Apparatus and methods for carrying footwear

Abstract

An apparatus for carrying foldable footwear is provided. The apparatus includes a body having a first base and a first plurality of side walls. Each respective side wall in the first plurality of side walls extends upwardly from a first corresponding outer edge portion of the first base, and has a first end portion proximate to the first corresponding outer edge portion and a second end portion to interface with a lid of the apparatus. The lid includes a second base and a second plurality of side walls. Each respective side wall in the second plurality of side walls of the lid extends downwardly from a second corresponding outer edge portion of the lid and substantially aligns with a corresponding side wall in the first plurality of side walls of the body. The lid and the body are collectively dimensioned for receiving a pair of foldable shoes

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for carrying foldable footwear, the apparatus comprising:
 a body comprising a first base and a first plurality of side walls, wherein each respective side wall in the first plurality of side walls extends upwardly from a first corresponding outer edge portion of the first base, each respective side wall in the first plurality of side walls of the first base comprising a first end portion proximate to the first corresponding outer edge portion of the first base and a second end portion that is configured to interface with a lid of the apparatus;   the lid comprising a second base and a second plurality of side walls, wherein each respective side wall in the second plurality of side walls of the lid extends downwardly from a second corresponding outer edge portion of the lid and substantially aligns with a corresponding side wall in the first plurality of side walls of the body, and wherein the lid and the body are collectively dimensioned and configured for receiving a pair of foldable shoes; and   wherein each shoe in the pair of foldable shoes comprises:   a midsole, the midsole having (i) a toe end, (ii) a heel end, (iii) an inner side, and (iv) an outer side, wherein a perimeter of the midsole is affixed to the upper thereby forming a bottom to the interior portion;   an insole that is affixed to the bottom of the interior portion; and   an outsole patch, the outsole patch having (i) a toe portion disposed on the toe end of the midsole, and (ii) a heel portion disposed on the heel end of the midsole, wherein the outsole patch comprises an exterior contour configured to provide (i) a clearance between the toe end and the heel end of the midsole and the ground when worn and (ii) a distance that is uniform between an edge of the heel portion and the perimeter of the midsole;   wherein there is a region between (i) the heel portion of the outsole patch and (ii) the toe portion of the outsole patch, the region extending from the inner side to the outer side and occupying a first face of the midsole at a position intermediate the toe end of the midsole and the heel end of the midsole, thereby permitting the shoe to fold about the region; and wherein   the insole is not stitched to the upper or midsole.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein when the apparatus is in a closed configuration, a respective first outer surface of the first end portion of each side wall in the first plurality of side walls of the body and a respective second outer surface of each corresponding side wall in the second plurality of side walls of the lid are coplanar. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein when the apparatus is in a closed configuration, a respective first outer surface of the first end portion of each side wall in the first plurality of side walls of the body and a respective second outer surface of each corresponding side wall in the second plurality of side walls of the lid are parallel with each other. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein in the closed configuration of the apparatus, a first height of each respective side wall in the first plurality of side walls in greater than a second height of each respective side wall in the second plurality of side walls of the lid. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein in the closed configuration of the apparatus, a band encompasses an external portion of the apparatus extending from the first base of the body to the second base of the lid via a first subset of side walls in the first plurality of side walls of the body and a second subset of side walls in the second plurality of side walls of the lid. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein a portion of the band comprises a three-dimensional flower. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein a length of the three-dimensional flower is less than or equal to a length of the lid. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein a width of the three-dimensional flower is less than or equal to a width of the lid. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first plurality of side walls of the body is a first three-dimensional monolithic piece, and   the plurality of side walls of the lid is a second three-dimensional monolithic piece.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an edge portion of the apparatus is formed with a radius of curvature greater than zero. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a first edge portion of a first side wall in the first plurality of side walls is formed with a first radius of curvature, and a second edge portion of a second side wall in the second plurality of side walls is formed with the first radius of curvature. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is a box. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the box is rectangular. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein a face of the box comprises a rectangular prism. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each side wall in the first plurality of side walls comprises an aspect ratio of less than one. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each side wall in the second plurality of side walls comprises an aspect ratio of greater than one. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first base of the body and the second base of the lid comprises a first aspect ratio. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each side wall in the first plurality of side walls is substantially planar. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of side walls and the second plurality of side walls each comprises four side walls. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of side walls comprises a polygonal shape comprising at least four side walls.