In-mold label forming surfaces for molded articles

A method of making a molded article having front and back sides and a central portion bounded by a peripheral portion having a perimeter that is raised on the front side of the article wherein the peripheral portion transitions from the perimeter to the central portion by a curved surface or combinations of a curved surface with an angled surface, with the article including an in mold label (IML) at least on the curved peripheral portion of the article, which method comprises:

• providing an IML comprising:
• a laminated film, comprising a backing layer, a printed surface supported by the backing layer, with the printed surface incorporating one or more designs thereon, and a protective film layer upon the printed surface;
• and
• one or more notches spaced along the perimeter of the IML with each notch having adjacent edges separated by a gap of predetermined distance and configured to intersect to ensure conformance of the IML to the curved peripheral portion of the article;
• providing a mold used in a molding process during which the molded article is fabricated, with the mold having a mold cavity formed by first and second molding surfaces with the first surface corresponding to the front side of the article and the second surface corresponding to the back side of the article, into which cavity resin is deposited to form the article and from which the molded article is extracted;
• transferring the IML to the mold so that the printed surface is placed adjacent one of the molding surfaces of the mold cavity;
• closing the mold by bringing the other of the molding surfaces into position to form the mold cavity;
• delivering the resin to the mold cavity having the IML therein;
• and
• recovering the molded article from the mold with the IML present at least on the peripheral portion of the molded article.