SELF-OPERATED MACHINE AND METHOD FOR SHOE CARE

The invention relates to a self-operating machine (1) for the care and maintenance of at least one shoe (2), comprising a shoe support (6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) and a guide head (13) solidly connected to a care and maintenance device (16) that can perform a care and maintenance treatment on the shoe (2). The care and maintenance device (16) can be positioned at any point and oriented in any direction in the space of the self-operating machine (1) relative to the shoe support (2).

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Description

The invention relates to the field of self-operating machines for the care of shoes, and processes for the care of shoes, especially leather shoes.

Shoe care is done primarily for two reasons. The first reason is for shoes to look clean and well maintained, the second reason is to make the leather last longer and give it a unique look.

In order to carry out a complete care of the shoe, many products and utensils are required. These include brushes such as the wrap, the scraper, the horsehair brush, the horsehair shining brush and the chamois textile. Required products include cleaning lotion, polish cream, polish paste and grease. Each utensil and product is used for a specific type of treatment.

Complete care is achieved by the succession of a plurality of treatments that require time, technique and precision. It starts with the preparation of the shoe. The shoe must be dry, then put in a shoe tree. The shoe tree allows the shoe to erase the folds of leather and prevent sagging during care.

Then, a dedusting treatment is performed. Specifically, using a scraper the shoe is brushed to remove any excess of dirt. This removes dirt that will not be trapped in the leather at the end of the care process.

Following the dusting, a treatment of baring is done to clean the surface and to prepare a deep leather feeding. Cleaning lotion is rubbed on the leather with a chamois textile. This treatment removes the last layer of shoe polish and also opens the pores of the leather.

Then, using a chamois textile, polish cream is applied on all the leather of the shoe. The gesture should be wide, powerful and circular so that all the cream gets into the leather. The cream can be adapted to the color of the leather. This step, called the nourishing step, nourishes the leather and attenuates the folds of the shoe. When the leather no longer absorbs the cream, the treatment is finished.

After a rest period, the shining step is carried out. During the shining step, the excess of polish cream is removed with a shining brush and the leather reaches the desired shine.

Then comes the application of polish paste or “glaze” leather. This consists of applying polish and a few drops of water to obtain a high gloss of the leather. Using a chamois textile coated with polish, spread the paste on the whole leather with a few drops of water. The paste can be adapted to the color of the leather. The shoe is polished with a shining brush, in small, quick and light movements.

Leather tends to be better conditioned for care when heated. Thus, during the care process heating means can be used for some treatments.

In addition, each shoe has its own characteristics that must be taken into account to perform a complete care.

Currently, no self-operating machine can maintain leather shoes according to such a method. There are many machines that claim to allow care of leather shoes, but they can generally implement only roughly one or other of the treatments mentioned above. There is in particular document U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,760 which proposes such a self-operating machine. The self-operating machine described in this document is composed of a support comprising a structure in which is inserted a textile skirt for single use. The structure has the shape of a half-foot in which is placed the shoe to maintain. The described machine also comprises a mechanical device consisting of brushes, care products such as polish and shining products, and a system for rotating and vibrating the various utensils.

The treatments proposed by this self-operating machine are the dusting, the application of the polish cream and the shining of the shoe. These treatments are performed by means of a plurality of utensils set in motion in the self-operating machine. However, the restricted movement of the utensils does not allow a satisfactory care of the shoe.

Because of these shortcomings, the care of leather shoes by prior art machines cannot be satisfactory. That is why manual care of shoes is still preferred today.

According to a first aspect, the subject of the invention is a care self-operating machine for at least one shoe comprising a shoe support and a guide head secured to a care device capable of performing a care treatment of the shoe, characterized in that the care device can be positioned at any point and oriented in any orientation of a space of the machine in relation to the shoe support.

Thanks to these provisions, the machine is able to perform a homogeneous treatment on the entire shoe to be treated.

According to one embodiment, the guide head is able to activate the care device, said guide head being carried by a carriage, said carriage being adapted to drive the guide head in a translation movement along two axes, and preferably along three axes X, Y and Z.

In this way, the carriage drives the care device at any point in the machine space. The entire surface of the shoe to be treated is then accessible to the care device to perform the treatment.

According to one embodiment, a functional portion of the care device adapted to cooperate with the shoe is offset from the carriage regardless of the orientation of said care device in space.

The deportation of the functional part makes it possible to have access to the parts of the shoe to be treated that are the most inaccessible, for example the back of the shoe to be treated.

In one embodiment, support of the shoe support is rotatably mounted mobile about an axis of rotation.

In this way, the amplitude of the translational movements of the care device can be decreased. The combination of translation and rotation movements of the shoe to be treated also makes it easier to have access to the entire shoe to be treated.

In one embodiment, the orientation of a surface of the functional portion of the care device is normal to a surface facing the shoe to be treated during the treatment of the shoe.

This makes it possible to reproduce the movements that a professional makes while performing a treatment of the shoe.

According to one embodiment, the functional part of the care device is capable of performing at least one treatment of a shoe, the treatment comprising one of the following steps:

  • a baring cleaning treatment,
  • a nourishing with polish cream,
  • an application of a polish paste.

The treatment includes the steps to perform a complete treatment of the shoe, similar to the treatment that a professional is able to do.

According to one embodiment, the functional part of the care device comprises one and/or the other of:

  • a nozzle of pressurized air, a nozzle of pressurized cleaning milk, said pressurized air nozzles and pressurized cleaning lotion being connected to a reserve of compressed air,
  • a shape recognition device capable of producing a 3D digital model of at least a portion of an outer surface of the shoe,
  • a mechanical element in intimate contact with a connection interface, able to set the connection interface in motion in a process movement with respect to a base of the processing device, said connection interface being able to be secured to device care utensil adapted for a treatment of the shoe.

According to one embodiment, the self-operating machine further comprises one and/or the other of

  • a carter, and
  • at least one shoe tree comprising the shoe support, and able to hold a shoe in the air during the care.

According to one embodiment, the shoe support is a first shoe support, the self-operating machine comprising a second shoe support, the self-operating machine being characterized in that it is adapted to carry out care treatment of two shoes.

In this way, a pair of shoes can be treated without the user having to wait for the end of the treatment of a first shoe to put the second shoe of the pair of shoes in the machine. This is time saving for the user.

The invention also relates to a method of maintaining at least one shoe implemented by a self-operating machine in which a care device secured to a guide head is able to carry out a care treatment of at least one shoe, characterized in that the care device is positioned at any point and is oriented in any direction of a space of the self-operating machine relative to a shoe support during processing.

According to one embodiment, a user chooses a care mode comprising at least one treatment of the shoe via a user interface, among:

  • a brushing,
  • a baring cleaning treatment,
  • an application of a polish cream,
  • a shining,
  • an application of a polish paste,
  • each treatment being made from a 3D digital model of the shoe to be treated produced before a first treatment.

The user can therefore customize the treatment he wants to apply to the shoe to be treated.

According to one embodiment, for a first step of the treatment, the guiding device guides a connection interface of the care device to a storage utensils to secure said connection interface to the utensil adapted to the specific implementation of the treatment, then, at the end of the treatment, the guiding device guides the connection interface of the care device to said storage in order to disengage said utensil of the connection interface.

Thus, the user does not need to change the utensil between each stage of the treatment. This saves time and facilitates the use of the machine by the user. The storage of utensils is for example a storage rack. Alternatively, the utensil storage is a compartment.

According to one embodiment, before the start of processing, a user secures a cassette on a connection interface, said cassette being secured to the connection interface during the entire process.

According to one embodiment, during each treatment the guiding device guides the connection interface over an entire surface of the shoe, so that the treatment is applied homogeneously to the entire shoe.

The invention also relates to a cassette for the care of a shoe, comprising:

  • an envelope,
  • a first reel,
  • a second reel,
  • a strip, said strip being impregnated with at least one product adapted for treatment of a shoe, said strip being wound on the first reel,
  • a presser adapted to deliver said product impregnating the strip during the treatment.

According to one embodiment, a mechanical element is able to drive the second reel so that the strip is progressively unwound from the first reel and wound on the second reel during the treatment, the presser being able to deliver the product soaking the strip on a surface of the shoe to be treated, before the winding of the strip on the second reel.

The geometry of the reel makes it possible to apply the product to perform the treatment in a particularly efficient manner.

In one embodiment, the strip is impregnated with at least two products, and preferably at least three products, each product being adapted to perform a different treatment of the shoe to be treated.

The cassette makes it possible to use fewer consumables, since several processing steps can be performed by the same cassette.

The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a self-operating machine and a cassette within the meaning of the invention.

According to one embodiment, during a treatment of the shoe to be treated, the care device is able to orient an application surface of the cassette perpendicular to a surface facing the shoe to be treated.

This allows to reproduce the gestures made by a professional during a treatment of a shoe. The product is also better distributed on the surface of the shoe.

According to one embodiment, the cassette is adapted to apply products, on a surface of the shoe to be treated, respectively for the steps of baring, application of polish cream and application of polish paste.

Thus, up to three processing steps can be performed by the cassette.

The figures of the drawings are now briefly described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view from above of the self-operating machine,

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the open self-operating machine,

FIGS. 3a and 3b schematically illustrate a tree,

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the interior of the self-operating machine,

FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of the self-operating machine,

FIG. 6 illustrates the shape recognition of the shoe by the self-operating machine.

FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrate various embodiments of the brushing treatment,

FIGS. 8a to 8e illustrate various embodiments of the baring treatment,

FIG. 9 illustrates the application of the polish cream,

FIGS. 10a and 10b illustrate various embodiments of the removal of cream residues,

FIG. 11 illustrates the application of the polish paste,

FIGS. 12a and 12b illustrate various embodiments of the shining,

FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a polish cream or paste capsule,

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a gantry according to one embodiment,

FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the care device in contact with a shoe,

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic view from above illustrating different positions and possible orientations of the care device,

FIG. 17 is a schematic side view illustrating different positions and possible orientations of the care device,

FIG. 18 is a view of the inside of the carter of the self-operating machine in the XY plane according to a second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a view of the inside of the carter of the self-operating machine in the ZY plane according to the second embodiment,

FIG. 20 is a view of the inside of the casing of the self-operating machine in the XZ plane according to the second exemplary embodiment illustrating a treatment of a shoe by a brush,

FIG. 21 is a view of the inside of the casing of the self-operating machine in the YZ plane according to the second exemplary embodiment illustrating a treatment of a shoe by a cassette,

FIG. 22 is a view of the inside of the carter of the self-operating machine in the open position in the plane YZ, according to the second embodiment,

FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate a cassette according to the invention,

FIG. 24 is a view of the interior of the carter of the self-operating machine in the YZ plane according to an alternative embodiment of the second exemplary embodiment illustrating a treatment of a shoe by a cassette.

Hereinafter a detailed discussion of several embodiments of the invention with examples and reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows schematically the outside of a self-operating machine 1 for care of shoe 2 leather. The outer casing of the self-operating machine 1 is a carter 3. The carter 3 may for example be of generally parallelepiped shape, or in the form of a cube, or other. The carter 3 thus has for example six faces. The machine 1 can be arranged on a support, for example on the ground, on one of the faces of the carter 3. It can also be embedded in a piece of furniture.

The carter 3 further comprises an opening, present on another face of the carter 3, so that the inside of the carter 3 is accessible. The opening is for example a sliding drawer 4.

FIG. 2 illustrates the carter 3 in the so-called “open” position, that is to say when the drawer 4 is out of the carter 3. The drawer 4 comprises a front 4a which is in fact a side face of the carter 3 and a drawer bottom 4b. The front 4a includes a user interface 31. This interface is for example a screen, including a touch screen whose role will be described below.

An axis Y is defined, in which axis the drawer 4 slides and a perpendicular axis X and in the same plane as the Y axis. An axis Z, perpendicular to the X and Y axes, is also defined.

The slide 4 comprises for example a technical box 5, comprising for example a processor 23 and a memory 24. The technical box 5 can be pressed against the front 4a, inside the carter 3. The technical box 5 does not have the same size as the front 4a of the drawer 4 along a Z axis, it is for example lower than the upper end of the drawer 4, so that a shoe support 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d can be fixed without preventing the closure of the drawer 4. The bottom of the drawer 4b can serve as a support for storage racks. The storage racks 7 serve for example to store utensils 21 for the care of the shoe 2. The utensils 21 are, for example, brushes, gum pads, chamois textile pads, polish cream capsules and/or polish paste capsules.

The shoe support 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d is for example a shoe tree. By ellipse, the shoe support 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d is called “the shoe 6”.

The shoe tree 6 can be fixed to the technical box 5 for example by means of a support 8, at the area corresponding to the heel of the shoe tree 6. The support 8 extends along the upper face of the technical box 5, then extends parallel to the front 4a of the drawer 4, away from the technical box, so that a space is maintained between the technical box 5 and a shoe heel inserted on the shoe tree 6. The lowest end of the support 8 is raised relative to the bottom of the drawer 4b of the drawer, so that the storage racks 7 and a shoe 2 can cohabit without touching each other.

The shoe tree 6 may be attached to the lowest end of the support 8. The shoe tree 6 is a shoe tree called “universal shoe tree”. By “universal” is meant that the shoe tree 6 is adaptable to any type and size of shoe 2. The shoe tree 6, as illustrated in FIGS. 3a to 3c, consists of a base 6a, flat, which has for example the general shape of an interior bottom of a shoe. A hinge 6b articulates the base 6a in two parts. The hinge 6b makes it easier to remove the shoe. The shoe tree 6 is suitable, for example, for shoes of the brogue type, heel pumps, or boots, or boots with heels for sizes of, for example, between 36 and 47.

The shoe tree 6 also comprises a partition 6c which extends perpendicularly to the base on one side and which cuts it in two equal parts in the lengthwise direction. Two deployable elements 6d frame the partition 6c. The deployable elements 6d generally have the shape of a half foot each. They are each provided with an orifice connected for example to a reserve of compressed air which can inflate the deployable elements 6d, and thus make the shoe tree operational.

In another embodiment, the shoe tree 6 comprises more than one hinge 6b. For example, the shoe tree 6 comprises two joints 6b.

The shoe 2 is inserted on the shoe tree 6 when the deployable elements 6d are deflated. After insertion of the shoe, the deployable elements 6d receive pressurized air via the orifices 9. The inflation of the deployable elements 6d ceases when the deployable elements 6d have filled all or almost all of the inside of the shoe 2, and they have reached the level of pressure necessary to maintain the shoe.

The compressed air injection device can be coupled to a device for heating pressurized air, for example a resistor, so that the pressurized air heats the leather of the shoe 2 through the deployable elements 8d.

Alternatively, the shoe tree 6 may also comprise more than two deployable elements 6d. For example, the shoe tree 6 further comprises a central deployable element 6d. In this case, the deployable elements 6d are for example interconnected by means of a cavity included on the base 6a of the shoe tree 6, thus ensuring the inflation of all the deployable elements 6d forming the shoe tree 6.

Alternatively, the deployable elements 6d are previously filled with a material, for example polystyrene beads, to reduce the volume of compressed air necessary for their inflation and make inflation faster.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the interior of the carter 3 when the drawer 4 is retracted. The diagram retains the orientation of the X, Y and Z axes defined above.

In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14, the self-operating machine comprises a gantry 10. The gantry 10 comprises for example four pillars 10a defining four corners of the gantry 10. Pillars 10a adjacent along the Y axis can be interconnected. Endless screws 46 are arranged parallel and adjacent each pillar 10a. Each endless screw 46 is connected to another endless screw 46, adjacent along the Y axis, by means of a rail 11. The gantry thus comprises two rails 11 parallel, extending along the axis Y.

The rotation of the endless screw 46, for example by means of at least one motor 12, causes a translation of the rails 11 along the axis Z. The rails 11 are interconnected by a horizontal element 10b, suitable to translate along a Y axis along the rails 11.

In a variant, provision can be made for another embodiment of the gantry 10, as shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the gantry 10 comprises two vertical elements movable on two rails 11a and 11b, arranged on either side of the side faces of the carter 3. The vertical elements can be moved by means of endless screws 46a actuated by motors 12a, and driving the vertical elements in a translation movement along the Y axis. The vertical elements are for example connected by a horizontal element. The horizontal element comprises a rail and a worm which, actuated by a motor can set in motion the carriage 14 which is secured to the horizontal element along an axis X. Finally, vertical endless screws 46b can be used to drive the horizontal element in a translation movement along an axis Z.

A guide head 13 may be secured to the horizontal element 10b. The guide head 13 is movable along the horizontal element 10b along the X axis. The guide head 13, illustrated in FIG. 15, is carried by a carriage 14 in intimate contact with the horizontal element 10b. The guide head 13 further comprises a mechanical module 15, secured to a care device 16. The mechanical module 15, composed for example of two elements, is able to position at any point and orient in any orientation the care device 16 in the space. The care device comprises at least one functional part which is described below.

More precisely, and as illustrated in FIG. 16, the translation of the horizontal element 10 along the Y and Z axes, and the translation of the carriage 14 along the X axis, makes it possible to define a first position of the guide head 13 and thus of the care device 16. Then, the mechanical module 15 allows to orient the care device in any orientation in space.

Thus, the combination of setting in motion described above allows the care device 16 to have access to the entire interior of the carter 3.

Alternatively, it can be expected that the shoe 2 is also mobile. For example, the shoe is placed and fixed on a moving plane that allows to orient and position the shoe 2 in the self-operating machine 1. In this case, the care device 16 can be fixed during the treatment, and the moving plane makes all the movements in space so that a surface of the shoe to be treated is facing the care device. However, the care device remains able to move in order to understand the different tools needed to implement the treatment. It is also possible that the care device 16 is mobile during the treatment. For example, the care device 16 is positioned in the space and the moving plane orients the shoe.

For example, when the care device 16 processes the front of the boot, which corresponds to the POS 1 position of FIG. 16, the horizontal element 10b is positioned slightly recessed relative to the boot along the Y axis, and the carriage 14 is in turn also set back from the place to be treated. This is due to the offset between the functional part of the care device and the carriage 14. This offset serves for example to reach more difficult areas of access.

To reach the POS2 position, the horizontal element 10b has been translated along the Y axis in order to approach the carriage of the zone to be treated. Then, it is observed that the mechanical module 15 has oriented the care device 16 so that it faces the shoe 2.

The position POS 4 illustrates a treatment of the back of the shoe 2, which is one of the areas the most difficult to access. In this case, the horizontal element 10b may have been translated along the Y axis to extend beyond the back of the shoe. It may also have been translated along the Z axis so as to be placed above the support 8. The orientation of the care device 16 is the same way.

Viewed from above, as shown in FIG. 16, the care device 16 seems to be horizontal in the plane (XY). However, FIG. 17, which illustrates a side view of different positions and orientations POS 5 and POS 6 of the care device 16 during a treatment, shows that the care device 16 can be oriented according to all the orientations of the space. For example, for a treatment of the top of the shoe (POS 5), the utensil 21 is brought into contact with the shoe 2 by changing the orientation of the care device 16 in the space relative to the carriage 14. In the same way, for a treatment of the back of the shoe 2, the care device is oriented so that the utensil 21 is in contact with the shoe.

It is noted that during the treatment, the orientation of the functional part of the care device 16 is normal to the surface to be treated opposite the shoe.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the arrangement of the shoe tree 6 allows the horizontal element 10b to pass under the shoe 2 to position itself behind the shoe. In this case, the care device 16 also has access to the back of the shoe.

Thus, the care device 16 is able to perform a homogeneous treatment on the entire shoe 2 to maintain.

The care device 16 comprises for example at least one functional part among a shape recognition device 17, a pressurized air nozzle 19 and/or a pressure cleaning lotion nozzle 20. The pressurized air nozzle can also deliver drops of water. The nozzle of pressurized cleaning lotion 20 may be connected to a heater 26, for example a resistor. The cleaning lotion may be dispensed by a supply of cleansing lotion 40 included in the machine 1.

The recognition device 17 comprises for example a probe. This device is illustrated very schematically in FIG. The recognition device is able to reproduce a 3D digital model of the shoe 2 inserted in the shoe tree 6. As described above, the guide head 13 traverses the space in which the shoe 2 is located. The recognition device 17 then constitutes a cloud of points representing the entire surface of the shoe 2. This cloud of points, which forms the 3D digital model of shoe 2, is stored in memory 24. The 3D digital model is used during certain stages of the care of the shoe 2, which makes it possible to adapt the treatment to the type of shoe 2. This serves in particular to guide the care device 16 on the surface of the shoe 2. The digital 3D model of shoe 2 can be stored in memory 24 after the care.

Alternatively, the shape recognition of the shoe is performed by 3D imaging.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the self-operating machine 1 also comprises an air compressor 27 and a supply of compressed air 28. The supply of compressed air 28 is connected to the pressurized air nozzle 19, to the pressure cleaning lotion nozzle 20 and to the orifice 9 of the deployable elements 8. Pressure sensors 29 are for example disposed on each compressed air distribution line 30. The distribution lines 30 may further comprise valves 41 allowing or not the passage of compressed air. For example, when the nozzles 19, 20 and the deployable members 6d are not used, the valve 41 prevents the passage of compressed air to them. The valve 41 connected to the orifices 9 of the deployable elements 6d can also be used to prevent the compressed air from coming out.

The care device 16 also comprises a mechanical element 22 in intimate contact with a connection interface 18, adapted to be secured to a care implement 21. The connection interface 18 is for example a chamber, comprising an empty body. The utensil 21 is for example inserted into the body of the connection interface 18. An utensil 21 comprises for example two parts, an upper part for example metal or plastic with a metal part, adapted to be secured to the connection interface, and a bottom portion made of a material capable of performing a treatment. The material is, for example, cotton chamoisine, gum, etc.

Each care utensil 21 intervenes for a specific step of the treatment of the shoe 2. In order to perform a complete care of the shoe 2, a plurality of processing steps can be performed. The self-operating machine 1 is also able to adapt the treatment according to the type of shoe 2 to be maintained.

The user has the possibility to name his shoes and fill their characteristics, including the color of the shoe. This data can then be stored in the memory 24. The user interface 31 may also propose different types of processing between a complete mode comprising the processing steps of:

  • brushing,
  • baring cleaning treatment,
  • application of a polish cream,
  • shining,
  • application of a polish paste,
  • removing the shoe from the shoe tree,
  • or a custom mode in which the user can choose which treatment steps to apply to the shoe 2. The steps set out above are applied to the shoe 2 according to the characteristics of the shoe, but also according to the 3D digital model performed by the shape recognition device 17.

In the remainder of the description, the step of applying the polish cream may equally well be called a “feeding step” or “feeding step”. In the rest of the description, the step of applying the polish paste is called “icing step” or “glazing”.

In the remainder of the description, “treatment” is indifferently termed a treatment comprising a treatment step or a treatment comprising several treatment steps,

The memory 24 also keeps the history of the treatments applied to each recorded shoe. Thus, the self-operating machine 1 is able to propose alone which treatment(s) to apply to the shoe 2 according to the history.

The user interface 31 can alternatively be connected wirelessly to the self-operating machine, for example via a wireless network of Bluetooth type. The user then enters the characteristics relating to the shoe to be maintained via his smartphone. In this case, the user interface 31 on the self-operating machine 1 can be removed.

In order to perform the treatments, the care device 16 is set in motion by the guide head 13 in order to secure the connection interface 18 to the utensil 21 specific to the application of the treatment. More specifically, the connection interface 18 will be guided to the storage rack 7 in which is stored the utensil 21 to enter.

Each utensil 21 keeps the same location in the storage rack 7. The apprehension of the utensil 21 by the connection interface 18 may for example be achieved by means of a magnetic system. Between each step of the treatment, the guide head 13 guides the connection interface 18 to the location where the utensil 21 is secured to the connection interface 18, and when the utensil 21 has been stored, the head of the guide 13 guides the connection interface 18 to the location of the utensil 21 adapted to the next step of the treatment to be performed.

During each treatment, the guide head 13 moves the care device 16 around the shoe 2, so that each part of the shoe 2 is accessible for the care device 16.

On the other hand, the connection interface 18 can also be set in motion by the mechanical element 22, so that the utensil 21 secured to the connection interface 18 is moved according to a treatment movement relative to a fixed base 47 of the treatment device. For example, the utensil 21 rotates or translates circularly.

Simultaneously, it is also possible that the position and orientation of the care device 16 are modified, so that the utensil 21 set in motion by the mechanical element 22 never remains in contact with the same external surface of the shoe 2 for a long time. This prevents damage to the leather of the shoe 2 by insisting too much on the same area.

For example, the gantry 10 and the carriage 14 subject the care device 16 to a translation movement that reproduces the action of a human hand rubbing the leather during the care of the shoe, while the utensil 21 is subjected to a treatment movement by the mechanical element 22.

More particularly, the brushing is performed with an axial or radial brush 32. Brushing with an axial brush 32 is illustrated in FIG. 7a and brushing with a radial brush is shown in FIG. 7b. For example, the type of brush 32 is a scraper or a chamois textile. During brushing, the pressurized air nozzle 19 projects air under pressure on the boot 2 in order to facilitate the detachment of dirt from the leather of the boot 2.

For the exposed treatment, a chamois textile skirt 33a is for example placed on the shoe, the utensil used for the exposure being an axial brush 33b, or a rubber pad, other than the brush 32 used for the treatment brushing, as shown in FIG. 8a. The textile skirt 33a can be placed by the user on the shoe 2 before the start of treatment, and then removed by the user at the end of treatment.

In a variant shown in FIG. 8b, the utensil 21 used for the bare bed is a module 33b comprising a first 35a of a clean textile roll 35c, a second roll 35b of dirty textile and a brush 35d or a rubber stamp. The brush 35d is moved by the connection interface 18 and causes the clean fabric 35c which is then unwound from the first clean textile roll 35a is wound on the second roll 35b of dirty textile during processing. The textile 35c is for example chamois textile. The module 33b is driven in a circular translation movement by the mechanical element 22.

In a variant shown in FIG. 8c, the utensil 21 used for the stripping is an axial brush 34a or a rubber buffer, the care device further comprising a second mechanical element 34b secured to a disc 34c covered with a skirt in textile 34d. The disc 34c is set in motion by the friction of the axial brush 34a on one of its surfaces, and the second mechanical element 34b drives the disc 34c so that a clean part of the textile skirt 34d is in contact with the shoe 2.

During the treatment of the baring, the pressurized cleaning lotion nozzle 20 delivers pressurized and heated cleaning lotion.

In a variant shown in FIG. 8d, the utensil 21 used for the bare bar is a drum 36a. The drum 36a is for example filled with cleaning lotion. It is covered with a textile sock 36b which allows the cleaning lotion to be filtered through holes provided on the surface of the drum 36a. The textile sock 36b is for example placed by the user on the drum 36a before the start of treatment, and is removed by the user at the end of treatment. More precisely, based on FIG. 8e, the drum 36a comprises a foam envelope 42, comprising orifices 43. The cleaning lotion is placed inside the foam envelope 42 by means of a filling port 44. The cleaning lotion is sprayed through the orifices 43 against the shoe by capillary action or by centrifugal force, for example.

The utensil 21 used for the application of the polish cream is a capsule 37 filled with polish cream, see FIG. 9. The utensil 21 used for the removal of cream residues and for shining is a brush 38, 45 axial or radial, for example a chamois textile, chosen by the machine according to the data relating to the shoe 2. More precisely the brush 38, 45 axial or radial is chosen according to the color of the shoe 2. FIGS. 10a and 10b respectively illustrate the removal of cream residues with an axial and radial brush. FIGS. 12a and 12b respectively illustrate the shining with an axial brush and radial.

The utensil 21 used for the application of the polish paste is for example a capsule 39 filled with solid polish paste (FIG. 11).

Reference is now made to FIG. 13. The polish cream capsule 37 and the polish paste capsule 38 comprise a cylindrical hollow body 37a, 39a filled respectively with polish cream or polish paste. The capsule 37, 39 further comprises at least one orifice 37b, 39b, respectively capable of delivering the polish cream or the polish paste and a textile applicator pad 37c, 39c surrounding said orifice. The polish cream or the polish paste are delivered by applying a pressure on the hollow body via the connection interface 18.

The connection interface 18 comprises for example a resistor 39d, able to heat the polish paste to its liquefaction temperature. The polish cream capsule and the polish paste capsule are for example placed in the machine by the user.

An example of implementation of the method by the self-operating machine 1 is now described.

First, the user inserts the shoe on the shoe tree 6. He then selects via the user interface 31 the relative characteristics of the shoe if the care has never been done for this shoe. The user can save these characteristics in the memory 24. The user then chooses which treatments to apply to the shoe 2. Then, the shape recognition device 17 is set in motion by means of the mechanical module 15, the carriage 14 and the gantry 10. The setting in motion is such that the shape recognition device 17 has access to the entire shoe 2. The shape recognition device 17, which is for example a probe, produces a 3D digital model of the shoe 2, which can be stored in the memory 24. The 3D digital model is used in all or almost all treatments for the care of the shoe 2.

The user interface 31 may for example be a screen present on the carter 3 of the self-operating machine, or alternatively a mobile application connected to the machine. In this case, it is possible for the user to take a picture of the shoe 2, the photograph being stored in the memory 24 so as to support the development of the 3D digital model.

A generic 3D digital model can also be recorded in the memory 24, this generic 3D digital model is for example suitable for use with any type of shoe.

In the case where the care of the shoe has already been done once, and the characteristics and 3D digital model of the shoe have been recorded, the user chooses via the user interface 31 the shoe that he wishes to maintain and the treatments to apply.

Alternatively, it can be expected that the self-operating machine 1 is able to determine only what treatments to apply to the shoe based on previous treatments.

The user can choose a so-called “complete” mode or a so-called “personalized” mode. By choosing the complete mode, the self-operating machine 1 makes a complete care of the shoe 2, that is to say that all the treatments are applied to the shoe 2. By choosing the personalized mode, the user chooses himself/herself which treatments to apply to the shoe 2. The complete mode is described below.

Before the start of any treatment, the deployable elements 6d of the shoe tree 6 are inflated by means of the compressed air supply 28. The shoe tree 6 makes it possible to erase the folds of ease of the leather of the shoe 2 and to prevent it from sagging during the care. Thus, the deployable elements 6d are inflated until they fill all or almost all of the inside of the shoe 2.

The care device 16 begins by performing the brushing treatment of the shoe, as described above. More specifically, using a utensil 21 such as a scraper, the shoe is brushed to remove any excess dirt. This removes dirt that will not be trapped in the leather at the end of the care process.

Then the treatment of baring is done in order to clean the leather thoroughly. Cleaning lotion is rubbed on the leather with a chamois textile. This treatment removes the last layer of shoe polish and also opens the pores of the leather. The stripping treatment can be carried out using various utensils 21 as described above. For example, the user can place himself a baring skirt 33a on the shoe, and a brush 33b will rub the shoe over this baring skirt 33a. At the end of this treatment, the user removes the baring skirt 3a.

The baring skirt, textile and sock 33a, 35c, 34d, 36b can trap dirt and the old layer of polish.

Then, the care device 16 applies polish cream included in a capsule 37 on the entire leather of the shoe. The gesture should be wide, powerful and circular so that all the cream gets into the leather. The cream can be adapted to the color of the leather. This step nourishes the leather, and attenuates the folds of the shoe. When the leather no longer absorbs the cream, the treatment is finished. The user places, for example, the polish cream capsule 37 adapted to the color of the shoe in the self-operating machine before the start of the treatment. After a rest period, the excess cream is removed using a brush 38, for example shining type brush.

Using the polish paste capsule 39a, the care device 16 distributes the paste over the entire leather. A few drops of water can also be projected through the nozzle under pressure. This is used to perform the icing step. The paste can be adapted to the color of the leather. The user places for example the shoe polish paste capsule 39 adapted to the color of the shoe in the machine before the start of care. The polish paste used by the self-operating machine 1 can be solid. Thus, a resistor 39d is provided which can heat the solid polish paste to its liquefaction temperature, so that the care device 16 can spread it.

After the application of the polish paste, and after a rest period, the care device 16 shines the shoe 2 with a brush 45, for example of shining brush type, by small quick and light gestures.

Between each of these processes, the machine 1 controls the setting in motion of the care device 16 by the guide head 13, so that the care device 16 can grasp the utensil 21 adapted to the treatment to be applied. Then, at the end of the treatment, the care device 16 is guided to the location of the utensil 21 used to store it in the intended location, then to the location of the utensil 21 adapted to the treatment to follow.

Thus, the machine 1 is able to perform a complete care of a shoe 2, without or almost without human intervention during the process.

When the care of the shoe by the self-operating machine 1 is finished, the user removes the shoe 2 from the shoe tree 6.

In a variant, it can be provided that the self-operating machine 1 comprises two shoe trees 6, arranged side by side. This makes it possible to automatically process two shoes of the same pair, without need from the user to intervene.

The system described above seems to include several inventions independent of each other. The Applicant reserves the right to protect any other invention in this document by any appropriate means.

For example, the present invention also relates to at least one capsule comprising a body containing a care product and provided with a textile pad capable of delivering the cleaning lotion via at least one orifice by applying a pressure on said care product.

An embodiment variant is now described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 23B.

The elements already described with reference to the first exemplary embodiment are not described. The same numerical references are used to designate the same element.

The figures represent self-operating machine 1 adapted to receive two shoes 2.

In this embodiment, the technical box 5 is of parallelepipedal geometry. The technical box 5 comprises six faces.

As visible in FIG. 18, the technical box 5 has a section in the plane (XY) of trapezoidal shape. The largest base 5a of the section of the technical box 5 in this plane is for example contiguous to the front 4a of the drawer 4. The technical box 5 extends along the axis Y inside the carter 3. The technical box 5 does not extend from one face to the other of the carter 3, so that a space is kept between the smaller base 5b of the technical box 5 and the opposite face of the carter 3. The two faces 5c of the technical box 5 forming the sides of the trapezoidal section converge towards one another inside the carter 3, from the largest base 5a to the smaller base 5b.

FIG. 19 is a section of the self-operating machine 1 in the (ZY) plane. The faces 5c of the technical box 5 extend from the bottom 4b of the drawer 4, only a portion of the height of the front 4a of the drawer 4. The faces 5c are for example of square shape or of rectangular shape.

The technical box 5 may be hollow, so as to house the compressor, valves, electronic cards, the processor 23 and the memory 24, as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

With reference to FIG. 18, two shoe trees 6 can be fixed to the technical box 5. More specifically, the shoe trees 6 are for example fixed to the technical box by means of two supports 49. The shoe trees 6 are for example fixed to the supports 49 at their heel, so that, when a shoe is inserted on the shoe 6, the “sole” portion of the shoe is facing a face of the carter 3. The supports 49 can be respectively attached to the faces 5c of the technical box. In particular, the supports 49 are attached to the faces 5c of the box, so as to be one opposite the other. The supports 49 are for example fixed towards the end of the faces 5c adjacent to the smallest base 5b of the technical box 5. Supports 49 may be movably attached to the technical box 5. For example, the supports 49 are respectively movable about an axis of rotation R with respect to the technical box 5. More specifically, the axis of rotation R of each support 49 is perpendicular to the face 5c of the technical box to which the support 49 is fixed. At least one mechanical device (not visible) can be provided inside the technical box 5, in order to move the two supports 49 around their respective axis of rotation R. The mechanical device comprises for example at least one motor and a gear. Alternatively, a mechanical device is provided for rotating each support 49.

Each support 49 extends parallel to the face 5c of the technical box to which it is attached. The length of each support 49 is chosen so that, when a shoe 2 is mounted on the shoe 6, the ends of the shoe 2 do not touch any of the faces of the carter 3 during the rotation of the support 49. Indeed, the shoes 2 are inserted on the shoe tree 6, itself fixed at the heel at the free end of the support 49. Thus, the rotational movement of the support 49 inculcates a circular movement to the shoe 2.

Similarly, during the rotation of the supports 49 around their axis of rotation R, the trapezoidal shape allows access to the entire shoe 2 to perform the treatment. Indeed, some parts of the shoe 2 which are curved are difficult to access. It also avoids oversizing of the machine 1, when the machine 1 is adapted to perform the treatment of a pair of shoes 2.

Alternatively, the box 5 may have various shapes, such as a triangular shape, square or rectangular.

FIGS. 18 to 22 illustrate an assembly comprising a self-operating machine 1 and a cassette 50. In this embodiment, the machine 1 comprises a gantry 10. In this embodiment, the gantry 10 comprises for example four holding members 48 of the gantry 10, defining four corners of the gantry 10. The holding elements 48 are for example fixed to the face of the housing opposite to the bottom 4b of the drawer 4. The holding elements 48 can hold the rails 11 on which the horizontal element 10b can translate along the Y axis. A carriage 14 is mounted movably on the horizontal element. The carriage 14, the horizontal element 10b and the rails 11 have already been described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 17. Thus, the carriage 14 is able to carry out a translational movement along the three axes X, Y and Z.

In a variant, belts (not shown) are used in place of the endless screws for the translation along the X, Y, Z axes of the carriage 14. According to another variant embodiment, a combination of belts and endless screws are used for translation along the X, Y, Z axes of the carriage 14.

A guide head 13, as described with reference to FIG. 15, is secured to the carriage 14. The mechanical module 15 secured to the guide head comprises two motors respectively capable of rotating about the X axis and the Z axis. Thus, the combination of the translation movements of the carriage 14 along the X, Y, Z axes, and rotational movements of the mechanical module 15 can position the care device 16 at any point inside the carter 3, and guide the care device 16 in any direction in space.

The care device 16 also comprises a functional part. The functional part comprises in particular a connection interface 18, able to be secured to at least one utensil 21 able to perform at least one treatment of the shoe 2.

A combination of six movements allows a uniform treatment to the entire shoe 2. The combination of six movements comprises the translation movements of the carriage 14 along the X, Y, Z axes, the rotational movements along the X and Z axes by the two motors of the mechanical module 15 and the setting in motion of the shoe 2 by his support 49.

According to an alternative embodiment, the carriage 14 performs a translational movement only along two axes X, Y. The movement of the shoe 2, generated by the support 49, compensates for the non-translation of the carriage 14 along the Z axis. Thus, a combination of five movements makes possible to perform a homogeneous treatment of the entire shoe 2. The combination of six movements comprises the translation movements of the carriage 14 according to the X, Y axes, the rotational movements along the X and Z axes by the two motors of the mechanical module 15 as well as the setting in motion of the shoe 2 by its support 49.

In this embodiment, the utensils 21 used to carry out the treatments of the shoe 2 comprise two brushes 32, 38, respectively adapted for the brushing, shining or glazing treatments of the shoes 2. Utensils 21 also include a cassette 50, adapted to perform at least one stage of the treatment among the exposed, the application of polish cream and the application of polish paste. Preferably, the cassette 50 is adapted to perform at least two of these treatments, and preferably the three treatments.

FIGS. 20 and 21 respectively illustrate a treatment of a shoe 2 by a brush 32, 38 and a treatment of a shoe 2 by the cassette 50.

As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 17, the brushes 32, 38 are for example stored in the storage rack 7 and keep the same location between each treatment. A different brush 32 38 may be provided to match each shoe 2 color. To carry out the treatments for which the brushes are used, the care device 16 is set in motion by the guide head 13 in order to secure the connection interface 18 to the brush 32, 38 specific to the application of the treatment. More precisely, the connection interface 18 will be guided to the storage rack 7 in which the brush to be grasped is stored. The brush 32, 38 is secured to a mandrel (not shown) which moves the brush 32, 38 in a rotational movement about the axis of the mandrel under the action of a motor, for example located in the connection interface 18. At the end of treatment, the brush 32, 38 is rested in the storage rack 7.

The cassette 50 is introduced by the user onto the connection interface 18 before the treatment of the shoe 2 or the pair of shoes 2 begins. The connection interface 18 then comprises an attachment system, for example a rail, adapted to receive the cassette 50 and hold it in place on the connection interface during processing.

In a variant, the user places the cassette 50 in a slot provided for this purpose before the beginning of the treatment. For example, the user places the cassette 50 in the storage rack 7 at the location assigned to the cassette 50. To carry out the processing steps for which the cassette 50 is used, the care device 16 is set in motion by the guide head 13 in order to secure the connection interface 18 to the cassette 50. More specifically, the connection interface 18 will be guided to the storage rack 7 in which the cassette 50 is stored.

The cassette 50 can be secured to the connection interface 18 during the entire treatment of the shoe 2.

In the variant embodiment illustrated in FIG. 24, the user places the cassette 50 in the compartment 56 situated at the level of the technical box 5. More specifically, the compartment 56 can take the form of a recess made on the trapezoidal upper face of the technical box 5.

According to this embodiment, the compartment 56 is accessible to the user when the drawer 4 is in the open position. The user places for example the cassette 50 in the compartment 56 before the start of the treatment. Then, the care device 16 is set in motion by the guide head 13 in order to secure the connection interface 18 to the cassette 50. More precisely, the connection interface 18 will be guided towards the compartment 56 in which the cassette 50 is stored. The cassette 50 can be secured to the connection interface 18 during the entire treatment of the shoe 2.

In order to prevent the cassette 50 from dislodging the compartment 56, a holding system (not shown) may be provided. For example, a retaining spring may be provided to hold the cassette 50 in the compartment 56.

Before the beginning of the treatment, the user enters the characteristics of the shoes to be treated, in particular the color of the shoe. Depending on the characteristics, it is proposed to him a type of cassette 50 to be inserted for the treatment. In addition, the brushes 32, 38 used to perform the treatment correspond to the color of the shoe indicated by the user.

FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate more particularly an exemplary cassette 50 according to the invention, on which the cassette 50 is fixed on the connection interface 18.

The cassette 50 comprises for example an envelope 51. The envelope 51 may be made of rigid material, plastic type. The envelope 51 receives two reels 52, 53. The reels 52, 53 may be adjacent to each other. Alternatively, the reels 52, 53 overlap.

The reels 52, 53 comprise a take-up reel 52 and a roll-up reel 53. Before the treatment, a band 54 is wound around the reel 54. The band 54 comprises for example a textile face, and a non-deformable material face, for example a plasticized face. The textile face of the band 54 is soaked with at least one product, adapted to perform a treatment of a shoe 2. Thus, the textile side can be soaked with cleaning lotion, to execute the baring cleaning treatment, the polish cream, to perform the nourishing and polish paste, to make the glazing. When the cassette 50 is adapted to perform more than one of these treatments, the products are applied to several successive portions of the textile face. For example, the baring cleaning treatment occurs before the nourishing treatment that occurs before the glazing treatment. Thus, if the cassette 50 is adapted to perform the three treatments, a first portion of the textile face is soaked with cleaning lotion, a second portion of the textile side is soaked with polish cream and a final portion of the textile side is soaked of polish paste. A fourth portion of the non-soaked textile face of the product may be added to remove product residues.

The cassette 50 also comprises a presser 55. Presser 55 protrudes out of casing 51. Presser 55 includes an application surface 55a of the product. When processing a shoe 2, the band 54 wound on the take-up reel 52 is unrolled. The band 54 passes over the presser 55, so that the plasticized face is directly in contact with the application surface 55a of the presser 55. The textile side soaked with product, pressed by the application surface 55a, is in direct contact with a shoe 2. As the treatment proceeds, the band 54 is wound on the roll-up reel 53. In this way, all or products impregnating the textile side of the band 54 is applied to the shoe 2.

The cassette 50 is secured to the connection interface during the entire process. Thus, when a brush 32, 38 is used to perform a treatment of a shoe 2, the band 54 of the cassette 50 is not unrolled. The motor of the connection interface 18 is for example programmed to move the mandrel when it rotates in a certain direction. When the processing is to be performed by the cassette 50, the motor of the connection interface 18 rotates in the opposite direction, which causes the unwinding of the tape 54 of the cassette. The mechanical module 15 orients the brush 32, 38 or the cassette 50 so that the treatment is applied to the entire shoe 2.

For example, during the brushing and shining treatments, the mechanical module 15 orients the brush 32, 38 so that the brush is tangent to the surface of the shoe 2. More specifically, the bristles of the brush 32, 38 are in direct contact with the shoe 2 during the entire treatment, as illustrated in FIG. 20. The cassette 50 is oriented so as not to be in contact with the shoe 2.

During the treatments carried out with the cassette 50, the mechanical module orients the cassette 50 so that the application surface 55a of the presser 55 is normal to the surface of the shoe 2, as illustrated in FIG. 21.

The length of the strip 54 of the cassette 50 is chosen so that the impregnated portions of the product are sufficient for the product to be applied to the whole surface of the shoe 2 whatever its geometric dimensions.

The cassette 50 can be connected to a speed counter of the motor of the connection interface 18. The length of the strip 54 occurring at each engine revolution is known, as well as the length of each impregnated portion of product. Thus, if at the end of treatment, that is to say when the product has been applied to the whole surface of the shoe, it is determined that it remains a portion of band 54 impregnated with the textile used to make the treatment, the band 54 is wound on the roll-up reel 53 until a soaked portion of the product for the next treatment is at the application surface 55a of the presser 55. The mechanical module 15 then orientates the application surface 55a perpendicularly and against a surface of the boot 2.

FIG. 22 illustrates the self-operating machine in the open position. The mechanical module 15 and the carriage 14 are arranged so as to be as close as possible to the opening of the carter 3. The mechanical module 15 orients the cassette 50 so that it is accessible to the user so that he can get it back. The user also has access to his shoes 2.

The mechanical module 15 and the carriage 14 are arranged in the same way before the treatment. The connection interface 18 is thus accessible to the user so that he inserts the cassette 50 therein. The user can also insert his shoes on the shoe trees 6.

The treatments can be applied to one shoe 2, then to the next. Alternatively, the treatments are applied to both shoes at the same time. In this case, for example, two care devices 16 are provided.

FIGS. 18 to 22 illustrate an embodiment in which a pair of shoes is processed by the self-operating machine 1. It is understood that the self-operating machine 1 can also be provided to perform the treatment of one shoe only.

REFERENCES

self-operating machine 1 shape recognition device 17 First reel 35a shoe 2 interface connection 18 Second reel 35b carter 3 pressurized air nozzle 19 Textile 35c drawer 4 Pressurized cleaning lotion nozzle 20 Brush 35d front 4a Utensil 21 Drum 36a bottom of drawer 4b Mechanical element 22 Sock 36b technical box 5 Processor 23 Capsule 37, 39 shoe tree 6 Memory 24 Brush 38 shoe support 6a Heating device 25, 26 Hollow body 37a, 39a hinge 6b Air compressor 27 Orifice 37b, 39b partition 6c supply of compressed air 28 Pad 37c, 39c deployable element 6d Pressure sensor 29 Resistor 39d storage bin 7 Distribution line30 Supply of cleaning milk 40 Support 8 User interface 31 Valve 41 orifice 9 Brush 32 Foam envelop 42 Gantry 10 Textile skirt 33a Orifices 43 pillar 10a Brush 33b Filling port 44 Horizontal element 10b Brush 34a Brush 45 rail 1 1 Mechanical element 34b Endless screw 46 motor 12 Disc 34c Base 47 guiding head 13 Skirt 34d Holding element 48 Carriage 14 Module 35 Support 49 mechanical modulated 15 Cassette 50 care device 16 Plastic shell 51 Take-up reel 52 Roll-up reel 53 Presser 55 Band 54 Compartment 56

Claims

1. A self-operating machine (1) for the care of a shoe (2) comprising a shoe support (6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) and a guide head (13) secured to a care device (16) suitable for performing a care treatment of a shoe (2), characterized in that the care device (16) can be positioned at any point and oriented in any orientation of a space of the self-operating machine (1) in relation to the shoe support (2).

2. The self-operating machine (1) according to claim 1 wherein the guide head (13) is able to activate the care device (16), said guide head (13) being carried by a carriage (14), said carriage (14) being able to drive the guide head (13) in a translational movement along two axes X, Y, and preferably in three axes X, Y and Z.

3. The self-operating machine (1) according to claim 2, wherein a functional part of the care device (16) adapted to cooperate with the shoe (2) to be treated is offset from the carriage (14) regardless of the orientation of said care device (16) in space.

4. The self-operating machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein a support (49) of the shoe support (6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (R).

5. The self-operating machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the orientation of a surface of a functional portion of the care device (16) is normal to a surface facing the shoe (2) to be treated during the treatment of the shoe to be treated.

6. The self-operating machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the shoe support (6) is a first shoe support (6), the self-operating machine (1) comprising a second shoe support (6), the self-operating machine (1) being characterized in that it is adapted to perform a care treatment of two shoes (2).

7. A method for the care of at least one shoe (2) implemented by a self-operating machine (1) in which a care device (16) secured to a guide head (13) is capable of carrying out a care treatment for at least one shoe (2), characterized in that the care device (16) is positioned at any point and is oriented in any direction of a space of the self-operating machine (1) relative to a shoe (2) support during the treatment.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein a user selects a care mode comprising at least one treatment step of the shoe (2) to be processed via a user interface (31), among a brushing, a baring cleaning, an application a polish cream, an application of a polish paste, a shining, each treatment being made from a 3D digital model of the shoe (2) to be treated made before a first treatment.

9. The method according to claim 7, in which, for at least one treatment step, the guiding device (13) guides a connection interface (18) of the care device (16) to a storage rack for utensils (21) in order to secure said connection interface (18) to the utensil (21) adapted to the specific implementation of the treatment, then, at the end of said processing step, the guiding device (13) guides the connection interface (18) of the care device (16) to said storage to disengage said utensil (21) from the connection interface (18).

10. A cassette (50) for the care of a shoe (2), comprising:

an envelope (51),
a first reel (52),
a second reel (53),
a band (54), said band being impregnated with at least one product adapted for the treatment of a shoe (2), said band being wound on the first reel (52), and
a presser (55) adapted to deliver during the treatment said product soaking the band (54).

11. The cassette (50) according to claim 10, wherein a mechanical element is adapted to drive the second reel (53) so that the strip (54) is progressively unwound from the first reel (52) and wound on the second reel (53) during a treatment, the presser (55) being able to deliver the product soaking the band (54) on a surface of the shoe (2) to be treated, before the winding of the strip (54) on the second reel (53).

12. The cassette (50) according to claim 10, wherein the band is soaked with at least two products, and preferably at least three products, each product being adapted to perform a step respectively of a treatment of the shoe (2) to be treated.

13. An assembly comprising:

a self-operating machine (1) for the care of a shoe (2) comprising a shoe support (6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) and a guide head (13) secured to a care device (16) suitable for performing a care treatment of a shoe (2), characterized in that the care device (16) can be positioned at any point and oriented in any orientation of a space of the self-operating machine (1) in relation to the shoe support (2); and
a cassette (50) for the care of the shoe (2), comprising:
an envelope (51),
a first reel (52),
a second reel (53),
a band (54), said band being impregnated with at least one product adapted for the treatment of a shoe (2), said band being wound on the first reel (52), and
a presser (55) adapted to deliver during the treatment said product soaking the band (54).

14. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein during treatment of the shoe (2) to be treated, the care device (16) is able to orient an application surface (55a) of the cassette (50) perpendicular to a surface facing the shoe (2) to be treated.

15. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the cassette (50) is adapted to apply products on a surface of the shoe (2) to be treated, respectively for the steps of baring cleaning, application of polish cream and application of polish paste.

16. The self-operating machine (1) according claim 2, wherein the orientation of a surface of a functional portion of the care device (16) is normal to a surface facing the shoe (2) to be treated during the treatment of the shoe to be treated.

17. The self-operating machine (1) according to claim 2, wherein the shoe support (6) is a first shoe support (6), the self-operating machine (1) comprising a second shoe support (6), the self-operating machine (1) being characterized in that it is adapted to perform a care treatment of two shoes (2).

18. The method according to claim 8, in which, for at least one treatment step, the guiding device (13) guides a connection interface (18) of the care device (16) to a storage rack for utensils (21) in order to secure said connection interface (18) to the utensil (21) adapted to the specific implementation of the treatment, then, at the end of said processing step, the guiding device (13) guides the connection interface (18) of the care device (16) to said storage to disengage said utensil (21) from the connection interface (18).

19. The cassette (50) according to claim 11, wherein the band is soaked with at least two products, and preferably at least three products, each product being adapted to perform a step respectively of a treatment of the shoe (2) to be treated.

20. The assembly according to claim 14, wherein the cassette (50) is adapted to apply products on a surface of the shoe (2) to be treated, respectively for the steps of baring cleaning, application of polish cream and application of polish paste.

Patent History
Publication number: 20190357750
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 20, 2018
Publication Date: Nov 28, 2019
Inventors: Thibault LOUVARD (PARIS), Rémi LAUMONIER (Nesles La Vallée)
Application Number: 16/486,479
Classifications
International Classification: A47L 23/02 (20060101);