Johnson Controls Technology Company

Jeffery T Stout

Nels R Smith

Jason Mathew Hipshier

Bart William Fox

Tony Michael Pokorzynski

Heather Rae Springer

John C Hinken

Tony M Pokorzynski

An apparatus and method for making a trim panel. The method includes providing a preform laminate including a compressible material sandwiched between a flexible skin and a back skin. Positioning the preform laminate in the mold. Placing an insert with the preform laminate in the mold to created a step to establish a seam location and define a secondary area on the preform laminate. Compressing the compressible material by introducing a molten polymeric material to the mold forming a substrate and bonding the substrate to the preform laminate forming the trim component. The preform laminate folds onto itself and creates a crease along the step to simulate the seam and provide a contour change with the appearance of cushioning in the secondary area, and removing the trim panel component from the mold.

Trim panel

Growing community of inventors

Grand Rapids, MI, United States of America

Jeffery T Stout