Inventors:
Martin Straub - Chelsea MI, US
Michael Tokarz - Brownstown MI, US
International Classification:
B32B 37/00
B29C 65/00
US Classification:
264265000, 156245000, 156285000, 156272200, 156381000, 156500000, 264496000, 264510000, 264553000, 264316000, 264328100, 425388000
Abstract:
The present invention is a 2-step molding process and a 1-step molding process that can be used to form a boot and/or tonneau cover for use in covering a convertible roof and/or a stowage compartment in an automotive vehicle. In the 1-step molding process, the boot and/or tonneau cover are formed by positioning the substrate material and other material layer(s) adjacent one another and forming the boot and/or tonneau cover in a mold in a single molding step. In a 2-step molding process, the substrate for the boot and/or tonneau cover is first formed in a mold. The formed substrate is then positioned adjacent material layer(s) and the formed substrate and material layer(s) are bound together within the same or a different mold in a subsequent molding step.
