Abstract: A device for positioning and blocking soles of footwear includes a table (26, 32) with an area for resting the sole, members (28, 29, 39, 40) for centering the sole disposed at least at opposite ends of the rest area and a vacuum operated device (44, 45) which suction the sole against the table to maintain it in the position imposed by the centering members. The adaptability of the work surface and the positioning members, together with the replaceability of the suction fixtures (46, 47) disposed on the work surface enable the correct positioning and blockage of soles of various shapes. A machine (53) incorporating the device can thus operate on a sole quickly and efficiently, for example to spread glue on its surface to be stuck onto a corresponding shoe.

Abstract: This invention relates to a shoe sole molding system comprising a press for molding a shoe sole and a mold control assembly for controlling mold members from the press. The mold control assembly comprises a body assembly movable up-and-down by means of hydraulic cylinder and piston. A carriage of box-shape in general is provided for carrying the body member and a rail member is provided for rollably engaging with the carriage member. Within the body member are nested two frame members in turn each carrying channel member for slidably engaging with the mold members in the press, thereby pulling out the mold members of the press, inserting the mold members into the press after the molding product is removed from the mold members.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided with a chamber (20) into which a plurality of jets of moisture-laden air is directed through apertures (nozzles) 18. Through the chamber lasted shoes S, on the bottoms of which a coating of a moisture-curable adhesive composition has been applied, are progressively moved, supported bottom uppermost. The velocity of the air, which is re-circulated, is between 10 and 20 meters/second (measured at the apertures), its temperature is between 85.degree. C. and 125.degree.0 C. (measured at the point of impingement on the article) and its dew point not greater than 60.degree. C. The lasted shoes are subjected to this treatment for a period of 1 to 31/2 minutes.

Abstract: A machine for the direct soling of shoe uppers having at least one molding station is provided for conveniently and effectively removing the molding sprue from the die mold which typically remains after each injection molding process. Such is effected by disposing the heel end of each shoe last toward the front working end of the machine at which the operator is stationed. And, the injection molding unit provided for the machine includes a rotary valve which automatically closes as the feed passage of the unit is moved out of alignment with the mold cavity inlet passage, and is automatically open when the feed and inlet passages are aligned in an injection molding operating position of the unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying an adhesive coated wear portion to the underside of a shoe wherein the wear portion and the underside of the shoe are heated, a first pressure is applied to urge the wear portion and the shoe together, and a second greater pressure is applied in situ to further urge the wear portion and the underside of the shoe together. In one embodiment, a heating element may be provided for transfer between a first location for heating and drying a shoe and a second location directly between the shoe and the wear portion to be applied. The periphery of the wear portion may be trimmed to correspond to the underside of the shoe.

Abstract: A turntable rotatable about a vertical axis X supports a carriage slidable thereacross; two templates, with profiles respectively conforming to those of a pair of shoes whose uppers or vamps are to be roughened along a peripheral edge folded about an insole, are part of a stack which is mounted on the carriage and is releasably coupled with a shaft journaled in an overhanging, horizontally movable beam. The shaft carries a base frame of a shoe-supporting unit with heel and toe clamps for gripping a shoe whose vamp is to be roughened and which alignedly overlies the corresponding template; this template is contacted by a feeder which is carried on the free end of a horizontally swingable arm also supporting a rotary roughening brush whereby the latter follows the motion of the feeler during translatory shifts of the carriage and 180.degree. rotations of the turntable to work the entire peripheral vamp edge of the shoe.