US Patent:
20120021182, Jan 26, 2012
Inventors:
Linh N. Doan - Belleville MI, US
James P. Holland - Brighton MI, US
Kenneth S. Laird - Canton MI, US
Stacy L. Swank - Auburn Hills MI, US
Jeffrey B. Crist - Sterling Heights MI, US
Warwick J. Smith - Grosse Pointe Woods MI, US
Aileen N. Barraza - Canton MI, US
Assignee:
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Dearborn MI
International Classification:
B32B 3/10
B29C 45/14
Abstract:
A plastic-molded automotive interior trim component has a curvilinear finished surface with a relatively flat portion and a relatively curved portion. A decorative film subcomponent has an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein at least the outer surface is pigmented with a desired color of the finished surface. Prior to incorporation into the plastic molded component, the decorative film subcomponent has a shape generally conforming to the curvilinear finished surface and is substantially smooth. A structural backing member is in-mold laminated with the decorative film subcomponent, wherein the structural backing member is formed by injection molding a backing material against the inner surface of the decorative film subcomponent in a mold having a film-receiving surface with a three-dimensional texture that receives the decorative film subcomponent. The texture shapes the decorative film subcomponent with an embossed pattern having a substantially uniform, undistorted appearance on at least part of the relatively flat portion and at least part of the relatively curved portion.