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 molding unit has a first molding station having a first mold having a first mold cavity, a second molding station having a second mold having a second mold cavity, a transfer unit having a support and at least a first core extending from the support. The transfer unit is arranged for moving the first core into a first molding position at the first molding station and into a second molding position at the second molding station. The first core extends into the first mold cavity when the first core is in the first molding position and into the second mold cavity when the first core is in the second molding position. A core actuation unit is arranged so that at least at the first molding station the first core is moved relative to the support from a first core position into a second core position when the first core is moved into the first molding position.

Abstract: A handle for an electrically operated personal-care implement includes a metal tube housing having a metal wall with an opening and an inner surface, the inner surface defining an inner cavity of the housing for accommodating an energy source, and a switch assembly for activating the energy source. The switch assembly, including a hard switch component and a soft switch component, is arranged in the opening and seals the opening from the inner surface of the wall. The hard switch component comprises a frame having a recess and attached to the inner surface of the metal wall thereby surrounding the opening and providing an undercut between the recess and the inner surface. The undercut is open to the opening, and the soft switch component is positioned in the undercut to at least partially cover the opening.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a handle for an electrically operated personal care implement comprises the following steps: providing a metal tube housing having a metal wall with an opening therein and an inner surface defining an inner cavity for accommodating an energy source; providing a hard switch component comprising a frame with a recess; attaching the frame of the hard switch component to the inner surface of the metal wall, the frame surrounding the opening and providing an undercut between the recess and the inner surface, the undercut being open towards the opening; and at least partially over-molding the opening to form a soft switch component in the undercut, thereby forming with the hard switch component a switch assembly for activating the energy source, the switch assembly sealing the opening from the inner surface of the metal wall.

Abstract: An injection molding device has a first mold half, an index plate that in a molding position is at least partly received in the first mold half, and an index plate axle connected with the index plate. The index plate axle is arranged for linear movement along its longitudinal axis relative to the first mold half so that the index plate can be moved between the molding position and a turning position in which the index plate can be rotated with respect to the first mold half. An adaptor plate, connected to the first mold half, has a drive and a first coupling element coupled with the drive. The first coupling element is arranged eccentric with respect to the longitudinal axis of the index plate axle.

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: An injection molding device has a first mold half, an index plate that in a molding position is at least partly received in the first mold half, and an index plate axle connected with the index plate. The index plate axle is arranged for linear movement along its longitudinal axis relative to the first mold half so that the index plate can be moved between the molding position and a turning position in which the index plate can be rotated with respect to the first mold half. An adaptor plate, connected to the first mold half, has a drive and a first coupling element coupled with the drive. The first coupling element is arranged eccentric with respect to the longitudinal axis of the index plate axle. The first mold half has a second coupling element engaged with the first coupling element. The second coupling element is coupled with the index plate axle for rotating the index plate axle around the longitudinal axis.

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 plastic injection device and a method for manufacturing plastic parts in a plastic injection station. The device has at least one injection station (2a, 2b) with a mold (12), a plurality of mold bars (5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f) moveable relative to the mold (12), and a transfer system for moving mold bars into and out of the mold (12). The transfer system has a feeding bar (4) extending partially within and partially outside the mold (12) and arranged to receive and guide at least two mold bars such that movement of a first mold bar within the feeding bar (4) is caused by movement of a second mold bar within said feeding bar (4).

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 brush head section for an oral care device is provided. The brush section includes an insert being made from a first thermoplastic material by injection-molding, at least one oral cleaning element and a cleaning element carrier consisting of a second thermoplastic material or a second thermoplastic mixture. The insert and the at least one cleaning element are partially embedded into the cleaning element carrier by over-molding and the cleaning element carrier at least partly engages behind the insert. The hardness of the second thermoplastic material is less than the hardness of the first thermoplastic material.

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: 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 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 transfer system for manufacturing molded parts of plastic by means of a plastic injection device is provided. The transfer system includes, a mold which can be opened via a mold separating surface; first and second injection stations formed in the mold; and a plurality of mold bars which are compatible with first and second injection stations. The pre-molded parts are manufactured in the first injection station and initially remain on the corresponding mold bar before being brought into the second injection station for molding a second workpiece section onto the pre-molded parts.

Abstract: A transfer system for manufacturing molded parts of plastic by means of a plastic injection device is provided. The transfer system includes, a mold which can be opened via a mold separating surface; first and second injection stations formed in the mold; and a plurality of mold bars which are compatible with first and second injection stations. The pre-molded parts are manufactured in the first injection station and initially remain on the corresponding mold bar before being brought into the second injection station for molding a second workpiece section onto the pre-molded parts.