Abstract: The apparatus includes a first female mold member defining a mold cavity for receiving a plastic skin or layer. A second mold member or slide is positioned with a surface thereon contiguous with the surface of the mold cavity. The surface of the second mold member receives and holds thereon a portion of the plastisol skin extending from the mold cavity. A third mold member, such as a mold core, positions a rigid insert in the mold cavity with an insert surface or edge adjacent the portion of the plastisol skin on the second mold member. The second mold member includes passages for directing fluid pressure against the portion of skin thereon to fold it over the adjacent insert edge. A fourth mold member, such as a mold lid, is movable toward the second and third mold members for pressing the folded-over skin against the insert during foam formation between the skin and insert.

Abstract: A process for molding plastic parts includes the steps of providing two or more colors of pigmented powder particles of thermoplastic material; casting the particles against a heated surface to form non-patterned layers of particles with voids therebetween; heating the layers to form color blended fused fringe zones between the particles which fill the voids to form a solid, multi-colored, three-dimensional article while each particle retains its discrete particle core which maintains each particle's central or original color concentration and which cores have discernible light transmissive properties.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a first female mold member defining a shaped mold cavity for receiving a plastisol layer or skin. A second mold member is pivotally disposed on the female mold member between an open and closed position. In the open position, the second mold member receives and holds thereon a portion of the plastisol skin extending from the mold cavity. An insert is positioned in the mold cavity by a third mold member such as a mold lid on which the insert is releasably retained. After the insert is positioned in the mold cavity, the second mold member is pivoted toward the mold lid to fold the skin portion thereon over and against an edge of the insert. The skin is folded adjacent the pivot axis of the second mold member. Foam can then be introduced and cured between the skin and insert.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a first female mold member defining a shaped mold cavity for receiving a plastisol layer or skin. A second mold member is pivotally disposed on the female mold member between an open and closed position. In the open position, the second mold member receives and holds thereon a portion of the plastisol skin extending from the mold cavity. An insert is positioned in the mold cavity by a third mold member such as a mold lid on which the insert is releasably retained. After the insert is positioned in the mold cavity, the second mold member is pivoted toward the mold lid to fold the skin portion thereon over and against an edge of the insert. The skin is folded adjacent the pivot axis of the second mold member. Foam can then be introduced and cured between the skin and insert.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a first female mold member defining a mold cavity for receiving a plastisol skin or layer. A second mold member or slide is positioned with a surface thereon contiguous with the surface of the mold cavity. The surface of the second mold member receives and holds thereon a portion of the plastisol skin extending from the mold cavity. A third mold member, such as a mold core, positions a rigid insert in the mold cavity with an insert surface or edge adjacent the portion of the plastisol skin on the second mold member. The second mold member includes passages for directing fluid pressure against the portion of skin thereon to fold it over the adjacent insert edge. A fourth mold member, such as a mold lid, is movable toward the second and third mold members for pressing the folded-over skin against the insert during foam formation between the skin and insert.

Abstract: Three-dimensional multi-colored plastic parts and a method for manufacturing such parts for automobile interior trim door panels, consoles and instrument panels and the like includes dry cast thermoplastic powder sized in the range of 60-400 microns and with two or more colors of particles mixed for distribution onto a heated mold section with the mixed powder particles being heated to randomly flow at particle margins to form two or more shade tones in a resultant three-dimensional multi-colored textured part of fuzed material.