MACHINE DE DEPOT D'UNE POUDRE SUR UN SUPPORT, ET PROCEDE DE FABRICATION D'ARTICLES RENFORCES

L'invention concerne une machine destinée à déposer une poudre sur un support souple afin de le renforcer ou de le décorer. La machine comporte un bâti 14, 16, une surface de réception annulaire 22 qui peut tourner sur le bâti, un moteur M pour faire tourner la surface de réception annulaire et un dispositif de dépôt 30 d'une configuration de poudre sur la surface annulaire. L'invention s'applique notamment à la fabrication des empeignes de chaussures. (CF DESSIN DANS BOPI) A machine for sequentially manufacturing a plurality of reinforced substrates such as shoe uppers, comprising a powder deposition station (30) wherein a stencil assembly (42) applies powder onto an annular receiving belt (22), the powder being applied in a three-dimensional configuration because of peripheral spacer means (spacing element (not shown)) arranged on the cut-out between the stencil (42) and the receiving surface (22). The annular receiving surface (22) is empowered to rotate to an arcuate heating station where the powder is fused by heating elements (34) (Fig. 3) arranged thereabove and therebelow. The fused powder is then moved to a join and cool station (38) (Fig. 1) where a substrate is pressed against the fused powder by a transfer means (140) causing it to press against a chill plate (120) therebeneath. The shoe upper is lifted by the transfer means (140) from the receiving surface (22) after it has cooled, the transfer means (140) rotating so as to remove the now reinforced shoe upper from the receiving surface (22) to enable it to be removed therefrom, and a subsequent shoe upper gripped therein for subsequent reinforcement thereof.