Abstract: A two-layer sole is molded onto the bottom of a lasted upper by molding a first color outer sole with a recess in the top thereof, molding a second color inner sole to fill the recess. The inner sole including a flange which covers the outer sole and extends slightly outwardly from the periphery thereof between the outer sole and the upper, coloring the flange a third color, and removing a portion of the flange so that the resulting sole appears to include an outer layer, a midsole and a separate welt.

Abstract: A molding machine for producing footwear soles includes a frame carrying a pair of extruders for thermoplastic material at one end; a pair of bottom molds mounted on hot runner systems on the other end of the frame; a pair of vertically movable top molds mounted above and cooperating with the bottom molds to define mold cavities for receiving the thermoplastic material from the hot runner systems; a swing out system for swinging each top mold from a horizontal molding position to an unloading position; gripper jaws for gripping the soles and removing them from the top molds; and swing arm assemblies carrying the gripper jaws for carrying the soles away from the molds to conveyor or packaging locations.