US 12,012,048 B2
Thermoformed article with co-injected features
Mosen Sepasi, Mississauga (CA)
Assigned to ABC TECHNOLOGIES INC., Toronto (CA)
Filed by ABC TECHNOLOGIES INC., Toronto (CA)
Filed on Oct. 25, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/509,332.
Application 17/509,332 is a division of application No. 15/994,791, filed on May 31, 2018, granted, now 11,155,019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/513,891, filed on Jun. 1, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2022/0040902 A1, Feb. 10, 2022
Int. Cl. B60R 13/02 (2006.01); B29C 51/02 (2006.01); B29C 51/08 (2006.01); B29C 51/26 (2006.01); B29C 51/14 (2006.01); B29K 311/10 (2006.01); B29L 31/30 (2006.01)
CPC B60R 13/02 (2013.01) [B29C 51/02 (2013.01); B29C 51/082 (2013.01); B29C 51/266 (2013.01); B29C 51/145 (2013.01); B29C 2791/001 (2013.01); B29C 2793/009 (2013.01); B29K 2311/10 (2013.01); B29L 2031/3008 (2013.01); B29L 2031/3014 (2013.01); B29L 2031/302 (2013.01); B29L 2031/3041 (2013.01)] 7 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A thermoformed automotive interior trim panel comprising:
a self-supporting structural base layer with a decorative covering that is applied to a first side of the base layer and one or more secondary features integrally formed on an opposing second side of the base layer by way of co-injection molding that is simultaneous with the decorative being applied so as to yield a unitary trim panel that is free from recesses and visible fastener heads on the first side; and
wherein the one or more secondary features include: i) coupling features selected from a plurality of automotive fasteners and/or a plurality of fastener bosses with a plurality of reinforcement ribs interconnecting the fastener bosses, and ii) a grill having one or more vanes integrally formed in an aperture that extends through the decorative covering and the base layer so that the grill does not require use of fasteners, adhesives, or welding.