Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6972106?ie=ISO-8859-1
Timestamp: 2016-02-12 09:58:19
Document Index: 519480226

Matched Legal Cases: ['art.\n9', 'art.\n12', 'art.\n13', 'art.\n14', 'art.\n16', 'art.\n23', 'art.\n26', 'art.\n27', 'art.\n28']

Patent US6972106 - Plastic object for use in personal hygiene - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsA unitary two component article for personal hygiene, as a toothbrush, wherein the same is formed by injection molding of two differing plastic materials, which plastics do not adhesively or chemically bond to each other, thereby facilitating the manufacturing process. The two differing plastic parts...http://www.google.com/patents/US6972106?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6972106 - Plastic object for use in personal hygieneAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS6972106 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 10/765,972Publication dateDec 6, 2005Filing dateJan 29, 2004Priority dateDec 10, 1998Fee statusPaidAlso published asCN1112287C, CN1290206A, DE59908650D1, EP1054761A1, EP1054761B1, EP1437211A2, EP1437211A3, EP1437211B1, EP2292400A2, EP2292400A3, US7937794, US8083980, US8940211, US20040181889, US20060021173, US20090295025, US20120068375, WO2000034022A1Publication number10765972, 765972, US 6972106 B2, US 6972106B2, US-B2-6972106, US6972106 B2, US6972106B2InventorsBeat Huber, Peter WaldispuhlOriginal AssigneeTrisa Holding AgExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (12), Referenced by (18), Classifications (27), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetPlastic object for use in personal hygiene
US 6972106 B2Abstract
A unitary two component article for personal hygiene, as a toothbrush, wherein the same is formed by injection molding of two differing plastic materials, which plastics do not adhesively or chemically bond to each other, thereby facilitating the manufacturing process. The two differing plastic parts of the toothbrush are mechanically connected, as by interfitting portions of the two plastic components and as by shrinking one plastic component about the other.
1. A method for producing a toothbrush comprising at least two molded parts by injection molding, comprising the steps of:
injection molding of a first of the at least two molded parts forming at least part of a toothbrush handle from a first plastic material in a first step that includes formation of projections or recesses, respectively, on the first molded part on at least part of a contact surface; and
injection molding of a second of the at least two molded parts bearing a brush head from a second plastic material in a subsequent second step that includes formation of corresponding recesses or projections, respectively, on the second molded part and engaging the projections or recesses on the first molded part, so that one molded part of the first and second molded parts is at least partially enclosed by the other molded part to interengage the first and second molded parts and mechanically join the parts firmly to one another without the second plastic material forming a chemical bond with the first plastic material during the injection-molding operation.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the second molding step the second plastic material is injection molded around or into the first molded part forming at least part of a toothbrush handle, the second plastic material at least partially enclosing said first molded part to form a shrink connection.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first plastic material has a lower degree of shrinkage than the second plastic material.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the first molding step a first plastic material is used which is less resistant to a tooth-cleaning agent containing peppermint oil than the second plastic material used in the second molding step.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first plastic material is transparent.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein styrene acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene, polyamide, polycarbonate or polyester is used as the first plastic material.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein polypropylene is used as the second plastic material.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein annular recesses or projections are formed on the first molded part.
9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two molded parts is injection molded from two or more plastic material components, and at least one of these plastic material components does not form a chemical bond with the plastic material of the other molded part during the injection molding operation.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein one of the plastic material components is a thermoplastic elastomer.
11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first molded part is formed as a sleeve with a front and a rear end face and wherein in the second molding step a first and a second offset surface are formed on the second molded part, the first offset surface acting together with the front end face of the first molded part and the second offset surface acting together with the rear end face of the first molded part.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein annular projections are formed at the front end face of the first molded part for forming a positive-fitting joint with the second molded part.
13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein annular projections are formed at the rear end face of the first molded part for forming a positive-fitting joint with the second molded part.
14. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the first molding step the first molded part is formed with a projection at one of its end faces and wherein in the second molding step the second molded part having a recess corresponding in shape to the projection is injection molded.
15. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the first molding step a cross-bore is formed on the first molded part, the cross-bore serving to receive a matching part provided on the second molded part.
16. A method for producing a toothbrush comprising at least two molded parts by injection molding, comprising the steps of:
injection molding of a first of the at least two molded parts forming at least part of a toothbrush handle from a first plastic material in a first step that includes formation of projections or recesses on the first molded part on at least part of a contact surface; and
injection molding of a second of the at least two molded parts bearing a brush head from a second plastic material in a subsequent second step in which the second plastic material is injection molded around or into the first molded part at the contact surface so that the second plastic material is molded with diametrically opposed corresponding projections or recesses so that the first and second molded parts interengage and mechanical join to one another without the second plastic material forming a chemical bond with the first plastic material.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first plastic material has a lower degree of shrinkage than the second plastic material.
18. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein in the first molding step a first plastic material is used which is less resistant to a tooth-cleaning agent containing peppermint oil than the second plastic material used in the second molding step.
19. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first plastic material is transparent.
20. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein styrene acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene, polyamide, polycarbonate or polyester is used as the first plastic material.
21. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein polypropylene is used as the second plastic material.
22. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein annular recesses or projections are formed on the first molded part.
23. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein at least one of the at least two molded parts is injection molded from two or more plastic material components, and at least one of these plastic material components does not form a chemical bond with the plastic material of the other molded part during the injection molding operation.
24. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein one of the plastic material components is a thermoplastic elastomer.
25. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the first molded part is formed as a sleeve with a front and a rear end face and wherein in the second molding step a first and a second offset surface are formed on the second molded part, the first offset surface acting together with the front end face of the first molded part and the second offset surface acting together with the rear end face of the first molded part.
26. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein annular projections are formed at the front end face of the first molded part for forming a positive-fitting joint with the second molded part.
27. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein annular projections are formed at the rear end face of the first molded part for forming a positive-fitting joint with the second molded part.
28. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein in the first molding step the first molded part is formed with a projection at one of its end faces and wherein in the second molding step the second molded part having a recess corresponding in shape to the projection is injection molded.
29. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein in the first molding step a cross-bore is formed on the first molded part, the cross-bore serving to receive a matching part provided on the second molded part.
This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 09/601,313 filed Sep. 11, 2000 now abandoned, which is a U.S. National Stage application from PCT/CH99/00586 filed Dec. 7, 1999, which claims priority from Swiss Patent Appl. No. 2448/98 filed Dec. 10, 1998.
FIG. 7 shows a section along line VII—VII in FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 shows a section along line IX—IX in FIG. 2 on an enlarged scale;
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS5131778Feb 8, 1991Jul 21, 1992Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaCoupling structure and method of resin moldingsUS5339482Jul 21, 1992Aug 23, 1994Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products, Inc.Toothbrush having non-slip surfaceUS5464578Mar 18, 1992Nov 7, 1995Hewlett-Packard CompanyMethod of making a compact fluid coupler for thermal inkjet print cartridge ink reservoirUS5761759Sep 1, 1993Jun 9, 1998Jordan A/SToothbrush and method for making such toothbrushUS6076223Oct 30, 1998Jun 20, 2000Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc.ToothbrushDE3820814A1Jun 20, 1988Jan 5, 1989Minolta Camera KkConnecting arrangement of shaped resin parts and process for connecting said shaped resin partsDE4036361A1Nov 15, 1990Jul 4, 1991Josef GleixnerConnector for medical transfusions etc. - is made of plastics by injection moulding in two stages using rigid polypropylene for 1st and elastomer in 2nd to shrink on in situDE19535134A1Sep 21, 1995Mar 27, 1997Lingner & Fischer GmbhHandgriff einer Zahnb�rsteEP0561051A2Dec 7, 1992Sep 22, 1993Hewlett-Packard CompanyCompact leak-resistant seal for thermal ink jet print cartridge ink reservoirWO1997010938A1Sep 17, 1996Mar 27, 1997Hans HalmToothbrushWO1997027770A1Jan 30, 1997Aug 7, 1997Bell Sandra JaneProtection of human head and bodyWO1998035809A1 *Feb 11, 1998Aug 20, 1998Hans KramerInjection moulding process and apparatus for making articles from two components* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS8833811 *Aug 3, 2011Sep 16, 2014Shiroki CorporationTrunk locking systemUS8990995Dec 18, 2009Mar 31, 2015Colgate-Palmolive CompanyOral care implement having a body disposed within the handleUS20060070198 *Oct 6, 2004Apr 6, 2006Deroma FlavioBroom with a flexible neckUS20060156499 *Jan 18, 2005Jul 20, 2006Deroma FlavioBroom with a flexible neckUS20070110501 *Nov 17, 2006May 17, 2007L'orealBrush applicator and method of makingUS20070267333 *Apr 10, 2007Nov 22, 2007Aspen Pet Products, Inc.Waste scoopUS20120032456 *Feb 9, 2012Shiroki CorporationTrunk locking systemUS20120032457 *Feb 9, 2012Shiroki CorporationTrunk locking systemUSD632484Dec 18, 2009Feb 15, 2011Eduardo JimenezToothbrush handle with tissue cleanerUSD654270Dec 18, 2009Feb 21, 2012Colgate-Palmolive CompanyToothbrush handleUSD654695Dec 18, 2009Feb 28, 2012Colgate-Palmolive CompanyToothbrushUSD654696Dec 18, 2009Feb 28, 2012Colgate-Palmolive CompanyToothbrush handle with tissue cleanerUSD669688Jan 25, 2012Oct 30, 2012Colgate-Palmolive CompanyHead portion of a toothbrushUSD669689Jan 25, 2012Oct 30, 2012Colgate-Palmolive CompanyToothbrush handle with tissue cleanerUSD670503Jan 25, 2012Nov 13, 2012Colgate-Palmolive CompanyHead portion of a toothbrushUSD670505Jan 25, 2012Nov 13, 2012Colgate-Palmolive CompanyToothbrush handle with tissue cleanerUSD671326Jan 25, 2012Nov 27, 2012Colgate-Palmolive CompanyToothbrush handleUSD675830Dec 18, 2009Feb 12, 2013Colgate-Palmolive CompanyToothbrush* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification264/243, 264/279.1, 264/273, 264/255, 264/250, 264/279, 264/328.1, 264/267, 264/271.1International ClassificationB29C45/16, B29C65/66, A46B5/02, A46D1/00, B29D35/02Cooperative ClassificationA46B5/02, B29C45/16, B29C65/665, A46B2200/1066, B29C2045/1681, B29L2031/425, B29C2045/1665, A46D1/00, B29C66/534European ClassificationA46B5/02, B29C65/66B, A46D1/00, B29C45/16Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionMay 29, 2009FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Feb 28, 2013FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services