 of the molded shell 10 touches the ankle, the discomfort caused by the hardness of the molded shell 10 can be reduced.
[0054] When downward pressure is applied to the tray portion 111 of the extension 110 of the molded shell 10, it bends in response to the pressure. This deformation force is transmitted to the neck deformable portion 120, causing the V-shaped horizontal opening 121 of the neck deformable portion to expand in width, as shown in Figure 5. When the molded shell 10 is subjected to pressure P, the tray portion 111 of the extension portion warps in the opposite direction D, while the V-shaped horizontal opening 121 of the neck deformable portion expands in the R and L directions. In other words, when the user wears shoes, the pressure P applied by the heel of the shoe acts on the tray portion 111, causing it to bend in the opposite direction D. The resulting height change of the molded shell 10 is preferably reduced by approximately 10% to 20%. This deformation of the extension portion 110 can reduce the height of the upper portion of the back cover on which the molded shell 10 is installed, while also increasing the opening area of the shoe opening, so that the user can put on the shoes easily and hands-free.
[0055] Figure 6 is an end view taken along line AA' in Figure 3(a), showing the V-shaped horizontal opening 121 of the neck deformation portion 120 expanding and deforming under pressure P. A represents the state before pressure P is applied, and B represents the state after pressure P is applied. When the user's foot inserts the shoe and pressure P disappears, the V-shaped horizontal opening 121 instantly returns to state A, providing the user with a snug fit. At this point, the width of the V-shaped horizontal opening 121 is preferably expanded by 5% to 15%.
[0056] The molded shell 10 requires different sizes depending on the shoe size. Figure 7 shows an example of this product line. In one embodiment, for shoes ranging from 24.0 cm to 25.5 cm, the molded shell 10 has a height of 9 cm, a maximum opening width of 42 mm in the extended portion, a width of 41.5 mm in the V-shaped horizontal opening 121 of the neck deformation portion, and a maximum opening width of 80 mm in the hemispherical portion. The thickness of the extended portion, neck deformation portion, and hemispherical portion of the molded shell 10 remains consistent at 2 mm, while the thickness of the fixed portion is 0.8 mm. When the molded shell 10 is subjected to pressure from the user's foot, as shown in Figure 8(a), the extended portion 110 deforms, causing its height to decrease to 77 mm, the maximum opening width of the extended portion to decrease to 48 mm, the width of the V-shaped horizontal opening 121 of the neck deformation portion to decrease to 46.1 mm, and the maximum opening width of the hemispherical portion to remain virtually unchanged at 80 mm. Figure 8 is a front view illustrating this change, and Figure 9 is a side view. Taking into account factors such as shoe size differences and the thickness of the shaping shell 10, the preferred range of these changes is: the height of the shaping shell is reduced by 10% to 20%, and the maximum opening width of the extension part and the width of the V-shaped horizontal opening 121 of the neck deformation part are expanded by 5% to 15%.
[0057] The molded shell 10 can adopt a variety of designs to facilitate installation on the shoe. Conventional molded shells have a smooth surface, making adhesive difficult to adhere to. In one embodiment, to improve adhesive adhesion, the molded shell 10 of the present invention features a fine texture of appropriate depth. This texture can take a variety of forms, such as lines, meshes, dots, waves, spots, concave-convex shapes, spirals, or granular patterns. Its depth and height are preferably controlled within a maximum range of 0.5 mm, although other depths and heights are also possible.
[0058] In another embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, the lower bottom of the hemispherical portion 130 of the mold shell 10 is provided with a plurality of notches 160. This design creates space for contraction. During the shoe manufacturing process, the upper 2 can be used to draw the upper, making it easier for the mold shell 10 to conform to the shape of the shoe last or mold. In addition, by making the area below the horizontal line of the apex of the notches 160 slightly thinner than the rest of the shoe, the lower bottom portion of the mold shell 10 can be more easily deformed, thereby further conforming to the shape of the shoe last or mold. In the past, it was necessary to equip the mold shell with a corresponding mold shell according to the shoe design. Ideally, the shoe last and mold should be manufactured according to the shape of the mold shell. However, due to the high cost of manufacturing shoe lasts and molds, many shoe manufacturers are forced to use existing shoe lasts and molds. As a result, the shape of the mold shell often does not match the shoe last or mold, resulting in a large number of adjustments and modifications required during the manufacturing process, which in turn reduces production efficiency. After adopting this structure, the molding shell can be flexibly adapted to existing shoe lasts and molds, which helps to reduce manufacturing costs and improve production efficiency.
[0059] In another embodiment, the mold shell 10 may be provided with a central positioning mark 170 for alignment with the center of the shoe upper. During the shoemaking process, the central positioning mark 170 can be visually or tactilely identified, allowing the mold shell 10 to be accurately aligned with the center of the shoe upper 7. The central positioning mark 170 is located in the center of the mold shell 10 and can take a rectangular, circular, triangular, or linear shape. Its size, height, and depth should be sufficiently recognizable and not cause discomfort to the foot. Figure 10 shows an example.
[0060] Next, the manufacturing method of the shoes having an elastic shaping shell 10 on the back of the shoe will be described in sequence. First, the manufacturing method of the shaping shell 10 will be described. Since the shaping shell 10 of the present invention is in the above-mentioned integrated form, it can be easily formed in one piece by an injection molding process. In a certain embodiment, a mold made of a chromium-nickel-molybdenum alloy as shown in FIG11 can be used to perform one-piece molding by an injection molding process. FIG11 shows a mold that can produce four shaping shells 10 with one mold. Using chromium-nickel-molybdenum alloy as the mold material, in addition to ensuring the accuracy and consistency of the product, also has excellent durability, is not prone to deterioration or deformation, and can extend the service life. As a result, the production efficiency of the shaping shell 10 can be improved, mass production can be achieved, and costs can be greatly reduced.
[0061] Next, we'll describe how to attach the molded shell 10 to the shoe's heel. As shown in Figures 12, 13, and 14, the molded shell 10 is attached between the upper material 21 and the lining material 22 of the shoe's heel 7. Because the molded shell 10 is made of resin, it's preferable to use a filler material 23 to reduce the pressure and friction on the heel caused by its hardness and improve its fit. In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 16, the filler material 23 is inserted between the molded shell 10 and the lining material 22. As shown in Figures 15(a) and 15(b), the filler material 23 covers the molded shell 10 and the portion of the shoe opening 6 that may come into contact with the foot, namely, the extended portion of the molded shell 10, the edge of the neck deformation, and the lateral edge of the hemispherical portion. The filler material 23 extends from the lower end of the Achilles tendon to the heel recess, covering that area. This portion constitutes the filler material 23.
[0062] Gangbao originally does not have the function of supporting the force applied to the shoe back 7 from the top. Its function is to prevent the shoe back 7 from tilting excessively to the left or right by supporting it from the side. However, the shaping shell 10 of the present invention is able to expand the shoe opening 6 and lower the height of the shoe back 7 by receiving force from the top, so that the user can easily put on the shoes while standing. Therefore, the shoe back 7 needs to be able to withstand the strong force from the foot. For this reason, the shoe back 7 needs to have a structure that can support the strong force from the top. The shaping shell 10 of the present invention is provided with a fixing portion 140, which can play the role of a support body. That is, if Figure 16 As shown, the shaping shell 10 is combined with the filling material 23 to form the back support assembly 8. As such, the shaping shell 10 needs to have suitable elastic properties and strong supporting strength properties.
[0063] The elastically recoverable molded shell 10 of the present invention can be made of materials such as TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane), TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer), TPEE (Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomer), silicone rubber, and chloroprene rubber. TPU, TPE, and TPEE are preferred materials for their abrasion resistance, oil resistance, chemical resistance, elastic recovery, and flex resistance.
[0064] The filler 23 is preferably a low-density material with shock-absorbing properties. Specific examples include polyurethane (PU) foam, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) foam, polystyrene foam, and polyethylene foam. In this embodiment, a soft, cushioning sponge with a thickness of 1.0 to 2.0 mm is used.
[0065] Next, we'll explain how to attach the mold shell 10 to the shoe's heel. The midsole 4 is broadly categorized into two types. For flexible, soft shoes like athletic shoes and running shoes, the midsole 4 requires a soft material like textiles or fabric. In these cases, due to the softness of the midsole 4, the pull-on method cannot be used, and a slip-on method must be employed. On the other hand, for shoes like business shoes and loafers that don't require high flexibility, a pull-on method, which requires greater tensile strength, is suitable to ensure the shoe last maintains a beautiful, straight shape. In these cases, the midsole 4 needs to possess a certain degree of hardness, so molded pulp or leather is often used.
[0066] Figures 16(a) and 17 illustrate the method of attaching the shaping shell 10 of the present invention to the shoe back using the slip-on method. In this method, the shoe upper 2 and midsole 4 are first sewn together, and then the shoe last is placed inside the shoe for shaping. The shaping shell 10 is positioned between the upper material 21 and lining material 22, formed by flat-sewing the upper 2 and midsole 4 of the shoe back 7. Furthermore, the midsole 4 is pre-set to a shortened length by the fixing portion 140. When the shoe leg 24 is pulled against the bottom surface of the shoe last, the fixing portion 140 bends, forming a fully fitted shoe back 7. The shoe is then secured to the shoe bottom 3 using adhesive. This process forms a sturdy back support assembly 8, integrating the shoe back 7, midsole 4, and shoe bottom 3, enhancing the overall structural strength of the shoe.
[0067] Figures 16(b) and 18 illustrate the method for attaching the molded shell 10 of the present invention to the shoe heel 7 using the lasting method. In this method, the midsole 4 is first temporarily secured to the bottom surface of the shoe last. The molded shell 10 is positioned between the upper material 21 and the lining material 22 of the shoe heel 7. The upper leg 24, including the fixing portion 140, is then pulled through the lasting machine and adhesively bonded to the bottom edge of the midsole on the bottom surface of the shoe last. This secures the upper between the midsole 4 and the sole 3. This creates a robust heel support assembly 8, integrating the shoe heel 7, midsole 4, and sole 3, effectively enhancing the overall structural strength of the shoe.
[0068] As described above, whether it is the uppering method or the drawstring method, the presence of the fixing portion 140 plays a groundbreaking role in strengthening the overall structure of the shoe. Although the uppering method and the drawstring method are described here, it is obvious that other shoemaking methods can also be applied.
[0069] In addition, in another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19 , the rear support assembly 8 can be installed on the inner side of the shoe rear in the direction of the shoe opening.
[0070] When the user puts on the shoe, the heel presses against the tray portion 111 of the extension 110. When the tray portion 111 is subjected to a downward force, as described above, it warps and deforms. This deformation increases the opening area of the shoe opening, lowers the height of the shoe's heel, and reduces the angle at which the foot inserts into the shoe. Simultaneously, the extension 110 acts like a slide, guiding the heel into the shoe and making it easier for the user to insert the heel. Furthermore, the neck deformable portion 120 deforms, widening the V-shaped horizontal opening 121. This allows the heel to pass smoothly through the neck deformable portion 120 and glide smoothly into the hemispherical portion 130, making it easier for the user to insert the heel into the shoe.
[0071] When the heel slides into the hemispherical portion 130, the reversed warping of the tray portion 111 of the extension 110 returns to its original shape, thereby returning the shoe opening area and the shoe back height to their initial state. Simultaneously, the previously enlarged V-shaped horizontal opening 121 of the neck deformation shrinks and returns to its original position, becoming narrower. Therefore, the shoe back, equipped with the molded shell 10 of the present invention, conforms appropriately to the heel and is not easily removed during normal walking or exercise. Furthermore, when removing the shoe, the neck deformation has appropriate elasticity, allowing the V-shaped horizontal opening 121 to expand by lifting the foot, making it easier to remove the shoe. Furthermore, similar to putting on shoes, applying a downward force to the neck deformation 120 can also widen the V-shaped horizontal opening 121, making it easier to remove the shoe.
[0072] While the preferred method for manufacturing the molded shell 10 of the present invention is described above as an integral molding process using injection molding, conventional molded shell manufacturing methods can also be employed. For example, the following manufacturing method can be employed: the desired shape is carved into the heel area of the last mold. The upper portion 2, which is fitted with a heat-fusible composite sheet (a chemical sheet must be soaked in solvent), is secured to the last mold and heated. After the heat-fusible composite sheet softens and fully conforms to the shape of the last mold, it is placed in a cooling and setting machine for final shaping (a chemical sheet must be completely dried before final shaping). Because the extended portion of the molded shell 10 is subject to heel pressure, using a resin material with excellent support strength and elasticity can achieve better results.
[0073] The installation method involves sandwiching the synthetic sheet, which is formed simultaneously with the shoe molding process, between the upper material 21 and the lining material 22 of the shoe back, or wrapping it with elastic material and then attaching it to the inner side of the shoe back 7, toward the shoe opening. Furthermore, the thickness and quantity of the hot-melt or chemical sheet can be adjusted based on the intended use and specifications of the shoe. If the synthetic sheet lacks elasticity, a highly elastic resin component can be sewn or bonded to the extension portion 110.
[0074] The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the form shown in this embodiment. As long as the shoes utilize the core point of the present invention - the molded shell 10 equipped with elastic properties and support strength properties, and as long as they meet the purpose of shoes that can be quickly put on and taken off without using hands and the purpose of the manufacturing method thereof, other forms can also be adopted.
Claims
1. An elastic shaping shell for the back of a shoe, characterized by: The shaping shell includes an extension portion, a neck deformation portion, a hemispherical portion and a fixing portion. The thicknesses of the extension portion, the neck deformation portion and the hemispherical portion are substantially uniform. The shaping shell has elastic and supporting properties. The extension portion and the neck deformation portion, as well as the neck deformation portion and the hemispherical portion are all smoothly connected. The upper end of the extension portion is inclined upward in an arc shape away from the shoe upper, and the central portion thereof is concave inward to form an arc-shaped tray portion. The horizontal opening width of the neck deformation portion is equal to or slightly narrower than the maximum horizontal opening width of the extension portion. The neck deformation portion is in a roughly arc-shaped V-shape that is wide in front and narrow in the back, and the width of the V-shaped horizontal opening is smaller than the width of the heel. The hemispherical portion is a hemispherical structure, and its horizontal opening width gradually increases from the connection portion with the neck deformation portion. A fixing portion is provided along the lower portion of the hemispherical portion. The fixing portion is thinner than the lower portion of the hemispherical portion and can be bent and fixed to the sole of the shoe. When the tray is subjected to downward pressure, it will bend and deform, so that the opening area of the shoe mouth is increased. The extension portion acts as a slide to guide the heel into the shoe. In addition, the neck deformation portion, which is smaller than the heel, undergoes deformation such that the width of the V-shaped horizontal opening is expanded. After the heel passes through the neck deformation part, it can slide smoothly into the hemispherical part. When the pressure is released, the reverse deformation of the tray part is immediately restored. At the same time, under the action of the restoring force of the expanded V-shaped horizontal opening part, the back of the shoe can fit the heel moderately, and it is not easy to fall off during normal walking or exercise, giving the user a sense of fit.
2. The molded shell according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the tray portion is subjected to downward pressure, the height of the molded shell decreases by 10-20%, the maximum opening width of the extension portion and the width of the V-shaped horizontal opening of the neck deformation portion expand by 5-15%, and the maximum opening width of the hemispherical portion remains substantially unchanged.
3. The molded shell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The molded shell includes a central positioning mark.
4. The molded shell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the shaping shell has fine textures.
5. The molded shell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower bottom of the shaping shell is provided with a notch.
6. A shoe, characterized in that: The invention comprises the molded shell according to claim 1.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Footwear
JP2022139151A
