Heinz Frederick Angerstein

US Patent:

54569575, Oct 10, 1995

Filed:

Mar 6, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/846825

Inventors:

Norman C. Jackson - Livonia MI
Jack V. Henderson - Bloomfield Hills MI
Heinz Angerstein - Farmington Hills MI

Assignee:

The Standard Products Company - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

B32B 900

US Classification:

428 31

Abstract:

This invention relates to a method for molding composite automotive trim members having a layer of a first material and a backing member made of a second thermoplastic material. The first material is introduced to the mold in the form of an elastic sheet having a show surface. This sheet is placed in the mold and the second thermoplastic material is subsequently injected into the mold cavity. This causes the second thermoplastic material to bond to one side of the sheet and forces the show surface on the opposite side of the sheet into abutting engagement with the mold surface, thereby creating the trim member. The second thermoplastic material forms a backing member that provides structural support for the sheet. The sheet forms an outer layer for the trim member. Note that the show surface on the sheet remains intact during and after injection and therefore provides a show surface for the trim member.