Airbag cover with at least one flap

• US 8,998,247 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2013
• Issued: 04/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: K.L. Kaschier- und Laminier GmbH
• Original Assignee: K.L. Kaschier- und Laminier GmbH
• Inventors: Hoeing, Maik, Roring, Albert, Schulze Wehninck, Rembert
• Primary Examiner(s): SINGH-PANDEY, ARTI R
• Application Number:
  US14/064,652
• Publication Number:
  US 20140120285A1
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.1, 280/732, 280/743.1, 280/728.2, 280/728.3, 280/743.2, 428/34.1, 428/34.3, 428/34.5, 428/34.6, 428/34.7, 428/35.7, 428/36.1, 428/105, 442/182, 442/183, 442/184, 442/185, 442/186, 442/286, 442/290, 442/394, 442/398, 442/76
• US Class Current: 280/728.1
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 53/04 of plates or sheets B29C63/04 takes precedence; bending or folding paper B31F1/0003; folding films B65H45/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 59/007 Forming single grooves or ribs, e.g. tear lines, weak spots by moulding B29C37/0057; folding lines B29C53/06; in metal articles B21D17/00; by cutting B26D3/08
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/0253 Polyolefin fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/0276 Polyester fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/101 Glass fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/554 Wear resistance
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/584 Scratch resistance
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/718 Weight, e.g. weight per square meter
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/12 next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/32 comprising polyolefins comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/36 comprising polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/022 Non-woven fabric
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/21537 characterised by hinges
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/215 characterised by the covers for the inflatable member B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1362 Textile, fabric, cloth, or pile containing [e.g., web, net, woven, knitted, mesh, nonwoven, matted, etc.]

Abstract

An airbag enclosure has a cover formed by a rigid panel having a portion forming a flap defined by a plurality of sides all formed as breakaway lines and one of which also forms a hinge. The cover is made of a thermoplastic laminate that has a plurality of first layers alternating with a plurality of second layers. The first layers each consist of a homogenous thermoplastic film of a polyolefin copolymer, polyester, or a polyester copolymer. The second layers each consist of an array of strips, fibers, or filaments of polypropylene or polyester.

Claims

1. In combination with an airbag enclosure having a cover formed by a rigid panel having a portion forming a flap defined by a plurality of sides all formed as breakaway lines and one of which also forms a hinge, the cover being made of a thermoplastic laminate that has a plurality of first layers alternating with a plurality of second layers, the first layers each consisting of a homogenous thermoplastic film of a polyolefin copolymer, polyester, or a polyester copolymer, the second layers each consisting of an array of strips, fibers, or filaments of polypropylene or polyester.

2. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the array is a weave.

3. The airbag cover defined in claim 1, wherein the laminate has a face bonded to a thermoplastic film of polyester or polypropylene.

4. The airbag cover defined in claim 1, wherein the laminate has a thickness of 0.35 mm to 3 mm.

5. The airbag cover defined in claim 1, wherein the second layers are folded at the hinge.

6. The airbag cover defined in claim 3, wherein the array is a nonwoven.

7. The airbag cover defined in claim 1, wherein the laminate has a face in which glass fibers are imbedded.

8. A method of forming a fold in a laminate having a plurality of first layers alternating with a plurality of second layers, the first layers each consisting of a homogenous thermoplastic film of a polyolefin copolymer, polyester, or a polyester copolymer, the second layers each consisting of an array of strips or filaments of polypropylene or polyester, the method comprising the step of:

supporting the laminate and pressing a hot blade into the laminate.

9. The method defined in claim 8, further comprising the step of at least partially preheating the laminate before pressing the hot blade into it.