Patent ID: 6872349
Filing Date: 2005-03-29
Classification: B29C,B29L,B60R

Abstract:
1. A method of making a vehicle seamless panel for concealing an airbag, the method comprising: providing a first mold member and a second mold member having a first portion and a second portion, the first mold member and the first portion cooperating to define a first closed mold cavity configured to form a retainer portion of the panel to be disposed adjacent the airbag, the retainer portion having an opening to define a void over the airbag, the first mold member and the second portion cooperating to define a second closed mold cavity configured to hold the molded retainer portion and to form a door portion of the panel to be disposed within the void, the door portion being integrally circumscribed by the retainer portion; positioning the first portion into contact with the first mold member to cooperate with the first mold member to form the first closed mold cavity; introducing a first material into the first closed mold cavity to form the retainer portion of the panel, the retainer portion integrally circumscribing the door portion and having an appearance finish substantially similar to the appearance finish of the door portion such that no seam is visible between the door portion and the retainer portion; positioning the second portion into contact with the first mold member to cooperate with the first mold member to form the second closed mold cavity; and introducing a second material into the second closed mold cavity to form the door portion of the panel, the door portion adapted to lay sufficiently adjacent to the airbag to form a door covering an opening through which the airbag may deploy, the door portion having an appearance finish, the retainer portion having a perimeter about which the door portion is circumscribed, the perimeter defining an interface between the door portion and the retainer portion, the interface having a low resistance threshold to pressure such that the door portion and the retainer portion separate when the airbag is deployed, and with the door portion extending over the retainer portion.