A method of using an inflatable member to customize an article is described. An inflatable member includes at least one adjustable portion. The inflatable member may be inserted into an article. The position of the adjustable portion can be changed according to the size of the article. The inflatable member can also be filled with fluid according to the size of the article. The inflatable member may be used to adjust the size of an article. The inflatable member may be used to apply a graphic to an article.

In accordance with one aspect of the present description, a shoe treatment device is provided having a shoe interior engagement form expandable from a latched, contracted state to an expanded state. A user operated slide actuator positioned exterior to the shoe may drive the engagement form to expand to the expanded state. The slide actuator may be actuated to contract the engagement form back to the contracted state. A latch may latch the engagement form in the selected contracted or expansion state to facilitate insertion and removal and treatment of the shoe. Other aspects are described.

The present invention relates to a shoe insert that is inflatable or otherwise conformable to the interior of a shoe and provides protection against the shoe collapsing or otherwise becoming deformed during transport, shipment or handling. The shoe insert is capable of being inflated in a left or right orientation and can be provided with branding and other merchandising information.

A shoe tree includes a body having a toe member that has a distal tip end and a proximal end. The toe member is insertable into a toe portion of a respective shoe and formed to support the toe portion of the shoe. The shoe tree also includes a heel member that is insertable into a heel portion of the respective shoe and formed to support the heel portion thereof. The body is hollow inside and presents a neck portion of tubular member to receive and store fluids like liquids to add weight to the shoe tree to spread the weight of the shoe tree to the respective shoe to keep the shoe in shape at all times.

A shoe tree includes a body having a toe member that has a distal tip end and a proximal end. The toe member is insertable into a toe portion of a respective shoe and formed to support the toe portion of the shoe. The shoe tree also includes a heel member that is insertable into a heel portion of the respective shoe and formed to support the heel portion thereof. The body is hollow inside and presents a neck portion of tubular member to receive and store fluids like liquids to add weight to the shoe tree to spread the weight of the shoe tree to the respective shoe to keep the shoe in shape at all times.

Exemplary embodiments of an air bladder are provided that is configured to retain the shape of a front toe portion of a shoe. For example, an air bladder for a shoe is provided, including a top portion, a bottom portion, a central body having a hollow interior configured to be inflated, the central body shaped to conform to a front toe portion of a shoe, a recess provided at a lower portion of the central body diving the central body, a middle portion having a bottom portion fluidly connected with the top portion of the central body narrower than the central body, and a top wing portion fluidly connected to the top of the middle portion that is wider than the middle portion. A shoe insert can also be provided to which the air bladder can be secured to.

The present invention relates to a shoe insert that is inflatable or otherwise conformable to the interior of a shoe and provides protection against the shoe collapsing or otherwise becoming deformed during transport, shipment or handling. The shoe insert is capable of being inflated in a left or right orientation and can be provided with branding and other merchandising information.

A last includes a base part including a bottom and a plurality of additional parts, each of which is formed in a plate shape and is capable of being assembled to the base part. The base part includes a mounting unit and a first forming surface. The plurality of additional parts include a second forming surface. Each additional part has an end face. The second forming surface includes the end face of each of the plurality of additional parts. The base part includes a first base member including a mounting unit and a second base member attachable to and detachable from the first base member.

The invention pertains to a footwear stretcher apparatus comprising: two spacer blocs separated by a wedge-shaped gap and configured to be inserted inside walls of a footwear; an actuator; and a wedge, driven by the actuator, and configured to change a spacing of the wedge-shaped gap proportional to a stroke of the actuator, thus stretching the walls of the footwear.

In accordance with one aspect of the present description, a shoe treatment device is provided having a shoe interior engagement form expandable from a latched, contracted state to an expanded state. A user operated slide actuator positioned exterior to the shoe may drive the engagement form to expand to the expanded state. The slide actuator may be actuated to contract the engagement form back to the contracted state. A latch may latch the engagement form in the selected contracted or expansion state to facilitate insertion and removal and treatment of the shoe. Other aspects are described.