METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCING A PLASTIC SHOE

Description

[0001] The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of clothing articles.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates in particular to a method and a device for manufacturing plastic shoes.

[0003] More particularly, the invention relates to the manufacture of plastic footwear of the type comprising a textile sock and a thermoplastic layer intended to envelop the textile sock by being molded thereon.

[0004] These shoes are notably called boots, ankle boots or even clogs.

[0005] In a known manner, such plastic shoes are obtained by placing a textile sock on a shoe tree, closing a mold around a lower part of the shoe tree so as to place the textile sock in a molding cavity formed once the mold is closed.

[0006] The plastic material is then injected into the mold to form the shoe. The plastic material then bonds with the textile sock to form a single piece.

[0007] After injection and solidification of the plastic material, the mold is opened to allow the extraction of the formed shoe.

[0008] After extraction of the formed shoe, a step of deburring the shoe is carried out.

[0009] In fact, when closing the mold, part of the textile sock protrudes from the mold.

[0010] The deburring operation therefore consists of removing the excess textile sock which is not attached to the plastic material to obtain a finished shoe.

[0011] This excess textile sock is necessary because it allows the sock to be fixed to the shoe tree.

[0012] However, the deburring operation takes time and results in a loss of material, particularly textile material not bonded to the plastic material.

[0013] Solutions to limit the quantity of material lost have been developed.

[0014] Among these solutions, the one described in the patent document published under number FR 1 163 908 describes a shoe tree integrating suction fluid channels extending along a height of the shoe to be manufactured. JP S52 45438 A relates to the manufacture of shoes.

[0015] When the textile sock is put on the shoe tree, it is sucked in by the fluid channels, which ensures that the sock is held on the shoe tree, and therefore allows the sock to be cut to the size of the shoe to be made.

[0016] This allows for a reduction in material loss compared to known manufacturing techniques.

[0017] However, this technique is not without drawbacks.

[0018] First, the suction of the textile sock can cause uncomfortable shoes.

[0019] This is because the suction of the sock can create a groove in which the plastic material sits, such a groove then creates an internal protrusion of material in the shoe, which can make the shoe uncomfortable to use.

[0020] Second, the presence of fluid channels complicates the shoe tree, making it more expensive and requiring regular maintenance to avoid obstruction of the fluid channels which would prevent shoe manufacturing.

[0021] Third, sock suction requires the use of pumps to create a vacuum in the fluid channels to ensure the suction of the textile sock.

[0022] The use of such pumps then generates significant energy consumption for the manufacture of shoes.

[0023] The invention aims in particular to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0024] More specifically, the invention aims to propose a method for manufacturing plastic shoes, and a manufacturing device which avoid the loss of textile socks while reducing the energy consumption of the manufacturing device.

[0025] The invention also aims to provide such a device which is simple to use, particularly for fixing the textile sock.

[0026] The invention further aims to provide such a device which is simple to manufacture and maintain.

[0027] These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved thanks to the invention which relates to a method of manufacturing a plastic shoe of the type comprising a textile sock taking the form of a sheath having a first blind end and a second open end, and a thermoplastic layer molded on the textile sock, the method comprising a step of fixing the textile sock on a core forming a shoe tree, intended to be housed in a mold defining a molding cavity in the shape of the shoe and a step of molding the thermoplastic layer on the textile sock, characterized in that during the fixing step, the textile sock is secured to the core by its second open end, and in that during the molding step, the second end of the textile sock is located in the molding cavity, and in that the textile sock is secured to the core by bringing the textile sock into contact with a strip of adhesive carried by the core.

[0028] Such a process makes it possible to limit the loss of textile socks while reducing the energy consumption of the manufacturing device.

[0029] Thanks to the attachment of the textile sock to the core by its second end, it is no longer necessary to leave an excess length of textile sock protruding, which must be cut off once the shoe is obtained.

[0030] Furthermore, the machines required to cut excess lengths of textile socks are no longer necessary, which reduces energy consumption for shoe manufacturing.

[0031] In addition, the manufacturing time of the shoes is reduced, benefiting the production rate and the cost price of the shoes.

[0032] By placing the textile sock in contact with the core, it is easier to position the textile sock on the core and the length of the textile sock is limited if necessary.

[0033] Furthermore, this makes it easier to manually place the textile sock on the core by cooperation between the second end of the textile sock and the adhesive strip.

[0034] The invention also relates to a device for manufacturing a plastic shoe of the type comprising a textile sock taking the form of a sheath having a first blind end and a second open end, and a thermoplastic layer molded onto the textile sock, the device comprising: a core forming a shoe tree, intended to carry the textile sock, a mold defining a molding cavity in the imprint of the shoe, the core carrying the textile sock being intended to be received in the molding cavity, characterized in that the core incorporates a strip of adhesive intended to cooperate with the second end of the textile sock, the strip of adhesive being located in the molding cavity when the core is in the molding cavity.

[0035] Such a device is easy to use and allows shoes to be made quickly.

[0036] In fact, by fixing the second end of the textile sock to the adhesive strip, it is quick to correctly position the textile sock on the core while limiting, or even eliminating, the recovery of the shoe after molding.

[0037] This is because the device allows you to limit the size of the textile sock to what is needed.

[0038] Furthermore, this device does not require any particular training compared to existing devices, but on the contrary offers a certain advantage in that it makes it possible to ensure the correct positioning of the textile sock on the core by the cooperation of its second end with the adhesive strip.

[0039] In an advantageous aspect, when the core is received in the molding cavity, the adhesive strip is located adjacent a contour of the molding cavity.

[0040] This allows the textile sock to be held in a part that is most stressed and to ensure its correct positioning in the manufactured shoe, with a view to using the shoe.

[0041] Indeed, by ensuring the correct positioning of the second end of the sock in the shoe, this avoids creating areas in which the thermoplastic layer does not adhere to the textile sock.

[0042] Thus, when using the shoe, particularly when inserting the user's foot, the risks of the textile sock being torn from the thermoplastic layer are limited or even eliminated.

[0043] According to another advantageous aspect, the adhesive strip separates the core into a first portion intended to be covered by the textile sock and a second portion intended to be free of the textile sock, and the core has an annular groove forming a notch, the notch being located in the second portion.

[0044] The recess allows a space to be left between the textile sock and the cavity to form an internal radial projection which defines a lip of thermoplastic material above the textile sock.

[0045] This avoids the risk of the textile sock coming loose when inserting the feet into the shoes.

[0046] According to another advantageous aspect, the annular groove is adjacent to the adhesive strip.

[0047] This positioning of the groove allows the thermoplastic lip to be positioned directly in contact with the second end of the textile sock. The second end of the textile sock, and its connection with the thermoplastic layer, are protected from tearing by the presence of the internal radial projection.

[0048] According to another advantageous aspect, the adhesive strip comprises a plurality of hooks intended to crochet a stitch constituting the textile sock.

[0049] According to another advantageous aspect, the adhesive strip comprises a layer of glue of the repositionable type.

[0050] According to another advantageous aspect, the adhesive strip comprises a non-slip coating layer.

[0051] These different types of adhesive strips allow effective holding of the second end of the sock on the core.

[0052] Furthermore, these different types of adhesive strips can be chosen depending on the material of the textile sock.

[0053] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given as an illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings described below: there figure 1 is a schematic perspective representation of an exploded view of a device for manufacturing a shoe, according to the invention; figure 2 is a sectional representation of a detail of the manufacturing device according to the invention; figure 3 is a schematic perspective representation of a plastic shoe, obtained by the manufacturing device of figures 1 And 2 .

[0054] In reference to the figures 1 And 2, a device 100 for manufacturing a plastic shoe 200, as illustrated by the figure 3 , is now described.

[0055] The plastic shoe 200 is of the type comprising a textile sock 210 taking the form of a sheath having a first blind end 211 and a second open end 212, and a thermoplastic layer 220 molded onto the textile sock 210.

[0056] The 200 shoe, as illustrated by the figure 3 , has a sole 230 and an upper 240 extending from the sole 230.

[0057] The manufacturing device 100 comprises: a core 110 forming a shoe tree, a mold 120 defining a molding cavity.

[0058] More specifically, the core 110 is intended to carry the textile sock 210.

[0059] The mold 120 comprises a first shell 121 and a second shell 122. The two shells 121, 122 are movable relative to each other between an open position in which they are spaced apart from each other and a closed position in which they are joined together and define, between them, the molding cavity.

[0060] Each shell 121, 122 has an imprint 123 intended to form the molding cavity when the two shells 121, 122 are in their closed position.

[0061] According to the embodiment illustrated by the figure 1 , the mold 120 comprises only a first shell 121 and a second shell 122, the first shell 121 and the second shell 122 being movable relative to each other in translation.

[0062] According to an alternative embodiment, the mold 120 can integrate a third shell intended to form the sole 230 of the shoe 200.

[0063] In reference to the figure 2 , when the first shell 121 and the second shell 122 are in their closed position, the core 110 is received in the molding cavity.

[0064] In reference to the figures 1 And 2 , the core 110 incorporates a strip of adhesive 111 intended to cooperate with the textile sock 210.

[0065] As explained below, the adhesive strip 111 is intended to cooperate with the second end 212 of the sock.

[0066] In reference to the figure 2 , the core 110 has a recess 112 intended to house the adhesive strip 111.

[0067] The recess 112 is of the annular type. In other words, the recess 112 extends in a closed contour all around the core 110 and opens onto an external surface 1101 of the core 110.

[0068] The recess 112 is sized so that the adhesive strip 111 is flush with the outer surface 1101 of the core 110.

[0069] The outer surface 1101 of the core 110 is more particularly the surface against which the sock 210 bears.

[0070] Furthermore, as illustrated by the figure 2 , the core 110 has an annular groove 113 forming a notch.

[0071] The adhesive strip 111 thus separates the core between a first portion intended to be covered by the textile sock 210 and a second portion not covered by the textile sock 210.

[0072] The annular groove 113 is located in the second portion.

[0073] In other words, the annular groove 113 is intended to be uncovered by the textile sock 210, that is to say it is intended not to be covered by the textile sock 210.

[0074] More specifically, the annular groove 113 is adjacent to the adhesive strip 111.

[0075] As explained below, when molding the shoe 200, the annular groove 113 only receives the thermoplastic layer 220.

[0076] This then makes it possible to create, in the rod 240, an internal radial projection 241.

[0077] The internal radial projection 241 thus extends towards the inside of the shoe 210.

[0078] More particularly, the internal radial projection 241 forms a lip against which the second end 212 of the textile sock 210 comes to bear.

[0079] According to a first embodiment, the adhesive strip comprises a plurality of hooks intended to crochet a stitch constituting the textile sock 210.

[0080] This first embodiment is also called mechanical adhesive.

[0081] According to a second embodiment, the adhesive strip 111 comprises a layer of glue of the repositionable type.

[0082] According to a third embodiment, the adhesive strip 111 comprises a layer of non-slip coating. The non-slip coating is advantageously chosen to provide good friction with the textile sock 210 depending on the material constituting the thermal sock 210.

[0083] The manufacture of a shoe 200, as just described, is carried out by means of a method comprising a step of fixing the textile sock 210 on the core 110 and a step of molding the thermoplastic layer 220.

[0084] More precisely, the textile sock 210 is threaded onto the core 110 which then forms a shoe tree.

[0085] The textile sock 210 is threaded onto the core 110 until the second open end 212 of the textile sock 210 comes into contact with the adhesive strip 111.

[0086] When the textile sock 210 is secured to the core 110, the core 110 is inserted into the molding cavity of the mold 120.

[0087] For this, the first part 121 and the second shell 122 of the mold 120 are positioned in their closed position, so that their respective imprints 123 define the molding cavity.

[0088] As illustrated by the figure 2 , when the core 110 is located in the molding cavity, the adhesive strip 111 is located in the molding cavity.

[0089] Therefore, the second open end 212 of the textile sock 210 is located in the molding cavity.

[0090] The adhesive strip 111 is then located in the vicinity of the contour of the molding cavity of the mold 120.

[0091] The annular groove 123, in the imprint 113, a shoulder making it possible to create the internal radial projection 241 of the upper 240 of the shoe 200.

[0092] When the core 110 is located in the molding cavity, the thermoplastic layer 220 can be injected into the molding cavity, so as to form the shoe 200.

[0093] When injected into the molding cavity, the thermoplastic layer 220 becomes integral with the textile sock 210.

[0094] After molding, and possibly cooling, the shells 121, 122 of the mold 120 are positioned in their open position and the core 110 is extracted.

[0095] The shoe 200 formed and secured to the core 110 can be removed from the core 110.

[0096] The removal of the formed shoe 200 causes the textile sock 210 to become detached from the adhesive strip 111.

[0097] In reference to the figure 3, when the shoe 200 is manufactured, the textile sock 210 is integral with the thermoplastic layer 220, and the second open end 212 of the textile sock 210 is protected from any tearing of the thermoplastic layer 220 by means of the internal radial projection 241.

[0098] Indeed, when a user inserts his foot into the shoe 200, he cannot remove the textile sock 210.

[0099] In fact, the friction of the foot at the level of the second open end 212 does not occur on the second end 212 due to the presence of the internal radial projection 241.

[0100] This then benefits the lifespan of the shoe 200 since the textile sock 210 remains securely attached to the thermoplastic layer 220 without the risk of being torn off.

[0101] Furthermore, thanks to the adhesive strip 111, the quantity of material of the textile sock 210 is limited to the strict minimum.

[0102] More specifically, it is not necessary to carry out a finishing operation consisting of cutting off a surplus of textile sock 210, unlike known manufacturing methods.

[0103] This avoids wasting material from the textile sock 210.

[0104] In addition, this simplifies the manufacturing of the 200 shoe compared to known solutions since fewer operations are required. As a result, the manufacturing cost is also reduced.

[0105] Although several embodiments of the adhesive strip 111 are described, the latter could be a combination of several embodiments.

[0106] For example, the adhesive strip 111 could be formed from successive sectors each produced according to one of the embodiments previously described.

[0107] Alternatively, the adhesive strip 111 could have a plurality of rings superimposed on one another, each ring being produced according to one of the embodiments previously described.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a plastic shoe (200) of the type comprising a textile sock (210) in the form of a sleeve having a first, blind, end (211) and a second, open, end (212), and a thermoplastic layer (220) moulded over the textile sock (210), the method comprising a step of fastening the textile sock (210) to a core (110) forming a shoetree, intended to be accommodated in a mould (120) defining a moulding cavity having the shape of the shoe (200) and a step of moulding the thermoplastic layer (220) over the textile sock (210), characterised in that, during the fastening step, the textile sock (210) is secured to the core (110) through its second, open, end (212), and in that, during the moulding step, the second end (212) of the textile sock is located in the moulding cavity, and in that the textile sock (210) is secured to the core (110) by contacting the textile sock (210) with an adhesive strip (111) carried by the core (110).

2. The device (100) for manufacturing a plastic shoe (200) of the type comprising a textile sock (210) in the form of a sleeve having a first, blind, end (211) and a second, open, end (212), and a thermoplastic layer (220) moulded over the textile sock (210), the device (100) comprising: - a core (110) forming a shoetree, intended to carry the textile sock (210), - a mould (120) defining a moulding cavity with the imprint of the shoe (200), the core (110) carrying the textile sock (210) being intended to be received in the moulding cavity, characterised in that the core (110) integrates an adhesive strip (111) intended to cooperate with the second end (212) of the textile sock (210), the adhesive strip (111) being located in the moulding cavity when the core (110) is in the moulding cavity.

3. The device (100) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that, when the core (110) is received in the moulding cavity, the adhesive strip (111) is located in the vicinity of a contour of the moulding cavity.

4. The device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the adhesive strip (111) separates the core (110) into a first portion (1102) intended to be covered with the textile sock (210) and a second portion (1103) intended to be devoid of the textile sock (210), and in that the core (110) has an annular groove (113) forming a cut-out, the cut-out being located in the second portion (1103).

5. The device (100) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the annular groove (113) is adjacent to the adhesive strip (111).

6. The device (100) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the adhesive strip (111) comprises a plurality of hooks intended to hook a stitch making up the textile sock (210).

7. The device (100) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the adhesive strip (111) comprises a repositionable-type adhesive layer.

8. The device (100) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the adhesive strip (111) comprises a non-slip coating layer.