Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for bonding fabric to a foam pad

US4692199A · kind A · utility

86Cited by
6References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 13, 1985
Grant dateSep 8, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 13, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB29L2031/771
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A vacuum (15) as applied to a porous contoured mold (18) for drawing an impervious adhesive film (16) against a cloth fabric layer (14) to conform the cloth fabric layer (14) to the contours of the mold surface. A matching cellular foam cushion pad (12) is placed in mating engagement with the adhesive film (16) as it is held to the contour of the mold surface by the vacuum. The foam pad (12) is compressed against the mold (18) by a perforated platen (36) and held in place as the vacuum is discontinued. Steam is then supplied through the porous mold (12) to heat and diffuse the adhesive film (16) into the adjacent fabric layer (14) and cellular foam pad (12) for adhesively securing the two together. A partial vacuum is then applied for removing moisture by drawing air through the perforations (44) of the platen (36), the foam pad (12), fabric layer (14) and porous mold (18). This ambient air also cools and cures the diffused adhesive between the fabric (14) and the foam (12).

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.