Described herein are expandable foaming molds. The foaming molds described herein permit mold boundaries to expand along with the expanding polymer and thereby conform to the foaming dynamics of the polymer material. By modifying the temperature and pressure applied to the mold devices described herein, the properties of the resulting foamed polymer can be fine-tuned for specific applications.

The invention relates to a method by which stitch openings in the area of a seam in a plastic skin (10), in particular a PVC or TPU skin, are sealed, said PVC or TPU skin being provided for a foamed part. Foamed parts of this type are used especially as interior fitting parts, e.g. as a dashboard, in the field of automobile manufacturing. The invention further relates to a PVC or TPU skin comprising a seam of said type.

The invention relates to a sealing system for sealing adjacent machine parts, in particular molding tool parts for foaming vehicle parts. The sealing system comprises a sealing device for sealing adjacent machine parts and a light output device which is arranged in such a way that the light output device can illuminate a portion of the sealing device.

A method for sealing seams of a surface layer containing the seams, the sealing being performed on the side of the surface layer to which a foam layer or adhesive layer is connected in a planar manner. The method further relates to a composite part and the use of same. The method preferably includes a non-contact, planar application of a sealing material onto the seam region along the course of the seam. With the help of the method it is possible to prevent the penetration of the foam or adhesive material in a subsequent processing step and at the same time to eliminate the disadvantages of the existing methods.

Heating element for user-touchable areas in a vehicle with a foamed carrier material in which at least one heating conductor, which comprises an electrical insulation, is embedded, and with connecting conductors which are electrically connected to the ends of the heating conductor via at least one connection part and form an electrical feed line. The at least one connection part is arranged within the foamed carrier material and the connection part is foam-covered in an electrically insulating manner by the carrier material. The connection part is brought into electrically conductive contact at least partially with the respective connection end of the heating conductor due to applied pressure and/or applied heat, at least partially destroying the electrical insulation in the region of the connection part. Furthermore, a method for producing such a heating element using a mold tool is indicated.

Provided is a sheet-type molded body that is formed by sewing a sheet, wherein thread is used for at least part of said sewing, the thread being composed of a resin composition for thread containing resin for thread, the thread having a melting point of no more than 200 C., and a laminate comprising: the sheet-type molded body; and a polyurethane foam formed body, the sheet-type molded body, and the laminate comprising: the sheet-type molded body; and a polyurethane foam layer being able to be produced by a simple method at low cost without damaging design qualities over time, and making it possible to prevent leakage of raw material etc. from sewed portions when backed with the polyurethane foam layer.

A bushing for a foam mix-head includes an injection port wall surrounding a vestigial area for foam accumulation, a substrate opening transition segment configured to be situated with an opening of a substrate, a seal housing, and a seal seated in a seal seat of the seal housing. The seal helps prevent leakage during a foaming operation, such as when manufacturing a vehicle interior panel having a foam layer between a skin layer and a substrate.

A vehicle interior panel includes a seal between a substrate and an airbag chute and around an opening in the substrate through which the airbag chute is installed. The seal prevents a foam layer from extending into the opening when the foam layer is being molded. The seal is attached to the airbag chute prior to assembly with the substrate and is made from a material that is more flexible than the airbag chute material. The seal can be attached to the airbag chute in a two-shot molding process and spaced from the perimeter of the airbag chute along its back side. During molding of the foam layer, foam expansion pressure acts to improve the function of the seal as a foam barrier.

Described herein are expandable foaming molds. The foaming molds described herein permit mold boundaries to expand along with the expanding polymer and thereby conform to the foaming dynamics of the polymer material. By modifying the temperature and pressure applied to the mold devices described herein, the properties of the resulting foamed polymer can be fine-tuned for specific applications.

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.