Multi-shot injection molded component and method of manufacture

Abstract

An automotive component (10) and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The component (10) comprises a core portion (14) formed of a first material and a second portion (18) integral with the core portion (14) and formed of a second material. In one illustrated embodiment, the first and second materials have different material property characteristics. For example, the first material can be made of a relatively harder plastic material than the second material made of a softtouch plastic material. The method for manufacturing the component comprises the steps of injecting the first material into a first cavity of a mold to form the core portion (14), altering the mold cavity to form a second cavity and injecting the second material into the second cavity while the first material is in a reactive state to form the second portion (18) of the component. Because the first material is in the reactive state, the second material is integrally formed with the first material.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.