AUTOMOTIVE INTERIOR TRIM ASSEMBLY AND METHOD
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An automotive interior trim assembly, comprising:
- a substrate member forming at least part of a structural support of a trim assembly; and
a cover member supported on a predetermined area of said substrate member and comprising a thermoplastic elastomer foam.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automotive interior trim assembly has at least one area which provides an enhanced tactile feel that is soft to the touch. The interior trim assembly includes a substrate member forming at least part of a structural support of a trim assembly and a cover member formed of thermoplastic elastic foam supported on the substrate member. In one embodiment, the interior trim assembly is formed in a two-shot molding operation wherein a first material is molding during a first shot to form the substrate member. The cover member is molded onto the substrate member during a second shot of the molding operation to form the interior trim assembly.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An automotive interior trim assembly, comprising:
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a substrate member forming at least part of a structural support of a trim assembly; and
a cover member supported on a predetermined area of said substrate member and comprising a thermoplastic elastomer foam. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of forming an automotive interior trim assembly, comprising the steps of:
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molding a first material to form a substrate member; and
molding a second material comprising thermoplastic elastomer foam onto the substrate member to form a cover member on the substrate member. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of forming an automotive interior trim assembly in a two-shot molding operation, comprising the steps of:
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molding a first material to form a substrate member during a first shot of the molding operation; and
molding a second material comprising thermoplastic elastomer foam onto the substrate member to form a cover member on the substrate member during a second shot of the molding operation. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of forming an automotive interior trim assembly in a two-shot molding operation, comprising the steps of:
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forming a first mold cavity in a mold;
molding a first material within the first mold cavity to form a substrate member during a first shot of the molding operation;
reconfiguring the mold to form a second mold cavity; and
molding a second material comprising thermoplastic elastomer foam onto the substrate member in the second mold cavity to form a cover member on the substrate member during a second shot of the molding operation. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification