Abstract: A device for applying a film to a three-dimensional article includes an inflatable shape having at least one opening connected or connectable to a source of heated gas. The inflatable shape is configurable in a deflated configuration and in an inflated configuration when the heated gas is introduced into the inflatable shape through the opening. The inflatable shape is configured and sized to allow an article to be placed thereon, at least when the inflatable shape is in the deflated configuration. In the inflated configuration, the inflatable shape is configured for pressing against the article and for adhering, to the article, a film interposed between the inflatable shape and the article. The inflatable shape is impermeable to the heated gas and has a thermal transmittance greater than 600 W/m2K.

Abstract: A knitted semi-finished product for manufacturing stockings, footwear and gloves, comprises: a main waterproofed portion configured to contain a user's foot or hand. The main waterproofed portion comprises an outer knitted portion and an inner waterproofing portion configured to prevent the passage of liquids from the outside to the inside of the semi-finished product. An auxiliary knitted portion is connected to the outer portion and delimits an opening configured to receive the user's foot or hand. A ring-shaped portion belonging to the auxiliary knitted portion and directly connected to the outer knitted portion has a lower hydrophilic characteristic than a hydrophilic characteristic of the outer knitted portion, so as to stop or at least slow down the capillarity rise of the water absorbed by the outer knitted portion.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a lamination machine and lamination process for laminating a membrane to a three-dimensional (3D) target surface of an article, such as a footwear article, glove, clothing article, backpack, or other article. The lamination machine may include an inflatable former that is permeable to air. The inflatable former may have a shape that generally corresponds to a shape of the target surface. The membrane and target surface may be arranged on the former, with a heat-activated adhesive disposed between the membrane and the target surface. The lamination machine may further include a pump to pump heated compressed air into the former. The heated compressed air may inflate the former to press the membrane against the target surface and to activate the adhesive to bond the membrane to the target surface.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a lamination machine and lamination process for laminating a membrane to a three-dimensional (3D) target surface of an article, such as a footwear article, glove, clothing article, backpack, or other article. The lamination machine may include an inflatable former that is permeable to air. The inflatable former may have a shape that generally corresponds to a shape of the target surface. The membrane and target surface may be arranged on the former, with a heat-activated adhesive disposed between the membrane and the target surface. The lamination machine may further include a pump to pump heated compressed air into the former. The heated compressed air may inflate the former to press the membrane against the target surface and to activate the adhesive to bond the membrane to the target surface.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a lamination machine and lamination process for laminating a membrane to a three-dimensional (3D) target surface of an article, such as a footwear article, glove, clothing article, backpack, or other article. The lamination machine may include an inflatable former that is permeable to air. The inflatable former may have a shape that generally corresponds to a shape of the target surface. The membrane and target surface may be arranged on the former, with a heat-activated adhesive disposed between the membrane and the target surface. The lamination machine may further include a pump to pump heated compressed air into the former. The heated compressed air may inflate the former to press the membrane against the target surface and to activate the adhesive to bond the membrane to the target surface.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a lamination machine and lamination process for laminating a membrane to a three-dimensional (3D) target surface of an article, such as a footwear article, glove, clothing article, backpack, or other article. The lamination machine may include an inflatable former that is permeable to air. The inflatable former may have a shape that generally corresponds to a shape of the target surface. The membrane and target surface may be arranged on the former, with a heat-activated adhesive disposed between the membrane and the target surface. The lamination machine may further include a pump to pump heated compressed air into the former. The heated compressed air may inflate the former to press the membrane against the target surface and to activate the adhesive to bond the membrane to the target surface.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a lamination machine for laminating a membrane to a fabric of an article, such as to an inside surface of a backpack. The lamination machine may include an enclosure with a rotating air connection coupled to a top surface of the enclosure. The membrane may be mated with the article, and then a plug may be inserted in a top opening of the article. The plug may be coupled with the rotating air connection. The rotating air connection may pump compressed air into an interior portion of the article, through an inlet in the plug. A heater may heat the area surrounding the article to activate an adhesive disposed between the membrane and the inside surface of the article. Additionally, the rotating air connection may rotate the plug, thereby rotating the article assembly to facilitate distribution of heat.

Abstract: In a glove manufacturing device, a glove insert with thermoplastic adhesive applied on the outer side is fixed on a glove holding member in a state where it has been inserted into the inner side of the outer material of the glove. The glove insert is then expanded by way of a gas injection means, and the outer material of the glove and the glove insert are bonded. The glove holding member is fixed on the turntable and sent to a heating furnace by this rotating.

Abstract: Process for waterproofing a semimanufactured product (3) of footwear, gloves, clothing items and accessories, said semimanufactured product (3) having a three-dimensional conformation with at least one inner surface and one outer surface, characterized in that it comprises the following operative steps: arranging on a shaped support (1, 1a, 1b) the semimanufactured product (3) with at least one waterproofing sheath (4) shaped for entirely or partially cover the surfaces to be waterproofed of the semimanufactured product (3), at least one glue layer being applied between these surfaces and the waterproofing sheath (4); sealing the semimanufactured product (3) and/or the waterproofing sheath (4) for preventing the transfer of fluids from the outside between the sheath (4) and the shaped support (1, 1a, 1b); inserting the shaped support (1, 1a, 1b) provided with the semimanufactured product (3) and with the sheath (4) into an autoclave (7) for joining under pressure the sheath (4) to the semimanufactured prod

Abstract: Footwear, and a process for manufacturing the same, the footwear having at least one lower portion of an upper joined by one or more seams to an upper portion that is lined internally with at least one waterproofing membrane, whose lower edge is fixed to the inner surface of the lower portion of the upper by a layer of adhesive arranged at least under the seams.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a lamination machine for laminating a membrane to a fabric of an article, such as to an inside surface of a backpack. The lamination machine may include an enclosure with a rotating air connection coupled to a top surface of the enclosure. The membrane may be mated with the article, and then a plug may be inserted in a top opening of the article. The plug may be coupled with the rotating air connection. The rotating air connection may pump compressed air into an interior portion of the article, through an inlet in the plug. A heater may heat the area surrounding the article to activate an adhesive disposed between the membrane and the inside surface of the article. Additionally, the rotating air connection may rotate the plug, thereby rotating the article assembly to facilitate distribution of heat.

Abstract: In a glove manufacturing device, a glove insert with thermoplastic adhesive applied on the outer side is fixed on a glove holding member in a state where it has been inserted into the inner side of the outer material of the glove. The glove insert is then expanded by way of a gas injection means, and the outer material of the glove and the glove insert are bonded. The glove holding member is fixed on the turntable and sent to a heating furnace by this rotating.

Abstract: Footwear comprising at least one lower portion of an upper which is joined by means of one or more scams to an upper portion which is lined internally with at least one waterproofing membrane, whose lower edge is fixed to the inner surface of the lower portion of the upper by means of a layer of adhesive arranged at least under the seams. The present invention also relates to a process for manufacturing said footwear.

Abstract: Process for waterproofing a semimanufactured product (3) of footwear, gloves, clothing items and accessories, said semimanufactured product (3) having a three-dimensional conformation with at least one inner surface and one outer surface, characterized in that it comprises the following operative steps: —arranging on a shaped support (1, 1a, 1b) the semimanufactured product (3) with at least one waterproofing sheath (4) shaped for entirely or partially cover the surfaces to be waterproofed of the semimanufactured product (3), at least one glue layer being applied between these surfaces and the waterproofing sheath (4); —sealing the semimanufactured product (3) and/or the waterproofing sheath (4) for preventing the transfer of fluids from the outside between the sheath (4) and the shaped support (1, 1a, 1b); —inserting the shaped support (1, 1a, 1b) provided with the semimanufactured product (3) and with the sheath (4) into an autoclave (7) for joining under pressure the sheath (4) to the semimanufactured prod