A packing element comprising a coating layer fixed in a groove of a support

Abstract

Packing element comprising a coating layer fixed in a groove of a support The packing element (1) comprises: - a support (2) comprising a groove (12) delimited by a first wall (16) and a second wall (18), - a first coating layer (4) comprising at least one edge (28) received in the groove (12). The packing element further comprises a holding device (30) for holding the edge (28) of the first coating layer (4) in the groove (12), said holding device (30) comprising a support element (44) extending at least partly into the groove (12) and applying a part of the external face (26) of the edge (28) of the first coating layer (4) against the second wall (18) of the groove (12), the first coating layer (4) covering the groove (12) from the first wall (16) to the second wall (18). Figure for abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Filling element comprising a coating layer fixed in a groove of a support

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle trim element, of the type comprising:

[0002] - a support comprising at least one groove extending hollowly from a external surface of the support, said groove being delimited by a first wall and a second wall spaced from each other,

[0003] - at least one first coating layer comprising an internal face extending over a first part of said support and an external face, opposite the internal face, said first coating layer comprising at least one edge defining a part of the periphery of the first coating layer, said edge being received in the groove of the support, the internal face of the edge of the first coating layer extending opposite the first wall of the groove and the external face of the edge of the first coating layer extending opposite the second wall of the groove.

[0004] The invention applies for example to a trim element forming a dashboard, a door panel, a central console or other, for trimming the passenger compartment of a vehicle.

[0005] Such a filling element generally comprises a support, giving its shape and rigidity to the filling element, coated with at least one coating layer, giving its appearance and feel to the filling element.

[0006] In some cases, at least two coating layers, for example having different appearances, may be provided to cover different parts of the support. In this case, in order to give a pleasing appearance to the transition between the two coating layers, provision is made, for example, to introduce the adjacent edges of the two coating layers into a groove provided in the support, the transition then appearing in the form of curved parts of the coating layers at the point where they are introduced into the groove. The smaller the radius of curvature of the curved parts, the more the transition between the two coating layers will appear as a line between the two coating layers.Conversely, the larger the radius of curvature, the more the transition will appear as a hollow extending between the two layers of coating, the depth of this hollow being all the greater as the radius of curvature is large, which can harm the appearance of the trim element at the transition.

[0007] When the two coating layers are of the same nature and have a similar thickness, it is possible to obtain sufficiently small radii of curvature so that the transition has a satisfactory appearance.

[0008] However, when only a portion of the support is coated with a coating layer, the other portion being left bare or when one of the coating layers has a thickness much less than the thickness of the other coating layer, the radius of curvature of the thicker coating layer is enlarged so that the coating layer occupies substantially the entire groove and the appearance of the trim element is degraded at the groove. In addition, a gap appears between the outer face of the coating layer and an edge of the groove, which further reduces the perceived quality at the transition.

[0009] To overcome this drawback, it could be envisaged to reduce the width of the groove to adjust it to the thickness of the coating layer. But this complicates the production of the lining element. Furthermore, this is not always possible due to the constraints of the tool for producing the support, in particular when the latter is produced by compression, the groove having to have a certain minimum width which is generally greater than that of the coating layer.

[0010] One of the aims of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a filling element having a satisfactory appearance even when only part of the support is coated with a coating layer or when the coating layers are of different nature.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a lining element of the aforementioned type, comprising a device for holding the edge of the first coating layer in the groove of the support, said holding device comprising at least one support element extending at least partly into the groove and applying a part of the external face of the edge of the first coating layer against the second wall of the groove, the first coating layer covering the groove from the first wall to the second wall.

[0012] The holding element makes it possible to fill the groove with the first coating layer, even when the latter has a thickness much less than the width available in the groove, measured between the first and second walls or between the first wall and the external face of a second coating layer, one edge of which is also received in the groove. Thus, the radius of curvature of the curved part of the first coating layer, extending at the point where the first coating layer plunges into the groove, can be reduced and the depth of the hollow extending between the external face of the first coating layer and the second wall of the groove or the external face of the other coating layer can also be reduced. Thus, the appearance of the filling element is satisfactory, in particular at the periphery of the first coating layer, at the right angle to the groove.

[0013] The packing element according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically conceivable combination:

[0014] - the first part of the support is adjacent to the first wall of the groove, the support comprising a second part adjacent to the second wall of the groove.

[0015] - the filling element comprises a second coating layer, of a nature different from that of the first coating layer, an inner face of said second coating layer extending over the second part of the support, the second coating layer comprising an edge defining a part of the periphery of the second coating layer, said edge being received in the groove, the inner face of the edge of the second coating layer extending over the second wall of the groove, the support element of the holding device applying a part of the outer face of the edge of the first coating layer against an outer face of the edge of the second coating layer, opposite the inner face of the second coating layer.

[0016] - the sum of the thicknesses of the edges of the first coating layer and of the second layer of coating is less than the width of the groove.

[0017] - the support element comprises an anchoring branch extending substantially parallel attached to the first and second walls of the groove and being arranged to hold the edge of the first coating layer in said groove, the holding element comprising a support branch extending projecting from one end of said anchoring branch in a direction going from the first wall to the second wall of the groove, the first coating layer being folded around said support branch.

[0018] - the edge of the first layer of covering is folded around the branch anchoring of the holding element.

[0019] - the holding device further comprises a profile for holding the edge of the first layer of coating in the groove, said holding profile defining a housing delimited by two side walls applied respectively against the first wall and the second wall of the groove, the edge of the first layer of coating being held in said housing.

[0020] - the anchoring branch is received in said housing and blocks the edge of the first coating layer in said housing.

[0021] - the side wall of the holding profile applied against the first wall of the groove is formed by the anchoring branch of the holding element, the holding profile and the holding element being made in one piece.

[0022] - at least one side wall of the holding profile comprises at least one rib extending projecting from said side wall outside the housing between said side wall and the corresponding wall of the groove, said rib anchoring the profile of hold in the throat.

[0023] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0024] [Fig-1] - [Fig.l] is a schematic sectional representation of part of a packing element according to a first embodiment of the invention,

[0025] [Fig.2] - [Fig.2] is a schematic sectional representation of a part of a packing element according to a second embodiment of the invention,

[0026] [Fig.3] - [Fig.3] is a schematic sectional representation of a part of a packing element according to a third embodiment of the invention,

[0027] [Fig.4] - [Fig.4] is a schematic sectional representation of the device for holding [Fig.3] in an unfolded state, and

[0028] [Fig.5] - [Fig.5] is a schematic sectional representation of a part of a packing element according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0029] With reference to the figures, a vehicle trim element 1 is described comprising a support 2 and at least one coating layer 4 extending over a first part 6 of the support 2. Such a trim element 1 is intended to be mounted on a part of the vehicle and to extend into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0030] In the description, the terms “internal” and “interior” designate elements facing the part of the vehicle on which the trim element 1 is intended to be mounted and the terms “external” and “exterior” designate elements facing the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0031] The support 2 is formed by a body having the shape of at least a portion of the packing element and for example made of a substantially rigid material. Thus, the support 2 gives its shape and rigidity to at least a portion of the packing element. The support 2 can have any desired shape, such as a three-dimensional shape, depending on the nature of the packing element.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the support 2 is made of a composite material comprising natural fibers in a polypropylene matrix, also known as NFPP for “Natural Fiber PolyPropylene”. The natural fibers are for example chosen from flax, hemp, kenaf and / or wood. The support 2 is for example formed by thermocompression in a pressing tool having the desired shape of the support 2, which corresponds to the shape of at least a portion of the filling element 1. Alternatively, the support 2 may be made of other materials, for example of the injected thermoplastic type, such as injected polypropylene, possibly filled with mineral or natural fibers.

[0033] The support 2 comprises an internal surface 8 and an external surface 10, opposite the internal surface 8. The support 2 comprises at least one groove 12 extending hollow to from the outer surface 10. By "extending in a hollow from the outer surface 10" is meant that the groove 12 forms a recess relative to the rest of the outer surface 10, as shown in the figures. The groove 12 extends at the periphery of the first part 6 of the support 2 and thus forms an edge of at least a portion of this first part 6. On the other side of the groove 12 relative to the first part 6, the support 2 comprises a second part 14. Thus, the groove 12 also forms an edge of at least a portion of the second part 14.

[0034] On the side of the external surface 10, the groove 12 is delimited by a first wall 16, a second wall 18 and a bottom wall 20.

[0035] The first wall 16 extends from the external surface 10 of the first part 6 towards the bottom wall 20 in a direction going towards the internal surface 12 and forms a non-zero angle with the external surface 10 of the first part 6. The angle formed between the first wall 16 and the external surface 10 of the first part 6 is for example between 30° and 150°.

[0036] The second wall 18 extends from the outer surface 10 of the second part 14 towards the bottom wall 20 in a direction going towards the inner surface 12 and forms a non-zero angle with the outer surface of the second part 14. The angle formed between the second wall 18 and the outer surface 10 of the second part 14 is for example between 30° and 150°. The second wall 18 is for example substantially parallel to the first wall 16. As a variant, the first wall 16 and the second wall 18 converge towards each other as they approach the bottom wall 20. This variant is more particularly applied when the support 2 is made of NFPP due to the material constraints linked to thermocompression during the production of the support 2.

[0037] The bottom wall 20 extends between the first wall 16 and the second wall 18, at their end spaced from the external surface 10 of the first and second parts 6, 14. Thus, the groove 12 has a section having substantially the shape of a U, the branches of the U being formed by the first and second walls 16, 18 and the base of the U being formed by the bottom wall 20. The groove 12 comprises an opening 22 opposite the bottom wall 20, the opening 22 therefore extending between the external surface 10 of the first part 6 and the external surface 10 of the second part 14.

[0038] The width of the groove 12 is defined as being the distance between the first wall 16 and the second wall 18. The width of the groove 12 is for example substantially between 4.4 mm and 10 mm. It will be noted that, due to the constraints imposed by the tool for shaping the support 2, such as a pressing tool as described previously, the width of the groove 12 cannot be less than 4.4 mm.

[0039] The first coating layer 4 extends over the first part 6 of the support 2. More particularly, the first coating layer 4 comprises an internal face 24, extending opposite the external surface 10 of the first part 6 of the support 2, and an external face 26 opposite the internal face 24 and forming a visible part of the trim element 1 from the passenger compartment of the vehicle in which the trim element 1 is installed. The internal face 24 is for example applied to the external surface 10 of the first part 6. The thickness of the first coating layer is defined as being the distance between the internal face 24 and the external face 26. The thickness of the first coating layer 4 is for example substantially between 1 mm and 5 mm.

[0040] The first coating layer 4 comprises an edge 28 forming at least a part of the periphery of the first coating layer 4 in the vicinity of the second part 14. When the first coating layer 4 is fixed on the first part 6 of the support 2, the edge 28 extends into the groove 12 and is held therein by a holding device 30, as will be described in more detail later. Thus, the edge 28 is defined as being the part of the first coating layer 4 which extends from the end part of the first part 6 of the support 2 into the groove 12.

[0041] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first coating layer 4 comprises a surface layer 32 and a backing layer 34. The surface layer 32 forms the external face 26 of the first coating layer 4 and extends over the backing layer 34 which forms the internal face 24 of the first coating layer 4 and is applied to the first part 6 of the support 4. The surface layer 32 is for example formed by a skin made of natural or synthetic material or by a textile material, depending on the appearance that it is desired to give to the filling element 1 on the first part 6 of the support 4. The backing layer 34 is for example formed by a layer of foam arranged to give a soft feel to the filling element 1 opposite the first part 6 of the support 4.According to this embodiment, the edge 28 of the first covering layer 4 may be compressed, in particular the foam layer, so that the thickness of the edge 28 may be reduced relative to the thickness of the remainder of the first covering layer 4, as shown in the figures. It is understood that the first covering layer 4 may comprise more than two layers or be formed of only one layer, depending on the desired characteristics for the appearance and / or feel of the first covering layer 4. The thickness of the first covering layer 4 may or may not be constant, but the thickness of the edge 28 is less than the width of the groove 12, so that the edge 28 may be introduced into the groove 12 without any particular difficulty.

[0042] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the filling element 1 further comprises a second coating layer 36 extending over the second part 14 of the support 2. More particularly, the second coating layer 36 comprises an inner face 38, extending over the outer surface 10 of the second part of the support 14, and an outer face 40 opposite the inner face 38 and forming another visible part of the trim element 1 from the passenger compartment of the vehicle in which the trim element 1 is installed. The second covering layer 36 comprises an edge 42 forming at least part of the periphery of the second covering layer 36 in the vicinity of the first part 6. When the second covering layer 36 is fixed to the second part 14 of the support 2, the edge 42 extends into the groove 12.The thickness of the second coating layer 36, defined as the distance between the inner face 38 and the outer face 40 of the second coating layer 36, is such that the sum of the thickness of the first coating layer 4 and the thickness of the second coating layer, at the edges 28 and 42, is less than the width of the groove 12 as can be seen in the figures. More particularly, the thickness of the second coating layer 36 is for example less than the thickness of the first coating layer 4 and is for example between 0.2 mm and 1 mm.

[0043] The second coating layer 36 is, according to one embodiment, of a different nature from that of the first coating layer 4. By “different nature”, it is meant that the first coating layer 4 is made of one or more materials different from that or those of the second coating layer 36. The second coating layer 36 has, for example, an appearance and / or a feel different from those of the first coating layer 4. The second coating layer 36 comprises, for example, a layer of ligneous material so that the filling element 1 has a “wood” appearance opposite the second part 14 of the support 2. As a variant, the second coating layer 36 may be formed by a decorative or other synthetic film.

[0044] Alternatively, the second part 14 of the support 2 can be left “bare”, that is to say without a coating layer on its external face 10, so that the external face 10 of the second part 14 of the support 2 forms a visible part of the trim element 1 from the passenger compartment of the vehicle in which the trim element 1 is installed.

[0045] The fixing of the first coating layer 4 and, where appropriate, of the second coating layer 36 will now be described according to different embodiments of the holding device 30 according to the invention.

[0046] The holding device 30 generally comprises a support element 44 extending at least partly into the groove 12 and arranged to place the first covering element 4 across the groove 12 so that it masks the greater part of the groove 12 when the edge 28 of the first covering element 4 is received in the groove 12.

[0047] More particularly, when the edge 28 of the first coating layer 4 is received in the groove 12, the first coating layer 4 covers the transition between the external face 10 of the first part 6 of the support 4 and the first wall 16 of the groove 12. The internal face 24 of the first coating layer 4 extends opposite the first wall 16 of the groove 12 and the external face 26 of the first coating layer 4 extends opposite the second wall 18 of the groove 12. The support element 44 is then arranged to apply a part of the external face 26 of the edge 28 of the first coating layer 4 against the second wall 18 of the groove 12. The application of the first coating layer 4 is done more particularly in the vicinity of the opening 22 of the groove 12.In other words, thanks to the support element 44, the first coating layer 4 extends across the groove 12, from the transition between the external surface 10 of the first part 6 to the second wall 18 of the groove 12 so that it covers the groove 12 and masks it from the outside of the lining element. By "apply against", we mean a direct contact between the external face 26 of the edge 28 of the first coating layer and the second wall 18 of the groove 12 or an indirect contact if an element is interposed between the external face 26 of the edge 28 of the first coating layer 4 and the second wall 18 of the groove 12.Thus, it is understood that, when the lining element 1 comprises a second coating layer 36, the support element 44 applies the part of the external face 26 of the edge 28 of the first coating layer 4 against the external face 40 of the edge 42 of the second coating layer 36, the internal face 38 of which is applied to the second wall 18 of the groove 16, as shown in the figures.

[0048] The support element 44 comprises a support branch 46 extending in a direction going from the first wall 16 to the second wall 18, the support branch 46 cooperating with the edge 28 of the first coating layer 4 so as to apply the latter against the second wall 18 of the groove 12. The support branch 46 has for example a width, measured in the direction going from the first wall 16 to the second wall 18, substantially between 2 mm and 8 mm and a thickness for example substantially equal to 1 mm.

[0049] The support element 44 further comprises, for example, an anchoring branch 48 extending substantially parallel to the first and second walls 16, 18 of the groove 12, the anchoring branch 48 being arranged to hold the edge 28 of the first coating layer 4 in the groove 12. The anchoring branch 48 has, for example, a height, measured in its direction of extension substantially parallel to the first and second walls 16, 18 of the groove 12, substantially between 5 mm and 10 mm. The support branch 46 extends projecting from one end of the anchoring branch 48 in the direction from the first wall 16 towards the second wall 18 in the vicinity of the opening 22 of the groove 12. The internal face 24 of the first coating layer 4 passes around the support branch 46 upstream of the end of the edge 28 which extends into the groove 12 so that a portion of the first coating layer 4 is deformed towards the second wall 18 of the groove and is placed in abutment against it when the edge 28 is introduced into the groove 12. The portion of the first coating layer 4 which extends between the portion in abutment against the second wall 18 and between the end of the edge 28 cooperates with the anchoring branch 48 to hold the edge 28 in the groove 12, as will now be described. The support element 44 is for example made of a thermoplastic elastomer material.

[0050] According to the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2, the holding device 30 further comprises a holding profile 50 separate from the support element 44. The holding profile 50 is arranged to receive the edge 28 of the first coating layer 4 and to cooperate with the groove 12 in order to hold the edge 28 in the groove 12, the edge 28 being retained in the holding profile by the anchoring branch 48 of the holding element 44.

[0051] The holding profile 50 has a shape substantially complementary to that of the groove 12. Thus, the holding profile 50 has a U-shaped section and defines a housing delimited by two side walls 52 and a bottom wall 54. The side walls 52 form the branches of the U and the bottom wall 54 forms the base of the U. The holding profile 50 is for example made of a thermoplastic elastomer material.

[0052] The edge 28 of the first coating layer 4 is received in the housing formed by the holding profile 50 and is held therein by the anchoring branch 48 of the support element 44.

[0053] Thus, according to the embodiment of [Fig. 1], the edge 28 of the first covering layer 4 is folded around the anchoring branch 48 and is introduced with the anchoring branch 48 into the housing formed by the holding profile 50. The edge 28 is held in the housing by the force exerted by the anchoring branch 48 on the edge 28 which applies the external face 26 of the edge 28 against the side walls 52 of the holding profile 50, in particular thanks to the compression of the backing layer 34 of the first covering layer 4. This holding can be further ensured by a seam 56 between the edge 28, the support element 44 and the holding profile 50.

[0054] The embodiment of [Fig.2] is similar to that of [Fig.l] except that the edge 28 is not folded around the anchoring branch 48. According to this embodiment, the thickness of the anchoring branch 48 can be increased to fill the housing of the holding profile 50 in cooperation with the edge 28 of the first coating layer 4. In this embodiment also, the anchoring branch 48 can compress the backing layer 34 of the first covering layer 4 in order to hold the edge 28 in place in the housing of the holding profile 50. This holding can also be ensured by a seam 56 between the edge 28, the support element 44 and the holding profile 50.

[0055] The cooperation between the holding profile 50 and the groove 12 is achieved for example by forcibly introducing the holding profile 50, in which the edge 28 of the first coating layer 4 is held, and by applying the side walls 52 of the profile against the first and second walls 16 and 18 of the groove 12. According to one embodiment, at least one rib 58 extends projecting from one of the side walls 52 of the holding profile 50 outside the housing defined by this profile, between this side wall 52 and the wall of the corresponding groove 12, this rib 58 anchoring the holding profile 50 in the groove 12. Advantageously, as shown in the figures, ribs 58 are provided on the two side walls 52 of the profile 50 and cooperate with the first and second walls 16 and 18 of the groove 12 in order to ensure the fixing of the holding profile 50 in the groove 12.The width of the profile 50 before its insertion into the groove 12 is for example greater than the width of the groove 12 so that the profile 50 is held forcibly in the groove 12.

[0056] The embodiments of Figs. 3 to 5 are similar to the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2 except that the support element 44 is made in one piece with the holding profile 50. Thus, according to these embodiments, the anchoring branch 48 of the support element 44 also forms one of the side walls 52 of the holding profile 50, namely the side wall 52 which is applied against the first wall 16 of the groove 12. The support branch 46 thus extends projecting from the end of the side wall 52 forming the anchoring branch 48 towards the second wall 18 of the groove 12 to apply the part of the first coating layer 4 passing around the support branch 46 against the second wall 18 of the groove 12, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5.

[0057] According to the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4, the holding device 30 made in one piece is formed by a clip folded around the edge 28 of the first coating layer 4. Thus, the holding device 30 is made in an unfolded state, shown in [Fig. 4], in which the side walls 52 extend in the continuity of the bottom wall 54, then is folded around the edge 28 of the first coating layer 4 by folding the side walls 52 around the bottom wall 54. Such a clip can be made in a simple manner and is easily demolded. The holding of the edge 28 in the housing formed by the holding profile 50 can be finalized by a seam 56 between the edge 28 and the holding profile 50.

[0058] According to the embodiment of [Fig.5], the holding profile 50 is previously arranged in the groove 12 and the edge 28 of the first coating layer 4 is introduced into the housing formed by the profile 50 after positioning the holding profile 50 in the groove 12. In this case, the support branch 46 defines with the side wall 52 applied against the second wall 18 of the groove 12 a passage into which the edge 28 of the first coating layer 4 is introduced. Teeth 60 extending projecting into the passage from the support branch 46 and the side wall 52 make it possible to retain the edge 28 in the housing formed by the holding profile 50. In this case, it is not necessary to provide an additional seam, which simplifies the assembly of the trim element. A reinforcing rib 62 may further be provided between the support branch 46 and the side wall 52 forming the anchoring branch 48 to provide rigid support to the portion of the first coating layer 4 which extends over the opening 22 of the groove 12, as shown in [Fig.5].

[0059] The holding device 30 thus makes it possible to arrange the first coating layer 4 across the groove 12 so that it covers the opening 22 of the groove 12 from the first wall 16 to the second wall 18. The transition between the outer surface 26 of the first coating layer 4 and the outer surface 40 of the second coating layer 36 or the outer surface 10 of the second part 14 of the support 2 thus has an improved appearance. This is in particular due to the fact that the radius of curvature of the first coating layer 4 at the part which is applied against the second wall 18 of the groove 12 can be reduced, thanks to the support element 44. Thus, the radius of curvature of the outer surface 26 of the first coating layer 4 at the part applied against the second wall 18 is for example substantially between 1 mm and 4 mm.Such a reduced radius of curvature makes it possible to reduce the depth of the transition between the first coating layer 4 and the second coating layer 36 or the second part 14 of the support 2, which improves its appearance. In addition, the groove 12 is not visible from the outside of the trim element 1.

[0060] It is understood that the support 2 may comprise more than one groove 12, for example two grooves 12 to receive two opposite edges 28 of the first coating layer 4, and more than two coating layers.

Claims

Claims

1. Vehicle trim element (1) comprising: - a support (2) comprising at least one groove (12) extending in a hollow from an external surface (10) of the support (2), said groove (12) being delimited by a first wall (16) and a second wall (18) spaced from each other, - at least one first coating layer (4) comprising an inner face (24) extending over a first part (6) of said support (2) and an outer face (26), opposite the inner face (24), said first coating layer (4) comprising at least one edge (28) defining a part of the periphery of the first coating layer (4), said edge (28) being received in the groove (12) of the support (2), the inner face (24) of the edge (28) of the first coating layer (4) extending opposite the first wall (16) of the groove (12) and the outer face (26) of the edge (28) of the first coating layer (4) extending opposite the second wall (18) of the groove (12), the lining element further comprising a device (30) for holding the edge (28) of the first coating layer (4) in the groove (12) of the support (2),said holding device (30) comprising at least one support element (44) extending at least partly into the groove (12) and applying a part of the external face (26) of the edge (28) of the first coating layer (4) against the second wall (18) of the groove (12), the first coating layer (4) covering the groove (12) from the first wall (16) to the second wall (18), characterized in that the support element (44) comprises an anchoring branch (48) extending substantially parallel to the first and second walls (16, 18) of the groove (12) and being arranged to hold the edge (28) of the first coating layer (4) in said groove (12), the holding element (44) comprising a support branch (46) extending projecting from one end of said anchoring branch (48) in a direction going from the first wall (16) to the second wall (18) of the groove (12), the first coating layer 4 being folded around said support branch (46).,

2. A packing element according to claim 1, wherein the first portion (6) of the support (2) is adjacent to the first wall (16) of the groove (12), the support comprising a second portion (14) adjacent to the second wall (18) of the groove (12).

3. A packing element according to claim 2, comprising a second covering layer (36), of a different nature from that of the first covering layer (4), an internal face (38) of said second covering layer (36) extending over the second part (14) of the support (2), the second covering layer (36) comprising an edge (42) defining a part of the periphery of the second covering layer (36), said edge (42) being received in the groove (12), the internal face (38) of the edge (42) of the second covering layer (36) extending over the second wall (18) of the groove (12), the support element (44) of the holding device (30) applying a part of the external face (26) of the edge (28) of the first covering layer (4) against an external face (40) of the edge (42) of the second covering layer (36), opposite the face internal (38) of the second coating layer (36).

4. A trim element according to claim 3, wherein the sum of the thicknesses of the edges (28, 42) of the first coating layer (4) and of the second coating layer (36) is less than the width of the groove (12).

5. A trim element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the edge (28) of the first covering layer (4) is folded around the anchoring branch (48) of the holding element (44).

6. A trim element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the holding device (30) further comprises a holding profile (50) for the edge (28) of the first coating layer (4) in the groove (12), said holding profile (50) defining a housing delimited by two side walls (52) applied respectively against the first wall (16) and the second wall (18) of the groove (12), the edge (28) of the first coating layer (4) being held in said housing.

7. A trim element according to claim 6, wherein the anchoring branch (48) is received in said housing and locks the edge (28) of the first covering layer (4) in said housing.

8. A trim element according to claim 6, wherein the side wall (52) of the holding profile (50) applied against the first wall (16) of the groove (12) is formed by the anchoring branch (48) of the holding element (44), the holding profile (50) and the holding element (44) being made in one piece.

9. A packing element according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein at least one side wall (52) of the holding profile (50) comprises at least one rib (58) extending projecting from said side wall (52) outside the housing between said side wall (52) and the corresponding wall (16, 18) of the groove (12), said rib (58) anchoring the holding profile (50) in the groove (12).

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