Patents by Inventor Michael W. Muench

Michael W. Muench 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).

  • Publication number: 20040043683
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a trim part, such as an airbag cover, under low pressure conditions is disclosed. The trim part includes a skin material, a scrim material, and a substrate. A mold tool comprises a first half and a second mold half. The method comprises the steps of injecting molten substrate material into one of the mold halves and partially closing the mold halves to a predetermined distance such that the molten substrate material is properly spread within the cavity of the mold tool under low pressure conditions. The molten substrate material encapsulates the scrim material and integrally bonds the scrim material to the skin material. In one method of the invention, a frame member is placed on one of the mold halves to form a groove that pre-weakens the trim part to form an airbag door for an airbag cover in one cycling operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Muench