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: 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 of gluing a metal part to another part for use in a personal care device such as an electric toothbrush. The method includes steps of providing a metal, such as steel, part, and another, metal, part; treating a surface portion of the metal part with ultra-fast laser pulses having a pulse length in the femtosecond range, e.g., from about 1 femtosecond to about 990 femtoseconds, so that a surface layer of the metal surface is removed; applying an adhesive to the treated surface of the metal part or to a surface of the other part; and gluing the metal part and the other part together.