Abstract: A formed laminate (20) is made by a method and apparatus (38) by relative movement of first and second contoured mold surfaces (44,46) toward each other to compress a flexible sheet (28) and vertically spaced film (56) with a foamable liquid mixture (50) there between that has substantially completed expansion but not yet substantially cured so as to form the flexible sheet and provide a collapsed foam layer (30) bonded to the sheet. The flexible sheet (28) is preferably porous cloth, vinyl or leather. A film (56) which is preferably a nonadherent plastic such as polyethylene is preferably positioned in a vertically spaced relationship with the flexible sheet (28) either above or below the flexible sheet with the foamable liquid mixture received therebetween for the expansion prior to the compression that provides the formed laminate.

Abstract: A method for three-dimensionally shaping cover materials such as woven or knitted fabrics, vinyl, leather, and the like is performed by providing a cover material (18) and a layer of foamable liquid reaction mixture such as polyurethane which changes from liquid to a viscous state (16') at the beginning of the gas generating reaction, compressing the combined cover material and the foamed layer in a mold (21,22) having surface configurations corresponding to desired final three-dimensional shapes with the compression being performed when the foam layer has substantially completed rising, but before substantial curing thereof takes place, and then allowing the foamed layer bonded to the cover material to proceed in curing reaction. The three-dimensional cover material shaping is performed by this method without external heat or high pressure so that the cover material can retain its original appearance and high quality.

Abstract: A soft foam article (20) and a method for making the article including a permeable cover (24) of a cloth type sheet construction having an interior (26) and an exterior (28) as well as including an open cell soft polyurethane foam (30) molded in situ within the cover in direct engagement with the cover interior without permeating the cover. The soft foam article (20) includes a soft toy (22) and seating components embodied by a seat cushion (52), a seat back (54), a headrest (56), and an armrest (58). The in situ molding of the soft polyurethane foam is achieved by the use of an aqueous gel coating (34) on the cover interior (26) so as to prevent a liquid foam mixture from permeating the cover while still permitting escape of any air within the cover and of gas generated during the foaming.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for batch molding open-cell soft polyurethane foam within a mold (22a,22b,104) is provided by introducing into a mixing chamber (26) of a mixing pot (24) a highly activated polyol component and an isocyanate component which are mixed and permitted to foam to provide upward expansion in a viscous state through an upper outlet (28) by free rise that fills the mold (22,104). Such batch molding provides "one age of foam" that enables molding to be performed which was not previously possible. Both a rigid mold (22) and a flexible mold (104) can be utilized. The mixing pot (24) includes a mixer 38 preferably embodied by a rotatable screw (74) that is moved axially to purge the mixing chamber (26) of foam after each cycle.

Abstract: A method for molding open cell soft polyurethane foam and a release agent utilized in the method are disclosed as incorporating an aqueous gel coated (30) onto interior surfaces (18,20) of a mold (10) prior to introduction of a foamable liquid polyurethane mixture (32) whose foaming fills the mold cavity (22) as the aqueous gel functions as a solventless release agent that has good lubricity to facilitate filling of the cavity by the foam (34), prevents bonding of the foam (34) to the mold and also provides a thin film-like escape passage (36) for gas generated during the foaming. An acrylic acid polymer that is acid neutralized is preferably utilized to provide the aqueous gel. The acrylic acid polymer and acid neutralizer are most preferably sprayed as separate aqueous mixtures onto the interior mold surfaces to provide the aqueous gel.

Abstract: A soft foam article (20) and a method for making the article are disclosed as including a permeable cover (24) of a cloth type sheet construction having an interior (26) and an exterior (28) as well as including an open cell soft polyurethane foam (30) molded in situ within the cover in direct engagement with the cover interior without permeating the cover. The soft foam article (20) is disclosed as a soft toy (22) and as seating components embodied by a seat cushion (52), a seat back (54), a headrest (56), and an armrest (58). The in situ molding of the soft polyurethane foam is achieved by the use of an aqueous gel coating (34) on the cover interior (26) so as to prevent a liquid foam mixture from permeating the cover while still permitting escape of any air within the cover and of gas generated during the foaming.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for batch molding open-cell soft polyurethane foam within a mold (22a, 22b, 104) is provided by introducing into a mixing chamber (26) of a mixing pot (24) a highly activated polyol component and an isocyanate component which are mixed and permitted to foam to provide upward expansion in a viscous state through an upper outlet (28) by free rise that fills the mold (22, 104). Such batch molding provides "one age of foam" that enables molding to be performed which was not previously possible. Both a rigid mold (22) and a flexible mold (104) can be utilized. The mixing pot (24) includes a mixer 38 preferably embodied by a rotatable screw (74) that is moved axially to purge the mixing chamber (26) of foam after each cycle.