Abstract: A structural assembly for a recreational vehicle includes a first structural frame member having a wall and a hollow space at least partially defined by the wall and a second structural frame member having a section thereof extended into the hollow space of the first structural frame member forming an internal interface with the wall of the first structural frame member. The assembly further includes a foam material located in the hollow space that fills a portion of the hollow space to thereby form a bearing member adjacent the section to restrict motion of the section relative to the wall and thereby to form an internal connection between the second structural frame member and the first structural frame member at the internal interface to secure the second structural frame member to the first structural frame member to form a recreational vehicle component.

Abstract: Present invention is related to a microwave and electromagnetic heated foaming method, mold and foaming material thereof. The microwave and electromagnetic heated foaming method comprises steps of adding a foam material into a mold, simultaneously applying a microwave and electromagnetic energy toward the mold under a normal or low pressure, and the microwave and electromagnetic energy made the foam material into molded foam body. The mold of the present invention has a microwave penetrating part and an electromagnetic heating part. The microwave penetrating part has an extruded bottom that is corresponded to a dented top of the electromagnetic heat penetrating part. By utilizing the microwave and electromagnetic energy, the present invention is about to provide an efficient way for processing the foaming material compared to the conventional infrared or electrical heated tube heating and achieve the foam method that can be executed under normal or low pressure.

Abstract: A method for producing a supporting glove includes the steps of applying a specific amount of a first polymer mixed liquid to a knitted glove; drying the first polymer mixed liquid applied to the knitted glove; applying a coagulant solution to the knitted glove after drying; applying a specific amount of a second polymer mixed liquid to the knitted glove after applying the coagulant solution; and drying the second polymer mixed liquid applied to the knitted glove. A first polymer film is formed to cover a yarn knitted into the knitted glove over the entire thickness direction of at least the part of the knitted glove. A second polymer film is formed to continuously cover the first polymer film to form at least a part of an outer surface and not reaching an inner surface of the knitted glove.

Abstract: The invention relates to a crack-split moulding tool for producing a foam particle part, having two mould halves (2, 3). The mould halves (2, 3) are pivotably mounted relative to one another such that they can be arranged at a varying distance from each other in certain sections when being filled with foam particles and when pressing together, are moved together at a varying distance until in a closed position, due to a pivoting movement. As a result, it is possible to homogeneously compress areas of the moulding cavity (6) having a different thickness and to compress in a different manner, area having the same thickness.

Abstract: A system and process of printing a package of expanded material (e.g., expanded starch, foam or other expanded material). The expanded material can be heated and extruded, poured, sprayed, or otherwise applied in malleable form that sets up to become a porous protective covering for an item to be packaged. In an example, a layer of expanded material is laid down, and the item in a protective covering (e.g., a plastic bag, sleeve, coating, etc.) is positioned on the layer of expanded material. Additional layers or expanded material may be applied, thereby encasing the item. The top surface of the expanded material may be flattened, such as by operation of a roller, press, or cutter. The top surface may be sprayed with a shellac sealant, paint, or other coating, to allow printing of a label on the top surface.

Abstract: A belt for an elevator system is provided having a core and an elastomeric sheath positioned over the core. An elastomer and phosphonate blended bonding agent adheres the core to the sheath.

Abstract: In an injection foam molding method, a relationship between a flow front moving speed (cm/s) of a foamed resin material in an injection step of injecting the foamed resin material into a cavity and amount of gas generated per 1 g of a resin material (ml/g) is defined as follows: the amount of gas generated per 1 g of the resin material is 0.36 ml/g or more; and the flow front moving speed (cm/s) is 75×the amount of gas generated per 1 g of the resin material (ml/g)?35 or more and 12 cm/s or more.

Abstract: Improved soles and insoles for shoes, in particular sports shoes, are described. In an aspect, a sole for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, with at least a first and a second surface region is provided. The first surface region comprises expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”). The second surface region is free from expanded TPU.

Abstract: A filter media having lignite-derived activated carbon, polyacrylic acid (PAA), a commercially available copper-zinc alloy, and polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PolyDADMAC) or Luviquat®, which is Poly[(3-methyl-1-vinylimidazolium chloride)-co-(1-vinylpyrrolidone)], combined and used as suitable replacement for TOG bituminous coal-based activated carbon, silver, and PolyDADMAC. Functional groups in lignite-based activated carbon interact with the polyacrylic acid. Functional groups such as calcium, iron, or aluminum oxide/hydroxide of lignite-based activated carbon interact with PAA, and help hold the PolyDADMAC in place. The additional presence of a copper-zinc alloy enhances the filter anti-microbiological performance.

Abstract: An injection foam molding machine of the invention includes: a movable mold platen; a fixed mold platen; a mold fastening hydraulic cylinder that is provided at each of four corners of both mold platens; a tie bar that is driven by the hydraulic cylinder to fasten the molds; two sets of mold opening and closing actuators that drive the movable mold platen to move close to or away from the fixed mold platen; two sets of dedicated core back devices; and a control device that controls the two sets of mold opening and closing actuators and the two sets of dedicated core back devices, wherein the control device includes a dedicated core back program that simultaneously controls the two sets of mold opening and closing actuators and the two sets of dedicated core back devices during a foaming core back operation of moving the movable mold platen away from the fixed mold platen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite component comprising an unfoamed polymer phase and a foamed phase, and to a process for producing the same.

Abstract: A stand-up paddle board is formed by a core surrounded by a skin. The core is manufactured by creating an upper core member mold and a lower core member mold, corresponding to the top and bottom of the core. The upper core member and lower core member includes a concave surface filled by a lattice-shaped matrix. The core members and the matrices are molded to be complimentary in shape, such that the surface of each matrix and the surrounding upper and lower core members adjoin each other and are connected by an adhesive to create an air-tight core having air-tight matrix chambers. The completed core is then surrounded by a conventional paddle board skin.

Abstract: A method of forming an element to float at least partially on a surface of an at least partially liquid hydrocarbon mixture. The method includes mixing a polymer resin and a foaming agent together in preselected proportions to provide a material mixture, and heating the material mixture, to at least partially liquefy it. The material mixture is injected into a mold cavity configured to define the element's exterior surface in a series of at least three steps, commencing with an initial step. In each step, the material mixture is injected over a predetermined time period at a predetermined velocity and under a predetermined pressure. Each predetermined velocity in the steps following the initial step is less than the predetermined velocity in an immediately preceding step thereof. Each predetermined pressure in the steps following the initial step is less than the predetermined pressure in the immediately preceding step thereof.

Abstract: A method of improving the appearance of foaming injection molding product includes closing the moving mold and the fixed mold and setting a clamping force on the closed mold, wherein a mold cavity is formed between the moving mold and the fixed mold. The method proceeds by inflating the mold cavity with high pressure and high temperature gas until the air pressure in the mold cavity reaches 2-25 MPa and the temperature of the high pressure and high temperature gas is between 60-200° C., then injecting molten resin that contains foaming agent into the mold cavity while continuously inflating high pressure and high temperature gas. After injection completed, stopping inflating high pressure and high temperature gas and simultaneously releasing pressure, wherein the step of releasing pressure includes the step of opening the mold.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a composite fan inlet housing are disclosed. The methods include inserting a first piece of composite material and a second piece of composite material into a molding tool, inserting an inflatable bladder between the first piece and the second piece, and pressurizing the inflatable bladder to a curing pressure for a length of time sufficient to allow the first piece and second piece to cure.

Abstract: A method of making garment material, the method having the steps: applying coagulant (34) to a substrate (32); applying a foam (38) of the polymeric material to the substrate (32); allowing the coagulant (34) to coagulate some of the foam (38); and removing uncoagulated foam (38) from the substrate (32) to leave a layer of coagulated polymeric material on the substrate (32).

Abstract: A method facilitates fabricating a cellular cushion. The method comprises injecting material into a mold in an injection molding process to form a cushion first layer that includes a plurality of hollow cells that extend outward from the base and are each coupled together in flow communication, coupling a second layer to the first layer, and coupling an injection stem in flow communication to the plurality of hollow cells to enable an operating pressure within the cells to be changed.

Abstract: An energy management system for use with a vehicle having an interior includes an elongated plastic member having a wall defining a cavity. Disposed within the cavity is an elongated first in-situ foam core member, which has a first thermal bond to the wall. The wall having a first portion facing towards the vehicle interior and a second portion opposed to the first portion. A second in-situ foam core member is connected to at least a portion of the elongated plastic member forming the energy management system. The energy management system is capable of passing a 5-mph crash test passing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 215 (FMVSS 215) Phase II.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adding buoyancy to an object are described herein. A buoyant material may be enclosed inside a flexible container, heated, and inserted into a free flooded cavity inside the object. The flexible container may then be formed to the shape of the cavity. After the flexible container is formed to the shape of the cavity, the flexible container may be cooled. The flexible container may hold a pre-determined amount of the syntactic material that provides a fixed amount of buoyancy. According to another aspect, systems and methods for packing a vehicle are described herein. In some embodiments, a buoyant material may be molded into the shape of a hull of a vehicle, and a plurality of cutouts may be extracted from the buoyant material which are specifically designed to incorporate one or more instruments.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a porous body that forms an expandable slurry containing at least inorganic powder, a foaming agent, and a binder into a sheet, causes the expandable slurry sheet to be foamed and baked, and thereby produces the porous body, the apparatus includes: a mixer preparing the expandable slurry by containing inorganic powder, a foaming agent, and a binder; a die-coater that has a discharge opening which discharges the expandable slurry provided from the mixer to an external thereof so as to shape the expandable slurry into a sheet; and a carrier sheet arranged so as to face the discharge opening of the die-coater with a gap interposed therebetween, and feeding the expandable slurry discharged from the discharge opening, wherein a flow path of the expandable slurry from inside the mixer to the discharge opening of the die-coater is hermetically sealed from an outside.

Abstract: A zeolite membrane excellent in separation performance and having an acid resistance, and a separation membrane employing the zeolite membrane are provided. A zeolite membrane comprising a layer wherein at least two different types of zeolite crystals are present in mixed state, wherein at least two types of the above at least two different types of zeolite crystals are detectable by an X-ray pattern obtained by X-ray diffraction under the conditions that (A) the output of X-ray is 1.2 kW, (B) an X-ray bulb of copper (Cu) is employed, and (C) the wavelength of X-ray is 1.54058 A. As an alternative, the zeolite membrane comprising a first layer containing zeolite crystals and a second layer containing different type of zeolite crystals from the zeolite crystals of the first layer, wherein the first layer and the second layer constitute a laminate structure, and the thickness of the laminate structure is at most 20 pm.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for the production of a composite component via multicomponent injection molding, where the composite component comprises a main body composed of a thermoplastic and an external layer composed of a foamed thermoplastic. The main body is produced via injection molding and subsequent hardening of the thermoplastic. A mixture of the foamed thermoplastic and a chemical blowing agent is injected onto the main body, subsequently hardened in the same injection mold, and foamed by heating. The composite component is solidified via cooling. The foamed thermoplastic is at least one polyamide whose modulus of elasticity is from 1 MPa to 250 MPa in the entire temperature range from 70° C. to 180° C. The chemical blowing agent is in non-polymerized form.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing components from composite fiber materials, at least one placeholder is inserted into a recess in a molding tool, wherein the unfinished component is subsequently produced, the placeholder is removed, at least one lifting pad is inserted into the recess and the unfinished component is removed from the molding tool by inflating the lifting pad. In a system for manufacturing components from composite fiber materials, the component removal process is monitored and controlled by a computer unit in order to prevent predetermined maximum component loads from being exceeded. The gentle component removal process makes it possible to avoid consequential costs for repairing or reworking the components.

Abstract: A composite article is formed with a reaction-injection mold (RIM) foam layer between a substrate and a flexible skin in a RIM tool having at least one inflatable seal defining an edge of the foam layer. The RIM tool is clamped in a fully closed position. A reactive mixture is injected into a space between the substrate and skin with the inflatable seal being deflated. The inflatable seal is inflated to close off the edge when the reactive mixture approaches the edge. Inflation of the inflatable seal and clamping at the fully closed position are maintained for a gel time of the reactive mixture. After the gel time, the inflatable seal is deflated to vent at least a portion of gas produced by the reaction while maintaining the clamping at the fully closed position for a curing time of the reactive mixture.

Abstract: Graphite nanoplatelets of expanded graphite and polymer composites produced therefrom are described. The graphite is expanded from an intercalated graphite by microwaves or radiofrequency waves in the presence of a gaseous atmosphere. The composites have barrier and/or conductive properties due to the expanded graphite.

Abstract: For a skin, a non-formed polyurethane resin layer at the surface side and a foamed polyurethane resin layer between the non-foamed polyurethane resin layer and a base member are configured to form an integral and uniform layer over and extent from an injection point to a distant point on a surface of the base member, so that an integral skin foam in which such skin layer and foamed layer are laminated can be molded, under an atmospheric pressure, in a single process, allowing for manufacture of a laminate article with a high degree of uniformity over an appreciable wide range of the article, as well as for provision of a laminate mold goods having the skin and foamed layers formed with a high uniformity along the base member, over the length in a flow direction of skin forming material.

Abstract: Provided is a fine paper powder-containing resin molded object with a content of a thermoplastic resin being reduced to offer a lighter weight and a superior mechanical strength, and a manufacturing method thereof. The fine paper powder-containing resin molded object (1) is made from a thermoplastic resin containing fine paper powder and is composed of a non-foam layer (2) formed on the surface and a foam layer (3) formed in the inner side. The foam layer (3) has, in the order from the surface side, a first foam layer (3a) containing cells having an average cell diameter ranging from 10 to 100 ?m, a second foam layer (3b) containing cells having an average cell diameter from 5 to 50 ?m, and a third foam layer (3c) containing cells having an average cell diameter from 20 to 500 ?m. The molded object (1) contains an aromatizing ingredient.

Abstract: A pipe insulating section includes a generally cylindrical hollow phenolic foam body of substantially uniform cross section with an inner facing web and an outer facing web. The phenolic foam body is slit longitudinally to provide section halves which can be opened to facilitate wrapping around a pipe to insulate the pipe. The section halves are linked by the outer web at one side and facing ends of the section halves at the other end are faced with the inner facing web. The inner web may be of paper and the other web may be of an aluminum foil. An apparatus used in manufacturing the elongate shaped phenolic section includes an outer mold for forming the outer facing into a cylindrical shape and an inner mandrel for forming the inner facing into a cylindrical shape, which is of smaller diameter than that of the cylinder defined by the outer facing. The facings define a hollow core therebetween into which liquid foam reactants are injected through an injector.

Abstract: A method for producing a carbon membrane of the present invention is a production method where a carbon membrane obtained by subjecting a carbon-containing layer to thermal decomposition in an oxygen inert atmosphere while sending a gas mixture containing an oxidizing gas thereinto is thermally heated. The carbon membrane is subjected to a heating oxidation treatment with controlling the ratio of the flow rate of the gas mixture to the areas of the carbon membrane to 0.5 cm/min. or more to control (temperature ° C.)2×time (h)/10000, which is the relation between the temperature of the gas mixture and the flow time, to 9 to 32. This enables to obtain a carbon film which selectively separates alcohols having 2 or less carbon atoms from a liquid mixture of the alcohols having 2 or less carbon atoms and organic compounds having 5 to 9 carbon atoms.

Abstract: An injection foam molding machine according to the present invention includes: a clamping unit that moves a movable die plate 3 relative to a fixed die plate 2 to clamp the die plates; a fixed side mold attached to the fixed die plate 2; a movable side mold attached to the movable die plate 3; a plurality of drive units 50 that widen an interval between both of the die plates 2 and 3; and a die-plate-interval adjusting unit 60 that adjusts a distance over which the movable die plate 3 is moved by the drive units 50, and when a molten foam resin is foamed, an inner-side interval within the mold cavity is determined, and thus an accurate molded product can be obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for the production of a composite component via multicomponent injection molding, where the composite component comprises a main body composed of a thermoplastic A) and an external layer composed of a foamed thermoplastic B), where the main body is produced in a first process step a) via injection molding of the thermoplastic A) and subsequent hardening of the same in an injection mold, and an external layer is injected on to the main body in a second process step b) which follows directly, via injection molding of a mixture comprising the thermoplastic B) and comprising a chemical blowing agent, and the mixture is subsequently hardened in the same injection mold, with somewhat extended cavity, and the external layer injected on to the main body is foamed in a further process step d) via introduction of heat, and the composite component is solidified via cooling in a final process step e), where an essential feature of the invention is that it comprises using, as thermoplast

Abstract: An injection moulding process for making a completely recyclable, multilayered article which contains: i) a rigid layer formed of a thermoplastic polymer and ii) a foamed skin layer formed of a thermoplastic polymer compatible with the material of the rigid layer, by injection moulding of the rigid layer into a mould composed of two sides, lifting one side of the mould, or change one side of the mould to obtain a small gap of between 3 to 4 mm between the rigid layer and the side of the mould lifted or changed and injecting the foamed skin layer into the gap formed in step b).

Abstract: An annular mount base 11 continuously protruded from one face of a panel main body 3 and surrounding a through hole 9 has a dual structure of an inner mount base portion 17 and an outer mount base portion 19 which are joined to each other by four parts of a joint mount base portion 21. A skin layer 23 is formed at the surface of a door inner panel 1. An expanded layer 25 with a large number of pores is formed inside the panel main body 3. The mount base 11 and a part of the panel main body 3 between the inner mount base portion 17 and the outer mount base portion 19 are formed of a solid layer 27 having no expanded layer 25. Whereby, a lightweight resin molded article including a high-rigidity mount base is provided.

Abstract: While a second layer resin is being charged, a movable platen is moved backward to reach a given movable platen position (S1) to enlarge the capacity of a second cavity. After the completion of charging of the resin, a toggle mechanism is promptly driven to reduce the second cavity capacity to reach a given movable platen position (S2), and after the lapse of a given time, the toggle mechanism is driven again to enlarge the second cavity capacity to reach a given movable platen position (S3). Thus, a high quality multilayer injection molded article which has small variations in the wall thickness, dimension, and mass and which is free from deformation or warpage can be stable obtained.

Abstract: A molding die and a method for molding a molded article including a foam layer made up of faces extended in a plurality of directions are provided, by which all of the faces can grow up to a predetermined expansion ratio or more. To this end, a molding die 1 includes a stationary die including a main die 2 and a slide die 3 movable relative to the main die 2, and a movable die 4. The slide die 3 partially faces a cavity C and can move in a direction (Y direction) different from a die clamping/die opening direction (X direction). When a foam layer a2 made up of a face a21 orthogonal to the die clamping/die opening direction and a face a22 other than the face a21 grows in the cavity C, at least the slide die 3 moves in Y direction, whereby both of the faces a21 and a22 of the foam layer a2 can grow to satisfy a predetermined expansion ratio.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite article having a decal occurs in a mold. The mold includes a surface that defines a mold cavity. A decal is introduced to the surface of the mold. A polyurethane elastomer composition is applied into the mold cavity to form an elastomeric layer over the decal. The composite article including the elastomeric layer and the decal may then be demolded from the mold. Alternatively, a paint composition is applied into the mold cavity to form a paint layer over the decal. The polyurethane elastomer composition is applied into the mold cavity to form an elastomeric backing layer over the paint layer. The composite article including the paint layer, the decal, and the elastomeric backing layer may then be demolded from the mold. The composite article may be a seat for an all-terrain vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheelchair having a back plate and a seat plate and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly, to a customized wheelchair having a back plate and a seat plate formed to fit a body shape and a manufacturing method thereof. In a method of manufacturing a customized wheelchair having a back plate and a seat plate which are designed to fit a body shape, the method includes steps of: forming a preliminary molding material which is directly formed to fit a back and a hip of a user; fixing the preliminary molding material to a molding frame; filling a foaming resin in the molding frame fixed with the preliminary molding material; hardening the foaming resin filled in the molding frame; and releasing a last molding material which is foamed and hardened to have a shape of the back and the hip of the user by the preliminary molding material.

Abstract: A molding die and a method for molding a molded article including a foam layer made up of faces extended in a plurality of directions are provided, by which all of the faces can grow up to a predetermined expansion ratio or more. To this end, a molding die 1 includes a stationary die including a main die 2 and a slide die 3 movable relative to the main die 2, and a movable die 4. The slide die 3 partially faces a cavity C and can move in a direction (Y direction) different from a die clamping/die opening direction (X direction). When a foam layer a2 made up of a face a21 orthogonal to the die clamping/die opening direction and a face a22 other than the face a21 grows in the cavity C, at least the slide die 3 moves in Y direction, whereby both of the faces a21 and a22 of the foam layer a2 can grow to satisfy a predetermined expansion ratio.

Abstract: The present invention relates to flame-retarding, sound-deadening insulating materials, to a process for their production, and also to their use.

Abstract: Graphite nanoplatelets of expanded graphite and composites and products produced therefrom are described. The preferred method of expanding the graphite is by microwaves or other radiofrequency wave treatment of intercalated graphite. The expanded graphite is preferably then crushed to nanometer (substantially all 200 microns or less). The expanded graphite is used in polymer composites. The expanded graphite is particularly useful for batteries, anodes and fuel cells.

Abstract: The invention concerns the manufacture of a part comprising a foam layer borne by a support. The invention concerns a manufacturing method including providing a foam layer (18) on a surface of a mold part (10), while the mold is open, closing the mold so that it defines a cavity between the foam layer (18) and another mold part (14), and injecting into the cavity a non-cellular plastic material designed to form the support (20). The method includes, after injecting the plastic material of the support (20), a step of gradually spacing apart at a predetermined speed the two parts of the mold (10, 14), in a direction having a component in the direction of the thickness of the foam layer (18). The invention is applicable to motor vehicle interior trims.

Abstract: An annular mount base 11 continuously protruded from one face of a panel main body 3 and surrounding a through hole 9 has a dual structure of an inner mount base portion 17 and an outer mount base portion 19 which are joined to each other by four parts of a joint mount base portion 21. A skin layer 23 is formed at the surface of a door inner panel 1. An expanded layer 25 with a large number of pores is formed inside the panel main body 3. The mount base 11 and a part of the panel main body 3 between the inner mount base portion 17 and the outer mount base portion 19 are formed of a solid layer 27 having no expanded layer 25. Whereby, a lightweight resin molded article including a high-rigidity mount base is provided.

Abstract: There is disclosed a baffle for inhibiting the passage of sound, debris or the like through a cavity of an automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A press for rigid foam sheets with continuous adjustment of the spacing between the two press plates (1,3), in particular for sandwich panels with an upper and lower outer layer and, located therebetween, a core of rigid polyurethane foam. The lower press plate (3) is here moved into a preselected position corresponding to the panel thickness to be foamed by means of synchronously rotating threaded lifting spindles (4), assisted by weight-compensating cylinders (5). Short-stroke cylinders (6) are provided between the heads of the threaded lifting spindles (4) and the lower press plate (3). Said short-stroke cylinders have the function of dissipating the moulding force which has arisen due to foaming by moving the press plate (3) a very small stroke downwards. It is also possible, instead of the short-stroke cylinders (6), to install an air cushion system, which has a stroke of approx. 1 mm, between the press plate and the heating plate. This stroke is sufficient to dissipate the foaming pressure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an expandable pre-formed plug that is suitable for sealing and/or structurally reinforcing a structure having surfaces defining a space therebetween. The plug is comprised of at least an expandable inner core having an outer surface and a transportable outer skin that preferably substantially encapsulates the core. In a preferred embodiment, the shape of the unexpanded plug is designed to mate with the surfaces that define a space therebetween upon expansion. The adhesive skin is generally dry to the touch at room temperature, however, upon initiation of expansion, the inner core expands and the surrounding skin is displaced in a coordinated manner. After some period of expansion, the outer skin preferably durably adheres or bonds to the walls of the surfaces defining a space therebetween and the outer surface of the core. A method for using such a plug is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for producing a foamed body that allows simple control of the dimensions and gives foamed body with the desired dimensions in a stable manner. According to the invention, P2 is pressure at the point where pressure in the die begins to fall after casting a molding material containing no blowing agent into the die, ?P2 is the amount of reduction in pressure in the die from P2, P3 is the minimum pressure between the time of casting a molding material containing a blowing agent into the die completely cast and the time of beginning to increase the pressure in the die, ?P3 is the amount of increase in pressure in the die from P3, and ?P4 is the sum of ?P2 and ?P3.

Abstract: A foam dam in the insulation cavity of an electric water heater comprises a plastic bag into which liquid foam insulation is injected, the bag having an essentially closed top edge portion with only a small opening for receiving the injected insulation. A small portion of the insulation injected into the bag is forced outwardly therefrom via small metering holes to form external protrusions on the bag that mechanically interlock with a second batch of insulation subsequently injected into the cavity and prevent the hardened second insulation batch from pulling away from the bag. The substantially closed top edge of the bag permits the insulation injected into the bag to pack therein and increase the top-to-bottom hardened foam density uniformity. Side edges of the bag may be pleated to increase the sealing area of the foam dam.

Abstract: A foamed thermoplastic resin sheet has a foaming ratio of not less than 2.5, and cells, existing in an interior part which extends inward from a depth of 20 percent a whole thickness of the sheet from the front and rear surfaces thereof respectively in a thickness direction thereof and from 15 percent a width of the sheet from both side edges respectively, satisfy the following expressions (1) and (2): 0.5≦D/C≦0.9  (1) 0.5≦E/C≦0.9  (2) where C represents a mean cell diameter in the thickness direction of the foamed thermoplastic resin sheet, D represents a mean cell diameter in an extrusion direction (MD) of the same, and E represents a mean cell diameter in the width direction (TD) of the same. The foamed thermoplastic resin sheet thus arranged has a high foaming ratio, and is formed thick.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for foam-injection molding a thermoplastic resin, comprising: (1) providing a mold comprising a fixed mold half and a movable mold half mating with the fixed mold half to thereby form a mold cavity defined by an inner wall of the fixed mold half and an inner wall of the movable mold half, wherein the mold cavity has an inner wall which has a molten resin releasing means, (2) injecting a foamable thermoplastic resin in a molten form into the mold cavity of the mold, thereby forming a foamable molten resin mass in the mold cavity, (3) applying a pressure to the foamable molten resin mass in the mold cavity to press the surface of the foamable molten resin mass against the inner wall of the mold cavity, thereby allowing a surface portion of the foamable molten resin mass to be solidified to form a surface skin layer of the foamable molten resin mass, and (4) releasing a portion of the foamable molten resin mass under the foaming pressure exerted by the foamable molten resin mass to the outs

Abstract: The present invention provides a gripping part such as a steering wheel and a grip, having a soft feeling equivalent to a RIM urethane and excellent sweat resistance, without the need of coating, which solves problems involved in RIM urethane steering wheels and grips including low productivity, low recycling property, and the like. That is, a gripping part comprising a foamed product of a thermoplastic elastomer with a 1.1 to 8.0 times expansion ratio, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is a polyurethane elastomer comprises a specific polymer polyol, a polyisocyanate, and as needed, a chain extending agent reactive with the polyisocyanate.