Process of graining thermoplastic sheets
AssigneeFaurecia Interior Systems, Inc.
InventorsSteve J. Nowik, Edgar Nimmergut
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of providing a coated and grained surface to a thermoplastic sheet for a vehicle interior panel. One step includes imparting a first grain to a show surface of a thermoplastic sheet. Another step includes applying a coating to a portion or more of the show surface. And another step includes imparting a second grain to the coated portion by bringing the coated portion into direct contact with a graining surface of a tool of a thermoforming machine.
Claims8
A method of providing a coated and grained surface to a thermoplastic sheet for a vehicle interior panel, the method comprising the steps of:
- imparting a first grain to a show surface of a thermoplastic sheet;
- applying a coating to at least a portion of the show surface;
- and
- imparting a second grain to the thermoplastic sheet by bringing at least the coated portion of the show surface into direct contact with a graining surface of a tool of a thermoforming machine.
A method of vacuum thermoforming a thermoplastic sheet for a vehicle interior panel, the method comprising the steps of:
- drawing a show surface of a thermoplastic sheet into direct contact with a graining surface of a tool of a vacuum thermoforming machine by applying a partial vacuum, the show surface having a first grain thereon before being drawn against the graining surface and having a coating located on raised portions of the first grain before being drawn against the graining surface of the tool, the graining surface imparting a second grain directly to the coated show surface of the thermoplastic sheet over top of the first grain and over top of the coating.
A method of providing a coated and grained surface to a thermoplastic sheet for a vehicle interior panel, the method comprising the steps of:
- imparting a first grain via a first roller to a show surface of a thermoplastic sheet;
- applying a coating to at least a portion of the show surface via a second roller;
- and
- imparting a second grain to the coated portion of the show surface and over the first grain and over the coating by drawing at least the coated portion of the show surface into direct contact with a graining surface of a tool of a vacuum thermoforming machine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.