| abstract |
The present invention provides thin injection molded plastic articles with an attractive, surface area of at least two different materials, such as leather, fabric, wood, metal or other semi-rigid surface material. These molded articles have desired combinations of thin dimensions, aesthetics and/or durability with the true feel of the real materials. The molded plastic articles thus have a plastic substrate component with a front decorative surface having at least two decorative surface areas of layers of different first and second materials having adjacent and connecting surface areas that are generally coplanar or continuous, including at the border line where the two surface layer materials meet. Relative to the front surface, at least a portion of the first material is located on top of and overlaps at least a portion of the second. In the process embodiment two surface material pieces are located in a mold cavity, the two materials together being located so as to each provide a surface area on the front side of the molded part. Optionally there is an adhesive and/or backing material on the back or non-decorative side of one or both surface material pieces. A molding plastic is injected into the mold that contacts and adheres to the back side of the surface material(s) and provides a molded on plastic substrate component. While the molding plastic is sufficiently fluid, pressure is applied to the cavity, preferably in an injection molding process, sufficient to compress and/or form the two different surface materials into a substantially coplanar or continuous surface and press the thicker overlapped area to a necessary depth into the plastic substrate component. |