Abstract: The foamed article is produced starting from a core layer (1) which comprises a flexible, open-cell foam having voids forming at least 90% of the volume of the open-cell foam. The core layer (1) is applied in a mould (6, 8), optionally together with an upper (3) and/or a lower cover layer (2), between a lower (5) and an upper mould surface (9) thereof. The mould (6, 8) is closed and a curable, foamable composition (7) is allowed to foam in the mould to produce a further foam filling the voids of the open-cell foam. In order to enable to use less foamable composition (7) to fill the voids of the open-cell foam, the core layer (1) is laid onto the lower mould surface (5) and the foamable composition (7) is sprayed onto the core layer (1) lying onto the lower mould surface so that the foamable composition (7) can penetrate at least partially by gravity into the open-cell foam core layer (1).

Abstract: The pressure swirl atomizing nozzle for spraying a curable composition comprises an orifice piece (16), which defines a funnel-shaped cavity and an exit orifice (17), and an injector piece (18) which closing off the funnel-shaped cavity so that the funnel-shaped cavity forms a swirl chamber (19) between a front side of the injector piece (18) and the exit orifice (17). The injector piece (18) comprises at least two swirl ports (20) which end in the swirl chamber (19) for injecting the curable composition therein and for thereby imparting swirl to the curable composition. Compared to the sum of the smallest cross-sectional areas of the swirl ports (20), the side wall (24) of the swirl chamber (19) has a relatively small surface area which is however still large enough to distribute the curable composition so as to achieve a uniform spray pattern. By the reduced size of the swirl chamber (19), the curable composition can be atomized more efficiently.

Abstract: The method according to the invention is a moulding method wherein a first layer (21), having a first colour, is produced against a first portion of a mould surface (10) and wherein, in a next step, a second layer (22), having a second colour, is produced against a second portion of the mould surface (10) and at least partially against the back of the first layer (21). The method is intended to obtain a qualitative transition between the colours of the two layers (21, 22) without having to hide the actual colour transition in a groove from view. This object is achieved by applying the material forming the first layer (21) in such a manner on the mould surface (10) that the edge (20) of the first layer (21), which will be situated on the mould surface underneath the second layer (22), is visually sharp and is produced without a mask.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a flexible elastomeric composite polyurethane skin comprising a first and a second flexible polyurethane layer obtained by spraying a first and a second polyurethane reaction mixture onto one another. The first reaction mixture is an aliphatic polyurethane reaction mixture which is free of lead and formulated to produce a polyurethane elastomer having a flexural modulus smaller than 35 MPa. The second reaction mixture is an aromatic polyurethane reaction mixture producing a polyurethane elastomer having a smaller flexural modulus. The thickness of the aliphatic polyurethane layer could be made so small with respect to the thickness of the aromatic polyurethane layer that the composite skin has an average flexural modulus smaller than 30 MPa.

Abstract: An electric switch module has one or more electric switches arranged on a substrate (7) of which at least one is designed as a push-pull rocker switch (2, 3) having an actuator (4) formed by a projection (5) that is asymmetrical to its tilting axis (6). The module is characterized in that the top side of the substrate (7), together with the actuators (4) of its switches (2, 3), is covered by a flexible outer skin (10a) that also covers the projection (5) that forms the actuator (4) of the at least one rocker switch (2, 3).

Abstract: In a first treatment step part of at least one difficulty biodegradable or non-biodegradable organic compound is oxidized in polluted water by bringing said polluted water into contact with an ozone containing gas. The effluent is subsequently diluted with an aqueous liquid before a second treatment with ozone is carried out. If the concentration of the organic compound is still not sufficiently low, the treated effluent is diluted again and subjected to a further treatment with ozone. It was found that a more effective ozone treatment was obtained by the dilution or dilutions and that in particular no pH control was needed, so that no formation of additional salts occurred.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a multi-layered moulded synthetic part comprising a preformed elastomeric moulded skin (5), a moulded carrier (8) of a thermoplastic material and optionally an intermediate foam layer (6). In this method, the elastomeric skin (5) is moulded in a first step and the thermoplastic material for the carrier (8) is subsequently moulded in molten state to the back of said moulded skin (5). According to the invention, the moulded skin is made of a thermosetting synthetic material. Compared to a thermoplastic skin, such a thermosetting skin is less subjected to visible defects, in particular in case it has been provided with a superficial texture such as a leather grain, when the thermoplastic carrier is moulded thereto. Moulding of the thermoplastic carrier can be done by an injection moulding, an injection pressure moulding or a low pressure moulding technique.

Abstract: The method according to the invention is a moulding method wherein a first layer (21), having a first colour, is produced against a first portion of a mould surface (10) and wherein, in a next step, a second layer (22), having a second colour, is produced against a second portion of the mould surface (10) and at least partially against the back of the first layer (21). The method is intended to obtain a qualitative transition between the colours of the two layers (21, 22) without having to hide the actual colour transition in a groove from view. This object is achieved by applying the material forming the first layer (21) in such a manner on the mould surface (10) that the edge (20) of the first layer (21), which will be situated on the mould surface underneath the second layer (22), is visually sharp and is produced without a mask.

Abstract: In a first treatment step part of at least one difficulty biodegradable or non-biodegradable organic compound is oxidized in polluted water by bringing said polluted water into contact with an ozone containing gas. The effluent is subsequently diluted with an aqueous liquid before a second treatment with ozone is carried out. If the concentration of the organic compound is still not sufficiently low, the treated effluent is diluted again and subjected to a further treatment with ozone. It was found that a more effective ozone treatment was obtained by the dilution or dilutions and that in particular no pH control was needed, so that no formation of additional salts occurred.

Abstract: For manufacturing a moulded article comprising at least an elastomeric polyurethane skin (9) and optionally a structural backing layer (10) and an intermediate foam layer (12) a mould is used having at least a first mould part (1) comprising at least two mutually movable mould sections (2-4). The skin (9) is moulded with its front against a surface (7) of the first mould part (1) by applying at least one reactive polyurethane mixture to this mould surface. In order to prevent the seam between the mutually movable mould sections (2-4) of the first mould part to leave traces on the front of the moulded skin (9), the first mould part (1) further comprises a removable, flexible liner (6) which is positioned onto these mould sections to cover at least partially the seam therebetween.

Abstract: A process for the production by a moulding process of a micro-cellular or non-cellular elastomeric polyurethane skin layer or, more generally, to a process for the production of a composite comprising a first layer shaped part, which is made by a moulding process from a polyurethane reaction mixture, and a second layer shaped part which is adhered to the first part to form the composite. In order to avoid the use of release agents on the back side of the first layer shaped part, and thus the negative effect on the adhesion of the second layer shaped part, and the penetration of reaction mixture on this back side between the slides (9–10) of the mould, the mould surface (4) is covered on the back side of the moulding with a removable flexible covering (12), with a removable rigid pre-shaped covering or with a permanent non-stick coating layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a multi-layered molded synthetic part comprising a preformed elastomeric molded skin (5), a molded carrier (8) of a thermoplastic material and optionally an intermediate foam layer (6). In this method, the elastomeric skin (5) is molded in a first step and the thermoplastic material for the carrier (8) is subsequently molded in molten state to the back of said molded skin (5). According to the invention, the molded skin is made of a thermosetting synthetic material. Compared to a thermoplastic skin, such a thermosetting skin is less subjected to visible defects, in particular in case it has been provided with a superficial texture such as a leather grain, when the thermoplastic carrier is molded thereto. Molding of the thermoplastic carrier can be done by an injection molding, an injection pressure molding or a low pressure molding technique.

Abstract: A process for the production by a moulding process of a micro-cellular or non-cellular elastomeric polyurethane skin layer or, more generally, to a process for the production of a composite comprising a first layer shaped part, which is made by a moulding process from a polyurethane reaction mixture, and a second layer shaped part which is adhered to the first part to form the composite. In order to avoid the use of release agents on the back side of the first layer shaped part, and thus the negative effect on the adhesion of the second layer shaped part, and the penetration of reaction mixture on this back side between the slides (9-10) of the mould, the mould surface (4) is covered on the back side of the moulding with a removable flexible covering, such as a film (12) or a membrane, with a removable rigid pre-shaped covering or with a permanent non-stick coating layer.

Abstract: The polyurethane material is produced from a reactive mixture comprising an isocyanate component composed of at least one isocyanate compound having at least two NCO-groups which are not directly attached to an aromatic group; isocyanate-reactive components and a catalyst component which is substantially free of lead and which comprises at least one organobismuth (III) catalyst. In order to be able to keep the emission or VOC value (Volatile Organic Compounds) of the polyurethane material below 250 ppm, preferably below 100 ppm, use is made of an organobismuth (m) and/or of an organotin (II or IV) catalyst comprising either C14-C20 carboxylate groups or C2-C20 carboxylate groups substituted with at least one isocyanate-reactive group. The catalyst component may further comprise an organozinc (11) carboxylate. The preferred catalysts are bismuth oleate, dimethyltin dioleate and zinc octoate.

Abstract: An adjusting device for a seat, couch or a bed utilizes a rotatably mounted eccentric in a round disc connected to the motor via a gearing. The round disc has an external tooth system that meshes with an internal tooth system a ring. A rod is connected to the ring is adapted to transmit adjusting force to one of the base sections of the seat, couch or bed. The adjusting device provides a more compact adjustable drive with the feature of single-base drive.

Abstract: A process for the production of micro-cellular or non-cellular, light-stable elastomeric, flexible or semi-flexible polyurethane moldings which are especially suited for window encapsulation applications from a reaction mixture by the reaction injection molding process, wherein: A) an isocyanate component containing an isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) trimer/monomer mixture having an NCO content of from 24.

Abstract: In the method according to the invention, as shown in the drawings, the elastomeric skin is manufactured in a mold assembly having a mold surface (2), a portion (3) of which is shielded off by means of a mask (4), a first elastomeric material (7) is sprayed on this mold surface (2), the mask (4) is removed, and a second elastomeric material (9) is sprayed on said portion (3) of the mold surface (2). The edges (11) of the mask (4) are placed on top of upstanding edges (13) of the mold surface (2) so that the transition between both elastomeric materials (7, 9) is achieved on these upstanding edges (13), i.e. in an outer recess of the elastomeric skin resulting in an aesthetic visual parting line. According to a further important aspect, the edges (11) of the mask (4) are maintained at a distance from the mold surface (2) such as to avoid contact between the layer of first elastomeric material (7) sprayed onto the mold surface (2) and the mask (4).

Abstract: With a device for the infinite adjustment of a telescopic rod for fixing pivotable elements into an open position and returning them into a closed position, and for raising and lowering adjustable head and leg parts of a bed, a couch and an armchair, the invention is directed to making infinite raising possible while retaining the return from the upper dead center position into the lower dead center position after the former has been reached. This is achieved by a toothed rack, a cage-like element and two toothed wheels which run along the toothed rack, are guided in the cage-like element and whose spacing can be moved by the rod from a position locking the teeth of the toothed wheels against one another into a position which disengages the teeth.

Abstract: In the method according to the invention, a layer of polyurethane elastomer for obtaining a polyurethane skin (5) is produced, in a first step, against a mould surface (1). In a second step, a reaction mixture for obtaining a polyurethane foam layer (6) is applied against this polyurethane skin (5). In a third step, a suitable polyurethane or polyisocyanurate reaction mixture for obtaining a rigid synthetic carrier (8) is applied against the polyurethane foam layer (6). In this way, a synthetic trim part is obtained which is easier to recycle. This method can moreover also be performed easier.

Abstract: A method for preparing a light stable polyurethane, sprayable by means of a spray pistol, wherein use is made of an active hydrogen containing compound, wherein the functional groups consist for at least 50% of an active CH.sub.2 OH, NH and/or NH.sub.2 group, the functionality of which varies from 2 to 8 and the equivalent weight of which is comprised between 100 and 3500, together with 2 to 300 parts, per 100 parts of said compounds of a chain extender and/or a cross-linker, the functional groups of which are OH groups, at least 50% of which are primary OH groups, the equivalent weight of which is less than 100 and the functionality of which varies from 2 to 6, and with a catalytic system which comprises at least an organic lead, bismuth and/or tin (IV) compound and at least an amine initiator, having a functionality of 2 to 6, an equivalent weight lower than or equal to 200, and at least one aliphatic NH.sub.2 or NH group.