A component for a vehicle interior is disclosed. The component may comprise a structural substrate comprising a fiber panel with at least one hole and a resin-formed structure; and a cover coupled to the fiber panel or the resin-formed structure. The fiber panel may be formed into a compression-formed component; the resin-formed structure may comprise a molded feature formed in the hole of the fiber panel. The resin-formed structure may reinforce the structural substrate. The fiber panel and the resin-formed structure may provide a substantially continuous structure. The resin-formed structure may extend along a surface of the fiber panel to form the resin-formed structure to the fiber panel. The cover may be applied to the fiber panel during compression molding. The component may comprise a trim panel, instrument panel, door panel, or other interior trim part. A method of manufacturing a vehicle trim component is also disclosed.

The present invention describes various methods for manufacturing gel composite sheets using segmented fiber or foam reinforcements and gel precursors. Additionally, rigid panels manufactured from the resulting gel composites are also described. The gel composites are relatively flexible enough to be wound and when unwound, can be stretched flat and made into rigid panels using adhesives.

A vehicle trim component is disclosed. The vehicle trim component may be prepared by a process comprising heating and placing a fiber panel into a mold cavity, compressing the fiber panel in the mold cavity to form a compression formed component providing a structural substrate having a thickness along an edge and injecting resin into the mold cavity with the structural substrate. A border may be formed along the thickness of the structural substrate by the injected resin; the border may provide dimensional accuracy at the edge of the structural substrate notwithstanding variations in the fiber panel. A resin feature (such as a part, component, connector, reinforcing element, weakened zone, shape, etc.) may be formed in or on the structural substrate by the injected resin (e.g. in a gap or void). The resin feature may comprise a rib to extend across an interface between the structural substrate and the border.

A 3D object according to the invention comprises substrate layers infiltrated by hardened material. The 3D object is fabricated by a method comprising the following steps: Position powder on all or part of a substrate layer. Repeat this step for the remaining substrate layers. Stack the substrate layers. Transform the powder into a substance that flows and subsequently hardens into the hardened material. The hardened material solidifies in a spatial pattern that infiltrates positive regions in the substrate layers and does not infiltrate negative regions in the substrate layers. In a preferred embodiment, the substrate is carbon fiber and excess substrate is removed by abrasion.

A process of forming a textile and apparel formed utilizing the textile is disclosed. The textile includes a base layer and a spacer layer defined by a plurality of bosses extending from the base layer. In an embodiment, the bosses are oriented in a grid pattern, being spaced apart to define gaps for air circulation. Selected bosses are mechanically compressed and secured in the compressed state utilizing an adhesive composition. The adhesive composition may further include heat insulating or heat reflective particles. The resulting textile may be utilized to form articles of apparel, including garments such as shirts, pants, coats, and footwear.

A component for a vehicle interior is disclosed. The component may comprise a structural substrate comprising a fiber panel with at least one hole and a resin-formed structure; and a cover coupled to the fiber panel or the resin-formed structure. The fiber panel may be formed into a compression-formed component; the resin-formed structure may comprise a molded feature formed in the hole of the fiber panel. The resin-formed structure may reinforce the structural substrate. The fiber panel and the resin-formed structure may provide a substantially continuous structure. The resin-formed structure may extend along a surface of the fiber panel to form the resin-formed structure to the fiber panel. The cover may be applied to the fiber panel during compression molding. The component may comprise a trim panel, instrument panel, door panel, or other interior trim part. A method of manufacturing a vehicle trim component is also disclosed.

A stretchable ink composition comprising a polyester; a polyurethane elastomer; water; a co-solvent; an optional surfactant; and an optional colorant.

The present invention relates to methods for forming a composite product having a patterned surface. A substrate including a porous structure (136), a sheet-form material (134) and a patterned sheet (131) are pressed together to form the composite product. In preferred examples, the patterned sheet is permeable to curable material in the sheet-form material.

A non-woven textile may be formed from a plurality of thermoplastic polymer filaments. The non-woven textile may have a first region and a second region, with the filaments of the first region being fused to a greater degree than the filaments of the second region. A variety of products, including apparel (e.g., shirts, pants, footwear), may incorporate the non-woven textile. In some of these products, the non-woven textile may be joined with another textile element to form a seam. More particularly, an edge area of the non-woven textile may be heatbonded with an edge area of the other textile element at the seam. In other products, the non-woven textile may be joined with another component, whether a textile or a non-textile.

A trim component for a vehicle interior is disclosed. The trim component comprises a fiber panel, a structure and a cover coupled to the fiber panel and/or the structure. The fiber panel may comprise fibers and a resin binder. The structure may comprise resin such as a molded plastic. The structure may provide a border formed on a periphery and/or an edge of the fiber panel. The structure may be on the cover or the fiber panel. The structure may reinforce a gap and/or tear in the fiber panel. The structure may comprise a molded feature. The feature may comprise the border, a rib, or a connector. The cover may be coupled to an outer surface of the fiber panel and/or the structure. The trim component may be a trim panel, an instrument panel, a door panel, or other interior trim part.