Shoe Cover Elastic Ring Design for Secure Fit and Automated Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shoe covers are labor-intensive to produce, leading to high manpower costs and low efficiency, and often suffer from defects such as failure to tighten properly, easy tearing at the toe, and redundant fabric that can cause tripping.
Innovation Solution
A shoe cover design featuring a top opening with a first elastic ring, a connected sole with a second elastic ring, and anti-slip strips, made from non-stick high-friction polymeric material, which is fabricated using automation equipment to enhance fit and prevent falling off, with reinforced structures and a specific fabric composition for improved bonding strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If shoe covers are manually sewn, then production flexibility and quality control are maintained, but manpower cost increases and production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe cover structure is designed to be self-assembling through elastic ring contraction and fabric elasticity, eliminating the need for manual sewing operations. The elastic rings automatically secure the shoe cover to the foot, and the integrated sole construction requires no separate attachment steps, enabling fully automated production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the construction parameters from traditional sewn joints to elastic ring-based securing mechanisms. This parameter change allows automated equipment to produce shoe covers without manual intervention, as the elastic components provide self-adjusting tension and securing forces that replace sewing operations.
2Productivity
If automation equipment is used to produce shoe covers, then production efficiency and cost reduction are achieved, but defects occur including poor fit, easy tearing, and redundant fabric
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe cover is segmented into distinct functional zones: a toe portion with reinforced structure, a heel portion with extended coverage, and elastic ring integration points. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function - the toe for durability, the heel for fit security, and the elastic rings for automatic securing - while being produced as an integrated automated component.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the shoe cover have different fabric properties and constructions tailored to local requirements. The toe area uses reinforced fabric for tear resistance, the heel area uses extended coverage for fit security, and specific zones incorporate elastic rings for automatic securing. This local quality optimization ensures each area performs its function reliably under automated production.
3Ease of operation
If traditional shoe cover design is used, then simplicity of structure is maintained, but the shoe cover cannot tighten properly and is easy to fall off
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic rings are positioned to automatically secure the shoe cover when pulled over the foot, utilizing elastic contraction to tighten and lock the shoe cover in place without requiring manual adjustment or complex fastening mechanisms. The fabric elasticity further assists in self-tightening as the foot moves.
Solution Approach 2:
The shoe cover incorporates dynamic elements including elastic rings that expand and contract, and fabric that stretches and recoils, allowing the shoe cover to adapt to foot movement and maintain secure fit automatically. The elastic components provide continuous adjustment capability as the foot moves during wear.
4Strength
If shoe covers have reinforced toe and heel structures, then durability is improved, but redundant fabric is created that is easy to be stepped on and lead to tumbling
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe cover employs curved and contoured fabric shaping at the toe and heel portions, eliminating flat redundant edges that could cause tripping. The fabric is formed to follow the natural contours of the foot and shoe, creating smooth transitions and eliminating protruding seams or excess material that could catch on surfaces.
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
The design ensures the shoe cover stays securely on the foot or shoe, reduces material redundancy, and improves production efficiency through automation, while providing high slip resistance and preventing stickiness.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic ring provided at the shoe cover opening; a second elastic ring provided on the shoe cover upper near the shoe cover sole
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of anti-slip strips provided at the bottom of the shoe cover sole... made of non-stick high-friction polymeric material
Data Source
AI summary
A shoe cover comprises a shoe cover upper and a shoe cover sole. A shoe cover opening is provided at the top of the shoe cover upper, and the shoe cover opening is provided with a first elastic ring. The shoe cover sole is connected with the bottom of the shoe cover upper. A second elastic ring is provided at where the shoe cover upper connects the shoe cover sole. The second elastic ring straps the shoe cover upper and the shoe cover sole onto either a foot or a shoe, prevents the shoe cover from falling off, and facilitates the shoe cover upper and the shoe cover sole in affixing onto the foot or shoe.