Abstract An article of footwear having a two-color rubber sole construction, and a method and apparatus for manufacturing the article. The sole construction includes a midsole-foxing component having foxing surrounding and engaging an outsole component which is vulcanized to the midsole-foxing component. The rubber used for the midsole-foxing component has a higher modulus than the rubber used for the outsole component. The higher modulus rubber is injected into a mold cavity having a colume considerably greater than the volume of the injected rubber, and a movable sole plate spreads the injected rubber against the underside of a lasted upper. The sole plate has a peripheral shoulder which determines the lower end and inner surface of the foxing. The lower modulus rubber is also injected into a mold cavity of considerably greater volume. The sole plate is again advanced toward the lasted upper to spread the outsole rubber against the midsole rubber to be vulcanized thereto.
The combination of claim 1 wherein said injection means each comprises an injection port and both of said injection ports are situated in said side rings at an elevation higher than said lower elevation of said sole plate and said ports including an upper port situated at an elevation higher than said upper elevation of said sole plate and a lower port beneath said upper port and closed by said sole plate when the latter is at said upper elevation thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sole plate is formed at its upper surface which is directed toward said lasted upper with a peripheral shoulder which determines the configuration of inner and bottom end surfaces of a foxing integral with the midsole.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 3 and wherein said lower port is situated at least in part below said peripheral shoulder of said sole plate at said intermediate elevation thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The combination of claim 3 and wherein the difference between said upper and intermediate elevations is less than the depth of said peripheral shoulder of said sole plate, so that at said intermediate elevation of said sole plate the foxing integral with said midsole extends below the upper surface of said sole plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
121 words
In an apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said sole plate has an outer peripheral surface portion surrounding said peripheral shoulder thereof and in sliding engagement with inwardly facing surface portions of said mold rings whereby flash which may form during application of the midsole-foxing rubber to the lasted upper will form intermediate said mold ring and sole plate surfaces at the outermost regions of the bottom end surface of the foxing in position to be pressed against said inwardly facing surfaces of said mold rings by the outsole rubber during appliCation of the outsole to the midsole whereby intermixing of the flash material with the outsole rubber in the region of the inner surface of the foxing is prevented.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sole plate is at the same elevation when in said first and third positions thereof.