Cascade Engineering, Inc.

S Noland Broaddus

Matthew J Holwerda

Laurie A Weeks

Keith P Klobucar

A process for injection molding a thermoplastic backing (12) or other synthetic resin to a carpet layer (14) by suspending the carpet layer (14) between two mold halves (46,48), injecting a thermoplastic resin into the mold, and injecting an inert fluid such as nitrogen into the mold at a relatively low pressure to assist in distribution of the thermoplastic resin throughout all points of the mold. The invention also relates to a synthetic resin backed carpet, which resin backed carpet may constitute a vehicle dashboard (10). The vehicle dashboard (10) can include an internal runner or rib (16) which has a hollow portion (52) formed substantially along its length, the hollow portion (52) being formed by injection of the inert fluid during the injection molding process.

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Grand Rapids, MI, United States of America

S Noland Broaddus