Method for manufacturing a sandal having customised toe thong location

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a sandal, wherein the toe thong location of said sandal is customised for a wearer. For a particular wearer, the optimal location of the toe thong of the sandal may be determined by applying a computer algorithm, which takes into account foot data of the wearer, which foot data may be obtained from image/video capture technology. The method makes use of a custom toe thong insert, which is embedded within the sole of the sandal. The custom toe thong insert is configured to receive and securely engage with a fastener attached to the toe thong and foot strap, such that the toe thong will be positioned at or proximate to the optimal location for the particular wearer. Also disclosed herein is a sandal with a customised toe thong location that is made in accordance with the above-described method.

1 . A method for manufacturing a sandal having a toe thong location that is customised for a wearer, wherein the sandal comprises a foot strap, a toe thong connected to the foot strap, and a sole, wherein the toe thong is configured with a fastener, and wherein the sole comprises an upper sole and a midsole, the method comprising:
 (i) receiving foot data for said wearer;   (ii) determining for the wearer, an optimal toe thong position in respect of a given sandal, based upon the foot data for the wearer;   (iii) providing a custom toe thong insert having a plurality of fastener-engagement holes for engagement with the fastener;   (iv) embedding the custom toe thong insert within the midsole of the sandal at an insert location;   (v) determining an optimal fastener-engagement hole of the plurality of fastener-engagement holes, taking into account the optimal toe thong position;   (vi) providing an orifice in the upper sole of the sandal, proximate to the optimal toe thong position; and   (vii) inserting the fastener, through the orifice in the upper sole of the sandal, and engaging the fastener with the optimal fastener-engagement hole, thereby fastening the fastener to the custom toe thong insert.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the foot data of the wearer is received through an application programming interface. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the foot data of the wearer is compiled from one or more of 2-Dimensional imaging data, 3-Dimensional imaging data, a single photo, multiple photos, and a video. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the foot data of the wearer is captured through one of a smartphone or a kiosk camera. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener and the optimal fastener-engagement hole are configured for locking engagement with each other. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the fastener and optimal fastener-engagement hole are disengageable through use of a toe thong key. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving foot data for said wearer, is from previously stored foot data of said wearer. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of determining an optimal toe thong position in respect of a given sandal is based upon the foot data for the wearer, and at least one of: the size of the toe thong for the sandal; the shape of the toe thong for the sandal; the design of the sandal; and the type of material from which the toe thong is constructed. 
     
     
         9 . A sandal having a toe thong location that is customised for a wearer, made in accordance with the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . The sandal of  claim 9 , wherein the fastener and the optimal fastener-engagement hole are configured for locking engagement with each other. 
     
     
         11 . The sandal of  claim 10 , wherein the fastener and optimal fastener-engagement hole are disengageable through use of a toe thong key.