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 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 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: Novel particulate polymeric materials which can be arranged in a predetermined three dimensional pattern in or on a surface, fused and cooled to provide fused, three dimensional polymeric articles. The particulate polymeric materials have the capability to provide a release coating about the fused polymeric article which permits removal of the article from the surface carrying the article.

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 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 method of sequentially manufacturing a plurality of reinforced substrates such as shoe uppers, by applying a powder through a stencil by automatic means in a rotary machine, where the powder is first applied in a three-dimensional configuration to an annular surface, which is rotated to an arcuate heating station, then to a join and cool station after the powder has fused. The fused powder has a shoe upper pressed thereagainst by a rotary transfer cube which successively applies the uppers seriatum to the fused configuration of powder as they are presented therebeneath.

Abstract: A machine for sequentially manufacturing a plurality of reinforced substrates such as shoe uppers, comprising a powder deposition station wherein a stencil assembly applies powder onto an annular receiving belt, the powder being applied in a three-dimensional configuration because of peripheral spacer means arranged on the cut-out between the stencil and the receiving surface. The annular receiving surface is empowered to rotate to an arcuate heating station where the powder is fused by heating elements arranged thereabove and therebelow. The fused powder is then moved to a join and cool station where a substrate is pressed against the fused powder by a transfer means causing it to press against a chill plate therebeneath.

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.

Abstract: For applying adhesive, for lasting shoes from the toe end at least over ball region of the shoe, an imprinter plate and nozzles are used, the region in which adhesive is applied by the imprinter plate extending from the toe end of the shoe and lying within, but being substantially smaller than, the region inwiped by the toe wiper plates. The nozzles, which can be guided by computer control means according to the particular style and size of shoe, are thus also used to apply adhesive to the heelward part of the region inwiped by the wiper plates as well as beyond such region. The invention is thus applicable to both combined toe and side lasting operations as well to extended forepart lasting over the ball region of the shoe.