Abstract: A vacuum mold and process for manufacturing a textile-covered cushion. The process broadly comprises back foaming, wherein (i) the cover is placed on the edge of a vacuum molding part at least partly containing a mold cavity and is stretched before a vacuum is applied to the mold cavity, (ii) the cover is sucked into position, (iii) a foamable reaction mixture is then applied to the back of the cover and (iv) when the reaction mixture has set to form the foam core, the cushion is removed from the mold, the improvement wherein prior to the application of the vacuum to the mold cavity, the cover is brought into contact with at least one moveable section of the wall of the mold cavity as it is positioned over the mold cavity, the cover is fixed to this section and the section together with the cover fixed thereto is then moved into the molding position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for manufacturing foam cushions with coverings. The device broadly includes:(i) a mold having an upper half and a lower half and having a mix head associated therewith, wherein at least one half of said mold consists of a cavity and a surrounding stretching rim, the inner walls of said cavity having suction channels therein, said suction channels being connected to a vacuum source such that when a vacuum is applied, a covering is sucked into said cavity and against said inner walls, and(ii) a tenter adapted to be placed over said rim, said tenter having(1) an elastic, flexible roller element rotatably mounted in a groove in said tenter, said roller element being further characterized as(a) being capable of twisting around its axis,(b) being located in the region of the tenter which comes into contact with said rim, and(c) allowing said covering to slide when said covering is being sucked into said cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the production of back-foamed products. The apparatus broadly consists of two mold halves, a stretching frame attached to one of the mold halves, and a pulsator device for applying pulsations to the edge region of the mold cavity.

Abstract: A process for the production of foam cushions having textile covers by inserting a textile cover into a mold cavity having gates which project into the mold cavity, initially preforming the textile cover by applying a vacuum through holes in the mold cavity such that the textile cover conforms to the contour on both sides of the gates, clamping the textile cover against the gates, optionally further positioning the textile cover such that it conforms to the contours of both the gates and the mold cavity, releasing the clamps and introducing a foam-forming reaction mixture into the mold cavity. The present invention is also directed to a form tool having gates, means for applying a vacuum through holes in the mold cavity in gates and clamping means for clamping the mold cover to the gates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum mold for manufacturing cushions with back-foamed covers, wherein a section of cover material is stretched across a mold cavity, held down at the rim of the cavity, but allowed to slide into the mold cavity under the influence of a vacuum. The cover is also placed against and fitted to contourings (ridges and/or grooves) of the mold cavity, and subsequently back-foamed. The resulting flexible foam core is allowed to harden and the finished cushion is removed from the form.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for the production of foam cushions having textile covers by inserting a textile cover into a mold cavity having gates which project into the mold cavity, initially preforming the textile cover by applying a vacuum through holes in the mold cavity such that the textile cover conforms to the contour on both sides of the gates, clamping the textile cover against the gates, further positioning the textile cover such that it conforms to the contours of both the gates and the mold cavity, releasing the clamps and introducing a foam-forming reaction mixture into the mold cavity. The present invention is also directed to a form tool having gates, means for applying a vacuum through holes in the mold cavity in gates and clamping means for clamping the mold cover to the gates.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for the production of foam cushions having a textile cover in which the cover is inserted into a mold cavity and adapted to the contour of the mold cavity by the application of a vacuum wherein movable gates assist in improving the adaptation of the cover to the contour of the mold cavity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for the production of back-foamed cushions from cover materials and foam comprising:(i) a mold comprising an upper mold half and a lower mold half, said lower mold half defining a cavity, the inside surface of which is capable of being covered by said cover material,(ii) a mix head associated with said mold, said mix head capable of introducing foam materials and/or reactants into said mold cavity, and(iii) at least one pressing element for pressing said cover material into said mold cavity, said pressing element having a pressing edge which consists of at least one balanced spring.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for the production of back-foamed covers from cover materials and foam comprising(i) a mold comprising an upper mold half and a lower mold half, the lower mold half having a cavity therein, the inside surface of which is capable of being covered by the cover material,(ii) a mixhead associated with the mold, the mixhead capable of introducing foam materials and/or reactants into the mold cavity,(iii) a pusher bar arranged on a mount for pushing the cover material into the mold cavity and being arranged above the lower mold half, the pusher bar being constructed such that when the bar is pushing the cover material into the mold cavity, a gap is formed between the edge of the mold cavity and the edge of the pusher bar, the gap being less than the thickness of the cover material,(iv) the lower mold half being movable towards and/or away from the pusher bar, and(v) the surface of the pusher bar facing the mold cavity edge being a frictional surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for the production of back-foamed cushions from cover materials and foam, comprising:(i) a mold comprising an upper mold half and a lower mold half, said lower mold half defining a cavity, the inside surface of which is capable of being covered by said cover material,(ii) a mix head associated with said mold, said mix head capable of introducing foam materials and/or reactants into said mold cavity,(iii) an upper ram provided above the lower mold half, and comprising several segments with contact pressure surfaces, which segments are mounted to be displaceable in guide bores of a supporting frame and wherein springs are associated with said segments, said springs acting on said segments in the direction of said mold cavity, and wherein when said upper ram is in the position of rest, the various contact pressure surfaces are located at different distances from the bottom of said mold cavity, and(iv) wherein said lower mold half is movable towards and away from

Abstract: A method for the continuous production of foam blocks or foam sandwich panels involving the application of the liquid foamable reaction mixture to the continuously moving shaping support in a manner which avoids large gas inclusions in the final product produced. The liquid foamable reaction mixture is preliminarily distributed by the use of a particular distributor channel means in a traverse direction to the continuously moving shaping support, permitted to flow in the form of a descending film exposed to the atmosphere to an intermediate storage means and then conveyed to said continuously moving shaping support. The distributor channel means may also be pivoted to control the outflow of the mixture.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a process and an apparatus for applying a layer of liquid, foamable reaction mixture to a continuously moving support, such as for the production of foam blocks or foam sandwich panels having a thick foam core.