# US 2013/0278015 A1 · Compression-molded composite panel including a living hinge having a score line which functions as a style line > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0278015 A1 - Document ID: US20130278015A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/686,388 - Filed: 2012-11-27 - Published: 2013-10-24 - Earliest claimed: 2012-04-23 - Assignees: Global IP Holdings, LLC - Applicants: Global IP Holdings, LLC - Inventors: Darius J. Preisler; Christopher A. Heikkila - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130278015A1 ## CPC - B60R 13/0237: {Side or rear panels} - B32B 3/263: {characterised by a layer having non-uniform thickness} - B32B 27/00: Layered products comprising {a layer of} synthetic resin {(fibrous or filamentary layer made of a synthetic resin B32B5/02; particulate layer made of a synthetic resin B32B5/16; foamed layer made of a synthetic resin B32B5/18)} - B60R 5/04: arranged at rear of vehicle {(B60R5/003, B60R5/006 take precedence; external trunks arranged at rear of vehicle B60R9/065)} - B62D 25/20: Floors or bottom sub-units {(sub-frames for mounting engine or suspensions B62D21/11; drip trays F16N31/006)} - B29C 43/18: incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. compression moulding around inserts or for coating articles {(B29C43/206 takes precedence)} - Y10T 428/24: Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A compression-molded, composite panel for a vehicle interior is provided. A substantially continuous facing material layer has an outwardly-facing surface for display in the interior of the vehicle. The facing material layer is bonded to the outer surface of a first skin of the panel by press molding. The press molding forms a first portion of the panel and a second portion of the panel pivotally connected to the first portion. A living hinge includes a portion of the facing material layer which allows the second portion of the panel to pivot between different use positions relative to the first portion of the panel. A score line formed by the press molding in the outwardly-facing surface of the portion of the facing material layer at least partially defines the living hinge and functions as a style line to mask facing material damage or imperfections at the outwardly-facing surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A compression-molded, composite panel for a vehicle interior, the panel comprising: first and second skins and a core positioned between the skins and having a large number of cavities, the first skin having an outer surface; a substantially continuous facing material layer having an outwardly-facing surface for display in the interior of the vehicle, the skins being bonded to the core and the facing material layer being bonded to the outer surface of the first skin by press molding, the press molding forming a first portion of the panel and a second portion of the panel pivotally connected to the first portion; a living hinge including a portion of the facing material layer which allows the second portion of the panel to pivot between different use positions relative to the first portion of the panel; and a score line formed by the press molding in the outwardly-facing surface of the portion of the facing material layer to at least partially define the living hinge and function as a style line to mask facing material damage or imperfections at the outwardly-facing surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the score line includes a decorative depression or groove. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein a portion of the first skin has a depression formed by the press molding, the depression receiving the portion of the facing material layer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first skin is a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic skin. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The panel as claimed in claim 4, wherein the facing material layer is a thermoplastic carpet layer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composite panel has a thickness in the range of 5 to 25 mm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the skins are fiber-reinforced thermoplastic layers and wherein the outer surface is a load bearing surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the core is a cellular core. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the core has a honeycomb structure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the skins is fiber-reinforced. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the skins are thermoplastic skins and the core is a thermoplastic core. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The panel as claimed in claim 11, wherein the thermoplastic of the skins and the core is polypropylene. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the skins is a woven skin. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The panel as claimed in claim 13, wherein each of the skins is a woven skin. ### Claim 15 A compression-molded, composite panel for a vehicle load floor, the panel comprising: first and second skins and a core positioned between the skins and having a large number of cavities, the first skin having a top surface; a substantially continuous facing material layer having an outwardly-facing surface for display in an interior cargo compartment of the vehicle, the skins being bonded to the core and the facing material layer being bonded to the top surface of the first skin by press molding, the press molding forming a first portion of the panel and a second portion of the panel pivotally connected to the first portion; a living hinge including a portion of the facing material layer which allows the second portion of the panel to pivot between different use positions relative to the first portion of the panel; and a score line formed by the press molding in the outwardly-facing surface of the portion of the facing material layer to at least partially form the living hinge and function as a style line to mask facing material imperfections or damage at the outwardly-facing surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The panel as claimed in claim 15, wherein the score line includes a decorative depression or groove. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The panel as claimed in claim 15, wherein a portion of the first skin has a depression formed by the press-molding, the depression receiving the portion of the facing material layer. ### Claim 18 A compression-molded, composite panel for a motor vehicle interior, the panel comprising: first and second skins and a core positioned between the skins and having a large number of cavities, the first skin having an outer surface; a substantially continuous facing material layer having an outwardly-facing surface for display in an interior compartment of the vehicle, the skins being bonded to the core and the facing material layer being bonded to the outer surface of the first skin by press molding, the press molding forming a first portion of the panel and a second portion of the panel pivotally connected to the first portion; a living hinge including a portion of the facing material layer which allows the second portion of the panel to pivot between different use positions relative to the first portion of the panel; and a score line formed by the press molding in the outwardly-facing surface of the portion of the facing material layer to at least partially form the living hinge and function as a style line to mask facing material imperfections or damage at the outwardly facing surface. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The panel as claimed in claim 18, wherein the score line includes a decorative depression or groove. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The panel as claimed in claim 18, wherein a portion of the first skin has a depression formed by the press molding, the depression receiving the portion of the facing material layer.