The present invention provides multi-layer articles for use as a rail tie footings comprising, as the tie, an elongate rigid body having a substantially planar surface, and on the substantially planar surface comprising a a microcellular foam elastomeric pad, for example, of a substantially organic solvent free polyurethane, wherein the substantially planar surface has a peripheral landing on which there is no elastomeric pad and the elastomeric pad has a bulk density (ASTM D3676) of from 600 to 2000 Kg/m3 (0.6 to 2.0 g/cm3). In addition, the present invention provides molding methods wherein the microcellular foam elastomeric pad is molded directly on the rail tie to form a durable footing, wherein the rail tie forms the bottom boundary of a molding chamber during molding and molding comprises forming the top and side boundaries of the molding chamber by inflating an annular pneumatic seal, positioning the seal on the substantially planar surface of the elongate rigid body and keeping the microcellular foam forming materials under pressure during molding.

A device for machining a cover for a motor vehicle may have a lower mold having a sealing element and a first recess and a second recess a distance from the first recess. The sealing element is arranged in part in the first recess of the lower mold so that the element extends with respect to a surface of the lower mold. The sealing element and the second recess of the lower mold are formed so as to define a cavity in a predefined manner in cooperation with a lower face of the cover. The device further may have a counter bearing which is designed, when forming the cavity on the lower face of the cover, to exert a counter force on an upper face of the cover towards the lower mold.

A sealing element for a molding machine comprises a base body with an inner receptacle wherein the base body is provided with a venting duct to connect an inner receptacle of the sealing element with an outer surface thereof.

A foaming die device for forming a headrest is provided, which comprises a lower die having a first protrusion and an upper die having a second protrusion. The lower and upper dies are used for accommodating a trim cover assembly with a headrest stay portion extending outwardly through a stay passage hole formed in the trim cover assembly. The first and second protrusions are adapted to press and turn over a projected area created about the stay hole into the inside of that trim cover assembly. Also, a foaming process for forming the headrest, using this foaming die device, is provided, in which the projected area is turned over by the first and second protrusions into the trim cover assembly when placing the trim cover assembly in the dies. Hence, conventional preliminary steps using cylindrical stick to turn over the projected area into the trim cover assembly are eliminated.

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.

An assembly for molding a composite article including a foam core and a layer is disclosed. The assembly includes a mold. The mold has an inner surface and at least partially defines a cavity, one or more gas discharge ports, and one or more retaining elements. Each of the one or more gas discharge ports has a passageway opening in fluid communication with the cavity of the mold the mold. The assembly further includes one or more sealing elements moveably engaged with the mold. Each of the one or more sealing elements includes a head and is shaped to engage the retaining element on the mold in a vented position. Further, each of the one or more sealing elements corresponds with each of the one or more gas discharge ports.

The refrigerator (1000) comprises a first surface (1); a second surface (2); an insulating element (3) arranged between the first and second surfaces (1, 2); and a sealing device (100). The sealing device (100) is associated with at least one of the first and second surfaces (1, 2) and comprises: an external structure (10), an internal structure (20) and a connection region (30) that interconnects the external structure (10) with the internal structure (20); at least one first fixing element (31) arranged in the connection region (30); a through-hole (40) between the external (10) and internal (20) structures; wherein the at least one first fixing element (31) forms a male-female arrangement with at least one of the first and second surfaces (1, 2).

Tooling for manufacturing a vehicle panel having a substrate, a foam layer, and a decorative covering. The tooling includes a tool base having a tool aperture, and an insert having a sealing projection. The insert is located at least partially in the tool aperture. The sealing projection is configured to create a seal between the substrate and the decorative covering at least partially around a substrate aperture in the substrate. The substrate aperture is at least partially smaller than the tool aperture so as to form an overlapping seal area between the sealing projection of insert and the substrate. A manufacturing method can create a foam-less region between the decorative covering and the substrate.

A trim component for vehicle interior is disclosed. A method for forming the trim component is also disclosed. The trim component comprises a cover material, a base layer, a foamed plastic, and a support element. The base layer is intended to prevent foamed plastic from penetrating into the pores of the cover material. Foamed plastic is injected between the base layer and the support element to form the trim component. The method comprises the steps of producing a base layer, applying and fixing at least part of the cover material to the base layer to form a pre-laminate, introducing the pre-laminate into a foaming mold with the base layer between the cover material and a foam chamber (between the pre-laminate and the support element) within a foaming mold and introducing foamed plastic into the foam chamber to form the trim component.

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.