Applicator apparatus of a shoe

1 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) of a shoe cover ( 2 ) provided with an insertion opening ( 3 ) of a footwear, comprising:

a supporting frame ( 5 );

at least one supporting framework ( 6 ) of a shoe cover ( 2 ) supported by the frame ( 5 ),

wherein the supporting framework ( 6 ) is shaped so as to hold in a widened condition the insertion opening ( 3 ) of a shoe cover ( 2 ) peripherally applied on said framework ( 6 ); and wherein

the supporting framework ( 6 ) is movably supported in said frame ( 5 ) between an upper application position of the shoe cover ( 2 ) on the framework ( 6 ) and a lower release position of the shoe cover ( 2 ) peripherally applied thereon.

2 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one supporting framework ( 6 ) of the shoe cover ( 2 ) is angularly movable between said upper application position of the shoe cover ( 2 ) and said lower release position of the shoe cover ( 2 ).

3 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one supporting framework ( 6 ) of the shoe cover ( 2 ) is substantially ring-shaped.

4 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 3 , wherein said at least one supporting framework ( 6 ) of the shoe cover ( 2 ) is substantially fork-shaped and comprises a pair of supporting branches ( 7 , 8 ).

5 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 4 , wherein at least a first ( 7 ) of said branches ( 7 , 8 ) is movable from and towards the second branch ( 8 ) of the supporting framework ( 6 ).

6 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 4 , wherein said supporting branches ( 7 , 8 ) are at least partially made of an elastically deformable material.

7 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 5 , wherein the supporting framework ( 6 ) is a single piece made of said elastically deformable material.

8 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 4 , wherein said supporting branches ( 7 , 8 ) are structurally independent from each other.

9 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 5 , wherein the supporting framework ( 6 ) of the shoe cover ( 2 ) is provided with spring means ( 13 , 14 ) adapted to urge said first branch ( 7 ) away from the second branch ( 8 ) of the supporting framework ( 6 ).

10 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 4 , wherein said supporting branches ( 7 , 8 ) have a curved profile.

11 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 4 , wherein said supporting branches ( 7 , 8 ) are provided with a radially outer edge ( 12 ) adapted to engage with the insertion opening ( 3 ) of the shoe cover ( 2 ).

12 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 2 , wherein the application and release positions of the shoe cover ( 2 ) are angularly offset from each other of an angle comprised between 60° and 290°.

13 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 2 , wherein the supporting frame ( 5 ) is provided with at least one upright ( 15 ) and wherein the supporting framework ( 6 ) of the shoe cover ( 2 ) can be arranged at said application and release positions of the shoe cover ( 2 ) by means of at least one connection arm ( 16 ) angularly movable in a plane substantially perpendicular to said at least one upright ( 15 ).

14 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 13 , wherein said connection arm ( 16 ) is fixed to a transversal supporting rod ( 17 ) extending substantially perpendicular to said at least one upright ( 15 ).

15 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 14 , wherein said transversal supporting rod ( 17 ) is rotatably mounted in the frame ( 5 ) about a hinging axis (X-X) substantially perpendicular to said at least one upright ( 15 ).

16 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 15 , wherein the transversal supporting rod ( 17 ) is mounted between a pair of supporting blocks ( 18 , 19 ) of a movable element ( 20 ) rotatably supported by the frame ( 5 ) and wherein said connection arm ( 16 ) is connected to the transversal supporting rod ( 17 ) by means of one of said blocks ( 18 , 19 ).

17 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 16 , wherein said movable element ( 20 ) is provided with at least one counterweight ( 21 ) adapted to at least partially balance the weight force applied on the connection arm ( 16 ) by the supporting framework ( 6 ) of the shoe cover ( 2 ).

18 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , further comprising a displacing device ( 22 ) of the supporting framework ( 6 ) of the shoe cover ( 2 ) adapted to arrange the supporting framework ( 6 ) at said application and release positions of the shoe cover ( 2 ).

19 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 13 , wherein said displacing device ( 22 ) comprises at least one lever ( 23 ) active on the connection arm ( 16 ) of the supporting framework ( 6 ) and rotatably mounted in the frame ( 5 ) about a hinging axis (Y-Y) substantially perpendicular to said at least one upright ( 15 ).

20 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 15 , wherein said at least one lever ( 23 ) is kinematically connected to the connection arm ( 16 ) by means of an operating rod ( 25 ) connected to said transversal supporting rod ( 17 ).

21 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 4 , further comprising at least one driving rod ( 29 ) extending between the transversal supporting rod ( 17 ) and at least a first of the branches ( 7 , 8 ) of the supporting framework ( 6 ) of the shoe cover ( 2 ) to move said first branch ( 7 ) towards the second branch ( 8 ) of the supporting framework ( 6 ) at the application position of the shoe cover ( 2 ) on the supporting framework ( 6 ).

22 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the supporting frame ( 5 ) is provided at an upper end with a tray ( 28 ) for receiving the shoe covers ( 2 ) to be worn.

23 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 13 , wherein the supporting framework ( 6 ) of the shoe cover ( 2 ) is rotatably articulated to the connection arm ( 16 ) about a hinging axis (Z-Z) substantially perpendicular to said arm ( 16 ).

24 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 14 , wherein the connection arm ( 16 ) of the supporting framework ( 6 ) of the shoe cover ( 2 ) is rotatably articulated to the transversal supporting rod ( 17 ).

25 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , comprising a plurality of supporting frameworks ( 6 ) of the shoe cover ( 2 ) associated to a conveyer device ( 34 ) of said supporting frameworks ( 6 ) from said application position towards said release position of the shoe cover ( 2 ).

26 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 25 , wherein the supporting frameworks ( 6 ) of the shoe cover ( 2 ) are pitchwise spaced apart from each other along the conveyer device ( 34 ).

27 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 25 , wherein each of the supporting frameworks ( 6 ) of the shoe cover ( 2 ) is associated to a respective transversal supporting rod ( 17 ) of a plurality of rods ( 17 ) extending substantially perpendicular to said at least one upright ( 15 ).

28 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 25 , wherein the conveyer device ( 34 ) of 5 the supporting frameworks ( 6 ) comprises at least one moving and supporting element of the frameworks ( 6 ).

29 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 28 , wherein the moving and supporting element of the frameworks ( 6 ) is a flexible chain element ( 37 , 38 ) or belt element ( 62 , 63 ).

30 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 29 , wherein the conveyer device ( 34 ) of the supporting frameworks ( 6 ) further comprises guide means for keeping a front branch of said chain ( 37 , 38 ) or of said belt ( 62 , 63 ) in a substantially vertical direction.

31 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 27 , wherein the transversal supporting rods ( 17 ) of the supporting frameworks ( 6 ) of the shoe cover ( 2 ) extend between two moving and supporting elements of the frameworks ( 6 ) of the conveyer device ( 34 ).

32 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 29 , wherein the conveyer device ( 34 ) of the supporting frameworks ( 6 ) further comprises:

i) at least a first pair of coaxial upper gear wheels ( 39 , 40 ), rotatably supported by the supporting frame ( 5 ) along a first hinging axis transversely extending with respect to said at least one upright ( 15 ) at an upper end of the frame ( 5 );

ii) at least a second pair of coaxial lower gear wheels ( 40 , 41 ), rotatably supported by the supporting frame ( 5 ) along a second hinging axis transversely extending with respect to said at least one upright ( 15 ) at a lower end of the frame ( 5 ); and

iii) a pair of flexible moving and supporting elements of the frameworks ( 6 ), each element being adapted to engage a respective gear wheel ( 39 , 41 ; 40 , 42 ) of said first ( 39 , 40 ) and said second ( 41 , 42 ) pair of wheels.

33 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 25 , wherein the conveyer device ( 34 ) of the supporting frameworks ( 6 ) comprises at least one actuator ( 56 ) adapted to move the supporting frameworks ( 6 ) from said application position towards said release position of the shoe cover ( 2 ).

34 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 27 , wherein the actuator ( 56 ) of the conveyer device ( 34 ) of the supporting frameworks ( 6 ) comprises at least one operating lever ( 45 , 46 ) active on each of said transversal supporting rods ( 17 ) by means of a ratchet device ( 47 ).

35 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 34 , wherein the ratchet device ( 47 ) is provided with a pawl ( 48 ) and with spring means ( 49 ) adapted to urge said pawl ( 48 ) towards said transversal supporting rod ( 17 ).

36 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 34 , wherein the actuator ( 56 ) of the conveyer device ( 34 ) of the supporting frameworks ( 6 ) comprises a pair of operating levers ( 45 , 46 ) accessible at opposite sides of the supporting frame ( 5 ).

37 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 34 , further comprising stop means ( 50 , 51 ) adapted to limit the angular displacement of said at least one lever ( 45 , 46 ) of the actuator ( 56 ) of the conveyer device ( 34 ) of the supporting frameworks ( 6 ).

38 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 34 , wherein the conveyer device ( 34 ) of the supporting frameworks ( 6 ) is provided with spring means ( 57 ) active on said at least one operating lever ( 45 , 46 ) to hold said lever ( 45 , 46 ) at a rest position in which said ratchet device ( 47 ) is in engagement with one of said transversal supporting rods ( 17 ).

39 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 25 , further comprising guide means ( 52 ) adapted to hold in a raised condition each supporting framework ( 6 ) of said plurality of frameworks ( 6 ) upstream of said release position of the shoe cover ( 2 ).

40 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 39 , wherein said guide means ( 52 ) comprises a rail ( 53 ) supported by the supporting frame ( 5 ) and extending along a direction substantially parallel to said at least one upright ( 15 ).

41 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 40 , wherein said rail ( 53 ) is provided with a sliding track ( 54 ) adapted to cooperate in abutment relationship with a transversal rod ( 55 ) laterally fixed to the connection arm ( 16 ) of the supporting framework ( 6 ).

42 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 40 , wherein said rail ( 53 ) is provided with a substantially hook-shaped lower portion ( 53 a ) to allow an angular displacement of predetermined value of each of said supporting frame-works ( 6 ) towards said release position of the shoe cover ( 2 ).

43 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 41 , wherein said rail ( 53 ) is provided with a stop plate ( 58 ) fixed to said substantially hook-shaped lower portion ( 53 a ) and adapted to cooperate in abutment relationship with said transversal rod ( 55 ) to hold said supporting framework ( 6 ) at the release position of the shoe cover ( 2 ).

44 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 43 , wherein said stop plate ( 58 ) is coated on top with an anti-friction material.

45 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 25 , wherein the supporting framework ( 6 ) of the shoe cover ( 2 ) is rotatably mounted on the conveyer device ( 34 ).

46 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 45 , wherein the supporting framework ( 6 ) of the shoe cover ( 2 ) is rotatably mounted on the conveyer device ( 34 ) by means of a connection arm ( 16 ) hinged to the conveyer device ( 34 ) about a hinging axis (B-B) substantially perpendicular to said at least one upright ( 15 ).

47 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 46 , wherein the supporting framework ( 6 ) of the shoe cover ( 2 ) is rotatably articulated to the connection arm ( 16 ) about a hinging axis (Z-Z) substantially perpendicular to said arm ( 16 ).

48 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 27 , wherein the supporting framework ( 6 ) of the shoe cover ( 2 ) is rotatably mounted idly on said transversal supporting rod ( 17 ).

49 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 32 , wherein the conveyer device ( 34 ) comprises a third pair of gear wheels ( 60 , 61 ) coaxially mounted on the frame ( 5 ) along a hinging axis parallel to, or substantially coinciding with, the longitudinal axis of the transversal supporting rod ( 17 ) in the release position of the shoe cover ( 2 ).

50 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 25 , further comprising at least one raising device ( 67 ) adapted to engage the supporting framework ( 6 ) of the shoe cover ( 2 ) arranged in said upper application position of the shoe cover ( 2 ).

51 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 50 , wherein said raising device ( 67 ) comprises a lever ( 68 ) rotatably supported by said at least one upright ( 15 ) and provided with a first end ( 68 a ) adapted to engage an outer branch ( 8 ) of the supporting framework ( 6 ) to raise said framework ( 6 ) by rotating said lever ( 68 ).

52 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 11 , wherein said first end ( 68 a ) of the lever ( 68 ) is provided with a grooved roller ( 69 ) adapted to engage the radially outer edge ( 12 ) of the outer branch ( 8 ) of the supporting framework ( 6 ).

53 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 39 , wherein said guide means ( 52 ) comprises a tilting door ( 70 ) rotatably supported by the frame ( 5 ) at the lower release position of the shoe cover ( 2 ).

54 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 48 , further comprising at least one driving device ( 71 ) of the tilting door ( 70 ) adapted to lilt said door ( 70 ) when said conveyer device ( 34 ) of the supporting frameworks ( 6 ) is operated.

55 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 54 , wherein said driving device ( 71 ) comprises a shaped operating lever ( 72 ) rotated by the conveyer device ( 34 ) and provided with an operating rod ( 73 ) kinematically connected to the tilting door ( 70 ) to lift said door ( 70 ) when said conveyer device ( 34 ) is operated.

56 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 54 , wherein said driving device ( 71 ) comprises spring means ( 74 ) active on said shaped operating lever ( 72 ) to lower said door ( 70 ) when said supporting framework ( 6 ) is in the lower release position of the shoe cover ( 2 ).

57 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , further comprising a protective casing ( 33 ) supported by said frame ( 5 ).

58 . Applicator apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 57 , wherein said protective casing ( 33 ) is provided with a removable cover ( 59 ) to gain access to the supporting framework ( 6 ) of the shoe cover ( 2 ) in said upper application position.