Shoe-polishing machine

Abstract

Machine for cleaning at least one shoe ( 2 ) includes at least one seat ( 9 ) for the shoe ( 2 ), a pair of cleaning elements ( 11 ) arranged substantially in correspondence of the seat ( 9 ), driving member ( 10 ) of the cleaning elements ( 11 ) and of the gripping and supporting member ( 34 ) of the shoe ( 2 ) to lock the shoe in the seat ( 9 ); the cleaning elements ( 11 ) are movable around the seat ( 9 ) along a predetermined path (P) so as to target the shoe ( 2 ), in particular the outer surface of the same.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . Machine for cleaning at least one object ( 2 ), said machine comprising at least one supporting seat ( 9 ) for said object ( 2 ), at least one cleaning element ( 11 ) arranged substantially in correspondence of said seat ( 9 ), driving means ( 10 ) of said cleaning element, gripping and supporting means ( 34 ) of said object ( 2 ) to lock said object ( 2 ) in said seat ( 9 ), characterised in that said cleaning element ( 11 ) is movable around said seat ( 9 ) along a predetermined ring-like path (P) so as to affect in particular the outer surface of said object ( 2 ) and in that it further comprises a guide ( 28 ,  29 ) for said cleaning element ( 11 ), arranged along said path (P) and shaped so as to cause said cleaning element ( 11 ) to bend ( 11 ) towards said seat ( 9 ), while said cleaning element ( 11 ) moves along said path (P). 
     
     
         22 . Machine according to  claim 21 , wherein said object ( 2 ) is a shoe. 
     
     
         23 . Machine according to  claim 22 , wherein said predetermined path (P) comprises a first and a second rectilinear portion ( 16 ,  17 ) substantially parallel to a direction (D) of prevailing extension of said machine and at least one curvilinear portion ( 18 ,  19 ) joining said first and second rectilinear portion ( 16 ,  17 ), said guide ( 28 ,  29 ) being positioned above said seat ( 9 ) and extending at least partly according to a direction parallel to said direction (D) of prevailing extension, at least in correspondence of said first and second rectilinear portion ( 16 ,  17 ). 
     
     
         24 . Machine according to  claim 23 , wherein said guide ( 28 ,  29 ) comprises a gliding track ( 32 ) for said cleaning element ( 11 ) formed therein and shaped according to a curvilinear profile ( 33 ) so as to cause said cleaning element ( 11 ) to bend. 
     
     
         25 . Machine according to  claim 24 , wherein said profile ( 33 ) has a differentiated curvature between an entry/exit section ( 33   a ) of said track ( 32 ) and an intermediate section ( 33   b ) of said track ( 32 ). 
     
     
         26 . Machine according to  claim 23 , wherein said guide ( 28 ,  29 ) is inclined with respect to said seat ( 9 ). 
     
     
         27 . Machine according to  claim 21 , further comprising a closing cover ( 8 ) of said seat ( 9 ), movable between a lifted, open position and a lowered, closed position of said seat ( 9 ), said bending means ( 28 ,  29 ,  32 ) being associated with said cover ( 8 ). 
     
     
         28 . Machine according to  claim 27 , wherein said gripping and supporting means ( 34 ) and said cover ( 8 ) define the locking means of said object ( 2 ) in said seat ( 9 ). 
     
     
         29 . Machine according to  claim 28 , wherein said gripping and supporting means ( 34 ) comprise a lower assembly ( 35 ) which may be introduced into said shoe ( 2 ) and an upper element ( 36 ) abutting against said cover ( 8 ), said lower assembly ( 35 ) and said upper element ( 36 ) being mutually movable between a closer position and a spaced away position, at least one elastic element ( 38 ,  41 ) being arranged between said lower assembly ( 35 ) and said upper element ( 36 ) to keep the same in said spaced away position. 
     
     
         30 . Machine according to  claim 21 , further comprising a dispenser ( 47 ) of substances suitable to treat said shoe ( 2 ), said dispenser ( 47 ) being automatically actuated. 
     
     
         31 . Machine according to  claim 29  further comprising a dispenser ( 47 ) of substances suitable to treat said shoe ( 2 ), said dispenser ( 47 ) being automatically actuated, said upper element ( 36 ) having a seat ( 48 ) for housing said dispenser ( 47 ), and said dispenser ( 47 ) being preferably actuated by said cover ( 8 ). 
     
     
         32 . Machine according to  claim 21 , wherein said driving means ( 10 ) comprise a fastening element ( 20 ) of said cleaning element ( 11 ). 
     
     
         33 . Machine according to  claim 21 , wherein said cleaning element ( 11 ) comprises a flexible support ( 24 ) which may be engaged with said driving means ( 10 ), said flexible support ( 24 ) supporting a corresponding cleaning portion ( 25 ). 
     
     
         34 . Machine according to  claim 21 , further comprising drying means ( 55 ) arranged in correspondence of said seat ( 9 ) and operationally active on said shoe ( 2 ). 
     
     
         35 . Machine according to  claim 24 , wherein said guide ( 28 ,  29 ) is inclined with respect to said seat ( 9 ). 
     
     
         36 . Machine according to  claim 25 , wherein said guide ( 28 ,  29 ) is inclined with respect to said seat ( 9 ).