ART + DESIGN
“There are only two EVA footwear manufacturers in the U.S.—one in Georgia and one in Idaho,” he said. “After they both told me it wasn’t possible, I started looking overseas.” Overseas manufacturers also told him it wasn’t possible. Ulven says hearing “no” over and over again only made him feel more invigorated to find a solution. After more research, he reached out to engineer Ryan Schuette of Definitive 3D & Engineering to describe his thought process and to see how credible his concept was, if credible at all. With Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, Schuette was able to provide Ulven with specific manufacturing specifications and CAD files for the three-part design. “All of the companies I had spoken to thus far only used one way to manufacture EVA, and now all I needed to find was a footwear manufacturer who could execute this new version,” said Ulven. “After many more calls, I found one in China.” When his current manufacturer told him his engineered design was manufacturable, Ulven says he knew it was only a matter of time before he would figure out how to make everything else happen. Step one: protect his idea. The new business owner contacted Kaufhold & Dix Patent Law and filed a 20-year utility patent on the three-piece construction. Step two: hone in on details of the design, which were comfort and color. “The construction of the product is undoubtedly unique, however, it’s what the construction offers that makes our products stand out in the footwear space,” described Ulven. “Not only does it allow for color blocking (three separate colors between the upper, midsole, and sole in all EVA), but it also allows for us to use different densities between the parts.” This includes having a softer midsole (which increases comfort) and a denser outsole (which handles the ground). On the underside of the midsole placed above the heel is an increased amount of softer EVA that Ulven says is extended down through the sandal and sits flush with the sole called the Comfort Dome , which is another part of the patent. The three-piece process allowed for a variety of colors on each layer of the slides. Ulven says he spent endless hours choosing each custom color without existing pantones.
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