Importance

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Abstract

A gasketing device for forming a molded interior trim component for a vehicle utilizes a flexible planar gasket compressed between mold halves to prevent foaming material from entering the gasket area. The gasket is adapted to be secured to a structural insert and has a flexible peripheral edge that seals against the inside surface of a bezel on the insert. The gasket extends through the opening defined by the bezel to seal against a skin shell. The method includes mounting the gasket on the insert. The insert and gasket are placed on a mold half with an opposing mold half having a skin shell thereon. A foaming formulation is placed between the skin shell and insert and allowed to foam about the gasket to secure the insert to the skin shell. The product is removed, the skin shell over the gasket cut and peeled away to form an opening in the shell dimensioned smaller than the dimensions of the peripheral edge of the gasket. The gasket is accessed by hand through the smaller opening, is flexed to clear the edges of the smaller opening to prevent damage thereto and removed for reuse.

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First Claim