Abstract: A product is provided with a body with a nonrectangular cross section with a mesh of strands of expanded thermoplastic resin. A density of the mesh of strands about a perimeter of the nonrectangular cross section is greater than within the perimeter. The perimeter is provided with at least one recess formed therein.

Abstract: An assembly is provided with a first layer sized to be displaced over a seat component. A tie down is connected to the first layer to extend at least partially along or at least partially through a cushion of the seat component. A retainer is connected to the tie down, and is sized to retain the tie down and the first layer to the seat component. A second layer is stacked upon and secured to the first layer. A third layer is stacked upon and secured to the second layer.

Abstract: An assembly is provided with a first layer connected to a second layer to form a bladder, with the first layer defining a first aperture therethrough, and one of the first or second layers defining a second aperture therethough. The third layer is connected to the first layer and positioned between the first and second layers within the bladder. The third layer is movable between a first position covering the first aperture, and a second position spaced apart from the first aperture. A seat assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A system includes a die, a first conveyor, and a second conveyor. The die is operable to form a product from molten material. The first and second spaced-apart conveyors each comprise plates extending between opposing lateral sides of the first and second spaced-apart conveyors. The plates (i) are operable to engage and pull the formed product away from the die and (ii) at least a subset of the plates comprise an elasticity such that at least the subset of the plates expand and conform to an outer contour of the formed product.

Abstract: An assembly is provided with a funnel having one or more side walls extending from an entrance to an outlet, and a liner having one or more elastic panels, with the liner extending over an inner surface of the one or more side walls. A system is provided with the assembly, a die, a fluid bath, and at least one hose to direct fluid from the fluid bath onto the liner of the assembly. A method includes covering an inner surface of a funnel with a liner comprising one or more elastic panels, wetting the liner, and forming a stranded mesh material member by extruding material from a die and through the funnel. A stranded mesh material member is provided and formed using the method.

Abstract: A system is provided with a first valve having a first valve element, and a second valve having a second valve element, with the second valve positioned adjacent to the first valve. A first actuator is provided with an actuator member movable between a first actuator position and a second actuator position, and the actuator member is coupled to each of the first valve element and the second valve element for movement therewith. A method of controlling the system is also provided.

Abstract: A method of making a mesh cushion. The method includes extruding a material through a plurality of filament forming openings in at least one die plate to form a plurality of filaments. The filaments may be at least partially submerged into a fluid to cool and harden the filaments into the mesh cushion.

Abstract: A method for producing a vehicle interior component may include heating a polymeric material to a molten state to create a molten polymer. The molten polymer may be extruded to form a plurality of molten polymeric filaments. A fastening arrangement may be inserted into the molten polymer, and the molten polymer may be cooled in a fluid bath to create a consolidated filament structure having the fastening arrangement secured thereto.

Abstract: A cushion, a manufacturing tool, and a method of manufacture. The cushion comprises a filament mesh structure that comprises a set of filaments. The tool includes a funnel and a corresponding extension that are configured to shape and cool the filament mesh structure, respectively. The method includes forming the filament mesh structure via the tool.

Abstract: A vehicle seating system and a method for producing a vehicle seating system may include a cushion made at least in part from a stranded-mesh material and configured to support a seated occupant. Also included may be a support structure configured to support the cushion and a trim-cover material configured to be disposed over at least a portion of the stranded-mesh material. The stranded-mesh material may include an integrated attachment arrangement configured to receive a fastening arrangement for securing the trim-cover material to the stranded-mesh material.

Abstract: An assembly is provided with a funnel having one or more side walls extending from an entrance to an outlet, and a liner having one or more elastic panels, with the liner extending over an inner surface of the one or more side walls. A system is provided with the assembly, a die, a fluid bath, and at least one hose to direct fluid from the fluid bath onto the liner of the assembly. A method includes covering an inner surface of a funnel with a liner comprising one or more elastic panels, wetting the liner, and forming a stranded mesh material member by extruding material from a die and through the funnel. A stranded mesh material member is provided and formed using the method.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a vehicle interior component may include creating a plurality of molten polymeric filaments, and applying a fluid stream to the molten filaments to impart the desired shape while in a bath to cool them to form a consolidated filament structure. An assembly, system, and method are provided for shaping a plurality of strands of a molten thermoplastic resin as a contoured unitary mesh product via at least one shaping conveyor. Another assembly, system, and method are provided for shaping a plurality of strands of a molten thermoplastic resin as a contoured unitary mesh product via an actuator assembly having one or more actuators.

Abstract: A seat assembly has a seating cushion defining a first surface to support an occupant and a second surface opposite to the first surface, with the first surface further defining a trench. A fastener has a longitudinal body with a central region positioned between a first end region and a second end region, and a base extending outwardly from the second end region and transversely to the body. The first end region tapers in a direction away from the second end region, and the central region of the body defines a recess intersecting a side wall of the body and angled inwardly and towards the first end region to form a hook. The fastener extends through the seating cushion with the base abutting the second surface, and the first end region of the body extending into the trench.

Abstract: A method of making a mesh cushion. The method includes extruding a material through a plurality of filament forming openings in at least one die plate to form a plurality of filaments. The filaments may be at least partially submerged into a fluid to cool and harden the filaments into the mesh cushion.

Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a seat frame and a seat support. A plurality of linear actuators or a camshaft are supported on the frame and oriented toward the seat support surface to each provide a localized percussive massage upon the seated occupant. Alternatively, a guide is supported upon the seat frame. A plurality of massage plates is provided on the guide. A plurality of massage nodes is each provided on one of the plurality of massage plates so that compression upon each massage plate flexes a region of each massage plate to extend each massage node forward to provide a localized massage upon the seated occupant.

Abstract: A system and method of forming a filament mesh structure. The filament mesh structure is placed in a cavity of a mold assembly. Liquid above a first temperature threshold is added to the cavity, thereby softening the filament mesh structure and conforming a shape of the filament mesh structure to a forming surface of the mold assembly. The filament mesh structure is cooled in the mold assembly to set the shape.

Abstract: A clip, a seat assembly, and a method of manufacture. The clip is disposed in a cushion. The cushion may comprise a filament mesh structure. The clip has at least one barb that secures the clip to the cushion and at least one retention feature that secures a trim cover to the clip.

Abstract: An assembly is provided with a funnel having one or more side walls extending from an entrance to an outlet, and a liner having one or more elastic panels, with the liner extending over an inner surface of the one or more side walls. A system is provided with the assembly, a die, a fluid bath, and at least one hose to direct fluid from the fluid bath onto the liner of the assembly. A method includes covering an inner surface of a funnel with a liner comprising one or more elastic panels, wetting the liner, and forming a stranded mesh material member by extruding material from a die and through the funnel. A stranded mesh material member is provided and formed using the method.

Abstract: Bladder assemblies to adjust the position of a seat assemblies are disclosed. In various embodiments, the bladder assemblies include pneumatic systems to inflate and deflate one or more of a plurality of bladders. For example, a first bladder of the bladder assembly may inflate to provide a leg extension feature to support occupants with longer legs. A second bladder of the bladder assembly may inflate to provide a tilting effect to the seat assembly.

Abstract: A retention clip, a seat assembly having a retention clip, and a method of assembly. The retention clip has a spiral anchor and at least one retention feature. The spiral anchor is configured to be screwed into a cushion. The retention feature extends away from the spiral anchor and is configured to secure a seat component to the retention clip.