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Method for molding resin to skin members

  • US 6,004,498 A
  • Filed: 11/10/1997
  • Issued: 12/21/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of molding a resin part having a substrate and a skin thermally fused to a surface of said substrate, said method comprising the steps of:

  • providing a mold having an inner surface and defining a cavity therein;

    positioning the skin having an edge portion at a site within the cavity so that the skin is in contact with the inner surface, the skin further having a multi-layer construction including a heat fusible layer, a cushion layer formed on said heat fusible layer, and a solid skin layer formed on said cushion layer,wherein said mold comprises;

    (a) a first mold half having(i) a first molding surface for forming part of said substrate; and

    (ii) a ridge, disposed in said site for forming a part of a groove structure in said substrate adjacent said edge portion; and

    (b) a second mold half, having a second molding surface for forming a remaining part of said substrate, having a recess disposed substantially opposite said ridge of said first mold half, for forming a different part of the groove structure of the substrate, at least one rib being provided in said recess extending across said recess, andwherein said skin is positioned within said cavity so that at least a portion of said edge portion is in contact with said ridge, and said edge portion of said skin is in contact with and bent by said at least one rib;

    providing a plurality of gates for injecting molten resin into the cavity, said plurality of gates comprising a first gate facing said site at which said skin is positioned and a second gate facing a portion of said mold not occupied by said skin;

    injecting a molten resin into the cavity through the plurality of gates until the cavity is filled with said molten resin, thereby forming the substrate, thermally-fusing the heat fusible layer of said skin to the substrate and forming the resin part, wherein said step of injecting is carried out so that a first portion of said molten resin injected through said first gate substantially reaches said second gate before a second portion of said molten resin is injected from said second gate to form said substrate; and

    taking the resin part out of the mold.

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