Milled Leather Shoe Upper with Variable Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoe manufacturing techniques fail to adequately influence the mechanical and functional properties of shoe uppers, such as stiffness, flexibility, breathability, and surface friction, in specific regions, limiting customization and performance.
Innovation Solution
A shoe upper design featuring contiguous areas of leather with varying thickness, achieved by milling off surface layers in specific sub-areas, allowing for controlled mechanical and functional properties without compromising overall stability, and potentially incorporating additional materials or coatings for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional leather processing techniques are used, then the upper provides general stability and resilience, but the mechanical and functional properties cannot be adequately influenced in individual regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the thickness of the leather upper in different regions through selective removal of material. Specific areas have reduced thickness to achieve desired mechanical properties (flexibility, breathability, surface friction) while other areas maintain original thickness for stability and structural support. This allows customization of functional properties in individual regions without requiring entirely different manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper is divided into multiple regions with different thickness characteristics. The manufacturing process segments the leather treatment by applying material removal only to specific sub-areas rather than uniformly processing the entire upper. This segmentation enables region-specific property optimization while maintaining overall manufacturing efficiency through a systematic approach.
2Ease of operation
If material is removed to reduce thickness in specific areas, then flexibility and breathability improve, but overall stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By applying thickness reduction only to specific regions rather than uniformly across the entire upper, the patent achieves localized improvements in flexibility and breathability where needed, while preserving structural stability in areas that require load-bearing capacity and support. The strategic placement of thinned regions ensures functional benefits without compromising overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by removing material only to the extent necessary in specific regions, rather than uniformly thinning the entire upper. This controlled, partial material removal achieves the desired flexibility and breathability improvements in target areas while maintaining sufficient thickness in other regions to preserve overall stability and structural support.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the upper is made from multiple pieces, then specific region properties can be optimized, but the general stability and resilience are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves region-specific property optimization by varying the thickness of a single continuous piece of leather through selective material removal. This approach provides the benefits of customized regional properties (flexibility, breathability, friction characteristics) while maintaining the structural advantages of a unified construction, avoiding the strength and stability issues associated with assembling multiple separate pieces.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables customizable shoe uppers with tailored mechanical and functional properties, improving flexibility, breathability, and surface friction in targeted areas while maintaining overall stability and appearance.
Implementation Method 1
milling off a first surface layer of the leather in the entire second sub-area
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a part of a shoe, in particular a shoe upper, a shoe with such a part and a method for the manufacture. According to an aspect of the invention a part of a shoe is provided which comprises an area comprising a contiguous piece of natural and/or synthetic leather, wherein the area comprises a first sub-area and a second sub-area, each sub-area having a size of more than 3 cm2, in particular more than 4 cm2, wherein the leather has a reduced thickness in the second sub-area compared to the first sub-area, and wherein the reduced thickness is obtained by milling off a first surface layer of the leather in the entire second sub-area.