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EP0411598A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Process for obtaining polyurethane compounds containing granules of cork or similar substances, particularly for the manufacture of soles for footwear, apparatus for realising this process, and the product so obtained

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-08-01
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-08-01
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Abstract

Abstract This procedure refers to the incorporation of granules of cork or similar substances into polyurethane products. The polyurethane components and the cork (or similar) granules are introduced simultaneously into a suitable mixing chamber (26), the granules being suitably dosed by variable speed programmable screw conveyors (or otherwise, for example pneumatic feeds, mechanical pistons, etc.). The conglomerate as above is introduced, while still in the early stages of reaction, into fixed or moveable moulds (40) or dies by gravity (with the mould open), or by injection (with the mould closed), and completes its reaction there, forming the product in times which vary according to the characteristics of the mixture used and the shape of the article produced. The moulds or dies are preferably kept at a temperature of about 50°C, though this is not critical since this factor also varies widely according to the polyurethanes used and the pieces being produced.

Inventors

  • 👤 Gianfranco Losio

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 01:42
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D35/00; B29D35/12; B29D35/122; B27; B27N; B27N1/00; B27N1/02; B27N5/00

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 130 words
Procedure for obtaining polyurethane compounds embodying granules of cork or similar substances, particularly for the manufacture of soles for footwear, characterised by the fact of including a first phase of the incorporation of the granules, which are introduced into the lower portion (26) of the mixing vessel (12) by means of a screw conveyor (28), where they meet the still-reacting polyurethane compound, a second phase consisting of the automatic transfer of the composite material incorporating the granules into a die (38) in the shaping moulds (40), a third phase consisting of the compression of the composite compound, for a time of between 2 and 6 minutes in the said moulds, and a fourth phase of the opening of the mould (40) and the automatic or manual extraction of the product.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 130 words
Procedure for obtaining polyurethane compounds embodying granules of cork or similar substances, particularly for the manufacture of soles for footwear, characterised by the fact of including a first phase of the incorporation of the granules, which are introduced into the lower portion (26) of the mixing vessel (12) by means of a screw conveyor (28), where they meet the still-reacting polyurethane compound, a second phase consisting of the automatic transfer of the composite material incorporating the granules into a die (38) in the shaping moulds (40), a third phase consisting of the compression of the composite compound, for a time of between 2 and 6 minutes in the said moulds, and a fourth phase of the opening of the mould (40) and the automatic or manual extraction of the product.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 118 words
Device for performing the procedure described in Claim 1., consisting of a mixing vessel (12) with a rotating agitator, feed pipes (18)(18′) for the resins and the isocyanates, and associated inlet valves (20)(20′) and outlet valve(s) (36), characterised by the fact that the said mixing vessel (12) is prolonged at the bottom below the stirrer so as to create a chamber (26) into which the granules of cork or similar substance are fed by means of a helical conveyor (28) driven by a motor (30), the said granules being there incorporated into the reacting polyurethane, the composite material thus obtained being subsequently fed, through the orifice (36), into the die or dies (38) in the shaping moulds (40).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 47 words
Device according to Claim 2. , characterised by the fact that at least the lower die (38) of the moulds (40) is moveable, and can be lowered to accept a larger quantity of the composite material being delivered from the mixing vessel (12) through the orifice (36).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 46 words
Device according to the preceding Claims, characterised by the fact that the speed of the screw conveyor (28) can be regulated so that it will delivery a programmed quantity of granules, contained in the hopper (32), to the lower portion (26) of the mixing vessel (12).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 35 words
Device according to the preceding Claims, characterised by the fact of having two or more screw conveyors, or compressed air tubes, for feeding the granules into the lower portion (26) of the mixing vessel (12).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 50 words
Sole or insole for footwear produced according to the procedure in Claim 1., characterised by the fact that it is made of granules of cork or similar substance incorporated in a polyurethane compound compressed and heated to a maximum temperature of 55°C and for a period less than 5 minutes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 30 words
Procedure for obtaining polyurethane compounds incorporating granules of cork or similar substances, particularly for the manufacture of soles for footwear, as described, illustrated by examples, and for the purposes specified.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 30 words
Procedure for obtaining polyurethane compounds incorporating granules of cork or similar substances, particularly for the manufacture of soles for footwear, as described, illustrated by examples, and for the purposes specified.

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