Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for use in the production of mouldings of a plastics material which initially consist of at least two liquid components which have to be intimately mixed before introduction into a mould. Such an apparatus comprises a mixing head, and for each component to be mixed, a reservoir tank, a pump for supplying the component from the reservoir tank to the mixing head, and a valve at the mixing head operable to direct the component either into the mixing head or back to the tank. To keep the lengths of connecting pipes short, the reservoir tanks, the pumps, and the valves are arranged as a compact unit in close proximity to the mixing head, and in a preferred arrangement, the mixing head, the pumps, the valves and the tanks are mounted in or on a metal block which is formed with ducts through which the components flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for lasting the waist region of a shoe in which two resilient bands supported only by their opposite edges are each advanced bodily towards a respective side of a last on which an upper is supported. The moving bands operate progressively to conform the upper to the last in the direction both of the top line and feather line and when this has been achieved the bodily movement of the bands is terminated, one edge of each band is held stationary and the other edge is moved over and towards the bottom of the last so as to wrap the adjacent part of the band round the edge of the last and turn the lasting margin of the upper over and onto an insole. The part of the band which moves towards the last bottom is followed by presser feet which are operated to press this part of the band against the last bottom. The last used is preferably a back part mould which comprises the back part and waist region of a conventional last but omits the forepart of such last.

Abstract: A last for use in the manufacture of shoes has a main body portion and a separate heel part which is slidably mounted on the body portion and can be completely removed therefrom within a shoe to facilitate the removal of this shoe from the body portion of the last. Likewise the positioning of an upper or shoe on the last may be effected by inserting the separated heel part in the upper or shoe, arranging this about the body portion and sliding the heel part onto the body portion. The heel part and body portion may be formed one with a rib and the other with a groove, the rib and groove being formed with inter engaging portions. A latch is provided for locking the heel part in its operative position on the body portion and a post on which the last may be mounted may include means for releasing the latch to enable the heel part to be slid off the body portion.