METHOD OF COUNTERFORMING BLANK FOR SHOE UPPER Russian patent published in 1994 - IPC

FIELD: shoemaking. SUBSTANCE: blank for shoe upper is placed on the last which sole has insole fixed to it for drafting the upper around the bottom edge of the sole and deforming the flat counter of the upper. The bottom counter edge is flanged out relative to the insole feather and made of a reinforced thermoplastic material, the latter being applied by heating to a higher temperature and at a lower temperature taking the fixed form characteristic of the last. Each surface of the material has a thermoplastic adhesive layer. The upper placed on the last is preheated before the last with the upper put on it is set on a spindle. The lasting upper edge is clamped in its cap so as to draft the preheated upper in its cap for achieving a total draft of its heel together with its counter around the last heel. A clamp punch is set on the upper heel and counter so that a uniform pressure is applied to the upper heel and the last sole. As the preheated upper and counter are in a tight contact with the last the block is pressed to the latter. The warmed up counter is smoothed out by rolls and the upper is glued to the counter to form a block of a multilayer structure. The block is cooled so that the upper heel and counter can take a rigid form identical to that of the last heel. For a final shaping the upper heel and counter, increased specific pressure is applied to the lasting edge of the upper and to the operative member mounted to contact the latter. The pressure is sufficient so as to minimize plastic deformation of counter and upper material and to produce a precise edge for the formed counter and a lasting one for the upper. The increased specific pressure ranges from 25 to 900 lb and approximates 400 lb. EFFECT: higher quality, reduced operation costs. 3 cl, 2 dwg