Patent ID: 6251333
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a film-covered article comprising a resin substrate and a film covering fused to the resin substrate, the method comprising the steps of:providing a movable mold having a stationary cavity surface and a movable core surface, said cavity surface having a sealing surface and said core surface having a sealing member;heating a pliable film having a backing surface and a decorative surface in a heater;moving said mold to an open position;positioning said heated film between said cavity and core surfaces, said decorative surface juxtaposed said cavity surface;moving said mold to a sealed position and sealing said film between said sealing surface and sealing member and forming a chamber between said core surface and said film;opening a gas pin on said core surface and applying a positive gas pressure through said pin to cause said film to conform to said cavity surface;moving said mold to a molding position wherein said core surface is positioned a distance away from said backing surface to create an article defining cavity, said distance being the thickness of said resin substrate; andinjecting a molten resin through a resin inlet into said article-defining cavity adjacent to said backing surface to form said film-covered article.