Patent · US Expired

Method for making a composite headliner

US6322658A · kind A · utility

30Cited by
17References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 23, 1998
Grant dateNov 27, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 23, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T442/674
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method for making a unitary composite headliner adapted to be installed in a motor vehicle includes providing an inner layer and two reinforcing layers, each of which comprises polymeric material, the inner layer being configured to absorb sound and vibrations, and the reinforcing layers being configured to provide sufficient flexibility to the headliner to facilitate installation in the vehicle, while also providing sufficient rigidity to the headliner to enable the headliner to be self-supporting once installed in the vehicle; differentially heating the layers such that each reinforcing layer is heated to a respective predetermined reinforcing layer temperature, and the inner layer is heated to a predetermined inner layer temperature less than either respective reinforcing layer temperature; inserting the layers into a mold such that the inner layer is disposed between the reinforcing layers; and compressing the layers together to bond the layers and form the headliner.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.