In-mold separated light guides

1. A molded plastic structure, comprising:

an in-mold decoration comprising at least a first illumination feature positioned at a first portion of the molded plastic structure;

a first substrate positioned proximate to the in-mold decoration;

a substantially optically clear or translucent second substrate positioned proximate to the in-mold decoration, the second substrate extending from the first portion of the molded plastic structure to a second portion of the molded plastic structure, the second portion distal from the first portion; and

a separation layer positioned between at least a portion of the first substrate and at least a portion of the second substrate, the separation layer backscattering a substantial portion of light incident on at least a first side of the separation layer.

2. The molded plastic structure of claim 1 , wherein the separation layer comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of a foil, a film and a metalized film.

3. The molded plastic structure of claim 1 , wherein the separation layer comprises a third substrate.

4. The molded plastic structure of claim 1 , wherein the separation layer is defined by impurities that are introduced into a portion of the first substrate, a portion of the second substrate, or a portion of a third substrate.

5. The molded plastic structure of claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the molded plastic structure is positioned proximate to a light source.

6. The molded plastic structure of claim 1 , wherein the first substrate and the second substrate define a substantially continuous surface.

7. The molded plastic structure of claim 1 , further comprising a textured surface positioned in a region proximate to the first illumination feature.

8. The molded plastic structure of claim 7 , wherein the textured surface comprises a micro-lens array.

9. The molded plastic structure of claim 1 , wherein:

the in-mold decoration comprises a second illumination feature positioned at a third portion of the molded plastic structure;

the first substrate is optically clear or translucent; and

the first substrate extends from the third portion of the molded plastic structure to a fourth portion of the molded plastic structure, the fourth portion distal from the third portion.

10. The molded plastic structure of claim 9 , wherein the fourth portion of the molded plastic structure is positioned proximate to a light source.

11. A device housing, comprising:

an in-mold decoration comprising at least a first illumination feature positioned at a first portion of the device housing;

a first substrate positioned proximate to the in-mold decoration;

a substantially optically clear or translucent second substrate positioned proximate to the in-mold decoration, the second substrate extending from the first portion of the device housing to a second portion of the device housing, the second portion distal from the first portion; and

a separation layer positioned between at least a portion of the first substrate and at least a portion of the second substrate, the separation layer backscattering a substantial portion of light incident on at least a first side of the separation layer.

12. The device housing of claim 11 , wherein the separation layer comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of a foil, a film and a metalized film.

13. The device housing of claim 11 , wherein the separation layer comprises a third substrate.

14. The device housing of claim 11 , wherein the separation layer is defined by impurities that are introduced into a portion of the first substrate, a portion of the second substrate, or a portion of a third substrate.

15. A method of manufacturing a molded plastic structure, comprising:

inserting an in-mold decoration comprising at least a first illumination feature into a mold having a first cavity configuration;

injecting a first substrate into the mold;

forming a separation layer over the first substrate; and

injecting a second translucent or optically clear substrate into the mold to define at least one light pipe extending from a first portion of the molded plastic structure proximate to the first illumination feature to a second portion of the molded plastic structure distal from the illumination feature.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein forming the separation layer comprises placing a foil, film or metalized film over the first substrate.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein forming the separation layer comprises a third substrate over the first substrate.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein forming the separation layer comprises introducing impurities into a portion of the first substrate or a portion of the second substrate.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein forming the separation layer comprises introducing air bubbles into a portion of the first substrate, a portion of the second substrate, or a portion of a third substrate that forms the separation layer.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein injecting the second substrate comprises introducing a textured surface on the second substrate.

21. A method of manufacturing a molded plastic structure, comprising:

inserting an in-mold decoration comprising at least a first illumination feature into a mold having a first cavity configuration;

injecting a first translucent or optically clear substrate into the mold to define at least one light pipe extending from a first portion of the molded plastic structure proximate to the first illumination feature to a second portion of the molded plastic structure distal from the illumination feature;

forming a separation layer over the first substrate; and

injecting a second substrate into the mold.