Expandable last for furnishing footwear with an insert and method for furnishing footwear with an insert

Abstract

An expandable last ( 2 ) for furnishing footwear ( 110 ) with an insert ( 100 ) includes an expansion assembly ( 40 ); an expandable shell ( 6 ), arranged around the expansion assembly ( 40 ); and a liquid chamber ( 8 ) within the expandable shell ( 6 ); wherein the expandable last ( 2 ) is insertable into the footwear ( 110 ) through a collar of the footwear ( 110 ) and wherein the expandable shell ( 6 ) is configured to expand for pressing the insert ( 100 ) towards an inside of the footwear ( 110 ); and wherein the expansion assembly ( 40 ) is configured to adapt its extension for exerting localized pressure onto the expandable shell ( 6 ) towards the inside of the footwear ( 110 ).

1 . Expandable last ( 2 ) for furnishing footwear ( 110 ) with an insert ( 100 ), comprising:
 an expansion assembly ( 40 );   an expandable shell ( 6 ), arranged around the expansion assembly ( 40 ); and   a liquid chamber ( 8 ) within the expandable shell ( 6 );   wherein the expandable last ( 2 ) is insertable into the footwear ( 110 ) through a collar of the footwear ( 110 ) and wherein the expandable shell ( 6 ) is configured to expand for pressing the insert ( 100 ) towards an inside of the footwear ( 110 ); and   wherein the expansion assembly ( 40 ) is configured to adapt its extension for exerting localized pressure onto the expandable shell ( 6 ) towards the inside of the footwear ( 110 ).   
     
     
         2 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the expansion assembly ( 40 ) comprises at least one of a hydraulically operated piston, a pneumatically operated piston ( 46 ), an electrically operated piston, and a spring-loaded piston ( 44 ) for exerting the localized pressure. 
     
     
         3 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the expansion assembly ( 40 ) comprises a base plate ( 42 ), to which said at least one of a hydraulically operated piston, a pneumatically operated piston ( 46 ), an electrically operated piston, and a spring-loaded piston ( 44 ) is mounted. 
     
     
         4 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of  claims 1  to  3 , wherein the expansion assembly ( 40 ) comprises a spring-loaded piston ( 44 ) for exerting the localized pressure, wherein the spring-loaded piston ( 44 ) comprises at least one of a coil spring and a gas spring. 
     
     
         5 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein the expansion assembly ( 40 ) is configured to exert localized pressure onto at least one of a toe portion and a heel portion of the expandable shell ( 6 ). 
     
     
         6 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the expansion assembly ( 40 ) comprises a spring skeleton ( 55 ) having a forefoot spring portion ( 56 ), configured to exert localized pressure onto at least one of a toe portion and an instep portion of the expandable shell ( 6 ), and having a heel spring portion ( 57 ), configured to exert localized pressure onto a heel portion of the expandable shell ( 6 ). 
     
     
         7 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein the forefoot spring portion ( 56 ) is configured to force its forefoot end portion in a forward and upward direction. 
     
     
         8 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 6  or  7 , wherein the forefoot spring portion ( 56 ) has a waved shape, with a first exposed portion ( 56   a ) exerting localized pressure onto the instep portion of the expandable shell ( 6 ) and with a second exposed portion ( 56   b ) exerting localized pressure onto the toe portion of the expandable shell ( 6 ). 
     
     
         9 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 6  or  7 , wherein the forefoot spring portion ( 56 ) comprises an instep spring element ( 58 ), extending along the instep portion of the expandable shell ( 6 ) and having its free end pointing rearwards. 
     
     
         10 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of  claims 6  to  9 , wherein the heel spring portion ( 57 ) is configured to force its heel end portion in a rearward and upward direction. 
     
     
         11 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of  claims 6  to  10 , wherein the expansion assembly ( 40 ) comprises a form-stable core support element ( 4 ), wherein the form-stable core support element ( 4 ) is in particular substantially L-shaped or substantially T-shaped. 
     
     
         12 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of  claims 1  to  11 , further comprising a lid ( 10 ), to which the expandable shell ( 6 ) is mounted. 
     
     
         13 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 12 , wherein the expansion assembly ( 40 ) is fixed in position with respect to the lid ( 10 ), in particular mounted to the lid ( 10 ) via a mounting rod ( 54 ). 
     
     
         14 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of  claims 1  to  13 , wherein the expansion assembly ( 40 ) is attached to the expandable shell ( 6 ). 
     
     
         15 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of  claims 1  to  14 , further comprising a liquid port ( 16 ), providing liquid communication between the liquid chamber ( 8 ) and an external liquid source ( 120 ), wherein the expandable shell ( 6 ) is configured to expand for pressing the insert ( 100 ) towards an inside of the footwear ( 110 ), when receiving liquid in the liquid chamber ( 8 ) via the liquid port ( 16 ). 
     
     
         16 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of  claims 1  to  14 , further comprising a heater ( 60 ) arranged in the liquid chamber ( 8 ), wherein the heater ( 60 ) is configured to heat liquid in the liquid chamber ( 8 ) for expanding the expandable shell ( 6 ) and pressing the insert ( 100 ) towards an inside of the footwear ( 110 ) via an increase in volume of the liquid in the liquid chamber ( 8 ). 
     
     
         17 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 16 , wherein the heater ( 60 ) is an electric heater. 
     
     
         18 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 16  or  17 , wherein the expansion assembly ( 40 ) and the heater ( 60 ) are fixed in position with respect to each other, wherein the expansion assembly ( 40 ) and the heater ( 60 ) are in particular formed as an integrated structural unit. 
     
     
         19 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of  claims 16  to  18 , further comprising a lid ( 10 ), to which the expandable shell ( 6 ) is mounted. 
     
     
         20 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 19 , wherein the expandable shell ( 6 ) and the lid ( 10 ) form a liquid-tight enclosure. 
     
     
         21 . Expandable last ( 2 ) for furnishing footwear ( 110 ) with an insert ( 100 ), comprising:
 a form-stable core support element ( 4 );   an expandable shell ( 6 ), arranged around the core support element ( 4 );   a liquid chamber ( 8 ) within the expandable shell ( 6 ); and   a liquid port ( 16 ), providing liquid communication between the liquid chamber ( 8 ) and an external liquid source ( 120 );   wherein the expandable last ( 2 ) is insertable into the footwear ( 110 ) through a collar of the footwear ( 110 ) and wherein, when receiving liquid in the liquid chamber ( 8 ) via the liquid port ( 16 ), the expandable shell ( 6 ) is configured to expand for pressing the insert ( 100 ) towards an inside of the footwear ( 110 ).   
     
     
         22 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 21 , wherein the core support element ( 4 ) is substantially L-shaped or substantially T-shaped or substantially U-shaped or substantially foot-shaped. 
     
     
         23 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 21  or  22 , wherein the core support element ( 4 ) is rigid, in particular made from metal or rigid plastics material. 
     
     
         24 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 21  or  22 , wherein the core support element ( 4 ) is flexible, in particular made from resilient rubber material. 
     
     
         25 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of  claims 21  to  24 , wherein the liquid chamber ( 8 ) comprises substantially the entire volume between the core support element ( 4 ) and the expandable shell ( 6 ). 
     
     
         26 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of  claims 21  to  25 , wherein the core support element ( 4 ) comprises at least one liquid supply line ( 20 ), coupled to the liquid port ( 16 ) and providing liquid communication between the liquid port ( 16 ) and the liquid chamber ( 8 ). 
     
     
         27 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 26 , wherein the at least one liquid supply line ( 20 ) is arranged within the core support element ( 4 ) and has at least one opening ( 22 ) towards the liquid chamber ( 8 ). 
     
     
         28 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of  claims 21  to  27 , wherein the expandable shell ( 6 ) is elastic, in particular made from latex material. 
     
     
         29 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of  claims 21  to  28 , wherein the expandable shell ( 6 ) has, at least in one or more regions thereof, dimension-specific elastic properties. 
     
     
         30 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of  claims 21  to  29 , wherein the liquid chamber ( 8 ) is at least partly filled with an open-cell foam ( 24 ), in particular with an open-cell polyurethane foam, and/or with a spacer fabric. 
     
     
         31 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of  claims 21  to  30 , further comprising at least one expandable liquid bag ( 26 ), arranged outside or inside of the expandable shell ( 6 ). 
     
     
         32 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 31 , further comprising at least one ancillary liquid port ( 28 ), providing liquid communication between the at least one expandable liquid bag ( 26 ) and at least one external liquid source. 
     
     
         33 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 32 , further comprising at least one ancillary liquid supply line ( 30 ), coupling the at least one expandable liquid bag ( 26 ) to the at least one ancillary liquid port ( 28 ), wherein the at least one ancillary liquid supply line ( 30 ) in particular runs through the liquid chamber ( 8 ). 
     
     
         34 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of  claims 31  to  33 , wherein the at least one expandable liquid bag ( 26 ) comprises at least one of:
 an expandable liquid bag at an instep portion of the expandable shell ( 6 ); 
 an expandable liquid bag at a toe portion of the expandable shell ( 6 ); 
 an expandable liquid bag in a forefoot portion of the expandable shell ( 6 ); 
 an expandable liquid bag in an upper midfoot portion of the expandable shell ( 6 ). 
 
     
     
         35 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of  claims 31  to  34 , wherein the at least one expandable liquid bag ( 26 ) is at least partly filled with an open-cell foam, in particular with an open-cell polyurethane foam, and/or with a spacer fabric ( 34 ). 
     
     
         36 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of  claims 21  to  35 , further comprising a lid ( 10 ), to which the core support element ( 4 ) and the expandable shell ( 6 ) are mounted. 
     
     
         37 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 36 , wherein the liquid port ( 16 ) is arranged in the lid ( 10 ). 
     
     
         38 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 36  or  37 , wherein the lid ( 10 ) has an extension substantially corresponding to a transverse cross-section of the collar of the footwear ( 110 ). 
     
     
         39 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of  claims 21  to  38 , further comprising a heater, configured to heat the liquid in the liquid chamber ( 8 ) and/or to heat the expandable shell ( 6 ). 
     
     
         40 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of  claims 21  to  39 , configured for furnishing the footwear with a waterproof, breathable bootie, the waterproof, breathable bootie in particular being provided, on its outside, with pressure sensitive adhesive and/or heat-activated adhesive for attachment to the inside of the footwear. 
     
     
         41 . Expandable last ( 2 ) for furnishing footwear ( 110 ) with an insert ( 100 ), comprising:
 an expandable shell ( 6 );   a liquid chamber ( 8 ) within the expandable shell ( 6 ); and   a liquid port ( 16 ), providing liquid communication between the liquid chamber ( 8 ) and an external liquid source ( 120 );   wherein the expandable last ( 2 ) is insertable into the footwear ( 110 ) through a collar of the footwear ( 110 ) and wherein, when receiving liquid in the liquid chamber ( 8 ) via the liquid port ( 16 ), the expandable shell ( 6 ) is configured to expand for pressing the insert ( 100 ) towards an inside of the footwear ( 110 ); and   wherein the expandable shell ( 6 ) has, at least in one or more regions thereof, dimension-specific elastic properties.   
     
     
         42 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 41 , wherein the expandable shell ( 6 ) is configured to expand more easily in a longitudinal dimension ( 72 ) than in a circumferential dimension ( 74 ) in at least one of a midfoot portion ( 70 ) and a forefoot portion. 
     
     
         43 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 41  or  42 , wherein the expandable last ( 2 ) is free of a form-stable core support element and/or free of an expansion assembly, arranged within the expandable shell. 
     
     
         44 . Expandable last ( 2 ) for furnishing footwear ( 110 ) with an insert ( 100 ), comprising:
 a rigid last portion ( 80 ,  82 );   an expandable shell ( 6 ), arranged adjacent to the rigid last portion ( 80 ,  82 );   a liquid chamber ( 8 ) within the expandable shell ( 6 ); and   a liquid port ( 16 ), providing liquid communication between the liquid chamber ( 8 ) and an external liquid source ( 120 );   wherein the expandable last ( 2 ) is insertable into the footwear ( 110 ) through a collar of the footwear ( 110 ) and wherein, when receiving liquid in the liquid chamber ( 8 ) via the liquid port ( 16 ), the expandable shell ( 6 ) is configured to expand for pressing the insert ( 100 ) towards an inside of the footwear ( 110 ).   
     
     
         45 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 44 , wherein the rigid last portion ( 80 ,  82 ) is made from metal, such as aluminum. 
     
     
         46 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 44  or  45 , wherein the rigid last portion ( 80 ,  82 ) is heatable. 
     
     
         47 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of  claims 44  to  46 , comprising a rigid forefoot and instep last portion ( 80 ) and a rigid heel last portion ( 82 ), wherein the expandable shell ( 6 ) is arranged between the rigid forefoot and instep last portion ( 80 ) and the rigid heel last portion ( 82 ). 
     
     
         48 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 47 , wherein the rigid forefoot and instep last portion ( 80 ) and the rigid heel last portion ( 82 ) are movable with respect to each other and wherein the expandable last comprises an actuator ( 84 ) for controlling a spacing between the rigid forefoot and instep last portion ( 80 ) and the rigid heel last portion ( 82 ), with the actuator ( 84 ) in particular being a pneumatic or hydraulic or electric actuator. 
     
     
         49 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of  claims 44  to  48 , further comprising at least one expandable liquid bag ( 26 ), arranged on an outside of the rigid last portion ( 80 ,  82 ). 
     
     
         50 . Expandable last ( 2 ) according to  claim 49 , wherein the at least one expandable liquid bag ( 26 ) comprises at least one expandable liquid bag in a toe region and/or in a heel region of the expandable last ( 2 ), in particular an expandable liquid bag in a toe region of the rigid forefoot and instep last portion ( 80 ). 
     
     
         51 . Expandable last ( 2 ) for furnishing footwear ( 110 ) with an insert ( 100 ), comprising:
 an expandable shell ( 6 );   a granulate chamber ( 61 ) within the expandable shell ( 6 ); and   a granulate port ( 62 ), providing a granulate channel between the granulate chamber ( 61 ) and an external granulate source ( 64 ), in particular between the granulate chamber ( 61 ) and an external heated granulate source ( 64 );   wherein the expandable last ( 2 ) is insertable into the footwear ( 110 ) through a collar of the footwear ( 110 ) and wherein, when receiving granulate ( 63 ) in the granulate chamber ( 61 ) via the granulate port ( 62 ), the expandable shell ( 6 ) is configured to expand for pressing the insert ( 100 ) towards an inside of the footwear ( 110 ).   
     
     
         52 . Method for furnishing footwear ( 110 ) with an insert ( 100 ) using an expandable last ( 2 ) according to any of the preceding claims. 
     
     
         53 . Method according to  claim 52 , wherein the insert ( 100 ) is a waterproof, breathable bootie. 
     
     
         54 . Method for furnishing footwear ( 110 ) with an insert ( 100 ), the method comprising:
 inserting an expandable last ( 2 ) into the footwear ( 110 ) through a collar of the footwear ( 110 ), the expandable last ( 2 ) having an expandable shell ( 6 ) and a liquid chamber ( 8 ) within the expandable shell; and   pressing the insert ( 100 ) towards an inside of the footwear ( 110 ) by expanding the expandable shell ( 6 ) via liquid in the liquid chamber ( 8 ).   
     
     
         55 . Method according to  claim 54 , wherein said expanding of the expandable shell ( 6 ) via liquid in the liquid chamber ( 8 ) comprises introducing liquid into the liquid chamber ( 8 ). 
     
     
         56 . Method according to  claim 54  or  55 , wherein said expanding of the expandable shell ( 6 ) via liquid in the liquid chamber ( 8 ) comprises heating the liquid in the liquid chamber ( 8 ). 
     
     
         57 . Method according to any of  claims 54  to  56 , wherein the insert ( 100 ) is a waterproof, breathable bootie.