A shoe mold structure has a mold with a first end and a second end opposite to each other, an extending direction between the first and second ends is a longitudinal direction, the mold further has a mold cavity recessed inward from the second end and is composed of a bottom wall and side walls, each of the side walls defines a first side section, a second side section and a third side section connected in sequence along the longitudinal direction, the second side section is located between the first and third side sections, the first side section is closer to the first end than the third side section, the third side section is closer to the second end than the first side section, the second side section has an accommodating groove; and a heating unit disposed in the accommodating groove, and the heating unit provides heat energy.

The present invention relates to an enhanced method for the manufacture of a plastic component (135), in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, the method comprising: opening a mold (100) by a predetermined amount into a loading position, wherein the mold comprises at least two mold parts (110, 112) and wherein the amount by which the mold is opened influences an available loading volume of the mold, loading a material comprising expanded particles (130) into the loading volume, closing the mold into a closed position, wherein during closing of the mold the mold parts are moved together over different distances (140) in different areas of the mold, compressing the expanded particles by closing the mold and fusing at least the surfaces of the expanded particles to mold the plastic component.

The present invention relates to an enhanced method for the manufacture of a plastic component (135), in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, the method comprising: opening a mold (100) by a predetermined amount into a loading position, wherein the mold comprises at least two mold parts (110, 112) and wherein the amount by which the mold is opened influences an available loading volume of the mold, loading a material comprising expanded particles (130) into the loading volume, closing the mold into a closed position, wherein during closing of the mold the mold parts are moved together over different distances (140) in different areas of the mold, compressing the expanded particles by closing the mold and fusing at least the surfaces of the expanded particles to mold the plastic component.

Compression molded foam articles are provided having a closed cell foam structure comprising a plurality of cells having an anisotropic cell shape. The disclosed compression molded foam articles can be used as components or parts of a variety of articles, including articles of footwear and athletic equipment. Methods are disclosed for making the disclosed compression molded foam articles from a foamed preform having an elastomeric closed cell foam with substantially isotropic cell shape. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the manufacture of a shoe sole or part of a shoe sole from foam particles. Disclosed is an apparatus for the manufacture of a shoe sole or part of a shoe sole from foam particles, wherein the apparatus comprises: a.) a molding tool which is formed from at least two molding halves and which defines a molding cavity, and b.) at least two capacitor plates which are arranged adjacent to the molding cavity, wherein c.) at least one of the capacitor plates is connected to a radiation source, and wherein d.) at least one of the capacitor plates comprises several segments that have an adaptable distance to the molding cavity. Also disclosed is method for using such an apparatus in the manufacture of a shoe sole or part of a shoe sole from foam particles.

Compression molded foam articles are provided having a closed cell foam structure comprising a plurality of cells having an anisotropic cell shape. The disclosed compression molded foam articles can be used as components or parts of a variety of articles, including articles of footwear and athletic equipment. Methods are disclosed for making the disclosed compression molded foam articles from a foamed preform having an elastomeric closed cell foam with substantially isotropic cell shape. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

A rubber sole thermo-molding machine includes a lower mold seat disposed on a hydraulic actuator of the machine seat. The lower mold seat ascends and descends with respect to the upper mold seat according to the hydraulic actuator, allowing the lower upper molds to close and open. The upper mold seat moves between a normal position and a tilt position according to the turning mechanism. The middle plate horizontally moves between the upper and the lower mold seats, and has a push mechanism connected with the middle frame. When the pin of the middle frame and the fasten unit on the push mechanism are separated, the middle frame is stacked on the middle plate or the lower mold to move, facilitating the cleansing and material-feeding operations. The user can cleanse the upper mold without being hindered by the middle frame, assuring the safe and smooth process.

A sole mold for manufacturing a sole from a plurality of particles includes at least one first opening for supplying the particles, and at least two second openings for supplying a gaseous and/or liquid medium to bond and/or fuse the particles together. At least a portion of the sole mold is manufactured by an additive manufacturing method.

Apparatus for the customization of footwear, in particular sports footwear, having an element made of thermoplastic material is provided. A method for the customization of footwear using the apparatus is also provided. The apparatus has a heating assembly, for heating the thermoplastic element above a predetermined threshold temperature, and a shaping assembly, for shaping the thermoplastic element while its temperature is above the threshold value, which assemblies are both carried by a common frame. Due to the fact that the heating assembly and the shaping assembly are carried by a single, common frame, it is possible to ensure proper heating and subsequent shaping of the element made of thermoplastic material.

Provided is a method for producing a shoe member that includes a plurality of portions including a first portion and a second portion, each of which is constituted by one or more of members, the method including: a step of preparing a collective body including a first member that constitutes the first portion and a second member that constitutes the second portion and formed of a material different from that of the first member; and a step of irradiating electromagnetic wave toward the collective body, wherein the electromagnetic wave irradiation step including partly shielding the electromagnetic wave irradiated toward the second member by a shielding member capable of shielding electromagnetic wave, thereby reducing the electromagnetic wave irradiated onto the second member. Also provided is a molding die having a molding space corresponding to a shoe member and capable of being used for producing the shoe member by performing the method.