Patent Application
20150258939
The invention relates generally to a flexible interior trim component for a vehicle.
Vehicle storage compartments may be positioned throughout an interior of a vehicle to store cargo and other small items. For example, an overhead console may include a storage compartment suitable for storing sunglasses, driving glasses, or other items. Other storage compartments may be located within a center console, an armrest, seats, door panels, or other areas of the vehicle interior. Certain storage compartments include a door configured to secure the contents of the compartment and/or hide the contents from view.
While a variety of door configurations may be employed, tambour doors are generally well-suited for storage compartments having curved openings. Typical tambour doors include a series of interlocked parallel ribs or segments that may rotate with respect to one another. In this manner, the tambour door may flex in a direction perpendicular to the orientation of the parallel segments. Such a configuration may enable the tambour door to match the contours of the curved storage compartment opening, thereby facilitating movement of the tambour door with respect to the storage compartment opening. Unfortunately, because the ribs are generally constructed from substantially rigid material, the show surface of the tambour door may be hard and/or stiff In addition, recesses between the ribs may collect dirt and/or other contaminants, thereby degrading the appearance of the door. Alternatively, the ribs may be coupled to a flexible carrier configured to enable the tambour door to bend in a direction perpendicular to an orientation of the ribs. Unfortunately, because the flexible carrier is typically constructed from substantially hard material, the show surface of the tambour door may have an undesirable firmness and/or appearance.
The present invention relates to an interior trim component including a substrate having a first rib positioned adjacent to an axial end of the interior trim component. The interior trim component also includes multiple second ribs each oriented substantially parallel to the first rib. The first rib and each second rib are configured to engage a track to facilitate movement of the interior trim component along the track. The interior trim component further includes a cushion coupled to the second ribs and to the substrate. The cushion extends along a first surface of the substrate, wraps around the first rib, and engages a second surface of the substrate, opposite the first surface, to form the axial end of the interior trim component.
The present invention also relates to an interior trim component including multiple substantially parallel ribs each configured to engage a track to facilitate movement of the interior trim component along the track. The interior trim component also includes a cushion having an outer surface, a rear surface, and a contoured lateral end extending between the outer surface and the rear surface. The outer surface is configured to face an interior of a vehicle, the rear surface is coupled to the substantially parallel ribs, the contoured lateral end forms a projection adjacent to the rear surface, and the projection is configured to extend laterally outward beyond an inner surface of a structure that surrounds the interior trim component.
The present invention further relates to an interior trim component including multiple substantially parallel ribs each configured to engage a track to facilitate movement of the interior trim component along the track. The interior trim component also includes a cushion having an outer surface and a rear surface. The outer surface is configured to face an interior of a vehicle, the rear surface is coupled to the substantially parallel ribs, and a portion of at least one rib is embedded within the rear surface.
The present invention relates to a vehicle interior assembly including a tambour door having multiple substantially parallel ribs, and a cushion coupled to the substantially parallel ribs. The vehicle interior assembly also includes a support structure having a track configured to receive the substantially parallel ribs, and an interior wall that defines a storage compartment. Each rib is configured to engage the track to facilitate movement of the tambour door between an open position that facilitates access to the storage compartment and a closed position that blocks access to the storage compartment, and a distal end of the wall is positioned adjacent to the track to block movement of the tambour door toward the storage compartment via contact between the distal end of the wall and the substantially parallel ribs.
The present invention further relates to an interior trim component including multiple substantially parallel ribs, and corresponding protrusions extending laterally outward from the substantially parallel ribs. Each protrusion is configured to engage a track to facilitate movement of the interior trim component along the track. The interior trim component also includes a cushion having an outer surface and a rear surface. The outer surface is configured to face an interior of a vehicle, and the rear surface is coupled to a mounting surface of each rib. The cushion includes a lateral projection spaced from the protrusions, and extending laterally outward beyond the mounting surface of each rib.
The present invention relates to an interior trim component including multiple substantially parallel ribs each configured to engage a track to facilitate movement of the interior trim component along the track. The interior trim component also includes a cushion having an integral outer skin. The cushion is coupled to the substantially parallel ribs, and the integral outer skin forms a first show surface of the interior trim component. The interior trim component further includes a decoration formed within the integral outer skin. The decoration includes a second show surface, and a first height of the first show surface relative to the substantially parallel ribs is different than a second height of the second show surface relative to the substantially parallel ribs.
As will be appreciated, typical tambour doors include a series of interlocked or otherwise joined parallel ribs or segments that may rotate with respect to one another. To facilitate tambour door segment rotation, a recess in the show surface may be positioned adjacent to each segment. These recesses may collect dirt and/or other contaminants, thereby degrading the appearance of the door. In addition, as the tambour door flexes, adjacent segments may rotate toward one another, thereby reducing the width of the intervening recesses. The decreasing width of the recesses may establish undesirable pinch points between adjacent segments. Furthermore, because the segments are generally constructed from substantially rigid material, the show surface of the tambour door may be hard and/or stiff. By providing a cushion having an integral outer skin and/or a cover layer, the present embodiments may eliminate these recesses and establish a soft show surface. As a result, any dirt or other contaminants which collect on the surface of the tambour door may be easily removed. In addition, the possibility of pinching between segments may be substantially reduced or eliminated. Furthermore, the cushioned show surface may enable the tambour door to serve as an armrest for vehicle occupants, thereby reducing the space utilized by a separate armrest and storage compartment door.
The console 16 also includes two side panels 26 which form the main body of the console 16. In the present configuration, each side panel 26 provides one of the side walls 22 of the console 16 and portions of the rear wall 20, the front wall 18 and the top surface 24. As illustrated, the side walls 22 include a compound-curved upper contour having both convex and concave portions, thereby transitioning between the raised rear wall 20 and the lower front wall 18. The top edges 28 of the side panels 26 form the curved top surface 24. The top surface 24 includes an opening 30 that enables an occupant to access an interior of the console 16. In certain configurations, the console 16 includes a rear panel 32 forming a portion of the rear wall 20 and/or the top surface 24.
In the present configuration, the console 16 includes a door 34 configured to transition between an open position and the illustrated closed position. The door 34 includes a handle 38 that enables an occupant to slide the door 34 between the two positions. As discussed in detail below, sliding the door 34 toward the open position in the direction 40 exposes an interior of a storage compartment located within the console 16. In certain configurations, the door 34 is a tambour door having a series of substantially parallel ribs coupled to a cushion. The ribs are configured to engage a track within the side walls 22, while the cushion enables the door 34 to flex and to accommodate the contours of the opening 30. The cushion also enables the door 34 to serve as an armrest for the vehicle occupants, thereby reducing the space associated with providing a separate door 34 and armrest.
While the present tambour door is described with reference to the center console 16, it should be appreciated that alternative embodiments may employ similar tambour doors positioned throughout the interior 12 of the vehicle 10. For example, a storage compartment located within an overhead console, door panel, instrument panel, or other region of the interior 12 may include a flexible tambour door. Furthermore, other flexible interior trim components, in addition to the doors described above, may include similar parallel ribs coupled to a cushion.
As will be appreciated, a vehicle occupant may close the door 34 by grasping the handle 38 and moving the door 34 toward the front wall 18 of the center console 16. Because the surface of the door 34 facing the interior 12 of the vehicle 10 is formed by the cushion, or a cover layer wrapped around the cushion, the possibility of being pinched by segments of the door 34 may be substantially reduced or eliminated. Once in the closed position, the cushioned show surface of the door 34 may provide a suitable surface for an armrest.
As discussed in detail below, the ribs 44 may be formed by an injection molding process, and may therefore be composed of any suitable material for injection molding. For example, the ribs 44 may be composed of a thermoplastic polymer, such as polyamide, polycarbonate, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. It should be appreciated that the ribs 44 may be composed of other materials suitable for injection molding in alterative embodiments. In addition, the ribs 44 may include a chemical blowing agent and/or any other suitable additives.
In certain embodiments, the cushion 46 is formed by a molding process in which two reactive foam compounds are mixed and poured into an open mold having the desired shape of the cushion 46. The mold is then closed and the mixture is allowed to expand and cure. By placing the ribs 44 into the mold prior to pouring the foam, the foam bonds to the ribs 44 during the curing process. As a result, a unitary flexible component will be formed. Furthermore, material chemistry as well as temperature variations within the mold induce a high density flexible outer skin to form on the outer surface of the low density foam cushion. The resulting cushion 46 has a substantially smooth or textured integral outer skin, while providing sufficient flexibility to enable the tambour door 34 to accommodate the contours of the curved storage compartment opening 30. A layer of paint may be applied to the mold before the foam compounds are injected. The paint bonds with the foam adjacent to the inner surface of the mold, thereby establishing a desired color of the flexible outer skin. For example, the color of the outer skin may be selected to match the color of a fabric seat covering.
As previously discussed, the flexible door 34 may include a handle configured to facilitate movement of the door 34 between the open and closed positions. The handle may be attached to the door 34 by fasteners (e.g., bolts, screws, etc.) or injection molded along with the ribs 44. In configurations in which the handle is formed by injection molding, the foam may be poured over the plastic handle to establish a consistent appearance, or poured around the handle to provide a firm gasping surface. As will be appreciated, alternative embodiments may employ other components (e.g., knobs, recesses, etc.) in place of the handle to control movement of the door 34. For example, certain embodiments may include a handle formed by establishing a depression or recess into the cushion 46.
In contrast to tambour door configurations having segmented show surfaces, the flexible door 34 of the present embodiments does not include separate segments that rotate relative to one another. Instead, the cushion 46 is flexible, allowing the ribs 44 to move relative to one another while maintaining a unitary visual appearance of the flexible door 34. In addition, the cushion 46 establishes a soft show surface 50, thereby enabling the tambour door 34 to serve as an armrest for vehicle occupants. The cushion 46 also substantially reduces or eliminates the recesses between segments that may cause pinching and collection of dirt and/or other debris. Furthermore, the integral outer skin of the cushion 46 may be suitable for application of a decorative layer that may enhance the visual appearance of the tambour door 34.
A thickness 56 of the cushion 46 may be configured to facilitate bending of the door 34 in a direction substantially perpendicular to an orientation of the substantially parallel ribs 44, while establishing a cushioned surface suitable for use as a vehicle armrest. As will be appreciated, thicker cushions 46 may provide an armrest with enhanced comfort, while thinner cushions 46 facilitate additional flexibility. For example, in certain embodiments, the thickness 56 may be greater than approximately 5 mm. By way of example, the thickness 56 may be approximately between 5 to 20, 7 to 16, 8 to 11, or about 9 mm. In addition, a thickness 58 of the integral outer skin 54 may be particularly selected to enable the skin to flex as the cushion 46 is compressed. For example, the thickness of the integral outer skin 54 may be less than approximately 2, 1.5, 1, 0.5, 0.3, 0.2, or 0.1 mm, or less.
In certain embodiments, the cavity which forms the cushion 46 may have a substantially smooth surface, thereby establishing a substantially smooth show surface 50 of the integral outer skin 54. As will be appreciated, smoothness may be defined by dimensional variations within the show surface 50 of the cushion 46. For example, dimensional variations within the show surface 50 may be between approximately 0.5 to 0.01, 0.3 to 0.03, 0.2 to 0.05, or about 0.1 mm. By further example, dimensional surface variations may be less than approximately 0.5, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1, 0.05, 0.03, or about 0.01 mm. Such a smooth surface 50 may enhance the appearance of the vehicle interior 12 and/or facilitate application of a decoration. In alternative embodiments, the cavity which forms the cushion 46 may have a textured surface, thereby establishing a textured show surface 50 of the integral outer skin 54. In further embodiments, the integral outer skin 54 may simulate the appearance of a tambour door having a series of interlocked parallel segments. For example, the cavity which forms the cushion 46 may have a series of parallel ridges that form corresponding parallel recesses in the integral outer skin 54. Such a configuration may provide the appearance of a segmented tambour door without creating the undesirable pinch points between segments.
In certain embodiments, the tambour door 34 may include a decorative layer disposed onto the show surface 50 of the integral outer skin 54, and a top coat layer disposed onto the decorative layer and bonded to the outer skin 54. The top coat layer is configured to flex with the outer skin 54 while substantially maintaining continuity across the show surface 50. For example, the integral outer skin 54 may simulate the appearance of a fabric skin by employing a surface finish that looks like a fabric pattern in conjunction with a textured outer skin. Such a configuration may increase the visual appeal of the tambour door 34, while reducing manufacturing costs compared to employing a separate skin.
Similar to the embodiment described above with reference to
In contrast to tambour door configurations having segmented show surfaces, the flexible door 34 of the present embodiment does not include separate segments that rotate relative to one another. Instead, the cushion 46 is flexible, allowing the ribs 44 to move relative to one another while maintaining a unitary visual appearance of the flexible door 34. In addition, the flexible door 34 includes a cover layer 60 secured to the outer surface of the cushion, thereby enabling the tambour door 34 to serve as an armrest for vehicle occupants. The cover layer 60 also substantially reduces or eliminates the recesses between segments that may cause pinching and collection of dirt and/or other debris. Furthermore, the cover layer 60 may include materials and/or configurations that enhance the visual appearance of the tambour door 34. For example, in certain embodiments, the cover layer 60 may be manufactured from leather, vinyl, fabric (either woven or non-woven) and/or various other materials.
In the illustrated embodiment, the cover layer 60 includes a first piece of material 62 and a second piece of material 64. The first piece of material 62 and the second piece of material 64 are joined by a seam 66 with stitching 68. In other embodiments, the cover layer 60 may be formed from a single piece of material having no seams, or three or more pieces of material with multiple seams 66. Similarly, while the illustrated embodiment includes a seam 66 that axially bisects the flexible door 34, other embodiments may have seams 66 in other configurations, including arcs, corners, lines and/or other shapes. The cover layer 60 is secured to the outer surface of the cushion 46 such that the cover layer 60 may flex with the cushion 46 while maintaining a substantially smooth (e.g., unwrinkled) appearance. The cover layer 60 may be secured to the outer surface of the cushion 46 with an adhesive connection, or via a molding process.
A thickness 76 of the cushion 46 may be configured to facilitate bending of the door 34 in a direction substantially perpendicular to an orientation of the substantially parallel ribs 44, while establishing a cushioned core suitable for use as a vehicle armrest. As will be appreciated, thicker cushions 46 may provide an armrest with enhanced comfort, while thinner cushions 46 facilitate additional flexibility. Furthermore, the cover layer 60 may be manufactured from a material such as leather, vinyl, or cloth to provide a surface suitable for use as a show surface of an armrest. By way of example, in certain embodiments, the thickness 76 may be greater than approximately 5 mm. For example, the thickness 76 may be approximately between 5 to 20, 7 to 16, 8 to 11, or about 9 mm. In addition, for cushions 46 having the integral outer skin 54, a thickness 58 of the integral outer skin 54 may be particularly selected to enable the skin to flex as the cushion 46 is compressed. For example, the thickness 58 of the integral outer skin 54 may be less than approximately 2, 1.5, 1, 0.5, 0.3, 0.2, or 0.1 mm, or less. Moreover, a thickness 78 of the cover layer 60 may also be selected to enable the cover layer 60 to flex as the cushion 46 is compressed. For example, the thickness 78 may be approximately 2, 1.5 or 1.0 mm, or less.
In the illustrated embodiment, the tambour door 34 includes a substrate 88 having a first rib 90 positioned adjacent to the axial end 82 of the tambour door 34. Accordingly, the first rib 90 forms an axial end of the substrate that corresponds to the axial end 82 of the tambour door. Similar to the embodiments described above, the tambour door 34 also includes multiple second ribs 44 oriented substantially parallel to the first rib 90. Furthermore, the substrate includes a third rib 92 axially spaced from the first rib 90 along the second direction 86. Each rib is configured to engage a track to facilitate movement of the tambour door in the first and second axial directions. In addition, the substrate 88 and each second rib 44 is coupled to the cushion 46 to form a unitary tambour door structure.
In the illustrated embodiment, the cushion 46 extends along a first surface 94 of the substrate 88, wraps around the first rib 90, and engages a second surface 96 of the substrate. As the cushion 46 wraps around the first rib 90, the cushion contacts a leading surface 98 of the rib, a bottom surface 100 of the rib, and trailing surface 102 of the rib. In the illustrated embodiment, the leading surface 98 of first rib 90 forms the axial end of the substrate. As illustrated, wrapping the cushion 46 around the first rib 90 of the substrate 88 establishes a padded end portion 104 of the axial end 82 of the tambour door 34. Due to the increased contact area associated with wrapping the cushion 46 around the first rib 90, the bonding force between the cushion and the substrate may be greater than configurations in which the cushion is only coupled to the first surface of the substrate. As a result, the possibility of substrate/cushion separation during operation of the tambour door is substantially reduced or eliminated. In addition, because the cushion substantially covers the axial end of the substrate, the possibility of contact between an occupant hand and the substrate material is substantially reduced, thereby enhancing the perceived quality of the tambour door.
As will be appreciated, a thickness 106 of the cushion 46 that surrounds the first rib may be particularly selected to provide the desired strength, appearance, and/or feel. For example, in certain embodiments, the thickness 106 of the cushion around the first rib 90 may be substantially equal to the thickness of the cushion along the first surface 94 of the substrate. Alternatively, the portion of the cushion that surrounds the first rib may be thicker or thinner than the portion of the cushion that extends along the first surface 94 of the substrate 88. By way of example, the thickness 106 may be approximately between 0.25 to 20, 1 to 15, 5 to 10, or about 9 mm.
In the illustrated embodiment, each second rib 44 is encapsulated within the cushion 46 to enhance the bonding strength between the rib and the cushion. Accordingly, a foam layer 108 extends from the rear surface 52 of the cushion 46, wraps around the rib 44, and returns to the rear surface 52 of the cushion. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a top surface 110 of the rib 44 is bonded to the rear surface 52 of the cushion 46. The foam layer 108 extends from the rear surface 52 of the cushion along a first axial surface 112 of the rib, wraps around a bottom surface 114 of the rib, and extends along a second axial surface 116 of the rib to the rear surface 52 of the cushion. Due to the enhanced contact area associated with the foam layer 108 extending about each rib, the bonding force between the ribs and the cushion may be greater than the bonding force in configurations in which the cushion is only coupled to the top surface 110 of each rib 44. As a result, the possibility of rib/cushion separation during operation of the tambour door is substantially reduced or eliminated.
As will be appreciated, a thickness 118 of the foam that surrounds the second ribs 44 may be particularly selected to provide the desired strength and/or appearance. For example, in certain embodiments, the thickness 118 of the foam layer 108 may be approximately between 0.1 to 1.0, 0.2 to 0.8, 0.25 to 0.5, or about 0.25 mm. In certain embodiments, the foam layer 108 may extend along an entire lateral extent of each rib. Alternatively, the foam layer 108 may extend along a portion of the lateral extent of the ribs. For example, in certain embodiments, multiple strips of foam, laterally spaced from one another, may extend axially along the ribs.
As discussed in detail below, the cushion 46 may be formed by a molding process. For example, the ribs may be secured within corresponding recesses of a first mold element. Two reactive foam compounds may be mixed and poured into a mold cavity of a second mold element. The two mold element may be brought into contact with one another such that the mold cavity is positioned adjacent to the ribs. As the foam expands and cures, the foam bonds to the ribs 44, thereby forming a unitary flexible component. To establish the foam layer around the ribs, the recesses may be sized slightly larger than the ribs. Accordingly, as the foam expands and cures, the foam flows into the gaps between the ribs and the corresponding recesses, thereby encapsulating each rib within the cushion.
As will be appreciated, a thickness 122 of the foam that extends along the second surface of the substrate may be particularly selected to provide the desired degree of protection from the foam paint. For example, in certain embodiments, the thickness 122 of the cushion extension 120 may be approximately between 0.1 to 1.0, 0.2 to 0.8, 0.25 to 0.5, or about 0.25 mm. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that other regions of the substrate (e.g., the third rib 92) may also be coated with a thin layer of foam to block coating material from adhering to the substrate.
In the illustrated embodiment, a portion of each rib 44 is embedded within the rear surface 52 of the cushion 46, thereby enhancing the bonding force between the ribs and the cushion. As illustrated, each rib 44 includes a first portion 124 embedded within the cushion 46, and a second portion 126 extending from the substrate. Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, only a portion of each rib 44 is embedded within the cushion 46. The first portion 124 extends within the cushion by a penetration depth 128. As will be appreciated, the penetration depth 128 may be particularly selected to provide the desired bonding strength between the ribs and the cushion. For example, the penetration depth 128 may be approximately between 0.5 to 10, 1 to 8, 3 to 6, or about 5 mm.
In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 124 of each rib 44 includes a lateral extension 130 configured to establish a mechanical lock between the rib and the cushion. As will be appreciated, the length and/or geometry of the lateral extension 130 may be particularly selected to provide the desired bonding strength between the rib and the substrate. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 124 of each rib 44 is wider than the second portion 126 of the rib 44, thereby further strengthening the bond between the ribs and the cushion. However, it should be appreciated that that lateral extension 130 may be omitted in certain embodiments. In addition, other rib shapes may employed in alternative embodiments.
Because a portion of each rib is embedded within the cushion, contact between the first portion 124 and the foam of the cushion resists rotation of each rib relative to the cushion. Accordingly, the illustrated tambour door may resist higher vertical loads than tambour doors in which the cushion is only bonded to the top surface of each rib. Furthermore, it certain embodiments, a foam layer may extend about the periphery of each rib, similar to the embodiment described above with reference to
As previously discussed, the cushion 46 may be formed by a molding process. For example, the ribs may be secured within corresponding recesses of a first mold element. Two reactive foam compounds may be mixed and poured into a mold cavity of a second mold element. The two mold element may be brought into contact with one another such that the mold cavity is positioned adjacent to the ribs. As the foam expands and cures, the foam bonds to the ribs 44, thereby forming a unitary flexible component. To embed the ribs within the cushion, the ribs may be secured within a mold element having recesses shallower than the height of the corresponding ribs. Accordingly, as the foam expands and cures, the foam substantially covers the first portion of each rib, thereby embedding the ribs within the cushion.
In the illustrate embodiment, the tambour door cushion 46 is spaced from the center console cushion 132 by a gap 140 that facilitates movement of the tambour door along the axial direction. Unfortunately, the gap may enable an occupant looking in the direction 142 to observe the interior structure of the center console/tambour door. Accordingly, the cushion 46 of the illustrated tambour door 34 includes a contoured lateral end 144 configured to block a line of sight to the interior of the console/tambour door, thereby enhancing the appearance of the center console. As illustrated, the contoured lateral end 144 forms a projection 146 adjacent to the rear surface 52 of the cushion 46. The projection 146 extends in a laterally outward direction 148 beyond an inner surface 150 of the center console cushion 132. Due to the overlap between the center console cushion 132 and the tambour door cushion 46, an occupant looking in the direction 142 may not be able to observe the interior structure of the center console. As a result, the appearance of the center console/tambour door may be enhanced.
Furthermore, the wall 136 that defines the storage compartment is configured to support the tambour door 34 during vertical loading. As illustrated, a distal end 152 of the wall 136 is positioned adjacent to the track 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the distal end 152 of the wall 136 is substantially flat, and substantially aligned with a bottom surface 154 of the track. Accordingly, a gap 155 is formed between the ribs 44 and the distal end 152 of the wall 136, thereby enabling the tambour door 34 to slide in the axial direction between the open and closed positions. However, when a downward vertical load is applied to the tambour door in the direction 156, the ribs may flex such that a bottom surface 158 of each rib 44 contacts the distal end 152 of the wall 136. Contact between the distal end 152 of the wall 136 and the ribs 44 supports the tambour door 34 during loading, thereby substantially reducing or eliminating the possibility of the ribs disengaging the track 36. As a result, the distal end of the wall blocks movement of the tambour door toward the storage compartment while the tambour door is subjected to a vertical load, such as from an occupant transferring weight to the tambour door. While the distal end 152 of the wall 136 is substantially flat in the illustrated embodiment, it should be appreciated that the distal end may be contoured in alternative embodiments (e.g., to match the contours of the ribs).
In the illustrated embodiment, the cushion 46 includes an integral outer skin, such as the skin described above with reference to
In certain embodiments, a surface energy of the ribs and/or the substrate may be particularly selected to establish a suitable bond with the cushion. For example, in certain embodiments, the ribs and/or substrate may be formed from a material having a surface energy greater than 30, 40, 50, or 60 dynes/cm, or more. For example, the ribs and/or substrate may be formed from polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and/or polyamide. Alternatively, the ribs and/or substrate may be treated (e.g., via flame treatment, plasma treatment, chemical treatment, etc.) to increase the surface energy to a desired level.
While only certain features and embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, many modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters (e.g., temperatures, pressures, etc.), mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention. Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concise description of the exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not have been described (i.e., those unrelated to the presently contemplated best mode of carrying out the invention, or those unrelated to enabling the claimed invention). It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation specific decisions may be made. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US12/62949 | 11/1/2012 | WO | 00 |
