Shoe Customization System Having Interchangeable Platens
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorGregory R. Leedy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Heat press platens for a shoe customization/decoration system and a method of using the same are disclosed. The platens may be quickly interchanged to allow the same equipment to be used to dye shoes of different sizes. The platens individually accommodate a pair of assembled shoes and are shaped to: reduce print sizes, maintain symmetry and flatness of the shoe, and accommodate a range of shoe sizes. The size and shape of the platens enable one shoe to be fitted on one side of a platen and another shoe to be fitted on the opposite side. The platens position the shoes so that they are mirror images of each other. This positioning allows a single print, including mirror images of the same design, to be applied to two shoes at the same time.
Claims20
A method of customizing a shoe, comprising:
- loading a first shoe on a first shoe receiving portion of a first heat press device;
- loading a second shoe on a second shoe receiving portion of the first heat press device;
- connecting the first heat press device to a heat press machine;
- placing a first design on top of the first shoe and a second design on top of the second shoe;
- and
- pressing a heat plate of the heat press machine against the first shoe and the second shoe.
A method of customizing a shoe, comprising:
- loading a first shoe on a first shoe receiving portion of a first heat press device, wherein the first shoe receiving portion includes a first piston spring tensioner having a first piston head and a first rod extending from the first piston head;
- connecting the first heat press device to a heat press machine;
- placing a design on top of the first shoe;
- and
- pressing a heat plate of the heat press machine against the first shoe.
A method of customizing a shoe, comprising:
- loading a first shoe on a first shoe receiving portion of a first heat press device, wherein the first heat press device includes a first quick connect mechanism;
- connecting the first heat press device to a heat press machine by a second quick connect mechanism that corresponds with the first quick connect mechanism;
- placing a design on top of the first shoe;
- and
- pressing a heat plate of the heat press machine against the first shoe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.