Abstract: A seat system for a vehicle including a seat back assembly, a seat base assembly, and a headrest assembly. Each of the assemblies may include at least one formed part for providing comfort to an occupant of the seat system. A coated forming tool for producing the formed part of the seat system may be a mold assembly or a printing machine configured to form at least a portion of the formed part of the seat system. The coating of the coated forming tool comprises at least one of a nonstick or ecological material, and more preferably a polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) material.

Abstract: A foam article, for use in a seat such as a seat cushion, includes an open cell, polyurethane foam material that includes a plant oil-based polyol material content greater than five percent and is produced from the reaction of a base polyol formulation blend including at least a portion of a plant oil-based polyol, a copolymer polyol including at least a portion of a plant oil-based polyol, water, a cross-linking agent, a catalyst, cell opener and a surfactant that are reacted with an isocyanate material for producing the seat cushion having performance specifications that are equivalent or better than the performance characteristics for a traditional petroleum oil-based polyol material seat cushion.

Abstract: A composite material for reinforcing closed structural members as a tube or any closed profile section. More specifically, a composite material for filling metal tubes or any closed profile section forming the frame of vehicle seats to increase or maintain the strength of the seat frame while reducing the mass of the seat tubes or sealed profile section.

Abstract: A foam article, for use in a seat such as a seat cushion, includes an open cell, polyurethane foam material that includes a plant oil-based polyol material content greater than five percent and is produced from the reaction of a base polyol formulation blend including at least a portion of a plant oil-based polyol, a copolymer polyol including at least a portion of a plant oil-based polyol, water, a cross-linking agent, a catalyst, cell opener and a surfactant that are reacted with an isocyanate material for producing the seat cushion having performance specifications that are equivalent or better than the performance characteristics for a traditional petroleum oil-based polyol material seat cushion.

Abstract: A multi-section mold and method for molding a foam article. Micro-groove vents are formed in the parting line to expel gases from the mold cavity. Flashing that solidifies in the micro-groove vents takes the form of fringe-like elements. The roof of the mold cavity can be provided with similar micro-groove graining patterns to disrupt the accumulation of gas bubbles and minimize defects in the final foam surface.