Toothbrush with Light Transmissive Handle
AssigneeColgate-Palmolive Company
InventorsDouglas HOHLBEIN, Chi Shing WONG
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A toothbrush handle includes a support structure formed of clarified polypropylene and a body formed of thermoplastic elastomer disposed on the support structure. The support structure includes a web having a thickness in a first direction orthogonal to an axis of the toothbrush handle of less than 2 millimeters and at least one rib depending from the web and having a thickness in a second direction, orthogonal to the axis and angled relative to the first direction, of less than about 2 millimeters. The body at least partially covers the web and the at least one rib. The handle has a light transmissivity of greater than 40% through a portion of the handle at which the body covers the web and the at least one rib.
Claims20
A toothbrush handle comprising:
- a support structure formed of clarified polypropylene, the support structure comprising a web having a thickness in a first direction orthogonal to an axis of the toothbrush handle of less than 2 millimeters and at least one rib depending from the web and having a thickness in a second direction, angled relative to the first direction, of less than 2 millimeters;
- and
- a body formed of thermoplastic elastomer disposed on the support structure to at least partially cover the web and the at least one rib,
- wherein the handle has a light transmissivity of greater than 40% through a portion of the handle at which the body covers the web and the at least one rib.
A toothbrush comprising:
- a handle;
- and
- a head disposed at a distal end of the handle,
- wherein the handle comprises a plurality of support structures extending generally along a longitudinal axis of the handle from a position proximate a proximal end axially opposite the distal end toward the head, each of the support structures having a thickness of less than 2 millimeters in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.
A handle for an implement comprising:
- a support structure comprising at least one support member extending generally along a longitudinal axis of the handle, the support structure being formed of a first material;
- and
- a body disposed on the support structure to cover at least part of the at least one support member, the body being formed of a second material,
- wherein the handle is at least translucent along a sight line passing through the body and the support structure orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.