Laser joining toothbrush heads to handles
AssigneeColgate-Palmolive Company
InventorsBruce M. Russell, Robert A. Grimm
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method of welding pre-formed toothbrush heads and handles using about 0.7 to about 2.0 micrometers, or about 4.0 to about 6.0 micrometers, wavelength laser beam.
Claims22
A method of welding a pre-formed thermoplastic toothbrush head and a preformed thermoplastic toothbrush handle comprising, (a) selecting a toothbrush head which is free of any material capable of absorbing from about 0.7 to about 2.0 micrometers, or from about 4.0 to about 6.0 micrometers wavelength energy;
- (b) selecting a toothbrush handle containing from about 0.7 to about 2.0 micrometers, or about 4.0 to about 6.0 micrometers wavelength energy absorbing material;
- (c) aligning the respective end surfaces of the head and handle to closely contact each other to form a joint;
- (d) exposing the joint to from about 0.7 to about 2.0 micrometers, or from about 4.0 to about 6.0 micrometers wavelength energy laser beam, which laser beam is capable of penetrating the toothbrush head and contacting the joint;
- whereby, the energy of the laser beam is absorbed at the surface of the toothbrush handle at the joint by the energy absorbing material therein, causing the toothbrush head and handle surfaces about the joint to melt and fuse together.
A method of welding a preformed thermoplastic toothbrush head and a pre-formed thermoplastic toothbrush handle comprising, (a) selecting a toothbrush handle which is free of any material capable of absorbing from about 0.7 to about 2.0 micrometers, or from about 4.0 to about 6.0 micrometers wavelength energy;
- (b) selecting a toothbrush head containing from about 0.7 to about 2.0 micrometers, or from about 4.0 to about 6.0 micrometers wavelength energy absorbing material;
- (c) aligning the respective end surfaces of the head and handle to closely contact each other to form a joint;
- (d) exposing the joint to from about 0.7 to about 2.0 micrometers, or from about 4.0 to about 6.0 micrometers wavelength laser beam, which laser beam is capable of penetrating the toothbrush handle and contacting the joint;
- whereby, the energy of the laser beam is absorbed at the surface of the toothbrush head at the joint by the energy absorbing material therein, causing the toothbrush head and handle surfaces about the joint to melt and fuse together.
A method of welding a pre-formed thermoplastic toothbrush head and preformed thermoplastic toothbrush handle comprising, (a) selecting both a toothbrush head and handle that are both free of any material capable of absorbing from about 0.7 to about 2.0 micrometers, or from about 4.0 to about 6.0 micrometers wavelength energy;
- (b) layering a coating of from about 0.7 to about 2.0 micrometers, or from about 4.0 to about 6.0 micrometers wavelength energy absorbing material on one of the respective end surfaces of the head or handle to be joined, (c) aligning the respective end surfaces of the head and handle to closely contact each other forming a joint;
- (d) exposing the joint to from about 0.7 to about 2.0 micrometers, or about 4.0 to about 6.0 micrometers wavelength laser beam, which laser beam is capable of penetrating the head or handle to contact the coating;
- (e) whereby the energy of the laser beam is absorbed by the energy absorbing material in the coating, causing the head and handle surfaces about the joint to melt and fuse together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.