MEASURING TOOL AND METHOD FOR MEASURING THE INTERIOR OF A FOOTWEAR

A phase transition-based measuring tool addresses the inadequacies of existing footwear fit methods by providing easy, accurate, and cost-effective shoe interior measurements considering material properties, suitable for online fitting.

DE102024108010B4Active Publication Date: 2026-04-02STOCKER ROBERT
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-03-20
Publication Date
2026-04-02

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing methods for determining the fit of footwear inadequately consider the textile-physical properties of materials and are cumbersome, costly, and require technical expertise, making them unsuitable for efficient online shoe fitting.

Method used

A measuring tool utilizing a phase transition mechanism with a crystallization process, transforming a deformable molded body to match foot temperature and shape, allowing easy, accurate, and cost-effective measurement of shoe interiors.

Benefits of technology

Enables precise, time-efficient shoe fitting by non-technical users, maintaining material properties consideration, and facilitating mass production with low costs.

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Abstract

Measuring tool (1), in particular measuring tool (1) for measuring the interior of a footwear, comprising: - a shaped body (10) and - at least one handle (20), wherein the molded body (10) can have at least two states (A, B), wherein in a first state (A) the molded body (10) is plastically deformable and in a second state (B) the molded body (10) is essentially plastically indeformable, wherein the shaped body (10) can be transformed from the first state (A) to the second state (B) by a crystallization process, wherein the shaped body (10) has a shell (15) and a mass of the shaped body (10) located in the shell (15), wherein the shaped body (10) can be transformed from the first state (A) to the second state (B) by a chemical or physical process, wherein the mass in state (A) of the molded body comprises a supersaturated aqueous sodium acetate trihydrate solution.
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Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a measuring tool for measuring the interior of a shoe. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to a method for measuring the interior of a shoe using the measuring tool. State of the art

[0002] One of the biggest challenges in the clothing trade concerns the issue of fit. The term "fit" is poorly defined and rarely quantified. Generally, the fit of a garment (including footwear) refers to how well its shape conforms to the human body. A good fit contributes to comfort in any type of clothing. Since everyone has different body measurements and proportions, the clothing size alone doesn't tell you whether the garment is optimally fitted. The same applies to footwear: shoe size alone doesn't provide a reliable indication of how well the shoe actually fits the individual foot.The problem with shoes lies in the fit, particularly with regard to foot shapes that deviate from the norm (for example, wide feet, high insteps) or pathologically altered feet (for example, flat feet or splayfoot). Even with fashionable shoe styles, such as those with a narrow toe box, the actual adaptation to the wearer's foot morphology often falls short of an optimal fit. An optimal fit is generally achieved through custom-made shoes by a tailor or shoemaker.

[0003] The fit of clothing generally receives considerable attention, as both the wearer's physical comfort and their social perception depend on it: how the wearer's clothed body is perceived by their social environment influences their body image and self-esteem (Kim and Damhorst 2013). Despite this general attention, problems with the fit and size of clothing are very common among consumers (both women and men), primarily due to the use of different, non-standardized sizing systems by manufacturers (Clifford, 2011). Particularly in online clothing purchases, the lack of access to fit and size information has led to a surge in return rates.

[0004] In comparison, relatively little attention is paid to the fit of shoes, even though numerous studies have shown that poorly fitting shoes are a major cause of the extremely frequent occurrence of foot problems (Marr and Quine 1993). The knowledge gained from numerous foot anthropometric studies regarding the diversity of national, gender-specific, and individual differences in foot shape ultimately confirms the individuality of each foot shape, but leaves the problem of the inadequate fit of industrially manufactured shoes (ready-made shoes) unaddressed. This is because the fit of footwear encompasses not only the actual "best fit," but also the individual comfort that the wearer subjectively describes and which depends significantly on the materials used.Furthermore, the fit depends crucially on the wearer's state of movement: the so-called "static" fit (at rest) often differs considerably from the "functional" fit (running, jumping, hopping).

[0005] In the production of ready-made shoes, manufacturers use standardized, three-dimensional shoe molds. This mold, known as a last, determines the size, shape, and heel height of the shoe built upon it and corresponds to a representation of the foot in a normal posture under moderate stress. The quality of the shoe's fit largely depends on the quality of the lasts used (Clarks 1989). These are produced using databases of human foot measurements (Chen and Perng 1999) and taking into account empirical data (Reinschmidt and Nigg 2000). In contrast, bespoke shoemakers create custom lasts from wood according to the measurements of the individual customer's foot and the desired shoe model. While bespoke shoes can largely address the problem of individual fit for the customer to a satisfactory degree, the fit problem of industrially manufactured shoes remains largely unresolved.

[0006] Finding clothing items, especially shoes, with an optimal fit is therefore often a problem for customers. This issue is exacerbated in online retail, as customers cannot determine the fit of the items they are interested in by trying them on. In this context, it is often impossible for customers to assess the quality of the fit based solely on the information provided by the manufacturer / distributor.

[0007] Various approaches to determining the fit of footwear are known from the prior art, based either on measuring the footwear itself, the wearer, or a combination thereof. Particularly with regard to shoes, various methods for measuring the interior of the shoe have been developed.

[0008] EP 2 164 355 A1 discloses a scanning device and a method for capturing the 3D spatial shape of a body, wherein a surface of the body is scanned by means of a scanning end. The scanning end is rigidly connected to a camera via a connecting device, so that when the scanning end moves, the camera always moves with it. The camera is arranged such that it can capture a surface provided with photogrammetrically evaluable markers on which the body to be scanned stands, while the scanning end scans various points of the surface of the body to be scanned.

[0009] WO 2005 / 111 539 A1 describes a method for the non-destructive determination of the internal dimensions of a shoe or boot. This method uses a measuring setup that captures the inner surface of the shoe in three dimensions. Cross-sectional images are then acquired and stored layer by layer using radiological, computed tomographic, magnetic resonance imaging, or other imaging techniques. After data acquisition, fixed points or virtual points related to the shape of the foot and connecting lines between them are determined. Alternatively, an X-ray imaging technique can be used, in which the points of interest are measured using a radiopaque calibration element.

[0010] DE 10 2005 039 632 A1 discloses a method and a device for measuring shoes of all kinds. The measurement is carried out using laser beams. DE 10 2012 004 064 A9 relates to a computed tomography method and a device for the non-destructive determination of the internal dimensions of shoes.

[0011] German patent DE 10 2004 045 858 A1 describes a device for measuring the interior of a shoe, which is designed with a shaft section and a foot section adjoining the shaft section. The foot section can be adjusted to the length of the shoe's interior via the shaft section, acting as a guide. The foot section is dimensioned and constructed such that it can be adjusted from a short insertion state, suitable for shoes of any size, to a measuring state approximately adapted to the length of the interior. A method of a similar principle is disclosed in US patent 6,192,593 B1. This patent discloses a pneumatically activated sensor that can move axially within a shoe and non-destructively measure the shoe's internal dimensions. Starting from the heel of the shoe, a computer-controlled linear pneumatic drive extends a sensor until it touches the toe section of the shoe.The linear distance traveled by the sensor is then measured using a potentiometer.

[0012] WO 2012 / 052044A1 discloses that the overall fit can be significantly improved by customizing the footbed, as the footbed plays at least as important a role in the fit and function of a shoe as the fit of the upper. Further improvement can be achieved by simultaneously digitizing the parts of the human foot visible from above and from the side using a 3D foot scanner, thus allowing these parts to also be considered in the fit process. A spatially resolved pressure sensor integrated into the foot scanner can additionally measure the pressure pattern of the sole of the foot (US 7,489,813 B2). The data obtained via the scanner can then be used either in the production of customized lasts or for adapting lasts used in industrial shoe manufacturing.Furthermore, the data can be compared with datasets concerning digitized shoe interiors of ready-made shoes.

[0013] Patent applications DE 10 2007 032 609 A1 and US 7 446 884 B2 each disclose a method for creating a numerical 3D model of the interior of a manufactured shoe. This numerical 3D model of the interior is intended to enable an improved adaptation of the digitized 3D foot shape of the wearer to the last shapes from a last database, which do not adequately represent the inner shoe, resulting in an improved fit.

[0014] US Patent 6,975,232 B1 describes a device and a method for visualizing a foot inside a shoe to determine the shoe's fit. The device and method achieve this using infrared thermography. The device comprises one or more thermographic instruments directed at a base surface, which serve to capture one or more thermal images of the shoe-foot combination or corresponding sections thereof standing on the base surface. Based on the thermal image, the person standing on the base surface can determine the shoe's fit using a monitor positioned above the base surface.

[0015] When determining the fit of garments, such as blouses, jackets and trousers, the vast majority of solutions are based on measuring the body / body parts of the wearer, for example by means of conventional measurement (US 2 159 035 A), by means of photographic measurement (US 5 956 525 A) or by means of a 3-D body scanner (Ashdown, et al., NTC Project: S08-CR03, 2008) and the subsequent comparison of the collected data with individual parameters measured on the garment, such as chest circumference, waist circumference and length.

[0016] WO 2012 / 075298A2 discloses a method for categorizing body shapes, whereby a set of measurement data of the relevant body part (in front and side views) of a large number of subjects is subjected to principal component analysis. The measurement data is generated by conventional surveying or 3D scanning. The calculated principal components are then used in subsequent cluster analysis; the results of this analysis ultimately serve to establish shape categories, thereby enabling the efficient categorization of body shapes across a large number of subjects.

[0017] The devices and methods known from the prior art usually do not consider, or only inadequately consider, the textile-physical properties of the garment / shoe, such as the elasticity of the materials used. In the case of shoes, the aforementioned scanner-based matching methods attempt to quantify the fit based on the mismatch between the shoe or last and the foot – relying solely on foot anthropometry and without adequately considering the material properties. However, these properties have a significant influence on the adaptation of the shoe shape to the human foot, as well as on the wearer's evaluation of this adaptation, i.e., the fit.

[0018] Furthermore, the devices and methods known from the prior art are disadvantageous in terms of ease of use and cost. For example, the user is required to employ complex scanning technology to create a digitized image of the body / body part or foot. The scanning process itself also demands a certain level of technical expertise, as specific reference points must be marked to identify bone structures and determine the orientation of the body being measured in space. These disadvantages also apply to scanning the interiors of garments, particularly shoes.

[0019] German patent no. DE 10 2014 108 302 B4 (Robert Stocker) discloses an improved measuring tool for measuring the interior of a garment, comprising at least one internal support element, an inlet opening, an outlet opening, wherein the at least one outlet opening is connected to the at least one inlet opening via at least one connecting passage, and further comprising a cover element.

[0020] However, this measuring tool also has disadvantages in that it is very complicated in its construction, comparatively expensive to manufacture, and the shoe measurement with the measuring tool involves several complex work steps, so that its mass use in online shoe shipping would cause high costs.

[0021] European patent application EP 0 507 709 A1 discloses a method and a device for measuring shoes.

[0022] The online publication “The hand warmer - example of an everyday phenomenon for the phase transition melting and solidification” from May 9, 2019, https: / / www.physikalische-schulexperimente.de / physo / Der_Taschenw%C3%A4rmer_-_Beispiel_eines_Alltagsph%C3%A4nomens_f%C3%BCr_den_Phasen%C3%BCb ergang_Schmelzen_und_Erstarren reveals a hand warmer as an example of an everyday phenomenon for the phase transition melting and solidification.

[0023] International publication no. WO 2020 / 130 512 A1 discloses a device for generating information on the inside of shoes. Description of the invention, problem, solution, advantages

[0024] Based on the aforementioned considerations, the present disclosure therefore aims to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a measuring tool and method for measuring footwear that is easy to use in order to enable accurate, time-saving, and effective measurement of a large number of different interior spaces of garments.

[0025] The inventors of the present disclosure have surprisingly solved the problem by means of the measuring tool defined in the claims and the method defined in the claims using the measuring tool, as can also be seen from the accompanying exemplary embodiments. The solution according to the invention is based on a phase transition and the changes in the mechanical properties of chemical compounds during the phase transition.

[0026] In a first aspect, the present disclosure therefore relates to a measuring tool as defined in claim 1. In particular, the present disclosure in a first aspect relates to a measuring tool suitable for measuring the interior of footwear, for example, a sports shoe, a low shoe and other shoes.

[0027] Preferably, the molded body can warm up during the transition from the first state (A) to the second state (B). In particular, the molded body can warm up during the transition from the first state (A) to the second state (B) to a temperature corresponding to human body temperature, for example, between 35 °C and 45 °C, preferably approximately 40 °C. In this way, the shoe can adapt to a natural foot temperature, so that the molded body can assume the shape and size of a warm human foot. This further improves the measurement result obtained.

[0028] A crystallization process is any process in which a phase transition of a material can occur through crystal formation. For example, a crystallization process can be initiated in a supersaturated solution by initiation with nuclei. Preferably, the crystallization energy is released in the form of heat during the crystallization process, allowing the resulting body to heat up to approximately 35 °C to 45 °C.

[0029] In another preferred implementation, the form body can be reversibly transformed between the first state (A) and the second state (B). In other words, the form body can not only be transformed from the first state (A) to the second state (B), but a transformation back from state (B) to state (A) is also possible.

[0030] Preferably, the casing consists of an elastic polymer material. In particular, the casing can be made of latex. This has the advantage that the casing can adapt to the shape of the molded part and protect it from the external environment. Preferably, the casing is impermeable to water and / or air. In this case, the molded part can be used multiple times without atmospheric moisture or other substances contaminating it.

[0031] In addition to the base material, the molded part preferably contains a coil spring, preferably made of stainless metal. This facilitates the insertion of the molded part into the footwear. Preferably, the coil spring is made of a water-inert material. In particular, the coil spring can be made of a precious metal. This ensures that the measuring tool has a particularly long lifespan.

[0032] According to a preferred implementation, the hand shaft can have a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber can contain or be filled with a first mass of the hand shaft. The second chamber can contain or be filled with a second mass of the hand shaft. The hand shaft can also have a sieve. The sieve can be spatially arranged between the first and second chambers, separating the two chambers. The sieve can be impermeable to both the granules and the spring steel element, so that the granules are retained only in the first chamber, while the spring steel element is retained in the second chamber. Conversely, a crystallization process initiated in the second chamber can be transferred through the sieve into the first chamber. The chamber can also include a post-compaction plate.A post-compaction plate can be understood as any element that can achieve post-compaction of the mass within the molded body through the application of pressure.

[0033] In a preferred implementation, the handle can have a sleeve. The second chamber can contain a spring steel element. In this case, the molded body can be transformed from the first state A to the second state B by a chemical or physical process triggered by the at least one spring steel element.

[0034] The first mass of the handle can preferably consist essentially of a phase change medium, for example a supersaturated aqueous sodium acetate trihydrate solution, and a granulate. According to the present disclosure, granulate is understood to mean any plastic granulate which, in combination with a phase change medium, can impart improved strength to the molded body or the handle.

[0035] The second mass of the hand shaft can preferably consist essentially only of a phase-change medium.

[0036] In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for measuring the interior of a footwear item as in claim 10.

[0037] In a preferred implementation, the second step involves transferring the molded body from the first state (A) to the second state (B) while simultaneously re-compacting the mass of the molded body.

[0038] Preferably, after the fourth step, the measuring tool can be regenerated in a fifth step by transferring the shaped body from the second state (B) to the first state (A).

[0039] The method for measuring footwear can be carried out easily and quickly, even by non-technical personnel or assistants. It is efficient because a large number of shoes can be measured easily, and the measuring tool can be easily returned to its original state through the regeneration process. Multiple measurements can be performed in a single day with one measuring tool. Furthermore, the measuring tool can be produced inexpensively in large quantities because it is made of simple materials (latex, hard plastic, medium, metal plates) and contains no moving or failure-prone mechanical parts. In this way, the method is efficient, inexpensive, and precise in its measurements. Brief description of the characters

[0040] The following are examples, not exhaustive, of some special embodiments of the disclosure, with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0041] The particular embodiments serve only to illustrate the general inventive idea, but do not limit the disclosure.

[0042] The special embodiments show: Fig. 1 a schematic drawing of a measuring tool according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 a scheme for carrying out a method for measuring footwear with regeneration of the measuring tool according to the second aspect of the present disclosure. Preferred execution of the disclosure

[0043] Fig. Figure 1 shows a measuring tool (1) for measuring the interior of a shoe. The measuring tool consists of a molded body (10) and a handle (20). The molded body has a latex shell (15) and contains a mass consisting of an aqueous sodium acetate trihydrate solution and granules. The molded body (10) is plastically deformable in a first state (A). In this state, the sodium acetate is in solution. The granules are an insoluble component in the sodium acetate solution. However, triggered by a physical or chemical event, for example, pressure waves and the resulting crystallization nuclei, the sodium acetate in the sodium acetate solution can crystallize as sodium acetate trihydrate, thereby solidifying the granules.The molded body (10) is essentially plastically indeformable in this second state (B) containing sodium acetate trihydrate crystals and granules. The transition from the first state (A) to the second state (B) occurs through a crystallization process. This crystallization process is fundamentally reversible, meaning that a return to the first state (A) from the second state (B) is possible. This return is achieved by heating the molded body (10) in a water bath. For example, the molded body can be heated in a water bath at 70 °C for a period of 2 to 3 hours, causing all sodium acetate trihydrate crystals to dissolve back into solution. After all crystals have dissolved, a sodium acetate solution is obtained, and the molded body regains its elasticity. In other words, the molded body can be completely recycled for another measurement. The molded body also has an airtight latex casing (15).A mass of the molded body (10) contained within the casing (15), consisting of an aqueous sodium acetate solution and granules, can thus be protected from external influences (humidity and ambient air), enabling the crystallization and dissolution processes to be carried out reproducibly using defined and predetermined procedures. In addition to the mass, the molded body (10) can also include a screw element made of stainless steel, which provides sufficient rigidity to the molded body when inserted into the footwear.

[0044] The hand shaft (20) consists of a first chamber (21), a second chamber (22), a post-compaction plate (27), and a casing (15) of the hand shaft (20). The first chamber (21) contains a first mass of the hand shaft (20). This first mass of the hand shaft has the same composition as the mass of the molded body, i.e., the first mass consists of sodium acetate solution and granules of the same composition. The mass of the first chamber is in fluidic contact with the mass of the molded body. If crystallization occurs within the first chamber, crystallization in the molded body is also triggered, albeit with a time delay. The second chamber (22) contains a second mass of the hand shaft (20). The second mass consists essentially of an aqueous sodium acetate solution, but in this case, no granules.Furthermore, a spring steel element (30) is located within the second chamber (22), which can be used to generate pressure waves to trigger the crystallization process. Pressing the spring steel element produces a clicking sound as a pressure wave, which triggers the crystallization of the sodium acetate trihydrate in the second chamber. The crystallization proceeds through the sieve (25) into the first chamber (21) and from there into the molded body. The sieve (25) prevents the granules from entering the second chamber of the handle (20) and negatively affecting the functionality of the spring steel element. The sieve (25) also prevents the spring steel element from passing from the second chamber (22) into the first chamber (21). The molded body (10) can thus be transformed from the first state (A) to the second state (B) by a chemical or physical process triggered by the spring steel element (30).The initial heat released during the conversion process from the first state (A) to the second state (B), approximately 40 °C, corresponds roughly to the body temperature of a human foot. This heat is transferred to the materials of the footwear being measured, thus precisely matching the natural ambient temperature of the shoe and foot during use. This contributes to obtaining a natural and accurate measurement result for the desired measurement area of ​​the forefoot. The post-compaction plate (27) consists primarily of hard plastic and is dimensionally stable. The sieve (25) is permeable to the sodium acetate solution but retains the granules in the first chamber. The handle (20) also has a sleeve that is integrally formed with the sleeve of the molded body (10).In this example, the casing is airtight, so that a defined chemical composition can be maintained inside the handle without external influences (i.e., changes in air and water concentration).

[0045] Fig.Figure 2 shows the steps of a procedure for measuring the interior of a shoe using the measuring tool (1). The procedure comprises the following steps. In a first step, the measuring tool (1) is inserted into the interior of the shoe using the hand shaft (20), with the molded body (10) in a first state (A) at this stage. This process is significantly simplified if the molded body contains a steel screw element, thus achieving greater rigidity of the molded body (10). After insertion into the shoe, the molded body fits snugly against the inner lining of the shoe on all sides. This fit is ensured by pressing down with the hand shaft and the compression plate. In a second step, the molded body (10) is moved from the first state (A) to the second state (B).In this process, the molded body (10) is transformed from the first state (A) to the second state (B) by simultaneously re-compacting the mass of the molded body (10) through the application of pressure to the re-compaction plate (27). The crystallization process for transforming the molded body into state (B) is triggered by a physical or chemical event, for example, by pressure waves generated by the spring steel element (30). Here, the sodium acetate present in the sodium acetate solution is first crystallized in the second chamber of the hand shaft, then via the sieve in the first chamber of the hand shaft, and subsequently in the molded body, so that the mass solidifies in conjunction with the granules. In this second state (B), the molded body (10) is essentially plastically indeformable, containing sodium acetate trihydrate crystals and granules. The phase transition energy released during the phase transition corresponds to a temperature of approximately...40 °C, which is approximately the temperature of a human foot. This heat is transferred to the materials of the footwear being measured, thus precisely matching the natural ambient temperature of the shoe and foot during use. This contributes to obtaining a natural and accurate measurement result for the desired measurement area of ​​the forefoot. In a third step, the measuring tool (1) is withdrawn from the interior of the shoe using the hand shaft (20). During this step, the shape of the mold is maintained. In a fourth step, the mold (10) or the measuring tool (1) is measured. Because the mold has the same shape and size as the interior of the footwear, all essential parameters of the shoe's interior can be determined using only the mold.In a fifth step, the measuring tool (1) is regenerated by transferring the molded body (10) from the second state (B) to the first state (A). For this purpose, the measuring tool is fully or partially regenerated by immersing it in a water bath heated to approximately 60 to 70 °C for a period of 2 to 3 hours. Reference symbol list 1 measuring tool 10 molded bodies 15 case 18 coil spring 20 handles 21 first chamber of the company 22 second chamber of the handbook 25 sieves 27 Compaction plate 30 spring steel elements

Claims

[1] Measuring tool (1), in particular measuring tool (1) for measuring the interior of a footwear, comprising: - a shaped body (10) and - at least one handle (20), wherein the molded body (10) can have at least two states (A, B), wherein in a first state (A) the molded body (10) is plastically deformable and in a second state (B) the molded body (10) is essentially plastically indeformable, wherein the shaped body (10) can be transformed from the first state (A) to the second state (B) by a crystallization process, wherein the shaped body (10) has a shell (15) and a mass of the shaped body (10) located in the shell (15), wherein the shaped body (10) can be transformed from the first state (A) to the second state (B) by a chemical or physical process, wherein the mass in state (A) of the molded body comprises a supersaturated aqueous sodium acetate trihydrate solution. [2] Measuring tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein the shaped body (10) is reversibly transferable between the first state (A) and the second state (B). [3] Measuring tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, wherein the shaped body (10) heats up during the transition from the first state (A) to the second state (B). [4] Measuring tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the casing (15) consists of an elastic polymer material, preferably latex. [5] Measuring tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mass of the molded body (10) additionally comprises a granulate. [6] Measuring tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle (20) comprises the following: - a first chamber (21) which is filled with a first mass of the hand shaft (20), - a second chamber (22) which is filled with a second mass of the hand shaft (20), - a sieve (25) between the first chamber (21) and the second chamber (22), - a re-compaction plate (27), and - a casing (15) of the handle (20), wherein a spring steel element (30) is located within the second chamber (22) of the handle (20), wherein the shaped body (10) can be transformed from the first state A to the second state B by a chemical or physical process triggered by the at least one spring steel element (30). [7] Measuring tool (1) according to claim 6, wherein the first mass of the hand shaft (20) consists of a phase change medium and a granulate. [8] Measuring tool (1) according to one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the second mass of the hand shaft (20) consists of a phase change medium. [9] Method for measuring the interior of a footwear using a measuring tool (1) comprising a molded body (10) having a shell (15) and a mass of the molded body located in the shell (15), wherein the molded body (10) can have at least two states (A, B), wherein in a first state (A) the molded body (10) is plastically deformable and in a second state (B) the molded body (10) is substantially plastically indeformable, wherein the molded body (10) can be transformed from the first state (A) to the second state (B) by a crystallization process, the method comprising the following steps: a) Inserting the measuring tool (1) into the interior of the shoe using a hand shaft (20), wherein in this step the molded body (10) is in a first state (A); b) Transition of the shaped body (10) from the first state (A) to the second state (B) by a crystallization process; c) Pulling the measuring tool (1) out of the interior of the shoe using the hand shaft (20); d) Measuring the molded body (10) or the measuring tool (1); wherein the mass in state (A) of the molded body comprises a supersaturated aqueous sodium acetate trihydrate solution. [10] Method according to claim 9, wherein in step b) the transfer of the molded body (10) from the first state (A) to the second state (B) takes place while simultaneously re-compacting the mass of the molded body (10) by applying pressure to the re-compaction plate (27). [11] Method according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein after step d) the measuring tool (1) is regenerated by transferring the molded body (10) from the second state (B) to the first state (A). [12] Method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the mass of the molded body (10) additionally comprises a granulate.

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