Abstract: Foam items may be buffed using particles such as particulate sodium bicarbonate in accordance with the present invention. Foam items may be, for example, expanded EVA foam items pre-formed into an intermediate size and shape. A skin layer may be formed during the expansion of the foam item to form an expanded foam item which may be entirely or partially removed by buffing the item using particles projected with selected buffing parameters. The buffing parameters may be varied based upon the thickness of at least a portion of the skin layer and/or the desired degree of moldability for the foam item after buffing. Particulate sodium bicarbonate or other types of particles used for buffing may be recycled and reused for further buffing of foam items.

Abstract: Foam items may be buffed using particles such as particulate sodium bicarbonate in accordance with the present invention. Foam items may be, for example, expanded EVA foam items pre-formed into an intermediate size and shape. A skin layer may be formed during the expansion of the foam item to form an expanded foam item which may be entirely or partially removed by buffing the item using particles projected with selected buffing parameters. The buffing parameters may be varied based upon the thickness of at least a portion of the skin layer and/or the desired degree of moldability for the foam item after buffing. Particulate sodium bicarbonate or other types of particles used for buffing may be recycled and reused for further buffing of foam items.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for relatively convenient and efficient production of custom molded inserts for shoes. The apparatus utilizes a molding pillow arrangement, upon which a user stands during use. The molding pillow arrangement has a composite construction including a first resilient layer, a middle resilient layer and a bottom support layer. The bottom support layer preferably includes a generic arch curve therein. The upper resilient layer is formed from a relatively soft foam, and thus molds around a user's feet. The middle layer is resilient, but relatively hard by comparison to the upper layer. The middle layer provides for a relatively firm cushion underneath the user's foot, facilitating contouring of a molded insert to the bottom of the user's foot. Preferably, at least the upper cushion portion of the molding pillow arrangement comprises left and right cushions, independently moldable with respect to a user's left and right feet.

Abstract: A bonding press for cementing shoe soles to lasted uppers. A shoe support plate has an opening to receive the lasted shoe upper with the sole placed thereon. The lasted shoe upper is supported on a last support. A rigid press hood closed on the underside by a soft membrane, is selectively movable to a position to apply pressure to the sole in place on the upper. A control system has switching members for moving, releasing and filling the press hood with compressed air and venting the same. The control system also includes a switching valve adapted to be actuated by insertion of the shoe in the opening formed in the shoe support. The actuators and other elements of the system for controlling the movable press components are controlled by programmable control unit.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a bonding press for bonding shoe soles to lasted uppers, comprising a fixed bed structure (1) including an exchangeable receptacle plate (6, 9) into the padded opening (8) of which a lasted upper (7) is inserted and fixed with the sole laid thereon and facing upwards, further comprising a pressing pad (2) to which a pressurized medium may be applied, the dimensionally stable cowl (10) of said pad being hingedly joined to the bed structure (1) and hermetically sealed towards the bottom by a flexibly expandable diaphragm (12), and comprising linear drive means (3) mounted to the bed structure for pivoting the cowl (10) and for producing the closing force.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying an adhesive coated wear portion to the underside of a shoe wherein the wear portion and the underside of the shoe are heated, a first pressure is applied to urge the wear portion and the shoe together, and a second greater pressure is applied in situ to further urge the wear portion and the underside of the shoe together. In one embodiment, a heating element may be provided for transfer between a first location for heating and drying a shoe and a second location directly between the shoe and the wear portion to be applied. The periphery of the wear portion may be trimmed to correspond to the underside of the shoe.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having its carrier-injecting region formed with a Schottky structure, and arranged so that the current flowing through the Schottky barrier by virtue of tunnel effect is controlled by a controlling electrode to thereby control the drain or collector or anode current. Thus, this device has a large current density and a large current gain. This device can be used not only as a discrete one, but also it is quite suitable when applied to integrated circuits.

Abstract: A method and means are disclosed for use in a press whereby a sole and an upwardly projecting portion thereof, for instance, such as is used in many athletic type shoes, are attached adhesively to a shoe. An elastically deformable pad mounted in a relatively rigid support is recessed closely to fit the sole therein and has a wall overlying the projecting portion of the sole, the pad also having walls sloping toward the tread surface of the sole and inwardly of the pad. Sloping surfaces of the support engage external walls of the pad positioned thereon so that, when the support and pad are assembled in the press and the latter operated to cause the shoe to deform the pad, the heightwise projecting portion of the sole will be pressed against the upper of the shoe.

Abstract: A pad box for conforming the bottom of a shoe to that of a last comprises shoe bottom engaging material, a forepart supporting member and a waist supporting member both engageable with the material, the members being pivotally interconnected, means for adjusting the angle between the members, and a further adjusting means by which both members may be jointly tilted without altering a selected angle of adjustment between the members. Additionally, the pad box preferably includes a means for varying the effective length of the waist engaging member.

Abstract: A pad box for cement attaching soles to differently shaped shoe bottoms comprises a forepart pad tiltably and vertically adjustable, a datum pad for supporting a shoe adjacent to its heel breast line, independent movable waist pads adjustable heightwise of the datum pad, a heel presser member mounted for movement heightwise and lengthwise of the shoe, and fluid pressure means for respectively operating the heel presser member and each of the waist pads. The arrangement and construction are such that the waist pads are fluid pressure actuated automatically to support the shoe bottom during pressing in accommodation of its lengthwise and widthwise configuration. Method aspects of the invention are also disclosed.