A joint assembly comprising at least one extruded profile member and at least one molded member connected to the profile member by an injection molding process. The extruded profile member comprises at least one pre-processed structured surface area adapted to increase grip between the profile member and a molding tool during the molding process. A method for forming a joint assembly is also disclosed, comprising the steps of comprising: inserting an extruded profile member in a molding tool, the extruded profile member and/or the molding tool having a structured surface area to increase the friction between the molding tool and the extruded profile member; clamping the molding tool and bringing the structured surface in contact with the molding tool and/or the extruded profile member to hold the profile member in place, and injecting material into the molding tool to produce a molded member connected with the extruded profile member.

A belt molding includes: a molding body, which includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a connection wall that connects an upper end of the inner wall and an upper end of the outer wall; a design lip, which is formed at the upper end of the inner wall of the molding body; and a design portion, wherein the design portion includes a first portion, which covers at least a part of the molding body, and a second portion, which covers at least a part of the design lip, and wherein a step is formed between the first portion and the second portion, such that a level of a surface of the first portion is different from a level of a surface of the second portion.

Method for making multiple durometer bulb seals and any other types of multiple durometer seals and moldings includes cooling separately at least one structural member and at least one sealing portion, which have different durometers and shapes. At least a first extrusion is drawn through an extruder, forming a structural member profile and the extruded material is pulled along a longitudinal axis to a first calibrator device and first cooling tank to cool the structural member profile to a predetermined temperature. Cooling medium directly contacts the outer and inner surfaces of the first profile. Downstream, the sealing portion is extruded and affixed onto the cooled structural member and pulled further downstream to a second calibrator device and through a second cooling tank to cool the final profile a predetermined amount. Disparity in cooling expansion and cooling differential between the multiple durometers and shapes is avoided or overcome.

A method of manufacturing a product with skin includes: attaching a preformed base material to a vacuum forming die on a back surface of the base material, disposing a skin material as a material of the skin on a front surface of a base material, and sucking the skin material through the vacuum forming die and the base material to deform a main portion of skin material so as to be in close contact with the front surface of the base material; cutting a surplus portion of the skin material not being in close contact with the front surface of the base material with a trim blade so that a distal end portion remains around the main portion, thereby forming the skin having the distal end portion; and winding the distal end portion of the skin around the back surface of the base material by a winding mechanism.

A method for producing interconnected components of an interior trim part. At least one decorative layer is translucent at least in areas. At least one body is light-permeable at least in sections. The body that is light-permeable at least in sections and an opaque structural part are produced as a multi-component structural part in a plastic injection molding process. The opaque structural part is produced in a first cavity of a mold in the plastic injection molding process and transferred into at least one part of a second cavity of a mold. A carrier film that carries the translucent decorative layer is positioned in another part of the second cavity. The body is produced, which is light-permeable at least in sections, in a space by a plastic injection molding process. A composite part that has the decorative layer, the body, and the opaque structural is removed from the mold.

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.

An automotive splash guard includes first and second molded pieces. The first molded piece has a shape configured to have at least a portion thereof installed outside an automobile wheel well, and the second molded piece has a shape configured to be installed in an automobile wheel well. The first piece has an exterior painted surface, the first piece is separate from the second piece while the first piece is being painted and is attached to the second piece after being painted by mechanical joining or adhering. A method for manufacturing a splash guard includes molding the first piece; molding the second piece; painting the first piece while it is separate from the second piece; and then attaching the second piece to the first piece.

The invention relates to a multilayer body (100) for producing a decorated plastic article (50) having a surface relief (40). The multilayer body (100) comprises a relief film (1) with a first carrier film (2) and a structural layer (3), arranged on one side of the first carrier film (2). The multilayer body (100) also comprises a multilayer film (5) with a second carrier film (10) and at least one decorative layer (12, 14). The structural layer (3) is arranged here between the first carrier film (2) and the second carrier film (10). Furthermore, the multilayer body (100) has a film body (19) which comprises the relief film (1) and can be released from the at least one decorative layer (12, 14), and the at least one decorative layer (12, 14) is formed such that it can be deformed by the structural layer (3) formed as a stamped structure. The invention also relates to a process for producing such a multilayer body (100), and to two processes for producing a decorated plastic article (50) having a surface relief (40) by using such a multilayer body (100).

The subject invention includes a fixed window assembly for a vehicle comprising a fixed glass, a trim portion having a polymeric base and a decorative member bonded to the polymeric base. An encapsulation is coupled to the fixed glass and the polymeric base to mount the trim portion in a spaced and adjacent position relative to the fixed glass. A method of manufacturing is also provided using first and second molding apparatuses. Polymeric material is injected into a first mold cavity of the first molding apparatus to form the polymeric base bonded to the decorative member. Polymeric material is injected into a second mold cavity of the second molding apparatus to form the encapsulation coupled to the fixed glass and simultaneously coupled to the polymeric base to mount the trim portion in an adjacent position to the fixed glass.

A method of forming a trim panel is provided. The method including the steps of: placing a non-woven mat of material in a heating press; heating the material to a predetermined temperature; applying a decorative film to a first surface of the heated material to create a bilaminate; placing the bilaminate layer into a cavity of a tool such that the decorative film is facing the cavity; heating the cavity; and injecting a thermoplastic resin into the tool such that the thermoplastic resin is adhered to a second surface of the material, the second surface being opposite to the first surface.