Patents by Inventor Linh N. Doan

Linh N. Doan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10272602
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for a plastic-molded automotive interior trim component produces a curvilinear finished surface with a relatively flat portion and a relatively curved portion. A decorative film subcomponent is molded with a substantially smooth outer surface that is pigmented with a desired color of the finished surface. The decorative film subcomponent is placed into a mold having a film-receiving surface with a three-dimensional texture at both the relatively flat portion and the relatively curved portion. A structural backing member is in-mold laminated with the decorative film subcomponent by injecting molten plastic material against the inner surface of the decorative film subcomponent in the mold, wherein pressure of the molten plastic material expands the decorative film subcomponent to form an embossed pattern which is substantially uniform and undistorted covering at least part of the relatively flat portion and at least part of the relatively curved portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Linh N. Doan, James P. Holland, Kenneth S. Laird, Stacy L. Swank, Jeffrey B. Crist, Warwick J. Smith, Aileen N. Barraza
  • Publication number: 20160144542
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for a plastic-molded automotive interior trim component produces a curvilinear finished surface with a relatively flat portion and a relatively curved portion. A decorative film subcomponent is molded with a substantially smooth outer surface that is pigmented with a desired color of the finished surface. The decorative film subcomponent is placed into a mold having a film-receiving surface with a three-dimensional texture at both the relatively flat portion and the relatively curved portion. A structural backing member is in-mold laminated with the decorative film subcomponent by injecting molten plastic material against the inner surface of the decorative film subcomponent in the mold, wherein pressure of the molten plastic material expands the decorative film subcomponent to form an embossed pattern which is substantially uniform and undistorted covering at least part of the relatively flat portion and at least part of the relatively curved portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: LINH N. DOAN, JAMES P. HOLLAND, KENNETH S. LAIRD, STACY L. SWANK, JEFFREY B. CRIST, WARWICK J. SMITH, AILEEN N. BARRAZA
  • Patent number: 9283701
    Abstract: A plastic-molded automotive interior trim component has a curvilinear finished surface with a relatively flat portion and a relatively curved portion. A decorative film subcomponent has an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein at least the outer surface is pigmented with a desired color of the finished surface. Prior to incorporation into the plastic molded component, the decorative film subcomponent has a shape generally conforming to the curvilinear finished surface and is substantially smooth. A structural backing member is in-mold laminated with the decorative film subcomponent, wherein the structural backing member is formed by injection molding a backing material against the inner surface of the decorative film subcomponent in a mold having a film-receiving surface with a three-dimensional texture that receives the decorative film subcomponent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Linh N. Doan, James P. Holland, Kenneth S. Laird, Stacy L. Swank, Jeffrey B. Crist, Warwick J. Smith, Aileen N. Barraza
  • Publication number: 20120021182
    Abstract: A plastic-molded automotive interior trim component has a curvilinear finished surface with a relatively flat portion and a relatively curved portion. A decorative film subcomponent has an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein at least the outer surface is pigmented with a desired color of the finished surface. Prior to incorporation into the plastic molded component, the decorative film subcomponent has a shape generally conforming to the curvilinear finished surface and is substantially smooth. A structural backing member is in-mold laminated with the decorative film subcomponent, wherein the structural backing member is formed by injection molding a backing material against the inner surface of the decorative film subcomponent in a mold having a film-receiving surface with a three-dimensional texture that receives the decorative film subcomponent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Linh N. Doan, James P. Holland, Kenneth S. Laird, Stacy L. Swank, Jeffrey B. Crist, Warwick J. Smith, Aileen N. Barraza