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 comprising a first elastomeric layer, a second elastomeric layer, and a plurality of burstable packets disposed between said first and second elastomeric layers; wherein said mold-on-demand insole is 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 plurality of burstable packets comprises a curable fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 5 , wherein said curable fluid is a silicone resin. 
     
     
         7 . 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.   
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein said first cradle is polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 4 , wherein said packaging further comprises at least one cut-out window. 
     
     
         10 . An item of self-customizing footwear comprising:
 an upper;   an insole; and   an outsole;   wherein the insole comprises an upper layer positioned to contact with the bottom of the foot; an elastomeric bottom layer coupled to the outsole; and a middle layer enclosed between the upper layer and the lower layer; said middle layer comprising a plurality of burstable packets; said burstable packets comprising a curable fluid material.   
     
     
         11 . The item of  claim 10 , wherein at least some of the burstable packets are configured to burst when pressure is applied to said packets. 
     
     
         12 . The item of  claim 11 , wherein upon bursting, the curable fluid is configured to flow within the enclosed middle layer of the insole to conform to and solidify in the shape of a foot. 
     
     
         13 . The item of  claim 11 , wherein upon bursting, the curable fluid is configured to flow within the enclosed middle layer of the insole to conform to and solidify in the shape of a foot. 
     
     
         14 . The item of  claim 13 , wherein the curable fluid in one of the plurality of compartments is different than the curable fluid in another compartment. 
     
     
         15 . The item of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of compartments are configured to control flow of curable liquid as pressure is applied to various portions of the foot. 
     
     
         16 . The item of  claim 15 , wherein said pressure is a weight bearing action by a user of said footwear. 
     
     
         17 . A customizable footbed, comprising:
 an elastomeric bottom layer; and   a layer of burstable packets coupled to the bottom layer, wherein at least one of the burstable packets comprises a curable fluid.   
     
     
         18 . The footbed of  claim 17 , wherein said curable fluid is a silicone resin.