A pressure sensing system (24), seat cushion (20) incorporating the pressure sensing system, and method of sensing a weight group associated with an occupant of an automotive seat are described. The pressure sensing system includes a layer of an electrically conductive foam (28) and a flexible printed circuit (26) that includes a flexible substrate (26a) and N horizontal sensing wires (26b) and M vertical sensing wires (26c) securely placed on a top surface of the flexible substrate. The horizontal sensing wires intersect with the vertical sensing wires and form N?M intersections. The layer of an electrically conductive foam is placed on top of the N horizontal sensing wires and the M vertical sensing wires. When a pressure is applied to the layer of the electrically conductive foam, each intersection generates in real time an electric flux density value to reflect a degree of a compression caused by the pressure to a corresponding point of the electrically conductive foam.

A pressure sensing system, seat cushion incorporating the pressure sensing system, and method of sensing a weight group associated with an occupant of an automotive seat are described. The pressure sensing system includes a layer of an electrically conductive foam and a flexible printed circuit that includes a flexible substrate and N horizontal sensing wires and M vertical sensing wires securely placed on a top surface of the flexible substrate. The horizontal sensing wires intersect with the vertical sensing wires and form (NM) intersections. The layer of an electrically conductive foam is placed on top of the N horizontal sensing wires and the M vertical sensing wires. When a pressure is applied to the layer of the electrically conductive foam, each intersection generates in real time an electric flux density value to reflect a degree of a compression caused by the pressure to a corresponding point of the electrically conductive foam.

A pressure sensing system, seat cushion incorporating the pressure sensing system, and method of sensing a weight group associated with an occupant of an automotive seat are described. The pressure sensing system includes a layer of an electrically conductive foam and a flexible printed circuit that includes a flexible substrate and N horizontal sensing wires and M vertical sensing wires securely placed on a top surface of the flexible substrate. The horizontal sensing wires intersect with the vertical sensing wires and form (NM) intersections. The layer of an electrically conductive foam is placed on top of the N horizontal sensing wires and the M vertical sensing wires. When a pressure is applied to the layer of the electrically conductive foam, each intersection generates in real time an electric flux density value to reflect a degree of a compression caused by the pressure to a corresponding point of the electrically conductive foam.

A tray having: an annular sidewall having upper and lower annular peripheral edges, an upper annular peripheral rim which is integral with the upper annular peripheral edge, and a base having an annular peripheral edge which is integral with the lower annular peripheral edge of the sidewall, wherein the rim, the sidewall and the base are composed of a thermoplastic polymer and the sidewall and the base define a central concavity for packaging a product, wherein the base has a lattice structure of elongate foam ribs interconnected by foam junctions, wherein each foam rib has opposite ends, and each end is integrally connected to either the annular peripheral edge of the base or one of the foam junctions, wherein each foam rib and each foam junction has opposed upper and lower unfoamed solid skins of the thermoplastic polymer on opposite sides of a central cellular foam core of the thermoplastic polymer.

A container having an annular sidewall with upper and lower annular peripheral edges and a lattice structure of elongate ribs interconnecting the upper and lower annular peripheral edges, wherein the lattice structure is an open framework defining a plurality of sidewall openings, and a base having an annular peripheral edge which is integral with the lower annular peripheral edge of the sidewall, the annular peripheral edge of the base surrounding a base wall structure which is integral therewith, the base wall structure having at least one injection moulding sprue at a central region of the base wall structure, wherein the at least one injection moulding sprue is connected to the upper annular peripheral edge of the annular sidewall by the base wall structure, the annular peripheral edge of the base, the lower annular peripheral edge of the sidewall and the lattice structure of the sidewall, wherein the sidewall and the base are composed of a thermoplastic polymer and define a central concavity for packaging a product, and wherein the container further has a flexible sheet which is bonded to the lattice structure to cover the sidewall openings and form a sealed sidewall surface of the container.

Provided is a method for producing a foamed synthetic resin molded body. In this method, in the case where a hole-like portion is a through hole, when foam molding is performed, the occurrence of molding defects such as voids at the periphery of the hole-like portion can be sufficiently prevented or suppressed without forming a burr portion that closes the hole-like portion. Also in this method, in the case where the hole-like portion is a non-through hole, the occurrence of molding defects such as voids at a bottom portion of the hole-like portion can be sufficiently prevented or suppressed.

Molds and method of using the molds to produce a product are provided. The molds include a first mold piece having a first wall with a first column member protruding therefrom that includes first sidewalls and a first distal end, and a second mold piece having a second wall with a second column member protruding therefrom that includes second sidewalls and a second distal end. The first and second mold pieces are configured to releasably mate to define a mold cavity therebetween and such that the first and second column members releasably mate with the first distal end being received within a cavity of the second distal end to form a seal therebetween. The mold cavity is configured to receive a product material therein and form the product therefrom. The first sidewalls and the second sidewalls are configured to define a pass through in the product.

In some embodiments, a toy is disclosed. In some embodiments, the toy includes an expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (ETPU) outer shell portion and a core portion formed of a material with a higher density than the ETPU forming the outer shell portion. In some embodiments, a mold for forming a toy with an ETPU outer shell portion and with a core portion formed of a different material is disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of forming a toy with an ETPU outer shell portion and core portion formed of a different material is disclosed.

A seat pad (1) includes a surface portion (1a) configured of a polyurethane foam (11). In the surface portion (1a), wiring grooves (2) for wiring a wire harness (3) are formed. Each wiring groove (2) has a groove width W narrower than the diameter (3) of the harness (3), and a groove depth (D) deeper than the diameter 3 of the harness (3). A seat pad manufacturing method uses, as a molding die, a molding die that has groove-forming protrusions to form the wiring grooves (2) and has holes formed in side surfaces of the groove-forming protrusions. A polyurethane foam material is supplied to an interior of the molding die, and when a molded product is removed from the molding die, molded portions formed in the holes are forcibly pulled out of the holes of the groove-forming protrusions.

An intermediate article for assembly to form a container, the intermediate article having a base which is polygonal in plan and having an annular peripheral edge with a plurality of edge portions surrounding a base wall structure, a plurality of wall elements around the base, each wall element being adjacent to a respective edge portion of the polygonal base, wherein each wall element has a pair of opposite outwardly extending edges having a sidewall structure therebetween, each outwardly extending edge comprising at least one member of a respective fixing mechanism for affixing adjacent outwardly extending edges of adjacent wall elements, wherein the sidewall and the base are composed of an injection moulded thermoplastic polymer, and a flexible sheet having a central part which is bonded to the base wall structure and a plurality of extending parts, each extending part being connected to, and extending away from, the central part, each extending part being bonded to the sidewall structure of a respective wall element, wherein each extending part is connected to the central part by a respective hinge part of the flexible sheet, whereby each wall element is hingedly connected to the base by the respective hinge part, wherein the wall elements can be hinged upwardly relative to the base to form a container having a sidewall which is polygonal in plan and defines a central concavity for packaging a product, wherein the sidewall has the plurality of wall elements which are connected in series to form an endless wall member extending upwardly from the base, each outwardly extending edge being affixed to an adjacent outwardly extending edge of an adjacent wall element by a respective fixing mechanism at a respective corner portion of the sidewall.