| 摘要 |
<p>This invention is directed to a multi-component injection molded toothbrush having a generally longitudinal axis, in which a soft handle grip portion is molded to an internal handle section and a method for manufacturing same. One component is a relatively rigid toothbrush body comprising a head, a neck connected thereto, an internal handle connected to said neck, and, optionally, terminating at a base, which permits the brush to be self-standing. The other is a relatively soft external handle grip. The internal handle has a defined outer diameter, and a plurality of bristles is disposed on the head. The second component comprises a relatively soft elastomeric material injection molded to form an external handle section which covers the internal handle section of the toothbrush body. The external handle section has an internal handle diameter, which is greater than the external diameter of the internal so that the rigid first component does not penetrate the external handle section along its longitudinal axis. The disclosed method permits the external handle grip design to be changed relatively quickly and inexpensively when it is desired to manufacture brushes of different design. This is accomplished by molding the brush body with a universal configuration and molding the external handle grips in removable mold cavity blocks, which may be removed and new ones of different design substituted therefor when it is desired to manufacture brushes of new handle grip design.</p> |
