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:
Dec. 27, 2011
Filed:
Sep. 21, 2009
Marc A. Hayes, Plymouth, MI (US);
Mark K. Neitzke, Waterford, MI (US);
Michael W. Cass, Lenox, MI (US);
Marc A. Hayes, Plymouth, MI (US);
Mark K. Neitzke, Waterford, MI (US);
Michael W. Cass, Lenox, MI (US);
International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc., Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A method of manufacturing decorative plastic composites having a decorative layer, a backing layer and a clear outer layer which provides exceptional 'depth of image' is disclosed. Decorative or protective appliqués' having a wide range of decorative patterns may be formed by injection molding a backing layer behind and a clear outer layer on the top surface of a decorative layer, the decorative layer comprising a relatively thin metal foil, film, fabric, veneer or sheet of paper having a digital image from an inkjet printer deposited on a front surface thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the appearance of a wood veneer may be modified by digitally printing a burl pattern over the wood grain surface of the veneer prior to injection molding.