An automatic loading and unloading device includes a frame, an unloading unit, a receiving unit and a receiving link unit. The frame defines a processing area, an unloading area and a receiving area. The unloading unit includes an unloading slide rail, and an unloading drive group movably disposed on the unloading slide rail for driving at least one plate to move from the processing area to the unloading area. The receiving unit includes a receiving slide rail, and a receiving lift group movably disposed on the receiving slide rail for driving the at least one plate to move from the unloading area to the receiving area. The receiving link unit interconnects the unloading drive group and the receiving lift group.

Manufacturing of article of footwear include temporarily mating a sole and an upper to determine processes to be performed to the sole and/or the upper before permanently mating. As specific operations are determined based on the particular combination of a sole and an upper, the sole and upper are individually tracked through the subsequent processes to ensure the correct pairing is achieved at the time of permanent mating. The tracking may leverage identifiers in the tooling supporting the upper and in the sole.

Manufacturing of article of footwear include temporarily mating a sole and an upper to determine processes to be performed to the sole and/or the upper before permanently mating. As specific operations are determined based on the particular combination of a sole and an upper, the sole and upper are individually tracked through the subsequent processes to ensure the correct pairing is achieved at the time of permanent mating. The tracking may leverage identifiers in the tooling supporting the upper and in the sole.

Manufacturing and assembly of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by automated placement and assembly of shoe parts. For example, a part-recognition system analyzes an image of a shoe part to identify the part and determine a location of the part. Once the part is identified and located, the part can be manipulated by an automated manufacturing tool.

Manufacturing and assembly of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by automated placement and assembly of shoe parts. For example, a part-recognition system analyzes an image of a shoe part to identify the part and determine a location of the part. Once the part is identified and located, the part can be manipulated by an automated manufacturing tool.

An apparatus and method are provided for applying a surface treatment such as impregnation agent or water repellency agent to shoes, boots, bags, gloves or the like, where the apparatus includes a closed treatment chamber provided with an openable access to the treatment chamber from outside the treatment chamber, and where the bottom of the treatment chamber a turntable is provided, having a flat surface in an x-y plane, and an axis Z, and where one or more nozzles are arranged for spraying a mist towards the turntable where the nozzles is/are connected to a control unit, and where a plurality of markers are provided on the periphery of the turntable, and that inside the treatment chamber a scanner used, such that the nozzles are activated to issue a mist of treatment according to a preprogrammed sequence and/or count of markers registered by the scanner.

A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method may include the steps of selecting a family of article types, selecting a customized article type, manufacturing an article of footwear with the customized article type and shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. The customized article type can be configured with a user selected characteristic. The method can also include limiting the number of article types displayed to a user at any time.

A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method may include the steps of selecting a family of article types, selecting a customized article type, manufacturing an article of footwear with the customized article type and shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. The customized article type can be configured with a user selected characteristic. The method can also include limiting the number of article types displayed to a user at any time.

A machine (10) for applying glue onto a sole of footwear comprises a support (17) for a sole and a glue dispensing device (14) and a movement system (13) for moving the device (14) relative to the support (17) under the control of a control system (15) so as to follow, with the device (14), gluing paths along a sole placed on the support (17). The glue dispensing device (14) comprises a radial brush (30) which is motorized to rotate about its central axis (31) and is designed to pass lightly with its radial periphery along a sole to be glued placed on the support (17), and a dispensing unit (33) designed to dispense glue on the periphery of the radial brush (30). Advantageously, the brush (30) is kept with its axis substantially parallel tangentially to the edge of the sole during operation of the machine for gluing the edge of the sole.

This disclosure relates to a computer-implemented system and related methods for the design, evaluation, and/or manufacture of protective patient footwear, such as shoes, braces, boots, casts, corrective footwear, and orthoses. The system includes suitable hardware, software, and related peripherals, which function to acquire data related to the patient's particular footwear needs, such as by image capture, including three-dimensional scanning. The system may also acquire data through other sources of input, such as through one or more sensors for detecting various physiologic parameters associated with the lower extremity, or through input of medical conditions, prior indicators, exam, analysis, lab results, or the like, such as through medical practitioner input or other input protocols. The various inputs may be suitably processed to generate output in the form of a design accommodation to design or modify the protective patient footwear, or in the form of one or more medical evaluations or recommendations.