Embedded Memory Tab in Shoe Soles for Wear-Resistant Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional product labeling methods, such as those mandated by the Consumer Product Safety Act, face issues with information becoming obscured or intentionally destroyed, particularly in footwear.

Innovation Solution

A shoe design incorporating a tab with a hidden, embedded portion and a visible portion, where the hidden portion is imprinted with identification information, protected from wear and accessible upon demand.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If product labeling is applied to footwear surfaces, then identification information is visible and accessible, but the information becomes obscured through wear and intentional destruction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification informationVSAvoidinformation legibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the identification information from the external footwear surface and relocates it to an internal tab structure embedded within the shoe. The tab is positioned between the insole and midsole layers, removing the information from the harmful external environment while maintaining accessibility through the exposed portion that extends through the insole.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The tab is nested within the multi-layered sole structure of the footwear. The identification tab is positioned between the insole and midsole layers, with portions embedded within the shoe's internal structure while maintaining an exposed portion for accessibility. This nesting protects the information while allowing retrieval.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a tab structure is embedded within shoe layers, then information is protected from wear, but the tab may be difficult to retrieve when desired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation protectionVSAvoidtab retrieval

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tab is segmented into multiple portions: an exposed portion extending through the insole for accessibility, a first portion between the insole and midsole, and a second portion embedded within the midsole. This segmentation allows the information to be protected within the layered structure while the exposed portion remains accessible for easy retrieval when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional surface labeling is used, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but the information becomes obscured through wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabeling processVSAvoidprinted information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The identification tab is incorporated into the footwear manufacturing process at an early stage, before the shoe is assembled and before wear begins. The tab is positioned between the insole and midsole layers during construction, ensuring the information is protected from wear before any damage can occur. This preliminary placement prevents information loss while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12402688B2Product having a tab with an embedded memory portion

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 DYNASTY FOOTWEAR

AI summary

Provided is, among other things, a shoe having a sole that includes multiple layers and an upper attached to and extending above the sole. In addition, the shoe includes a tab having: (1) a first portion, located between adjacent layers of the sole and thus hidden from view, that is imprinted with identification information pertaining to the shoe and (2) a second portion that is visible during ordinary use of the shoe.