GB807305A - Improvements in or relating to the manufacture of soles, heels and soling material for footwear - Google Patents

Abstract

807,305. Soles and heels. CLARK Ltd., C. & J. Sept. 14, 1956 [June 18, 1955], No. 17683/55. Class 17(2) [Also in Group VIII] A laminate comprises an assembly of alternate layers of microcellular rubber and layers of a substantially non-extensible material partially enclosed by a covering of rubber or rubber-resin composition, the whole assembly being vulcanized to form one body. A non-extensible material is a material which is substantially less extensible than the associated microcellular rubber and may be, for example, a vulcanized natural or synthetic rubber, a perforated metallic sheet, light open-weave calico cloth, or a woven material such as viscose rayon fabric. The laminate may be used to make soles or heels or sole-and-heel units for shoes. A shoe sole or heel or sole-and-heel unit may be made by forming an assembly comprising unvulcanized microcellular rubber blanks, layers of substantially non-extensible material interposed between said blanks and an outer layer (or layers) of a sheet of rubber or rubber-resin composition, placing the said assembly in a mould cavity, closing the entry side of the mould cavity by a closure member and applying heat and pressure to the assembly in the mould. A shoe may be made by a modification of the above method in which the entry side of the mould cavity is closed by the underside of a lasted shoe upper. The covering sheet of rubber or rubber-resin composition may cover only the underside e of the sole or may be extended to cover the edges f and part of the upper side g (as shown). The lowermost layer of fabric or other reinforcement may be turned upwards and inwards as at c. A recess as at d may be formed in the heel portion for the insertion of a wooden or other block. The reinforcing material may be treated with rubber solution to assist adhesion to the microcellular material, as also may the Under-side of the last-mounted shoe upper when used to close the mould.