Methods for manufacturing cushioning elements for sports apparel are described. A method is provided for manufacturing a cushioning element for sports apparel from randomly arranged particles of an expanded material. The method includes positioning a functional element within a mold and loading the mold with the particles of the expanded material, wherein the loading occurs through at least two openings within the mold and/or wherein the loading occurs between different movable parts of the mold.

Methods for manufacturing cushioning elements for sports apparel are described. A method is provided for manufacturing a cushioning element for sports apparel from randomly arranged particles of an expanded material. The method includes positioning a functional element within a mold and loading the mold with the particles of the expanded material, wherein the loading occurs through at least two openings within the mold and/or wherein the loading occurs between different movable parts of the mold.

A system/apparatus and method for producing a vehicle interior component is disclosed. A vehicle interior component produced from a material comprising fibers is also disclosed. The method of making a component for use in a vehicle from a material comprising fibers may use a system/apparatus comprising a base section and a section creating a cavity for supply of fibers and a section for compression forming of a shape for the component. The method may comprise the steps of heating the base section to a first temperature; supplying a material comprising fibers between the base section and the section creating the cavity for fibers; activating at least some of the fibers of the material; and forming the material comprising fibers into the shape between the base section and the section for compression forming. The formed component from a material comprising fibers may provide properties (e.g. thickness, density, mass, strength, shape, form, contour, integrity, orientation, etc.) designed/intended for use in a vehicle interior; the formed component may comprise a uniform section providing consistent properties through the component and/or may comprise multiple subsections/portions that provide variations in properties between subsections/portions in the component designed/intended for use in the vehicle interior.

Methods for manufacturing cushioning elements for sports apparel are described. A method is provided for manufacturing a cushioning element for sports apparel from randomly arranged particles of an expanded material. The method includes positioning a functional element within a mold and loading the mold with the particles of the expanded material, wherein the loading occurs through at least two openings within the mold and/or wherein the loading occurs between different movable parts of the mold.