Abstract: Powder is deposited onto an underlying flat belt through a selectively shaped cut-out in a stencil assembly. The desired volume for the deposited powder is achieved by defining a closed volume beneath the deformable belt with a support pad having a spacer receiving opening. Vacuum is applied to this closed volume drawing the belt downwardly against the spacer thereby defining this volume. The spacer is removable so that this volume can be changed by changing the spacer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to machines which deposit powder in a selected configuration, fuse the powder into a laminate and adhere the fused laminate to a shoe substrate to reinforce the substrate, and more particularly, to instrumentalities to assist the machine operator to properly locate the shoe substrate on the machine.

Abstract: A shoe substrate reinforcing machine for depositing a powder in a selected configuration, fusing the configured powder into a laminate and adhering the fused laminate to a shoe substrate. The machine has a work transfer device which will receive and clamp a shoe part and displace the clamped shoe part to a joint location to adhere the shoe part to a fused laminate. The work transfer device has a support pad on which a shoe part is to be clamped and a clamping structure which includes a lever arm on either side of the support pad each of which includes one or more catches. A swivel bracket assembly includes a swivel bracket having a connecting pin which is releasably secured in the catch and clamps which are secured to the swivel bracket.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed which deposits powder in a selected configuration, fuses the configured powder into a laminate and adheres the fused laminate to a shoe substrate. The machine has a two part clamp which is displaceable from a retracted position to a clamp position. The part that is to clamp the substrate is interconnected with the other part by pins which extend through slots in the clamping part. The slots are wider than the pins so that relative linear and swivel motion is possible between this part.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for depositing powder in a selected configuration, fusing the configured powder into a laminate and adhering the fused laminate to a shoe substrate. The machine includes a mounting plate on which the shoe substrate is to be releasably clamped which is elevated from a lower release position to an upper clamping position. A pair of lever arms are mounted on either side of the mounting plate for displacement from a release position to a clamping position. Each lever arm includes a support arm which is configured so that a support portion will be parallel to and lower than the mounting plate when the mounting plate is in the clamping position.

Abstract: A machine for applying a configuration of reinforcement/stiffening or decorative material in powder form to a receiving surface, for subsequent fusing, cooling and pressing to a substrate such as a shoe upper. The machine comprises a deposition station, a heating station and a press station. A tensioned receiving belt receives the configuration of powder through a cut-out in the bottom of a swept screen frame. The receiving belt is supported from beneath during the deposition activity to control the thickness of the powder deposit. The receiving belt is shuttled in a displaceable frame in a series of steps to the successive stations for melting the powder and subsequent cooling and adhesion of the melted powder to the substrate such as an unreinforced shoe upper.

Abstract: A machine for depositing powder in a selected configuration, fusing the configured powder into a laminate and adhering the fused laminate to a shoe substrate to reinforce the substrate. The machine has a shoe substrate support including a base and a pad assembly. The base includes a guide plate, guides secured to the guide plate, and detents secured to the guide plate and the pad assembly includes a backing plate having portions to be guided by the guides, stops for a butting against the guides when the backing plate is displaced to its desired location on the guide plate, dimples for cooperating with the detents when the backing plate is located on the backing plate to releasably maintain the backing plate at that location, and a handle. A pad is secured to the backing plate for supporting a shoe substrate and data is secured to its top surface for locating a specific shoe part on the pad.

Abstract: A machine for applying a configuration of reinforcement/stiffening or decorative material in powder form to a receiving surface, for subsequent fusing, cooling and pressing to a substrate such as a shoe upper. The machine comprises a deposition station, a heating station and a press station. A tensioned receiving belt receives the configuration of powder through a cut-out in the bottom of a swept screen frame. The receiving belt is supported from beneath during the deposition activity to control the thickness of the powder deposit. The receiving belt is shuttled in a displaceable frame in a series of steps to the successive stations for melting the powder and subsequent cooling and adhesion of the melted powder to the substrate such as an unreinforced shoe upper.

Abstract: A powder reinforcing machine having a support for supporting a substrate which is to be reinforced with a fused powder laminate which is pressed thereagainst including a base, a mounting plate means on which the substrate is to be releasably clamped, the mounting plate being adapted to be displaced from a lower position to an upper position relative to the base means, and a pair of clamping lever arms which are to be displaced from a release position to a clamp position. The mounting plate displaces the clamping lever arms from the release position to the clamp position as it is displaced from the lower position to the upper position, and a pair of clamping rods each including a clamping portion, are secured to the clamping lever arms so that the clamping portion is spaced therefrom and will forcefully engage an associated clamping surface, which is defined by a recess extending along each side of the mounting plate, when the clamping lever arm is displaced to the clamp position.

Abstract: A machine for applying a configuration of reinforcement/stiffening or decorative material in powder form to a receiving surface, for subsequent fusing, cooling and pressing to a substrate such as a shoe upper. The machine comprises a deposition station, a heating station and a press station. A tensioned receiving belt receives the configuration of powder through a cut-out in the bottom of a swept screen frame. The receiving belt is supported from beneath during the deposition activity to control the thickness of the powder deposit. The receiving belt is shuttled in a displaceable frame in a series of steps to the successive stations for melting the powder and subsequent cooling and adhesion of the melted powder to the substrate such as an unreinforced shoe upper.

Abstract: A hopper feed apparatus for the powder hopper of a powder reinforcing machine, to keep the hopper and its supply conduit free of clogged powder, the apparatus comprising of an arrangement of springs attached to the top of the hopper on the inside thereof, which springs extend downwardly to a common point near the discharge orifice, to where they are attached to a line which extends through the conduit. The lower end of the conduit is secured to a movable dispensing apparatus, which when it moves, pulls on the line and biases the springs, all of which agitate any powder within the hopper and the conduit, preventing it from caking and otherwise clogging the system.

Abstract: A method of applying a configuration of reinforcing/stiffening material in powder form to a receiving surface, for subsequent fusing, cooling and pressing to a shoe upper. The method comprises the utilization of a deposition station, a heating station and a press station. A tension receiving belt receives the configuration of powder through a cut-out in the bottom of a swept container. The receiving belt is supported from beneath during the deposition activity. The receiving belt is shuttled in timed steps to the successive stations for melting the powder and subsequent adhesion of the melted powder to an unreinforced shoe upper in a displaceable frame.

Abstract: A conditioning apparatus for a rotating annular belt at a powder reinforcing machine, wherein an arrangement of arms are pivotably secured to a frame portion of the machine, to scrape the belt as it intermittently rotates, to deposit a release fluid onto the width of the belt as it rotates, and to spread the fluid evenly across the belt if fluid puddles up thereon due to the intermittent nature of the belts rotation. The arm for releasing fluid onto the belt has a felt portion which receives fluid from a conduit in communication with a reservoir for the fluid. All the arms are pivotably attached to the frame portion of the machine, adjacent the annular belt, and all are lockable in an upright position to facilitate repair or replacement of any components thereof.

Abstract: An arrangement of articulated grippers for holding a substrate such as a shoe upper to be treated with a reinforcing substance onto a rotatable cube for pressing against a carrier belt of a reinforcing machine. The gripper comprise arms arranged on two sides of a biased plate, each arm being pivotable about a pintle, the arms each having an end which has a wheel in rolling contact with an extension of the biased plate, the other end of each arm having a pivotable flange which is contactable with the outer surface of a substrate loaded onto the biased plate, so as to hold that substrate thereon as the cube rotates during subsequent machine operation.

Abstract: A powder deposition apparatus comprising a stencil means having an upper non-permeable surface, with a cut-out therethrough is adapted on top of a screen, and a lowermost foil surface with a similar aligned cut-out therethrough which apparatus is articulatable over a receiving surface. The apparatus also comprises a gasket which is secured to the lowermost foil side of the screen, around at least a portion of the cut-out. The gasket may be of uniform thickness along its entire length or of tapering thickness at its end portions.