Abstract: A steel cap is mounted on a shoe molding last during molding, particularly during the initial molding of a plastic shoe. The steel cap furthermore is supported on the shoe molding last by a plurality of projecting members distributed over the surface of the steel cap extending from it or the shoe molding last. At least one releasable holding or retaining means is provided on the shoe molding last which holds the steel cap on the shoe molding last secure against unintended release. To obtain a nearly flawless jacket or sheath of synthetic resin about the steel cap the holding or retaining means comprises at least one slender elastic pin directed transverse to the insertion direction of the steel cap. The steel cap has at least one of the elastic pins engaging against a roughened interior surface of the steel cap and the pin locks in the roughened surface of the steel cap under compression.

Abstract: A device for moulding soles composed of a rubber tread and a polyurethane intermediate layer and for directly attaching the soles to shoe shafts includes a bottom work station in which the rubber tread is moulded, a top moulding station in which the polyurethane intermediate layer is moulded between the rubber tread and a shoe shaft, and an intermediate cooling station wherein the rubber tread is cooled prior to being transported to the top moulding station.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling shoe production. A rotatable table has locations including last holders for receiving and holding a plurality of lasts. Each last holder extends upwardly away from its location. An endless conveyor, situated near the table, includes conveyor plates having last holders on which lasts can be mounted and dismounted. The conveyor plates and the locations occupy substantially the same horizontal plane. A robot, including a transferring device between the table and the conveyor, transfers lasts between the conveyor at a first transfer station and the table at second transfer station and visa versa. A shoe last rotating device rotates the lasts 180.degree. to reorient each last from the position it occupies on the conveyor to the position it occupies on the last holder. A holding device causes each last holder to retain a last after the last is transferred to the table at the second transfer station and to release the last at the second transfer station after the table has revolved 360.

Abstract: A machine for the direct soling of shoe uppers having at least one molding station is provided for conveniently and effectively removing the molding sprue from the die mold which typically remains after each injection molding process. Such is effected by disposing the heel end of each shoe last toward the front working end of the machine at which the operator is stationed. And, the injection molding unit provided for the machine includes a rotary valve which automatically closes as the feed passage of the unit is moved out of alignment with the mold cavity inlet passage, and is automatically open when the feed and inlet passages are aligned in an injection molding operating position of the unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding the sole of a shoe and the like to an upper comprises a pair of mold elements adapted to come together laterally and having peripheral edge portions for engaging the upper. Corresponding ends of the peripheral edge portions are configured for defining a gap therebetween where the mold elements join together. An edge portion of a pivoted blade member spans the gap when the mold elements come in contact.

Abstract: A V-shaped shell comprising a replaceable tip for a mold apparatus utilizable for squeezing a shoe upper against a female mold. The V-shaped shell comprises generally planar members meeting at a curvilinear apex, each planar member having a raised periphery which tapers inwardly towards the surface of the planar member, to define a pre-arranged volume for the tapered distribution of stiffening resin applied between the inner liner and outer layer of a shoe upper.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making shoes of the type comprising an injection molded sole which is bonded to a marginal edge portion of a string lasting preferably made of a thermoplastic material. The lasting is held on a last. A radiant heater is automatically positioned below the lasting to preheat the marginal edge portion of the lasting until it is tacky, at about 150.degree.-200.degree. F., after which the heater is withdrawn and the last and the lasting are positioned at the top of a sole mold. Injection molding apparatus injects a molten thermoplastic sole material, such as polyvinyl chloride, at high temperatures of about 300.degree.-380.degree. F. into a sole cavity formed in the sole mold were the molten material bonds to the marginal edge portion of the lasting to form a completed shoe. The completed shoe is cooled by transferring it from the last which was employed during the molding operation to a cooling last separate from the machine. The completed shoe is rapidly cooled to down below 45.degree.

Abstract: An injection mold device for forming an article such as footwear from a plastic material includes a two-part male die such as a boot last, a fabric liner covering the male die, and a split female die surrounding the male die in spaced relation and forming together therewith a mold cavity. Beyond the upper end of the cavity, liner retaining pins on the male die extend outwardly of the peripheral wall thereof for retaining the liner in place during the injection molding operation. One of the pins is mounted for retracting axial movement for disengaging the tip thereof from the liner, and such pin bears against a sloping bearing surface of a first removable male die part which facilitates such retracting movement upon a relative shifting of the parts. The other pins are rigidly mounted in the male die part and project into recesses of the female die having undercuts and grooves extending between the recesses and the mold cavity.

Abstract: Two component polyurethane soles for footwear are molded continuously in an apparatus including a turntable with a plurality of mold stations therearound. While a first sole portion is being molded at one mold station, a second sole portion interconnecting the first sole portion to a lasted upper is molded at the same mold station. Such simultaneous molding is achieved using a mold bottom or top which retains the first sole portion and with such first sole portion forms part of the mold for forming the second sole portion. The second sole portion mold is completed by mold sides and a lasted upper.

Abstract: A mold for making plastic shoes that includes a pivotally mounted last within the mold cavity. Means are provided to facilitate removal of the molded shoe by physically displacing one part of the insert from the cavity and then rotating the last out of the mold cavity so that the molded shoe can be removed readily from the last.

Abstract: An injection casting apparatus for the manufacture of multiple layer shoe soles in a multiple element mold (11). The bottom of each mold is closed by one of two bottom stamps (14, 15) disposed on the ends of support arms (23, 24) which are mounted about an inclined axis of rotation (42). The bottom stamp not in use is directed radially outward from the apparatus to improve servicing and cleaning. The bottom stamp in use is centered above a raising and lowering device (37) which moves the stamp into operating position to close the mold and away therefrom to rotate the stamps. This centered arrangement prevents any torque from arising in the bottom stamp during use.

Abstract: A mold for molding a boot or similar footwear from an elastomeric composition and simultaneously lining the footwear with a fabric, has first and second shells each having a cavity which complements the cavity of the other to form a large cavity which corresponds to the upstanding sides of the footwear and a third shell which has a cavity corresponding to the sole thereof. The three shells are assembled together with a rigid core member enclosed therein which defines the inside of the boot. The core member has an elastically expandable casing. Conduits are arranged in the core member for conveying a fluid under pressure to expand the casing.

Abstract: A mold for forming an article having a complex shape such as a unitary sole and heel tread member for a shoe and method of making same wherein the article to be cast is formed from a material which is injected into the mold in a hot fluid form. The mold for such an article comprises an upper and a lower mold member, which together define a complete shoe sole mold cavity. Each upper or lower mold member may consist of several intermating sections. The lower mold however, comprises a cavity having sufficient depth around its periphery to permit insertion of an inverted decorative welt plus a second decorative piece placed against the wall of the cavity. The upper mold has a cavity which basically defines the tread of the sole, and the two molds interface to provide a tight seal during the shoe sole molding operation.

Abstract: Right angle arms supporting mold bottom stamps pivot about an axis at the intersection of the arms to present in sequence the bottom stamps into underlying position with respect to an upper mold and a side mold to form in sequence first and second mold cavities limited respectively by the bottom stamps to permit multiple layer, preferably polyurethane shoe soles to be molded to a prepositioned shoe last and upper which may constitute in fact the upper mold.

Abstract: An injection control apparatus for controlling the quantity of extrudable material dispensed by the screw of an extruder into a series of molds includes a code device attached to each mold or the mold carrier, the code device including magnets indicative of the volume of the mold cavity to be filled; sensors in the form of Hall effect switches for triggering by the magnets when in close proximity thereto and for generating a code signal which is fed to and stored in a controller; a rectilinear position transducer mechanically coupled to the screw of the extruder for sensing the position of the screw and producing a position signal; a logic circuit for receiving the code signal from the memory; potentiometers for receiving a signal from the logic circuit and feeding a reference signal via the logic circuit to a null point detector for comparison with the position signal from the transducer to produce a command signal, which controls dispensing of extrudable material by the screw, i.e., the shot size.

Abstract: The bottom or tread layer 18 of a shoe sole 17 is formed with a beaded flange 26 extending outwardly around its upper edge, which serves as a barrieragainst the incursion of the material of the upper sole layer 19 into the side face region 20 of the sole during the casting or moulding of the upper layer. The flange is subsequently removed to leave a clean separation line between the two sole layers.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing molded insoles from thermoplastic material comprises a box-shaped housing enclosing heating means for heating an insole. The housing has a window on an upper surface in which three faces of a prismatic body can be selectively positioned. One face forms a podoscope, another a measuring surface and the third a molding surface. A post on the housing has arms to support the user and adjustable knee rests.

Abstract: A machine for the production of footwear by injection molding comprises a multiplicity of shoe molds on a common carrier, such as a turntable, moving successively past a core-insertion station and an injection station. At the insertion station, a mold core in the form of a last is lowered into an open shoe mold which then moves into alignment with an extruder at the injection station. The lowerable core support at the insertion station carries a feeler which, by coming to rest on an aligned mold or on the mold carrier, limits the descent of the core into the mold.

Abstract: Method for making a sole for an article of footwear including an outer sole with a lightweight filler therein, an inner sole above the outer sole and a foxing strip integral with the inner sole and surrounding the periphery of the outer sole. The sole is produced using a dummy last with a recess for receiving the filler, a clamping last, mold sides and a bottom mold piston. The outer sole is molded first using the dummy last and filler, a first portion of the mold sides and the mold piston to define a first mold cavity. Then, the inner sole is molded using the clamping last, a lasted upper or the like, a second portion of the mold sides, and the outer sole on the mold piston to define a second mold cavity. By providing suitable recesses in the dummy last and in the first portion of the mold sides, one or more projections which extend through the foxing strip are molded in the first mold cavity.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a mold for injection molding a sole onto an upper made of textile, vinyl, suede, leather, or any other suitable materials in which the lower periphery of the sole slopes downwardly and inwardly and forms a downwardly extending continuation of the peripheral face of the bumper. The mold is capable of using a single sole plate to produce a shoe in which the bumper and integral first sole part is formed of one color, a second sole part is formed of another color and the periphery of the second sole part is visible from the sides and ends of the shoe beneath the bumper. The upper surface of the sole plate of the mold includes an upstanding peripheral fin. The sole plate is capable of producing a skid-resistant surface on the bottom of the second sole part.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for making articles of footwear by the so-called dipping process. The system comprises placing under a last a mould for a sole and/or heel. When the last and mould are dipped in molten plastics material, the material solidifies to form a thin skin on the last in the usual way and is contained in the mould until it sets to form the relatively heavy sole and/or heel. The mould contains the molten plastics either by virtue of being provided with peripheral walls or, for thinner soles, by virtue of friction preventing the molten material from escaping. The mould may be constituted by an element to which the plastics material adheres and becomes part of the sole unit. SUThis invention relates to the manufacture of footwear and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel method of manufacturing footwear.Having regard to the antiquity of the art of manufacturing footwear a relatively recent innovation is the moulding of a complete shoe, boot or the like as a homogeneous unit, i.e.

Abstract: A two color shoe sole is molded onto a lasted upper by first molding the outer sole portion remote from the lasted upper, and then forming a mold cavity with the lasted upper and the outer sole portion to mold the inner sole portion, which interconnects the upper and outer sole portion. This facilitates the formation of profiled shoe soles, e.g., basketball shoes having ridges and grooves in their bottom surfaces.

Abstract: A mold for forming an article such as a unitary sole and heel tread member of a shoe, and means integral with said mold for separating said article from such mold. The mold for such article is formed of first and second mold members defining a molding cavity therein, where one of said mold members is provided with an ejector pin projecting into said molding cavity to grip the article after forming. When the mold members are operatively assembled together for molding, where one of said mold members has been provided with conduit means for supplying casting material under pressure to said molding cavity, injection of the casting material through such conduit means to fill the molding cavity will result in the casting material flowing about said ejector pin. Such ejector pin is provided with a head or end configuration which is capable of gripping the molded article to pull or peel such member from one of the mold members, when such mold members are disassembled.

Abstract: A vulcanization mold for producing laminated bodies, particularly shoe soles of different and/or differently colored rubbers or plastics, the interfacial boundary between adjacent plies of the laminate forming non-planar surfaces, is provided. The mold includes several mold cavities, disposed one on top of the other for forming the individual layers of the laminate, the mold cavities being separated by intermediate plates which are removable from the mold following a prevulcanization to allow for uniting of the premolded individual layers into the desired laminated body. A middle plate freely moveable in the direction of opening and closing of the mold together with two intermediate plates disposed on opposite sides thereof form the mold cavity for a central layer of the laminate, the surfaces of the middle plate being non-planar and corresponding to the adjacent surfaces of the intermediate plates.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a footwear comprising placing in a mold assembly a preformed section of appropriate material forming part of the footwear in such a manner that a part of said preformed section protrudes into a molding cavity for molding another section of said footwear, injecting molding material into said cavity and thereby integrally connecting said preformed section with the latter section, an improvement comprising surely holding said protruded part of said preformed section in place in said molding cavity by means of a plurality of projections integrally extended from said mold assembly into said molding cavity.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting the sole of a shoe with its shaft comprising a mold having a contour corresponding to the shape of the sole and at least two jaws being movably supported and being arranged for being pressed against the mold and for laterally enclosing the mold so as to bend an edge portion of the shaft against the side of the mold, said jaws being provided with rims extending in an inward direction and overlapping the edge of the mold over its total circumference, said rims having a smaller height as compared with the width of the protruding and bent edge of the shaft, and a press ram cooperating with the mold and having a contour approximately corresponding to the border line, facing the center of the mold, of the rims of the jaws, the mold and the press ram being formed as electrodes connected to a radio frequency generator.

Abstract: A shoe making apparatus wherein a sole is moulded onto the uppers has the last carrying the upper loose in the sole mould. The mould seals high on the shoe to bear against the widest part of the shoe top part.

Abstract: A recessed last, and a method of using same in lasting an upper and insole and molding a sole thereto, including inserting an insole in the recess of the last and retaining the insole in position during molding by the edges of the lasted upper.The foregoing abstract is not to be taken either as a complete exposition or as a limitation of the present invention, and in order to understand the full nature and extent of the technical disclosure of this application, reference must be had to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings as well as to the claims.