Methods and apparatus for removing creases and wrinkles from shoes

Abstract

A shoe treatment apparatus can include a heating element for heating air, where one or more fans can move air across the heating element and deliver the heated air into a treatment zone within the apparatus. An inner shoe compartment can receive one or more shoes for treatment. The inner shoe compartment can include a plurality of through holes to permit the heated air to pass there through to enter the interior of the inner shoe compartment. Viewing of the shoe can be provided through viewing windows on the side of the apparatus as well as through a window in a door of the apparatus Temperature and time controls may be provided so the user can adjust the treatment to occur at an appropriate temperature for an appropriate time. The treatment can effectively remove wrinkles and creases from shoes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for treating at least one shoe, comprising:
 a heating element for heating air;   an inner shoe compartment operable to receive the at least one shoe therein;   a viewing window formed in a side of the inner shoe compartment; and   a side window formed in a side housing of the device, the side window aligning with the viewing window to permit a user to view a side of the at least one shoe when the at least one shoe is placed in the inner shoe compartment,   wherein heated air is moved into the inner shoe compartment to treat the at east one shoe disposed therein.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of holes formed in the inner shoe compartment, the holes operable to permit the heated air generated by the heating element to enter the inner shoe compartment. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a device door permitting access to the inner shoe compartment, the device door having a window therein permitting a user to view at least one end of the at least one shoe when the at least one shoe is placed in the inner shoe compartment. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature controller operable to adjust a temperature of the heated air that is in the inner shoe compartment. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a timer operable to set a run time for delivery of heated air to the inner shoe compartment. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a display operable to display operating conditions of the device. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one fan operable to move the heated air into and about the inner shoe compartment. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one fan provides a stream of the heated air to directly impact the at least one shoe in the inner shoe compartment. 
     
     
         9 . A device for treating at least one shoe, comprising:
 a heating element for heating air;   an inner shoe compartment operable to receive the at least one shoe therein;   a plurality of holes formed in the inner shoe compartment, the holes operable to permit heated air generated by the heating element to enter the inner shoe compartment;   a device door permitting access to the inner shoe compartment, the device door having a window therein permitting a user to view at least one end of the at least one shoe when the at least one shoe is placed in the inner shoe compartment;   a viewing window formed in a side of the inner shoe compartment;   a side window formed in a side housing of the device, the side window aligning with the viewing window to permit a user to view a side of the at least one shoe when the at least one shoe is placed in the inner shoe compartment;   a temperature controller operable to adjust a temperature of the heated air within the inner shoe compartment; and   a timer operable to set a run time for delivery of heated air to the inner shoe compartment.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising a display operable to display operating conditions of the device. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one fan operable to move heated air into and about the inner shoe compartment. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one fan provides a stream of the heated air to directly impact the at least one shoe in the inner shoe compartment. 
     
     
         13 . A method of treating at least one shoe, comprising:
 placing the at least one shoe into the device of  claim 1 ;   turning the device on to permit the heating element to generate heated air; and   contacting the at least one shoe for a time sufficient to perform the treatment.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the treatment includes removing a crease and/or a wrinkle from the at least one shoe. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the treatment includes removing an odor from the at least one shoe. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising setting an operating temperature by adjusting a temperature control on the device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising setting an operating time by adjusting a time control on the device.