The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 23, 2006
Filed:
Jul. 24, 2002
Hamid Ghavami Kia, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US);
Peter Herbert Foss, Shelby Township, MI (US);
John Neal Owens, Royal Oak, MI (US);
Terrence James Wathen, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Hamid Ghavami Kia, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US);
Peter Herbert Foss, Shelby Township, MI (US);
John Neal Owens, Royal Oak, MI (US);
Terrence James Wathen, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A molding process for a composite article uses a textured film layer to shape the surface of the composite article. The film layer is placed in the mold with the textured film surface exposed and a composite material is placed over the textured film surface. Preferably, the film layer is vacuum-formed onto the mold to take the shape of the mold. As it cures, the composite article takes the shape of the textured film layer to form a textured article surface. After demolding, the film layer adheres to the article as a protective coating, but can be readily removed from the article to expose an underlying textured surface of the article.