Usm Corporation

Nigel R Tout

Raymond Hanson

Frank C Price

Malcolm Tillyard

The apparatus comprises a support for a shoe part which is to have adhesive on a surface thereof activated by heat, and a heating member arranged to emit infra-red radiation to heat the shoe part. The heating member is mounted for movement between an operative position thereof in which the heating member is in opposed relationship with the support so that the shoe part can be heated, and an inoperative position in which the heating member is substantially enclosed by infra-red radiation reflecting screens.

Shoe part heating apparatus

A method of treating shoe parts having a coating of a moisture-curable composition utilizes an apparatus in which a support (16) for an article, e.g. a lasted shoe S, can be supported within a chamber (30) in which the support can be enclosed. The chamber (30) is supplied with heat and moisture. More especially, the article is subjected to infra-red radiation from a heater (44) and steam is supplied to the chamber (30) such that the humidity of the atmosphere within the chamber (30) is maintained during the operating cycle at a dew point of between 50.degree. and 60.degree. C. The surface temperature of the heater (44) is between 250.degree. and 420.degree. C., preferably between 300.degree. and 380.degree. C., and the article is subjected to infra-red radiation for a period of between 5 and 25 seconds, preferably 10 seconds. Because the chamber (30) is enclosed, steam is supplied for only the first 5 seconds of the heating period.

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Leicester, United Kingdom

Nigel R Tout