Cargo management system including an automotive vehicle seat having a cargo trim panel made by a composite, compression molding process and having a wood grain finish
US-2015130221-A1 · May 14, 2015 · US
Method of making a sandwich-type composite panel having a living hinge and panel obtained by performing the method
US9427942B2 · US · B2
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Publication number | US-9427942-B2 |
| Application number | US-201414444164-A |
| Country | US |
| Kind code | B2 |
| Filing date | Jul 28, 2014 |
| Priority date | Apr 23, 2012 |
| Publication date | Aug 30, 2016 |
| Grant date | Aug 30, 2016 |
How to read this patent
A practical reading order for non-experts. Skip the full description unless you need deep technical detail.
- Title
What the patent document calls the invention.
- Abstract
A short plain-language summary of the technical disclosure.
- Assignees and inventors
Who owns or filed the patent and who is credited as inventor.
- Key dates
Filing, priority, publication, and grant dates set the timeline.
- First independent claim
The legal scope of protection — read this for what is actually claimed.
- CPC / IPC classifications
Technology tags used to group this patent with similar filings.
- Citations and related patents
Prior art links and similar publications in this corpus.
Abstract
Official abstract text for this publication.
A method of making a sandwich-type composite panel having a living hinge from a stack of material is provided. The stack includes first and second reinforced thermoplastic skins heated to a softening temperature and a thermoplastic cellular core disposed between the skins. The first skin is stretchable when heated to the softening temperature. A pressure is applied to the stack after the step of heating to form the composite panel. A portion of the composite panel is crushed at a predetermined location simultaneously with the step of applying to locally compact and separate the cellular core at the predetermined location to form two side portions of the panel and a crushed portion of the panel between the two side portions. The first skin stretches during the step of crushing while remaining intact between the two side portions. The skins bond together at the predetermined location to form the living hinge.
First claim
Opening claim text (preview).
What is claimed is: 1. A panel of sandwich-type composite structure made by performing the method of: providing a stack including first and second reinforced thermoplastic skins and a plastic cellular core disposed between the skins; heating the skins to a softening temperature wherein the first skin is stretchable when heated to the softening temperature; applying a pressure to the stack after the step of heating to form the composite panel; and crushing a portion of the composite panel at a predetermined location simultaneously with the step of applying to locally compact and separate the cellular core at the predetermined location to form two side portions of the panel and a crushed portion of the panel between the two side portions, the first skin stretching during the step of crushing while remaining intact between the two side portions, the first and second skins at the predetermined location bonding together to form the living hinge between the two side portions, the panel comprising: a stack including: a first skin of a reinforced thermoplastics material; a cellular core of a plastic material; and a second skin of a reinforced thermoplastics material; and a living hinge defined by the crushed portion. 2. A carpeted panel of sandwich-type composite structure made by performing the method of: providing a stack including first and second reinforced plastic skins, a thermoplastic cellular core disposed between the skins and a plastic covering layer for covering the second skin; heating the skins to a softening temperature wherein the first skin is stretchable when heated to the softening temperature; applying a pressure to the stack after the step of heating to form the carpeted composite panel; and crushing a portion of the composite panel at a predetermined location simultaneously with the step of applying to locally compact and separate the cellular core at the predetermined location to form two side portions of the panel and a crushed portion of the panel between the two side portions, the first skin stretching during the step of crushing while remaining intact between the two side portions, the covering layer and first and second skins at the predetermined location bonding together to form the living hinge between the two side portions, the panel comprising: a stack including: a first skin of a reinforced plastic material; a cellular core of a plastic material; a second skin of a reinforced plastic material; and a covering layer of a plastic material; and a living hinge defined by the crushed portion.
Assignees
Inventors
Classifications
Symmetrical or sandwich layers, e.g. ABA, ABCBA, ABCCBA · CPC title
Particular backing structure or composition · CPC title
Non-woven fabric · CPC title
Interior finishings · CPC title
Component comprises a polymer [e.g., rubber, etc.] · CPC title
Patent family
Related publications grouped by family.
External sources
Frequently asked questions
Answers are generated from the same data shown on this page.
- What does patent US9427942B2 cover?
- A method of making a sandwich-type composite panel having a living hinge from a stack of material is provided. The stack includes first and second reinforced thermoplastic skins heated to a softening temperature and a thermoplastic cellular core disposed between the skins. The first skin is stretchable when heated to the softening temperature. A pressure is applied to the stack after the step o…
- Who is the assignee on this patent?
- Global Ip Holdings Llc
- What technology area does this patent fall under?
- Primary CPC classification B32B27/065. Mapped technology areas include Operations & Transport.
- When was this patent published?
- Publication date Tue Aug 30 2016 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) (B2). Legal status and post-grant events are not shown on this page.
- What related patents are in patentsdb?
- We list 5 related publications on this page (citations in our corpus or others sharing the same primary CPC).