METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING CREASES AND WRINKLES FROM SHOES

Abstract

A shoe treatment apparatus can include a heating element for heating air, where one or more fans can move air across the heating element and deliver the heated air into a treatment zone within the apparatus. An inner shoe compartment can receive one or more shoes for treatment. The inner shoe compartment can include a plurality of through holes to permit the heated air to pass there through to enter the interior of the inner shoe compartment. Viewing of the shoe can be provided through viewing windows on the side of the apparatus as well as through a window in a door of the apparatus Temperature and time controls may be provided so the user can adjust the treatment to occur at an appropriate temperature for an appropriate time. The treatment can effectively remove wrinkles and creases from shoes.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to footwear accessories, and more particularly to device and method for removing creases and wrinkles from footwear, such as shoes.

BACKGROUND

When shoes are purchased they have a limited shelf life of maintaining their shape. Over time, the shoe will develop crease or wrinkles depending on the activity done in the shoe. While polishes or other surface treatments may help make the shoe look less worn, such conventional items do not remove or lessen wrinkles or creases that can form in shoes through flex and wear.

Therefore, there is a need for a device that can quickly and easily remove creases and wrinkles in shoes. The present invention accomplishes these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention provide a shoe treatment apparatus having a heating element for heating air. One or more fans may be provided for moving air across the heating element and delivering the heated air into a treatment zone within the apparatus. An inner shoe compartment can be provided within the apparatus, where the shoe (one or more shoes, such as a pair of shoes, can be treated at the same time) can be disposed for treatment. The inner shoe compartment can include a plurality of through holes to permit the heated air to pass there through to enter the interior of the inner shoe compartment.

A viewing window can be formed on one or, typically, both sides of the inner shoe compartment. A side window may be formed on one or, typically, both sides of the apparatus so that the side window aligns with the viewing window to permit a user to view the sides of the at least one shoe during treatment thereof. A door can be provided on the front of the apparatus to permit access to the interior of the inner shoe compartment. The door can include a window to permit the user to view at least one end of the shoe when the shoe is placed in the inner shoe compartment.

A temperature controller may be provided on an exterior of the apparatus to provide a plurality of settings to adjust the temperature of the heated air within the inner shoe compartment. A timer may also be provided on an exterior of the apparatus to allow the user to set an operation time of the apparatus, where the operation time may be, for example, a time in which heated air is provided in the inner shoe compartment at the temperature set with the temperature controller. A display can be provided, typically at the front of the device, to provide various information to the user.

As described in greater detail below, the present device is an apparatus that can generate a stream of heated air and deliver that heated air to a surface of one or more shoes. The heated air can quickly and easily remove creases and wrinkles in shoes, giving the shoes a newer appearance. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a shoe treatment apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the shoe treatment apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the shoe treatment apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a back view of the shoe treatment apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the shoe treatment apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the shoe treatment apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the shoe treatment apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the shoe treatment apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a shoe treatment apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the shoe treatment apparatus of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the shoe treatment apparatus of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a back view of the shoe treatment apparatus of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a left side view of the shoe treatment apparatus of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a right side view of the shoe treatment apparatus of FIG. 9;

FIG. 15 is a top view of the shoe treatment apparatus of FIG. 9;

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the shoe treatment apparatus of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 17 is a schematic representation of a shoe treatment apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. The following explanation provides specific details for a thorough understanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list. When the word “each” is used to refer to an element that was previously introduced as being at least one in number, the word “each” does not necessarily imply a plurality of the elements, but can also mean a singular element.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8 and FIG. 17, a shoe treatment apparatus 10 (also referred to as device 10 or just the apparatus 10) can include a heating element 32 for heating air. In some embodiments, the heating element 32 can be a resistive heating coil through which air can pass as it is heated. One or more fans 34 may be provided for moving air across the heating element 32 and delivering the heated air into a treatment zone within the apparatus 10. While FIG. 17 shows two fans 34, a single fan 34 may also be used.

An inner shoe compartment 16 can be provided within the apparatus 10, where at least one shoe (not shown) can be disposed for treatment. The inner shoe compartment 16 can include a plurality of through holes 18 to permit the heated air to pass there through to enter the interior of the inner shoe compartment 16. In some embodiments, the through holes 18 may be configured to provide a directed stream of the heated air to impinge on the shoe disposed within the inner shoe compartment 16. In other embodiments, the through holes 18 may provide a diffuse flow of air to evenly and uniformly heat the air within the inner shoe compartment 16.

A viewing window 20 can be formed on one or, typically, both sides of the inner shoe compartment 16 through a side housing 11 of the apparatus 10. A side window 29 may be formed on one or, typically, both sides of the apparatus 10 so that the side window 29 aligns with the viewing window 20 to permit a user to view the sides of the shoes during treatment thereof. In some embodiments, lights (not shown) may be disposed within the apparatus 10 to assist the viewing of the shoes during treatment.

A door 12 can be provided on the front of the apparatus 10 to permit access to the interior of the inner shoe compartment 16. The door 12 can include a window 14 to permit the user to view at least one end of the shoe when the shoe is placed in the inner shoe compartment.

A temperature controller 24 may be provided on an exterior of the apparatus 10, such as at the front thereof. The temperature controller 24 may include a plurality of settings to adjust the temperature of the heated air within the inner shoe compartment 16. Various mechanisms may be used for temperature control. For example, if the temperature controller 24 is set to a temperature greater than that of the air in the inner shoe compartment 16, the apparatus 10 may recirculate air from within the inner shoe compartment 16 through the heating element 32 to create a greater temperature within the inner shoe compartment 16. If the temperature controller 24 is set to a temperature less than that of the air in the inner shoe compartment 16, the apparatus 10 may take ambient air (from outside of the apparatus 10) into the inner shoe compartment 16 to reduce the temperature therein.

A timer 22 may also be provided on an exterior of the apparatus 10, such as at the front thereof (FIG. 3), The timer 22 may be used to set an operation time of the apparatus 10, where the operation time may be, for example, a time in which heated air is provided in the inner shoe compartment 16 at the temperature set with the temperature controller 24. In some embodiments, the apparatus 10 may include a cool down cycle, where ambient air is moved into the inner shoe compartment 16 to cool the shoes before ending the treatment. In some embodiments, an indicator, such as a light or a sound, may be provided once the treatment time has ended.

In some embodiments, a display 26 can be provided, typically at the front of the device (FIG. 3). The display 26 may include various informational elements, such as the current time, the time remaining in the treatment process, an internal temperature display, a cycle of the treatment (if such cycles are provided, such as heating, circulating, cooling, or the like). In some embodiments, the display 26 may include detailed views of a shoe within the inner shoe compartment 16. For example, cameras (not shown) can be provided within the inner shoe compartment 16 and the display 26 may provide a use a visualization of a selected portion of the shoe that may not be well visualized from the side window 29 or the front window 14, for example.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 9 through 16, an apparatus 10A may include the features of apparatus 10, as discussed above. However, in apparatus 10A, the inner shoe compartment 16A may have a divider 50 formed therein, diving the inner shoe compartment 16A into a first treatment region 54 and a second treatment region 56. The divider 50 may have a plurality of through holes 52 formed on each side thereof. The fan(s) 34 may deliver heated air not only out of the plurality of through holes 18 of the inner shoe compartment 16A, but also out of the plurality of through holes 52 of the divider 50.

In some embodiments, as shown in the figures, the first treatment region 54 may have a larger size than the second treatment region 56. However, in other embodiments, the first and second treatment regions may have the same size.

In some embodiments, a different temperature may be selected for each of the first treatment region 54 and the second treatment region 56. In other embodiments, the same temperature may be provided in each of the first and second treatment regions.

Aspects of the present invention can also provide a method for treating a shoe, where the method includes placing the shoe into the apparatus 10, 10A described above. The device can be turned on to permit the heating element to generate heated air and the heated air can be moved to contact the shoe for a time sufficient to perform the treatment. Typically, the treatment can include removing a crease and/or a wrinkle from the shoe. In other embodiments, the treatment can include removing an odor from the shoe.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 17, an overall schematic drawing is provided to describe some of the elements of the apparatus described above. Power can be received at the power socket 46. Typically, the power is standard household alternating current (AC) power. A power switch 42 (FIGS. 1 and 17) can control whether the power is delivered to the other components of the apparatus. When the power switch 42 is on, power may be delivered to a switching relay 36 and a voltage regulator 44. Power from the voltage regulator 44 may be used by a controller 38, which may be programmed to control various functions of the apparatus 10. A reset button 40 (FIG. 1) can be provided in order to permit a user to reset the operations of the apparatus, which shuts off the heating element 32 and resets the timer 22 to zero, but keeps power to the apparatus 10 on. Note that the power switch 42, the reset button 40, and the power socket 46 can be positioned at any desired side of the apparatus 10. Preferably the power socket 46 and the power switch 42 are located on a rear side of the apparatus (FIG. 4).

The controller 38 can receive inputs from a timer control 23 (FIG. 17) and a temperature control 24 and operate the apparatus accordingly. The controller 38 may also operate the switching relay 36 to deliver power to the heating element 32 as needed during operation of the apparatus, thus effectively heating the inner shoe compartment to a temperature selected by the temperature control 24. The fan(s) 34 may pass air over the heating element 32 to provide the heated air flow. The controller 38 can also provide an output to be provided on the display 26, including information on operation of the apparatus.

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the door is shown to open from the front, but a top opening door may also be used to provide the same function. Further, while the plurality of holes in the inner shoe compartment are shown uniformly disposed along a lower portion thereof, the holes may be non-uniform or may extend upward, for example, for a high top shoe, a high heel shoe, a boot, or the like. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention.

The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.

All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

Changes can be made to the invention in light of the above “Detailed Description.” While the above description details certain embodiments of the invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Therefore, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated.

While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.

Claims

1. A device for treating at least one shoe, comprising: a heating element for heating air;an inner shoe compartment operable to receive the at least one shoe therein;a viewing window formed in a side of the inner shoe compartment; anda side window formed in a side housing of the device, the side window aligning with the viewing window to permit a user to view a side of the at least one shoe when the at least one shoe is placed in the inner shoe compartment,wherein heated air is moved into the inner shoe compartment to treat the at east one shoe disposed therein.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of holes formed in the inner shoe compartment, the holes operable to permit the heated air generated by the heating element to enter the inner shoe compartment.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a device door permitting access to the inner shoe compartment, the device door having a window therein permitting a user to view at least one end of the at least one shoe when the at least one shoe is placed in the inner shoe compartment.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a temperature controller operable to adjust a temperature of the heated air that is in the inner shoe compartment.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a timer operable to set a run time for delivery of heated air to the inner shoe compartment.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a display operable to display operating conditions of the device.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one fan operable to move the heated air into and about the inner shoe compartment.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the at least one fan provides a stream of the heated air to directly impact the at least one shoe in the inner shoe compartment.

9. A device for treating at least one shoe, comprising: a heating element for heating air;an inner shoe compartment operable to receive the at least one shoe therein;a plurality of holes formed in the inner shoe compartment, the holes operable to permit heated air generated by the heating element to enter the inner shoe compartment;a device door permitting access to the inner shoe compartment, the device door having a window therein permitting a user to view at least one end of the at least one shoe when the at least one shoe is placed in the inner shoe compartment;a viewing window formed in a side of the inner shoe compartment;a side window formed in a side housing of the device, the side window aligning with the viewing window to permit a user to view a side of the at least one shoe when the at least one shoe is placed in the inner shoe compartment;a temperature controller operable to adjust a temperature of the heated air within the inner shoe compartment; anda timer operable to set a run time for delivery of heated air to the inner shoe compartment.

10. The device of claim 9, further comprising a display operable to display operating conditions of the device.

11. The device of claim 9, further comprising at least one fan operable to move heated air into and about the inner shoe compartment.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the at least one fan provides a stream of the heated air to directly impact the at least one shoe in the inner shoe compartment.

13. A method of treating at least one shoe, comprising: placing the at least one shoe into the device of claim 1;turning the device on to permit the heating element to generate heated air; andcontacting the at least one shoe for a time sufficient to perform the treatment.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the treatment includes removing a crease and/or a wrinkle from the at least one shoe.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the treatment includes removing an odor from the at least one shoe.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising setting an operating temperature by adjusting a temperature control on the device.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising setting an operating time by adjusting a time control on the device.