Astechnologies, Inc.

Michael L Avery

George M Elliott

Archie Solomon

Fabric is glued to a foam cushion, while design lines are formed in the cushion, by pressing a hot, perforated die against a layered composition of foam, hot melt adhesive, and fabric. Protruding ridges in the die are heated to a higher temperature than the land area. Superheated steam is ejected through the perforations, causing the foam to melt and form the design lines, and causing the layer of adhesive to become molten. The composition is then cooled, for example by pulling air through it, to resolidify the adhesive and the molten foam under the ridges. The process is useful for forming automobile seats. It requires less labor than forming the design lines by sewing, and without damaging the fabric.

Process for shaping and covering cushion foam

A machine for laminating fabric (123) to open cell cushion foam (124) while forming design lines in the foam is disclosed. The machine comprises a top hollow die (21) having perforations (38) and a complementary, hollow bottom die (54) which also has perforations (130). Hot melt adhesive (125) is interleaved between fabric (123) and foam (124). Top die (21) is preheated to just below the melt point of adhesive (125); then dies (21) and (54) are closed against the layered workpiece, with top die (21) contacting the face of fabric (123). A shot of superheated steam, e.g., at 80 psig and 700.degree. F., is ejected from perforations (38) and (130) to melt adhesive (125). Then a vacuum is applied to the perforations to pull ambient air through the workpiece and cool it. The resolidified ashesive (125) holds foam (124) in its deformed shape and laminates fabric (123) to the foam.

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Cumming, GA, United States of America

Michael L Avery