Bottom-Down Last For 3D Forming

摘要

A method and system for making uppers for articles of footwear is disclosed. The system comprises a last assembly as well as a pressing system for forming uppers with the last assembly. The last assembly includes a last member and a base member. The last member is inverted so that the bottom surface of the last member is oriented away from the base member.

主权项

1. An upper for an article of footwear, comprising:
a first side portion, a second side portion and a bottom portion, wherein the first side portion and the second side portion are integral with the bottom portion; and wherein the upper is formed by:
placing a section of material on a last member such that a first side surface of the last member is disposed adjacent to a first portion of the section of material, such that a second side surface of the last member is disposed adjacent to a second portion of the section of material and such that a bottom surface of the last member is disposed adjacent to a third portion of the section of material, wherein the bottom surface of the last member corresponds to the bottom of a foot;pressing a flexible membrane against the section of material and the last member until the section of material conforms to the approximate shape of the last member; andthereby forming the upper so that the first portion of the section of material becomes the first side portion of the upper, the second portion of the section of material becomes the second side portion of the upper and the third portion of the section of material becomes the bottom portion of the upper.