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: 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 carrier for providing at least one cleaning element to a mold cavity is disclosed. The carrier includes a main body having a first surface including one or more openings of one or more blind holes having a depth (D) for carrying the at least one cleaning element and a second surface being substantially parallel to the first surface. The main body includes at least two partial bodies which are arranged adjacent to each other in the direction of the one or more blind holes so that at least one partial body comprises one or more through-holes as part of the one or more blind holes and one partial body comprising the second surface of the main body comprises the blind end of the one or more blind-holes.

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 carrier for providing at least one cleaning element to a mold cavity is disclosed. The carrier includes a main body having a first surface including one or more openings of one or more blind holes having a depth (D) for carrying the at least one cleaning element and a second surface being substantially parallel to the first surface. The main body includes at least two partial bodies which are arranged adjacent to each other in the direction of the one or more blind holes so that at least one partial body comprises one or more through-holes as part of the one or more blind holes and one partial body comprising the second surface of the main body comprises the blind end of the one or more blind-holes.