EP3582672A1

EP3582672A1 - Self-operating machine and method for shoe care and maintenance

Info

Publication number: EP3582672A1
Application number: EP18709675.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thibault LOUVARD; Rémi LAUMONIER
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-02-20
Filing date: 2018-02-20
Publication date: 2019-12-25
Also published as: WO2018150152A1; US20190357750A1; FR3063000A1; CN110337257A

Abstract

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).

Description

Automaton and method for shoe care

[001] The invention relates to the field of automatic machines for the maintenance of shoes, and shoe care processes, including leather shoes.

[002] Shoe maintenance 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 and give it a unique look.

[003] In order to carry out a complete maintenance of the shoe, many products and utensils are required. These include brushes such as the wrap, the scraper, the horsehair brush, the horsehair brush and the chamoisine. Required products include cleansing milk, polishing cream, polish and grease. Each utensil and product is used for a specific type of treatment.

[004] A complete interview is performed by the succession of a plurality of processes 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 ease of leather and prevent sagging during maintenance.

[005] Then, a dedusting treatment is performed. Specifically, using 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 maintenance process.

[006] Following the dedusting, a baring treatment is done in order to clean the surface and prepare a deep leather nourishment. Cleansing milk is rubbed on the leather with a chamoisine. This treatment removes the last layer of shoe polish and also opens the pores of the leather. [007] Then, using a chamoisine, the shoe polish is applied to 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, called the feeding step, nourishes the leather and attenuates the folds of the shoe. When the leather no longer absorbs the cream, the treatment is finished. [008] After a rest period, the polishing step is carried out. During the buffing stage, the excess of wax cream is removed with a polishing brush and the leather reaches the desired shine.

[009] Then comes the application of polishing 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 chamoisine 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 polishing brush, in small, quick and light movements.

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

[01 1] In addition, each shoe has its own characteristics that must be taken into account to perform a complete maintenance. [012] Currently, no controller can maintain leather shoes according to such a method. There are many machines that claim to allow maintenance of leather shoes, but can generally implement only roughly one or other of the treatments mentioned above. There is in particular document US4599760 which proposes such an automaton. The automaton 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, cleaning products such as wax and polishing, and a system for rotating and vibrating the various utensils.

[013] The treatments proposed by this automaton are the dusting, the application of the cream of waxing and polishing of the shoe. These treatments are performed by means of a plurality of utensils set in motion in the automaton. However, the restricted movement of the utensils does not allow a satisfactory maintenance of the shoe.

[014] Because of these shortcomings, the maintenance of leather shoes by prior art machines can not be satisfactory. That's why manual maintenance of shoes is still preferred today. [015] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a maintenance machine of at least one shoe comprising a shoe support and a guide head secured to a maintenance device capable of performing a maintenance treatment. of the shoe, characterized in that the maintenance device can be positioned at any point and oriented in any orientation of a space of the automaton relative to the shoe support.

[016] With these provisions, the automat is able to perform a homogeneous treatment on the entire shoe to be treated.

[017] In one embodiment, the guide head is adapted to actuate the maintenance 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 in three axes X, Y and Z.

[018] In this way, the carriage drives the maintenance device at any point in the controller space. The entire surface of the shoe to be treated is then accessible to the maintenance device to perform the treatment.

[019] In one embodiment, a functional portion of the maintenance device adapted to cooperate with the shoe is offset from the carriage regardless of the orientation of said maintenance device in space. [020] The deportation of the functional part provides access to the parts of the shoe to be treated the most inaccessible, for example the back of the shoe to be treated.

[021] In one embodiment, a support of the shoe support is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation. [022] In this way, the amplitude of the translational movements of the maintenance 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.

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

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

[025] In one embodiment, the functional portion of the maintenance device is capable of performing at least one treatment of a shoe, the treatment comprising one of the following steps:

- a baring,

- creaming,

- an application of a wax paste.

[026] The treatment comprises the steps to perform a complete treatment of the shoe, similar to the treatment that a professional is able to do.

[027] According to one embodiment, the functional part of the maintenance 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 milk 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 a user device; adapted maintenance for a treatment of the shoe.

[028] In one embodiment, the automaton further comprises one and / or the other of

a housing, and

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

[029] According to one embodiment, the shoe support is a first shoe support, the controller comprising a second shoe support, the controller being characterized in that it is adapted to perform a maintenance treatment of two shoes . [030] In this way, a pair of shoes can be treated without the user needing to wait for the end of the treatment of a first shoe to put the second shoe of the pair of shoes in the automaton. This represents a saving of time for the user.

[031] The invention also relates to a method of maintaining at least one shoe implemented by an automaton in which a maintenance device secured to a guide head is able to carry out a maintenance treatment of less a shoe, characterized in that the maintenance device is positioned at any point and is oriented in any direction of a space of the automaton relative to a shoe support during processing. [032] In one embodiment, a user chooses a maintenance mode comprising at least one treatment of the shoe via a user interface, among

- brushing,

a laying bare,

an application of a cream of waxing,

a polish,

an application of a polishing paste,

each treatment being made from a 3D digital model of the shoe (2) to be treated produced before a first treatment.

[033] The user can customize the treatment he wants to apply to the shoe to be treated. [034] According to one embodiment, for a first step of the treatment, the guide device guides a connection interface of the maintenance device to a utensil storage to secure said connection interface to the utensil adapted to the implementation. specific work of the treatment, then, at the end of the treatment, the guiding device guides the connection interface of the maintenance device to said storage in order to disengage said utensil of the connection interface.

[035] 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 PLC by the user. The storage of utensils is for example a storage store. Alternatively, the utensil storage is a housing. [036] In one embodiment, before the start of treatment, a user secures a cassette on a connection interface, said cassette being secured to the connection interface during the entire process.

[037] 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.

[038] The invention also relates to a cassette for the maintenance of a shoe, comprising:

an envelope,

a first coil,

a second coil,

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 band during the treatment. [039] According to one embodiment, a mechanical element is adapted to drive the second coil so that the strip is progressively unwound from the first coil and wound on the second coil during the treatment, the presser being able to deliver the imbibing product the band on a surface of the shoe to be treated, before the winding of the band on the second reel. [040] The geometry of the coil makes it possible to apply the product to perform the treatment in a particularly efficient manner. [041] In one embodiment, the strip is soaked 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. [042] The cassette makes it possible to use fewer consumables, since several processing steps can be performed by the same cassette.

[043] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising an automaton and a cassette within the meaning of the invention. [044] According to one embodiment, during a treatment of the shoe to be treated, the maintenance device is adapted to orient an application surface of the cassette perpendicularly to a surface facing the shoe to be treated.

[045] This makes it possible 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.

[046] 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 stripping, application of polishing cream and application of polish.

[047] Thus, up to three processing steps can be performed by the cassette. [048] The figures of the drawings are now briefly described. [049] FIG. 1 is a schematic view from above of the automaton,

[050] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the open automaton, [051] Figures 3a and 3b schematically illustrate a tree,

[052] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the interior of the automaton, [053] FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic drawing of the automaton, [054] FIG. 6 illustrates the shape recognition of the shoe by PLC,

[055] FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrate various embodiments of the brushing treatment, [FIGS. 8a to 8e illustrate various embodiments of the stripping treatment,

[057] Figure 9 illustrates the application of the cream of waxing,

[058] Figures 10a and 10b illustrate different embodiments of the removal of cream residues, [Figure 10 illustrates the application of the polish,

[060] Figures 12a and 12b illustrate different embodiments of polishing, [061] Fig. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a cream or polish capsule, [062] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a gantry according to one embodiment,

[063] Figure 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the maintenance device in contact with a shoe,

[064] Figure 16 is a schematic top view illustrating different positions and possible orientations of the maintenance device,

[065] Figure 17 is a schematic side view illustrating different positions and possible orientations of the maintenance device, [066] Figure 18 is a view of the interior of the housing of the automaton in the XY plane according to a second exemplary embodiment,

[067] Figure 19 is a view of the inside of the housing of the automaton in the ZY plane according to the second embodiment,

[068] FIG. 20 is a view of the inside of the housing of the automaton in the XZ plane according to the second embodiment illustrating a treatment of a shoe by a brush,

[069] Figure 21 is a view of the interior of the housing of the automaton in the YZ plane according to the second embodiment illustrating a treatment of a shoe by a cassette,

[070] FIG. 22 is a view of the inside of the housing of the automaton in the open position in the plane YZ, according to the second exemplary embodiment, [071] FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate a cassette according to the invention,

[072] Figure 24 is a view of the interior of the housing of the controller in the YZ plane according to an alternative embodiment of the second embodiment illustrating a treatment of a shoe by a cassette. [073] Hereinafter a detailed description of several embodiments of the invention with examples and reference to the drawings.

[074] Figure 1 shows schematically the outside of a controller 1 for the maintenance of shoe 2 leather. The outer casing of the controller 1 is a casing 3. The casing 3 may for example be of generally parallelepipedal shape, or in the shape of a cube, or other. The housing 3 thus has for example six faces. The automaton 1 can be arranged on a support, for example on the ground, on one of the faces of the housing 3. It can also be embedded in a piece of furniture.

[075] The housing 3 further comprises an opening, present on another face of the housing 3, so that the inside of the housing 3 is accessible. The opening is for example a sliding drawer 4. [076] Figure 2 illustrates the housing 3 in the so-called "open" position, that is to say when the drawer 4 is out of the housing 3. The drawer 4 comprises a front 4a which is in fact a side face of the casing 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.

[077] One defines a Y axis, axis in which the slide 4 slides and a perpendicular X axis and in the same plane as the Y axis. Z axis is also defined, perpendicular to the X and Y axes. [078] drawer 4 comprises for example a technical box 5, comprising for example a processor 23 and a memory 24. The technical box 5 can be placed against the front 4a, inside the housing 3. The technical box 5 does not have the same dimension that 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 prevent the closure of the drawer 4. The bottom of the drawer 4b can serve as a support for storage magazines 6. The storage magazines 7 serve for example to store utensils 21 for the maintenance of the shoe 2. The utensils 21 are by example brushes, gum pads, buffers, capsules wax cream and / or wax paste capsules.

[079] 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".

[080] The shoe 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. L the lowest end of the support 8 is raised relative to the bottom of the drawer 4b of the drawer, so that the storage magazines 7 and a shoe 2 can cohabit without touching.

[081] The shoe 6 can be attached to the lowest end of the support 8. The shoe 6 is a shoe tree called "universal shoe tree". By "universal" is meant that the shoe 6 is adaptable to any type and size of shoe 2. The shoe 6, as shown in Figures 3a to 3c, consists of a base 6a, flat, which has by example the general shape of an inner 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.

[082] The shoe 6 also comprises a partition 6c which extends perpendicular 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.

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

[084] The shoe 2 is inserted on the shoe 6 when the deployable elements 6d are deflated. After insertion of the boot, the deployable elements 6d receive air under pressure via the orifices 9. inflating 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.

[085] The device for injecting compressed air can be coupled to a device for heating pressurized air, for example a resistor, so that the air under pressure heats the leather of the shoe 2 to through the deployable elements 8d. [086] In a variant, 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 tree 6, thus ensuring the inflation of all the deployable elements 6d forming the shoe tree 6. [087] 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.

[088] Figure 4 schematically illustrates the interior of the housing 3 when the drawer 4 is retracted. The diagram retains the orientation of the X, Y and Z axes defined above.

[089] In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14, the automaton comprises a gantry 10. The gantry 10 comprises, for example, four pillars 10a defining four corners of the gantry 10. The pillars 10a adjacent along the Y axis can be connected between them. Worms 46 are arranged parallel and adjacent each pillar 10a. Each worm 46 is connected to another worm 46, adjacent along the Y axis, by means of a rail January 1. The gantry thus comprises two rails 1 1 parallel, extending along the axis Y.

[090] The rotation of the worm 46, for example by means of at least one motor 12, causes a translation of the rails 1 1 along the axis Z. The rails 1 1 are interconnected by a horizontal element 10b, capable of translating along a Y axis along the rails 1 1.

[091] Alternatively, another embodiment of the gantry 10 can be provided, as shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the gantry 10 comprises two vertical elements movable on two rails 1 1 a and 1 1 b, arranged from and other side faces of the housing 3. The vertical elements can be set in motion by means of worm 46a actuated by motors 12a, and driving the vertical elements in a translational movement along the Y axis. vertical lines 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 worm 46b can be used to drive the horizontal element in a translation movement along an axis Z.

[092] 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 maintenance 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 device of interview 16 in the space. The maintenance device comprises at least one functional part which is described below. [093] 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 therefore the maintenance device 16. Then, the mechanical module 15 allows to orient the maintenance device in any orientation in space.

[094] Thus, the combination of setting in motion described above allows the maintenance device 16 to have access to the entire interior of the housing 3.

[095] Alternatively, it can be provided that the shoe 2 is also movable. For example, the shoe is placed and fixed on a moving plane that allows to orient and position the shoe 2 in the controller 1. In this case, the maintenance 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 maintenance device. However, the maintenance device remains able to move in order to understand the different tools needed to implement the treatment. It is also possible that the maintenance device 16 is mobile during the treatment. For example, the maintenance device 1 6 is positioned in the space and the moving plane orients the shoe.

[096] For example, when the maintenance device 16 treats the front of the boot, which corresponds to the POS position 1 of FIG. 16, the horizontal element 10b is positioned slightly recessed with respect to the boot according to FIG. Y axis, and the carriage 14 is also set back from the place to be treated. This is due to the offset between the functional part of the maintenance device and the carriage 14. This offset serves for example to reach more difficult areas of access. [097] To reach the POS2 position, the horizontal element 10b has made a translation along the Y axis to approach the carriage of the area to be treated. Then, it is observed that the mechanical module 15 has oriented the maintenance device 16 so that it faces the shoe 2.

[098] The position POS 4 illustrates a treatment of the back of the shoe 2, which is one of the most difficult to access areas. 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 maintenance device 16 is the same way.

[099] Viewed from above, as shown in Figure 16, the maintenance 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 maintenance device 16 during a treatment, shows that the maintenance 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 maintenance 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 maintenance 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 portion of the maintenance 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 maintenance device 16 also has access to the back of the shoe. Thus, the maintenance device 16 is able to perform a homogeneous treatment on the entire shoe 2 to maintain.

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

The recognition device 17 comprises for example a probe. This device is illustrated very schematically in Figure 6. The recognition device is adapted to reproduce a 3D digital model of the shoe 2 inserted into the shoe tree 6. As described above, the guide head 13 runs through the 2. The recognition device 17 then constitutes a cloud of points representing the entire surface of the shoe 2. This cloud of points, which forms in fact the 3D digital model of the shoe 2, is stored in the memory 24. The 3D digital model is used during certain stages of the maintenance of the shoe 2, which allows to adapt the treatment to the shoe type 2. This serves in particular to guide the maintenance device 16 on the surface of the shoe 2. The 3D digital model of the shoe 2 can be stored in the memory 24 after the interview.

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

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the automaton 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. , at the nozzle of pressurized cleaning milk 20 as well as at the orifice 9 of the deployable elements 8. Pressure sensors 29 are for example arranged on each distribution line 30 of compressed air. 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 maintenance device 16 also comprises a mechanical element 22 in intimate contact with a connection interface 18, adapted to be secured to a maintenance utensil 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. A 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 interface connection, and a lower portion made of a material capable of performing a treatment. The material is, for example, cotton chamoisine, gum, etc.

Each maintenance utensil 21 intervenes for a specific step of the treatment of the shoe 2. In order to perform a complete maintenance of the shoe 2, a plurality of processing steps can be performed. The automaton 1 is also able to adapt the treatment according to the type of shoe 2 to be maintained. The user has the opportunity to inform his shoe and their characteristics, including the color of the shoe. This data can then be stored in the memory 24. The user interface 31 can also propose different types of treatments between a complete mode comprising the treatment steps of:

brushing,

- exposure,

application of a cream of waxing,

polishing,

application of a polish,

removing the shoe from the shoe tree,

or a personalized 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 relating to the shoe, but also according to the 3D digital model performed by the shape recognition device 17. [01 10] In the remainder of the description, the step of applying the polishing cream may equally well be called a "feeding step" or "feeding step". In the rest of the description, the step of applying the polishing paste is called "icing step" or "glazing".

[01 1 1] In the remainder of the description, the term "treatment" is used interchangeably to mean a treatment comprising a treatment step or a treatment comprising several treatment steps,

[01 12] The memory 24 also keeps the history of the treatments applied to each recorded shoe. Thus, the automaton 1 is able to propose alone which treatment (s) to apply to the shoe 2 according to the history.

[01 13] The user interface 31 may, in a variant, be connected wirelessly to the controller, 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 controller 1 can be removed. [01 14] In order to carry out the treatments, the maintenance 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 magazine 7 in which is stored the utensil 21 to enter. Each utensil 21 retains the same location in the storage magazine 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 rested, 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 maintenance device 16 around the shoe 2, so that each part of the shoe 2 is accessible for the maintenance 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 set in motion according to a treatment movement with respect to a fixed base 47 of the treatment device. For example, the utensil 21 rotates or translates circularly. At the same time, provision can also be made for the position and orientation of the maintenance device 16 to be modified, so that the utensil 21 set in motion by the mechanical element 22 never remains in contact with the machine for a long time. same outer surface of the shoe 2. 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 maintenance device 16 to a translational movement which reproduces the action of a human hand rubbing the leather during the maintenance 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 Figure 7a and brushing with a radial brush is shown in Figure 7b. For example, the type of brush 32 is a scraper or a chamoisine. During the brushing, the pressurized air nozzle 19 projects pressurized air onto the shoe 2 in order to facilitate the detachment of the dirt from the leather of the shoe 2. [0121] For the treatment of exposing, a For example, a chamoisine skirt 33a is placed on the shoe, the utensil used for exposing being an axial brush 33b, or a rubber pad, other than the brush 32 used for brushing, as illustrated 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 Figure 8b, the utensil 21 used for the exposure is a module 33b comprising a first 35a of 35c clean textile roll, 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 cloth roll 35a is wound on the second roll 35b of dirty fabric during processing. The textile 35c is for example chamoisine. The module 33b is driven in a circular translation movement by the mechanical element 22.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 8c, the utensil 21 used for the exposure is an axial brush 34a or a rubber buffer, the maintenance device further comprising a second mechanical element 34b secured to a disk 34c covered with a textile skirt 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 exposed, the pressure cleaning milk nozzle 20 delivers cleaning milk pressurized and heated.

In a variant shown in Figure 8d, the utensil 21 used for the exposure is a drum 36a. The drum 36a is for example filled with cleaning milk. It is covered with a textile sock 36b which allows the cleaning milk 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 specifically, based on FIG. 8e, the drum 36a comprises a foam envelope 42, comprising orifices 43. The cleaning milk is placed inside the foam envelope 42 at the by means of an inlet port 44. The cleaning milk 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 polishing cream is a capsule 37 filled with wax cream, see Figure 9. The utensil 21 used for the removal of cream residue and for polishing is a brush 38, 45 axial or radial, for example a chamoisine, chosen by the automaton 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. The Figures 10a and 10b respectively illustrate the removal of cream residues with an axial and radial brush. Figures 12a and 12b respectively illustrate the polishing with an axial brush and radial.

The utensil 21 used for the application of the waxing paste is for example a capsule 39 filled with solid wax paste (Figure 1 1). [0128] Reference is now made to FIG. 13. The wax cream capsule 37 and the wax paste capsule 38 comprise a hollow body 37a, 39a, cylindrical, filled respectively with waxing cream or polishing paste. The capsule 37, 39 further comprises at least one orifice 37b, 39b, respectively capable of delivering the polishing cream or the polishing paste and a textile applicator pad 37c, 39c surrounding said orifice. The waxing cream or the waxing 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 polishing paste to its liquefaction temperature. The wax cream capsule and the wax paste capsule are for example placed in the automat by the user.

An example of implementation of the method by the PLC 1 is now described.

First, the user inserts the shoe on the shoe tree 6. It then selects via the user interface 31 the relative characteristics of the shoe if the maintenance has never been done for this shoe. The user can record 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, develops a digital model 3D shoe 2, which can be saved in memory 24. The 3D digital model is used in all or almost all treatments for the maintenance of the shoe 2.

The user interface 31 may for example be a screen on the housing 3 of the controller, or alternatively a mobile application connected to the controller. 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 maintenance 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 wants to maintain and the treatments to apply.

Alternatively, it can be expected that the controller 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 controller 1 makes a complete maintenance 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 which treatments to apply to the shoe 2. The complete mode is described below.

Before the beginning of any treatment, the deployable elements 6d of the shoe 6 are inflated by means of the supply of compressed air 28. The shoe 6 allows to clear the folds of comfort of the leather of the shoe 2 and avoid sagging during the interview. Thus, the deployable elements 6d are inflated until they fill all or almost all of the inside of the shoe 2.

The maintenance 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 maintenance process.

Then the treatment of baring is done to clean the leather thoroughly. Cleansing milk is rubbed on the leather with a chamoisine. 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 denim skirt 33a on the shoe, and a brush 33b will rub the shoe over this denim skirt 33a. At the end of this treatment, the user removes the exposed skirt 3a.

[0140] The exposed skirt, the textile and the sock 33a, 35c, 34d, 36b can trap dirt and the old layer of polish.

Then, the maintenance device 16 applies wax 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 wax cream capsule 37 adapted to the color of the shoe in the automaton before the start of the interview. After a rest period, the excess cream is removed using a brush 38, for example brush-type brush.

By using the wax paste capsule 39a, the maintenance 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 capsule 39 adapted to the color of the shoe in the automaton before the start of maintenance. The polish paste used by the automaton 1 can be solid. Thus, there is provided a resistor 39d which can heat the solid polish to its liquefaction temperature, so that the maintenance device 16 can spread it. After the application of the polishing paste, and after a rest period, the maintenance device 16 shines the shoe 2 with a brush 45, for example of the brush type. polish, by small quick and light gestures.

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

Thus, the controller 1 is able to perform a complete maintenance of a shoe 2, without or almost without human intervention during the process. When maintenance of the shoe by the controller 1 is completed, the user removes the shoe 2 of the shoe tree 6.

Alternatively, it can be expected that the controller 1 comprises two shoe trees 6, arranged side by side. This makes it possible to automatically process two shoes of the same pair, without the user having 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 cleaning product and provided with a textile pad capable of delivering the cleaning product via at least one orifice by the application of a pressure on said maintenance product. An embodiment variant is now described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 23B.

The elements already described with reference to the first embodiment are not described. The same numerical references are used to designate the same element. The figures show an automaton 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 shown in Figure 18, the technical box 5 has a section in the plane (XY) 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 Y axis inside the housing 3. The technical box 5 does not extend from one face to the other of the housing 3, so that a space is kept between the smaller base 5b of the technical box 5 and the opposite face of the housing 3. The two faces 5c of the technical box 5 forming the sides of the trapezoidal section converge towards each other inside the housing 3, from the largest base 5a to the smaller base 5b. Figure 19 is a section of the controller 1 in the plane (ZY). 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 square or 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 Figures 1 and 2.

With reference to FIG. 18, two shoe trees 6 can be fixed to the technical box 5. More precisely, 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 boot is facing a face of the casing 3. The supports 49 can be respectively fixed to 5c faces 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. The supports 49 can be fixed movably on the technical box 5. For example, the supports 49 are respectively movable around an axis of rotation R with respect to the technical box 5. More precisely, 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 casing 3 during the rotation of the support 49. Indeed, the shoes 2 are inserted on the shoe 6, itself fixed at the heel to the free end of the support 49. Thus, the rotational movement of the support 49 inculcates a circular movement to the shoe 2. [0159] Similarly, when rotating 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 controller 1, when the controller 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 controller 1 and a cassette 50. In this embodiment, the controller 1 comprises a gantry 10. In this embodiment, the gantry 10 comprises, for example, four elements of FIG. holding 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 the bottom 4b of the slide 4. The holding elements 48 can hold the rails 1 1 on which the Horizontal element 10b can translate along the Y axis. A carriage 14 is movably mounted on the horizontal element. The carriage 14, the horizontal element 10b and the rails 1 1 have already been described with reference to Figures 1 to 17. Thus, the carriage 14 is adapted to perform a translational movement along the three axes X, Y and Z. In a variant, belts (not shown) are used in place of the worms for translational movement 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 Figure 15 is secured to the carriage 14. The mechanical module 15 secured to the guide head comprises two motors respectively adapted to rotate 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 the rotational movements of the mechanical module 15 make it possible to position the maintenance device 16 at any point in the system. inside the housing 3, and to orient the maintenance device 16 in any direction in space.

The maintenance 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 makes it possible to perform a homogeneous treatment for the whole of the 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 axes X and Z by the two motors of the mechanical module 15 and the setting in motion of the shoe 2 by its 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 according to FIG. Z axis. Thus, a combination of five movements makes it possible to perform a homogeneous treatment of the whole of the shoe 2. The combination of six movements comprises the translation movements of the carriage 14 along the X, Y axes, the movements of rotation along the axes X and Z by the two motors of the mechanical module 15 and 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, polishing or glazing treatments of the shoes 2. The utensils 21 also comprise a cassette 50, adapted to perform at least one stage of the treatment among the exposed, the application of polishing cream and the application of polish. 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 Figures 1 to 17, the brushes 32, 38 are for example stored in the storage magazine 7 and keep there the same location between each treatment. A different brush 32, 38 may be provided to match each shoe color 2. To perform the treatments for which the brushes are used, the maintenance device 16 is set in motion by the guide head 13 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 magazine 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 magazine 7. The cassette 50 is introduced by the user on the connection interface 18 before the start treatment of the shoe 2, or the pair of shoes 2. The connection interface 18 then comprises a fastening system, for example a rail, adapted to receive the cassette 50 and hold it in place on the interface during the treatment. Alternatively, the user places the cassette 50 in a slot provided for this purpose before the start of treatment. For example, the user places the cassette 50 in the storage magazine 7, at the location assigned to the cassette 50. To carry out the processing steps for which the cassette 50 is used, the maintenance device 16 is put into operation. movement 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 magazine 7 in which is stored the cassette 50. The cassette 50 can be secured to the connection interface 18 during the entire treatment of the shoe 2.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 24, the user places the cassette 50 in the housing 56 at the level of the technical box 5. More specifically, the housing 56 may take the form of a recess made on the Trapezoidal upper face of the technical box 5.

According to this embodiment, the housing 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 housing 56 before the start of the treatment. Then, the maintenance 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 towards the housing 56 in which the cassette 50 is stowed. The cassette 50 can be secured to the connection interface 18 during the entire treatment of the boot 2.

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

Before the start of treatment, the user enters the characteristics of the shoes to be treated, including 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 coils 52, 53. The coils 52, 53 may be adjacent to each other. Alternatively, the coils 52, 53 overlap. The coils 52, 53 comprise a take-up spool 52 and a winding reel 53. Before the treatment, a band 54 is wound around the spool 54. The band 54 comprises for example a textile face, and a non-material face. deformable, for example a plasticized face. The textile side of the band 54 is impregnated with at least one product, adapted to perform a treatment of a shoe 2. Thus, the textile side can be soaked with cleansing milk, to effect the exposure of the polishing cream, to perform the feeding and polish paste, to make the glaze. 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 stripping treatment occurs before the infeed treatment that occurs before the glaze treatment. Thus, if the cassette 50 is adapted to perform the three treatments, a first portion of the textile face is soaked with cleansing milk, a second portion of the textile side is soaked with polish and a final portion of the textile side is soaked of polish. 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. The presser 55 protrudes out of the envelope 51. Presser 55 includes an application surface 55a of the product. When processing a shoe 2, the band 54 wound on the take-up roll 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 face soaked with product, pressed by the application surface 55a, is directly in contact with a shoe 2. As the treatment, the band 54 is wound on the winding reel 53. In this way, all or the products soaking the textile side of the band 54 is applied on shoe 2. [0180] 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 boot 2.

For example, during the brushing and polishing 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 throughout the treatment, as shown in Figure 20. The cassette 50 is oriented so as not to be in contact with the shoe 2.

During the treatments performed 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 boot 2, as shown in FIG. 21.

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

The cassette 50 can be connected to a motor revolution counter of the connection interface 18. The length of the strip 54 taking place at each motor revolution is known, as is the length of each impregnated portion of the product. . Thus, if at the end of treatment, that is to say when the product has been applied to the whole of the shoe, it is determined that there remains a portion of band 54 impregnated with the textile used to make the treatment , the band 54 is wound on the reel 53 until a soaked portion of the product for the next treatment is at the application surface 55a of the presser 55. The module The mechanical axis 15 orients the application surface 55a perpendicularly and against a surface of the shoe 2. [0185] FIG. 22 illustrates the automaton 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 housing 3. The mechanical module 15 orients the cassette 50 so that it is accessible to the user so that he can recover. The user also has access to his shoes 2. [0186] 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. 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 maintenance devices 16 are provided.

Figures 18 to 22 illustrate an embodiment in which a pair of shoes is processed by the controller 1. It is understood that the controller 1 can also be provided to perform the treatment of a shoe only.

PLC references 1 first roll recognition device 35a shoe 2 form 17 second roll 35b housing 3 50 interface connection 18 textile 35c

drawer 4 pressurized air nozzle 19 75 brush 35d

front 4a cleaning drum nozzle 36a

bottom of drawer 4b pressure 20 sock 36b

technical box 5 utensil 21 capsule 37, 39

shoe tree 6 55 mechanical element 22 brush 38

shoe support 6a processor 23 80 hollow body 37a, 39a articulation 6b memory 24 orifice 37b, 39b

partition 6c heater 25, 26 buffer 37c, 39c

deployable element 6d air compressor 27 resistance 39d

storage bin 7 60 reserve of compressed air 28 supply of cleaning milk 40 support 8 pressure sensor 29 85 valve 41

orifice 9 dispensing line 30 foam envelope 42 gantry 10 user interface 31 orifices 43

pillar 10a brush 32 filling port 44 horizontal element 10b 65 textile skirt 33a brush 45

rail 1 1 brush 33b 90 worm 46

motor 12 brush 34a base 47

guiding head 13 mechanical element 34b holding elements 48 trolley 14 disc 34c support 49

mechanical modulated 15 70 skirt 34d cassette 50 plastic shell 51 maintenance device 16 module 35 95 roll-down coil 52 coiling coil 53 presser 55 web 54 5 housing 56

Claims

claims

Apparatus (1) for maintaining a boot (2) comprising a shoe support (6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) and a guiding head (13) secured to a maintenance device (16) adapted to performing a maintenance treatment of a shoe (2), characterized in that

the maintenance device (16) can be positioned at any point and oriented in any orientation of a space of the automaton (1) relative to the shoe support (2).

Controller (1) according to claim 1 wherein the guide head (13) is adapted to actuate the maintenance 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 along three axes X, Y and Z.

Controller (1) according to claim 2, wherein a functional portion of the maintenance device (16) adapted to cooperate with the shoe (2) to be treated is offset from the carriage (14) regardless of the orientation of said device interview (16) in space.

Controller (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a support (49) of the shoe support (6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (R ).

Controller (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the orientation of a surface of a functional portion of the maintenance device (16) is normal to a surface facing the shoe (2) to be treated during the treatment of the shoe to treat it.

An automaton (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shoe support (6) is a first shoe support (6), the automaton (1) comprising a second shoe support (6), the automaton (1) being characterized in that it is adapted to perform a maintenance treatment of two shoes (2).

Method for the maintenance of at least one shoe (2) implemented by an automaton (1) in which a maintenance device (16) secured to a guide head (13) is capable of carrying out a maintenance treatment at least one shoe (2),

characterized in that the maintenance device (16) is positioned at any point and is oriented in any direction of a space of the automaton (1) relative to a shoe support (2) during the treatment .

A method according to claim 7, wherein a user selects a maintenance mode comprising at least one treatment step of the shoe (2) to be processed via a user interface (31), among a brushing,

a laying bare,

an application of a cream of waxing,

an application of a polishing paste,

a polish, each treatment being made from a 3D digital model of the shoe (2) to be treated made before a first treatment. 9. Method according to one of claims 7 to 8, wherein, for at least one processing step, the guide device (13) guides a connection interface (18) of the maintenance device (16) to a storage utensil (21) for securing 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 maintenance device (16) to said storage to disengage said utensil (21) from the interface connection (18).

Cassette (50) for maintaining a shoe (2), comprising:

an envelope (51),

a first coil (52)

a second coil (53),

a strip (54), said strip being impregnated with at least one product adapted for treatment of a shoe (2), said strip being wound on the first spool (52),

- A presser (55) adapted to deliver said product soaking the band (54) during the treatment.

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

12. Cassette (50) according to one of claims 10 to 1 1, wherein the strip is soaked with at least two products, and preferably at least three products, each product being adapted to perform a step respectively d a treatment of the shoe (2) to be treated.

Set comprising:

an automaton (1) as described in claims 1 to 8, and

a cassette (50) as described in claims 10 to 12.

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

15. Assembly according to one of claims 13 and 14, wherein the cassette (50) is adapted to apply products on a surface of the shoe (2) to be treated, respectively for the stripping steps, of application of wax cream and application of polish.