COLOR DIELECTRIC EMBOSSING

1 . A method of dielectrically embossing a material comprising the steps of:

providing a dielectric embossing machine having a dielectric tool;

providing a coloring agent;

providing a material;

applying the coloring agent to the dielectric tool;

placing the material in the dielectric embossing machine;

bringing the dielectric tool into contact with the material;

energizing the dielectric tool;

dielectrically embossing the material;

de-energizing the dielectric tool;

allow the material and coloring agent to cool; and

removing the material from the dielectric embossing machine.

2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the material is in the form of a sheet.

3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the coloring agent is a paint.

4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the dielectric tool comprises a male portion.

5 . The method of claim 1 wherein the step of applying the coloring agent to the dielectric tool is accomplished using a roller.

6 . The method of claim 1 wherein the material comprises a plastic.

7 . The method of claim 6 wherein the material comprises a vinyl.

8 . The method of claim 1 wherein the coloring agent is transferred to the material after the tool has been energized.

9 . The method of claim 1 wherein the coloring agent is transferred to the material before the tool has been energized.

10 . The method of claim 6 wherein the material comprises thermoplastic olefins.

11 . The method of claim 1 wherein the embossed portion of the material has the appearance of stitching.

12 . The method of claim 1 wherein the dielectric tool comprises a female portion.

13 . A dielectrically embossed material comprising:

a material having an outer surface that is at least partially embossed;

wherein the embossed portion is a different color than the rest of the outer surface; and

wherein the differently colored embossed portion is embossed by the method of claim 1 .

14 . A dielectrically embossed interior automotive trim component comprising:

an interior automotive trim component having a show surface that is at least partially embossed;

wherein the embossed portion is a different color than the rest of the show surface; and

wherein the differently colored embossed portion is embossed by the method of claim 1 .

15 . A method of dielectrically embossing a vinyl material comprising the steps of:

providing a dielectric embossing machine having a dielectric tool;

providing a coloring agent;

providing a material comprising a vinyl;

applying the coloring agent to the dielectric tool;

placing the material in the dielectric embossing machine;

bringing the dielectric tool into contact with the material;

energizing the dielectric tool;

dielectrically embossing the material;

de-energizing the dielectric tool;

allowing the material and the coloring agent to cool;

backing the dielectric tool away from the material; and

removing the material from the dielectric embossing machine.

16 . The method of claim 15 wherein the coloring agent is a paint.

17 . The method of claim 15 wherein the embossed portion of the material has the appearance of stitching.

18 . A method of dielectrically embossing an interior automotive trim component comprising the steps of:

providing a dielectric embossing machine having a dielectric tool;

providing a coloring agent;

providing a plastic interior automotive trim component;

applying the coloring agent to the dielectric tool;

placing the plastic interior automotive trim component in the dielectric embossing machine;

bringing the dielectric tool into contact with the plastic interior automotive trim component;

energizing the dielectric tool;

dielectrically embossing the plastic interior automotive trim component;

de-energizing the dielectric tool;

allowing the plastic interior automotive trim component and the coloring agent to cool;

backing the dielectric tool away from the plastic interior automotive trim component; and

removing the plastic interior automotive trim component from the dielectric embossing machine.

19 . The method of claim 18 wherein the embossed portion of the plastic interior automotive trim component has the appearance of stitching.

20 . The method of claim 19 wherein the coloring agent is a paint.