# US 7,073,244 B2 · Process for machining a flexible foam

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 7,073,244 B2
- Document ID: US7073244B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/251,506
- Filed: 2002-09-20
- Published: 2004-05-13
- Granted: 2006-07-11
- Earliest claimed: 2002-09-20
- Assignees: Lear Corporation
- Inventors: John R. Olari; Donald L. Allen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7073244B2

## CPC

- B29C 44/5627: {by mechanical deformation, e.g. crushing, embossing, stretching}
- B29C 35/16: Cooling {(cooling extruded material B29C48/911; cooling preforms for blow moulding B29C49/6427; cooling blown articles B29C49/66; cooling tyres during post cure inflation B29D30/0643)}
- C08J 9/36: After-treatment (C08J9/22 takes precedence)
- B29C 2035/1616: {using liquids}
- B29C 2035/1658: {using gas}
- B29C 2037/903: {by means of a computer}
- B29K 2105/04: cellular or porous
- C08G 2110/0008: flexible
- Y10T 29/49995: Shaping one-piece blank by removing material
- Y10T 409/303808: including infeeding
- Y10T 409/303976: with means to control temperature or lubricate
- 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)
- C08J: WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H (working, e.g. shaping, of plastics B29)
- B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- C08G: MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

The invention relates to a process for machining a flexible foam. The flexible foam is treated to temporarily harden the foam. The hardened foam is machined. The foam is then returned to its original flexible state.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A process for performing an operation on a workpiece comprising the steps of:
a. providing a workpiece;
b. hardening a portion of the workpieces the portion being less than the whole workpiece; and
c. subsequently to step (b) performing an operation on the hardened portion of the workpiece;
wherein said step (b) is performed by spraying a liquefied gas from a nozzle onto the portion of the workpiece;
wherein said step (c) is performed by using a tool to perform the operation on the hardened portion of the workpiece;
wherein said steps (b) and (c) are performed by supporting the nozzle on the tool for relative movement thereto.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1, wherein said step (a) is performed by providing a foam pad of a seat.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1, wherein said step (b) is performed by cooling the portion of the workpiece.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The process of claim 3, wherein said step (b) is performed by spraying a liquefied gas onto the portion of the workpiece.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1, wherein said step (c) is performed by moving the tool relative to the workpiece to cut a path in the workpiece, and wherein said step (b) is performed by spraying the liquefied gas in front of the tool as the tool moves relative to the workpiece.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1, wherein said step (c) is performed by removing material from the hardened portion of the workpiece.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1, wherein said workpiece is a foam pad for a vehicle seat.

### Claim 8

A process for performing an operation on a workpiece comprising the steps of:
a. providing a workpiece:
b. hardening a portion of the workpiece, the portion being less than the whole workpiece; and
c. subsequently to step (b) performing an operation on the hardened portion of the workpiece;
wherein said step (b) is performed by spraying a liquefied gas from a nozzle onto the portion of the workpiece;
wherein said step (c) is performed by using a tool to perform the operation on the hardened portion of the workpiece;
wherein said steps (b) and (c) are performed by supporting the nozzle on the tool for movement;
wherein said step (c) is performed by changing direction of the tool along the path, and wherein said step (b) is performed by moving the nozzle relative to the tool such that the position of the spray of liquefied gas can be changed relative to the tool when the tool changes direction.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The process of claim 8, wherein said steps (b) and (c) are performed by supporting the nozzle on the tool for relative movement thereto.