Abstract: The invention relates to an interior panel component and the method for making the component. The interior panel component for use with a vehicle includes a skin layer, and a resilient layer secured to the skin. The resilient layer is made from a polymeric MDI, a pure MDI, and a polyol. The polyol is less than 50 pphr of a soy-based polyol. The resilient layer is secured to a substrate to form the interior panel component.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include interior vehicle trim panel having a sprayed expanded polyurethane layer and method of making same. In at least one embodiment, the method of making the vehicle interior trim panel comprises providing a skin layer on a spray tool, spraying expandable polyurethane reactive components onto the skin layer to form a resilient layer, and securing a rigid substrate on the resilient layer, such that the resilient layer extends between and connects the skin layer with the substrate to form the vehicle interior trim panel.

Abstract: An interior trim panel for a vehicle door is provided according to alternative methods. The interior trim panel includes a bolster to which a polyurethane skin is molded by a spraying operation. Expanded polyurethane foam is sprayed over the polyurethane skin and a backing panel is either integrally formed or assembled to the polyurethane foam layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates a vehicle interior trim panel. In at least one embodiment, the panel may be made by providing a spray mold having a mold surface, spraying colored polyurethane material proximate the surface of the tool to form a colored polyurethane skin layer, and spraying expandable polyurethane material onto the skin layer to form a resilient layer on the colored polyurethane skin layer. The colored polyurethane skin layer and the resilient layer form a colored composite skin which can be removed from the tool and secured to a substrate to form a vehicle interior trim panel.

Abstract: A method of making an integrated inner trim panel for a vehicle door and an inner trim panel made thereby are disclosed. The method includes sequentially spraying a skin layer, a padding layer, and applying a structural layer in an open mold that defines the facing surface of the inner panel of a door. The integrated inner trim panel may be provided with areas of greater and lesser padding. The skin layer may be formed from a reactant mixture of polyurethane. The padding layer may be a foam polyurethane composition. The structural layer may be a glass-reinforced polyurethane reactant mixture. The inner door panel is an integrated layered structure including a skin layer, a padding layer, and a structural layer. The padding layer may be varied in thickness to provide selectively variable padding in predetermined areas.

Abstract: A method of making an article is disclosed in which an in-mold coating is applied to a mold over with a polyurethane forming mixture is applied. A fluorescent dye is mixed with a polyurethane forming mixture to form an ultraviolet enhanced mixture. After forming, the coated article is exposed to a source of ultraviolet light and inspected to identify areas not covered by the in-mold coating. An article of manufacture is disclosed that includes a polyurethane layer having fluorescent dye and an in-mold coating applied to the polyurethane layer. An interior trim part for a vehicle made according to the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A polyurethane resin includes polyol and isocyanate residues which together form a base resin. The polyurethane resin further includes a plurality of hollow beads dispersed therein such that the density of the polyurethane resin is less than the density of the base resin. A method for forming the polyurethane resin comprises mixing hollow beads the polyol and/or isocyanate prior to spraying onto a substrate.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and system for making a composite polyurethane skin. In at least one embodiment, the method comprises providing a source of liquid polyol, providing a source of liquid isocyanate, providing a source of liquid low density foaming agent comprising blowing agent and low fogging surfactant, providing a spray mold tool having a mold surface, and providing a spraying device for spraying liquid material at the spray mold tool.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle interior trim panel. The panel may be made by providing a spray mold having a mold surface having a cavity having a portion having a height to depth (H/D) ratio of less than 1.0. Polyurethane material can be sprayed proximate the surface of the tool to form a polyurethane skin layer. Expandable polyurethane material can be sprayed onto the skin layer to form a resilient layer. The skin layer and the resilient layer can be removed from the tool and positioning in a mold in a spaced apart relationship from a substrate, with a foam material being introduced between the substrate and the resilient layer to form a foam layer therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for making a composite polyurethane skin, said method comprises providing a source of liquid polyol, providing a source of liquid isocyanate, providing a source of liquid blowing agent, providing a spray mold tool having a mold surface, providing a spraying device for spraying liquid material at the spray mold tool, directing polyol and isocyanate to the spraying device to form a polyurethane composition, spraying the polyurethane composition towards the spray mold tool to form a polyurethane skin layer on the spray mold tool, directing polyol, isocyanate and blowing agent to the spraying device to form an expandable polyurethane composition, and spraying the expandable polyurethane composition onto the skin layer to form a resilient expandable polyurethane layer on the skin.

Abstract: An interior trim panel for a vehicle door is provided according to alternative methods. The interior trim panel includes a bolster to which a polyurethane skin is molded by a spraying operation. Expanded polyurethane foam is sprayed over the polyurethane skin and a backing panel is either integrally formed or assembled to the polyurethane foam layer.

Abstract: A method of making an integrated inner trim panel for a vehicle door and an inner trim panel made thereby are disclosed. The method includes sequentially spraying a skin layer, a padding layer, and applying a structural layer in an open mold that defines the facing surface of the inner panel of a door. The integrated inner trim panel may be provided with areas of greater and lesser padding. The skin layer may be formed from a reactant mixture of polyurethane. The padding layer may be a foam polyurethane composition. The structural layer may be a glass-reinforced polyurethane reactant mixture. The inner door panel is an integrated layered structure including a skin layer, a padding layer, and a structural layer. The padding layer may be varied in thickness to provide selectively variable padding in predetermined areas.

Abstract: A method of making an interior vehicle part for use with a motor vehicle includes spraying material proximate a surface of a mold portion of a mold to form a skin layer, the surface defining a mold cavity of the mold portion. The method further includes positioning an insert proximate the mold cavity, the insert being configured for attachment to the vehicle, and introducing material into the mold cavity to form a foam layer that contacts the skin layer and the insert.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include interior vehicle trim panel having a sprayed expanded polyurethane layer and method of making same. In at least one embodiment, the method of making the vehicle interior trim panel comprises providing a skin layer on a spray tool, spraying expandable polyurethane reactive components onto the skin layer to form a resilient layer, and securing a rigid substrate on the resilient layer, such that the resilient layer extends between and connects the skin layer with the substrate to form the vehicle interior trim panel.

Abstract: A method of making a vehicle part includes spraying material proximate a surface of a tool to form a skin layer, and spraying material onto the skin layer to form a resilient layer. The method further includes removing the skin layer and the resilient layer from the tool and positioning the layers in a mold. Next, the method involves applying material onto the resilient layer to form a rigid substrate on the resilient layer.

Abstract: A method and system for providing plastic injection molded parts with thin wall sections or portions. The mold has one or more plunger or piston members which operate to reduce the size of the mold cavity and thus the thickness of wall sections or portions of the molded parts, preferably at 70-75% or more of their surface area. Commercially acceptable parts with wall thicknesses on the order of 2.5 mm can be provided with the present invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for spraying polyurethane to form a skin on a mold. Polyurethane forming constituents are provided from a plurality of separate supply sources to separate recirculating fluid circuits. A mix head receives polyurethane constituents from the fluid circuits and mixes them to form a polyurethane mixture. A hydraulically operated valve controls the flow of the polyurethane constituents. The valve has a first position in which the polyurethane components are permitted to flow into the chamber of the mix head. The polyurethane mixture is then dispensed through a spray nozzle assembly. When the valve is in a second position, the polyurethane constituents are recirculated through the fluid circuits. A liquid solvent may be injected into the mix head under pressure to purge the mixture from the mix head and spray nozzle assembly in the second position.

Abstract: A masking system is provided that includes a supply roll of masking material, supported by a first roll support. The supply roll is rotatable on the first roll support, which allows the masking material to be dispensed. A take-up roll is provided to receive masking material after it has been used. A masking arm is positioned on an inside surface of the masking material, and contacts a portion of a mold to capture the masking material between the masking arm and the mold, thereby sealing off a portion of the mold during a coating process. After the coating process, the take-up roll is rotated, thereby dispensing new masking material from the supply roll.