Fitting system and method for customizable footwear

Abstract

Disclosed embodiments relate to a footwear system. The footwear system includes a shoe, a first insole, and a second insole. The first insole is a fitting insole having a first volume. It is positioned within the shoe during a fitting of a potential wearer of the shoe. The fitting insole is removed after the fitting is completed. The second insole has a volume substantially similar to the first volume. The second insole adapted for positioning within the shoe if the first insole demonstrates an appropriate fit. The second insole is self-customizable and further adapted to conform to the imprint of the sole of the potential wearer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A kit for providing customizable fit for footwear, comprising:
 a first imprint insole system comprising an insole affixed to a cradle;   a second imprint insole system comprising a mold-on-demand insole affixed to a second cradle; and   instructions for activating the second imprint insole system;   wherein said first imprint insole system is a fitting insole dimensioned to fit within a shoe;   wherein the second imprint insole system is dimensioned substantially similarly to said first insole and is trimmable to accommodate a plurality of shoe shapes; and   wherein said second insole comprises a mold-on-demand layer configured to conform to the shape of a wearer's foot upon the application of pressure.   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein said second imprint insole system includes a cutting guide. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 2 , further comprising instructions for trimming said second imprint insole system along the cutting guide. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 1 , further comprising thermoformed plastic packaging of said second insole system. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein said mold-on-demand layer is a thermoset polymer. 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein said instructions for activation comprise:
 advising the wearer to insert said first insole system into a shoe;   confirming the fit of the shoe by inserting the foot of the wearer in the shoe having said first insole system;   removing said first insole system and replacing said first insole system with said second insole system;   applying pressure to said second insole to activate said second imprint insole system; and   instructing said wearer to reinsert said foot into the shoe with the second insole system such that the second insole can conform to the shape of said wearer's foot.   
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein said first cradle is polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 4 , wherein said packaging further comprises at least one cut-out window. 
     
     
         9 . A footwear system comprising:
 a shoe;   a first insole system; and   a second insole system,   wherein the first insole system comprises a fitting insole having a first volume, and adapted to be positioned within the shoe during a fitting of a potential wearer of the shoe and removed after the fitting is completed, and   wherein the second insole system comprises an insole having a volume substantially similar to the first volume, and wherein the second insole is adapted to be positioned within the shoe if the first insole demonstrates an appropriate fit, and wherein the second insole is self-customizable and further adapted to conform to the imprint of the sole of the potential wearer.   
     
     
         10 . The footwear system of  claim 9 , wherein said shoe is selected from the group consisting of an athletic shoe, a sandal, a heel, a boot, and an orthopedic shoe. 
     
     
         11 . The footwear system of  claim 9 , wherein said second insole comprises memory foam. 
     
     
         12 . The footwear system of  claim 9 , wherein said second insole comprises an antibacterial layer. 
     
     
         13 . A method of customizing the fit of footwear, comprising:
 providing a shoe; said shoe comprising:
 an outsole having a top layer and a bottom layer; 
 a cushioning element attached to the top layer of said outsole; 
 a first imprint insole system comprising a fitting insole affixed to a cradle; 
   wherein said first imprint insole system is removably inserted in said shoe; and
 an upper shell; 
   confirming fit of said shoe;   removing said first imprint insole system from said shoe;   replacing said first imprint insole system with a mold-on-demand insole system;   applying pressure to said mold-on-demand insole system; and   imprinting said mold-on-demand insole to the shape of a wearer's foot.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said fitting insole comprises is memory foam. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said memory foam is a slow return memory foam. 
     
     
         16 . A customized footwear system, comprising:
 a shoe;   a fitting insole; and   a mold-on-demand insole;   wherein said fitting insole is dimensioned to fit within said shoe;   wherein said mold-on-demand insole is dimensioned substantially similar to said fitting insole; and   wherein said mold-on-demand insole is configured to conform with the shape of the wearer's foot upon application of pressure.   
     
     
         17 . The footwear system of  claim 16 , wherein said mold-on-demand insole is a thermoset resin. 
     
     
         18 . The footwear system of Claim of  claim 16 , wherein said shoe is selected from the group consisting of an athletic shoe, a sandal, a heel, a boot, and an orthopedic shoe.