Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a decorative skin of an airbag cover having a weakened area, wherein a predetermined breaking groove is integrally formed into the decorative skin. The invention further relates to a decorative skin having a weakened area.

Abstract: A side sealing apparatus for a shrink packaging machine comprising closed loop temperature control of a heater for maintaining an optimum temperature for cutting and sealing two layers of thermoplastic film. The heater comprises a cable or cartridge heater with an internal thermocouple, and it is connected to an automatic temperature controller. The heater is mounted on the side sealer apparatus between two sets of top and bottom V-belts mounted around drive rolls and idler rolls. The V-belts provide nip pressure against the film in order to drive the film. Nip pressure is generated by nip rolls on the scrap side of the film, and by belt support plates on the package side of the film.

Abstract: A side sealing apparatus for a shrink packaging machine comprising closed loop temperature control of a heater for maintaining an optimum temperature for cutting and sealing two layers of thermoplastic film. The heater comprises a cable or cartridge heater with an internal thermocouple, and it is connected to an automatic temperature controller. The heater is mounted on the side sealer apparatus between two sets of top and bottom V-belts mounted around drive rolls and idler rolls. The V-belts provide nip pressure against the film in order to drive the film. In one embodiment, nip pressure is generated by nip rollers on the scrap side of the film, and by low friction belt support guides on the package side of the film. In another embodiment, the belt support guides are replaced with a series of upper and lower nip rollers, and adjustable toggle clamps provide adjustable pressure on the series of upper and lower nip rollers.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a seat back which pivots during a rear impact vehicle collision in Such a manner that the upper end of the seat back rotates foreword. The pivoting seat back includes a releasable latch mechanism to hold the seat back frame fixed in a predetermined position about a pivot axis. The latch mechanism is releasable by inertia forces in response to a rear vehicle collision, to release the latch member and free the seat back frame for rotation about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A paper box folding and sealing machine for forming a hemmed edge. A skiving station removes a portion of a carton blank material at the area to be hemmed. A hemming station folds the skived portion onto the blank, irons it and then opens the hem to lie in a predetermined plane that intersects the plane of the blank. Superheated air directed in a laminar-like air flow, activates a thermoplastic coating adjacent the skived portion of the area to be hemmed. Folding fingers, tack rollers and presser rollers then fold the skived portion onto the activated thermoplastic coating to form a hem that is sealed against the adjacent portion of the blank.