GB1572162A

GB1572162A - Manufacture of shoe insoles

Info

Publication number: GB1572162A
Application number: GB759176A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: British United Shoe Machinery Ltd
Current assignee: Noxet UK Ltd
Priority date: 1977-02-25
Filing date: 1977-02-25
Publication date: 1980-07-23

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO THE MANUFACTURE OF SHOE INSOLES (71) We, THE BRITISH UNITED SHOE MAcHINERY COMPANY LIMITED, a British Company, of Union Works, Belgrave Road, Leicester, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following state ment:- This invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to the manufacture of shoes, and is especially concerned with shoe insoles and their manufacture. The term "shoe" is used herein generically to denote outer footwear generally whether ready for wear or in the course of manufacture.

In the manufacture of shoes it is a common practice to incorporate an insole in the shoe. Known insoles commonly comprise a forepart portion which is flexible to permit the shoe to bend as the wearer walks, and a more rigid rear, heel seat and waist portion which gives strength to the shoe in the heel seat and waist region and to which the heel of a shoe is commonly attached using suitable fastening members, for example nails or staples. One such known insole comprises a forepart portion of a suitable flexible insoling material, for example that sold under the registered trade mark "TEX ON", and a heel seat and waist portion of a more rigid, dense fibre-board, commonly known as shank board.In the Complete Specification of our Cognate Patent Applications No. 14107/72 and No. 11092/73 (Serial No. 1,433,481) is described a shoe insole comprising a non-woven bonded fibre mass which is flexible at the forepart portion of the insole and more rigid at a rear portion of the insole. It is known to further reinforce the rear portions of such known insoles by attaching a reinforcing shank member, commonly made of steel, to a lower surface of the rear portion of the insole. The metal shank members commonly are formed with a longitudinal rib to give further strength and are thus somewhat bulky. It is therefore a common practice to cut a recess part-way through the rear portion of the insole in which recess the metal shank member is accommodated so that the rear part of a shoe in which the insole comes to be incorporated is not too bulky.The metal shank members are commonly attached in the recesses by mechanical fastenings, for example eyelets. The recess cut for reception of the shank member is of considerable depth and thus weakens the rear portion of the insole to some extent (although this weakening is more than compensated for by the addition of the metal shank, in a longitudinal sense). Furthermore, the insole recessing operation requires a special machine and involves utilisation of labour, thus increasing the cost of the completed insole by these factors; also the mechanical attachment of the metal shank member likewise requires a machine and utilisation of labour, further increasing the cost.

In order to provide a satisfactory foundation for the construction of the shoe it is custonlary to conform the insole to a desired configuration in an insole moulding operation (the metal shank member being attached to the rear portion of the insole after the insole has been moulded, the metal shank member being produced in a suitably curved form to fit the insole). In moulding insoles having rear portions of shank board (which is made by a wet process, paper making operation) it is necessary to apply a high pressure (as much as thirty tons where the insole is not pre-conditioned or of the order of four thousand pounds where the insole has been pre-conditioned, e.g. by mulling).

It is difficult to impart the necessary shape to the insole because the fibre board tends to recover towards its unmoulded configuration after release of pressure and it is therefore a common practice to over-mould the insole to such an extent that upon recovery of the insole towards the unmoulded configuration the insole relaxes to the desired configuration.Although it would be desir able to utilise the last upon which the shoe is to be made in moulding the insole, this is not possible where a pressure of thirty tons is to be applied because such a high load would damage a last, and even where a lower pressure of only about four thousand pounds is applied, use of the making last is not altogether satisfactory both because of the desirability of over-moulding the insole to impart adequate moulding and because the pressure on the last is so great that it is likely to damage the last, for example the hinge of the last. Likewise, in making the insole described in the Complete Specification of our aforementioned cognate patent applications, considerable pressure must be applied to the insole to consolidate the rear portion to the extent necessary where the insole is both assembled and moulded on the last.

The invention provides as one of its several features a shoe insole comprising a first, through layer of sheet material having an outline shape corresponding with the outline shape of the insole, a second, reinforcing layer of sheet material having an outline shape corresponding to a rear portion of the insole and in register with the first layer, and a reinforcing shank member, of smaller area than the rear portion of the insole, between the layers, the layers being bonded together by heat-activatable adhesive about the reinforcing member and the layers being of nonwoven bonded fibre fabric material which has been subjected to pressure between moulding members while in a heat-softened mouldable condition whereby to conform the rear portion of the insole to a desired configuration which is retained upon solidification of the layers.

The invention also provides as another of its several features a method of making a shoe insole comprising (i) procuring an insole assembly comprising a first, through layer of sheet material having an outline shape corresponding to that of the insole, a second layer of outline shape corresponding to a rear portion of the insole and in register with the rear portion of the first layer, the layers being such that they can be heatsoftened to a mouldable condition in which they can be conformed to a desired configuration by pressure applied by mould members, and a reinforcing shank member positioned between the first and second layers, (ii) subjecting the assembly to pressure applied by mould members, with the layers in mouldable condition, whereby to conform the insole to the desired configuration and bond together the first and second layers about the reinforcing member and (iii) releasing the pressure and removing the assembly from the mould members after the layers have become sufficiently rigid to retain the rear portion of the insole in its desired configuration.

Conveniently in the invention the first and second layers of sheet material are identical in composition, although preferably of different thickness; the second layer is preferably thicker than the first layer. Conveniently the layers are made by impregnating a non-woven textile fibre batt made by conventional non-woven manufacturing techniques including for example needling, with an aqueous dispersion of a thermoplastic bonding agent and drying the impregnated batt to form the sheet material.Textile fibres which may be used in manufacture of the batt include nylon fibres, terylene fibres, polypropylene fibres, acrylic -fibres and cellulosic fibres, for example viscose rayon and blends of the same; preferred fibre blends are a blend consisting (by weight) of 5 nylon fibres and 5 viscose rayon fibres, or alternatively a blend of ç nylon fibres and i acrylic fibres.Thermoplastic bonding agents which may be used in the manufacture of the sheet material are those commonly used in bonded fibre fabrics and include vinylchloride polymers and copolymers, alone or in admixture with other materials for example nitrile rubbers, styrene copolymers for example a styrene copolymer comprising about 85% by weight styrene and 15% by weight butadiene with a trace of a third monomer, and other commonly used thermoplastic bonding agents. The non-woven textile batt and the binding agent used should be such as to provide adequate wear resistance, sttiffness and flexibility for use in the shoe insole; approximately one part by weight bonding agent to one part by weight fibre has been found satisfactory.

Thus the first, through layer of material should be sufficiently flexible to allow the necessary bending during walking while yet being sufficiently stiff to provide an adequate foundation for the shoe, while the second layer, in combination with the rear portion of the first layer, should be of sufficient stiffness to provide an adequately rigid rear portion to the insole.

Preferably the reinforcing shank member used in the invention is a steel shank member of known type having a curvature suitable for the insole in which it is to be use.

Conveniently, in the manufacture of an insole in accordance with the invention in carrying out a method in accordance with the invention, the first, through layer is cut, using a cutting die of the required outline shape, from a flat sheet of suitable nonwoven bonded fibre fabric material. Preferably the second, reinforcing layer of sheet material is first coated with a layer of suitable heat activatable adhesive and the second, reinforcing layer is likewise cut from the adhesive coated material using a cutting die.

In carrying out a method in accordance with the invention it is important that the second layer be in register with the rear portion of the first layer, and that the reinforcing shank member be correctly positioned in relation to the first and second layers. Registration of the two layers and positioning of the shank may be carried out by an operator with or without the assistance of suitable guide means, or may be accomplished fully automatically. Likewise, in carrying out a method in accordance with the invention, the layers may be brought to a heat-softened mouldable condition by application of heat in a variety of ways, for example by radiant heat or by contact with a flat metal plate heated to a suitable temperature.It is desirable to avoid heating the forepart portion of the through layer very much as the shape required to be imparted to the forepart portion is not very pronounced and when the forepart portion is in a fully heat-softened mouldable condition the moulding pressure to which it is subjected may compress the material of the forepart portion unduly, making it too thin and thus reducing its flexibility to an undesirable extent.

Where, in carrying out a method in accordance with the invention, the second layer comprises a non-woven bonded fibre batt coated with a layer of heat-activatable adhesive, the first and second layers may conveniently be heat-softened to a mouldable condition, and the adhesive layer activated, by placing the two layers on a heated plate with the forepart portion of the first layer overhanging the edge of the plate (so that it is heated very little) and with the coating of heat-activatable adhesive of the second layer facing upwardly. The metal shank member may then be positioned on the second layer by an operator and the first layer placed by the operator on the second layer in register therewith with the reinforcing shank member sandwiched between the two layers.The two layers may then be pressed together about the reinforcing shank member either by finger pressure by the operator or by passing between suitable pressure rolls.

In further carrying out a method in accordance with the invention, the insole assembly comprising the first and second layers and the reinforcing shank member are subjected to pressure applied by suitably shaped mould members. Conveniently one of the mould members is the last for which the insole is being manufactured and the other mould member is a mould member which will conform to the required configuration, for example a mould member comprising a rubber diaphragm enclosing a fluid, the diaphragm being arranged to exert pressure against the insole assembly.Means are preferably provided to ensure that the first and second layers are in register, for example fingers about the last which are moved to bear against the edge portions of the layers and urge them into registration with each other and with the mould member lithe last bottom) on which they are supported. Alternatively a perforation may be made in each of the first and second layers and a hole formed in the reinforcing shank member during manufacture of the layers and member, the holes being accurately located to be received on a pin upstanding from the lower one of the mould members (for example the last) whereby to locate the two layers and the reinforcing shank member accurately lengthwise of the lower mould member; if such a method is adopted only one set of fingers will be required to align the waist region of the two layers.The pin may be made retractable under pressure so that it is pressed clear during the moulding operation.

Preferably the bonding agent used in the non-woven bonded fibre fabric is a therms plastic bonding agent; however, a bonding agent which is thermo-setting, i.e. one which can be softened by heating to bring the material to a mouldable condition but which cures to a hard condition on application of further heat, may be used, suitably in the second layer. Where a thermoplastic bonding agent is used one or both of the mould members may be cooled to cool the thermoplastic material of the layers and thereby cause solidification of the thermoplastic material thereby to cause the layers to become sufficiently rigid to retain the rear portion of the insole in its desired configuration.Where one of the mould members comprises a fluid < filled container having a diaphragm providing the pressing surface, the fluid is preferably refrigerated liquid for example refrigerated water.

There now follows a detailed description, to be read with reference to the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification of a shoe insole which is illustrative of the invention in its insole aspects, and of a method of making the insole, which method is itself illustrative of the invention in its method aspects. It will be realised that this insole and its method of manufacture have been selected for description to illustrate the invention by way of example and not of limitation.

In the drawings accompanying the Pm visional Spedfication : - Figure 1 is a perspective view with part broken away, of the illustrative shoe insole; and Figure 2 is a view of rolls used in nipping together first and second layers of the illustrative insole.

The illustrative insole comprises a first, through layer 10 of sheet material having an outline shape corresponding to that of the insole, and a second, reinforcing layer 12 having an outline shape corresponding to a rear portion of the insole and in register with the rear portion of the first layer. A steel shank member 14 is secured between the first layer 10 and the second layer 12.

The layers 10, 12 are conded together by a heat-activatable adhesive about the reinforcing member 14 in such a manner that the reinforcing member is secured in position by the first and second layers 10, 12.

In carrying out the illustrative method of making the illustrative insole, sheet materials suitable for the first and second layers are first obtained; the sheet materials are identical in composition but of different thicknesses. Each of the sheet materials is made by first forming a non-woven fibre batt by conventional techniques including gametting, cross-laying and needling; the batt so formed consists of two-thirds by weight viscose rayon fibres and one-third by weight nylon fibres. The so formed batt is then impregnated with an aqueous dispersion of a thermoplastic bonding agent. The bonding agent comprises about 60% by weight of styrene homopolymer and about 40% by weight of a styrene-butadiene copolymer of high styrene content.The non-woven fibre batt is impregnated with sufficient bonding agent that the dried non-woven bonded fibre batt obtained comprises approximately one-part by weight fibre to 1.3 parts by weight of impregnant and has a density of about 0.47 gnns. per cc. The sheet material for the first layer is approximately 1.8 mm thick, while the sheet material of the second layer is about 2.5 mm thick. The sheet materials are directional in that they have greater rigidity when bent about a first axis lying in the plane of the sheet material than when bent about a second axis lying in the plane of the sheet material at right angles to the first axis.

The first layer 10 is then cut, using a cutting die having an outline shape corresponding to the outline shape of the insole which is being manufactured, from the sheet material 1.8 mm thick, the cutting die being so disposed that the first layer 10 is cut from the sheet material with the axis about which the material is most flexible i.e. the second axis lying transversely of the first layer, whereby to facilitate flexing of the forepart of the insole during walking.The sheet material from which the second layer 12 is to be cut is first coated with a coating of heat-activatable adhesive, for example a hot melt adhesive based on ethylene/vinylacetate copolymer, activatable at about 1500C. The second, reinforcing layer 12 is then cut from the adhesive coated sheet material, with the axis about which the second layer is most rigid, i.e. the first axis lying transversely of the second layer, whereby to retain the curvature imparted to the rear portion of the insole in moulding.

After the second layer has been cut out a front edge portion is skived, to form a tapering edge portion which, when the first and second layers are bonded together, will taper down to the first layer and form a smooth transition at the joint region.

Next, in carrying out the illustrative method, the first layer 10 and the second layer 12 are laid on a flat metal surface heated to a temperature sufficient to soften the thermoplastic bonding agent of the sheet material to bring the layers to a mouldable condition and likewise sufficient to activate the heat activatable adhesive coating on the second layer 12. The first, through layer 10 is placed on the hot metal plate with the forepart portion of the layer projecting beyond the edge of the plate so that the forepart portion is heated only slightly; the second, reinforcing layer is placed on the hot metal plate with the adhesive coated side facing upwardly.The steel shank member 14 is then accurately positioned by the operator on the second reinforcing layer 12 (the steel shank member 14, being curved, touching the second layer 12 at two points along its length); the adhesive coating adheres somewhat to the shank member 14 and assists in retaining it in position.

The second, reinforcing layer 12 and the first, through layer 10 are then removed from the steel place by the operator and the two layers are brought together by the operator with the second layer 12 in register with a rear portion of the first layer 10, care being taken not to displace the shank member 14. The insole assembly so formed is then passed between two rolls 16, 18, with the first layer 10 underneath and the second layer 12 on top.

As can be seen from Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings the rolls are shaped to impart a transverse curvature to the insole assembly as it is passed through the nip.

The upper roll 16 is shaped to accommodate the rib of the metal shank member 14.

Alternatively, the rolls need not be used, the operator may merely press the first and second layers together by hand, about the steel shank member 14.

In further carrying out the illustrative method the insole assembly with the first and second layers lightly adhered together either by finger pressure or by use of the rolls of Figure 2 are introduced onto a mould member (which may, if desired, be a specially prepared mould block having an upper surface corresponding with the shape of the surface of the last which the illustrative insole is to fit but which is preferably the appropriate surface of the last itself) while still in heat-softened mouldable con diction. Where the rolls are used, the assembly may be fed from the rolls onto an inclined shute by which the assembly is directed onto the mould member. The first layer 10 is in contact with this surface of the lower mould member.The mould member is incorporated in a suitable machine, for example a No. 2 Sole Conforming Machine available from the Applicant Company. After the insole assembly has been placed on the mould member care is taken to ensure that the first and second layers 10, 12 remain in register and that the steel shank 14 has not shifted. The No. 2 Sole Conforming Machine comprises automatic side gauges and a seat locating device which operate to ensure that the insole assembly is accurately located on the mould member.

The insole assembly, while still in mouldable condition is then subjected to pressure between the lower mould member on which the assembly has been positioned, and an upper mould member of shape complementary to the lower mould member.

Preferably the upper mould member is of such construction that it automatically conforms to the configuration of the lower mould member, for example it may comprise a water-filled box having a rubber diaphragm over the pressing face as may be used in a No. 2 Sole Conforming Machine.

In the use of such water boxes as the upper mould member, the diaphragm acts to apply a uniform pressure over the whole of the surface of the insole assembly and conform it accurately to the configuration determined by the lower mould member, Thus the first layer 10 is moulded to a shape complementary to the lower mould member and thus, where the lower mould member is the making last, is a perfect fit to the last. The applied pressure causes the second layer 12 to mould around the steel shank member 14 and presses the layers 10, 12 firmly together about the shank member to form a firm bond between the two layers and to secure the shank member 14 in position.The water in the water box of the upper mould member is cooled by a refrigerator unit and acts to rapidly cool the insole assembly setting the insole assembly in the configuration into which it has been conformed by the pressure of the mould members. When the insole assembly has cooled sufficiently it is removed from the mould members and provides the illustrative shoe insole.

The illustrative insole may be bevelled around the edge of the rear portion after it has been moulded or alternatively the second layer may be bevelled prior to assembly. In either event the conforming pressure applied by the mould members as it moulds the second layer about the shank member 14 tends to draw the edge portions of the second layer inwardly of the edge portions of the first layer, thus giving a stepped edge region to the finished insole: this stepping of the edge of the insole may be adequate for some types of shoe and totally eliminate the need for a bevelling operation.

The skived front edged portion of the second layer 12 tapers finely to the first layer. As the adhesive coating which bonds the first and second layers together is still flowable during the insole moulding operation the first and second layers are able to slide over each other as curvature is imparted to the insole assembly and the stresses which sometimes cause delamination of the joint region where a shank board back part is laminated to a through insole layer are avoided. The moulding of the second layer 12 about the shank member 14 is such as to give an insole which is pleasing to the eye and convenient to handle in a shoe factory.

The material of the illustrative insole is especially suitable for use with a hot melt lasting cement which can thus be used in lasting the whole shoe.

Whereas in moulding previously known insoles pressures of several thousand pounds, at least, are used, in carrying out the illustrative method a total force of about 100 ibs applied to a ladies size 4 insole has been found adequate to conform the insole assembly to the desired configuration and to firmly laminate together the Ifirst and second layers.

The illustrative insole is a size 4 and is intended fort use in a girl's shoe having a heel height of about one inch. As can be seen from the foregoing description, the rear portion of the insole is not recessed to accommodate the steel shank member 14; thus the whole substance of the fibrous materials utilised in manufacturing the illustrative insole are available in the rear portion of the insole. The rear portion of the insole was found to be satisfactory for use in the aforementioned shoe, despite the fact that the material at the rear Iportion of the insole is much less dense than materials which have previously been commonly used for this purpose.

In some styles of shoe it may prove difficult to ensure that the reinforcing shank member remains in the desired position while moulding and bonding together of the first and second layers takes place, in carrying out the illustrative method. In this event the rear end of the shank member 14 may be riveted to the second layer of material (and, indeed, the front end portion of the shank member may likewise be riveted to the second layer 14, if desired) to locate the shank 14 lengthwise of the insole assembly; riveting the shank to the second layer 12 may also assist in keeping the shank member 14 in position in the finished shoe. However, it is preferred to not rivet the shank member to the second layer, if this can be avoided, because as previously mentioned, this increases the cost of the insole as well as detracting somewhat from the appearance of the illustrative insole.It will be appreciated that accurate location of the reinforcing shank member is especially important in shoes with very high heels.

Where a water box is used in carrying out the illustrative method, it may be possible to use a single box with a basically fiat diaphragm pressing face for all sizes and styles of shoes. However better results may be obtained for extreme sizes (e.g. small children's shoes) and styles (e.g. very high heel shoes) if specially prepared water boxes are used.

By utilising the illustrative method, sample insoles can be prepared much more quickly (provided that a last is available) than has been usual in the past, and production of new insole styles can be commenced more quickly and conveniently.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A shoe insole comprising a first, through layer of sheet material having an outline shape corresponding with the outline shape of the insole, a second, reinforcing layer of sheet material having an outline shape corresponding to a rear portion of the insolve and in register with the first layer, and a reinforcing shank member, of smaller area than the rear portion of the insole, between the layers, the layers being bonded together by heat-activatable adhesive about the reinforcing member and the layers being of non-woven bonded fibre fabric material which has been subjected to pressure between moulding members while in a heatsoftened mouldable condition whereby to conform the rear portion of the insole to a desired configuration which is retained upon solidification of the layers.

2. An insole according to claim 1 wherein the non-woven bonded fibre fabric material of the first layer is identical in composition with that of the second layer.

3. An insole according to either one of claims 1 and 2 wherein the second layer is thicker than the first layer.

4. An insole according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the layers comprises a non-woven bonded fibre fabric material in which the fibres comprise nylon fibres.

5. An insole according to claim 4 wherein the fibres are a fibre blend consisting of about i nylon fibres and 3 viscose rayon 6. An insole according to claim 4 wherein the fibres are a fibre blend consisting of about i nylon fibres and 3 acrylic fibres.

7. An insole according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the layers of non-woven bonded fibre fabric material comprises a thermoplastic bonding agent which can be softened by heating and solidifies on cooling.

8. An insole according to claim 7 wherein the bonding agent comprises polystyrene.

9. An insole according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein at least one of the layers of the non-woven bonded fibre fabric material comprises a thermosetting bonding agent which was softened by heating to bring the material to mouldable condition prior to the insole having been conformed to the desired configuration but has cured, on application of further heat, to a hard condition thus to retain the rear portion of the insole in the desired configuration.

10. An insole according to any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the non-woven bonded fibre fabric material comprises approximately one part by weight of bonding agent ot one part by weight of fibre.

11. An insole according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the reinforcing shank member is steel.

12. An insole according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the heatactivatable adhesive is based on ethylene/ vinyl acetate copolymer.

13. A method of making a shoe insole comprising I(i) procuring an insole assembly comprising a first, through layer of sheet material having an outline shape correspond- ing to that of the insole, a second layer of outline shape corresponding to a rear portion of the insole and in register with the rear portion of the first layer, the layers being of non-woven bonded fibre fabric material and being such that they can be heat-softened to a mouldable condition in which they can be conformed to a desired configuration by pressure applied by mould members, and a reinforcing shank member positioned between the first and second layers, (ii) subjecting the assembly to pressure applied by mould members, with the layers in mouldable condition, whereby to conform the insole to the desired configuration and bond together by heat-activatable adhesive the first and second layers about the reinforcing member and (iii) releasing the pressure and removing the assembly from the mould members after the layers have become sufficiently rigid to retain the rear portion of the insole in its desired configuration.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the second layer has a coating of heat-activatable adhesive.

15. A method according to either one of

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. riveted to the second layer 14, if desired) to locate the shank 14 lengthwise of the insole assembly; riveting the shank to the second layer 12 may also assist in keeping the shank member 14 in position in the finished shoe. However, it is preferred to not rivet the shank member to the second layer, if this can be avoided, because as previously mentioned, this increases the cost of the insole as well as detracting somewhat from the appearance of the illustrative insole. It will be appreciated that accurate location of the reinforcing shank member is especially important in shoes with very high heels. Where a water box is used in carrying out the illustrative method, it may be possible to use a single box with a basically fiat diaphragm pressing face for all sizes and styles of shoes. However better results may be obtained for extreme sizes (e.g. small children's shoes) and styles (e.g. very high heel shoes) if specially prepared water boxes are used. By utilising the illustrative method, sample insoles can be prepared much more quickly (provided that a last is available) than has been usual in the past, and production of new insole styles can be commenced more quickly and conveniently. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A shoe insole comprising a first, through layer of sheet material having an outline shape corresponding with the outline shape of the insole, a second, reinforcing layer of sheet material having an outline shape corresponding to a rear portion of the insolve and in register with the first layer, and a reinforcing shank member, of smaller area than the rear portion of the insole, between the layers, the layers being bonded together by heat-activatable adhesive about the reinforcing member and the layers being of non-woven bonded fibre fabric material which has been subjected to pressure between moulding members while in a heatsoftened mouldable condition whereby to conform the rear portion of the insole to a desired configuration which is retained upon solidification of the layers.

5. An insole according to claim 4 wherein the fibres are a fibre blend consisting of about i nylon fibres and 3 viscose rayon

6. An insole according to claim 4 wherein the fibres are a fibre blend consisting of about i nylon fibres and 3 acrylic fibres.

15. A method according to either one of

claims 13 and 14 wherein the layers are brought to mouldable condition by contact with a heated metal plate.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the reinforcing shank member is positioned on the second layer while the second layer is supported on the metal plate.

17. A method according to claim 16 wherein the first layer is then placed on the second layer in register therewith and with the reinforcing shank member sandwiched between the layers and the layers are then pressed together.

18. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 17 wherein one of the mould members by which pressure is applied to the assembly is a shoe making last.

19. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 18 wherein one of the mould members by which pressure is applied to the assembly comprises a rubber diaphragm enclosing a fluid.

20. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 19 wherein at least one of the mould members is cooled.

21. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 20 wherein the assembly is located relative to the mould members by engagement of a pin projecting from one of the members with a hole in a rear portion of the assembly.

22. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 21 wherein the total load to which the assembly is subjected is about 100 libs.

23. A method according to claims 13 to 22 wherein the first and second layers are of sheet material having a greater rigidity when bent about a first axis (lying in the plane of the sheet material) than when bent about a second axis (lying in the plane of the sheet material) at right angles to the first axis, the first layer being such that the first axis lies lengthwise of the insole and the second layer being such that the first axis lies transversely of the insole.

24. A shoe insole substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification.

25. A method of making a shoe insole substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification.