A molding tool and method for producing an interior trim part. A cavity is embodied between a first element and a second element, and a slide is displaceably connected to the first element. A decorative layer is arranged on the first element and a backing is arranged on the second element. A foamable mixture is added to the hollow area between the backing and a reverse side of the decorative layer, such that a foam layer fills the hollow area. A distance between the first element and the second element is increased to enlarge the hollow area. During this process, the slide is pressed against a side facing away from the reverse side of the decorative layer, such that the hollow area is sealed with the reverse side of the decorative layer pressed against a lateral surface of the backing and/or against a lateral surface of the second element.

A method of manufacturing a foam molded article is disclosed. The method includes the steps of extruding a molten, kneaded resin containing a foaming agent through an annular slit between a die core and a die shell, surrounding the die core to form a cylindrical foam parison, extruding the parison between a pair of split molds, pinching the parison between lower pinchers disposed under the split molds, and molding the parison by closing the split molds. H/D is 1.33 to 3.33 and L/D is 0.33 to 2.00, D being a die core diameter, H being a distance between a lower surface of the die core and an upper surface of each of the split molds, and L being a distance between a lower surface of each of the split molds and an upper surface of the corresponding lower pincher. The die core diameter is between 50 and 300 mm.

A method of manufacturing a foam molded article, comprising: an extrusion step of extruding a molten, kneaded resin containing a foaming agent through an annular slit between a die core and a die shell surrounding the die core to form a cylindrical foam parison and extruding the foam parison between a pair of split molds; a lower-pinching step of pinching the foam parison between lower pinchers disposed under the split molds; and a molding step of molding the foam parison by closing the split molds, after the lower-pinching step, wherein H/D is 1.33 to 3.33 and L/D is 0.33 to 2.00 where D represents a diameter of the die core; H represents a distance between a lower surface of the die core and an upper surface of each of the split molds; and L represents a distance between a lower surface of each of the split molds and an upper surface of the corresponding lower pincher, is provided.

A crisscross thermoforming assist plug assembly having a pair of oppositely outwardly facing thermoforming assist plugs each carried by a respective one of a pair of thermoforming assist plug linkage arrangements, where at least one link of the linkage arrangement is used to extend one of the assist plugs in one direction crosses but does not contact in a side view or profile of the thermoforming assist plug assembly, and at least one link of the other linkage arrangement is used to extend the other one of the assist plugs in an opposite direction. The links of the linkage arrangement preferably pivot about a common pivot axis that preferably is an elongate pivot shaft extending transversely between elongate upper rails of a frame of the assembly. At least one of the links of the linkage arrangement is a drive link that extends or retracts one of the plugs that crosses a drive link that extends and/or retracts the other one of the plugs. The drive links preferably form a crisscross arrangement when actuated in a manner that substantially simultaneously extends the respective plugs into the mold cavity and/or substantially simultaneously retracts the respective plugs from the mold cavity.

A process for making a three dimensional foam article of non-uniform shape employs a two-stage nitrogen autoclave process and a pre-form which has a non-uniform cross-section in at least one dimension.

Provided is a thermoplastic composite, a method for preparing a thermoplastic composite, and an injection-molded product. The thermoplastic composite comprises 35% to 85% by weight of thermoplastic resin, 5% to 45% by weight of a non-cellulosic organic fiber, and hollow glass microspheres in an amount of less than 5% by weight, based on 100% by weight of the total weight of the thermoplastic composite.

Provided is a thermoplastic composite, a method for preparing a thermoplastic composite, and an injection-molded product. The thermoplastic composite comprises 35% to 85% by weight of thermoplastic resin, 5% to 45% by weight of a non-cellulosic organic fiber, and hollow glass microspheres in an amount of less than 5% by weight, based on 100% by weight of the total weight of the thermoplastic composite.

An in-mold foam forming mold includes a bottom die and a top die. The bottom die has a matching cavity. The top die has a top core which matches with the matching cavity and is to be sleeved by the braided shield, and the top core is moved into the matching cavity during the mold closing. The matching cavity has an inner side wall and a barrier rib for blocking foam material in the matching cavity from overflowing from the cavity opening of the matching cavity during an in-mold foaming process, the barrier rib is laterally cooperative with the top core by clearance fit during the mold closing, and a foam molding cavity matching with the foaming shell is defined in the matching cavity. The manufacturing process is simplified, and the quality of the golf head cover is improved.

An in-mold foam forming mold includes a bottom die and a top die. The bottom die has a matching cavity. The top die has a top core which matches with the matching cavity and is to be sleeved by the braided shield, and the top core is moved into the matching cavity during the mold closing. The matching cavity has an inner side wall and a barrier rib for blocking foam material in the matching cavity from overflowing from the cavity opening of the matching cavity during an in-mold foaming process, the barrier rib is laterally cooperative with the top core by clearance fit during the mold closing, and a foam molding cavity matching with the foaming shell is defined in the matching cavity. The manufacturing process is simplified, and the quality of the golf head cover is improved.

A method for producing a foam-molded product by using a plasticizing cylinder, includes: plasticizing and melting the thermoplastic resin to provide the molten resin in a plasticization zone of the plasticizing cylinder; introducing a pressurized fluid containing the physical foaming agent at a fixed pressure into a starvation zone of the plasticizing cylinder to retain the starvation zone at the fixed pressure; allowing the molten resin to be in the starved state in the starvation zone; bringing the molten resin in contact with the pressurized fluid containing the physical foaming agent at the fixed pressure, in the starvation zone in a state in which the starvation zone is retained at the fixed pressure; and molding the molten resin having been brought in contact with the pressurized fluid containing the physical foaming agent into the foam-molded product.