Patent ID: 8062451
Filing Date: 2011-11-22
Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L,B32B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of laminating a decorative layer to a molded part for use in forming a decorated part, the method comprising: molding a part formed of an amorphous or semi-crystalline thermoplastic resin; loading the part into a vacuum forming nest; positioning a thermoplastic film over the part on the vacuum forming nest, the film including a first thermoplastic layer and a second thermoplastic layer, the first thermoplastic layer having a first heat deflection temperature, the second thermoplastic layer having a second heat deflection temperature, the second heat deflection temperature is less than the first heat deflection temperature; heating the part to a first temperature effective to bond cohesively between the part and the second layer, the first temperature being less than the second heat deflection temperature; heating a segment of the film to a second temperature effective for bonding the second layer cohesively to the part, the second temperature being more than the second heat deflection temperature and less than the first heat deflection temperature of the first layer; placing the film on the part; applying a vacuum through the vacuum forming nest to a first side of the film facing the part; cohesively bonding the film directly to the part; and trimming a portion of the film from about the periphery of the part.