Insert mold decorating film for thermoplastic resin
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorKenneth Lee Lilly
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multi-layer printable thermoplastic film consisting of at least a fluoride polymer film having laminated thereto a polycarbonate film. The printable film is preformed (vacuum molding or thermoforming) and then inserted into a mold which has the configuration of the preformed printable film. A base layer of a thermoplastic such as a polycarbonate resin is injection molded to the exposed surface of the preformed printable film. The molded structure has exterior automotive applications such as lens, etc.
Claims4
A process for forming a molded structure which process comprises the steps of (a) forming a thermoplastic printable film comprising a fluoride polymer by laminating a polycarbonate film to the fluoride polymer under heat and pressure, (b) preforming the printable film to a predetermined configuration, (c) placing the preformed printable film in a mold in which the inner surface of the mold conforms to the configuration of the preformed printable film and the fluoride polymer film is in contact with the inner surface of the mold and (d) molding by injection molding a thermoplastic base layer to an exposed side of the printable preformed film.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.