GB2138711A - Machine for Lasting Heel Seat and Side Portions of Shoes - Google Patents

Abstract

In a combined heel seat and side lasting machine two adhesive-applying nozzles (144) are provided which are movable along opposite sides of a shoe bottom from the backseam region thereof toewardly. For applying adhesive in the heel seat region, the nozzles (144) are each rotatable about an axis of rotation extending heightwise of the shoe bottom through a limited arc, the nozzles also being movable widthwise of the shoe bottom, independently of one another, and lengthwise of the shoe bottom in a common movement. In order to avoid problems arising from moving parts in the adhesive-applying system, each nozzle (144) has a melt chamber (142) associated therewith, and the nozzle and its associated melt chamber are mounted on a support (140) for pivotal movement about said heightwise axis as a unit. For facilitating the mounting of each nozzle and melt chamber, the axis of rotation (158) extends obliquely to the longitudinal centre line of the nozzle and associated melt chamber. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Machine for Lasting Heel Seat and Side Portions of Shoes This invention is concerned with a machine for lasting heel seat and side portions of shoes comprising a shoe support for supporting a shoe comprising an upper on a last and an insole on the last bottom, side lasting instrumentalities by which opposite side portions of a shoe upper can be tensioned on its last and lasting marginal portions thereof can be wiped over and pressed against corresponding marginal portions of the insole, heel seat lasting instrumentalities by which the backpart of the upper can be clamped against its last and lasting marginal portions of the upper in the heel seat region thereof can be wiped over and pressed against corresponding marginal portions of the insole, and adhesiveapplying means operable to apply adhesive between the lasting marginal portions of the upper and corresponding marginal portions of the insole so as to cause such portions to be secured together when pressed as aforesaid, wherein the adhesive-applying means comprises two nozzles, each having an outlet in a side face thereof, said nozzles being arranged to apply adhesive one along each side of the shoe bottom first means for affecting relative movement, lengthwise of the shoe bottom, between the adhesive-applying means and the shoe support, second means for moving the nozzles widthwise of the shoe bottom, between an inner condition, in which they are adjacent one another, and an outer spaced apart condition, and third means for rotating the nozzles each through a limited arc, about an axis extending heightwise of the shoe bottom, between a first end position, in which the outlet thereof faces in a direction extending generally lengthwise of the shoe bottom, and a second end position, in which said outlet faces generally transversely of said direction, and wherein the adhesive-applying means also comprises two melt chambers, one associated with each nozzle.

One such machine is described in UK Patent Specification No. 1463445, in which machine a nozzle is supported, for rotational movement between two end positions, in a nozzle holder, under the action of fluid pressure operated means. For supplying adhesive to the outlet of the nozzle, furthermore, said outlet is connected by passageways through the nozzle body and through the nozzle holder to a melt chamber.

It will be appreciated that, since there is movement between the nozzle and its holder, it is necessary to provide seals in order to prevent leakage of adhesive as it is fed to the nozzle via the passageways. Apart from added cost arising because of the remoteness of the melt chamber from the nozzle and the need to provide appropriate seals, however, there is the problem that in practice, as the seals wear, the risk of leakage increases with consequent detriment to the rotation of the nozzle in the holder.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved heel seat and side lasting machine in which a relatively simple construction is provided for rotating the nozzles as aforesaid, and which avoids the risk of leakage of adhesive.

This object is resolved in accordance with the invention, in a machine as set out in the first paragraph above, in that each nozzle and its associated melt chamber are carried on a support therefor, and each of said supports is mounted for rotation as aforesaid under the action of the third means.

It will be appreciated that, by so arranging the nozzle and its associated melt chamber, no relative rotational movement takes place between the nozzle and its melt chamber, thereby simplifying the overall construction of the adhesive-applying means and at the same time ensuring that the risk of leakage between the melt chamber and its nozzle is minimised.

Conveniently, the axis of rotation of each nozzle support is arranged spaced from the outlet of the nozzle and the nozzle is dimensioned such that the nozzles can be rotated as aforesaid while in their inner condition. By this provision, it will be appreciated, it is possible for the nozzles to be used for the application of adhesive in the heel seat region of a shoe, even in circumstances where the width of the heel seat is such that no significant outward movement of the nozzles under the action of the second means can take place as the nozzles are brought to their second end position under the action of the third means.

Preferably, furthermore, the distance between the axis of rotation of each nozzle and its outlet does not exceed half the width of the heel seat of the smallest shoe in a size range, measured at the point where the nozzles have reached their second end position.

Preferably, each nozzle has a generally Lshaped body, the outlet thereof being arranged at the free end of the base of the L, and the axis being disposed adajcent the opposite end of said base. By providing a nozzle with such a shaped body, it will be appreciated, a nozzle can more readily enter between the lasting marginal portions of a shoe upper and the corresponding marginal portions of the insole, even where the lasting marginal portions have been flanged over, e.g. in a prior backpart moulding and flanging operation.

Where the nozzle is so shaped, furthermore, preferably the axis of rotation extends obliquely to the stem of the L, and more particuiarly the axis of rotation passes through the nozzle body and the lower end of the stem of the L is cut away, at the side facing away from the base, substantially parallel to the axis. If desired, furthermore, the side, facing away from the base, of the stem of the body may be rounded, the centre of curvature being substantially coincident with the axis of rotation. In this way, the mounting for the nozzle support can be substantially simplified, since the melt chamber can be arranged effectively offset from the axis.

In the machine in accordance with the invention preferably each nozzle is mounted on its associated melt chamber and the nozzle body is made of a material having good heat conductivity, the arrangement being such that the body is maintained at working temperature by heat conducted from the melt chamber. In this way, it is no longer necessary to provide separate heaters for maintaining the nozzle body at a sufficiently high temperature for ensuring that the adhesive, which is conventionally a hot melt adhesive, at the desired temperature. Rather the heat conducted from the melt chamber is sufficient for this purpose.

In using the machine in accordance with the invention, preferably the nozzles are mounted for heightwise movement between an operative position, in which adhesive can be applied thereby to marginal portions of a shoe upper, and an out-of-the-way position, and further the nozzles are disposed in their first end position when brought into their operative position. That is to say, as the nozzles are brought into operative position the outlets thereof face longitudinally.

More specifically, as the nozzles are brought into operative position as aforesaid, they are spaced from the backseam region of the shoe upper, the outlet of each nozzle facing heelwardly, and are then moved heelwardly into engagement with the backseam region of the upper, whereafter, with adhesive supplied thereto, they are caused to apply adhesive to the shoe upper by the operation of the first, second and third means, the arrangement being such that the operation of the second and third means is initiated prior to that of the first means. In this way, the nozzles can be first brought into operative position adjacent a central region of the shoe bottom, and can then be moved into engagement with the lasting marginal portions of the upper, thereby ensuring that the nozzles enter between the lasting marginal portions and corresponding marginal portions of the insole.

In the case of shoes which have previously been backpart moulded and flanged, difficulties may arise in ensuring that the nozzles enter between such lasting marginal portions and the corresponding marginal portions of the insole, and difficulties may also arise in maintaining the nozzles therebetween as the application of adhesive is effected in the region of the heel seat.

To this end, therefore, preferably the second means is fluid pressure operated, and furthermore pressure regulating means is provided whereby a first, higher, pressure is applied to urge the nozzles to their outer condition as the nozzles operate in the heel seat region, and a second, lower, pressure is then applied as the nozzles operate along the side portions of the upper.

In the machine in accordance with the invention the adhesive-applying means also comprises an insole-engaging member which serves to determine the heightwise position of the nozzles in relation to the insole, means being provided for varying the heightwise relationship between the nozzles and said member. Further to ensure reliability in the movement of the nozzles between the lasting marginal portions of the upper and corresponding marginal portions of the insole, conveniently the nozzles are supported in a lowered condition relative to said member when first brought into their operative position and are thereafter raised from said condition as they approach the heel breast line region of the upper.

There now follows a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of one machine in accordance with the invention, which machine has been selected for description merely by way of exemnlification of the invention and not by way of limitation thereof.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a fragmentary front view of the machine in accordance with the invention, showing details of the adhesive-applying means thereof; and Figure 2 is a side view of the part shown in Figure 1.

The machine in accordance with the invention now to be described is a combined heel seat and side lasting machine which is generally similar, except as hereinafter described, to the machine described in our UK Patent No. 2047577. In order to facilitate an understanding of the present invention, therefore, reference will be made to certain details of said machine and for convenience reference numerals used in the aforementioned patent will be indicated in brackets where no equivalent feature is to be found in the drawings of the present application.

The machine in accordance with the invention thus comprises a shoe support (10) for supporting, bottom uppermost, a shoe comprising an upper on a last with an insole on the last bottom, heel seat wiping instrumentalities including heel seat wipers (12) and a heel band (14), and two side lasting assemblies (16) arranged forwardly of the heel seat lasting instrumentalities, including heel seat wipers (12) and a heel band (14), and two side lasting assemblies (1 6) arranged forwardly of the heel seat lasting instrumentalities, one at either side of the shoe support (10).The machine also comprises a holddown (18) against which a shoe placed on the shoe support (10) can be positioned heightwise when the shoe support (10) is moved from a loading position to an operative position, the heel band (14) serving at the same time to position the shoe lengthwise of the machine.

The machine in accordance with the invention also comprises adhesive-applying means including a main carrier 20 mounted for pivotal movement about an axis (22) extending widthwise of the machine under the action of a piston-and-cylinder arrangement (not shown). In addition, the carrier 20 is movable fore-and-aft of the machine along slides (24) fixed on the machine frame, under the action of a piston-and cylinder arrangement (26). Mounted on the carrier 20 is an upstanding bracket (122) at an upper end of which are carried two pivot pins 124, arranged side-by-side. On each pin 124 is mounted for pivotal movement a plate member 126. The right hand plate member (see Figure 1) carries at its upper end a cylinder 128 of a piston-and-cylinder arrangement, the piston rod 1 30 of which is connected to the upper end portion of the left hand plate member 126.The piston-and-cylinder arrangement 128, 130 is thus effective to move upper end portions of the plate member towards and away from one another. Limit screws 1 32 are provided for limiting the movement of the upper ends of the plate members away from one another.

Each plate member 126 support a spindle 134 mounted on brackets 1 36 carried by the plate member 126. Each spindle 134 has secured thereto, by means of lugs 138, a nozzle support 140 in the form of a plate, and there is mounted on each nozzle support 140 a melt chamber 142 to the lower end of which is secured a nozzle 144.

The melt chamber may be of any desired construction which is suitable for rendering flowable hot melt adhesive fed thereto in solid form, e.g. rod form.

For rotating each nozzle support 140 about its spindle 134, a cylinder 1 46 of a piston-andcylinder arrangement is carried on a further spindle 148 supported between two lugs 1 50 carried at the rear of the plate 126, and the piston rod 1 52 of the said piston-and-cylinder arrangement is pivotally connected to a lug 1 54 on the nozzle support 140. Thus, by extending the piston rod 152, the nozzle support 140 is caused to rotate about the axis of the spindle 1 34, the cylinder 146 of said arrangement 146, 1 52 at the same time pivoting about the axis of the spindle 148.

The piston-and-cyclinder arrangements (26), 128, 130 and 146,152 respectively constitute first, second and third means of the machine in accordance with the invention.

It will be seen from Figure 2 that each nozzle 144 has a generally L-shaped body, having an outlet 1 56 at the free end of the base of the L. It will also be observed from Figure 2 that the stem of the L-shaped body, when viewed from the side of the L, extends obliquely, at an angle of some 150, to the axis of the spindle 134, that is to say to the axis of rotation of the nozzle. This axis is identified by 1 58. Furthermore, the rear face 1 60 of the L is cut away at an angle, for purposes to be described hereinafter.In addition, said face 1 60 is rounded, providing a part-frusto-conical surface portion the centre of curvature of which is coincident with the axis 1 58. As will be seen from Figure 1, on the other hand, the axis 158, extends along a longitudinal centre line of the nozzle 144 and melt chamber 142, when viewed from the rear of the L, and, when viewed from that direction, the axis 1 58 is inclined, again at an angle of some 150, to the vertical. Furthermore, in order to enable the two nozzles to lie closely adjacent when in their inner condition, to which they are moved under the action of piston-andcylinder arrangement 128, 130, side surfaces 1 62 thereof are cut away, as seen in Figure 1.

The machine in accordance with the invention also comprises an insole-engaging member in the form of a skid 1 64 which is supported on the front of the upstanding bracket 122. More specifically, the bracket 1 22 has, mounted thereon, a further bracket 1 66 supporting a cylinder 1 68 of a piston-and-cylinder arrangement, the piston rod 1 70 of which carries at its lower end a support arm 1 72 on which the skid 1 64 is secured.The arm 1 72 also has a lug 1 74 at an intermediate position therealong, to which is secured a rod 1 76 carrying two abutments 1 78, 1 80 arranged at opposite sides of the bracket 166, through a clearance hole in which the rod 1 76 passes. For enabling the position of the abutments 1 78, 1 80 to be varied along the length of the rod 176, the rod is threaded. The abutments 1 78, 1 80 serve to limit the stroke of the piston-and-cylinder arrangement 1 68, 1 70, and thus serve to provide limits for the heightwise movement of the skid 164 in relation to the nozzles 144.In this way, effectively the heightwise relationship between the nozzles 144 and the lasting marginal portions of the upper of a shoe being opeated upon can be varied. For guiding the skid 164 along a vertical path, furthermore, two sets of guides 1 82 are secured, at opposite sides of the arm 1 72, in a support block 1 84 therefore secured to the underside of the carrier 20. As will be seen in Figure 2, the block 1 84 is wedge-shaped to accommodate the angle of inclination of the support arm 1 72 for the skid.

Further to accommodate the angle of inclination of the skid 164, the rear face 160 of each nozzle 144 is cut away, as described above.

In the operation of the machine in accordance with the invention, after a shoe has been loaded onto the shoe support (10) and the latter has moved into its operative position, the carrier 20 is lowered towards the shoe support to bring the skid 1 64 into engagement with the insole, with the nozzles 144 at a distance from the backseam region of the shoe. At this time, the nozzles are urged inwardly, under the action of piston-and-cylinder arrangement 128, 130, to an inner position, determined by the settings of the limit screws 132, which are so set that the nozzles 144 are closely adjacent one another; this position of the nozzles, as shown in Figure 1, constitutes an inner condition of the nozzles. Also at this time, the nozzles have been rorated, each about its axis 158, to a first end position in which the outlet 156 thereof faces generally lengthwise of the shoe bottom, more particularly heelwardly.

As in the machine described in the aforementioned UK Patent Specification, furthermore, at this time the carrier is at a position intermediate its most forward and most rearward positon, so as to enable the nozzles reliably to be brought into operative relationship with the shoe bottom, without any risk of trapping the lasting marginal portions of the upper, which could be detrimental when the nozzles are subsequently moved outwardly. Also at this time, the skid 1 64 is raised to its upper position, as determined by engagement of the abutment 178 with the bracket 166, so that the nozzles 144 are in a lowered relationship with the skid and thus are brought more closely to the surrace of the insole.

With the nozzles thus positioned, the carrier 20 is then moved rearwardly under the action of piston-and-cylinder arrangement (26) to a start position, determined by a valve (not shown), actuation of which is effective also to cause the cement flow to be switched on to the nozzles 144 and at the same time to initiate operation of piston-and-cyclinder arrangements 146,162 and 128, 130. Actuation of arrangements 146, 152 causes the nozzles to be rotated about their axes 1 58 from their first end position to a second end position in which the outlets 156 thereof face generally transversely of the shoe bottom and at the same time actuation of the arrangement 128, 130 is effective to ensure that the outlets of the nozzles are maintained in contact with the upstanding lasting margin of the upper during such rotational movement.The amount of movement of the nozzles 144 away from their inner condition will of course be determined according to the size of the shoe being operated upon. To this end it is desirable that the dimensions of the base of the L of each nozzle 144 be so dimensioned that it is not more than half the overall width of the narrowest part of the heel seat of the smallest shoe in a size range to be operated upon using the machine in accordance with the invention. In practice, the distance of the outlet 1 56 from its associated axis of rotation 158 is of the order of 14mm.

Following actuation of piston-and-cylinder arrangements 146, 1 52, the piston-and-cylinder arrangement (26) is then actuated to effect movement of the carrier 20, and thus of the nozzles 144, lengthwise of the shoe bottom, so that the nozzles are caused to move progressively along opposite side portions of the shoe upper from the backseam region thereof toewardly. The nozzles are guided, as they are caused to operate as aforesaid, by the upstanding lasting marginal portions of the upper, suitably backed up by the side lasting instrumentalities (16), the arrangement being such that in the machine in accordance with the invention now being described the nozzles serve to apply adhesive to the upstanding lasting margin of the upper.The Lshape of each nozzle of course serves to enable the nozzles to be inserted between the upstanding lasting margins and the corresponding margins of the insole even where the former has been flanged over, e.g. in a previous backpart moulding and seat flanging operation. Furthermore, in order to ensure that, once lengthwise movement is effected, the nozzles are held beneath any such flange, the pressure applied to the piston-and-cylinder arrangement 128, 130 is at a higher level, controlled by pressure regulated means (not shown), forming part of a fluid pressure control circuit of the machine.As the nozzles thus move toewardly, a valve (not shown) mounted on the carrier 20 is operated by a cam (not shown) supported on a support bar (82) carried by the machine frame, actuation of said valve in this manner causing the pressure regulating means to switch the applied pressure supplied to said arrangement 128, 130 to a lower level; this variation of applied pressure takes place as the nozzles are in the breast line region of the shoe.

At the same time, actuation of said valve is also effective to actuate piston-and-cylinder arrangement 1 68, 1 70 whereby the skid 1 64 is moved downwardly relative to the nozzles 144, which are thus effectively raised in relation to the lasting marginal portions to which adhesive is being applied thereby.

The extent of forward movement of the carrier 20, and thus of the nozzles 144, is determined by a further valve (74) mounted on the carrier 20 for movement therewith and actuated by a cam (78) supported by the support bar (82). A further valve (76) is also provided for shutting off the supply of adhesive to the nozzles 144, said valve (76) being actuated by a further cam (80) mounted on the support bar (82). It will be appreciated that the support bar (82) is adjustable fore-and-aft of the machine according to the length of the shoe being operated upon.A still further valve (not shown) is also provided on the carrier 20 and actuated by a further cam (not shown) mounted on the support bar (82) for raising the skid 1 64 once more, and thereby lowering the nozzles 144 in relation to the shoe bottom, as the nozzles reach the ball region of the shoe bottom whereat the widthwise contour of the shoe bottom may be rounded. It will be appreciated that, with the skid 1 64 engaging a central part of the insole, the heightwise relationship of the nozzles relative to the upstanding lasting margin may become undesirably displaced where such rounding occurs.

When the nozzles reach the limit of their forward movement as aforesaid, actuation of the valve (74) is effective to cause the carrier 20 to be raised to lift the nozzles out of engagement with the shoe bottom, and also to return the carrier rearwardly to its rest condition; this rest condition is determined by engagement of an abutment (90) on the carrier 20 with a piston rod (92) of a piston-and-cylinder arrangement (94) mounted on the frame.

As already described, each nozzle 144 is secured to a lower end of its associated melt chamber 142. Each melt chamber 142 is of course provided with heaters for rendering flowable hot melt adhesive fed thereto in solid form. Conventionally, it is considered necessary also to provide heaters for maintaining the nozzles at a working temperature, so that the adhesive which has been rendered flowable in the melt chamber is maintained in such condition until applied through the nozzle outlet. In the machine in accordance with the invention, however, the need for heaters in the nozzles 144 has been avoided by securing each nozzle to its associated melt chamber directly and at the same time by constructing the nozzle body of a material having good heat conductivity, e.g. aluminium, so that the heat emitted by the melt chamber itself is conducted through the nozzle body by the direct contact therebetween, the amount of heat conducted being sufficient to maintain the nozzle at working temperature.

Claims (12)

1. Machine for lasting heel seat and side portions of shoes comprising: a shoe support for supporting a shoe comprising an upper on a last and an insole on the last bottom, side lasting instrumentalities by which opposite side portions of a shoe upper can be tensioned on its last and lasting marginal portions thereof can be wiped over and pressed against corresonding marginal portions of the insole, heel seat lasting instrumentalities by which the back part of the upper can be clamped against its last and lasting marginal portions of the upper in the heel seat region thereof can be wiped over and pressed against corresponding marginal portions of the insole, and adhesive-applying means operable to apply adhesive between the lasting marginal portions of the upper and corresponding marginal portions of the insole so as to cause such portions to be secured together when pressed as aforesaid, wherein the adhesive-applying means comprises: two nozzles, each having an outlet in a side face thereof, said nozzles being arranged to apply adhesive one along each side of the shoe bottom, first means for effecting relative movement, lengthwise of the shoe bottom, between the adhesive-applying means and the shoe support, second means for moving the nozzles widthwise of the shoe bottom, between an inner condition, in which they are adjacent one another, and an outer spaced apart condition, and third means for rotating the nozzles each through a limited arc, about an axis extending heightwise of the shoe bottom, between a first end position, in which the outlet thereof faces in a direction extending generally lengthwise of the shoe bottom, and a second end position, in which said outlet faces generally transversely of said direction, and wherein the adhesive-applying means also comprises two melt chambers, one associated with each nozzle, the arrangement being such that each nozzle and its associated melt chamber are carried on a support therefor, and each of said supports is mounted for rotation as aforesaid under the action of the third means.

2. Machine according to Claim 1 wherein the axis of rotation of each nozzle support is arranged spaced from the outlet of the nozzle and the nozzle is dimensioned such that the nozzles can be rotated as aforesaid while in their inner condition.

3. Machine according to either one of Claims 1 and 2 wherein each nozzle has a generally Lshaped body, the outlet thereof being arranged at the free end of the base of the L, and the axis being disposed adjacent the opposite end of said base.

4. Machine according to Claim 3 when tied to Claim 2 wherein the axis of rotation extends obliquely to the stem of the L.

5. Machine according to Claim 4 wherein the axis of rotation passes through the nozzle body and the lower end of the stem of the L is cut away, at the side facing away from the base, substantially parallel to the axis.

6. Machine according to any one of Claims 3 to 5 wherein the side, facing away from the base, of the stem of the body is rounded, the centre of curvature being substantially coincident with the axis of rotation.

7. Machine according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein each nozzle is mounted on its associated melt chamber, and wherein the nozzle body is made of a material having good heat conductivity, the arrangement being such that the body is maintained at working temperature by heat conducted from the melt chamber.

8. Machine according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the nozzles are mounted for heightwise movement between an operative position, in which adhesive can be applied thereby to marginal portions of a shoe upper, and an out-of-the-way position, and wherein the nozzles are disposed in their first end position, when brought into their operative position.

9. Machine according to Claim 8 wherein, as the nozzles are brought into operative position as aforesaid, they are spaced from the backseam region of the shoe upper, the outlet of each nozzle facing heelwardly, and are then moved heelwardly into engagement with the backseam region of the upper, whereafter, with adhesive supplied thereto, they are caused to apply adhesive to the shoe upper by the operation of the first, second and third means, the arrangement being such that the operation of the second and third means is initiated prior to that of the first means.

10. Machine according to Claim 9 wherein the second means is fluid pressure operated and wherein pressure regulating means is provided whereby a first, higher, pressure is applied to urge the nozzles to their outer condition as the nozzles operate in the heel seat region, and a second, lower, pressure is then applied as the nozzles operate along the side portions of the upper.

11. Machine according to either one of Claims 9 and 10 wherein the adhesive-applying means also comprises an insole-engaging member which serves to determine the heightwise position of the nozzles in relation to the insole, means being provided for varying the heightwise relationship between the nozzles and said member, the arrangement being such that the nozzles are supported in a lowered condition relative to said member when first brought into their operative position and are raised from said condition as they approach the heel breast line region of the upper.

12. Machine for lasting heel seat and side portions of shoes, constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.