MXPA05012652A - Footwear molds - Google Patents

Abstract

Among other things, the present invention provides apparatus and methods for manufacturing footwear pieces. In various cases, the apparatus includes a footwear form (1260) that includes a location mark corresponding to a location of a strap rivet. The footwear form is an inner portion of a footwear mold, and the footwear mold is comprised of an upper portion (1210) and a lower portion (1220) that substantially encompass the footwear form.

Description

MOLDS FOR FOOTWEAR CROSS REFERENCES OF RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a continuation in part of the US Patent Application. UU No. 10/603126, entitled "BREATHABLE WORKSHOES AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH," filed on June 23, 2003, and assigned to a common entity with it, and US Patent Application No. 10/602416, entitled "FOOTWEAR PI ECES AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH. Submitted on June 23, 2003 and assigned to a common entity with it. The entirety of each of the above-mentioned patent applications is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to footwear, and in particular to footwear including bands. The commonly known flutter has so far been very popular for consumers, however it is often very difficult to keep the flutter secured to the foot. Therefore, for requests where the person's shoes must be kept secured at the foot, the flapping has proven to be unsatisfactory. As a sandal commonly includes a band capable of securing the sandal to the foot, in some cases a sandal may be satisfactory where the flapping fails. However, such sandals frequently do not provide the ease of use offered by flapping. In addition, such sandals are typically made of a relatively silky material that does not fit very well, for example, on wet floors. Therefore, there is a need in the art to address these and other limitations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Among other things, the present invention provides apparatuses and methods for manufacturing shoe parts. In several cases, the apparatus includes a form of footwear that includes a location mark corresponding to the location of a band rivet. The shoe form is an inner portion of a shoe mold, and the shoe mold includes an upper portion and a lower portion that at least substantially encompasses the shoe shape. Some embodiments of the present invention provide shoe molds that include a shoe shape with a location mark corresponding to the location of a band rivet. Said location mark may be, but is not limited to, a piece of metal that extends from the footwear form. In some cases, a location mark extending from the footwear shape causes a reduced amount of moldable material to form at the location mark location. In particular cases, this may result in a hole or indentation in a piece of footwear formed in the location where the rivet associated with a band in the footwear piece must adhere. In other cases, the location mark extends to the shoe shape so that an increasing amount of mouldable material is formed at the location where the rivet associated with a band on the piece of footwear must adhere. In this way, for example, a raised mark in the form of "X" may result from the use of the footwear form. In some cases, the location mark also includes a halo section that generally corresponds to the size of the rivet head on the expansion of a material forming an expanded piece of footwear. In some cases, the footwear form is an internal portion of the footwear mold, and the footwear mold further includes an upper portion and a lower portion that at least substantially encompasses the footwear form. The upper and / or lower portions may include entries of moldable material capable of accepting moldable material that will be formed in the footwear pieces. In several cases, the shoe shape is suspended from the inside of the upper portion. Other embodiments of the present invention provide methods for the manufacture of shoe molds. Such methods include the formation of a location mark in a footwear form. This form of footwear can be, for example, an internal portion of a three-piece mold. In addition, the location mark may include a halo, and the method may include the location of an exterior of the halo approximately still with a pattern corresponding to an internal wall of a piece of footwear, and / or the location of an outer edge of the halo. directed from an outer edge of the footwear piece. In a particular embodiment, the outer edge is directed approximately 1 .4 millimeters from one edge of the footwear piece after the expansion of the footwear piece. Some embodiments of the present invention provide molds for the manufacture of sectional shoe parts that include a base section and a band section. The base section includes an upper part and a sole formed as a part. The band section is formed as a second part that is adhered to the base section so that the band rotates relative to the base section. In some cases, the base section is molded from a continuous piece of foam material. Such a foam material may be a flattened material manufactured using a resin base. Where a resin material is used, it can be mixed to exhibit a coefficient of expansion, and a coefficient of contraction. In particular cases, multiplying the coefficient of expansion and the coefficient of contraction results in a product, or a final growth value, between 1.46 and 1.58, inclusive. In several cases, the base section and the band section are formed of the same material. Such material may be the aforesaid foam material formed in different forms. In other cases, the band section and the base section are made of different materials. For example, the base section may be formed of skin and / or rubber, while the band section is formed of foam. As another example, the base section may be formed of one type of foam, while the band section is formed of another type of foam. In some cases, the band section is attached to the base section by rivets. Such rivets can be any connector that adheres the base section to the band, while allowing the band to rotate relative to the base section. In particular, one end of the band section is riveted to one side of the base section, while the other end of the band is riveted to the other side of the base section. In some cases, both the base section and the band are perforated to form holes through which the rivet is placed. In other cases, the holes are formed in the band section and / or the base section as part of the manufacturing process. Such holes can be subsequently used to receive rivets by joining the band section to the base section. The rivets may be plastic rivets, or rivets formed of other materials such as, for example, metal and rubber. In many cases, the rivets are formed of a material that is denser than either the base section or the band section. The rivets can be placed at junctions located on either side of the base section. Such attachment points may be located near a perimeter of the back sole and / or near an upper open perimeter. In some cases, the distance from a point of attachment to the other point of attachment along the perimeter of the back sole is approximately the same as the distance between the points of attachment measured along the band section. Therefore, the band section can rotate relative to the base section so that an inner portion of the band section contacts an upper portion of the perimeter of the back sole. A frictional force between the band section and the base section in the contact between the inner portion of the band section and the outer portion of the back sole perimeter, maintains the fixed band section relative to the base section. In such a position, the band section forms what appears to be a decorative portion of the base section, and does not interfere with the insertion and removal of a foot from the base section. Similarly, the distance from a point of attachment to the other point of attachment along the upper open perimeter is approximately the same as the distance between the points of attachment measured along the band section. Therefore, the band section can rotate relative to the base section so that an inner portion of the band section contacts an outer portion of the outer open perimeter. A frictional force between the band section and the base section in the contact between the inner portion of the band section and the outer portion of the upper open perimeter maintains the fixed band section relative to the base section. Again, in such a position, the band section forms what appears to be a decorative portion of the base section, and does not interfere with the insertion and removal of a foot from the base section.

In addition, in some cases, the band can be fixed in contact with either the upper open perimeter or the perimeter of the posterior sole. In several cases, a number of fans are formed at the top. Such fans can be holes of various sizes that allow liquid and / or air to pass through the situations prescribed at the top. In some cases, such fans are formed in either a substantially horizontal portion of the upper part and a substantially vertical portion of the upper part. This provides a significant amount of ventilation for applications where it is not necessary to protect the foot from exposure to liquids entering through the fans. Such applications may include, but are not limited to, boating, use on beaches, fishing and the like. Alternatively, some cases include a solid covering over the substantially horizontal portion of the upper part, while including fans formed in the vertical portions of the upper portions. This provides sufficient ventilation, while at the same time protecting a foot from spilled liquids. Such an approach should be desirable for applications that include the use of medical personnel, cooks and the like. In addition, in some cases, a liquid conductor is formed around at least a portion of a perimeter of each of the plurality of fans. Such a liquid conductor transfers a liquid spilled on the top around and out of the several fans formed in the substantially vertical portion. Such drivers can also protect the foot from exposure to spilled liquids. In particular cases, the region of the toe of the upper part extends to a location corresponding to the longer toes of the human foot. Therefore, the toe region of the upper part usually follows the outline of a human foot of longer toes inside the shoe for smaller toes on the outside of the shoe. Such an approach can provide greater comfort and / or functionality. In addition, the rear perimeter of the sole can be lifted over a support base that also increases the functionality of the shoe. This support base may include a raised pattern where the foot contacts the shoe. One particular mode provides a piece of footwear that includes a sole and an upper portion extending from the sole. The upper portion is adapted to cover the top of a user's foot and includes a rear opening to receive the user's foot. At least one connector is coupled to the upper portion, and a band is operably coupled to the upper portion. The band is configured to be positioned along the rear opening to adjust the back of the user's foot. The footwear part further includes at least one adjustment mechanism that is interactible with the connector and the band to adjust the position of the band relative to the back of the user's foot.

In one aspect, the connector includes a clamp that is pivotally coupled to the upper portion. The adjustment mechanism may include a strip of fabric having one end coupled to the band and a free end that is configured to pass through the clip. Also, the adjustment mechanism may further include a coupling arrangement that couples the free end of the strip of material with the band. The coupling arrangement may include a plurality of tighteners, a hook and clamp fastening material, or the like. In some cases, the footwear piece may use a pair of connectors that are attached to opposite sides of the rear opening, and a pair of adjustment mechanisms that are interactible with the pair of connectors. In this sense, both ends of the band can be adjusted. Other embodiments of the present invention provide molds for the manufacture of sectional pieces of shoes that include a base section and a band section. The band section is attached to the base section using a rivet such that the band rotates relative to the base section. The rivet can be made of metal, plastic, or some other material. In some cases, the base section is formed of a continuous piece of foam, while in other cases, the base section includes an assembly of multiple constituent parts. The parts may be formed of various materials including, but not limited to foam, plastic, rubber, leather and / or the like.

This summary provides only a general plan of some embodiments according to the present invention. Many other objects, features and advantages and other embodiments of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A further understanding of the various embodiments of the present invention can be made by reference to the figures that are described in the remaining portions of the specification. In the figures, similar numerical references are used continuously to refer to similar components. In some cases, a sub-label consisting of a lowercase letter is associated with a numerical reference to denote one of the many similar components. When reference is made to a numerical reference without specification of an existing sub-label, it is intended to refer to all the multiple similar components. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a piece of footwear according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side view of the piece of footwear of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top view of the piece of footwear of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a front view of the shoe part of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a rear view of the shoe part of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the shoe part of Fig. 1. Fig. Is a perspective view of another piece of footwear according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a top view of the shoe part of Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating the methods for manufacturing according to embodiments of the present invention. Figs.10a and b illustrate another piece of footwear according to other embodiments of the present invention Figs. 10c and d illustrate the shoe part of Figs. 10a and b, with an alternative coupling arrangement according to the present invention. Fig. 1 illustrates still another piece of footwear according to various embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 12a illustrates a footwear mold according to various embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 12b is a cross-sectional side view of the mold of Fig. 12a. Fig.12c is a top view of the interior of a lower portion of the mold of Fig. 12a.

Fig. 12d is an interior view of an upper portion of the mold of Fig. 12a. Fig.12e illustrates one embodiment of a shoe shape according to the present invention. Fig.13. illustrates an impression of a location mark according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Among other things, the present invention provides various molds and methods for using such manufactured footwear. In several cases, the pieces of footwear are molded of a flattened material. In addition, in several cases, the pieces of footwear include a rotating band that can be moved in contact with and fixed in relation to the sole of the piece of footwear, or moved in contact with and fixed in relation to the upper part of the piece. of footwear. Returning to Fig. 1, a piece of footwear 100 is illustrated according to some embodiments of the present invention. The piece of footwear 100 includes a base section 1 10 and a band section 120. The base section 1 10 includes an upper part 150 and a sole 162. In some embodiments, the base section 1 10 is molded as a single piece of material sparkling. In other embodiments the sole 162 is molded of foam or other foam-like material, while the upper part 150 is made of a different material which is then assembled with the sole 162 to form the base section 1 10. The top 150 includes a substantially horizontal portion 152 which may include one or more fans 1 82. The fans 182 may be, but not limited to, openings that are formed in the upper part 150 while the base section 10 is being molded. Alternatively, the fans 182 may be openings formed in the upper part 150 after the formation and / or assembly of the upper part 50. As yet another alternative, the fans 182 may be formed as part of an assembly process associated with the top 150. Thus, for example, the fans 182 may be openings between the assembled parts of the upper part 150. Based on the disclosure provided herein, a person skilled in the art will appreciate a number of different types of fans and methods for forming them. . The upper part 150 further includes a substantially vertical region 151 that includes one or more fans 1 81. As with the fans 182, the fans 1 81 may be, but are not limited to, openings that are formed in the upper part 150 while the base section 1 1 0 is being molded. Alternatively, the fans 181 may be openings formed in the upper part 150 after the formation and / or assembly of the upper part 150. As yet another alternative, the fans 181 may be formed as part of an assembly process associated with the part upper 150. Thus, for example, the fans 1 81 may be openings between the assembled parts of the upper part 50. Based on the disclosure provided herein, one skilled in the art will appreciate a number of different types of fans and methods for forming them. . The upper part 150 further includes a region of toes 155 surrounding the fingers of a human foot when they are inserted in the base section 1 10. In some embodiments, the region for toes 155 becomes conical from the inner area of the foot. the base section 1 10 to the outer area of the base section 1 10 so that it generally follows the contour of a human foot, where there are longer toes on the inside of the foot, and the foot tapers the toes more small ones at the top. This can be functionally advantageous as the shoe part 100 conforms to the shape of the human foot. In other embodiments, the region of the toes 1 55 is a square cross section that exhibits no coning, while still other modalities provide a rounded square where the toe section has its greatest extension near a central point of the section base 1 10, and it conifies in both directions from the central point. Based on the disclosure provided herein, one skilled in the art will appreciate a number of shapes for the toe region 155. As described, the upper part 150 includes a substantially horizontal region 152 that rises toward an upper open perimeter 170. When in use, the upper open perimeter may contact an area of the human foot in front of, and below the ankle. The upper part 150 may be designed so that the upper open perimeter 179 is arranged only at a short distance from the toe region 155, in which case it will be formed in a substantially horizontal region 152. Alternatively, the upper part 150 it may be designed to extend the foot beyond the ankle, in which case it will be in a more vertical region of the upper part 150. A decorative pattern 190 may or may not be formed or created near the upper open perimeter 170. As described, the upper open perimeter 170 may extend from the location of the rivet 131 to that of the rivet 131 b (shown in other figures). The sole 162 includes a back sole perimeter 160 that defines a back portion of the sole 160. In some cases, this region is raised on a support base 165 which is the area that is in contact with the bottom of the human foot. Such a raised back sole perimeter provides some support for the heel of the human foot and helps keep the footwear piece 100 in position. In other modalities, the rear sole perimeter 160 is not raised. The band section 120 includes an outer region 122, an inner region 121 and rounded ends 130. In some cases, the band section 120 is adhered to the base section 1 by rivets 131 which are placed through holes at both ends of band 130, and in the upper part 150 at a point of adhesion. The band section 120 can be rotated in relation to the base section 1 10 so that the band section 120 can contact the upper open perimeter 170 when it rotates in one direction, and the rear sole perimeter 160 when it rotates in the other direction . In some embodiments, the band section 120 includes dimensions so that when the band section 120 is rotated forward, the inner region 121 contacts an outer surface of the upper open perimeter 170. A frictional force in the contact of the inner region 121 and upper open perimeter 170 maintains the band section 120 in a fixed position relative to the base section 1 1 0. Alternatively, the band section 120 may include dimensions so that when the band section 120 is rotated back, the section internal 121 contacts an outer surface of the back sole perimeter 160. A frictional force in the contact of the inner region 121 and rear sole perimeter 160 maintains the band section 121 in a fixed position relative to the base section 1 1 0. In such positions, the band 120 can be a decorative portion of the footwear piece 100. As yet another alternative, the band section 120 can be and be positioned in an intermediate position between the perimeter of the rear sole 160 and the upper open perimeter 170. In this position, the band serves the utilitarian purpose of supporting the Achilles portion of the human foot, thus helping to maintain the footwear piece. 100 in position on the human foot. In some embodiments, a frictional force developed between the band 120 and the top 150 at the location of the rivets is sufficient to keep the band 120 in place. This helps ensure that the band 120 remains in place even when the Achilles part of the human foot is not being pressed against the band 120. Without such friction, the band 120 could succumb to gravity and fall into a position where the Piece of footwear might not keep the foot safe. At the same time, it may be desirable to design the frictional force at the point of contact sufficient to allow the band 120 to move radially. In particular embodiments, the band 120 is formed of a foamed material capable of significant deformation making the piece of footwear 100 comfortable for a large number of foot types. In other embodiments, the band 120 is formed of a less deformable material offering greater assurance that the foot will be held within the piece of footwear. Still other modalities include an adjustable band that includes a significant deformity, even capable of being surely franjeable at the foot. Such embodiments are further discovered in connection with Figs. 10 below. Fig. 2 represents a side view of a piece of footwear 100, while Fig. 3 provides a top view of a piece of footwear 100. Figs. 4 and 5 provide views, front and rear, respectively of the shoe part 100. In addition, Fig. 6 illustrates the bottom of the sole 162. As illustrated, the sole 162 includes raised side portions 1 98, a front pattern of tread 1 96 and a rear stepping pattern 194. The tread pattern 1 96 includes internal longitudinal stepping portions 1 99 and rectangular outer stepping portions 197. Similarly, the stepping step pattern 1 94 includes internal longitudinal stepping portions 193 and outer rectangular portions of tread 1 92. Based on this, one skilled in the art will appreciate a number of other treading patterns and / or formations that may be used in relation to the footwear piece 100. Returning to Flg. 7, another piece of footwear 200 is illustrated according to other embodiments of the present invention. The piece of footwear 200 includes a number of characteristics similar to those previously described in the footwear piece 100. In contrast, in any case, the substantially horizontal portion 250 of the upper part is of solid construction. In this way, liquid materials that are spilled or otherwise in contact with the substantially horizontal portion 250 do not permeate the footwear piece 200. This may be advantageous in medical or other commercial applications where the foot needs at least some protection from the foot. spilled materials. In addition, a number of fans 281 are formed in the substantially vertical portion of the upper part. The fluid conducting portions 21 0, 21 1 and 212 are formed around each of the fans 281. The liquid conducting portions 210, 21 1 and 212 can be any formation or structure that can deviate, to a liquid that falls from above the footwear piece 200, from entering through the fans 281. In one embodiment, the liquid conducting portions 210, 21 1 and 212 are molded as a part of the upper portion. Fig. 8 is a top view of the piece of footwear depicting the various liquid conducting portions. Fig. 9 is a flow chart 900 illustrating a method according to the present invention for the manufacture of shoe parts. Following the flow diagram 900, a base section and a band section are molded (blocks 910, 920). The base section and the band portion are punched at the location where the two pieces are connected (blocks 930, 940). The perforations in the band and base section are aligned (block 950), a male portion of a rivet is inserted through the aligned perforations (block 960), and a female portion of the rivet is matched with the male portion, securing so the band to the base section. Returning to Fig. 10a, another piece of footwear 1000 is illustrated according to other embodiments of the present invention. The piece of footwear 1 000 is similar to the piece of footwear 100 previously described, except that the band 120 has been modified to allow adjustment. As illustrated, a band 1 120 includes a main portion 1 121 and a connecting portion 1 160. The connecting portion 1 1 60 is adhered to the base section 1 1 1 0 of the piece of footwear 1 000 by means of a rivet 1 170, or some other connection that rotates (or even one that does not rotate) as is known in the art. One end of the main portion 121 is adhered directly to the piece of footwear on its opposite side. This can be done by means of a rivet (not shown) or some other type of connection. The other end of the main portion 1 121 includes a connector 140, such as the length of a hook and a clamp fastening material, such as VELCRO. The connector 1 140 includes a portion 1 130 that extends like a tongue from the main portion 1 121. The portion 130 is fed through a bracket 1 150 that is adhered or integrally formed with the connector portion 160 and pushed up that the desired thickness is achieved. As the connecting portion 1 160 is pushed tightly, the main portion 121 is pushed tightly against the user's foot. Advantageously, this adjustment can occur while the user is wearing a piece of footwear. The portion 1 130 is then disposed on the part of the connector 1 140 that is adhered to the main portion 1 121 as shown in Fig. 1 0b. One skilled in the art will appreciate that other connector materials may be used in place of the VELCRO, such as snap fasteners, hooks, fasteners, cords that are tied together, and the like. In addition, based on the description provided herein, one skilled in the art will appreciate that an adjustment mechanism (such as connector portion 1 160 and connector 1 140) can be used on either or both sides of the band 1 120., or it can be placed in the center of the band 1 120 (with the band 1 120 being formed within two sections). As shown in Fig. 1 0c, the piece of footwear 1000 can be modified to include other shapes for adjusting the band 1 120. More specifically, a strip 1 142 of material, such as a strip of durable fabric, can be attached to the band 1 120, so that one or more male closure members 1 145 are used. The other end of the strip 1 142 includes a female closure member 1 135. Also coupled to the shoe part 1000 is a portion of rotary connection 1 155 which is coupled using a rivet 1 157 or other type of connector. The connecting portion 1 155 also includes a clamp 1 162 that can be constructed of a plastic, durable fabric or the like. In use, the strip 1 142 is passed through the clamp 1 162 and then bent backwards on itself similarly to the connector 1 140 in Fig. 10a. The closure member 1 135 is then pressed into one of the female closure members 1 154 once the proper tension has been achieved against the back of the user's heel. Each of the sides of the piece of footwear 1000 may include a connection portion 1 1 55 as shown, alternatively, only one side may include one. Furthermore, this type of configuration can be used in the center of the band 1 120. Subsequently, it can be appreciated that the clamp 1 162 can be located on the band 1 120 while the strip 1 142 is located on the piece of footwear 1000 In one aspect, the interior of the band 1 120 may include detents for receiving the button portion of the female closure member 1 145 so that the button does not rub against the user's leg. A barrel extends from the button through the band 1 120 and through the strip 1 142 where it is connected to the projection of the male closure member 1 145 as is known in the art. The female closure member 1 135 also has a button with a barrel passing through the strip 1 142. A hollow is coupled to the barrel to form the female closure member 1 135. In this sense, the overhang can be placed inside the barrel. of the recess for connecting the male closure member 1 145 to the female closure member 1 135. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the location of the male closure member 1 145 and the female closure member 1 135 can be changed. By providing an adjustable band, the piece of footwear can be easily adjusted to conform to a wide variety of foot sizes. In addition, an adjustment mechanism allows the piece of footwear to be used under a wide range of conditions. For example, during the walk, a user may wish to replace his hiking boots with a lighter piece of footwear, when crossing a stream. Because the footwear is so light, it can be hung from a person's backpack and can be removed quickly when ready to cross the stream. Because the walker will want to have a bare foot, the band can be adjusted to be tighter at the foot of the user. As another example, the same walker may want to wear the footwear on a pair of waterproof fishing boots. In such cases, the band can be adjusted to accommodate the thickness of the waterproof boots. In other cases, the footwear can be used for competitions of runners, including marathons. The band can be used to adjust the footwear to the size of the runner's foot. Fig. 1 1 still illustrates another piece of footwear 1 100 according to some modifications of the present invention. The piece of footwear 1 100 is an open toe model with a rotating band. Based on the findings provided herein, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the adjustable band 1 120 set forth in Figs. 1 0 can further be used in relation to the piece of footwear 1 100. As previously suggested, the shoe parts described here they can be made of a flattened foam material. The manufacture of footwear pieces using such flattened foam material may include providing a resin that includes a pre-mix of resin, pigment, and a growth additive. The resin, originally in the form of granules, is heated to the liquid state. This liquid resin is screwed into a mold that has been heated before receiving the resin. The volume of resin screwed into the mold is controlled by the slope of the thread that leads to the liquid resin inside the mold. The liquid resin is allowed to settle, at the time when the mold is opened and the formed piece of footwear is removed from the mold. The piece of footwear formed is then placed in a cooling mold, where it is allowed to air dry. During this process, a relatively small piece of footwear that conforms to the size of the mold is created, but when the mold is opened, the piece of footwear is expelled while expanding in size. Then, while the piece of footwear is cooled to air, it shrinks to its final size. Thus, the process includes both an expansion characteristic and a contraction characteristic. By multiplying the size of the piece of footwear in the mold by the expansion characteristic the size of the footwear piece is obtained after the mold is opened. By multiplying the expansion characteristic by the contraction characteristic, a final growth value representative of the final size of the shoe relative to the mold is provided. In such a manufacturing process, a number of elements can be controlled to achieve the desired end result. These elements include, the volume of material introduced into the mold, the size of the mold, the composition of the material being used, and the size of the cooling former. Previous manufacturers of molded footwear products have used, for example, four sizes of molds to create six different sizes of footwear pieces. So, for example to create two different sizes of shoes from the same mold, one volume of a material is screwed into the mold to create a shoe size, and another volume of the same material is screwed into the same mold to create a different size of footwear. Once removed from the mold, the shoes are cooled in cooling sizes of different sizes. Thus, the process uses a modified volume and size of cooling mantle to control in the final product, while maintaining the size of the mold and the composition is fixed. Although this creates shoes of different sizes, it has been found that the control of the final sizes is somewhat limited and / or unpredictable. In part to apply this, the embodiments of the present invention use a fixed volume and a material composition, a size of cooling mantle, while the mold sizes vary to control the size of the final product. It has been found that such an approach results in a higher degree of control, when compared to the approach described above. This approach is particularly valuable for shoes manufactured from the same colored resin. Where different colors are included, the composition of the resin can vary through colors to achieve size control between colors. This composition adjustment is described more fully below. In a particular embodiment, the resin is a material based on vinyl ethylene acetate (EVA) copolymer. In this particular case, the additives additives are included with the EVA base to create an expansive and degrading material. More particularly, an expansive powder is added, which decomposes at a specific temperature to produce gases that cause the material to rise and settle within a mold. Accordingly, when the mold is open, an instantaneous expansion of the molded part results. During this expansion, the dimensions of the part increase rapidly, while the proportions and shape remain reasonably constant providing a constant form of the final part relative to the original mold. Further description of such expansion and degradation is provided in European Patent 0 802 039 A2, presented on March 25, 1997 and assigned to FINPROJECT ™ of Italy. Some embodiments of the present invention utilize EVA as previously described which is commercially known as LEVIREX ™, and is sold by FI NPROJECT ™ of Italy. It has been found desirable to create a mixture of LEVI REX ™ that shows a final growth value between 1.47 and 1.58. In a particularly desirable embodiment, a final growth value of about 1.51 is used. This includes an expansion characteristic of approximately 2.5, and a contraction characteristic of approximately 0.6. This provides a relatively soft piece of footwear that has very good anti-skid capabilities, and at the same time, size reproduction and durability. In some cases, the resin mixture (LEVIREX ™, growth additive and pigment) is modified depending on the desired color of the piece of footwear. This at least in part is due to the density of the pigment associated with certain colors. Where the resin mixture is not adjusted, a piece of green footwear could be appreciably smaller than a piece of khaki footwear where all other factors remain constant. This can be acceptable where, for example, the pieces of footwear are going to be sold through the internet and the consumer is not able to try the piece of footwear before buying it. To alleviate this, the final growth value of a green resin is adjusted to approximately 1,515, while the final growth value of the khaki resin is adjusted to approximately 1,505. Thus, by means of the modification of the mixture, shoes of similar sizes can be produced through multiple colors. Returning to Fig. 12a, a footwear mold 1200 is illustrated according to some embodiments of the present invention. The footwear mold 1200 includes an upper portion 1210 and a lower portion 1220. Semicircular entries 1230, 1240 are formed in both the upper portion 121 0 and the lower portion 1220 to allow the insertion of moldable material into the mold 1200. An expert in the art it will recognize that the entries of whole circles both in the upper part and the lower part can also be used. Attachment screws 1270a, 1270b are also included for suspending a footwear form from inside the footwear mold 1200 as described more fully below. As illustrated, the upper portion 1210 and the lower portion 1220 are brought into contact at location 1250. In one case, the adhesion screws 1270a and 1270b are not moored, but are cylindrical with a clamp adhesion groove cut in the middle. the end of adhesion screws 1270 secured to the outer edge of the upper portion 121 0. In addition, the adhesion screws 1270 include a main region that is paired with an internal shoe shape (see Fig. 12 below). Fig. 12b shows a cut-away cross-section 1201 of footwear mold 1200. Cross-section 1202 shows a footwear shape 1260 suspended within the interior formed by the combination of upper portion 121 0 and lower portion 1220. Fig. 12c shows a top view 1202 of the interior of the lower portion 1210. As illustrated the left and right shoe soles 1275a, 1275b are formed by inserting the mouldable material through the inlets 1230, 1240. Fig. 12d illustrates a view interior 1203 of the upper portion 1220 showing the pattern of molding for the left and right upper parts 1280a, 1280b of a piece of footwear. Fig. 12e illustrates a shoe shape 1260 including exterior and interior location markings 1290a, 1290b according to some embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated, the location marks 1290 include two posts extending from a footwear form 1260. When a piece of footwear is molded, less moldable material is formed at the location of the location marks 1290 by creating a hole or indentation at the top of the piece of footwear. A rivet connecting a band at the top is forced through the top into the open area or toothed by the location marks 1290. In another example, the location marks 1290 may be toothed in the form of footwear 1260 causing excess material to form at the location where the band should be adhered. Although not illustrated, the individual shoe shapes 1260 are formed to receive each of the right and left upper portions 1280a, 1280b, and soles 1275a, 1275b. Fig. 1 3 illustrates the co-location of a location mark relative to the piece of footwear 1300. In the illustrated embodiment, the location mark forms an indentation 1340 surrounded by a halo 1330, or a print. The halo 1330 extends from about 1.4 millimeters below an edge 1310 of a piece of footwear 1300 to an edge 1320 of a pattern 1350 formed on the footwear part 1300. The halo 1330 may be approximately the same size and color that the head of the rivet connecting a piece of footwear 1300 to a band (not shown). By means of the printing of the halo 1330 of the edge 1310, the installed rivet is not driven into a foot inserted into a piece of footwear 1 300. Furthermore, by means of the collocation of a halo 1 330 in this manner, the location of location marks can be successful as the center of halo 1330, where halo 1330 is located using edge 1310 and pattern 1350 as a guide. This ensures consistency in the location through the molds. The invention has now been described in detail for purposes of clarity and understanding. In any case, it will be appreciated that some changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. Thus, although the invention is described with reference to specific embodiments and figures thereof, the embodiments and figures are merely illustrative and not limiting of the invention. Preferably, the scope of the invention will be determined only by the appended claims.

Claims (21)

1. CLAIMS 1. A mold for footwear, the footwear mold including: a footwear form, wherein the footwear shape includes a location mark corresponding to a location of a band rivet. The shoe mold according to claim 1, characterized in that the shoe shape is an internal portion of the footwear mold. The footwear mold according to claim 2, characterized in that the footwear mold further includes: an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion substantially include the shape of the footwear 4. The footwear mold according to claim 3, characterized in that at least the upper portion includes a material inlet. The shoe mold according to claim 3, characterized in that the shoe shape is suspended from inside the upper portion. . The shoe mold according to claim 1, characterized in that the marked location extends from the shoe shape and is operable to reduce the material forming a piece of finished footwear at the location of the band. The footwear mold according to claim 1, characterized in that the marked location extends within the shoe shape and is operable to increase the material forming a finished piece of footwear at the location of the band. The footwear mold according to claim 1, characterized in that the location mark further includes a halo section that generally corresponds to the size of a main rivet on the expansion of a material forming an expanded piece of footwear. 9. A method for manufacturing a footwear mold, the method including: forming a location mark in a footwear form, wherein the footwear form is an internal portion of a three-piece mold. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the location mark extends from the shoe shape and is operable to reduce the material forming a piece of finished footwear at the location of the band. eleven . The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the location mark extends within the shoe shape and is operable to increase the material forming a piece of finished footwear at the location of the band. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the location mark includes a halo and where the method further includes: the location of an approximately uniform outer edge of the halo with a pattern corresponding to an inner wall of a footwear piece. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the outer edge of the halo is disposed approximately 1 .4 millimeters from an edge of the piece of footwear after the expansion of the footwear piece. 14. A piece of footwear including: a sole; an upper portion extending from the sole, wherein the upper portion is adapted to cover the upper part of a user's foot, and wherein the upper portion includes a rear opening for receiving the user's foot; at least one connector coupled to the upper portion; a band operably coupled to the upper portion, wherein the band is configured to be disposed along the rear opening to join the back of a user's foot; at least one adjustment mechanism that is interactible with the connector and the band to adjust the position of the band relative to the back of a user's foot. 15. A piece of footwear according to claim 14, characterized in that the connector includes a clamp that is rotatably coupled to the upper part. 16. A piece of footwear according to claim 15, characterized in that the adjustment mechanism includes a strip of material having one end coupled to the band and a free end that is configured to pass through the clamp. 17. A piece of footwear according to claim 16, characterized in that the adjustment mechanism further includes a coupling arrangement for coupling the free end of the strip of material to the band. 18. A piece of footwear according to claim 17, characterized in that the coupling arrangement includes a plurality of closures. 19. A piece of footwear according to claim 17, characterized in that the coupling arrangement includes a hook and clamp fastening material. 20. A piece of footwear according to claim 14, characterized in that at least one connector includes a pair of connectors coupled to opposite sides of the rear opening, and wherein at least one adjustment mechanism includes a pair of adjustment mechanisms that are interactive. with the pair of connectors. twenty-one . A piece of footwear according to claim 14, characterized in that the band is rotatably connected to the upper portion.