Title of Invention

A METHOD FOR PRODUCING SHOES .

Abstract TITLE: A METHOD FOR PRODUCING SHOES. A method for producing shoes includes the following steps: obtaining an assembly (T,Tl), formed by a shoe upper (2) and an elastic element, fastened to the shoe upper at least along the sections facing the lower edges of the shoe upper central-fore area; obtaining a sole (5), whose size corresponds to the size of the shoe upper, and whose upper surface has fastening means (50), engaging at least the central-fore portion thereof, so that the upper surface defines at least one fore fastening area (Z) and at least one rear fastening area (Z1); mutual fastening the fore fastening area (Z) of the sole (5) to a corresponding fore portion of said assembly, and of the rear fastening area (Z1) of the sole (5) to a corresponding rear portion of the assembly, to obtain a sole - assembly group (W,Wl); introduction of a user's foot into the sole - assembly group (W,Wl), with a subsequent transversal stretching of the elastic element (60) and adapting of the shoe upper (2) to the foot conformation; pre-fastening of the elastic element to the fastening means (50), by pressure of the user's foot onto the elastic element; removal of the user's foot from the sole - assembly group (W,Wl); joining the sole - assembly group (W,Wl), to obtain a shoe. (FIG. – 2ab)
Full Text A METHOD FOR PRODUCING SKOES AND A SHOE OBTAINED BY THIS
METHOD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the technical field
coriterning techniques for producing footwear.
PRIOS ART
The shoes are obtained by joining more parts, more
precisely at least one shoe upper and a relative bottom
(Or sole).
In Order to obtain the so-called assembled shoe, a shoe
upper must be produced, which 15 formed by punched
portions, or punchings, made from e.g. leather, joined
one to another and lined inside, and which sometimes
includes a toe cap for obtaining a stronger fore part of
the shoe, and a counter for strengthening the shoe rear
part.
The parts forming the shoe upper (punchings, lining, toe
cap and counter) are often joined one to another by glue.
It is also necessary to produce an insole, whose size and.
shape match a relative Shoe upper.
The insole is generally mounted on a last, to which it is
fastened by suitable fastening means.
During a next step, a layer of glue is applied to the
edge of the insole, the shoe upper is fitted onto the
last, the shoe upper edge is folded and Kept pressed,
according to known techniques, against the insole
situated below, in order to join the two elements.

After the shoe upper and the insole have been joined, the
shoe upper is made to tightly adhere to the last,
according to systems and technigues known to those expert
in the field.
The so obtained assembly is joined to a relative sole by
stitching and/or fluing.
The shoe upper of this kind of shoe is stretched on a
Last of a prefixed shape and, consequently the shoe upper;
assumes the shape of the last used for its stretching:
the so obtained shops have standard shape of the foot
receiving space.
In case the user has a deformed foot, for example in a
metatarsus-phalange portion, the described shoe is
uncomfortable, because the shoe width and shape cause to
the foot, in the areas, in which it touches the shoe,
skin irritation, pain and sometimes small abrasions.
If the foot deformation is small, the shoe deforms either
only by being used and with all above described
discomforts, or by mechanical instruments which widen the
shoe upper in its rear ares.
If the foot deformation is severe or peculiar, this type
of shoe cannot be worn; thus, it is necessary to obtain a
form of the foot and prepare a "tailored" shoe,
0BJECT_OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to propose a
method for producing shoes, which can be adapted to the
user's foot shape.
Another object of the present invention is to propose a
method for producing shoes, which allows a particularly
comfortable product to be easily obtained.

-3-
A further object of the present inversion is to propose a
method, whose carrying out does not require specialized
staff.
The characteristic features of the present invention will
be better pointed out in the following description of a
prefered embodiment, in accordance with the contents of
the claims and with Help of the enclosed drawings, in
which;
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective and partially exploded view
of those parts which form a shoe obtainable by the
proposed method;
- Figure 2 is a lateral section view of the assembled
psrts of Figure 1 and of an insole;
Figures 2A is a front section view of what is shown in
Figure 2;
Figure 28 is the same section as Figure 2 during a
subsequent aperation step;
Figure 3 is a lateral view of a shoe obtained by the
proposed method;
Figure 4 is a lateral section view, taken along a
longitudinal plane, of what is shown in Figure 3;
Figure 4a is an enlarged view of the particular K of
Figure 4;
- Figure 5 is a perspective and partially exploded view
of the pares, which form the proposed shoe, according.
to a second embodiment;

-4-
Figure 5A is a fronc section view of the assembled
parts of the second embodiment, with a different
fastening of the shoe pacts pointer out;
Figures 6, 1 are front section views of the assembled
pants at the proposed show according to a third
embodiment in two subsequent operation steps;
Figure 7A is an enlarged view of the particular Rl of
Figure 7;
Figure 18 is an enlarged view of the particular H2 of
Figure 7.
DESCRIPTION THE RREEFERREd EMBODIMETS
According to the proposed method for producing a shoe, a
Shoe upper 2 must be obbained by assembling different
parts, for example: an external layer 25 and, if
required, a counter (not shown) joined by stitching to
the rear portian of the external layer; an internal
layer 26, called lining, complementary to the dimensions-
of the external layer 25, and fastened to the inner
surface of the latter, and aimed at internal finishing of
the shoe upper obtained as described above.
Moreover, the proposed shoe can be obtained by the use of
a heel-insole 4, whose shape and size are prefixed, or an
insole, and it is necessary to use a sale 5, whose shape
and size are prefixed in relation to the size of the shoe
to be obtained.
Taking into consideration the parts forming A shoe, an
elastic element 6 is prepared, for example an elastic
strip with a prefixed shape, e.g. similar to the fore
central portion of the sole 5, but slightly smaller than
the latter; otherwise, the elastic strip 6 can have a

-5-
profile similar to the sole 5 profile, but slightly
smaller.
According ta a second embodiment, the elastic element .6
may include a plurality of elestic strips arranged side
by side.
In relation to the dimensions and the shape of the
elastic strip, it is necessary to scratch, a technique
known to those skilled in the art as fleshing, the edge
of the shoe, upper, which is aimed at receiving, fastened
thereto, the elastic strip.
In a first operation step, the elastic strip 6 is placed
over the fleshed area of the shoe upper edge and the
edge C of the elastic strip 6 is fastened, for example by
stitching And/or gluing, to the shoe upper fleshed area,
for example along the sections facing the edges of the
centra1-fore area of the shoe upper 2, to define a
tubular assembly formed by the shoe upper and the elastic
strip 15.
Otherwise, the elastic strip can be fastened to the
peripheral edge of the lower portion of the shoe upper 2,
to define a different shoe upper-stsip assemble, which is
not shown
In the last case, it is possible to fasten the sole the
shoe upper-strip assembly, without fitting the latter
onto a last.
If the elastic strip 6 engages the central-fore portion
of the shoe upper, the heel-insole 4 is placed and
fastened, according to known techniques, to the rear
portion of a last, not shown, so as to match with this
rear portion.

After the heel-insole 4 has been placed on the last, the
shoe upper 2 is fitted thereon.
Then, a layer of qlue is applied to the area of the-
external edge B of the heel area of the heel-insole 4.
If a full insole is used, the layer of glue is applied to
the external edge B of the heel area and to the external
edge area of the insole toe, before the shoe upper is
fitted Onto the last.
Then, the edge R of the rear portion of the shos upper 2,
which is partially placed on the edge B of the heel-
insole 4, is. folded to fasten the shoe upper to the heel-
insole 4, due to keeping the press joining of the edges
R, E for a prefixed period of time; in this ray, the shoe
upper - heel-insole - strip T assembly, shown in Figure
1, is obtained.
Otherwise, a mutual fastening can be obtained by applying
a plurality of connecting means, or other means, to the
folded, edge R of the shoe upper 2, so as to engage the
edge B of the heel-insole 4, situated, below.
According to a aecond embodiment, shown, in Figure 5, an
full insole S is used, which has, in its central-fore
part, an elastic element 60, for example an elastic strip
(or a plurality of elastic strips), with a predetermined
shape, for example similar to the central fore potion of
the insols, but smaller than the insole.
According to this embodiment, in a first step, the shoe
upper 2 is fastened to the insiale, pre-positioned and
anchored to the last in known way.
The insole S can he fastened to the shoe upper by the
application of a layer of glue to the external edge B1 of
the insole S and folding the edge Rl of the shoe upper 2

-7-
over the edge Bl of the latter, to define, by Keeping the
pressed joining of the edges R1 , Bl, the shoe upper-
insole - strip Tl assembly; connecting weans or other
means can be used instead of the glue.
Otherwise, the insole S can be fastened to the shoe upper
2 by stitching., by for example the so celled "Bologna"
stitch (Figure 5A) , to define the shoe upper - insole Tl
assembly.
After the shoe upper - heel-insole - strip T assembly, or
shoe upper - strip assembly, or shoe upper - insole Tl
assembly, is formed, fastening means 50, for example
adhesive means of velero© of heet-plastic material,-
having a prefixed shape, ara fastened to the surface 59
of the sole 5, according to known techniques, to define-,
on the sole, a fore fastening area 2 and a rear fastening
ares Z1, in the sola toe-area and in the sole heel-area,
respectively, and externally with respect to the
fastening means, as shown in Figures l, 5,
On the upper surface of the fastening means 50., there is
a removable protective sheat, not shown, whose dimensions-
are equal to the dimensions of the. fastening means 50 and
which is provided laterally, with a tongue going out from
the sole 5.
According to a second embodiment, the fastening meens 50
can be introduced in the sole of the sole 5, while the
latter is being produced.
During a subsequent step, the sole 5 is set in contact
with the shoe upper - heel-insole - strip T assembly,
shown in figure 2, or with the shoe, upper - strip
assembly, or with the shoe upper - insole T1 assembly.
Then the fore fastening area 2 of the sole 5 and a
corresponding fore portion, for example the toe area, of

the shoe upper - heel-insole - strip T assembly, fitted
on the last, or of the shoe upper - strip assembly, or of
the shoe upper - ins-ale T1 assembly, is fastened to the
teat fastening area 21 of the sole and a corresponding
rear portion, for example, the heel, area, of the shoe
upper - heel-insole - strip T assembly, or of the shoe
upper strip assembly, or of the shoe upper - insole Tl
assembly, in order to obtain a sale- assembly group W,
Wl.
The elastic strip 6, 60 is not fastened to the fastening,
means 50, as shown in Figure 2 and in the section of
Figure 2A.
According to a not shown embodiment, the fore area Z of
the sole 5 is fastened in one point to the central fore
portion of the shoe upper - heel-insole - strip T
assembly, or of the shoe upper - strip assembly, or of
the shoe upper - insole T1 assembly.
Afterwards, the sole - assembly group W, W1 is removed
from the last.
After the sole - assembly group W, W1 has been obtained,
during a subsequent step of the proposed method (shoe
checking) , a user puts his foot P into the shoe upper 2
if the sole - assembly group W W1; the elastic strip 6,
60 stretches crosswise and the shoe upper 2 adapts to the
user's foot shape.
Then, the sheet situated, above the fastening means 50 is
removed by pulling the relative tongue, and subsequently,
the user's foot pushes to removably pre-fasten the
elastic strip 6, 60 to the fastening means 50, 50 as to
stabilize the extension of the elastic strip 6, 60, and
therefore, to maintain the spatial conformation of the

-9-
During the final step, the user removes his foot from the
so deformed sole - assembly group W, W1 and pressing
and/or heating means, for example a press, not shown, are
introduced therein to press to sole 5, so that it joins
and adheres to the assembly T, or to the shoe upper -
strip assembly, or to the shoe upper - insole T1 assembly
in the group W, Wl, in order to obtain the desited shoe
9, 90U, as shown in the section of Figures 4, 5A.
Aftet the shoe 9, 900 is obtained, a finishing insole 90
is introduced thereinto and placed on the heel-insole 4,
and/or on the elastic strip 6, or on the insole S and on
the elastic strip 6O.
Recording to a third embodiment (Figures 6, 7) , the shoe
upper 2, as described previously, is obtained by joining
of an external layer 25 and an internal layer 26, or
lining.
in this embodiment, the terminal portion 250 of the
external layer 25 is separated from the terminal portion
260 of the lining, and an outer stitching U is made at a
distance "d" from the edges of the portions.
The elastic element 6, 60 (either the elastic strip 6, or-
more elastic strips, or the insole S with its elastic
element 601 , is festened to the terminal portion 260 of
the lining, while the inner side L of the terminal
portion 250 is covered with glue.
Due to the pre-fastening of the elastic element 6, 60 to
the fastening means 50, the texminal portion 260 of the
lining 26, in relation to the shoe upper 2 deformation,
is fastened, wholly or partially, to the sole 5, in order
to define a gap J between the terminal portion 260 of the
lining 26 and the edge of the sole 5 (Figure 6),

-10-
After the elastic element 5, 60 has been pre-fastened to,
the fastening means 50 or after the shoe 9, 900 has been
obtained, the terminal portion 250 of the external layer
25 is wedged, by suitable instruments, into the gap J and
is made adhere to the terminal portion 260 of the lining
56 (Figure 7A); then the exceeding part of the terminal
portion 250 of the external layer 25 is trimreed (Figure
78).
The above described method for producing a shoe has
advantageous features.
The method allows to obtain an especially comfortable-
shoe., suitable for users having particular foot
deformation.
The elastic element 6, 60 allows to adapt the shoe upper
to the user's foot conformation, due to the introduction
of the user's foot into the sole - assembly group W, Wl.
The protective sheet situated above the fastening, means
50, allows the user to put on the shoe upper, to check if
the deformation of the latter is sufficient for the foot
shape without "activating" the fastening means 50, and to
decide freely whether to buy the shoe 9, 900 or not.
The fastening means 50 on the sole 5 allow to pre-fasten
the shos upper: if the user has not deformed the shoe
upper correctly, the initial conformation of the shoe
upper can be restored manually, i.e. the elastic strip 6,
60 is separated from the fastening means 50,
The pre-fastening of the shoe upper 2, adapted to the
foot shape, to the sole 5, due to the fastening of the
sole - assembly group W, Wl, allows to obtain a
personalized shoe 9, 900.

The sole 5 can be fastened to the group W, W1 by
stitching or by use of glue, which suitably applied to
the sale 5 activates the heat-welding or fusion of
suitable materials, from which the elastic element 6, 60,
the fastening means 50, and the other parts of the shoe,
are made, so as to assure the seal between the sole 5 and
the group W, Wl.
The stitching U, made at the distance "d" from the
terminal portion of the shoe upper 2, allows, after the
shoe' 9, 900 hes been obtained, to finish perfectly the
joining area between the sole edge and the terminal
portion of the shoe upper 2.
The described method for producing shoes is also
advantageous, because its operation steps are simple and
do not requite specialised staff.
It is understood that what above, has been described as a
pure, not limiting example, therefore, possible variants
of the invention, deriving from, the practical use, remain
within the protective scope of the present technical
solution, as described above and claimed hereinafter.

-12-
1. A method for producing shoes, characterized in that it
includes the following steps:
obtaining of an assembly (T,T1), formed by a shoe
upper (2) and an elastic element (6,60), fastened to
the shoe upper at least along the sections facing the
lowar edges of the shoe upper central-fore area;
obtaining of a sole (5), whose size corresponds to
the size of said shoe upper, and whose upper serface
has fastening means (50), engaging at least the
central-fore portion thereof, so that the upper
surface defines. at least one fore fastening area (2)
and at least one rear fastening area (21);
mutual fastening, of the fore fastening area (2) of
the sole (5) to a corresponding fore portion of said
assembly, and of the rear fastening area (Z1) of the
sole (5) to a corresponding rear portion of said
assembly, to obtain a sole - assembly group (W,W1);
introduction of a user's foot into the sole
assembly group (W,W1), with a subsequent transversal
stretching of said elastic element (60) and
adaptation of said shoe upper (2) to the foot
conformation;
pre-fastening of said elastic element to the
fastening means (50), by pressure of the user's foot
onto said elastic element;
removal of the user's foot from the sele - assembly
group (W,W1);

-13-
joining of the sole - assembly group (W, W1), to
obtain a shoe.
2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that
said assembly (T,T1) is fitted on a corresponding last
before being. fastened to said sole (5), and in that after
said sole - assembly group (W,W1) has been, obtained, the
assembly (t,T1) is removed from the last.
3. A method according to cleim 1, characterized in that
said group (Wl) is obtained by the following steps;
- placing said elastic element onto the faee of a
corresponding last;
fitting the shoe upper (2) onto the last;
fastening said elastic element at least to the opposite
sections of the lower edges of the shoe upper central-
fore area;
and in that after said group (W1) has been obtained, it
is removed from the last.
4. A method, according to claim 2, charactecieed in that,
before fitting of the group (W) onto the last, a heel-
insole is placed on the rear portion of the surface of
the last, and subsequently, the heel-insole is fastened
to the shoe upper.
5. A method according to Claim 2, eharacterized in that,
before fitting of the group (N) onto the last, an insole
is placed on the surface of the last, and subsequently,

the heel area and the toe area of the insole are fastened
to the shoe upper.
6. A method according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in
that said elastic element is situated in the central-fore
part of a corresponding insole (S1, with the latter being
fastened to the shoe upper lowar edges.
7. A. method according to claim 6, characterized in that
said elastic element has the shape similar to the central
fore portion of the insole (S) and is inscribed therein.
8. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that
at least said fore fastening area (Z) is external to the
fastening meang (50),
9. A method according to claim 1 or 3 or 6, characterized
in that said opposite edges of the shoe upper (2) are
fleshed before said elastic elemsnt is fastened thereto.
10. A method according to claim 3, in which said shoe
upper (2) is formed by an external layer (25) and an
internal layer (26), or lining, characterized in that
before the shoe upper (2) is fitted onto the last, the
terminal portions (250,260) of said external layer (23)
and said lining (26), respectively, are separated and a
stitching (U) is made at a distance ("d") from said
external layer (25) and said lining (26) .

-15-
11. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that
a protective sheet touching the upper part of the
fastening means (50) is removed before said elastic
element, is pre-fastened to the fastening means (50) .
12. A method according to claim 1 or 3 or 6,
characterized in that said elastic; element is fastened to
said, lower edges af the shoe upper (2) by stithing.
13. A mechod according to claim 1 or 3 or 6,
characterized in that said elastic element is fastened to
said lower edqes of the shoe upper (2) by the application
of adhesve means onto the surface of at least the edges
of the shoe Upper (2) aimed at being joined to a
corresponding portion of said elastic element.
14. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that
said insole (S), together with its elastic element (60)
is fastened to said terminal portion of said lining (26)
by stitching,
15, A method according to claim 10, characterized in that
said insole (S) , together with its elastic element (60)
is fastened to said terminal, portion of said lining (26)
by adhesive means.
16. A method according to claim 10, eharacterized in that
said plastic element (6) is fastened to said terminal
portion (260} of said lining (26) by stitching.

17. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that
said elastic element (6) is fastened to said terminal
portion (260} of said lining (26) by adhesive means.
13, A method according to claim 1, characterized in that
the sole - assembly group (W,Wl) is joined by heating
said group and pressinq the assembly (W,W1) against the
sole (5).
19. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that
the terminal portion, (250) of said external layer (25) is
joined to said terminal portion (260) of said lining (26)
before the shoe (9,900) is obtained.
20. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that
after the shoe (9,900} has been obtained, a finishing
iosole (90) is placed the teinside.
21. A shoe characterised in that it includes:
an assembly (W,Wl) formed by a shoe uppar (2) and an
elastic element fastened to the latter at least along the
lower opposite edqes of the central fore area, of the shoe
upper (2);
a sole (5), having fastening means (50);
two points for mutual fastening of said assembly and
sole, one of which being defined between the rear portion
of the sole (5) and a corresponding rear portion of said
assembly, and the other point being defined between the
fore portion of said sole (5) and a corresponding fore
portion of said assembly, with said elastic element being

-17-
aimed at stretching crosswise, after the user has
introduced his foot into said assembly, and at being
removably fastened to said fastening fnesris (50), due to a
pressure between said sole and assembly performed by said
foot,
22. A shoe according to claim 21, Chiracterized in that
said elastic element is siteated in the central portion
of a corresponding insole (S), the latter being fastened
to the lower edged of said shoe upper (2).
23, A shoe according to claim 21, characterized in that
the profile at said alastic elemant is similar to the
profile of the central fore portion of the corresponding
sole (5), but its dimensions are slightly smaller with
respect to the sole.
24. A shoe according to claim 21; characterised in that
the profile of said elastic element is similar to the
profile of the sole of the corresponding sole (5), but
its dimensions are slightly smaller with resrpect to said
Sole;
25. A shoe according to claim 22 or 22 or 24,
characterised in that said elastic element is an elastic
strip.
26. A shoe according to claim 22 at 23 or 24,
characterized in that said elastic element is a plurality
of elastic strips.

-18-
21, A shoe according to claim 21, characterized in that
it has a sheet situated in contact with the upper surface
of the fastening means (50), aimed at preventing the
latter from fastening to said elastic element before the
shoe is obtained, and ramovable after the shoe
conformation has been defined.
28. A shoe accoding to claim 21, characterized in that
said fastening maans include velcro® of heat-weldable
29. A shoe according to claim 21, characterised in that
said fastening means include adhesive means.

A method for producing shoes- include the following
steps: obtaining an assembly (T,T1), formed by a shoa
upper (2) and an elastic element, fastened to the shoe
upper at least along the sections facing the lower edges
of the shoe upper central-fore area; obtaining a sole
(S) whodse size corresponds to the size of the shoe
upper, and whose upper surface, has fastening means (50),
engaging at least the eentral-fore portion thereof, so
that the upper surface defines at least one fore
fastening area (z) and at least one rear fastening area
(z1); mutual fastening the fore fastening area (z) of the
sole (5) to a corresponding- fore portion of said
assembly, and of the rear fastening area (z1) of the sole
(S) to a conesponding rear portion of the assembly, to
obtain a sole - assembly group (W,W1); introduction of a
user's foot into the sole - assembly group (W,W1), with a
subsequent teensversal stretching of the elastic element
(60) and adapting of the shoe upper (2> to the foot
conformation; pre-fastening of the elastic element to the
fastening means (50), by pressure of the user's foot onto
the elastic element; removal of the user's foot from the
sole - assembly group (W,Wl),joining the sole- assembly
group (W,Wl), to obtain a shoe.

Documents:


Patent Number 217430
Indian Patent Application Number 01344/KOLNP/2005
PG Journal Number 13/2008
Publication Date 28-Mar-2008
Grant Date 26-Mar-2008
Date of Filing 12-Jul-2005
Name of Patentee CAPONI NELLO
Applicant Address VIA FONTE CASELLA, 2, I-63014 MONTEGRANARO, ITALY.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 CAPONI NELLO VIA FONTE CASELLA, 2, I-63014 MONTEGRANARO, ITALY.
2 MONTAGNA ROBERTO VIA MONTONE, 20, I-63025 MONTEGIORGIO, ITALY.
PCT International Classification Number A43B 3/26
PCT International Application Number PCT/IB2003/0006140
PCT International Filing date 2003-12-23
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 BO2002A000816 2002-12-27 Italy