Method for molding a film-covered article

A method of manufacturing a film covered article comprising the steps of:

• providing a molding press having a mold with a cavity surface and a core, said mold having a resin inlet extending therethrough, said resin inlet extending beyond said cavity surface to define a resin inlet shoulder;
• providing a pre-molded film having a backing surface and a decorative surface, said film having an opening therethrough, said opening having a perimeter edge, the diameter of the perimeter edge being smaller than the diameter of said resin inlet shoulder;
• placing said pre-molded film into said press with said decorative surface against said cavity surface while passing said perimeter edge of the film opening over said resin inlet shoulder thereby stretching said perimeter edge of the film opening as said perimeter edge of the film opening passes over said resin inlet shoulder, said perimeter edge of the film opening sealing tightly around said resin inlet shoulder;
• closing said press;
• and
• subsequent to said stretching step, injecting a molten plastic material through said resin inlet, said plastic material flowing between said film and said core and fusing to said backing surface to form said article, whereby the film being tightly sealed around the resin inlet shoulder prevents any molten plastic material from passing between said cavity surface and said decorative surface.