Slush molded plastic skin manufacture involves forming both the closed skin surface and a foam backing in one operation

Plastic powder (8) is dispensed into a tool cavity (7) from a single powder box (6) as the latter is rotated (10). A slush molded skin (1) is formed with a foamed layer backing in a single operation during and/or after rotation of the tool and box around an axis (12). Forming of the leather-like closed surface (2) and the foamed layer (4) behind it is achieved by controlling temperature gradients. After dispensing the powder the powder box (6) may be removed and a tool with a negative profile to that of the tool cavity is introduced into the latter to allow heat to be supplied to the rear face of the already molded closed skin. The heat initiates foaming and enables a precise foam thickness to be achieved. On the visible side (3) of the slush skin the temperature is held at a level which prevents melting and therefore retains a closed surface. Inclusion of a chemical retarder in the plastic powder allows the foaming to be delayed until the thin closed layer has cooled sufficiently. Slush skin (1) thickness is 2.5-8 mm, especially 4.5-5.5 mm. A continuous transition of material is achieved from the visible side of the leather surface (2) to the rear side (5) of the foamed layer. An independent claim is included for a powder (8) used in the process which comprises either: a) a plastic powder with foaming agent; b) several plastics of different types, one of which when heated crosslinks and the others release gaseous reaction products to create a foam; c) one or more types of plastic which when heated melt and/or crosslink and the gaseous reaction products resulting from this are split off to act as a foaming agent. In the latter case a separate foaming agent may also be included. Herstellungsverfahren einer Slush-Haut (1) aus Kunststoff mit einer geschlossenen Oberfläche (2) auf der Sichtseite (3) und einer sich anschließenden Schaumschicht (4) auf der Rückseite (5), wobei aus einem auf eine die Kontur des fertigen Teils bestimmende, auf Prozeßtemperatur geheizte Hohlform (7) aufgesetzten Pulverkasten (6) Kunststoffpulver (8) durch eine volle Drehbewegung (10) von Form (7) und aufgesetztem Kasten (6) um eine vorbestimmte Drehachse (12) in die Hohlform (7) gegeben wird und der Kasten (6) nach dieser Drehbewegung (10) entfernt wird, das weniger Arbeitsschritte, weniger verschiedene Rohstoffe und gegebenenfalls weniger Energie benötigt, in dem nur aus einem einzigen Pulverkasten (6) während der Drehbewegung (10) Kunststoffpulver (8) in der Hohlform (7) gegeben