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 for depositing powder in a selected configuration, fusing the configured powder into a laminate and adhering the fused laminate to a shoe substrate. A heater raises the temperature of configured powder to fuse the powder into a laminate. A pair of radially spaced holes extend downwardly through the heater through which a fused laminate underlying the holes can be observed. Configured powder is conveyed past the heater to fuse the configured powder into a fused laminate, and a remote temperature sensor is controllably displaceable from one location to a second location so that the temperature of a fused laminate below either one of said apertures can be sensed. The temperature sensor is secured at either of the two discrete locations, and the holes can be closed by pivotally mounted caps.

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 die arrangement is provided for use in apparatus for the application of relatively thin overlay designs on suitable plastic sheet material. The die comprises a sharp cutting edge in the shape of the design, the edge being beveled away from the overlay, the overlay area of the die inside the cutting edge having a metal filler covered by a resilient material which extends beyond the die edge to compress the overlay during the simultaneous heating and cutting operation.