Methods of monitoring and controlling a molding process using a sensed change in strain provided by a strain gauge are provided. A target strain profile is created for a molding process of a molding apparatus. An upper and lower deviation limit from the target strain profile for the molding process is provided. If a sensed change in strain exceeds a deviation limit, an alarm is activated.

A process for producing a molded article involves providing a thin-walled, gas-permeable shell; filling the shell with a foamed pelletized material composed of a polymer; and welding the foamed pelletized material to obtain the molded article. Molded articles are obtainable or obtained by such a process, and can be used as a footwear sole, part of a footwear sole, a mattress, a seat cushion, an underlay, a grip, a protective film, a component in automobile interiors and exteriors, a gymnastics mat, a body protector, a trim element in automobile construction, a sound insulator, a vibration damper, a cushion, a bicycle saddle, a toy, a tire or part of a tire, a covering for a track and field surface, a covering for a sports hall or a pathway, a damping layer or a damping core in a sandwich element, or a packaging.

A process for producing a molded article involves providing a thin-walled, gas-permeable shell; filling the shell with a foamed pelletized material composed of a polymer; and welding the foamed pelletized material to obtain the molded article. Molded articles are obtainable or obtained by such a process, and can be used as a footwear sole, part of a footwear sole, a mattress, a seat cushion, an underlay, a grip, a protective film, a component in automobile interiors and exteriors, a gymnastics mat, a body protector, a trim element in automobile construction, a sound insulator, a vibration damper, a cushion, a bicycle saddle, a toy, a tire or part of a tire, a covering for a track and field surface, a covering for a sports hall or a pathway, a damping layer or a damping core in a sandwich element, or a packaging.

A flexible discontinuous process produces a series of at least two articles containing thermally insulating polyurethane foam from at least three streams (A), (B) and (C). The process involves mixing the at least three streams with different mixing ratios and injecting the mixture into cavities of the articles. A production unit can be used for performing this process.

A foam article, such as a cushioning element for an article of footwear, apparel or sporting equipment is provided that comprises a foam component, such as a midsole, having a number of beneficial physical characteristics. The cushioning element is a low-density foamed component with a surface skin that encases the remaining foam volume. The cushioning element has a number of foam volumes, arranged to achieve a more consistent foam component. Additionally, the cushioning element includes a series of concentric ridges extending radially outwardly from injection gate vestige locations, and a number of striation bands near the perimeter of the cushioning element. The location of the gate vestiges can be beneficially arranged to produce intersecting flow boundaries that are located away from key strain areas of the cushioning element. The cushioning element is more environmentally-friendly, requiring less energy to produce while still providing acceptable energy return and low density.

A foam article, such as a cushioning element for an article of footwear, apparel or sporting equipment is provided that comprises a foam component, such as a midsole, having a number of beneficial physical characteristics. The cushioning element is a low-density foamed component with a surface skin that encases the remaining foam volume. The cushioning element has a number of foam volumes, arranged to achieve a more consistent foam component. Additionally, the cushioning element includes a series of concentric ridges extending radially outwardly from injection gate vestige locations, and a number of striation bands near the perimeter of the cushioning element. The location of the gate vestiges can be beneficially arranged to produce intersecting flow boundaries that are located away from key strain areas of the cushioning element. The cushioning element is more environmentally-friendly, requiring less energy to produce while still providing acceptable energy return and low density.

The present invention discloses a method of filling simulated muscles for a limb of an automobile crash test dummy, the simulated muscles are molded with foaming in the inner cavity of the mold; the method comprises: obtaining a filling volume of the inner cavity of the mold by using a liquid casting method, preparing an adhesive liquid film layer, preparing a filler and conducting demolding detection on the limb. Wherein step 3 is to inject the mixed filler into the inner cavity of the mold so as to be foamed in the mold to form foamed sponge, and stand until the foamed sponge is foamed to the exhaust port and does not overflow any more.

The present invention discloses a method of filling simulated muscles for a limb of an automobile crash test dummy, the simulated muscles are molded with foaming in the inner cavity of the mold; the method comprises: obtaining a filling volume of the inner cavity of the mold by using a liquid casting method, preparing an adhesive liquid film layer, preparing a filler and conducting demolding detection on the limb. Wherein step 3 is to inject the mixed filler into the inner cavity of the mold so as to be foamed in the mold to form foamed sponge, and stand until the foamed sponge is foamed to the exhaust port and does not overflow any more.

A system for treatment of a multi-layered cushioning product includes at least one web layer and at least one expandable layer including a water-based heat-expandable adhesive (WBHEA), comprising: (a) at least one radiator module for irradiating the multi-layered cushioning product including at least one emitter, such as a filament, panel or the like, emitting infrared radiation at an operative temperature of at least 600° C. and at most 3000° C. wherein the at least one radiator module having a power output density of at least 10 kW/m2 and/or at most 300 kW/m2 and (b) a conveyor for moving the, cushioning product relative to the at least one radiator module.

A system for treatment of a multi-layered cushioning product includes at least one web layer and at least one expandable layer including a water-based heat-expandable adhesive (WBHEA), comprising: (a) at least one radiator module for irradiating the multi-layered cushioning product including at least one emitter, such as a filament, panel or the like, emitting infrared radiation at an operative temperature of at least 600° C. and at most 3000° C. wherein the at least one radiator module having a power output density of at least 10 kW/m2 and/or at most 300 kW/m2 and (b) a conveyor for moving the, cushioning product relative to the at least one radiator module.