Method for manufacturing footwear, footwear produced using said method, and machine for manufacturing footwear

Abstract

A method for manufacturing an article of footwear, the article of footwear comprising at least one shell, the shape of which is set by external heating, the manufacturing method comprising a reference step in which a first shell is positioned on a last, the first shell comprising at least one at least partially hot-melt or thermoformable material, the last extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and heightwise from a base to a top. The manufacturing method comprises at least one manufacturing step, subsequent to the reference step, the manufacturing step comprising at least one operation of hot-pressing at least a portion of the surface of the first shell arranged on the last.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . Method for manufacturing an article of footwear having at least one shell having a shape set by external heating, the manufacturing method comprising:
 as a reference step, positioning a first shell on a last, the first shell comprising at least one at least partially hot-melt and thermoformable material, the last extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and heightwise from a base to a top; and   following the reference step, at least one manufacturing step comprising at least one operation of hot-pressing at least a portion of a surface of the first shell while the first shell is arranged on the last.   
     
     
         32 . Manufacturing method according to  claim 31 , wherein:
 the first shell comprises yarns linked to one another mechanically.   
     
     
         33 . Manufacturing method according to  claim 31 , wherein:
 the reference step further comprises positioning a second shell on the last, the second shell comprising at least one at least partially hot-melt or thermoformable material; and   the hot pressing operation of the at least one manufacturing step is performed on at least a portion of a surface of the second shell while the second shell is arranged on the last.   
     
     
         34 . Manufacturing method according to  claim 33 , wherein:
 the second shell comprises yarns linked to one another mechanically.   
     
     
         35 . Manufacturing method according to  claim 31 , wherein:
 the hot pressing of the at least one manufacturing step causes a change of state and/or adhesion of a portion or an entirety of a constituent material of the at least one shell.   
     
     
         36 . Manufacturing method according to  claim 31 , wherein:
 the reference step further comprises positioning a reinforcing structure on the last.   
     
     
         37 . Manufacturing method according to  claim 31 , wherein:
 the at least one manufacturing step comprises two operations of hot-pressing at least a portion of the surface of the last.   
     
     
         38 . Manufacturing method according to  claim 31 , wherein:
 the at least one manufacturing step comprises an operation of hot-pressing the rear end of the last, and an operation of hot-pressing the front end and top of the last.   
     
     
         39 . Manufacturing method according to  claim 31 , wherein:
 the at least one manufacturing step comprises an operation of hot-pressing the lateral side of the last, and an operation of hot-pressing the medial side of the last.   
     
     
         40 . Manufacturing method according of  claim 31 , wherein:
 the at least one manufacturing step comprises an operation of hot-pressing the base of the last, and an operation of holding the top of the last.   
     
     
         41 . Manufacturing method according to  claim 31 , wherein:
 the at least one operation of hot-pressing of at least one manufacturing step comprises at least one manufacturing step further comprises:
 a first manufacturing step comprising an operation of hot-pressing the rear end of the last, and an operation of hot-pressing the front end and top of the last; 
 a second manufacturing step comprising an operation of hot-pressing the lateral side of the last, and an operation of hot-pressing the medial side of the last; and 
 a third manufacturing step comprising an operation of hot-pressing the base of the last, and an operation of holding the top of the last. 
   
     
     
         42 . Manufacturing method according to  claim 37 , wherein:
 for each manufacturing step, the two operations of hot-pressing at least a portion of the surface of the last are performed simultaneously.   
     
     
         43 . Manufacturing method according to  claim 31 , wherein:
 the at least one manufacturing step comprises at least one operation of holding the last.   
     
     
         44 . Manufacturing method according to  claim 31 , wherein:
 the at least one operation of hot-pressing is exerted by a head having an elastically deformable portion.   
     
     
         45 . Manufacturing method according to  claim 44 , wherein:
 the head comprises a container closed by a membrane, the membrane forming the elastically deformable portion, and the container housing a fluid.   
     
     
         46 . Manufacturing method according to  claim 45 , wherein:
 the membrane has a convex active surface.   
     
     
         47 . Article of footwear manufactured by the manufacturing method according to  claim 31 . 
     
     
         48 . Machine for manufacturing an article of footwear, the machine comprising:
 at least one manufacturing station arranged to perform at least one manufacturing operation on a last, the last extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and heightwise from a base to a top, wherein, the manufacturing operation comprises hot-pressing at least a portion of the surface of the last.   
     
     
         49 . Machine according to  claim 48 , wherein:
 the at least one manufacturing station comprises a plurality of stations in a closed path arrangement.   
     
     
         50 . Machine according to  claim 48 , wherein:
 the at least one manufacturing station comprises a manufacturing station arranged to perform an operation of hot-pressing the rear end of the last, and an operation of hot-pressing the front end and top of the last.   
     
     
         51 . Machine according to  claim 48 , wherein:
 the at least one manufacturing station comprises a manufacturing station arranged to perform an operation of hot-pressing the lateral side of the last, and an operation of hot-pressing the medial side of the last.   
     
     
         52 . Machine according to  claim 48 , wherein:
 the at least one manufacturing station comprises a manufacturing station arranged to perform an operation of hot-pressing the base of the last, and an operation of holding the top of the last.   
     
     
         53 . Machine according to  claim 52 , wherein:
 the at least one manufacturing station comprises:
 a first manufacturing station arranged to perform an operation of hot-pressing the rear end of the last, and an operation of hot-pressing the front end and top of the last; 
 a second manufacturing station arranged to perform an operation of hot-pressing the lateral side of the last and an operation of hot-pressing the medial side of the last; and 
 a third manufacturing station arranged to perform an operation of hot-pressing the base of the last and an operation of holding the top of the last. 
   
     
     
         54 . Machine according to  claim 49 , wherein:
 the manufacturing stations are horizontally distributed.   
     
     
         55 . Machine according to  claim 49 , wherein:
 the manufacturing stations are vertically distributed.   
     
     
         56 . Machine according to  claim 48 , further comprising:
 a loading station.   
     
     
         57 . Machine according to  claim 56 , further comprising:
 an unloading station.   
     
     
         58 . Machine according to  claim 48 , wherein:
 each manufacturing station comprises at least one head configured to exert the hot-pressing, the head having an elastically deformable portion.   
     
     
         59 . Machine according to  claim 58 , wherein:
 the head comprises a container closed by a membrane, the membrane forming the elastically deformable portion, the container housing a fluid.   
     
     
         60 . Machine according to  claim 59 , wherein:
 the membrane has a convex active surface.