An oven may facilitate heating, curing, and/or drying processes for manufactured items, such as shoe parts, using multiple groups of infrared sources. Each group of infrared sources may comprise a plurality of sources having heating parameters, such as a peak wavelength, power, distance from items to be cured, number of infrared sources, etc. By staging different types of sources throughout an oven, different aspects of the curing process may be performed in an efficient fashion. Further, conditions within the oven such as temperature and relative humidity may be monitored and adjusted to optimize curing conditions.

A shoe management apparatus includes a receiving portion defining a receiving space for receiving a shoe therein, a first supply portion including a duct for guiding flow of a fluid, and a second supply portion connected to the first supply portion, extending in a longitudinal direction of the first supply portion and angled towards the receiving portion, the second supply portion receiving the fluid from the first supply portion and directing the fluid to the shoe.

A shoe management apparatus includes a receiving portion defining a receiving space for receiving a shoe therein, a first supply portion including a duct for guiding flow of a fluid, and a second supply portion connected to the first supply portion, extending in a longitudinal direction of the first supply portion and angled towards the receiving portion, the second supply portion receiving the fluid from the first supply portion and directing the fluid to the shoe.

A steaming system for an article of footwear includes a container with a lid configured to accommodate a steam source. The system also includes provisions for securing the article of footwear such that a majority of the upper is subjected to steam. Articles of footwear may be placed in the steaming system to help customize the articles of apparel for a user's fit and comfort. The steaming system can be configured to be portable and carried by a person.

The present disclosure relates to a system for coating an item, where the item for example may be a body part item, such as a footwear, a bag, etc. The system comprises a rotatable support for receiving the item and a nozzle adapted to selectively distribute a liquid coating solution to the item. The system is operated under the control of a control unit, operating the system in a coating phase and a following evaporation phase. The present disclosure also relates to a corresponding method for coating an item.

Processes and systems for thermoforming articles of wear are disclosed. The process can include utilizing a negative pressure generation system to seal an article in a forming material thereby compressing the forming material onto the outer surface of the article. The process can also include exposing the sealed article to an increased temperature followed by exposure to a decrease temperature, while maintaining the compressive force of the forming material on the outer surface of the article. A positive pressure can also be applied to the sealed article while undergoing the heating and/or cooling steps, which can facilitate the removal of bubbles from the article during thermoforming as well as apply additional compressive force to the outer surface of the article.