Abstract: A numerical method operating within a processor-based environment for predicting the fill pattern and coating pressure distribution for a substrate in a computer simulation of an in-mold coating flow within a two-dimensional flow domain having a plurality of possible inlet nodes for injection, which includes the steps of initializing pressure and thickness change of the substrate for at least one of the inlet nodes, determining which of the inlet nodes are newly filled nodes and new flow front nodes, calculating pressure for the newly filled nodes; updating thickness and coating volume of the substrate, checking if pressure and time step have converged, and updating pressure and time step and returning to the pressure calculation step if pressure and time step calculations have not converged, and determining whether the substrate is filled, and updating filling time and returning to the determining step if the substrate is not filled.

Abstract: A substrate having a barrier comprising a raised rim to prevent an in-mold coating from flowing into a gate pin assembly or substrate injection inlet area wherein a substrate is injected into the mold cavity. The barrier prevents cross contamination between a substrate resin orifice and the in-mold coating. A method for isolating an injection inlet area or gate pin assembly from in-mold coatings is also described.

Abstract: Molded articles or substrates having an in-mold coating thereon are disclosed. The in-mold coated substrates are produced by a method wherein the flow of the in-mold composition onto the substrate can be selectively controlled. The molded articles can be preferentially coated in desired or predetermined areas with in-mold coating compositions by controlling the thickness or depth of various sections of the substrate. The present invention provides a molded article with an area of increased relative thickness at the location of in-mold coating injection to encourage or promote in-mold coating flow.

Abstract: Molded articles or substrates having an in-mold coating thereon are disclosed. The in-mold coated substrates are produced by a method wherein the flow of the in-mold composition onto the substrate can be selectively controlled. The molded articles can be preferentially coated in desired or predetermined areas with in-mold coating compositions by controlling the thickness or depth of various sections of the substrate.

Abstract: Molded articles or substrates having an in-mold coating thereon are disclosed. The in-mold coated substrates are produced by a method wherein the flow of the in-mold composition onto the substrate can be selectively controlled. The molded articles can be preferentially coated in desired or predetermined areas with in-mold coating compositions by controlling the thickness or depth of various sections of the substrate. A molded article or substrate is provided with a removable in-mold coating containment flange which extends completely around the perimeter of a surface to be coated in order to substantially contain the in-mold coating within the mold cavity and on the desired area of a part before the coating has been cured.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for producing an injection-molded thermoplastic workpiece having a thermoset coating bonded thereto, comprising the steps of introducing in three stages into a closed mold a thermoplastic material, such as a polyolefin, heated to a temperature above its melting point and molding said material to form a workpiece; cooling the workpiece to a temperature less than its melt temperature introducing a thermoset coating composition into the closed mold to cover at least a portion of a surface of the workpiece. The mold is then opened and the workpiece is removed after the coating composition has at least partially cured. The invention is also directed to a molded article made by the described process.

Abstract: A modeling method for minimizing the cure time and flow time of a thermoset in-mold coating for a molded article. The minimization of cure time is based on determining the cure time as a function of mold temperature and initiator level. The method for minimizing flow time is based on predicting the fill pattern for a specific geometry mold. The methods are used to reduce cycle time in the preparation of in-mold coated parts and reduce defects in the appearance of the coating.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for producing an injection-molded thermoplastic work piece having a thermoset coating bonded thereto, comprising the steps of introducing into a closed mold a thermoplastic material, such as a polyolefin, heated to a temperature above its melting point and molding said material to form a work piece; followed by introducing a thermoset coating composition capable of generating free radicals into the closed mold to contact at least a portion of a surface of the work piece, the temperature of which is at or above the temperature at which free radicals contained in the coating composition are generated. The mold is then opened and the work piece is removed after the coating composition has at least partially cured. The present invention is also directed to a molded article made by the described process.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for producing an injection-molded thermoplastic work piece having a thermoset coating bonded thereto, comprising the steps of introducing into a closed mold a thermoplastic material, such as a polyolefin, heated to a temperature above its melting point and molding said material to form a work piece; followed by introducing a thermoset coating composition capable of generating free radicals into the closed mold to contact at least a portion of a surface of the work piece, the temperature of which is at or above the temperature at which free radicals contained in the coating composition are generated. The mold is then opened and the work piece is removed after the coating composition has at least partially cured. The present invention is also directed to a molded article made by the described process.

Abstract: Molded articles or substrates having an in-mold coating thereon are disclosed. The in-mold coated substrates are produced by a method wherein the flow of the in-mold composition onto the substrate can be selectively controlled. The molded articles can be preferentially coated in desired or predetermined areas with in-mold coating compositions by controlling the thickness or depth of various sections of the substrate. A molded article or substrate is provided with a removable in-mold coating containment flange which extends completely around the perimeter of a surface to be coated in order to substantially contain the in-mold coating within the mold cavity and on the desired area of a part before the coating has been cured.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a panel utilizes a first mold half (12) having a peripherally extending rib (24) and a second mold half (14). The first mold half (12) is moved relative to the second mold half (14) to define a first mold cavity with the rib extending into the first mold cavity. A first molten material (20) is injected into the first mold cavity and allowed to solidify to thereby form a notch (26) within the first solidified material (20) corresponding to the shape of the rib (24). A second mold cavity is formed which has a flow path between the first solidified material (20) and the first mold half (12) comprising a series of sharp turns which present a barrier to material flow. A second material (30) is injected into the second mold cavity and allowed to cure on the first solidified material.

Abstract: Molded articles or substrates having an in-mold coating thereon are disclosed. The in-mold coated substrates are produced by a method wherein the flow of the in-mold composition onto the substrate can be selectively controlled. The molded articles can be preferentially coated in desired or predetermined areas with in-mold coating compositions by controlling the thickness or depth of various sections of the substrate.

Abstract: Molded articles or substrates having an in-mold coating thereon are disclosed. The in-mold coated substrates are produced by a method wherein the flow of the in-mold composition onto the substrate can be selectively controlled. The molded articles can be preferentially coated in desired or predetermined areas with in-mold coating compositions by controlling the thickness or depth of various sections of the substrate. The present invention provides a molded article with an area of increased relative thickness at the location of in-mold coating injection to encourage or promote in-mold coating flow.

Abstract: A substrate having a barrier comprising a raised rim to prevent an in-mold coating from flowing into a gate pin assembly or substrate injection inlet area wherein a substrate is injected into the mold cavity. The barrier prevents cross contamination between a substrate resin orifice and the in-mold coating. A method for isolating an injection inlet area or gate pin assembly from in-mold coatings is also described.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for producing an injection-molded thermoplastic work piece having a thermoset coating bonded thereto, comprising the steps of introducing into a closed mold a thermoplastic material, such as a polyolefin, heated to a temperature above its melting point and molding said material to form a work piece; followed by introducing a thermoset coating composition capable of generating free radicals into the closed mold to contact at least a portion of a surface of the work piece, the temperature of which is at or above the temperature at which free radicals contained in the coating composition are generated. The mold is then opened and the work piece is removed after the coating composition has at least partially cured. The present invention is also directed to a molded article made by the described process.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for producing an injection-molded thermoplastic workpiece having a thermoset coating bonded thereto, comprising the steps of introducing in three stages into a closed mold a thermoplastic material, such as a polyolefin, heated to a temperature above its melting point and molding said material to form a workpiece; cooling the workpiece to a temperature less than its melt temperature introducing a thermoset coating composition into the closed mold to cover at least a portion of a surface of the workpiece. The mold is then opened and the workpiece is removed after the coating composition has at least partially cured. The invention is also directed to a molded article made by the described process.

Abstract: A method of making a fiber reinforced part by compression molding under heat and pressure a glass fiber reinforced thermosetting resin composition at an initial high pressure for a short period of time and then substantially reducing the pressure for a longer period of time to form an almost cured FRP part at which time there is applied to the exterior or outer surface of the FRP part an in-mold coating composition and heat and pressure are continued to cure the in-mold coating composition and to complete the cure of the FRP part. During the molding process the temperature gradient across, or the temperature non-uniformities of, the molding or working surfaces of the mold halves is less than about 5.degree. C.