Method and device for separating by tearing off an upper and a sole of a shoe

Abstract

Method and device for separating by tearing off an upper and a sole of a shoe The invention relates to a method for separating by tearing off a sole (12) and an upper (14) of a shoe (10) comprising a step of separating the sole (12) and the upper (14) during which the rear part (14.1) of the upper (14) is connected to a gripping clamp (32) and the sole (12) is connected to a holding tool (24) which comprises picks (42) planted in the sole (12), the separation step consisting of moving the gripping clamp (32) and the holding tool (24) apart by following a tearing path (44) intersecting the direction of the picks (42). The invention also relates to a device for implementing this method of separation by tearing off. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for separating by tearing off an upper and a sole of a shoe

[0001] The present application relates to a method and a device for separating by tearing off an upper and a sole of a shoe.

[0002] In a known manner, a shoe comprises a sole, an upper and a footbed. There are numerous assembly techniques. One of them comprises a first step of assembling the footbed and the upper and then a second step of assembling by gluing the upper / footbed assembly and the sole. Whatever the assembly technique, the different parts of a shoe are assembled in such a way as to form a unit that is difficult to disassemble.

[0003] Generally, the upper is made of a first material, such as leather for example, while the sole comprises an assembly of different components made of different materials.

[0004] To limit the impact on the environment, used or unused shoes must be recycled, in particular by separating the sole from the rest of the shoe.

[0005] To promote the separation of the upper and the sole, document FR3095926 proposes a shoe designed to promote this separation. According to this document, the sole and the upper are connected by heat-deactivatable connections, namely a bonding connection and a sewing connection comprising at least one hot-melt thread. The method for dismantling such a shoe comprises a step of deactivating the connections by heating and a step of manual separation by peeling the sole and the upper.

[0006] Document FR3113816 proposes a shoe which comprises an upper, a sole and a connecting wall secured to the sole and connected to the upper by a degradable connection spaced from the sole.

[0007] In both cases, the shoes are designed to provide a degradable connection between the sole and the upper, which tends to reduce the effort required to separate the upper and the sole.

[0008] The solutions proposed in these two documents are not satisfactory because they tend to weaken the upper / sole assembly, increase the risks of premature damage to the shoe and, ultimately, reduce its lifespan.

[0009] Given these weaknesses and the additional cost of producing shoes that comply with documents FR3095926 and FR3113816, the vast majority of shoes are not designed to anticipate the separation of the upper and the sole. Even if, in the case of assembling the upper and the sole by gluing, it is possible to "soften" the glue by heating the shoe, it is not possible to separate the upper and the sole by simple manual peeling.

[0010] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a method of separating by tearing off a sole and an upper of a shoe, the sole and the upper being connected by a link, the upper having a rear part and a front part.

[0012] According to the invention, the method of separation by tearing comprises a step of separating the sole and the upper during which the rear part of the upper is connected to a gripping clamp and the sole is connected to a holding tool which comprises picks planted in the sole and oriented in one direction. In addition, the separation step consists of separating the gripping clamp and the holding tool by following a tearing trajectory intersecting the direction of the picks.

[0013] This solution makes it possible to separate the sole and the upper of a shoe even if the latter has not been designed in such a way as to facilitate this separation.

[0014] Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description of the invention which follows, a description given by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings, among which:

[0015] [Fig.l] is a representation of a shoe during a heating step illustrating an embodiment of the invention,

[0016] [Fig.2] is a schematic side view of a shoe during a tear-off step illustrating an embodiment of the invention,

[0017] [Fig.3] is a schematic rear view of a shoe during a tear-off step illustrating an embodiment of the invention,

[0018] [Fig.4] shows a clamp at different times during a tearing step illustrating an embodiment of the invention,

[0019] [Fig.5] is a schematic top view of a tear-off separation device of an upper and a sole of a shoe illustrating an embodiment of the invention,

[0020] [Fig.6] is a perspective view from a first viewing angle of a robotic arm equipped with a tool holder illustrating an embodiment of the invention,

[0021] [Fig.7] is a perspective view from a second viewing angle of the robotic arm visible in [Fig.6],

[0022] [Fig.8] is a top view of a tool for holding shoe soles illustrating an embodiment of the invention,

[0023] [Fig.9] is a front view of part of a discharge conveyor dedicated to soles illustrating an embodiment of the invention.

[0024] According to an embodiment visible in Figures 1 to 3, a shoe 10 comprises a sole 12, an upper 14 as well as at least one adhesive connection 16 connecting the upper 14 and the sole 12. In these figures, the shoe is shown in a simplified manner. The shoe 10 may comprise other elements such as a first assembly. The sole 12 is generally made up of different components made of different assembled materials. Regarding the upper 14, it is generally composed of different parts connected by stitching or by adhesive, made of the same material or different materials. Whatever the embodiment, the upper 14 comprises a rear part 14.1 located at the rear of the heel of the person wearing the shoe as well as a front part 14.2 opposite the rear part 14.1. The sole 12 comprises a reference plane RF which corresponds to a flat surface on which the sole 12 rests.

[0025] The adhesive bond 16 is generally not designed to facilitate the separation of the upper 14 and the sole 12. However, whatever its embodiment, this adhesive bond 16 may be weakened when the shoe 10 is heated to a temperature above 100°C for a few minutes.

[0026] A method of separating by tearing off an upper 14 and a sole 12 of a shoe 10 comprises a first step of heating the shoe 10 aimed at softening the adhesive bond 16. According to one procedure, during the first heating step, the shoe 10 is kept in an atmosphere having a temperature greater than 100°C, of ​​the order of 130°C, for a few minutes, of the order of 5 to 10 minutes. The duration and the heating temperature are adjusted according to the adhesive bond 16 connecting the sole 12 and the upper 14.

[0027] According to an embodiment visible in Figures 1 and 5, a tear-off separation device comprises a heating system 18 configured to heat the shoe 10 to a given temperature for a given duration. According to one configuration, the heating system 18 comprises a first conveyor 20 as well as a heating tunnel 22 crossed by the conveyor 20. The first conveyor 20 comprises an inlet zone 20.1 located upstream of the heating tunnel 22 as well as an outlet zone 20.2 located downstream of the heating tunnel 22.

[0028] According to one configuration, the heating system 18 comprises at least a first control making it possible to adjust at least one variable among the heating temperature and the heating duration. According to one embodiment, it is possible to adjust the heating temperature, in particular by adjusting the heating temperature of the heating tunnel 22, as well as the heating duration, in particular by adjusting the running speed of the first conveyor 20.

[0029] The adjustment of the heating temperature and the heating time can be manual. This adjustment could be automated by incorporating an identification system shoes, upstream of the heating system 18, configured to identify each shoe and determine the heating temperature and the heating duration based on the identified shoe.

[0030] The method of separation by tearing comprises a step of holding the sole 12. For this purpose, the device for separation by tearing comprises a holding tool 24 configured to hold each shoe 10 by holding its sole 12.

[0031] According to one operating mode, each shoe 10 is gripped after the first heating step and then placed on the holding tool 24.

[0032] To move each shoe 10 from the heating system 18 to the holding tool 24, the tear-off separation device comprises at least one poly-articulated arm 26 which has a stationary base 26.1 and a head 26.2 movable relative to the base 26.1 as well as at least one first tool 28 connected to the head 26.2 and configured to grip each shoe 10.

[0033] According to a configuration visible in figures 6 and 7, the tearing separation device comprises a tool holder 30 connecting the first tool 28 to the head 26.2.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the first tool 28 comprises a gripping clamp 32 adapted to grip the rear portion 14.1 of the upper 14 of a shoe. The gripping clamp 32 comprises two jaws 32.1, 32.2, at least one of which is movable relative to the other between a close position in which the gripping clamp 32 firmly holds the rear portion 14.1 of an upper 14 and a separated position in which the rear portion 14.1 of an upper 14 can be positioned between the two jaws 32.1, 32.2 of the gripping clamp 32 or released. When a shoe 10 is gripped by a gripping clamp 32, one of the jaws 32.1, 32.2 is positioned inside the upper 14 (at the location intended to receive a heel), the other jaw 32.1, 32.2 being positioned outside the upper 14.

[0035] According to a configuration visible in [Fig.6], each jaw 32.1, 32.2 comprises a face F32.1, F32.2 facing the other jaw. This face F32.1, F32.2 is ribbed to increase the adhesion between the gripping pliers 32 and the rod 14.

[0036] According to an arrangement visible in [Fig. 6], the tool holder 30 supports two gripping clamps 32, 32' for moving two shoes simultaneously. The two gripping clamps 32, 32' are connected to the tool holder 30 in a rigid manner and are immobile relative to each other or at least one of them can move relative to the tool holder 30 so as to be able to adjust the position of the gripping clamps 32, 32' relative to each other.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the tear-off separation device comprises at least one vision system (camera, profilometer or other) for viewing each shoe positioned at the outlet of the heating system 18 as well as a system of control. The latter is configured to control the polyarticulated arm 26 in order to correctly position the first tool 28 relative to the shoe 10 to be gripped as well as the first tool 28 so that it grips or releases the shoe 10.

[0038] The holding tool 24 comprises at least one vice 34 configured to firmly hold the sole 12 of a shoe 10.

[0039] According to one arrangement, the holding tool 24 comprises two vices 34, 34' to increase the rate.

[0040] Each vice 34, 34' comprises first and second jaws 36.1, 36.2, at least one of the first and second jaws 36.1, 36.2 being movable relative to the other between a close position in which the jaws 36.1, 36.2 firmly hold the sole 12 of a shoe 10 and a separated position in which the jaws allow the fitting of a sole 12 or its removal.

[0041] Each vice 34, 34' comprises a substantially horizontal base 38 as well as slides 40 connecting each jaw 36.1, 36.2 to the base 38.

[0042] According to one configuration, the first and second jaws 36.1, 36.2 are driven by a translational movement parallel to a direction of movement and move simultaneously from the close position to the separated position and vice versa. The holding tool 24 comprises actuators for controlling the movement of each jaw 36.1, 36.2.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the first and second jaws 36.1, 36.2 respectively have first and second holding faces F36.1, F36.2 facing each other, substantially vertical and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the first and second jaws 36.1, 36.2.

[0044] According to an important feature of the invention, each of the first and second jaws 36.1, 36.2 comprises at least one spike 42 configured to be planted in the sole 12 when the first and second jaws 36.1, 36.2 are in the close position. Each spike is substantially parallel to the direction of movement.

[0045] According to one embodiment, each spike 42 has a cylindrical body with a diameter of between 2 and 6 mm and extends between a first end connected to the first or second jaw 36.1, 36.2 and a second pointed end. Each spike 42 has a length (distance between the first and second ends) of between 10 and 60 mm. Each jaw 36.1, 36.2 comprises several spikes 42, for example from 3 to 5 spikes 42.

[0046] According to one arrangement, each jaw 36.1, 36.2 comprises several peaks 42 positioned at the level of the holding faces F36.1, F36.2, substantially perpendicular to the latter.

[0047] The vice 34 is configured so that the travel of the first and second jaws 36.1, 36.2 between the close and separated positions is sufficient so that in position spaced apart, a sole 12 can be positioned between the peaks 42 carried by the first and second jaws 36.1, 36.2.

[0048] In operation, with the first and second jaws 36.1, 36.2 in the spaced apart position, a sole 12 is positioned between the peaks 42 of the jaws. When the first and second jaws 36.1, 36.2 translate to the close position, each peak 42 sinks into the sole 12.

[0049] The presence of the spikes 42 guarantees effective support of the sole 12, allowing a significant tearing force to be exerted.

[0050] Of course, the invention is not limited to this embodiment for the holding tool 24. Whatever the embodiment, the holding tool 24 comprises spikes 42 configured to be planted in the sole 12. The step of holding the sole 12 consists of planting spikes 42 of a holding tool 24 in the sole 12 in order to connect the holding tool 24 and the sole 12. When it is held by the holding tool 24, the reference surface RF of the sole 12 is substantially horizontal.

[0051] When the shoe 10 is moved from the heating system 18 to the holding tool 24, the upper 14 and more particularly its rear part 14.1 are connected to the gripping clamp 32. When the sole 12 is held by the holding tool 24, the upper 14 (and more particularly its rear part 14.1) is always connected to the gripping clamp 32.

[0052] The tear-off separation method comprises a tear-off separation step which consists of separating the gripping clamp 32 and the holding tool 24, the sole 12 being connected to the holding tool 24 and the rod 14 to the gripping clamp 32.

[0053] According to one operating mode, during the tearing separation step, the gripping clamp 32 follows a tearing trajectory 44 comprising at least one component perpendicular to the reference plane RF and deviating from the reference plane RF as well as at least one component parallel to the reference plane RF and oriented towards the front part 14.2 of the rod 14, as illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0054] According to a particular kinematics visible in [Fig. 4], at the start of the tearing trajectory 44, the gripping clamp 32 is slightly inclined towards the front part 14.2 of the rod 14 by a first angle of the order of a few degrees. Following this, the tearing trajectory 44 comprises a first section 44.1 parallel to the reference plane RF and oriented towards the front part 14.2 of the rod 14. After this first section 44.1, the gripping clamp 32 is inclined towards the front part 14.2 of the rod 14 by a second angle greater than the first angle, of the order of 30°. Following this, the tearing trajectory 44 comprises a second section 44.2 perpendicular to the reference plane RF and moving away from the latter. After this second section 44.2, the gripping clamp 32 is inclined towards the front part 14.2 of the rod 14 by a second angle greater than the first angle, of the order of 30°. gripping 32 is inclined towards the front part 14.2 of the rod 14 by a third angle greater than the second angle, of the order of 60°. Following, the tearing trajectory 44 comprises a third section 44.3 comprising a component parallel to the reference plane RF, oriented towards the front part 14.2 of the rod 14, and a component perpendicular to the reference plane RF and moving away from the latter. Thus, the gripping clamp 32 is inclined by an angle which increases during the tearing trajectory 44, in particular after at least one section among the first and second sections 44.1, 44.2.

[0055] At the end of this tearing trajectory 44, the rod 14 is separated from the sole 12.

[0056] Of course, the invention is not limited to this kinematics for the tearing trajectory 44. Whatever the embodiment, the picks 42 are oriented in one direction and the tearing trajectory 44 comprises at least one component, intersecting with the direction of the picks 42, which tends to separate the gripping pliers 32 and the holding tool 24.

[0057] After the tearing step, the tearing separation method comprises a step of removing the upper 14 and / or the sole 12.

[0058] The rod 14 separated from the sole 12 and still held by the gripping clamp 32 is moved towards a first evacuation conveyor 46 dedicated to the rods 14.

[0059] During the step of removing the sole 12, the latter, separated from the upper 14, is extracted from the holding tool 24 using a second tool 48 and then moved towards a second removal conveyor 50 dedicated to the soles 12. At the level of this second removal conveyor 50, the soles 12 can be sorted and directed towards different bins 52.1 to 52.3.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the second tool 48 comprises at least one point 54 configured to be planted in the sole 12. According to one arrangement, the second tool 48 comprises several points 54 parallel to each other.

[0061] According to one operating mode, the sole 12 still being held by the holding tool 24, the tip 54 of the second tool 48 is driven into the sole 12. Following this, the first and second jaws 36.1, 36.2 are moved apart so as to release the sole 12, the latter being held immobile by the tip 54. This solution facilitates the removal of the picks 42 from the sole 12.

[0062] The sole 12 held by the tip 54 of the second tool 48 is moved from the holding tool 24 to the second discharge conveyor 50.

[0063] The second tool 48 can be supported by a second robotic arm. According to an embodiment visible in [Fig.7], the first and second tools 28, 48 are carried by the same polyarticulated arm 26. In this case, the tool holder 30 comprises a first face on which the first tool 28 is fixed as well as a second face on which the second tool 48 is fixed.

[0064] According to one operating mode, after the separation of the rod 14 and the sole 12, the rod 14 being held by the first tool 28, the head 26.2 of the polyarticulated arm 26 is tilted so as to orient the second tool 48 towards the sole 12 in order to grip it. According to this operating mode, the sole 12 and the rod 14, separated, are simultaneously moved from the holding tool 24 towards the first and second evacuation conveyors 46, 50.

[0065] To facilitate the separation of the sole 12 and the second tool 48, the tear-off separation device comprises at least one scraper 56 positioned above the second discharge conveyor 50 dedicated to the soles 12 and configured to be positioned between the second tool 48 and the sole 12 supported by the second tool 48. According to one embodiment, the scraper 56 comprises a substantially horizontal plate which extends between first and second edges 56.1, 56.2 which are substantially parallel. According to one configuration, the scraper 56 comprises a slot 58 which extends from the first edge 56.1 towards the second edge 56.2, said slot 58 being distant from the second edge 56.2 and dimensioned so as to accommodate each tip 54 of the second tool 48.

[0066] The step of removing the sole 12 comprises a phase of separating the sole 12 from the second removing tool 48 during which the sole 12 is positioned below the scraper 56 and the removing tool 48 above the scraper 56. In the presence of a slot 58, the tip 54 is positioned in the slot 58. To separate the sole 12 from the removing tool 48, the latter is moved upwards, the sole 12 being held by the scraper 56. When the tip 54 is completely extracted from the sole 12, the latter falls onto the second removing conveyor 50.

[0067] Although described as applied to a bonding connection between the upper 14 and the sole 12, the invention is not limited to this type of connection. The presence of the spikes on the holding tool 24 makes it possible to exert relatively significant forces and to be able to separate by tearing an upper and a sole from a shoe having a non-glued or partially glued connection. Thus, the method can be used for certain sewn shoes (which have a seam at the front of the shoe) or for certain injected shoes. This list is not exhaustive. Depending on these applications, the method may not include any heating step prior to the separation step. When the shoes have a bonding connection, the heating step makes it possible to degrade the glue. When the shoes have a bonded connection with seams, the heating step makes it possible to degrade the glue and the tearing force makes it possible to eliminate the seams.When the shoes are obtained by injection, the heating step allows the materials to soften, which allows the tearing to be carried out.

Claims

Claims

1. A method of separating by tearing off a sole (12) and an upper (14) of a shoe (10), the sole (12) and the upper (14) being connected by a connection (16), the upper (14) having a rear part (14.1) and a front part (14.2); characterized in that the method of separation by tearing comprises a step of separating the sole (12) and the upper (14) during which the rear part (14.1) of the upper (14) is connected to a gripping clamp (32) and the sole (12) is connected to a holding tool (24) which comprises picks (42) planted in the sole (12) and oriented in one direction, each pick (42) having a length of between 10 and 60 mm and in that the separation step consists of separating the gripping clamp (32) and the holding tool (24) by following a tearing trajectory (44) intersecting the direction of the picks (42).

2. Method of separation by tearing according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the tearing trajectory (44) comprises at least one component perpendicular to a reference plane (RF) of the sole (12) and deviating from the latter as well as at least one component parallel to the reference plane (RF) and oriented towards the front part (14.2) of the upper (14).

3. A method of separation by tearing according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the tearing trajectory (44) comprises a first section (44.1) parallel to the reference plane (RF) and oriented towards the front part (14.2) of the rod (14), a second section (44.2) perpendicular to the reference plane (RF) and moving away from the latter, as well as a third section (44.3) comprising a component parallel to the reference plane (RF), oriented towards the front part (14.2) of the rod (14), and a component perpendicular to the reference plane (RF) and moving away from the latter.

4. Method of separation by tearing according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the gripping clamp (32) is inclined towards the front part (14.2) of the rod (14) at an angle which increases during the tearing trajectory (44), in particular after at least one section among the first and second sections (44.1, 44.2).

5. Method of separation by tearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method comprises a step of removing the sole (12) separated from the upper (14) using a tool evacuation (48) comprising at least one point (54) planted in the sole (12).

6. Method of separation by tearing according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the step of removing the sole (12) comprises a phase of separating the sole (12) and the removal tool (48) during which the sole (12) is positioned below a scraper (56) and the removal tool (48) above the scraper (56) then the removal tool (48) is moved upwards, the sole (12) being held by the scraper (56).

7. A method of separation by tearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper (14) and the sole (12) are connected by a bonding connection (16) and in that the method of separation by tearing comprises, prior to the separation step, a step of heating the shoe (10) aimed at softening the bonding connection (16).

8. A tear-off separation device for implementing the tear-off separation method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a holding tool (24) configured to hold at least one sole (12) as well as at least one gripping clamp (32) configured to grip the rear part (14.1) of a rod (14), the gripping clamp (32) being movable to follow a tear-off trajectory (44), the holding tool (24) comprising spikes (42) configured to be planted in the sole (12) and oriented in a direction intersecting with the tear-off trajectory (44), each spike (42) having a length of between 10 and 60 mm.

9. A tear-off separation device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the holding tool (24) comprises at least one vice which comprises first and second jaws (36.1, 36.2), at least one of the first and second jaws (36.1, 36.2) being movable relative to the other and translating in a direction of movement between close and spaced positions, each of the first and second jaws (36.1, 36.2) having at least one peak (42), the direction of movement being substantially parallel to the peak (42).

10. A tear-off separation device according to one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that the gripping pliers (32) comprise two jaws (32.1, 32.2) which have ribbed faces (F32.1, F32.2) facing each other.

11. A tear-off separation device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that it comprises an evacuation tool (48) having at least one point (54) configured to be planted in the sole (12).

12. A tear-off separation device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a scraper (56) positioned above a conveyor (50) and configured to be positioned between the evacuation tool (48) and the sole (12) supported by the evacuation tool (48).

13. A tear-off separation device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the scraper (56) comprises a substantially horizontal plate which extends between first and second edges (56.1, 56.2) and a slot (58) which extends from the first edge (56.1) towards the second edge (56.2), said slot (58) being distant from the second edge (56.2) and dimensioned so as to accommodate each tip (54) of the removal tool (48).

14. A tear-off separation device according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that it comprises at least one polyarticulated arm (26), the gripping clamp (32) and the evacuation tool (48) being carried by the same polyarticulated arm (26).

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