Abstract: The durability of an endless belt where at least one rib member, having ends, for preventing skew of the endless belt is mounted is improved. In a transfer belt, serving as the endless belt, a groove is formed so as to set a side surface of the rib member at a position separated by a distance A from a lateral-direction end of the transfer belt. The distance A is longer than a distance X between a first end and a second end of the rib member.

Abstract: A method of producing dashboards, door or side trim panels for motor vehicles with a predetermined breaking line for an airbag flap is described. To accomplish this, slush material is introduced into a mold which can be heated to a molding temperature and determines the shape of the slush membrane, where the slush material is distributed and deposited on the heated mold surface by rotating the mold and is then sintered and gelled. After cooling the mold, the slush membrane is removed from the mold by unmolding. To create a predetermined breaking line, a mold having a divider on its mold surface at the location of the predetermined breaking line to be created is used. By controlled rotation and/or positioning of the mold while applying the powder and/or gelling the slush material, a reduction in the layer thickness of the slush material to an extent that establishes a predetermined breaking line is achieved.

Abstract: A mask such as a laryngeal mask or face mask, has a soft annular cuff on a more rigid mount of funnel shape. The cuff and mount are moulded together by rotational moulding or the mount is preformed and the cuff is moulded onto the mount in a rotational mould.

Abstract: A method of molding a plastic shell having an outer pliable skin layer and a foam backing layer comprises casting a first skin layer portion from wear resistant material in a first casting sequence for those areas of the panel susceptible to high wear and in a second casting sequence casting self-skinning foamable material against the remaining portion of the mold surface and over the first-cast skin layer portion to develop, simultaneously, the remaining outer skin layer portion of the shell and a foam backing layer which extends across the entire skin layer.

Abstract: A bulk polymerized grafted and crosslinkable thermoplastic polyolefin powder composition having elasticity and flexibility properties, which is in the form of a powder intended for the production of flexible coatings by free flow over a hot mold, characterized in that it contains:

Abstract: A method of molding a plastic shell having an outer pliable skin layer and a foam backing layer comprises casting a first skin layer portion from wear resistant material in a first casting sequence for those areas of the panel susceptible to high wear and in a second casting sequence casting self-skinning foamable material against the remaining portion of the mold surface and over the first-cast skin layer portion to develop, simultaneously, the remaining outer skin layer portion of the shell and a foam backing layer which extends across the entire skin layer.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyolefin composition having resilient properties is provided for producing interior trims for motor vehicles by slush moulding. The composition contains (a) around 95-5 parts by weight, preferably 97-10 parts by weight of a matrix consisting of at least one polymer containing at least 50 mol % of propylene and at least one at least partially cross-linked polyolefin elastomer; (b) around 3-95 parts by weight, preferably 5-90 parts by weight of at least one polymer containing at least 50 mol % of ethylene; and (c) 0-6 parts by weight of an internal release agent per 100 parts by weight of components (a) and (b).

Abstract: Method for producing a plate-shaped component. This involves the preparation of a first suspension comprising an alcohol as the dispersing medium and a base material for the plate. A second suspension is prepared which comprises binder, water as the gelling agent and an alcohol as the dispersion medium, possibly with the addition of Li/K or Li/Na carbonate. These two suspensions are mixed together, possibly with the addition of fibers. After mixing, a plate-shaped component is fabricated with the aid of the “tape casting” technique.

Abstract: An article including a panel-like structure mountable in an automobile vehicle to form a part of the interior thereof and conceal a secondary restraint system, and a process for making the same are disclosed. According to this process, an outer layer is established on a first mold surface, with the exterior surface of the outer layer having an opaque visual appearance and a configuration complementary to the first mold surface. A casting composition is then rotationally casted onto an inner surface of the outer layer to create an inner layer of a predetermined thickness while restricting the gel thickness along an elongated structurally weakened tear seam. The casting composition is then fused. The outer layer and inner layer collectively define a layered composite structure, with the outer layer presenting the same opaque visual appearance to the exterior surface thereof unaffected by change in the inner layer thickness so that the structurally weakened tear seam is hidden from view.

Abstract: A method for forming products such as simulated leather including one or more layers from thermoplastic, thermosetting or elastomer materials all formed by slush-moulding, comprising: forming in a slush-moulding mould a first layer of compacted material representing the exposed layer of the finished product, on said first layer forming a second layer of expandable material by further slush-moulding, completing with heat the consolidation of said layers by gelling and expansion of said second layer, the free face of which has an irregular shape. To the layered material thus formed is coupled a support of rigid material without discontinuity points or regions between them by filling every possible interspace.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing multi-colored plastics, in which slush material is introduced into a mold which can be heated and rotated and has a molding surface. The colorant material comprises a plurality of coloring elements consisting of a colorant content and a transparent plastics cover surrounding the latter or a plastics matrix holding the colorant content together. The colorant content is left in the plastics casing or matrix during sintering and gelling.

Abstract: A molding arrangement and method, such as slush or rotational molding, for forming a thermoplastic shell or skin product. The mold arrangement includes a hollow mold housing provided with a mold shell thereon, which together define an air chamber located within the mold housing. A plurality of air flow control devices, such as centrifugal fans, are mounted within the mold housing and direct heated air into the air chamber through discharge channels defined within the mold housing. The mold arrangement also includes an elongate air supply and heating arrangement which generates heated air within the mold housing and along substantially the entire longitudinal extent thereof to effect uniform heating of the mold shell.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the unexpected discovery that aliphatic solvents and secondary plasticizers act to reduce the viscosity of plastisol compositions that contain a crosslinked nitrile rubber. It has been unexpectedly found that plastisol compositions having acceptable viscosities which contain more than 30 or even 40 percent crosslinked nitrile rubber can be made by incorporating an aliphatic solvent or an aliphatic plasticizer therein.

Abstract: A multi-layer molded article having a skin material layer made of a vinyl chloride resin, a propylene resin core, and an adhesive layer present between the skin material layer and the core, in which the adhesive layer includes (A) a layer having (a) a sublayer containing a polyester resin and an epoxy group-containing ethylene copolymer, which is bonded to the skin material of the vinyl chloride resin, and (b) a sublayer containing at least one copolymer selected from an ethylene copolymer and an epoxy group-containing copolymer, which is bonded to said propylene resin core, or (B) a layer obtained from an ethylene resin composition containing a polybasic carboxylic acid and an epoxy-group containing copolymer (c) which contains ethylene units, unsaturated carboxylic acid glycidyl ester units or unsaturated glycidyl ether units and an ethylenically unsaturated ester units other than the unsaturated carboxylic acid glycidyl ester units.

Abstract: A molding apparatus and method, such as slush or rotational molding, for forming a thermoplastic shell product. The mold assembly includes a hollow mold box provided with a metal mold shell thereon, which box and shell cooperate to define a hollow chamber which extends longitudinally of the box and is defined adjacent the back surface of the mold shell. Heated air is supplied into one end and discharged from the other end of the chamber to effect heating of the metal shell. The chamber contains a plurality of flow control devices disposed at spaced intervals within and along the chamber. The flow control devices are individually adjustable and programmable so as to divert the heated air from conventional longitudinal flow into transverse flow either toward or away from the back surface of the mold shell.

Abstract: An article including a panel-like structure mountable in an automobile vehicle to form a part of the interior thereof, and a process for making the same are disclosed. According to this process, an outer layer defining at least a portion of the exposed exterior surface of the structure is prepared by applying a water-dispersed composition containing a thermoplastic polyurethane and a heat-activated crosslinking agent onto a mold surface and thereafter drying the composition. Next, a composition comprising (i) a poly(vinyl chloride) resin and at least one plasticizer and/or (ii) a thermoplastic polyurethane resin material is gelled onto an inner surface of the outer layer while on the outer layer is retained on the mold surface. The gelled composition is then fused to form an inner layer interfacially chemically bonded to the outer layer. The inner layer with the outer layer chemically bonded thereto is united with the rigid substrate so that the rigid substrate serves to reinforce the outer layer.

Abstract: Spherical particles having a diameter between 0.007" and 0.040" are formed from melt extruded thermoplastic material formed of blended and melt extruded thermoplastic and pigment.

Abstract: A powdered slush molding device has debris capturing devices in its reservoir. A resin material is passed back and forth through openings between the reservoir and the mold by rotating the apparatus back and forth until a film of desired thickness is formed on the mold. The capturing devices capture the debris formed during a molding process. Unwanted debris are then removed from the capturing devices either while the capturing devices remain within the reservoir or by removing them and removing the debris outside the reservoir.

Abstract: A method of molding a plastic shell having an outer pliable skin layer and a foam backing layer comprises casting a first skin layer portion from wear resistant material in a first casting sequence for those areas of the panel susceptible to high wear and in a second casting sequence casting self-skinning foamable material against the remaining portion of the mold surface and over the first-cast skin layer portion to develop, simultaneously, the remaining outer skin layer portion of the shell and a foam backing layer which extends across the entire skin layer.

Abstract: A process for forming such manufactured items as imitation leather, or the like, from thermoplastic materials, thermosetting materials or elastomers, having at least one foamed layer, characterized in that said process comprises the following steps: a) forming, inside a mold for slush molding, a first layer of material which will constitute the top (i.e.

Abstract: A method is described for producing a molded article by molding a thermoplastic elastomer powder having a sphere-reduced average diameter of 0.7 mm or less, a bulk specific gravity of at least 0.38 and a failing property of 20 second/100 ml or less, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer contains an elastomeric ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer and a polyolefin resin and has a complex dynamic viscosity .eta.*(1) of 1.5.times.10.sup.5 poise or less when measured at 250.degree. C. at a frequency of 1 radian/sec., and a Newtonian viscosity index n of 0.67 or less, in which the Newtonian viscosity index n is calculated according to the following formula:n=(log .eta.*(1)-log .eta.*(100))/2wherein .eta.*(100) is a complex dynamic viscosity measured at 250.degree. C. at a frequency of 100 radian/sec.

Abstract: A process for producing a hollow rubber article by (1) injecting a slush molding plastisol composition of (a) polyvinyl chloride, (b) from about 40 to about 65 parts of a plasticizer per 100 parts of polyvinyl chloride, (c) from about 1 to about 3 parts of a stabilizer, and (d) from about 10 to about 15 parts of a highly crosslinked nitrile rubber composition per 100 pars of the polyvinyl chloride wherein the highly cross-linked nitrile rubber composition has repeat units derived from (i) 1,3-butadiene, (ii) acrylonitrile, and (iii) a crosslinking agent, and wherein the highly crosslinked nitrile rubber has a Mooney viscosity of about 50 to about 120; a swelling index of less than about 10 percent; a mill shrinkage of less than 10 percent; and a gel content of greater than 90 percent, into a mold; (2) maintaining the mold at an elevated temperature for a period of time which is sufficient for the slush molding composition to be fused into the shape of the desired hollow article; and (3) removing the hollow ru

Abstract: Laminar articles are manufactured by slush molding polyolefin compositions in powder form composed of:A) 10-40 parts by weight of a propylene homopolymer or copolymer;B) 0-20 parts by weight of a copolymer fraction containing ethylene, propylene and/or a CH.sub.2 .dbd.CHR .alpha.-olefin, the copolymer fraction being insoluble in xylene at ambient temperature and having an ethylene content equal to or greater than 80% by weight;C) 50-80 parts by weight of a copolymer fraction containing ethylene, propylene and/or a CH.sub.2 .dbd.CHR .alpha.-olefin, the copolymer fraction being soluble in xylene at ambient temperature and having an intrinsic viscosity in tetrahydronaphthalene at 135 C ranging from 1 to 1.4 dl/g.

Abstract: An interior trim panel comprises a flexible polyurethane skin layer, an intermediate resilient polyurethane foam layer and a rigid polyurethane foam substrate. The flexible polyurethane skin layer and intermediate resilient polyurethane foam layer are formed as an expanded thermoplastic urethane (TPU) shell in a slush molding process. The rigid polyurethane foam substrate is then foamed in place on the shell in a substrate forming mold. This produces an environmentally friendly, long lasting interior trim panel that can be manufactured economically without any need for plasticizers or adhesive coatings.

Abstract: Method and apparatus including a powder box and heatable shell tool are disclosed for forming a thermoplastic automotive air bag cover skin with a lesser strength thermoplastic tear seam strip insert wherein the latter is initially formed with a protruding rib on one side and a pointed ridge on an opposite side. A heat resistant elastomeric transfer socket attached to the powder box interior receives and holds the insert rib and thereby the insert in a prescribed tear seam configuration and then positions the tear seam strip insert against a heated skin defining mold surface on the shell tool when the powder box is joined with the latter. The skin is formed by casting thermoplastic powder from the powder box against the heated mold surface and about the tear seam insert.

Abstract: A vascular prosthesis is formed from a luminate vessel by precipitating onto the vessel a sheet of polymer from a solution including an organic solvent and precipitable polymer, and forming an aperture in the sheet, the aperture communicating with the lumen of the vessel.

Abstract: Spherical particles having a diameter between 0.007" and 0.040" are formed from melt extruded thermoplastic material suitable for casting on a heated mold surface and melting thereon to form a thin layer of material that is cooled and removed from the mold surface as a part having a porosity less than a visually observable threshold. The process includes the steps of providing microspheres formed of blended and melt extruded thermoplastic, plasticizers (if necessary) and pigment additives that constitute less than 5% by weight of the blend and shaped as a smooth round spherical particle. The microspheres may then be distributed as a predetermined charge of such microspheres against the heated casting surface to melt the microspheres as a layer of thermoplastic material having a porosity less than 0.003 inches and thereafter cooling and removing the non-porous layer from the casting surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to vinyl chloride resin composition suitable for automobile interior skin material of which the die pollution is low, die releasing capacity is light and amine resistance is high.This invention provides the vinyl chloride resin composition for powder material forming characterized by the components of the mixture consisting of: 100 parts for weight of vinyl chloride resin, 0.01 to 3 parts for weight of the thermal stabilizer indicated by general formula (RCO0).sub.2 M(in the formula, R: alkyl group having 10 to 20 carbons, M: lead, zinc, magnesium, calcium, cadmium, strontium or barium), 0.01 to 5 parts for weight of hydroxy stearic acid and/or hydroxy stearic acid dister polymer, and plasticizer.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating and cooling a mold onto which thermoplastic material is cast and fused to form a finished article includes a plenum having an inlet and an outlet for connection to a fluid heating and cooling system and a mold box having a plurality of cavities for selectively receiving interchangeable tube bundles that are selectively positioned in a movably sealed relationship within the mold box and wherein each tube bundle has a mold and a tube array that are maintained in a fixed relationship during interchange thereof into and out of said mold box so as to maintain individually heat balanced molds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for making preforms from a fibrous material such as glass fibers. The apparatus includes a porous mold form that, in carrying out the method, is attached over the open face of a charge box. The charge box and mold form are then rotated as a single unit to dump glass fibers or other fiberous reinforcement held in the charge box onto the mold form. Air is drawn through the porous mold form to thereby retain a layer of the glass fibers against the mold form. The mold form and charge box are rotated back to their initial position and then disconnected. A binder is sprayed onto the glass fibers if not otherwise already applied thereto. The binder is then cured, resulting in a unitary glass fibers preform.

Abstract: An apparatus including of a mold for slush molding articles of a least two colors; a tank; a separation wall disposed in the tank and dividing the tank into two spaces; a gasket mounted on a free edge of the separation wall which faces the mold, the gasket having a plurality of rigid inserts disposed therein in a predetermined distribution; and an actuator device which expands and retracts the rigid inserts thereby correspondingly expanding and retracting the gasket. A method for slush molding utilizes the apparatus.

Abstract: A device for producing synthetic plastic molded sheets including a mold rotatable about at least one axis and receiving a thermoplastic synthetic resin powder which is sequentially heated and cooled by liquid heating and cooling medium admitted into a hollow chamber of the mold, and a housing formed with a housing wall provided with a plurality of bulges for compensating thermal stresses resulting from different materials of the housing wall and a wall of the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mold having a mold face with color zones delimited from each other on the mold face by separation fins, a powder pan which contains at least two different colored powders so as to not intermix, coupling means to couple the mold and the powder pan during a powder-slush process, means for rotating the mold to distribute and deposit the powder onto substantially an entire surface of the mold including all color zones; and cutting means for cutting a slush skin extending over a different color zone. The cutting means is slidably contactable with the separation fins in a direction of the longer axis of the separation fins.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for manufacturing multiple thin walled hollow shells for parts such as automobile door panels, arm rests, and instrument panels from thermoplastic plastisol includes a pair of plastisol charge boxes each forming a separate compartment and members for joining the charge boxes with an open ended mold. The mold has a divider rib thereon that is inaccessible by straight vertical engagement of a seal assembly on the divider. An indexable divider wall is operatively connected between the charge boxes so that the divider wall can be selectively extended and retracted at an angle with respect to the vertical and against the mold at the divider rib thereon for allowing separation of the casting surfaces having different colors fixed thereon and the subsequent fusing of the casting surfaces to one another at the divider.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for molding a thin-wall plastic shell includes a powder box (12) and a mold box (14). The powder box (12) is positioned to an operative position wherein an opening (18) in the powder box (12) is brought in proximity to the mold surface (20) of the mold. A contoured selective charge application panel (36) has a gasket (30) about the end thereof and the selective charge application panel (36) is extended vertically from the opening (18) at variable heights to perfect a sealed surface at the opening (18) and the periphery (22) of the mold surface (20) to mask vertically extending waste surfaces (14a, 14b).

Abstract: Method for selectively rotationally molding an industrial drum in either a closed-head configuration or an open-head configuration within a mold constructed for selective modification to accomplish molding of the drum in either selected configuration by inserting or deleting a separator between a first mold cavity for forming the body of the drum and a further mold cavity for forming the head of the drum, the further mold cavity being selected from alternate second and third mold cavities, such that both the body and the head are rotationally molded simultaneously within the mold during molding of either configuration of the industrial drum.

Abstract: In the course of producing a multicolored slush skin in accordance with the powder-slush method, individual one-piece slush skins are produced in successive process steps, which extend over the entire mold, which is divided into individual color zones by means of separation fins. After the first slush skin with the first color has been produced, the area assigned to another color is cut off and this part taken out of the mold, the other part of the slush skin remaining in the mold. Subsequently a complete second slush skin is formed in the previously emptied partial area as well as in the area of the remaining first slush skin, etc. A multicolored slush skin, looking from the grain side, then is the result after it is finally taken out of the mold, which is distinguished by an exact and visually tidy separating seam between the individual color areas.

Abstract: A method for forming a hidden tear seam in the cover for a safety air bag assembly comprises the steps of filling a heated open mold with liquid plastisol or dry powder comprised of polyvinyl materials; forming a gel layer of polyvinyl chloride material on the open heated thin metal mold; dumping excess polyvinyl liquid plastisol chloride material from the gel layer; fusing the gel layer; stamping a tear seam in a fused layer while it is still plastic by providing an anvil having a surface thereon of a first predetermined area and including an embossment thereon extending outwardly of said first predetermined area and stamping the tear seam by directing the embossment into the fused layer until the surface engages the fused layer and wherein the first predetermined area is sized to produce a reaction force on the anvil to determine the depth of penetration of the embossment and thereafter finally curing and cooling the fused layer and removing same from said thin metal mold.

Abstract: Ceramic binder for forming and processing ceramic ware, comprising a sol-gel of a mixture of highly charged metal hydroxy cations and one or more low charged metal hydroxy cations, which are able to form an aqueous sol.

Abstract: A method for moulding a two-colored material includes moulding a gasket such that it has a profile which is approximately the same as a profile of one of a plurality of possible corresponding regions of the inner surface of a mould. In addition, a rigid material is embedded in the gasket and the gasket is fixed to a separation wall. The gasket and the separation wall are then inserted into the mould with the gasket being aligned along the one of the plurality of possible corresponding regions of the inner surface of the mould, such that a seal between the inner surface of the mould and the separation wall is formed and first and second half-spaces are defined within the mould. The gasket is compressed against the inner surface of the mould to improve the sealing therewith and slush moulding of a layer of a first colored material within the first half-space is performed. The layer of the first colored material is consolidated and the gasket and the separation wall are removed from the mould.

Abstract: A method for forming a 360 degree integral skin handle in a thermoplastic part for use in automotive trim products includes the steps of forming a mold with a partial recess with raised side ribs joined to a removable plug with raised side ribs and thereafter selectively directing heat from a first source through the mold and from a second source through the plug to form a completely closed, curved, heated tube surface and thereafter casting thermoplastic material against the curved, heated tube surface to fuse and cure a layer of material thereon in the form of a tube skin segment which is releasable from the mold when the plug is removed. Apparatus for practicing the method includes a mold with a recess therein and a plug is supported on the mold for movement into a position for closing the tube surface and into a demolding position for releasing the molded part. The raised side ribs combine to form spaced parallel recesses in the tube to form an inner surface on a 360.degree. with a smooth feel.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of molded shells and bodies of plastic material by a rotational molding procedure within an electroplate mold includes a double-walled hollow body which is heated up and cooled down by a heating and cooling medium. A box which contains plastic material can be fitted on to the mold. The mold and the box are jointly pivotable so that the plastic material can pass into the mold and fuse at the wall of the mold. At its rear wall, which is remote from the internal contour which produces the molding action, the double-walled hollow body has a multiplicity of intake and discharge openings for the heating and cooling medium so that heating and cooling can be effected specifically and quickly. The total discharge cross-section is greater than the total feed cross-section whereby the hollow body remains substantially pressure-less.

Abstract: Slip-cast ceramic component having an internal chamfer which is optionally interrupted by an internally projecting area, obtainable by providing a slip cast blank of the ceramic component with uniform thickness and desired internal configuration wherein the volume corresponding to the internal chamfer is outwardly disposed and which is removed by external machining to arrive at the geometry of the ceramic component. The component is useful, inter alia, as a spacer ring which serves for the positioning of honeycomb-shaped catalyst blocks in exhaust gas lines.

Abstract: A method for forming a 360 degree integral skin handle in a thermoplastic part for use in automotive trim products includes the steps of forming a mold with a partial recess closed by a removable plug and thereafter selectively directing heat from a first source through the mold and from a second source through the plug to form a completely closed, curved, heated tube surface and thereafter casting thermoplastic material against the curved, heated tube surface to fuse and cure a layer of material thereon in the form of a tube skin segment which is releasable from the mold when the plug is removed. Apparatus for practicing the method includes a mold with a recess therein and a plug is supported on the mold for movement into a position for closing the tube surface and into a demolding position for releasing the molded part.

Abstract: A method of molding utilizes an apparatus (10) for molding a thin-wall plastic shell which includes a powder box (12) and a mold box (14). The powder box (12) is positioned to an operative position wherein an opening (18) in the powder box (12) is brought in proximity to the mold surface (20) of the mold. A bellows member (34) having a gasket (42) about the end thereof is extended from the opening (18) to perfect a sealed passageway between the opening (18) and the periphery (22) of the mold surface (20).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for molding a thin-wall plastic shell includes a powder box (12) and a mold box (14). The powder box 12) is positioned to an operative position wherein an opening (18) in the powder box (12) is brought in proximity to the mold surface (20) of the mold. A bellows member (34) having a gasket (42) about the end thereof is extended from the opening (18) to perfect a sealed passageway between the opening (18) and the periphery (22) of the mold surface (20).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for banding collagen condoms. An elastic band is incorporated into the collagen gel body of the condom as an integral part thereof. The band is sealed within adjacent layers of collagen film, made from collagen gel, the layers of film forming the condom body.

Abstract: A delivery system for dispersing either hot air or water uniformly to the outer surface of a shell mold used for forming a thin molded shell, for the respective fusion and cooling phases thereof. The delivery system includes a plurality of distributors, each having a central water inlet surrounded by an axially adjustable outer shell, with the latter having a frusto-conically shaped upper end which cooperates with the upper edge of the central water inlet to selectively close off or vary the annular opening therebetween for controlling the flow of air at a predetermined temperature form the space intermediate the central water inlet and the surrounding outer shell.

Abstract: A method for molding a thin walled plastic shell utilizes the following apparatus. An apparatus (40) for molding a thin walled plastic shell includes a mold box (42) having an inner mold surface (48). A powder box (52) includes an internal chamber and first divider wall (54) for separating the internal chamber into at least two sections (56,58). A carrier framework (60) is removably mounted on the mold box (42) and includes a peripheral seal for perfecting a seal between the mold box (42) and the powder box (52) when the same are connected thereto. A second divider wall (64) is connectable to the first divider wall (54) separating the inner mold surface into two chambers continuous with the two sections of the powder box (52). The carrier framework (60) further includes a mold surface seal (66) for perfecting a seal between the second divider wall (64) and mold surface (48).

Abstract: A method of making a composite foamed and shaped article including in the first step in which a thermoplastic resin powder is filled in a slush molding die to form a first resin layer, a second step in which a mixed powder consisting of a heat decomposable foaming agent and the thermoplastic resin powder is filled in the die in which the first resin layer was already formed, to form a second resin layer on the surface of the first resin layer, and a third step in which the heat decomposable foaming agent is made to foam by heat treatment to form a final product of a composite foamed and shaped article wherein the slush molding die is pre-heated by an infrared heating method.