Abstract: The invention provides a self-standing blow molded two liter carbonated beverage bottle 1 weighing under 50 grams and having a unique petaloid base 7. The base comprises a petaloid design which has a plurality of at least three (preferably five) feet 9. Between each adjacent pair of feet is a radially extending valley 12 the width of which decreases with increasing radial distance from the bottles longitudinal axis toward a point of convergence 14 radially outside the bottle's diameter. The valley floor generally follows the hemispherical base shape and opens to an extended portion 13 of that base shape lying radially outwardly of the feet. The valley and extended portion initial pressurization of the bottle, deformation of the extended portions outwardly with a resulting raising of the center of the base away from the support surface.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a fixed seat portion which is adapted to be mounted on the floor of a vehicle and a movable seat portion which is mounted on the fixed seat portion and adapted to be moved between a normal use or drive position and an access position where the front edge of the movable seat portion overlies the sill of the vehicle to facilitate egress from the vehicle, the movable seat portion providing substantial support for the occupant at the drive position and during its movement to the access position, the vehicle seat assembly including mechanisms for pivoting and/or sliding movement of the movable seat portion relative to the fixed seat portion and for locking the movable seat portion to the fixed seat portion to prevent unwanted movement of the movable seat portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing flash from a flexible molded part includes a support for supporting the part being deflashed in underlying relation with first and second pinch rollers which are located at opposite ends of the part, and first and second conveyor assemblies associated with the first and second pinch rollers, respectively, are adapted to move the flash at both ends of the part into engagement with the pinch rollers which are driven in opposite directions and have knurled surfaces, causing the flash to be pinched between the pinch rollers and the associated conveyor assemblies, pulling the flash from said part, the conveyor assemblies conveying the flash away from part.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a support member extending laterally across the seat assembly and coupled to slide rails on each side forming a unitary frame structure movable upon fixed rails mounted to the motor vehicle. The unitary frame structure forms a platform upon which the seat cushion and seat back are mounted. By extending the unitary frame member outward beyond the sides of the seat cushion, the unitary frame structure can be mounted to the raised sill and tunnel of the vehicle body, above the floor. Alternatively, the unitary frame structure can be mounted vertically into the floor gaining the same benefits. This increases the space beneath the seat assembly which can be used by a rear seat occupant for his or her feet or for storage of other items.

Abstract: An integral child seat having a back panel which is attached to the seat frame with an extensible, energy absorbing diaphragm. The diaphragm enables the child seat back panel to move forward relative to the seat frame during a vehicle collision to reduce the relative deceleration of a seat occupant's head compared to his/her shoulders, thus reducing the neck loads and neck injuries. As the diaphragm is extended, an enclosed space, defined in part by the diaphragm, increases in size. One or more small orifices are provided to allow a controlled flow of air into this enlarging space. Likewise, after extension, return of the diaphragm to its initial position is controlled by the required expulsion of air from this enlarged space. The orifices restrict the discharge of air from the enlarged space, avoiding a return impact on the seat occupant due to the rebound of the elastic diaphragm.

Abstract: An integral child seat in which the lap belt of the restraint system is attached to opposite sides of the rotating child seat support, forward of the rotational axis of the seat support. By attaching the belts to the seat support forward of the rotation axis, the lap belt will remain snugly fitting to the seat occupant's lap and have a reduced tendency to ride over the iliac crest of the seat occupant's pelvis during a vehicle collision.

Abstract: An energy absorbing child seat in which a back support panel of the child seat is attached to a supporting structure or frame through energy absorbing brackets which plastically deform during a vehicle collision allowing a seat occupant to travel forward relative to the supporting structure and thus reduce the relative velocity and deceleration between the occupant's head and shoulders to reduce neck loads and neck injuries.

Abstract: A method for producing a prototype of an article includes generating a data file utilizing a computer aided design apparatus to provide data representing all of the geometry and contours for the inner cavity of the mold required to mold the article, using the data file to create the mold as a physical object directly from photosensitive resin utilizing a stereolithographic apparatus whereby the mold which is created utilizing the stereolithographic apparatus has a mold cavity having the geometry and contours required to blow mold the prototype of the article, positioning the mold in the blow molding apparatus, introducing a preform into the mold; and expanding the preform against the surface of the inner cavity of the mold to produce the prototype of the article.

Abstract: A method and an upholstery cover for fabricating an upholstered product which includes the steps of providing an upholstery cover having a hollow interior space and at least one positioning member having a portion thereof extending from the cover; positioning the cover adjacent to or against a foam molding fixture; securing the positioning member to the foam molding fixture to retain a portion of the cover in a predetermined location relative to the fixture; filling the hollow interior space of the cover with a liquid foaming agent; subsequently releasing the positioning member from the fixture; removing the filled cover from the fixture and finally, removing the extending portion of the positioning member from the cover.

Abstract: A foam molding apparatus with improved seal for sealing the mold lid to the bowl. The bowl and lid include inclined sealing surfaces surrounding the mold cavity with the bowl sealing surfaces being concave and the lid sealing surface being convex. Both the bowl and lid are resiliently supported on frames so that the lid can self align upon the bowl as the convex lid sealing surface engages the concave bowl sealing surface. Adjusting screws are carried by the lid carrier frame and engage the lid to apply pressure to the lid forcing the lid against the bowl sealing surface with the bowl being resiliently carried on a supporting frame allowing the bowl to float relative to the frame to achieve an even pressure distribution about the mold cavity at the sealing surfaces. The lid and bowl are both formed with fluid passages to enable hot water to be circulated through the mold maintaining the mold at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a hollow article having a blow molded portion and a compression molded portion. Plastic is extruded over a blow pin assembly to form a parison having an open end and a diameter larger than the diameter of the article's mouth. The blow pin is movable relative to the parison and includes a male mold member on its end. The male mold member has a molding surface corresponding in shape to the compression molded portion of the article. A cutting member is also provided on the blow pin. The cutting member is also movable relative to said parison. Once the parison is enclosed in a hollow mold, the male mold member of the blow pin compresses a portion of the parison between the second portion of the hollow mold and the molding surfaces of the male mold member so as to form the compression molded portion of the article.

Abstract: A shoulder belt height adjustment mechanism for a passenger restraint system, including a shoulder belt having upper and lower vertically spaced apart restraint slots in a back panel. The restraint slots are connected to one another by a transfer passage which couples an inboard end of one restraint slot with the outboard end of the other restraint slot so that the shoulder belt can be moved from on restraint slot to the other restraint slot without twisting of the shoulder belt in the process.

Abstract: A vehicle seat back frame including two bracing members, one being linearly extended from the lower end of the outboard upright member to the upper end of the inboard upright member and the other being extended linearly from the lower end of the inboard upright member to the upper end of the outboard upright member, the bracing members being connected together at a point intermediate their ends so that a side impact load applied to the seat back frame will place one of the bracing members fully, and the upper half of the other member, in tension substantially instantaneously upon the application of the load to the seat back frame, enabling the seat back frame to resist lateral deformation due to side impact forces applied to the seat back frame.

Abstract: A vehicle seat in which the cushion frame is formed by extruded frame members that are extruded as a long rail and then cut to the desired length for the seat assembly. The remaining components of the seat frame are universal and can be used with a seat of any width. The seat structure enables the seat manufacturer to stock a minimum number of components for seats of varying widths and can easily change from production of seats of one width to seats of a different width.

Abstract: A vehicle seat in which the seat cushion and/or seat back are formed with side bolsters that are reinforced by hollow inserts, preferably blow molded, that are attached to the seat cushion or seat back frame in the area of the side bolster and which are then covered by the foam pad. The hollow reinforcements increase the lateral support provided by the seat to the seat occupant at a relatively low added cost. The inserts may be attached to the seat component frame by a number of methods including the use of cable ties wrapped around the insert and the frame, rivets, snap members, clips, etc. The inserts, in addition to providing improved reinforcement in the bolster area may also result in a weight reduction as compared to a conventional wire reinforcement of the foam bolsters.

Abstract: A hydraulically controlled seat adjuster mechanism for providing fore-and-aft adjustment in the position of a vehicle seat includes first and second hydraulic cylinders, which support the seat on the floor of the vehicle, the hydraulic cylinders being connected in a series hydraulic circuit with a control valve in a manually driven embodiment, and with a control valve and a pump and motor assembly in a power driven embodiment, the control valve being manually operable between a flow preventing condition to interrupt the hydraulic circuit in which the hydraulic cylinders are prevented from operating so that the seat is locked in position, and a flow permitting condition to complete the hydraulic circuit, permitting the hydraulic cylinders to operate and move the seat to an adjusted position. The hydraulic mechanism is also described with reference to an application for controlling the adjustment of the angle of inclination of the seat back relative to the seat cushion.

Abstract: A blow molded, PET container having a unitarily formed body defining a hollow cavity for receiving a product. The body includes a base, a side wall, a neck finish and a mouth. The neck finish, located at the upper end of the container, is formed from substantially amorphous PET that has been thermally stabilized by a heat treating process. A thread is formed on the neck finish to receive a closure cap. The thread is generally in the form of a raised ridge that spirals at least partially around the neck finish. Spaced interruptions divide the thread into thread segments which reduce the PET needed to form the neck finish. The interruptions reduce the residual stresses in the neck finish and thereby reduce the distortion which occurs in the neck finish during hot filling or hot washing of the container.

Abstract: An improved beverage bottle support base is disclosed having an upwardly directed conical inner wall, the apex of which is centrally of the base and a convex outer wall of annular shape surrounding the conical inner wall and merging therewith and with the side wall of the bottle. A plurality of reinforcing grooves extend radially outward from the apex and merging with the convex outer wall, dividing the conical inner wall and convex outer wall into a plurality of spaced apart hollow feet.