IP Library Granted Patent US 12,318,969
Granted Patent B2
US 12,318,969 · App. 17/646,878 · Granted Jun 3, 2025

Coated forming tool

Inventors: Michael W. Hobbs (Stamping Ground, KY); Patricia J. McClarren (Ypsilanti, MI); Adam Cody McGraw (Portsmouth, OH); Charles C. Crothers (Greenfield, OH); Robert E. Carpenter (Blue Springs, MO)
Assignee: Adient US LLC
B29C33/56B29C44/02B29C44/588B60N2/5891B29K2023/12B29L2031/58
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,318,969
App. No.
17/646,878
Granted
Jun 3, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A seat system for a vehicle including a seat back assembly, a seat base assembly, and a headrest assembly. Each of the assemblies may include at least one formed part for providing comfort to an occupant of the seat system. A coated forming tool for producing the formed part of the seat system may be a mold assembly or a printing machine configured to form at least a portion of the formed part of the seat system. The coating of the coated forming tool comprises at least one of a nonstick or ecological material, and more preferably a polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) material.

Claims (25)

1. A method of producing a part of a seat system, comprising:

providing at least one forming tool having a cavity formed therein,

wherein the at least one forming tool comprises a mold assembly,

wherein at least one ventilation component is disposed in the mold assembly,

wherein the at least one forming tool includes a coating deposited over at least a portion of a surface thereof,

wherein the coating comprises at least one of a nonstick material and an ecological material,

wherein the at least one ventilation component comprises a pin,

wherein the at least one ventilation component comprises a coating deposited over at least a portion of a surface of the at least one ventilation component,

disposing a forming material into at least a portion of the cavity of the at least one forming tool; and

forming the part of the seat system by an expansion of the forming material in the at least one forming tool.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the coating comprises at least a polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) material.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the coating has a thickness in a range of about 2 thousandths of an inch (2 mils) to about 3.5 thousandths of an inch (3.5 mils).

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least a portion of the part of the seat system is a cushioning member configured to be disposed on a seat frame of the seat system.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least a portion of the part is produced from a polypropylene material.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the coating of the at least one ventilation component comprises at least one of a nonstick material and an ecological material.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the coating of the at least one ventilation component comprises at least a polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) material.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the coating of the at least one ventilation component has a thickness in a range of about 2 thousandths of an inch (2 mils) to about 3.5 thousandths of an inch (3.5 mils).

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the coating of the at least one ventilation component is configured to seal a surface of the pin.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the coating of the at least one ventilation component is deposited over the at least a portion of the surface of the at least one ventilation component by at least one of (a) chemical vapor deposition; (b) physical vapor deposition; (c) a high velocity oxygen fuel coating process (d) plasma spray; (e) thermal spray.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ventilation component is formed from a metal material.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the coating of the at least one ventilation component is configured to (a) reduce volatile organic compound emissions: (b) reduce scrap; (c) reduce repair; (d) reduce labor; and/or (e) reduce failure frequency of the at least one pin.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein during the expansion of the forming material, a gas or gaseous mixture is discharged through the pin.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pin comprises a port formed therein.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pin comprises an aperture.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pin comprises a threaded portion.

Assignments (3)
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 14, 2023
From: CNI ENTERPRISES, INC.; ADIENT US LLC
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 063085/0391 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN IP Recorded Nov 17, 2022
From: ADIENT US LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 061956/0301 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 5, 2022
From: HOBBS, MICHAEL W.; MCCLARREN, PATRICIA J.; MCGRAW, ADAM CODY; CROTHERS, CHARLES C.; CARPENTER, ROBERT E.
To: ADIENT US LLC
Reel/Frame 058549/0507 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230211527A1 · Jul 6, 2023
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