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US 2026/0308345 A1Published application
Chemical foaming of interior components
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsRussell Ankenbrandt, Jaime S. Hollatz, Israel Lopez-Gonzalez
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a method of using a chemical foaming agent to make a vehicle interior trim wrapped component having reduced weight.
Claims20
A product comprising:
- a mixture comprising a moldable resin, and an endothermic chemical foaming agent, the endothermic chemical foaming agent being formulated to produce microcells in a substrate molded from the mixture.
A method comprising;
- mixing a moldable resin and an endothermic chemical foaming agent to provide a mixture;
- injecting the mixture into an injection molding machine;
- heating the mixture to activate the endothermic chemical foaming agent to produce microcells in the mixture;
- pressing the mixture to produce a molded substrate for a vehicle interior trim component having the microcells in the molded substrate;
- and
- removing the molded substrate for a vehicle interior trim component from the injection molding machine.
3 more elements
The method as set forth in 10 wherein the wrapping material comprises at least one of a leather, silicone film, vinyl or faux leather, fabric, or suede.
A product comprising:
- a vehicle interior trim component comprising a molded substrate comprising a molded resin, wherein the molded substrate includes microcells, the molded substrate having an outer surface free of bubbles, blemishes, or voids.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.