Shoe Protector Applicator for Easy Big-Toe Wear Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoe protector devices, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,949,531 B2, are difficult to install and require removal of the existing shoe sole, making them cumbersome and impractical for protecting against wear in lightweight fabric shoes like trainers.
Innovation Solution
An applicator with a template and a protective patch featuring a double-sided adhesive, allowing easy application of a wear-resistant and waterproof patch to the shoe's vulnerable areas, such as the big toe region, using a low-tack semi-permanent adhesive that detaches from the applicator with minimal force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shoe hole prevention insert with sole pad and guards is used, then protection against toe wear is achieved, but installation complexity increases requiring removal of existing shoe sole
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential protective function from complex prior-art inserts by using a simple patch applied directly to the shoe interior lining, eliminating the need for complex sole pad structures with movable guards while maintaining protection against toe wear
Solution Approach 2:
The protective device is segmented into a simple patch component that can be independently applied to specific high-wear areas of the shoe interior, rather than requiring a complete sole pad assembly with multiple guards to be installed as one unit
2Reliability
If a shoe hole prevention insert with movable guards is used, then comprehensive toe and sidewall protection is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patch is designed with self-adhering properties through double-sided adhesive tape, allowing the user to apply protection independently without requiring specialized installation tools or procedures, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining comprehensive protection
3Weight of moving object
If lightweight thin material is used for trainers, then weight is reduced, but durability deteriorates leading to quick wear and holes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite protective system combining the lightweight shoe material with a durable patch material (such as leather or synthetic leather) that has higher wear resistance, allowing the shoe to maintain its lightweight characteristic while the patch provides enhanced durability in high-wear areas
4Ease of operation
If protective patch with double-sided adhesive is used, then ease of application is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase for correct positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patch is pre-positioned on the applicator card at a predetermined location corresponding to the big toe area, and the card is designed with a template that guides correct placement on the shoe interior, thereby maintaining positioning precision while the double-sided adhesive enables easy application by the end user
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 solution enables quick and easy installation of protective patches in the correct regions of the shoe, extending the lifespan of lightweight fabric shoes by preventing wear and tear, particularly at the big toe area, while being cost-effective and compatible with various shoe sizes and colors.
Implementation Method 1
at least part of an outer surface of the patch having a double-sided adhesive with a detachable liner attached to the outer adhesive surface
Implementation Method 2
a low-tack semi-permanent adhesive, such as a removable pressure sensitive adhesive with low peel strength and medium shear strength as in known in the art, the low tack semi-permanent adhesive being configured to allow the patch to disengage from the applicator when a pulling force is applied
Data Source
AI summary
A shoe protector device for a trainer for the prevention of toe holes. The applicator consists of two display cards 2L and 2R each having the sole area 6 of a left foot and right foot respectively printed thereon. Additionally, a toe protector patch 12 with liner 8, is secured to a top end of the sole area of each card 2L and 2R in a position that would be occupied by a toe, such as a big toe. A low-tack semi-permanent adhesive secures the patch to the applicator so as to allow the patch to disengage from the applicator when a pulling force is applied.