ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A COMPRESSION-MOLDED, COMPOSITE PANEL HAVING A CELLULOSE-BASED CORE AND A HINGED MOUNTING FLANGE

摘要

An assembly including a compression-molded, composite panel having first and second outer layers of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material, first and second sheets of thermoplastic adhesive and a core of cellulose-based material is provided. The core has first and second portions positioned between the outer layers. The second outer layer is bonded to the core by the second sheet by press molding. The first outer layer includes a first portion bonded to the first portion of the core by the first sheet by press molding and a second portion bonded to the second portion of the core to form a mounting flange pivotally connected to the first portion of the first outer layer. A component is mounted to the flange to pivot with the flange. A living hinge allows the flange and the mounted component to pivot between different use positions relative to the first portion of the first outer layer.

主权项

1. An assembly comprising:
a compression-molded, composite panel including first and second outer layers of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material, first and second sheets of thermoplastic adhesive and a core of cellulose-based material and having first and second portions positioned between the outer layers, the first portion having a large number of cavities and the second portion being substantially free of cavities, wherein the second outer layer is bonded to the core by the second sheet by press molding and the first outer layer includes a first portion bonded to the first portion of the core by the first sheet by press molding and a second portion bonded to the second portion of the core to form a mounting flange pivotally connected to the first portion of the first outer layer; a component mounted to the mounting flange to pivot with the mounting flange; and a living hinge which allows the mounting flange and the mounted component to pivot between different use positions relative to the first portion of the first outer layer.