There is provided a skin foam-in-place foamed article comprising a pad (15) and a bag-like outer material (20) covering the pad (15). The outer material (20) has a top layer (21) and a liner layer (22) made of a foamed resin. The liner layer (22) has a closed cell structure. A pad-side skin layer (27a) having a density higher than that of a bulk layer (26) is provided on the liner layer (22), on a side of the pad (15). A corona treatment is applied to the pad-side skin layer (27a).

A method for making a floor or wall panel has a foamed polymer core. A foamable polymer powder is foamed between two conveyor belts in the forming zone of a steel belt press. The sum of the thicknesses of the two conveyor belts and the total thickness of the layers at the entrance of the steel belt press is less than or equal to the opening of the steel belt press at the entrance of the steel belt press. The sum of the thicknesses of the two conveyor belts and the total thickness of the substrate at the outlet of the steel belt press is equal to the opening of the steel belt press at the outlet of the steel belt press and greater than the sum of the thicknesses of the two conveyor belts and the total thickness of the layers at the entrance of the steel belt press.

There is provided a skin foam-in-place foamed article comprising a pad (15) and a bag-like outer material (20) covering the pad (15). The outer material (20) has a top layer (21) and a liner layer (22) made of a foamed resin. The liner layer (22) has a closed cell structure. A pad-side skin layer (27a) having a density higher than that of a bulk layer (26) is provided on the liner layer (22), on a side of the pad (15). A corona treatment is applied to the pad-side skin layer (27a).

A method and device for manufacturing a sandwich structure comprising at least one foam layer of a first thermoplastic comprising a chemical blowing agent and two cover layers. The decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent is higher than the melting point or range of the first thermoplastic. The method comprises a series of steps performed on an advancing starting structure including heating under pressure in order to cause decomposition of the blowing agent, intermediate cooling, foaming at a constant volume and further cooling.

A method for making a floor or wall panel has a foamed polymer core. A foamable polymer powder is foamed between two conveyor belts in the forming zone of a steel belt press. The sum of the thicknesses of the two conveyor belts and the total thickness of the layers at the entrance of the steel belt press is less than or equal to the opening of the steel belt press at the entrance of the steel belt press. The sum of the thicknesses of the two conveyor belts and the total thickness of the substrate at the outlet of the steel belt press is equal to the opening of the steel belt press at the outlet of the steel belt press and greater than the sum of the thicknesses of the two conveyor belts and the total thickness of the layers at the entrance of the steel belt press.

A method and device for manufacturing a sandwich structure comprising at least one foam layer of a first thermoplastic comprising a chemical blowing agent and two fibre-reinforced cover layers of a second thermoplastic. The decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent is higher than the melting point or range of the first thermoplastic. The method comprises a series of steps performed on a starting structure including heating under pressure in order to cause decomposition of the blowing agent, cooling, foaming and further cooling in contact with the press tools.