A single-layer 3D fabric of traditional camouflage synthetic fabric with outwardly extending random hollow tunnels therein with weldments in the fabric layer intermittently along the tunnels to hold the outwardly extending hollow tunnels in place. The tunnels have variable depth, typically ranging from between about 0.25 inches to about 2.0 inches. The 3D fabric is produced from a molding process that creates the outer dimensional layer. The 3D fabrics have unique visual properties which make them desirable for a variety of applications.

A method for manufacturing an automotive interior component may include providing a cover, a substrate, a chute connected to the substrate, heating the cover, forming the cover via a negative vacuum forming tool, and supporting the substrate and chute via a buck. The method may include moving at least of the negative vacuum forming tool and the buck toward the other of the negative vacuum forming tool and the buck such that the cover and the substrate may be in contact with each other. The method may include bonding the substrate with the cover via providing pressurized fluid to a chamber of the buck to force the substrate toward the cover. The chamber may be defined by the buck and the substrate.

A method for manufacturing an automotive interior component may include providing a cover, a substrate, a chute connected to the substrate, heating the cover, forming the cover via a negative vacuum forming tool, and supporting the substrate and chute via a buck. The method may include moving at least of the negative vacuum forming tool and the buck toward the other of the negative vacuum forming tool and the buck such that the cover and the substrate may be in contact with each other. The method may include bonding the substrate with the cover via providing pressurized fluid to a chamber of the buck to force the substrate toward the cover. The chamber may be defined by the buck and the substrate.

The disclosure relates to forming shaped thermoplastic articles having smooth peripheries. Many thermoplastic articles have sharp edges formed upon molding or cutting the article from a feedstock sheet. Such sharp edges can damage thin plastic films or flesh which they contact, and smoothing the edges is desirable. Described herein are methods of forming a smooth periphery for such sharp-edged articles by rolling over the sharp edge. The smoothing operation is performed by forming a deflectable flange including a bend region separated from the potentially sharp peripheral edge by a spacer, deflecting a portion of the deflectable flange, and softening at least one bent portion of the deflectable flange to yield a smooth periphery upon cooling. The deflection can include curling the spacer at or near the peripheral edge.

A mold has a sealing surface bearing a sealing profile. A plenum has a sealing surface bearing a sealing profile. The mold and plenum together form an apparatus for reforming a sheet material. In the closed position of the apparatus, the sealing profile of the mold is in opposing relation to the sealing profile of the plenum and the sealing profiles of the mold and plenum together define a profiled sealing gap. When the sheet material is wedged into the profiled sealing gap, a direct seal will be formed between the sheet material and each of the mold and plenum, resulting in two forming areas within the apparatus.

The invention relates to an apparatus for laminating a film part, in particular a decorative layer, on a carrier part having a laminating region in which the film part can be laminated onto the carrier part, in particular onto a motor vehicle interior trim part, having an edge region arranged adjacent to this laminating region in which the film part projects beyond the carrier part in order to produce a bend-around region on the film part which can subsequently be bent around a carrier part edge, and having a tool in which the tool comprises a first tool half for producing a surface design on the film part and a second tool half for receiving the carrier part, wherein the first tool half comprises thermally differently acting sub-regions, namely a first sub-region with a contour for the surface design which interacts with the laminating region and a thermal sub-region which interacts with the edge region adjacent to the laminating region.

Providing a bag-shaped structure and a method for manufacturing a bag-shaped structure, which can provide high blood pressure measurement accuracy even when the cuff width is reduced. A bag-shaped structure used in a cuff for a blood pressure monitor configured to be wrapped around a living body, inflate when a fluid is supplied to an internal space, and compress the living body includes: an inner wall portion provided on a living body side; an outer wall portion facing the inner wall portion; and a pair of side wall portions bent toward the internal space and continuous with the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion, at least part of which is formed integrally with the inner wall portion.

An apparatus and related method of utilizing articulating vacuum plates to manipulate a film or polymeric sheet and form a three dimensional article is provided. The apparatus can be in the form of an articulating vacuum plate system which includes one or more plates or mold parts that are configured to support a sheet, constructed for example, from a polymeric film, in a two dimensional configuration or a three dimensional configuration in a first mode. The apparatus is constructed so that the plates and/or mold parts can articulate or move so as to reconfigure the sheet from a generally planar configuration into a second three dimensional configuration in a second mode for further forming, optionally while the plates and/or mold parts apply vacuum to the sheet while the plates and/or mold parts articulate, so that the plates and/or mold parts bend or otherwise manipulate the configuration and shape of the sheet.

An apparatus and related method of utilizing articulating vacuum plates to manipulate a film or polymeric sheet and form a three dimensional article is provided. The apparatus can be in the form of an articulating vacuum plate system which includes one or more plates or mold parts that are configured to support a sheet, constructed for example, from a polymeric film, in a two dimensional configuration or a three dimensional configuration in a first mode. The apparatus is constructed so that the plates and/or mold parts can articulate or move so as to reconfigure the sheet from a generally planar configuration into a second three dimensional configuration in a second mode for further forming, optionally while the plates and/or mold parts apply vacuum to the sheet while the plates and/or mold parts articulate, so that the plates and/or mold parts bend or otherwise manipulate the configuration and shape of the sheet.

Personal watercraft and personal watercraft fabrication using a thermoforming process are described. The personal watercraft manufacturing process includes a set of molds, thermoforming equipment, and thermal formable materials. The process greatly reduces manufacturing costs, decreases manufacturing time, increases part consistency and tolerances, offers better performance characteristics and durability and results in less environmentally harmful deposits and waste.