US Patent Issued to FAURECIA INTERIOR SYSTEMS on March 31 for "Vehicle interior panel with non-uniform hardness" (American, Spanish Inventors)

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 31 -- United States Patent no. 12,589,530, issued on March 31, was assigned to FAURECIA INTERIOR SYSTEMS INC. (Auburn Hills, Mich.).

"Vehicle interior panel with non-uniform hardness" was invented by Aurelien Francois (Berkley, Mich.), Thomas Bianco (Royal Oak, Mich.) and Xavier Toneu (Valencia, Spain).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A vehicle interior panel includes a substrate with non-uniform hardness, providing cushioned portions of the panel without the need for a distinct cushioning layer. The substrate is made from a mat of natural and synthetic fibers that is heated and pressed so that the pressed mat has thick and thin portions. The thin portions are rigid and st...