Abstract: An injection-molded first component of an article, the first component including a sheath element formed from a pre-sheath element, the sheath element having a cavity and a recess extending from the cavity into a wall of the sheath element surrounding the cavity. The recess is formed by a through hole in the pre-sheath element and a lid element closing the through hole. The lid element is connected to the pre-sheath element with a plastic material injection-molded over at least a part of a parting line between the lid element and the pre-sheath element.

Abstract: An injection-molding process and an apparatus for making a multi-component hollow article, and the article made thereby. The process comprises molding, from a first plastic material, a hollow body having a wall with at least one vent therethrough and at least one flap molded in an area adjacent to the vent. The flap is molded in a first position in which the vent is open. The flap is hingedly movable from the first position to a second position in which the vent is closed by the flap. After the flap is folded into the second position, the hollow body, including the folded flap, is at least partially overmolded with a second plastic material, wherein the second material is essentially precluded from leaking into the hollow body through the vent. The apparatus comprises a first mold bar for molding a hollow body, a second mold bar for overmolding the hollow body with a second plastic material, and a closing tool for moving, and optionally retaining, the flap in the second position.

Abstract: An injection-molded first component of an article, the first component including a sheath element formed from a pre-sheath element, the sheath element having a cavity and a recess extending from the cavity into a wall of the sheath element surrounding the cavity. The recess is formed by a through hole in the pre-sheath element and a lid element closing the through hole. The lid element is connected to the pre-sheath element with a plastic material injection-molded over at least a part of a parting line between the lid element and the pre-sheath element.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an injection-molded first component of an article, in particular a handle or a head of a toothbrush, having a sheath element with a cavity and a recess extending from the cavity into a wall of the sheath element surrounding the cavity, including the steps of: (1) providing a first mold having first mold components that define a first mold cavity in the form of a pre-sheath element having a through hole in the pre-sheath element at the location where the recess shall be formed, (2) injection-molding of the pre-sheath element using a first plastic material, (3) closing the through-hole with a lid element, (4) providing a second mold having second mold components for receiving the pre-sheath element and for defining a remaining second mold cavity that extends at least over a part of a parting line between the lid element and the pre-sheath element when the pre-sheath element is inserted in the second mold, (5) inserting the pre-sheath element into the second mold, and (6) connecting th

Abstract: A method for producing a toothbrush comprises providing a head, a neck portion, and a handle; providing a coupling element; and combining the neck portion to the handle by the coupling element so that an irreversible connection is formed. The individual parts of the toothbrush to be formed can be produced in parallel or successively, wherein some of the parts can be produced by injection molding. A toothbrush formed by the method comprises a head, a neck portion, and a handle; these elements can be produced as building blocks separately and may be connected to one another via a coupling element to form an inseparable connection.

Abstract: A personal care article, such as a toothbrush having an inner cavity made in one molding process.

Abstract: Methods of producing toothbrush handles having an inner cavity are provided.

Abstract: A toothbrush comprises a head, a neck portion and a handle, wherein the neck portion and the handle portion are connected to one another via a coupling element. The connection is constructed as an inseparable connection, i.e., after being combined once, the neck portion and the handle cannot be separated without the brush being destroyed by such separation. A method for producing such a toothbrush may comprise the following steps: providing a head, a neck portion, a handle, and a coupling element, and combining the neck portion to the handle by the coupling element so that an irreversible connection is formed.

Abstract: Methods of producing toothbrush handles having an inner cavity are provided.

Abstract: An oral care implement has a body made of a first material. The body has a handle, a head support, and a neck extending between the handle and the head support. The head support has a recess therein, and the recess has a bottom face and a side face. A head has a first head section and a second head section, and supports a plurality of contact elements. The first head section is disposed in the recess and attached thereto, and the second head section is attached to the first head section and unattached to the body.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an injection-molded first component of an article, in particular a handle or a head of a toothbrush, having a sheath element with a cavity and a recess extending from the cavity into a wall of the sheath element surrounding the cavity, including the steps of: (1) providing a first mold having first mold components that define a first mold cavity in the form of a pre-sheath element having a through hole in the pre-sheath element at the location where the recess shall be formed, (2) injection-molding of the pre-sheath element using a first plastic material, (3) closing the through-hole with a lid element, (4) providing a second mold having second mold components for receiving the pre-sheath element and for defining a remaining second mold cavity that extends at least over a part of a parting line between the lid element and the pre-sheath element when the pre-sheath element is inserted in the second mold, (5) inserting the pre-sheath element into the second mold, and (6) connecting th

Abstract: An injection-molding process and an apparatus for making a multi-component hollow article, and the article made thereby. The process comprises molding, from a first plastic material, a hollow body having a wall with at least one vent therethrough and at least one flap molded in an area adjacent to the vent. The flap is molded in a first position in which the vent is open. The flap is hingedly movable from the first position to a second position in which the vent is closed by the flap. After the flap is folded into the second position, the hollow body, including the folded flap, is at least partially overmolded with a second plastic material, wherein the second material is essentially precluded from leaking into the hollow body through the vent. The apparatus comprises a first mold bar for molding a hollow body, a second mold bar for overmolding the hollow body with a second plastic material, and a closing tool for moving, and optionally retaining, the flap in the second position.

Abstract: An oral care implement has a body made of a first material. The body has a handle, a head support, and a neck extending between the handle and the head support. The head support has a recess therein, and the recess has a bottom face and a side face. A head has a first head section and a second head section, and supports a plurality of contact elements. The first head section is disposed in the recess and attached thereto, and the second head section is attached to the first head section and unattached to the body.

Abstract: A method for producing a toothbrush comprises providing a head, a neck portion, and a handle; providing a coupling element; and combining the neck portion to the handle by the coupling element so that an irreversible connection is formed. The individual parts of the toothbrush to be formed can be produced in parallel or successively, wherein some of the parts can be produced by injection molding. A toothbrush formed by the method comprises a head, a neck portion, and a handle; these elements can be produced as building blocks separately and may be connected to one another via a coupling element to form an inseparable connection.

Abstract: A toothbrush comprises a head, a neck portion and a handle, wherein the neck portion and the handle portion are connected to one another via a coupling element. The connection is constructed as an inseparable connection, i.e., after being combined once, the neck portion and the handle cannot be separated without the brush being destroyed by such separation. A method for producing such a toothbrush may comprise the following steps: providing a head, a neck portion, a handle, and a coupling element, and combining the neck portion to the handle by the coupling element so that an irreversible connection is formed.

Abstract: A personal care article, such as a toothbrush handle having an inner cavity.

Abstract: Methods of producing toothbrush handles having an inner cavity are provided.

Abstract: A personal care article, such as a toothbrush having an inner cavity made in one molding process.

Abstract: Methods of producing toothbrush handles having an inner cavity are provided.

Abstract: An oral care implement has a body made of a first material. The body has a handle, a head support, and a neck extending between the handle and the head support. The head support has a recess therein, and the recess has a bottom face and a side face. A head has a first head section and a second head section, and supports a plurality of contact elements. The first head section is disposed in the recess and attached thereto, and the second head section is attached to the first head section and unattached to the body.