WO2001082736A1

WO2001082736A1 - Inflatable shoe tree

Info

Publication number: WO2001082736A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/011520
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian Kent Farison
Original assignee: Sealed Air Corporation
Priority date: 2000-04-28
Filing date: 2000-04-28
Publication date: 2001-11-08
Also published as: AU2000246774A1

Abstract

An inflatable shoe tree (20) having left (22) and right (24) inflatable chambers and at least one interconnect passageway placing the left and right inflated chambers in fluid communication. In the inflated condition, the interconnect passageway (26) hingedly connects the left and right chambers so that the inflated shoe tree is moveable between a constrained position and a free position. In the constrained position, the left and right inflated chambers are relatively close together to facilitate insertion of the folded, inflated shoe tree into a shoe. In the free position, the left and right chambers are relatively far from each other. Also in the constrained position, the interconnect passageway is partially compressed to create a countervailing force urging the left and right chambers toward the free position. The inflatable shoe tree may be formed in the non-inflated state by sealing a bottom sheet to a top sheet in selected regions. The inflated shoe tree helps to support the shape of a shoe during shipment and retail display.

Description

INFLATABLE SHOE TREE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to shoe trees, and more particularly to inflatable shoe trees.

The interior of a shoe is often filled with an insert to support the shape of the shoe during transport and retail display. The supporting insert helps minimize the formation of creases and folds in the shoe during shipment. Further, the supporting insert helps to support the shape of the shoe -- and thus enhance consumer appeal -- during retail display. The forward portion of a lightweight (e.g., sportswear) shoe is especially susceptible to being creased or crushed without a supporting insert. Tissue paper is a popular supporting insert material because of its low cost and light weight.

However, the use of tissue paper as a supporting shoe insert typically requires that several sheets of tissue paper be wadded and stuffed into the front portion of the shoe. The customer or end-user must remove the stuffed tissue paper before trying the shoe on. The customer may be annoyed by having to remove and dispose of this wadded tissue paper insert. Further, the disposal of the used tissue paper appears wasteful. Also, the stuffed tissue paper within the shoe may compress over time to lose its effectiveness in supporting the shape of the shoe. Accordingly, the need exists for an improved method and device for supporting the shape of a shoe during shipment and retail display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inflatable shoe tree of the present invention in the inflated state includes left and right inflated chambers. At least one interconnect passageway places the left and right inflated chambers in fluid communication.

In one embodiment, the interconnect passageway hingedly connects the left and right chambers so that the inflated shoe tree is moveable between a constrained position and a free position. In the constrained position, the left and right inflated chambers are relatively close together to facilitate insertion of the folded, inflated shoe tree into a shoe. In the free position, the left and right chambers are relatively far from each other. Also in the constrained position, the interconnect passageway is partially compressed to create a countervailing force urging the left and right chambers toward the free position. The inflatable shoe tree may be formed in the non-inflated state by sealing a bottom sheet to a top sheet in selected regions.

In another embodiment, the inflated shoe tree includes an inflated cushion having a central longitudinal axis and an interior volume. The inflated cushion defines a central non- inflated region. The inflated cushion is bendable about the central longitudinal axis to move the cushion from a free mode to a constrained mode. In the free mode, the inflated cushion is in an equilibrium state free from bending forces. In the constrained mode, the inflated cushion: i) has a configuration adapted for insertion into the shoe, ii) has an internal pressure within the interior volume of the inflated cushion that is elevated relative to the internal pressure within the inflated cushion in the free mode, and iii) is biased to return to the free mode.

In yet another embodiment, the inflated shoe tree includes left and right inflated chambers each having an anterior portion corresponding to the toe area of the shoe and a posterior portion opposite the anterior portion. The left and right inflated chambers have an essentially equivalent inflated volume that is tapered from the relatively small anterior portion to the relatively large posterior portion. Each of the left and right inflated chambers forms a finger-grip portion in the posterior portion of the chamber. At least two interconnect passageways place the left and right inflated chambers in fluid communication. A posterior interconnect passageway connects the posterior portions of the left and right inflated chambers. An anterior interconnect passageway connects the anterior portions of the left and right inflated chambers. The posterior and anterior interconnect passageways hingedly connect the left and right inflated chambers so that the inflated shoe tree is bendable between a free position and a constrained position by pressing the finger-grip portions toward each other to symmetrically fold the shoe tree along its central longitudinal axis. In the free position, the left and right inflated chambers are relatively far from each other. In the constrained position, i) the left and right inflated chambers are relatively close together, ii) the interconnect passageways are at least partially folded, and iii) the pressure inside the left and right inflated chambers increases compared to the pressure inside the left and right chambers in the free position, so that a countervailing force is created that urges the left and right chambers toward the free position. The posterior and anterior interconnect passageways have essentially balanced inflated central cross-sectional areas so that the symmetrical folding of the shoe tree along its longitudinal axis is facilitated during transition from the free position to the constrained position. A toe notch is located at the front periphery of the anterior interconnect passageway. The toe notch also facilitates symmetrical folding of the shoe tree along its longitudinal axis during transition from the free position to the constrained position. An inlet passageway for inflating the left and right chambers is connected to the posterior interconnect passageway. The inlet passageway is in a closed state to maintain the left and right chambers in an inflated condition.

The inflatable shoe tree of the present invention presents an effective way both to help reduce the creasing and crushing of a shoe during shipment and to support the shape of a shoe during retail display. The inflatable shoe tree is relatively light weight. Further, the inflated shoe tree may be easily inserted into a shoe with one hand. One size of the inflated shoe tree will support the shape of a range of shoes. One inflated shoe tree configuration may be used as an insert in either the left or right shoes. The retail customer may easily remove the inflated shoe tree from a shoe. Also, the consumer may re-use the inflated shoe tree.

The invention will be more readily understood and appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the invention and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the inflatable shoe tree of the present invention in the non- inflated state;

Fig. 1A is a plan view of a second embodiment of the inflatable shoe tree of the present invention in the non-inflated state;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1A; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the shoe tree of Fig. 1 in the inflated state;

Fig. 5 is a right side elevational view of the inflated shoe tree of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of the inflated shoe tree of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the inflated shoe tree taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the inflated shoe tree taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 4; Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the inflated shoe tree taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the inflated shoe tree of Fig. 1A with a hand holding the inflated shoe tree in the folded, constrained position;

Fig. 11 is a front elevational view of the inflated shoe tree of Fig. 10 in the constrained position; Fig. 12 is a left side elevational view of the inflated shoe tree of Fig. 10 in the constrained position;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the inflated shoe tree of Fig. 10 in the constrained position being inserted into a shoe; Fig. 14 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the inflatable shoe tree of the present invention in the non-inflated state;

Fig. 15 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the inflatable shoe tree of the present invention in the non-inflated state;

Fig. 16 is a left side elevational view of the inflatable shoe tree of Fig. 15 in the inflated state and in the constrained position; and

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary plan view of an inflatable shoe tree of the present invention in the inflated state showing an alternative finger-grip configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The inflatable shoe trees 20, 60, 70, 80 of the present invention include a left inflatable chamber 22 and a right inflatable chamber 24. (Figs. 1, 14-16.) The left and right chambers are hingedly connected to and placed in fluid communication with each other by one or more interconnect passageways 26. The inflatable shoe trees may be inflated by passing an inflation medium or fluid (e.g., compressed gas) into the left and right chambers via inlet passageway 28. The inflated shoe tree is moveable between an unconstrained or free position (Fig. 4) and a constrained position (Fig. 13) for insertion into a shoe. The term "shoe" is used in this application in the broad sense to include shoes, boots, and other footwear.

The inflatable shoe tree 20 - shown in the non-inflated state in Fig. 1 - includes an anterior portion (i.e., toe or front portion) 38 and a posterior or rear portion 40 opposite the anterior portion. Preferably, the shoe tree is essentially symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis extending from the toe portion 38 to the rear portion 40 of the inflatable shoe tree. A toe notch or indentation 48 may be centrally located at the periphery of the anterior portion of the inflatable shoe tree to facilitate folding the inflated shoe tree, as will be discussed below.

The left and right inflatable chambers 22, 24 of the inflatable shoe tree have left and right anterior chamber portions 34, 35 and left and right posterior chamber portions 36, 37, respectively. (Fig. 1.) In the inflated state (Figs. 4-9), left and right chambers 22, 24 preferably define essentially equivalent interior inflated chamber volumes. Each of the left and right chambers may taper from a relatively broad configuration at the posterior chamber portions 36, 37 to a relatively narrow configuration at the anterior chamber portions 34, 35. In the inflated state, the left and right chambers preferably include an essentially conical shape (Figs. 4-5 and 7-8). A printed image (not shown) may be placed on the surface of the inflatable cushion, for example, by printing an ink on the interior or exterior surface of the left or right inflatable chambers 22, 24.

Each of the left and right inflatable chambers may define a finger-grip portion or indentation 44 preferably positioned in the posterior chamber portions 36, 37. The finger grip portion 42 may be located at a periphery or edge of the inflatable chamber to present a "scalloped" configuration. (Fig. 1.) Also, an "island" finger-grip portion 46 may be centrally located within the posterior portion of the inflatable chamber. (Fig. 17.)

One or more interconnect passageways 26 place the left and right inflatable chambers 22, 24 in fluid communication. The one or more interconnect passageways 26 may also hingedly connect the left and right inflatable chambers so that the left and right chambers are moveable between a free position and a constrained position, as will be discussed in more detail below. Preferably, the inflatable shoe tree includes at least two interconnect passageways 26, namely — i) a posterior interconnect passageway 30 (i.e., rear inflatable hinge 30) generally oriented between the left and right posterior chamber portions 36 and 37 and ii) an anterior interconnect passageway 32 (i.e., front inflatable hinge 32) generally oriented between the left and right anterior chamber portions 34 and 35. The central cross-sectional areas 68, 69 of the posterior and anterior interconnect passageways 30, 32 are defined by longitudinal section taken along the longitudinal axis of the shoe tree and extending at a right angle to the central transverse axis of the shoe tree. (Fig. 9.) Preferably, the rear and front inflatable hinges 30 and 32 have an essentially balanced inflated central cross-sectional areas 68 and 69, for example, the inflated cross-sectional areas of a size within about 30% of each other, more preferably within about 20% of each other, still more preferably within about 10% of each other, and most preferably essentially equal to each other. (Fig. 9.)

In combination, the left and right chambers 22, 24 and the one or more interconnect passageways 26 may define one or more central non-inflatable regions 50. The non-inflatable regions 50 may be a non-apertured region 52 having enclosed film or other material, as is the case with inflatable shoe tree 20. (Figs. 1-2.) The non-inflatable region 50 may also include an apertured region 54, as is the case with inflatable shoe tree 60. (Figs. 1A, 3.) Apertured region 54 may facilitate the circulation of air through and around the inflated shoe tree once it is inserted into a shoe. Preferably the non-inflatable region 50 has a tapered shape relatively narrow toward the toe of the inflatable shoe tree and relatively broad toward the rear of the shoe tree, in order to facilitate a tapered or cone configuration for the left and right chambers.

Inlet passageway 28 provides a location for inserting inflation fluid or medium into the interior volume of left and right inflatable cushions 22, 24 in order to inflate the inflatable shoe tree 20. The inlet passageway may be connected to and in fluid communication with one or more portions of the inflatable shoe tree 20. Preferably, inlet passageway 28 is connected to the posterior interconnect passageway 30, as illustrated in the drawings. However, the inlet passageway may also or instead be connected to the left chamber 22, the right chamber 24, and the one or more interconnect passageways 26, such as the anterior interconnect passageway 32. A particularly useful sealable inlet passageway system is described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/526,498 (Attorney Docket No. D20055-01) filed March 15, 2000 by Sperry et al entitled "Inflator/Sealer Device for Inflatable Packaging Cushion," which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. See, for example, Figs. 8 and 21 of that application.

Tab 42 may be attached to one or more portions of the inflatable shoe tree 20; for example, the left chamber 22, the right chamber 24, the one or more interconnect passageways 26, and the inlet passageway 28. As illustrated in the drawings, tab 42 is connected to the inlet passageway 28. Tab 42 may be adapted for hand grasping in order to facilitate removal of the inflated shoe tree from a shoe, as will be discussed in more detail below.

Inflatable shoe tree 70 (Fig. 14) illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention. Inflatable shoe tree 70 includes one interconnect passageway 26, which connects the left and right posterior chamber portions 36, 37 and otherwise has a configuration and function similar to rear inflatable hinge 30 of inflatable shoe tree 20.

Inflatable shoe tree 80 (Figs. 15-16) illustrates a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Inflatable shoe tree 80 includes an inflatable front chamber 72 in fluid communication with left and right inflatable chambers 22, 24. The front chamber 72 may extend from and be hingedly connected to the left and right anterior chamber portions 34, 35 by left and right inflatable toe hinge passageways 76, 78. Anterior side notches 74 may help define the inflatable toe hinge passageways 72 and also help facilitate the downward extension of the inflatable toe chamber once it is inflated and the shoe tree 80 is folded along its longitudinal axis, as will be discussed below.

The inflatable shoe tree of the present invention comprises one or more sheets of flexible material — for example, a flexible, relatively gas-impermeable, thermoplastic film - suitable for forming an inflatable cushion. The embodiments illustrated in the drawings include top and bottom sheets 56, 58 formed as separate sheets; however, the terminology "top" and "bottom" or "at least two" sheets as used in this application includes the sense of one sheet of material folded over upon itself to form the top and bottom sheets.

The top and bottom sheets 56, 58 may be mono- or multi-layered thermoplastic films that may include polymers (e.g., thermoplastic materials) such as polyethylene, polyurethane, and poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate). If the film has a multilayer construction, then the film may include: i) one or more outer layers of a heat-sealable material to assist in heat sealing films together, as well as ii) a gas barrier layer to decrease the gas permeability of the film, as is known in the art.

The top and bottom films may have any thickness suitable for the inflated shoe tree application — preferably taking into consideration factors such as the desired inflation pressure, the tensile strength of the film material, the hoop stress resulting from the given inflated configuration of the shoe tree, the amount of abuse expected for the application, and the desired permeation rate through the film. Useful film thickness ranges include from about 1 to about 10 mils, preferably from about 3 to about 8 mils. Preferably the inflatable shoe tree comprises a film material of a composition and thickness that provides a permeation rate suitable to maintain the inflated pressure of the shoe tree for at least about one year.

A useful film construction for the shoe tree configuration illustrated in Fig. 4 that is inflated to a pressure of about 8 psig is a 6.5 mil thick, seven-layer film having the following balanced construction: i) a core barrier layer comprising ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), ii) surrounding tie layers comprising modified linear low density polyethylene copolymer (LLDPE), iii) surrounding bulk layers comprising LLDPE, and iv) outside heat seal layers comprising LLDPE. The core barrier layer may comprise a polyamide (e.g., a nylon) suitable for providing the desired barrier properties.

Suitable film materials to form the inflatable shoe tree of the present invention are disclosed in one or more of: i) U.S. Patents 5,588,533 issued December 31, 1996 to Farison; 5,620,096 issued April 15, 1997 to Pozzo; 5,762,197 issued June 9, 1998 to Farison; 5,803,263 issued September 8, 1998 to Pozzo; 5,862,914 issued January 26, 1999 to Farison; and ii) U.S. Patent Application Serial Nos. 09/089,524 filed June 3, 1998 by Pozzo (corresponding to International Publication No. WO 99/62789 published December 9, 1999); 09/236,793 filed January 25, 1999 by Farison; 09/437,411 filed November 10, 1999 by Wofford et al; and

09/438,562 filed November 10, 1999 by Ahlgren. Each of these previously recited patents and patent applications is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

Manufacture and Operation of the Inflatable Shoe Tree

The inflatable shoe tree of the present invention may be formed by juxtaposing top and bottom films 56, 58 so that their sealable layers (if the films are multilayered) confront one another. The films may then be sealed together in perimeter zone 64 and interior zone 66. The sealing is preferably performed by heat sealing (e.g., conductance sealing, impulse sealing, ultrasonic sealing, dielectric sealing), but may be performed by application of a suitable adhesive (e.g., a UV-curable adhesive) between the films in the sealing zones 64, 66. The portion of top and bottom sheets 56, 58 within non-inflatable region 50 may be cut away to form apertured region 54 (Fig. 1A). A continuous web of inflatable shoe trees may be formed using the production line and techniques disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/526,498 (Attorney Docket No. D20055-01) by Sperry et al (previously incorporated by reference).

The inflatable shoe tree 20 may be inflated by passing an inflation medium or fluid

(e.g., compressed air or other gas) through inlet passageway 28 and into interconnect passageways 26 and the left and right chambers 22, 24. For example, shoe tree 20 may be inflated by inserting an inflation tube (not shown) into the inlet region 86 of the inlet passageway 28 -- that is, between the top and bottom sheets 56, 58 of the inlet, as is illustrated in Figs. 1-5 of the previously incorporated U.S. Patent Application No. 09/526,498. The inflation tube is connected to a source of compressed air or other inflation medium. As the inflation fluid enters the interior of the shoe tree to increase the interior pressure, the top and bottom films 56, 58 lift apart from each other in the unsealed regions as the chambers and passageways take their inflated shapes (Figs. 4-13). The term "inflated" as used in this application in relation to the inflated shoe tree means that the shoe tree has an internal pressure that is elevated relative to the pressure outside of the shoe tree (i.e., ambient pressure). Once the inflated shoe tree 20 has achieved the desired inflated shape and internal pressure, the inflated shoe tree 20 may be sealed in one or more inlet seal regions 88 extending transversely across inlet passageway 28 to "close" the inlet passageway. (Fig. 4.) The inflation tube may then be withdrawn from the inlet region 86. This sealing method and means are further illustrated in Figs. 5-7 of the previously incorporated U.S. Patent Application No. 09/526,498. An inflation/sealing machine useful for inflating and sealing inflatable shoe tree 20 as described above is provided by Sealed Air Corporation (Danbury, Connecticut) under the BT-1 trademark. The BT-1 inflator/sealer controls both the inflation of the inflatable cushion with compressed air and sealing of the inflated cushion with an impulse heat sealer.

If the inflatable shoe tree 20 incorporates a sealable inlet passageway having an embedded resistance wire as described in the previously incorporated U.S. Patent Application No. 09/526,498, then an inflator/sealer device of the type described in that application may also be used to inflate and seal the inflatable shoe tree. Other means for sealing the inflated shoe free include the placement in the inlet passageway of a self-sealing, one-way, or two-way valve (not shown) of the type known for use with inflatable cushions.

The inflated shoe tree is moveable or bendable between a free or unconstrained position (Figs. 4-9) — where the left and right chambers are relatively far from each other — to a folded or constrained position (Figs. 10-13), where the left and right chambers are relatively close together. The shoe tree is inflated to a pressure sufficient to provide the desired amount of stiffness, rigidity, or resistance to folding for the inflated shoe tree. The rigidity provided by the inflation pressure provides a "spring" effect to the inflated interconnect passageways and causes the inflated shoe tree to be biased toward the unconstrained or free position. In general, the higher the internal pressure of the inflated shoe tree, the higher the rigidity and spring force. Upon inflation, the initial inflated pressure of the shoe tree may lower slightly (e.g., by from about 0.5 psi to about 2.5 psi) as the film stretches to achieve a steady-state condition. Useful internal pressures for the inflated shoe tree in steady state include (in ascending order of preference) at least about 2 psig, at least about 5 psig, and at least about 7 psig, and may also range from about 2 to about 15 psig, preferably from about 5 to about 10, most preferably about 8 psig.

The inflatable shoe tree is preferably inflated before being placed in a shoe; however, the inflatable shoe tree may be inflated after insertion into a shoe. To insert inflated shoe tree 60 into shoe 90, the inflated shoe tree 60 may be folded along its longitudinal axis to place the shoe tree in the constrained position so that the shoe tree will fit within the shoe. (Fig. 10-13.) The left and right posterior portions 36, 37 of the inflated shoe tree 60 may be grasped with one hand by placing the thumb and middle finger in finger-grasp portions 42. The shoe tree is then folded by squeezing the left and right chambers toward each other. The shoe tree may thus be folded from one end by one hand for insertion into the shoe. In folding the shoe tree, the bottom film 58 of the interconnecting passageways 26 creases or at least partially folds resulting in a decreased internal volume for the inflated shoe tree -- and an increased internal pressure — relative to the unconstrained or free state. As a result, the folded, inflated interconnect passageway 26 may be at least partially compressed to create a countervailing force urging the left and right chambers toward the free or unconstrained position.

Where the inflated shoe tree has two or more inflated interconnect passageways 26 — for example, rear inflated hinge 30 and front inflated hinge 32 of inflated shoe tree 60 — then preferably the central cross-sectional area of the interconnect passageways 26 are balanced in relation to each other, as previously discussed. The balanced interconnect passageways may help to promote uniform and symmetrical folding of the inflated shoe tree along its longitudinal axis ~ even when the inflated shoe tree 60 is folded by squeezing the left and right chambers toward each other by one hand from the posterior end of the shoe tree. The front notch 48 is also believed to facilitate the uniform, longitudinal folding of the inflated shoe tree.

The folded, inflated shoe tree 60 may be inserted into shoe 90. (Fig. 13.) Once positioned in the forward portion 92 of the shoe, the inflated shoe tree is released so that the pressure within the shoe tree attempts to force the left and right chambers back to the unconstrained "free" position of Fig.4. However, as the left and right chambers engage the forward shoe portion 92, the shoe prevents the shoe tree from reaching the unconstrained position. As a result, the shoe tree presses against the interior of the shoe to help support and maintain the shape of the shoe from the interior of insole portion 92 of the shoe. In this manner, the inflated shoe tree may fill the insole portion to imitate the insertion of a human foot.

In a similar manner as discussed above, an operator may fold and insert the inflated shoe trees 70 and 80 (i.e., the third and fourth embodiments of the present invention, Figs. 14- 15) into a shoe. However, for the fourth embodiment 80, the inflated front or toe chamber 72 extends downwardly (i.e., in the same direction that the left and right chambers are extended) as the inflated shoe tree is folded longitudinally. (Fig. 16.) The anterior side notches 74 as well n

as the relatively narrow left and right inflated toe hinge passageways 76, 78 are believed to promote and facilitate the downward extension of the inflated toe chamber 72 as the inflated shoe tree 80 is folded. Once inflated shoe tree 80 is inserted into a shoe, the inflated toe chamber helps to fill the toe portion of the shoe.

The inflated shoe tree within shoe 90 is preferably removed by grasping the shoe tree by finger grip indentations 44, refolding the shoe tree to place it in the constrained position and pulling the constrained shoe tree out of the shoe. This essentially reverses the steps used to insert the shoe tree into the shoe. The inflated shoe tree may also be removed by grasping tab 42 and pulling it toward the rear of the shoe until the inflated shoe tree is withdrawn from the shoe. The inflated shoe tree may be reused simply by refolding the inflated shoe tree and reinserting it into the shoe. For disposal, the shoe tree may be deflated and the shoe tree material recycled.

The above descriptions are those of preferred embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents. Except in the claims and the specific examples, or where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description indicating amounts of material, reaction conditions, use conditions, and the like, are to be understood as modified by the word "about" in describing the broadest scope of the invention. Any reference to an item in the disclosure or to an element in the claim in the singular using the articles "a," "an," "the," or "said" is not to be construed as limiting the item or element to the singular unless expressly so stated.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An inflated shoe tree comprising: left and right inflated chambers; and

at least one interconnect passageway placing the left and right inflated chambers in fluid communication.

2. The inflated shoe tree of claim 1 further comprising an inlet passageway for inflating the left and right chambers, the inlet passageway being in a closed state to maintain the left and right chambers in an inflated condition.

3. The inflated shoe tree of claim 2 wherein the inlet passageway is connected to the at least one interconnect passageway.

4. The inflated shoe tree of claim 3 further comprising at least one tab attached to a structure selected from the group consisting of the left chamber, the right chamber, the at least one interconnect passageway, and the inlet passageway, wherein the tab is adapted to facilitate removal of the shoe tree from a shoe.

5. The inflated shoe tree of claim 4 wherein the tab is connected to the inlet passageway.

6. The inflated shoe tree of claim 1 wherein the at least one interconnect passageway hingedly connects the left and right chambers so that the inflated shoe tree is moveable between a constrained position, wherein the left and right chambers are relatively close together, and a free position, wherein the left and right chambers are relatively far from each other.

7. The inflated shoe tree of claim 6 wherein in the constrained position the at least one interconnect passageway is at least partially folded, whereby the pressure inside the left and right inflated chambers increases compared to the pressure inside the left and right chambers in the free position. il

8. The inflated shoe tree of claim 6 wherein in the constrained position the at least one interconnect passageway is at least partially compressed to create a countervailing force urging the left and right chambers toward the free position.

9. The inflated shoe tree of claim 6 wherein the shoe tree defines a central longitudinal axis and the shoe tree is essentially symmetrical about the longitudinal axis.

10. The inflated shoe tree of claim 6 for insertion into a shoe having a toe area in the forward portion of the shoe, wherein each of the left and right inflated chambers has an anterior portion corresponding to the toe area of a shoe and a posterior portion opposite the anterior portion.

11. The inflated shoe tree of claim 10 wherein the left and right inflated chambers have an essentially equivalent volume that is tapered from the relatively small anterior portion to the relatively large posterior portion.

12. The inflated shoe tree of claim 10 wherein the left and right inflated chambers include an essentially conical shape.

13. The inflated shoe tree of claim 10 wherein each of the left and right chambers forms a finger-grip portion in the posterior portion of the chamber.

14. The inflated shoe tree of claim 13 wherein the shoe tree defines a central longitudinal axis and the shoe tree is symmetrically foldable along the longitudinal axis by pressing the finger-grip portions toward each other.

15. The inflated shoe tree of claim 13 wherein the finger-grip portions are located at the periphery of each chamber.

16. The inflated shoe tree of claim 10 further comprising at least two interconnect passageways, wherein a posterior interconnect passageway connects the posterior portions of the left and right inflated chambers and an anterior interconnect passageway connects the anterior portions of the left and right inflated chambers.

17. The inflated shoe tree of claim 16 wherein the anterior and posterior interconnect passageways have essentially balanced inflated central cross-sectional areas, whereby the symmetrical folding of the shoe tree along its longitudinal axis is facilitated during transition from the free position to the constrained position.

18. The inflated shoe tree of claim 17 wherein the anterior and posterior interconnect passageways have inflated central cross-sectional areas within about 20% of each other's size.

19. The inflated shoe tree of claim 16 further comprising a toe notch located at the front periphery of the anterior interconnect passageway, whereby the toe notch facilitates symmetrical folding of the shoe tree along its longitudinal axis during transition from the free position to the constrained position.

20. The inflated shoe tree of claim 10 further comprising: a front inflated chamber; a left inflated hinge passageway connecting and placing in fluid communication the front inflated chamber with the anterior portion of the left inflated chamber; and a right inflated hinge passageway connecting and placing in fluid communication the front inflated chamber with the anterior portion of the right inflated chamber, wherein the front inflated chamber is downwardly extended when the inflated shoe tree is in the constrained position.

21. A method of supporting the shape of at least a portion of a shoe, the method comprising:

providing the inflated shoe tree of claim 6;

placing the inflated shoe tree in the constrained position;

inserting the constrained inflated shoe tree into the shoe; and

releasing the constrained inflated shoe tree.

22. The inflated shoe tree of claim 1 wherein the left and right chambers are inflated to a pressure of at least about 2 psig, wherein the pressure is taken once the inflated shoe tree achieved a steady-state condition.

23. The inflated shoe tree of claim 1 wherein the left and right chambers are inflated to a pressure of at least about 5 psig, wherein the pressure is taken once the inflated shoe tree has achieved a steady-state condition.

24. An inflatable shoe free comprising: a bottom sheet;

a top sheet sealed to the bottom sheet in selected regions to form:

left and right inflatable chambers; and

25. The inflatable shoe tree of claim 24 wherein the bottom sheet is sealed to the top sheet in selected regions to form an inlet passageway for inflating the left and right chambers.

26. The inflatable shoe tree of claim 25 wherein the inlet passageway is connected to the at least one interconnect passageway.

27. The inflatable shoe tree of claim 24 wherein at least one of the top or bottom sheets forms a tab adapted to facilitate hand gripping of the inflatable shoe tree when placed in an inflated state.

28. The inflatable shoe tree of claim 24 for insertion into a shoe having a toe area in the forward portion of the shoe, wherein each of the left and right inflatable chambers has an anterior portion corresponding to the toe area of the shoe and a posterior portion opposite the anterior portion.

29. The inflatable shoe tree of claim 28 wherein each of the left and right inflatable chambers define a finger-grip portion in the posterior portion of the chamber.

30. The inflatable shoe tree of claim 29 wherein the finger-grip portions are located at the periphery of each chamber.

31. The inflatable shoe tree of claim 28 wherein the left and right inflatable chambers have an essentially equivalent volume that is tapered from the relatively small anterior portions to the relatively large posterior portions.

32. The inflatable shoe tree of claim 28 wherein the left and right inflatable chambers are adapted to form an essentially conical shape when placed in an inflated state.

33. The inflatable shoe tree of claim 28 wherein the top sheet is sealed to the bottom sheet in selected regions to further form at least two interconnect passageways comprising at least a posterior interconnect passageway interconnecting the posterior portions of the left and right inflatable chambers and an anterior interconnect passageway interconnecting the anterior portions of the left and right inflatable chambers.

34. The inflatable shoe tree of claim 33 wherein the anterior interconnect passageway forms a toe notch in the front periphery of the anterior interconnect passageway.

35. An inflated shoe tree comprising an inflated cushion having a central longitudinal axis and an interior volume and defining a central non-inflated region, wherein:

the inflated cushion is bendable about the central longitudinal axis to move the cushion from a free mode, in which the inflated cushion is in an equilibrium state free from bending forces, to a constrained mode, in which the inflated cushion has a configuration adapted for insertion into the shoe; and

the internal pressure within the interior volume of the inflated cushion in the constrained mode is elevated relative to the internal pressure within the inflated cushion in the free mode, whereby the inflated cushion in the constrained mode is biased to return to the free mode.

36. The inflated shoe tree of claim 35 wherein the cushion is essentially symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis.

37. The inflated shoe tree of claim 35 wherein a cenfral cross-section taken along the longitudinal axis of the inflated cushion and extending at a right angle to a central transverse axis of the inflated cushion defines at least front and rear inflated areas of essentially balanced size.

38. The inflated shoe free of claim 37 wherein the size of the front and rear inflated areas are at least within about 10% of each other.

39. An inflated shoe free for insertion into a shoe having a toe area in the forward portion of the shoe, the shoe tree comprising: left and right inflated chambers each having an anterior portion corresponding to the toe area of the shoe and a posterior portion opposite the anterior portion, wherein:

the left and right inflated chambers have an essentially equivalent inflated volume that is tapered from the relatively small anterior portion to the relatively large posterior portion; and

each of the left and right inflated chambers forms a finger-grip portion in the posterior portion of the chamber;

at least two interconnect passageways placing the left and right inflated chambers in fluid communication, wherein:

a posterior interconnect passageway connects the posterior portions of the left and right inflated chambers;

an anterior interconnect passageway connects the anterior portions of the left and right inflated chambers; and

the posterior and anterior interconnect passageways hingedly connect the left and right inflated chambers so that the inflated shoe tree is bendable between a free position and a constrained position by pressing the finger-grip portions toward each other to symmetrically fold the shoe tree along its central longitudinal axis, wherein:

in the free position the left and right inflated chambers are relatively far from each other; and

in the constrained position the left and right inflated chambers are relatively close together and the interconnect passageways are at least partially folded, whereby the pressure inside the left and right inflated chambers increases compared to the pressure inside the left and right 11

chambers in the free position, so that a countervailing force is created that urges the left and right chambers toward the free position;

the posterior and anterior interconnect passageways have essentially balanced inflated central cross-sectional areas, whereby the 5 symmetrical folding of the shoe tree along its longitudinal axis is facilitated during transition from the free position to the constrained position;

a toe notch located at the front periphery of the anterior interconnect passageway, whereby symmetrical folding of the shoe tree along its 10 longitudinal axis is facilitated during transition from the free position to the constrained position; and

an inlet passageway for inflating the left and right chambers, wherein the inlet passageway is connected to the posterior interconnect passageway and is in a closed state to maintain the left and right 15 chambers in an inflated condition.