Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for shaping fibrous elastic bodies. The apparatus includes a preliminary shaping die and a final shaping die. A fiber material, which includes a binder fiber and a matrix fiber, is used to form the elastic bodies. The binder fiber has a lower melting point than the matrix fiber. The fiber material is placed into the preliminary shaping die and half melted to bond the unmelted matrix fiber and thereby form the preliminary shaped item. The preliminary shaped item has a preliminary shape of an objective article to be shaped. The preliminary shaped item is then transferred to the final shaping die, in which it is further heated and clamped to shape the objective article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding a cushion member from a fiber mixture by a filling process comprising filling a fiber mixture composed of synthetic matrix fibers and binder fibers dispersed therein into a mold cavity of an air-permeable mold by a transportation air stream and a heat-treatment process comprising making a molding air stream for heating and/or cooling the fiber mixture filled in the mold cavity to pass through the fiber mixture, wherein a contact surface of the mold with the fiber mixture is divided into a plurality of contact sections, and a flow rate and/or pressure of an air stream passing through each of the contact sections are regulated to a predetermined condition so that the air stream in the mold cavity is differently controlled in the filling process and the heat-treatment process.