Covered foam article

• US 20040064894A1
• Filed: 10/04/2002
• Published: 04/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Proprietect LP
• Original Assignee: Woodbridge Foam Corporation
• Inventors: Labish, John V.
• Granted Patent: US 6,829,795 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 5/655.9
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5816 attachments thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5891 characterised by the manufacturing process; manufacturing seat coverings not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/7017 characterised by the manufacturing process; manufacturing upholstery or upholstery springs not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A foam article comprising: a foam element; and a trim cover comprising a finished outer layer and an inner layer in contact with the foam element, the inner layer comprising a material having a kinetic coefficient of friction with respect to the foam element of less than about 0.75 when measured pursuant to ASTM D1894-00 using the conditions set out in GM9206P. The foam article is advantageously suited for use in a vehicular application such as a car seat (seat bottom, seat back and the like). The invention allows for the production of improved quality products while mitigating and obviating the need for additional material and/or labour costs.

Claims

1. A foam article comprising:

a foam element;

a trim cover comprising a finished outer layer; and

a slip layer interposed between the foam element and the trim cover, the slip layer comprising a material having a kinetic coefficient of friction with respect to the foam element of less than about 0.75 when measured pursuant to ASTM D1894-00 using the conditions set out in GM9206P.

2. The foam article defined in claim 1, wherein the slip layer comprises a material having a kinetic coefficient of friction with respect to the foam element of less than about 0.73 when measured pursuant to ASTM D1894-00 using the conditions set out in GM9206P.

3. The foam article defined in claim 1, wherein the slip layer comprises a material having a kinetic coefficient of friction with respect to the foam element in the range of from about 0.50 to about 0.73 when measured pursuant to ASTM D1894-00 using the conditions set out in GM9206P.

4. The foam article defined in claim 1, wherein the slip layer comprises a material having a kinetic coefficient of friction with respect to the foam element in the range of from about 0.55 to about 0.73 when measured pursuant to ASTM D1894-00 using the conditions set out in GM9206P.

5. The foam article defined in claim 1, wherein the slip layer comprises a material having a kinetic coefficient of friction with respect to the foam element in the range of from about 0.60 to about 0.70 when measured pursuant to ASTM D1894-00 using the conditions set out in GM9206P.

6. The foam article defined in claim 1, wherein the slip layer comprises a material having a kinetic coefficient of friction with respect to the foam element in the range of from about 0.50 to about 0.65 when measured pursuant to ASTM D1894-00 using the conditions set out in GM9206P.

7. The foam article defined in claim 1, wherein the foam element comprises an isocyanate-based foam.

8. The foam article defined in claim 1, wherein the foam element comprises a polyurethane foam.

9. The foam article defined in claim 1, wherein the material comprises a polymer layer.

10. The foam article defined in claim 9, wherein the polymer layer comprises a polyester.

11. The foam article defined in claim 9, wherein the polymer layer comprises a polypropylene.

12. The foam article defined in claim 9, wherein the polymerlayer comprises a mixture of polyester and polypropylene.

13. The foam article defined in claim 9, wherein the polymer layer is in the form of a scrim.

14. The foam article defined in claim 1, wherein the trim cover further comprises an intermediate foam layer disposed between the finished outer layer and the slip layer.

15. The foam article defined in claim 14, wherein the intermediate foam layer comprises an isocyanate-based foam.

16. The foam article defined in claim 14, wherein the intermediate foam layer comprises a polyurethane foam.

17. The foam article defined in claim 14, wherein the intermediate foam layer comprises a polyurethane foam.

18. The foam article defined in claim 1, further comprising a frame element secured with respect to the foam element.

19. A vehicular seat element comprising:

a foam element;

a trim cover comprising a finished outer layer; and

a slip layer interposed between the foam element and the trim cover, the slip layer comprising a material having a kinetic coefficient of friction with respect to the foam element of less than about 0.75 when measured pursuant to ASTM D1894-00 using the conditions set out in GM9206P.

20. A trim cover comprising a finished outer layer and an inner layer, the inner layer comprising a material having a kinetic coefficient of friction with respect to the a foam element of less than about 0.75 when measured pursuant to ASTM D1894-00 using the conditions set out in GM9206P.