# US 10,870,376 B2 · Trim cover steam machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,870,376 B2 - Document ID: US10870376B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/916,459 - Filed: 2018-03-09 - Published: 2018-09-13 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2017-03-10 - Assignees: Magna Seating Inc. - Applicants: Magna Seating Inc - Inventors: Stephan M Borzy; Richard J Palowitz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10870376B2 ## CPC - B60N 2/5816: {attachments thereof} - B29C 35/049: {using steam or damp} - B29C 51/145: {having at least one layer of textile or fibrous material combined with at least one plastics layer} - B29C 51/421: {of preforms, specially adapted for thermoforming (preheating sheets in general B29B13/023; B29C51/427 takes precedence)} - B29D 99/0092: {Producing upholstery articles, e.g. cushions, seats (B29C63/025 takes precedence)} - B60N 2/58: Seat coverings - B60N 2/5891: {characterised by the manufacturing process; manufacturing seat coverings not otherwise provided for} - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00) ## Abstract An assembly and method for steaming and/or heating a trim cover of an upholstered article is disclosed. The assembly includes a stand having a bottom end and a top end, an open frame attached to the top end of the stand and adapted to receive at least a portion of the trim cover, and a steam supply system. At least a portion of the steam supply system is adapted to fit within the frame and the steam supply system applies steam towards at least one interior steam zone of the trim cover. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An assembly for heating a trim cover of an upholstered article, the assembly comprising: a stand having a bottom end and a top end; an open frame attached to the top end of the stand and operable to receive at least a portion of the trim cover, wherein the open frame comprises a plurality of steam zones; and a steam supply system, wherein at least a portion of the steam supply system is adapted to fit within the frame of the assembly and the steam supply system is adapted to apply steam to one of the plurality of steam zones independently from another of the plurality of steam zones, wherein the one of the plurality of steam zones heats a different portion of the trim cover than the other of the plurality of steam zones. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1 wherein the frame is comprised of metal tubing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The assembly of claim 2 wherein said metal tubing includes a plurality of steam ports. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The assembly of claim 2 wherein the metal tubing comprises a plurality of apertures disposed on the exterior of the metal tubing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1 wherein the frame further comprises a shield portion for containing a volume of steam within the assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a timer mechanism for controlling an interval of time for which the steam supply system applies steam. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The use of the assembly of claim 1 for de-wrinkling the trim cover. ### Claim 8 A method for heating a trim cover of an upholstered article, the method comprising: providing a frame adapted to receive at least a portion of the trim cover, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of steam zones; disposing the trim cover over at least a portion of the frame; providing a steam supply system wherein at least a portion of the steam supply system is adapted to fit within the frame; and applying steam to one of the plurality of steam zones independently from another of the plurality of steam zones, wherein the one of the plurality of steam zones heats a different portion of the trim cover than the other of the plurality of steam zones. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 further comprising securing the trim cover in position over the frame. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 further comprising controlling the interval of time steam is applied to the trim cover. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein the step of applying steam to the trim cover is performed before the trim cover is placed over a cushioned pad of a vehicle seat cushion. ### Claim 12 An assembly for de-wrinkling a trim cover of a cushioned pad of a vehicle seat cushion, the assembly comprising: a stand having a bottom end and a top end; an open frame attached to the top end of the stand, the frame being comprised of metal tubing, wherein the frame is approximately the height, width, and length of the vehicle seat cushion and is adapted such that the trim cover can be stretched tightly over the frame, and wherein the frame further comprises a plurality of steam zones; and a steam supply system, wherein at least a portion of the steam supply system is adapted to fit within the frame and the steam supply system is adapted to apply steam to one of the plurality of steam zones independently from another of the plurality of steam zones, wherein the one of the plurality of steam zones heats a different portion of the trim cover than the other of the plurality of steam zones. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1 wherein the steam supply system is adapted to apply steam to the one of the plurality of steam zones at a different temperature from the other of the plurality of steam zones. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1 wherein the steam supply system is adapted to apply steam to the one of the plurality of steam zones for a different time period than the other of the plurality of steam zones. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein the steam is applied to the one of the plurality of steam zones at a different temperature from the other of the plurality of steam zones. ### Claim 16 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein the steam is applied to the one of the plurality of steam zones for a different time period than the other of the plurality of steam zones. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The assembly of claim 12 wherein the steam supply system is adapted to apply steam to the one of the plurality of steam zones at a different temperature from the other of the plurality of steam zones. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The assembly of claim 12 wherein the steam supply system is adapted to apply steam to the one of the plurality of steam zones for a different time period than the other of the plurality of steam zones.