AUTOMOTIVE TRIM PART WITH MULTI-FEEL COVER AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME
First Claim
1. An automotive interior trim assembly with multi-feel cover, comprising:
- a substrate including an automotive trim part made from a first material; and
a cover made from a second foamed material, the cover being integrally molded to at least a portion of the trim part and defining a first and a second thickness, the second thickness being greater than the first thickness to provide a softer feel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides for an improved trim part with a multi-feel cover for use in a trim assembly, e.g. a door panel, and to a continuous two-shot molding operation that may be performed utilizing a single mold assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, a trim assembly includes a substrate having an integrated armrest and/or integrated bolster formed by injecting a first material into a first shot mold cavity in a first shot of a molding operation. A cover then is molded to at least a portion of the integrated trim part by injecting into a mold chamber a second foamed material in a second shot of the molding operation. The molded cover defines a first and second thickness with the second thickness being greater than the first thickness to provide a softer feel. The second foamed material produces an outer skin and a light, cellular inner core, within at least the second thickness of the cover, such that the skin deforms and compresses the inner core when a force is applied thereby providing a softer feel.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automotive interior trim assembly with multi-feel cover, comprising:
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a substrate including an automotive trim part made from a first material; and
a cover made from a second foamed material, the cover being integrally molded to at least a portion of the trim part and defining a first and a second thickness, the second thickness being greater than the first thickness to provide a softer feel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of forming an automotive trim part having a multi-feel cover in a continuous two-shot molding operation, comprising:
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providing a mold assembly having first and second shot mold cavities;
molding an automotive trim part by injecting a first material into the first shot mold cavity of the mold assembly in a first shot of the molding operation;
moving the trim part from the first shot mold cavity to the second shot mold cavity by using at least a portion of the mold assembly;
forming a mold chamber about at least a portion of the trim part within the second shot mold cavity of the mold assembly; and
molding a cover by injecting into the mold chamber a second foamed material in a second shot of the molding operation, the cover being molded to the at least a portion of the trim part and defining a first and a second thickness, the second thickness being greater than the first thickness to provide a softer feel. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of forming an automotive trim part having a multi-feel cover in a two-shot molding operation, comprising:
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molding an automotive trim part by injecting a first material in a first shot of the molding operation;
forming a mold chamber about at least a portion of the trim part; and
molding a cover by injecting into the mold chamber a second foamed material in a second shot of the molding operation, the cover being molded to the at least a portion of the trim part and defining a first thickness a second thickness, the second thickness being greater than the first thickness to provide a softer feel. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification