Process for making decorative automotive interior trim articles with integral in-mold coated polyurethane aromatic elastomer covering
US6544449B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 21, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 8, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 21, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2013/0293
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A panel structure mountable in a vehicle to form a part of the interior thereof, and a process for making the same. According to this process, an outer layer defining at least a portion of the exposed exterior surface of the structure is prepared by applying a water-dispersed thermoplastic polyurethane composition and a light-stable, blocked, heat-activated diisocyanate onto a mold surface and thereafter drying the composition. Next, a rapidly reacting composition is sprayed onto an inner surface of the outer layer while the outer layer is retained on the mold surface to form a polyurethane elastomer inner layer that is interfacially chemical bonded to the outer layer. The inner layer with the outer layer interfacially chemically bonded thereto is then united with the reinforcing substrate so that the reinforcing substrate serves to reinforce the outer layer. The exposed exterior surface of the panel structure simulates the appearance and feel of authentic leather, while the inner layer and an optional semi-rigid polyurethane cellular foam intermediate layer provide a compressing feel to the exposed portion of the outer layer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.