Provision of cover impermeability in mold in place seat component method
First Claim
1. A method of making a cushioned seat component which includes the steps ofproviding a cover in a condition in which it is devoid of an imperforate film laminated thereto and having an exterior surface which is to present the major exterior appearance of the seat component and which includes a panel portion to be cushioned, the panel portion of the cover being perforate between the interior and exterior surfaces thereof,mounting the cover in the aforesaid condition on a vacuum mold so that the exterior surface of the panel portion is facing a mold surface of the vacuum mold having a shape corresponding with the desired exterior surface shape of the panel portion,mounting an imperforate film over the interior surface of the panel portion while the cover is mounted on the vacuum mold,applying a vacuum to the vacuum mold so as to draw the exterior surface of the panel portion into conformity with the mold surface of the vacuum mold having said shape corresponding with the desired exterior surface shape of the panel portion so that said panel portion is brought generally into conformity with its desired final shape, with the film preventing passage of air through the cover from the interior surface thereof to the exterior surface thereof,activating an activatable adhesive layer provided between the interior surface of the panel portion and the imperforate film so as to adhere the imperforate film to the panel portion while said panel portion remains generally in conformity with its desired final shape, andfoaming and curing a foamable material within a cooperating mold generally surrounding the film on the interior surface of the panel portion while the exterior surface thereof is engaged with the mold surface of the vacuum mold having said shape corresponding with the desired exterior surface shape of the panel portion so as to provide a cushion body of foamed material constituting an inner layer of a bonded laminate including said panel portion as an outer layer with the film between the inner and outer layers.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of making a cushioned seat component which includes the following steps. First, providing a cover having an exterior surface which is to present the major exterior appearance of the seat component and which includes a panel portion to be cushioned, the panel portion of the cover being perforate between the interior and exterior surfaces thereof. Second, mounting the cover on a vacuum mold so that the exterior surface of the panel portion is facing a mold surface of the vacuum mold having a shape corresponding with the desired exterior surface shape of the panel portion. Third, mounting an imperforate film over the interior surface of the panel portion while the cover is mounted on the vacuum mold. Fourth, applying a vacuum to the vacuum mold so as to draw the exterior surface of the panel portion into conformity with the mold surface of the vacuum mold with the film preventing passage of air through the cover from the interior surface thereof to the exterior surface thereof. Fifth, activating an activatable adhesive layer provided between the interior surface of the panel portion and the imperforate film so as to adhere the imperforate film to the panel portion. Sixth, foaming and curing a foamable material within a cooperating mold generally surrounding the film on the interior surface of the panel portion while the exterior surface thereof is engaged with the mold surface of the vacuum mold so as to provide a cushion body of foamed material constituting an inner layer of a bonded laminate including the panel portion as an outer layer with the film between the inner and outer layers.
18 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of making a cushioned seat component which includes the steps of
providing a cover in a condition in which it is devoid of an imperforate film laminated thereto and having an exterior surface which is to present the major exterior appearance of the seat component and which includes a panel portion to be cushioned, the panel portion of the cover being perforate between the interior and exterior surfaces thereof, mounting the cover in the aforesaid condition on a vacuum mold so that the exterior surface of the panel portion is facing a mold surface of the vacuum mold having a shape corresponding with the desired exterior surface shape of the panel portion, mounting an imperforate film over the interior surface of the panel portion while the cover is mounted on the vacuum mold, applying a vacuum to the vacuum mold so as to draw the exterior surface of the panel portion into conformity with the mold surface of the vacuum mold having said shape corresponding with the desired exterior surface shape of the panel portion so that said panel portion is brought generally into conformity with its desired final shape, with the film preventing passage of air through the cover from the interior surface thereof to the exterior surface thereof, activating an activatable adhesive layer provided between the interior surface of the panel portion and the imperforate film so as to adhere the imperforate film to the panel portion while said panel portion remains generally in conformity with its desired final shape, and foaming and curing a foamable material within a cooperating mold generally surrounding the film on the interior surface of the panel portion while the exterior surface thereof is engaged with the mold surface of the vacuum mold having said shape corresponding with the desired exterior surface shape of the panel portion so as to provide a cushion body of foamed material constituting an inner layer of a bonded laminate including said panel portion as an outer layer with the film between the inner and outer layers.
Specification