Process and device for waterproofing semi-manufactured shoes, clothing items and accessories, and semi-manufactured products obtained with the process

Abstract

Process for waterproofing a semimanufactured product ( 1 ) of shoes, clothing items and accessories, said semimanufactured product ( 1 ) having a three-dimensional conformation, at least one inner surface ( 2 ) and one outer surface, characterized in that it comprises the following operative steps: turning inside out the semimanufactured product ( 1 ) so that its inner surface ( 2 ) is turned outwards; inserting at least one shaped member ( 4; 8 ) inside the semimanufactured product ( 1 ); pressing the semimanufactured product ( 1 ) provided with the shaped member ( 4; 8 ) between at least a pair of sheets ( 5 ) of a semi-permeable membrane whose surface turned toward the semimanufactured product ( 1 ) turned inside out is provided with a glue pattern; turning the semimanufactured product ( 1 ) so that its inner surface is turned inwards. The present invention also relates to a device for carrying out said process and the semimanufactured products obtained with said process.

1 . Process for waterproofing a semimanufactured product ( 1 ) of shoes, clothing items and accessories, said semimanufactured product ( 1 ) having a three-dimensional conformation, at least one inner surface ( 2 ) and one outer surface, characterized in that it comprises the following operative steps: 
 turning inside out the semimanufactured product ( 1 ) so that its inner surface ( 2 ) is turned outwards;    inserting at least one shaped member ( 4 ;  8 ) inside the semimanufactured product ( 1 );    pressing the semimanufactured product ( 1 ) provided with the shaped member ( 4 ;  8 ) between at least a pair of sheets ( 5 ) of a semi-permeable membrane whose surface turned toward the semimanufactured product ( 1 ) turned inside out is provided with a glue pattern;    turning the semimanufactured product ( 1 ) so that its inner surface is turned inwards.    
     
     
         2 . Process according to the previous claim, characterized in that the shaped member ( 4 ) is made of an elastic material.  
     
     
         3 . Process according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that before the pressing the semimanufactured product ( 1 ) is folded and flattened along at least two folding lines ( 3 ).  
     
     
         4 . Process according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the folding lines ( 3 ) correspond to the intersection of the semimanufactured product ( 1 ) with a symmetry plane thereof, so as to obtain two opposing surfaces, which are substantially the same.  
     
     
         5 . Process according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the shaped member ( 4 ) is provided with at least one bladder.  
     
     
         6 . Process according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the shaped member ( 8 ) is rigid or semi-rigid.  
     
     
         7 . Process according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the shaped member ( 8 ) is provided with a supporting rod ( 9 ) fixed to a portion of the shaped member ( 8 ) which is not covered by the semimanufactured product ( 1 ).  
     
     
         8 . Process according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the semi-permeable membranes ( 5 ) extend beyond the profile of the semimanufactured product ( 1 ) so that they can adhere to each other and form one or two strips ( 7 ) that seal the semimanufactured product ( 1 ).  
     
     
         9 . Process according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the profile and the thickness of the shaped member ( 4 ;  8 ) are shaped so as to adhere to the surfaces of the semimanufactured product ( 1 ) which are on the inside during the pressing and to compensate their irregularities, if any.  
     
     
         10 . Process according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the shaped member ( 4 ;  8 ) is made of a heat-resistant material.  
     
     
         11 . Process according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the glue pattern of the semi-permeable membranes ( 5 ) is thermoadhesive, and that the pressing of said membranes ( 5 ) onto the semimanufactured product ( 1 ) is a hot-pressing.  
     
     
         12 . Process according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that at least one semi-permeable membrane ( 5 ) is not porous and carries out the water vapor passage by osmosis.  
     
     
         13 . Process according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that at least one semi-permeable membrane ( 5 ) is elastic with a grade of elongation higher than 50%.  
     
     
         14 . Process according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that at least one semi-permeable membrane ( 5 ) is made of polyurethane.  
     
     
         15 . Process according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that at least one semi-permeable membrane ( 5 ) has a thickness comprised between 5 μm and 100 μm.  
     
     
         16 . Process according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that at least one semi-permeable membrane ( 5 ) is combined with a support sheet.  
     
     
         17 . Process according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the support sheet is made of fabric or a similar material, and is firmly fastened to the membrane ( 5 ).  
     
     
         18 . Process according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the glue pattern is made up of a multiplicity of dots having a diameter comprised between 0.1 mm and 0.8 mm.  
     
     
         19 . Process according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the glue pattern is made up of a multiplicity of dots having a density comprised between 50 dots/cm 2  and 200 dots/cm 2 .  
     
     
         20 . Semimanufactured product ( 1 ) of shoes, clothing items or accessories, characterized in that it is waterproofed by means of the process according to one of the previous claims.  
     
     
         21 . Shoe upper ( 1 ), characterized in that it is waterproofed by means of the process according to one of  claims 1  to  19 .  
     
     
         22 . Device for carrying out the process according to one of  claims 1  to  19 , characterized in that it comprises a press provided with deformable plates ( 10 ).  
     
     
         23 . Device according to  claim 22 , characterized in that the deformable plates ( 10 ) comprise a box-like structure ( 11 ) which is provided with a pressing surface made up of an elastic sheet ( 12 ) and contains a fluid ( 13 ), heated and under pressure.