Personal care appliance

Abstract

A personal care implement and method of forming the same. The personal care implement includes a rigid structural body and first and second elastomeric grip components coupled to the rigid structural body. The structural body has a handle portion with a front surface, a rear surface, a first lateral surface, and a second lateral surface. The first elastomeric grip component has a front outer surface positioned along the front surface of the handle portion of the structural body and at least one first grip feature on the front outer surface. The second elastomeric grip component has a first lateral outer surface positioned along the first lateral surface of the handle portion of the structural body and at least one second grip feature on the first lateral outer surface. The first and second elastomeric grip components are isolated from one another by the handle portion of the structural body.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 549,850, filed February 5, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] Personal care appliances are used to perform personal care functions. Personal care appliances can include oral care appliances for brushing teeth and performing other oral hygiene tasks, as well as other types of appliances for performing personal care tasks. In some situations, it may be necessary for users to maintain a good grip on the appliance in wet conditions. That is, the handle of the appliance may become wet during use. As a result, many personal care appliances have been designed with rubber grip features to improve the user's ability to grip the device without excessive slippage. However, such grips lack specificity and do not allow users to grip the appliance with one hand and adjust its orientation or rotation. Therefore, there is a need for personal care appliances with improved grip features. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention relates to a personal care device and a method of forming the same. The personal care device includes a rigid structural body and a first elastomeric gripping member and a second elastomeric gripping member coupled to the rigid structural body. The structural body has a handle portion having a front surface, a rear surface, a first lateral surface, and a second lateral surface. The first elastomeric gripping member has a front outer surface positioned along the front surface of the handle portion of the structural body and at least one first gripping feature located on the front outer surface. The second elastomeric gripping member has a first lateral surface positioned along the first lateral surface of the handle portion of the structural body and at least one second gripping feature located on the first lateral surface. The first and second elastomeric gripping members are isolated from each other via the handle portion of the structural body.

[0005] In one aspect, the present invention can be a personal care device comprising: a structural body formed of a rigid material, the structural body including a handle portion having an outer surface including a front surface portion, a rear surface portion, a first lateral surface portion, and a second lateral surface portion; a first elastomeric gripping member coupled to the handle portion of the structural body, the first elastomeric gripping member including a front outer surface positioned along the front surface portion of the outer surface of the handle portion of the structural body and at least one first gripping feature located on the front outer surface; a second elastomeric gripping member coupled to the handle portion of the structural body, the second elastomeric gripping member including a first lateral outer surface positioned along the first lateral surface portion of the outer surface of the handle portion of the structural body and at least one second gripping feature located on the first lateral outer surface; and wherein the first elastomeric gripping member and the second elastomeric gripping member are isolated from each other by the handle portion of the structural body.

[0006] In another aspect, the present invention can be a personal care device comprising: a structural body formed of a rigid material, the structural body including a handle portion and a head portion, the handle portion including a front surface, a rear surface, a first lateral surface, and a second lateral surface; a first integral elastomeric material block coupled to the handle portion of the structural body to form a first elastomeric gripping member, the first integral elastomeric material block including a front outer surface exposed along the front surface of the handle portion and at least one first gripping feature located on the front outer surface; and a second integral elastomeric material block coupled to the handle portion of the structural body to form a second elastomeric gripping member, the second integral elastomeric material block including: a first lateral gripping portion located on the first lateral surface of the handle portion and including at least one second gripping feature; and a second lateral gripping portion located on the second lateral surface of the handle portion and including at least one third gripping feature; wherein the first integral elastomeric material block and the second integral elastomeric material block are distinct from each other and spaced apart from each other by a portion of the structural body.

[0007] In another aspect, the present invention can be a method of manufacturing a personal care device, the method comprising: forming a structural body from a rigid material, the structural body including a handle portion having a front surface, a rear surface, a first lateral surface, and a second lateral surface; injecting a first molten elastomeric material into a first recess in the front surface of the handle portion of the structural body to form a first integral elastomeric material block, the first integral elastomeric material block including a front outer surface and at least one first gripping feature located on the front outer surface; injecting a second molten elastomeric material into a first recessed portion of a second recess in the first lateral surface of the handle portion of the structural body to form a second integral elastomeric material block, the second integral elastomeric material block including a first lateral gripping portion having a first lateral outer surface and at least one second gripping feature; and wherein the second integral elastomeric material block is isolated from the first integral elastomeric material block by a portion of the handle portion of the structural body.

[0008] Further applications of the invention will become apparent from the detailed embodiments provided below. It should be understood that while the detailed description and specific examples indicate preferred embodiments of the invention, they are intended for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting the scope of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0009] The invention will be more fully understood from the specific embodiments and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 This is a rear perspective view of a personal care device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Exploded rear perspective view of a personal care device;

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Front view of a personal care appliance;

[0013] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken from line IV-IV;

[0014] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A close-up view of region V;

[0015] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Myopic side view of the area shown;

[0016] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 A near-vision rear view of the area shown;

[0017] Figure 8 It is along Figure 7 A cross-sectional view taken from line VIII-VIII;

[0018] Figure 9 It is along Figure 7 A cross-sectional view taken from line IX-IX;

[0019] Figure 10 This is a myopic rear view of a personal care device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 Myopic side view of personal care appliances; and

[0021] Figure 12 This is a front perspective view of a personal care appliance according to another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The following description of preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or its uses.

[0023] The description of illustrative embodiments of the invention is intended to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which will be considered an integral part of the entire written description. Any references to direction or orientation in the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are intended only for convenience of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Relative terms such as “down,” “up,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” “top,” and “bottom,” and their derivatives (e.g., “horizontally,” “downward,” “upward,” etc.) should be understood to refer to orientations as shown in the drawings described later or discussed. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require the device to be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly stated otherwise. Terms such as “attach,” “connect,” “join,” “interconnect,” and similar terms refer to a relationship in which structures are fixed or attached to each other, either directly or indirectly, through an intermediary structure, and to a movable or rigid attachment or relationship between the two, unless otherwise explicitly stated otherwise. Furthermore, exemplary embodiments are referenced to illustrate the features and beneficial effects of the invention. Therefore, the invention should not be obviously limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combinations of features that may exist alone or in combination with other features; the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0024] First refer to Figure 1-4A personal care appliance 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the personal care appliance 100 is a toothbrush. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and the personal care appliance 100 may take other forms, such as other types of oral care appliances, such as dental floss devices, teeth whitening devices, oral care applicators, etc. Alternatively, the personal care appliance 100 may be configured to perform tasks unrelated to oral care, such as acting as a hairbrush, razor, etc.

[0025] Personal care device 100 may include a structural body 200 formed of a rigid material, a first gripping member (or first elastomeric gripping member) 300 formed of an elastomeric material, and a second gripping member (or second elastomeric gripping member) 400 formed of an elastomeric material. The rigid material used to form the structural body 200 may be a hard plastic material, such as, but not limited to, polypropylene, polyethylene, etc. In other embodiments, the rigid material may be a material other than plastic, such as wood or metal. The elastomeric material used to form the first elastomeric gripping member 300 and the second elastomeric gripping member 400 may include thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, silicone resins, rubber, or other similar materials.

[0026] The structural body 200 may include a handle portion 210 and a head portion 250. In other embodiments, the structural body 200 may include only the handle portion 210. In such embodiments, the handle portion 210 may include connection features to facilitate attachment of the handle portion 210 to a separate replacement head. In an illustrated embodiment, the structural body 200 is a monolithic component formed of a rigid material, including the handle portion 210 and the head portion 250 as an integral structure. The head portion 250 may include a front surface 251 and a rear surface 252 opposite to the front surface 252. The head portion 250 may include one or more oral hygiene tools for performing oral hygiene tasks or functions, such as teeth and gum cleaning, teeth whitening, breath freshening, etc. In other embodiments, the oral hygiene tools may be used to perform other tasks, such as combing hair, shaving, applying ointment, etc.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the personal care appliance 100 includes a plurality of dental cleaning elements 253 extending from the front surface 251 of a head portion 250 for cleaning the user's teeth and gums. The dental cleaning elements 253 may include bristles, such as bristles formed of nylon and other similar materials. The dental cleaning elements 253 may include sheets, such as sheets formed of rubber materials such as thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, etc. The dental cleaning elements 253 may be coupled to the head portion 250 of the structural body 200 and may extend from the front surface 251 of the head portion 250. The dental cleaning elements 253 may be coupled to the head portion 250 using any known techniques including stapling, in-mold tufting, anchorless tufting, PTT, and injection molding.

[0028] The personal care appliance 100 may also include a tongue or soft tissue cleaner 254 located on the posterior surface 252 of the head portion 250. The tongue or soft tissue cleaner 254 may be formed of a rubber-like material such as thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane, etc. The tongue or soft tissue cleaner 254 may be formed by injecting an elastomeric material onto the posterior surface 252 of the head portion 250. The tongue or soft tissue cleaner 254 may include a pad portion and protrusions, ribs, ridges, etc., protruding from the pad portion and / or grooves in the pad portion to enhance tongue and soft tissue cleaning capabilities.

[0029] The structural body 200 includes a bottom end 201, a top end 202, and a longitudinal axis AA extending from the bottom end 201 to the top end 202. The handle portion 201 includes the bottom end 201, and the head portion 202 includes the top end 202. The handle portion 210 of the structural body 200 may include an outer surface comprising a front surface portion 211, a rear surface portion 212 opposite to the front surface portion 211, a first lateral surface portion 213, and a second lateral surface portion 214 opposite to the first lateral surface portion 213. The first lateral surface portion 213 and the second lateral surface portion 214 extend between the front surface portion 211 and the rear surface portion 212. The first lateral surface portion 213 and the second lateral surface portion 214 are opposing side surfaces located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis AA, the opposing side surfaces facing away from the longitudinal axis AA. The front surface portion 211 and the rear surface portion 212 are opposing surfaces located on opposite sides of the coronal plane, the opposing surfaces facing away from the coronal plane. Although the outer surface of the handle portion 210 is continuous, the differences between its various parts should be easily understood.

[0030] The handle portion 210 of the structural body 200 may include a proximal portion 215, a distal portion 216, and a waist portion 217 located between the proximal portion 215 and the distal portion 216. The proximal portion 215 may be positioned adjacent to the head portion 250, and the distal portion 216 may include a bottom end 201. A first lateral portion 213 and a second lateral portion 214 of the handle portion 210 may protrude along the proximal portion 215 and the distal portion 216 (in the axial direction). The first lateral portion 213 and the second lateral portion 214 of the handle portion 210 may be recessed along the waist portion 217 (in the axial direction). The handle portion 210 may have a width measured between the first lateral portion 213 and the second lateral portion 214. The width may decrease as it moves away from each of the proximal portion 215 and the distal portion 216 toward the center of the waist portion 217. Therefore, the waist portion 217 may have an hourglass shape. The width of the handle portion 210 along the waist portion 217 may be smaller than the width along the proximal portion 215 and the distal portion 216. That is, the waist portion 217 may have a reduced width relative to the proximal portion 215 and the distal portion 216.

[0031] The handle portion 210 of the structural body 200 may include a hole 220 extending from a front surface portion 211 to a rear surface portion 212. In the illustrated embodiment, the hole 220 is a through hole that extends from the front surface portion 211 through the entire thickness of the handle portion 210 to the rear surface portion 212. That is, the hole 220 extends continuously from a first opening in the front surface portion 211 to a second opening in the rear surface portion 212. Alternatively, the hole 220 may include one or more recesses. For example, the hole 220 may include a recess formed in the front surface portion 211 and extending to the bottom surface, rather than extending all the way to the rear surface portion 212. The hole 220 may include a recess with a bottom surface in the front surface portion 211 and a recess with a bottom surface in the rear surface portion 212. Thus, the hole 220 may be a through hole, or it may be one or more blind holes or recesses.

[0032] The handle portion 210 of the structural body 200 may further include a recess 230 located at least partially axially below the bore 220. The recess 230 may be located at least partially axially between the bore 220 and the bottom end 201 of the structural body 200. The recess 230 may be positioned along the waist portion 217 of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200. The recess 230 may extend from the outer surface of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200 to a bottom surface 231 recessed relative to the outer surface of the handle portion 210. The recess 230 includes a first portion 232 positioned along a first lateral surface portion 213 of the handle portion 210 (see...). Figure 9The recess 230 comprises a second portion 233 positioned along the second lateral surface portion 214 of the handle portion 210, and a third portion 234 positioned along the rear surface portion 212 of the handle portion 210. The recess 230 may be a continuous recess that circumferentially surrounds the first lateral surface portion 213, the rear surface portion 212, and the second lateral surface portion 214 of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200. In some embodiments, the third portion 234 may be omitted, and the recess 230 may include a first portion 232 and a second portion 233 circumferentially spaced apart from each other.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 232 and the second portion 233 of the recess 230 may be oval and elongated in the direction of the longitudinal axis AA. However, in accordance with the teachings set forth herein, the exact shape of the various portions of the recess 230 may be modified relative to the shape depicted in the illustrated embodiment.

[0034] The recess 230 can be completely isolated from and spaced apart from the hole 220. That is, a portion of the outer surface of the handle portion 210 can extend between the recess 230 and the hole 220. Therefore, the recess 230 and the hole 220 are not continuous, but rather the recess 230 and the hole 220 are different and separate. The recess 230 can be defined by a bottom surface 231 and a sidewall 235 extending from the bottom surface 231 to the outer surface of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200. The hole 220 can be defined by an annular sidewall 221 extending from a front surface portion 211 to a rear surface portion 212 of the outer surface of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200. A portion of the outer surface of the handle portion 210 can extend from the annular sidewall 221 of the hole 220 to the sidewall 235 of the recess 230.

[0035] A first elastomeric gripping member 300 may be coupled to the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200 within the hole 220. The first elastomeric gripping member 300 may include a front outer surface 301 positioned along a front surface portion 211 of the outer surface of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200. The first elastomeric gripping member 300 may also include a rear outer surface 302 positioned along a rear surface portion 212 of the outer surface of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200. The first elastomeric gripping member 300 may also include a central portion located between the front outer surface 301 and the rear outer surface 302 and within the hole 220. In an alternative embodiment, the first elastomeric gripping member 300 may include two separate gripping members, one located within a recess in the front surface portion 211 of the handle portion 210 and the other located within a recess in the rear surface portion 212 of the handle portion 210. In other embodiments, the hole 220 may comprise only the recess in the front surface portion 211, and the first elastomeric gripping member 300 may comprise only the gripping member located in the recess in the front surface portion 211. Therefore, variations in the details of the first elastomeric gripping member 300 are possible according to the invention disclosed herein. The first elastomeric gripping member 300 may be exposed along both the front surface portion 211 and the rear surface portion 212 of the handle portion 210, or the first elastomeric gripping member 300 may be exposed only along the front surface portion 211 of the handle portion 210. In an embodiment, the front surface 211 of the handle portion 210 may be continuous with the front surface 251 of the head portion 250 from which the tooth cleaning element 253 extends.

[0036] The first elastomeric gripping member 300 may include at least one first gripping feature 304 located on the front outer surface 301. In an illustrated embodiment, the at least one first gripping feature 304 includes a plurality of gripping features. Furthermore, in an illustrated embodiment, the first gripping feature 304 includes a plurality of protrusions or bumps projecting from the front outer surface 301. In an alternative embodiment, the first gripping feature 304 may include one or more protrusions projecting from the front outer surface 301, one or more grooves formed in the front outer surface 301, or a combination of both protrusions and grooves. Protrusions may be bumps as shown, or they may be ridges or other shaped protruding elements to enhance the user's grip during use of the personal care appliance 100.

[0037] The first elastomeric gripping member 300 may include at least one second gripping feature 305 located on the rear outer surface 302. In an illustrated embodiment, the at least one second gripping feature 305 includes a plurality of gripping features. Furthermore, in an illustrated embodiment, the second gripping feature 305 includes a plurality of protrusions or bumps projecting from the rear outer surface 302. In an alternative embodiment, the second gripping feature 305 may include one or more protrusions projecting from the rear outer surface 302, one or more grooves formed in the rear outer surface 302, or a combination of both protrusions and grooves. Protrusions may be bumps as shown, or they may be ridges or other shaped protruding elements to enhance the user's grip during use of the personal care appliance 100.

[0038] The first elastomeric gripping member 300 is described herein as such that a front outer surface 301 is positioned along a front surface portion 211 of the outer surface of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200, and a rear outer surface 302 is positioned along a rear surface portion 212 of the outer surface of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200. The phrase "positioned along..." essentially means that the front outer surface 301 is visible when the front surface portion 211 of the outer surface of the handle portion 210 is viewed, and the rear outer surface 302 is visible when the rear surface portion 212 of the outer surface of the handle portion 210 is viewed. In other words, the personal care appliance 100 includes a front surface 101 formed by the front surface portion 211 of the outer surface of the handle portion 210 and the front outer surface 301 of the first elastomeric gripping member 300. Similarly, the personal care appliance 100 includes a rear surface 102 formed by the rear surface portion 212 of the outer surface of the handle portion 210 and the rear outer surface 302 of the first elastomeric gripping member 300.

[0039] The first elastomeric gripping member 300 may be a single, integral block of elastomeric material, making it a single, integral component. The first elastomeric gripping member 300 may be attached to the handle portion 210 by injecting a first molten elastomeric material into a hole 220 in the handle portion 210, allowing the molten elastomeric material to cool and harden within the hole 220 into a single block of elastomeric material.

[0040] The second elastomeric gripping member 400 may include a first lateral gripping portion 410, a second lateral gripping portion 420, and a strap portion 430. In an illustrated embodiment, the strap portion 430 is connected to each of the first lateral gripping portion 410 and the second lateral gripping portion 420, such that the second elastomeric gripping member 400 is a single component. In an alternative embodiment, the second elastomeric gripping member 400 may include one or both of the first lateral gripping portion 410 and the second lateral gripping portion 420 as separate components, without a strap connecting them together. In some embodiments, the second elastomeric gripping member 400 may include only the first lateral gripping portion 410, wherein the second lateral gripping portion 420 and the strap portion 430 are omitted. The first lateral gripping portion 410 and the second lateral gripping portion 420 may be oval-shaped and may extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis AA. The first lateral gripping portion 410 and the second lateral gripping portion 420 may have a greater length than the belt portion 430, wherein the length is measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis AA.

[0041] The first lateral gripping portion 410 may include a first lateral outer surface 411 positioned along a first lateral surface portion 213 of the outer surface of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200. That is, the personal care appliance 100 includes a first lateral surface 103 formed by the first lateral surface portion 213 of the handle portion 210 and the first lateral outer surface 411 of the first lateral gripping portion 410 of the second elastomeric gripping member 400. The first lateral outer surface 411 of the first lateral gripping portion 410 may protrude relative to the first lateral surface portion 213 of the handle portion 210. The first lateral outer surface 411 may include at least one third gripping feature 412. In an illustrated embodiment, at least one third gripping feature 412 includes a plurality of grooves formed into the first lateral outer surface 411. In other embodiments, at least one third gripping feature 412 may include one or more protrusions. In other embodiments, at least one third gripping feature 412 may include a combination of protrusions and grooves. At least one third gripping feature 412 may improve the user's grip during use.

[0042] The second lateral gripping portion 420 may include a second lateral outer surface 421 positioned along a second lateral surface portion 214 of the outer surface of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200. That is, the personal care appliance 100 includes a second lateral surface 104 formed by the second lateral surface portion 214 of the handle portion 210 and the second lateral outer surface 421 of the second lateral gripping portion 420 of the second elastomeric gripping member 400. The second lateral outer surface 421 of the second lateral gripping portion 420 may protrude relative to the second lateral surface portion 214 of the handle portion 210. The first lateral outer surface 411 of the first lateral gripping portion 410 may protrude relative to the first lateral surface portion 213 of the handle portion 210. The second lateral outer surface 421 may include at least one fourth gripping feature 422. In an illustrated embodiment, at least one fourth gripping feature 422 includes a plurality of grooves formed into the second lateral outer surface 421. In other embodiments, at least one fourth gripping feature 422 may include one or more protrusions. In other embodiments, at least one fourth gripping feature 422 may include a combination of protrusions and grooves. At least one fourth gripping feature 422 may improve a user's grip on it during use.

[0043] The band portion 430 may have a band surface 431. The band surface 431 may be smooth and without any protrusions or grooves. In other embodiments, similar to the first and second outer surfaces 411 and 421 of the first and second lateral gripping portions 410 and 420, the band surface 431 may also include gripping features such as protrusions and / or grooves. The band portion 430 may be positioned along the rear surface 212 of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200. The band surface 431 of the band portion 430 may be flush with the rear surface 212 of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200. The second elastomeric gripping member 400 may not extend along the front surface portion 211 of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200. Therefore, a portion of the front surface portion 211 may exist between the first lateral gripping portion 410 and the second lateral gripping portion 420 of the second elastomeric gripping member 400. The first lateral gripping portion 410 and the second lateral gripping portion 420 can be spaced apart from each other by a portion of the front surface portion 211 of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200.

[0044] The second elastomeric gripping member 400 can be connected to the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200 within the recess 230. The second elastomeric gripping member 400 can be connected to the handle portion 210 by injection molding a second molten elastomeric material into the recess 230, and allowing the second molten elastomeric material to cool and harden to form the second elastomeric gripping member 400, which can be formed as a single block of elastomeric material.

[0045] Now for reference Figure 5-7 The personal care appliance 100 will be further described below. As described, the recess 230 can be positioned along the waist portion 217 of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200. Therefore, because the second elastomeric gripping member 400 is located within the recess 230, the second elastomeric gripping member 400 is also positioned along the waist portion 217 of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200. However, the second elastomeric gripping member 400 need not be positioned along the waist portion 217 in all embodiments, and may be located at other locations along the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200 in accordance with the teachings set forth herein.

[0046] The first lateral gripping portion 410 is located on a first side of the longitudinal axis AA, and the second lateral gripping portion 420 is located on a second side of the longitudinal axis AA, wherein neither the first lateral gripping portion 410 nor the second lateral gripping portion 420 intersects with the longitudinal axis AA. However, the longitudinal axis AA does intersect with the first elastic gripping member 300. The longitudinal axis AA may also intersect with the band portion 430 of the second elastic gripping portion 400.

[0047] The second elastomeric gripping member 400 can be positioned along the waist portion 217 of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200. The first lateral gripping portion 410 can be positioned along a concave portion of the first lateral surface portion 213 of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200. The first outer surface 411 of the first lateral gripping portion 410 can be convex or planar (in the axial direction). In the illustrated embodiment, the first outer surface 411 of the first lateral gripping portion 410 is convex. In the illustrated embodiment, the first outer surface 411 of the first lateral gripping portion 410 is not concave. The second lateral gripping portion 420 can be positioned along a concave portion of the second lateral surface portion 214 of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200. The second outer surface 421 of the second lateral gripping portion 420 can be convex or planar. In the illustrated embodiment, the second outer surface 421 of the second lateral gripping portion 420 is convex. In the illustrated embodiment, the second outer surface 421 of the second lateral gripping portion 420 is not concave.

[0048] In the illustrated embodiment, the proximal portion 215 includes the widest portion of the structural body 200. The first outer surface 411 and the second outer surface 421 of the first lateral gripping portion 410 and the second lateral gripping portion 420 of the second elastomeric gripping member 400 may be positioned radially inward relative to the first lateral surface 213 and the second lateral surface 214 of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200 at the widest portion of the structural body 200. In this embodiment, the widest portion of the structural body 200 is aligned with the first elastomeric gripping member 300.

[0049] The first elastomeric gripping member 300 may include a bottom end 310 and a top end 311, wherein the bottom end 310 is closest to the bottom end 201 of the structural body 200, and the top end 311 is closest to the head portion 250 of the structural body 200. The first elastomeric gripping member 300 may have a central axis BB, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA and positioned equidistant from the top and bottom ends of the first elastomeric gripping member 300. The second elastomeric gripping member 400 includes a top end 401 and a bottom end 402, wherein the bottom end 402 is positioned closer to the bottom end 201 of the structural body 200. In the illustrated embodiment, a portion of the second elastomeric gripping member 400 is axially located between the central axis BB of the first elastomeric gripping member 300 and the bottom end 310 of the first elastomeric gripping member 300. Therefore, the second elastomeric gripping member 400 is not completely below the first elastomeric gripping member 300 in the direction of the longitudinal axis AA, but rather overlaps with it in the axial direction. Overlap does not mean that the first elastomeric gripping member 300 and the second elastomeric gripping member 400 are in contact (in fact, they are explicitly not in contact, but spaced apart as described herein). Rather, as used herein, the term overlap simply means that there is a transverse axis (transverse to the longitudinal axis AA) intersecting the first elastomeric gripping member 300 and the second elastomeric gripping member 400.

[0050] In an alternative embodiment, the second elastomeric gripping member 400 may be positioned such that the entire second elastomeric gripping member 400 is between the bottom end 310 of the first elastomeric gripping member and the bottom end 201 of the structural body 200. In this embodiment, no portion of the second elastomeric gripping member 400 is located axially above the bottom end 310 of the first elastomeric gripping member 300. In this embodiment, no portion of the second elastomeric gripping member 400 is located axially above the central axis (i.e., the central transverse axis) BB of the first elastomeric gripping member 400.

[0051] In one embodiment, the handle portion 210 may include a gripping portion located between the bottom end 402 of the second elastomeric gripping member 400 and the bottom end 201 of the handle portion 210. The gripping portion 210 may have a length measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis AA that is greater than the length measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis AA from the bottom end 402 of the second elastomeric gripping member 400 to the top end 311 of the first elastomeric gripping member. During use of the personal care appliance 100, the gripping portion of the handle portion 210 can be placed within the user's palm.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, each of the gripping features 412, 422 of the second elastomeric gripping member 400 is located between the bottom end 310 of the first elastomeric gripping member 300 and the bottom end 201 of the structural body 200. Therefore, although a portion of the second elastomeric gripping member 400 may extend axially to a position between the top end 311 and the bottom end 310 of the first elastomeric gripping member 300, in this embodiment, none of the gripping features 412, 422 can be positioned along that portion of the second elastomeric gripping member 400. Figure 7 As is best viewed, the band portion 430 of the second elastomeric gripping member 400 can be located completely below the bottom end 310 of the first elastomeric gripping member 300.

[0053] The first elastomeric gripping member 300 can be divided into three parts having the same length measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis AA. Specifically, the first elastomeric gripping member 300 may include: a lower axial portion 312 including a bottom end 310, an intermediate axial portion 313, and an upper axial portion 314 including a top end 310. The lower axial portion 312, the intermediate axial portion 313, and the upper axial portion 314 may have equal lengths measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis AA. In the illustrated embodiment, there is no plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA intersecting the second elastomeric gripping member 400 and the intermediate axial portion 313 of the first elastomeric gripping member 300. Similarly, in the illustrated embodiment, there is no plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA intersecting the second elastomeric gripping member 400 and the upper axial portion 314 of the first elastomeric gripping member 300. In the illustrated embodiment, there is a reference plane P intersecting the second elastomeric gripping member 400 and the lower axial portion 312 of the first elastomeric gripping member 300. Ref In some embodiments, the lower axial portion 312 of the first elastomeric gripping member 300 may occupy one-third or less of the length of the first elastomeric gripping member 300. In other embodiments, the lower axial portion 312 of the first elastomeric gripping member 300 may occupy one-quarter or less, one-fifth or less, one-sixth or less, one-seventh or less, or one-eighth or less of the length of the first elastomeric gripping member 300. Therefore, in some embodiments, there may be very little overlap between the first elastomeric gripping member 300 and the second elastomeric gripping member 400 in the axial direction.

[0054] As discussed above, the first elastomeric gripping member 300 and the second elastomeric gripping member 400 can be isolated from each other, so that there is no contact between the first elastomeric gripping member 300 and the second elastomeric gripping member 400. However, as used herein, the statement that "the first elastomeric gripping member 300 and the second elastomeric gripping member 400 are isolated from each other by a portion of the outer surface of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200" does not preclude the possibility that the first elastomeric gripping member 300 and the second elastomeric gripping member 400 may come into contact with each other at some point. For example, there may be a connecting portion formed of elastomeric material that connects the first elastomeric gripping member 300 and the second elastomeric gripping member 400. That is, a strip of elastomeric material may extend along the outer surface of the handle portion 210 or inside the handle portion 210 to connect the first elastomeric gripping member 300 and the second elastomeric gripping member 400, so that the first elastomeric gripping member 300 and the second elastomeric gripping member 400 can be connected. For example, a small strip may extend along the rear of the handle portion 210. In one embodiment, the first elastomeric gripping member 300 and the second elastomeric gripping member 400 are separate and distinct from each other. In another embodiment, the first elastomeric gripping member 300 and the second elastomeric gripping member 400 are completely spaced apart from each other, such that there is no contact between the first elastomeric gripping member 300 and the second elastomeric gripping member 400. However, as described, this is not necessarily required in all embodiments.

[0055] In an embodiment, the first elastomeric gripping member 300 may have a first color, and the second elastomeric gripping member 400 may have a second color. The first color and the second color may be different from each other. In an embodiment, the first elastomeric gripping member 300 may have a first hardness or hardness value, and the second elastomeric gripping member 400 may have a second hardness or hardness value. The first hardness or hardness value may be different from the second hardness or hardness value. The first hardness or hardness value may be less than the second hardness or hardness value, such that the second elastomeric gripping member 400 may be harder than the first elastomeric gripping member 300.

[0056] In one embodiment, the outer surface of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200 includes an annular portion 290 surrounding the first elastomeric gripping member 300. In another embodiment, the outer surface of the handle portion 210 may further include an annular portion surrounding the second elastomeric gripping member 400. The second elastomeric gripping member 300 may be spaced apart from the first elastomeric gripping member 300 by the annular portion 290 of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200. Therefore, a portion of the outer surface of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200 may extend between the first elastomeric gripping member 300 and the second elastomeric gripping member 400 to separate the first elastomeric gripping member 300 and the second elastomeric gripping member 400 from each other.

[0057] In this embodiment, the first elastomeric gripping member 300 and the second elastomeric gripping member 400 can be separated by the outer surface of the handle portion 210 along the front surface 211 and the first lateral surface portion 213 and the second lateral surface portion 214. That is, the first elastomeric gripping member 300 can have a peripheral edge on the front surface portion 211, which is surrounded by the annular portion 290 of the handle portion 210, and the peripheral edge ensures that there is a space or gap between the first elastomeric gripping member 300 and the second elastomeric gripping member 400 along the front surface 211 and the lateral surfaces 213, 214.

[0058] refer to Figure 8 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view taken through the first elastomeric gripper 400 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. This view shows the first elastomeric gripper 300 located within a hole 220 formed through the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200. As described above, the hole 220 is a through hole in the illustrated embodiment, but in other embodiments it may be a recess formed into one or both of the front and rear surfaces of the handle portion 210. The front outer surface 301 of the first elastomeric gripper 300 is shown positioned along and possibly protruding from the front surface portion 211 of the handle portion 210. Similarly, the rear outer surface 302 of the first elastomeric gripper 300 is shown positioned along and possibly protruding from the rear surface portion 212 of the handle portion 210. The first elastomeric gripper 300 may form a finger / thumb grip along the front surface portion 211 of the handle portion 210. The first elastomeric gripping member 300 may also form a finger / thumb gripping portion along the rear surface portion 212 of the handle portion 210.

[0059] Figure 9 A cross-sectional view taken through the second elastomeric gripping member 400 is shown. As described, the second elastomeric gripping member 400 may be nested within a recess 230 formed in the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200. The recess 230 includes a bottom surface 231 recessed relative to the outer surface of the handle portion 210 of the structural body 200. The recess 230 may include a first portion 232, a second portion 233, and a third portion 234, which may be continuous and interconnected. The second elastomeric gripping member 400 may be nested within the first portion 232, the second portion 233, and the third portion 234 of the recess 230. The second elastomeric gripping member 400 may be injection molded into the handle portion 210 within the recess during manufacturing. In an embodiment, the first lateral gripping portion 410 and the second lateral gripping portion 420 of the second elastomeric gripping member 400 may have a greater thickness than the band portion 430 of the second elastomeric gripping member 400. In other embodiments, the second elastomeric gripping member 400 may have a constant thickness.

[0060] Brief Reference Figure 10 and 11 An alternative embodiment of a personal care device 500 is shown. The personal care device 500 includes a structural body 510, a first elastomeric gripping member 520 coupled to the structural body 510, and a second elastomeric gripping member 530 coupled to the structural body 510. In this embodiment, the structural body 510 and the first elastomeric gripping member 520 are identical to the structural body 200 and the first elastomeric gripping member 300 described above. The only difference between the personal care device 500 and the personal care device 100 is that the second elastomeric gripping member 530 includes a first lateral gripping portion 531 and a second lateral gripping portion 532, but lacks a strap portion connecting the first lateral gripping portion 531 and the second lateral gripping portion 532. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first lateral gripping portion 531 and the second lateral gripping portion 532 of the second elastomeric gripping member 530 are separate portions spaced apart from each other. Each of the first lateral gripping portion 531 and the second lateral gripping portion 532 of the second elastomeric gripping member 523 is located in a recess on one of the lateral sides of the structural body 510.

[0061] Figure 12 Another embodiment of a personal care device 600 is shown, comprising a structural body 610, a first elastomeric gripping member 620, and a second elastomeric gripping member 630. In this embodiment, the structural body 610 includes an opening, thereby exposing the side surface of the first elastomeric gripping member 620. Thus, this illustrates a modified structure of the structural body 610 and the first elastomeric gripping member 620.

[0062] The term "range" is used throughout as a concise expression to describe each value within the range. Any value within the range can be chosen as an endpoint of the range. Furthermore, all references cited herein are incorporated in their entirety. In the event of any conflict between definitions in this disclosure and definitions in cited references, this disclosure shall prevail.

[0063] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples (including the currently preferred mode for carrying out the invention), those skilled in the art will understand that numerous variations and substitutions exist for the systems and techniques described above. It should be understood that other embodiments can be utilized and structural and functional modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should be broadly interpreted as set forth in the appended claims.

[0064] Exemplary Claims Set

[0065] Exemplary claim 1. A personal care device comprising: a structural body formed of a rigid material, the structural body including a handle portion having an outer surface including a front surface portion, a rear surface portion, a first lateral surface portion, and a second lateral surface portion; a first elastomeric gripping member coupled to the handle portion of the structural body, the first elastomeric gripping member including a front outer surface positioned along the front surface portion of the outer surface of the handle portion of the structural body and at least one first gripping feature located on the front outer surface; a second elastomeric gripping member coupled to the handle portion of the structural body, the second elastomeric gripping member including a first lateral outer surface positioned along the first lateral surface portion of the outer surface of the handle portion of the structural body and at least one second gripping feature located on the first lateral outer surface; and wherein the first elastomeric gripping member and the second elastomeric gripping member are isolated from each other by a portion of the outer surface of the handle portion of the structural body.

[0066] Exemplary claim 2. The personal care appliance according to exemplary claim 1, wherein the first elastomeric gripping member is a first injection-molded member injection-molded onto the handle portion of the structural body, and wherein the second elastomeric gripping member is a second injection-molded member injection-molded onto the handle portion of the structural body.

[0067] Exemplary claim 3. A personal care appliance according to exemplary claim 1 or exemplary claim 2, wherein the handle portion of the structural body includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a waist portion located between the distal portion and the proximal portion, the waist portion having a reduced width relative to the distal portion and the proximal portion, and wherein the second elastomeric gripping member is positioned along the waist portion of the handle portion of the structural body.

[0068] Exemplary claim 4. The personal care appliance according to exemplary claim 3, wherein a first lateral surface portion and a second lateral surface portion of the outer surface of the handle portion of the structural body protrudes along the proximal portion and the distal portion and is recessed along the waist portion.

[0069] Exemplary claim 5. A personal care appliance according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 4, wherein the structural body includes a longitudinal axis, wherein the first elastomeric gripping member includes a first top end, a first bottom end, and a central axis, the central axis being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the structural body and positioned equidistant from the first top end and the first bottom end of the first elastomeric gripping member, and wherein the second elastomeric gripping member includes a second top end and a second bottom end, the second top end of the second elastomeric gripping member being axially located between the central axis and the first bottom end of the first elastomeric gripping member.

[0070] Exemplary claim 6. A personal care appliance according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 5, further comprising: wherein the first gripping feature includes at least one of the following: (1) one or more protrusions extending from the front outer surface of the first elastomeric gripping member; and (2) one or more grooves formed in the front outer surface of the first elastomeric gripping member; and wherein the second gripping feature includes at least one of the following: (1) one or more protrusions extending from the first side outer surface of the second elastomeric gripping member; and (2) one or more grooves formed in the first side outer surface of the second elastomeric gripping member.

[0071] Exemplary claim 7. A personal care appliance according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 6, further comprising: a handle portion of the structural body including a through hole extending from the front surface portion to the rear surface portion; and the first elastomeric gripping member including a first integral elastomeric material block including a first outer surface portion positioned along the front surface portion of the outer surface of the handle portion of the structural body, a second outer surface portion positioned along the rear surface portion of the handle portion of the structural body, and a central portion located within the through hole.

[0072] Exemplary claim 8. A personal care appliance according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 7, wherein a first lateral surface portion of the handle portion of the structural body includes a recess having a bottom surface, and wherein the second elastomeric gripping member is located within the recess.

[0073] Exemplary claim 9. A personal care appliance according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 8, wherein the second elastomeric gripping member comprises: a first lateral gripping portion including a first lateral outer surface; and a second lateral gripping portion including a second lateral outer surface positioned along a second lateral surface portion of an outer surface of a handle portion of the structural body, and at least one third gripping feature located on the second lateral outer surface of the second lateral gripping portion of the second elastomeric gripping member.

[0074] Exemplary claim 10. The personal care appliance of exemplary claim 9, wherein the second elastomeric gripping member includes a strap portion extending between the first lateral gripping portion and the second lateral gripping portion and connecting the first lateral gripping portion to the second lateral gripping portion, the strap portion being positioned along a rear surface portion of an outer surface of a handle portion of the structural body, and wherein the second elastomeric gripping member includes a second integral elastomeric material block, the second integral elastomeric material block including the first lateral gripping portion, the second lateral gripping portion, and the strap portion.

[0075] Exemplary claim 11. The personal care appliance according to exemplary claim 10, wherein the handle portion of the structural body includes a continuous recess extending along the first lateral surface portion, the rear surface portion and the second lateral surface portion, and wherein the second elastomeric gripping member is located within the continuous recess.

[0076] Exemplary claim 12. The personal care appliance according to exemplary claim 10, wherein the strap portion of the second elastomeric gripping member is located between the bottom end of the first elastomeric gripping member and the distal end of the handle portion of the structural body.

[0077] Exemplary claim 13. A personal care device according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 12, wherein the first elastomeric gripping member and the second elastomeric gripping member are separate and distinct from each other, and wherein the first elastomeric gripping member and the second elastomeric gripping member are completely spaced apart from each other such that there is no contact between the first elastomeric gripping member and the second elastomeric gripping member.

[0078] Exemplary claim 14. A personal care appliance according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 13, further comprising: the structural body including a longitudinal axis; the first elastomeric gripping member including a lower axial portion, a middle axial portion and an upper axial portion having equal lengths, and wherein no plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis intersects with either the second elastomeric gripping member or the middle axial portion and the upper axial portion of the first elastomeric gripping member.

[0079] Exemplary claim 15. The personal care appliance according to exemplary claim 14, wherein a reference plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis intersects the second elastomeric gripping member and the lower axial portion of the first elastomeric gripping member.

[0080] Exemplary claim 16. A personal care appliance according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 15, wherein the first elastomeric gripping member includes a bottom end, and wherein the at least one second gripping feature includes a plurality of second gripping features, and wherein each of the plurality of second gripping features is axially located between the bottom end of the first elastomeric gripping member and the distal end of the handle portion of the structural body.

[0081] Exemplary claim 17. A personal care appliance according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 16, wherein the first side outer surface of the second elastomeric gripping member is convex or planar.

[0082] Exemplary claim 18. A personal care appliance according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 17, further comprising: the structural body including a longitudinal axis located in a reference plane perpendicular to the front and rear surfaces of the outer surface of the handle portion of the structural body; wherein the reference plane intersects the front outer surface of the first elastomeric gripping member; and wherein the reference plane does not intersect the first side outer surface of the second elastomeric gripping member.

[0083] Exemplary claim 19. A personal care appliance according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 18, wherein the handle portion of the structural body includes an annular portion that surrounds the first elastomeric gripping member and separates the first elastomeric gripping member from the second elastomeric gripping member.

[0084] Exemplary claim 20. A personal care appliance according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 18, wherein the structural body further includes a head portion coupled to the handle portion, and further includes a dental cleaning element extending from the front surface of the head portion.

[0085] Exemplary claim 21. A personal care appliance comprising: a structural body formed of a rigid material, the structural body including a handle portion and a head portion, the handle portion including a front surface, a rear surface, a first lateral surface, and a second lateral surface; a first integral elastomeric material block coupled to the handle portion of the structural body to form a first elastomeric gripping member, the first integral elastomeric material block including a front outer surface exposed along the front surface of the handle portion and at least one first gripping feature located on the front outer surface; a second integral elastomeric material block coupled to the handle portion of the structural body to form a second elastomeric gripping member, the second integral elastomeric material block including: a first lateral gripping portion located on the first lateral surface of the handle portion and including at least one second gripping feature; and a second lateral gripping portion located on a second lateral surface of the handle portion and including at least one third gripping feature; and wherein the first integral elastomeric material block and the second integral elastomeric material block are different from each other and spaced apart from each other by a portion of the structural body.

[0086] Exemplary claim 22. The personal care appliance of exemplary claim 21, wherein the second integral elastomeric material block further includes a strap portion extending between the first lateral gripping portion and the second lateral gripping portion and connecting the first lateral gripping portion to the second lateral gripping portion, the strap portion being positioned along the rear surface of the handle portion of the structural body.

[0087] Exemplary claim 23. A personal care appliance according to any one of exemplary claims 21 to 22, further comprising: wherein the first gripping feature includes at least one of the following: (1) one or more protrusions extending from the front outer surface of the first elastomeric gripping member; and (2) one or more grooves formed in the front outer surface of the first elastomeric gripping member; wherein the second gripping feature includes at least one of the following: (1) one or more protrusions extending from the first side outer surface of the first lateral gripping portion; and (2) one or more grooves formed in the first side outer surface of the first lateral gripping portion; and wherein the third gripping feature includes at least one of the following: (1) one or more protrusions extending from the second side outer surface of the second lateral gripping portion; and (2) one or more grooves formed in the second side outer surface of the second lateral gripping portion.

[0088] Exemplary claim 24. The personal care appliance according to exemplary claim 23, wherein the first gripping feature includes multiple sets of one or more protrusions, and the second gripping feature and the third gripping feature include multiple sets of one or more grooves.

[0089] Exemplary claim 25. A personal care appliance according to any one of exemplary claims 21 to 24, wherein the handle portion of the structural body includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a waist portion located between the distal portion and the proximal portion, wherein a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface of the handle portion of the structural body protrude along the proximal portion and the distal portion and are recessed along the waist portion, and wherein a second integral elastomeric material block is positioned along the waist portion of the handle portion of the structural body.

[0090] Exemplary claim 26. A personal care appliance according to any one of exemplary claims 21 to 25, further comprising: the structural body including a longitudinal axis; the first integral elastomeric material block including a lower axial portion, a middle axial portion and an upper axial portion having equal lengths, and wherein the second integral elastomeric material block is located entirely between the bottom end of the middle axial portion of the first integral elastomeric material block and the distal end of the handle portion of the structural body.

[0091] Exemplary claim 27. The personal care appliance according to exemplary claim 26, wherein no plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis intersects with either the second integral elastomeric material block or the central axial portion and the upper axial portion of the first integral elastomeric material block.

[0092] Exemplary claim 28. A method of manufacturing a personal care appliance, the method comprising: forming a structural body from a rigid material, the structural body including a handle portion having a front surface, a rear surface, a first lateral surface, and a second lateral surface; injecting a first molten elastomeric material into a hole in the front surface of the handle portion of the structural body to form a first integral elastomeric material block, the first integral elastomeric material block including a front outer surface and at least one first gripping feature located on the front outer surface; injecting a second molten elastomeric material into a first recessed portion of a recess in the first lateral surface of the handle portion of the structural body to form a second integral elastomeric material block, the second integral elastomeric material block including a first lateral gripping portion having a first outer side surface and at least one second gripping feature; and wherein the second integral elastomeric material block is isolated from the first integral elastomeric material block by a portion of the handle portion of the structural body.

[0093] Exemplary claim 29. The method according to exemplary claim 28, further comprising: wherein the second recess includes a first recess portion in a first lateral surface of the handle portion of the structural body, a second recess portion in a second lateral surface of the handle portion of the structural body, and a third recess portion in a rear surface of the handle portion of the structural body, the second recess extending continuously along the first lateral surface of the handle portion, the rear surface of the handle portion, and the second lateral surface of the handle portion; and wherein the second integral elastomeric material block includes a first lateral gripping portion located in the first recess portion, a second lateral gripping portion located in the second recess portion and having a second outer side surface and at least one third gripping feature, and a band portion located in the third recess portion.

[0094] Exemplary claim 30. The method according to exemplary claim 28 or exemplary claim 29, wherein the first integral elastomeric material block includes a lower axial portion, an intermediate axial portion and an upper axial portion having equal lengths, and wherein the second integral elastomeric material block is located between the intermediate axial portion and the distal end of the structural body.

[0095] Exemplary claim 31. The method according to any one of exemplary claims 28 to 30, wherein the handle portion of the structural body includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a waist portion located between the distal portion and the proximal portion, the waist portion having a reduced width relative to the proximal portion and the distal portion, a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface of the handle portion of the structural body being recessed along the waist portion such that the waist portion has a reduced width relative to the maximum width of the proximal portion and the distal portion, and wherein the second integral elastomeric material block is positioned along the waist portion of the handle portion of the structural body.

[0096] Exemplary claim 32. The method according to exemplary claim 31, wherein the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface of the handle portion of the structural body protrude along the proximal portion and the distal portion.

[0097] Exemplary claim 33. The method according to exemplary claim 31 or exemplary claim 32, wherein the first side outer surface of the first lateral gripping portion is convex or planar.

Claims

1. A personal care device, comprising: A structural body formed of a rigid material, the structural body including a handle portion having an outer surface, the outer surface including a front surface portion, a rear surface portion, a first lateral surface portion and a second lateral surface portion; A first elastomeric gripping member is attached to the handle portion of the structural body. The first elastomeric gripping member includes a front outer surface positioned along a front surface portion of the outer surface of the handle portion of the structural body and at least one first gripping feature located on the front outer surface. A second elastomeric gripping member is coupled to the handle portion of the structural body. The second elastomeric gripping member includes a first lateral surface positioned along a first lateral surface portion of the outer surface of the handle portion of the structural body and at least one second gripping feature located on the first lateral surface. The first elastomeric gripping component and the second elastomeric gripping component are isolated from each other by a portion of the outer surface of the handle portion of the structural body.

2. The personal care appliance of claim 1, wherein the first elastomeric gripping member is a first injection-molded member injection-molded onto the handle portion of the structural body, and wherein the second elastomeric gripping member is a second injection-molded member injection-molded onto the handle portion of the structural body.

3. The personal care appliance of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the handle portion of the structural body includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a waist portion located between the distal portion and the proximal portion, the waist portion having a reduced width relative to the distal portion and the proximal portion, and wherein the second elastomeric gripping member is positioned along the waist portion of the handle portion of the structural body, wherein a first lateral surface portion and a second lateral surface portion of the outer surface of the handle portion of the structural body protrudes along the proximal portion and the distal portion and is recessed along the waist portion.

4. The personal care appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the structural body includes a longitudinal axis, wherein the first elastomeric gripping member includes a first top end, a first bottom end, and a central axis, the central axis being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the structural body and positioned equidistant from the first top end and the first bottom end of the first elastomeric gripping member, and wherein the second elastomeric gripping member includes a second top end and a second bottom end, the second top end of the second elastomeric gripping member being axially located between the central axis and the first bottom end of the first elastomeric gripping member.

5. The personal care appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: The first gripping feature includes at least one of the following: (1) one or more protrusions extending from the front outer surface of the first elastomeric gripping member; and (2) one or more grooves formed in the front outer surface of the first elastomeric gripping member; and The second gripping feature includes at least one of the following: (1) one or more protrusions extending from the first side outer surface of the second elastomeric gripping member; and (2) one or more grooves formed in the first side outer surface of the second elastomeric gripping member.

6. The personal care appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a first lateral surface portion of the handle portion of the structural body includes a recess having a bottom surface, and wherein the second elastomeric gripping member is located within the recess.

7. The personal care appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second elastomeric gripping component comprises: The first lateral gripping portion includes the first lateral outer surface; The second lateral gripping portion includes a second lateral surface located along a second lateral surface portion of the outer surface of the handle portion of the structural body, and at least one third gripping feature located on the second lateral surface of the second lateral gripping portion of the second elastomeric gripping member. as well as The first lateral gripping portion is connected to the strap portion of the second lateral gripping portion, the strap portion being positioned along the rear surface portion of the outer surface of the handle portion of the structural body, and wherein the second elastomeric gripping component includes a second integral elastomeric material block, the second integral elastomeric material block including the first lateral gripping portion, the second lateral gripping portion and the strap portion.

8. The personal care appliance of claim 7, wherein the handle portion of the structural body includes a continuous recess extending along the first lateral surface portion, the rear surface portion and the second lateral surface portion, and wherein the second elastomeric gripping member is located within the continuous recess.

9. The personal care appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first elastomeric gripping member and the second elastomeric gripping member are separate and distinct from each other, and wherein the first elastomeric gripping member and the second elastomeric gripping member are completely spaced apart from each other such that there is no contact between the first elastomeric gripping member and the second elastomeric gripping member.

10. The personal care appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising: The structural body includes a longitudinal axis; The first elastic gripping component includes a lower axial portion, a middle axial portion, and an upper axial portion of equal length; There is no plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis that intersects with either the second elastomeric gripping component or the central axial portion and upper axial portion of the first elastomeric gripping component. and The reference plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis intersects with the second elastomeric gripping component and the lower axial portion of the first elastomeric gripping component.

11. The personal care appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first elastomeric gripping member includes a bottom end, and wherein the at least one second gripping feature includes a plurality of second gripping features, and wherein each of the plurality of second gripping features is axially located between the bottom end of the first elastomeric gripping member and the distal end of the handle portion of the structural body.

12. The personal care appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first side outer surface of the second elastomeric gripping member is convex or planar.

13. The personal care appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the handle portion of the structural body includes an annular portion that surrounds the first elastomeric gripping member and separates the first elastomeric gripping member from the second elastomeric gripping member.

14. A personal care appliance, comprising: A structural body formed of a rigid material, the structural body including a handle portion and a head portion, the handle portion including a front surface, a rear surface, a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface; A first integral elastomeric material block is attached to the handle portion of the structural body to form a first elastomeric gripping component, the first integral elastomeric material block including a front outer surface exposed along the front surface of the handle portion and at least one first gripping feature located on the front outer surface; A second integral elastomeric material block, connected to the handle portion of the structural body to form a second elastomeric gripping component, comprises: A first lateral gripping portion, the first lateral gripping portion being located on a first lateral surface of the handle portion and including at least one second gripping feature; as well as A second lateral gripping portion, located on a second lateral surface of the handle portion and including at least one third gripping feature; and The first integral elastomeric material block and the second integral elastomeric material block are different from each other and are spaced apart from each other by a portion of the structural body.

15. The personal care appliance of claim 14, wherein the second integral elastomeric material block further comprises a strap portion extending between the first lateral gripping portion and the second lateral gripping portion and connecting the first lateral gripping portion to the second lateral gripping portion, the strap portion being positioned along the rear surface of the handle portion of the structural body.

16. The personal care appliance according to any one of claims 14 to 15, wherein the handle portion of the structural body includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a waist portion located between the distal portion and the proximal portion, wherein a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface of the handle portion of the structural body protrude along the proximal portion and the distal portion and are recessed along the waist portion, and wherein the second integral elastomeric material block is positioned along the waist portion of the handle portion of the structural body.

17. The personal care appliance according to any one of claims 14 to 16, further comprising: The structural body includes a longitudinal axis; The first integral elastomer material block includes a lower axial portion, a middle axial portion, and an upper axial portion of equal length; The second integral elastomer material block is located entirely between the bottom end of the central axial portion of the first integral elastomer material block and the distal end of the handle portion of the structural body; and None of the planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis intersects with either the second integral elastomer material block or the central axial portion and upper axial portion of the first integral elastomer material block.

18. A method of manufacturing a personal care appliance, the method comprising: A structural body is formed of a rigid material, the structural body including a handle portion having a front surface, a rear surface, a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface; A first molten elastomer material is injected into a hole in the front surface of the handle portion of the structural body to form a first integral elastomer material block, the first integral elastomer material block including a front outer surface and at least one first gripping feature located on the front outer surface; A second integral elastomer material is injected into a first recessed portion of a recess in a first lateral surface of the handle portion of the structural body to form a second integral elastomer material block, the second integral elastomer material block including a first lateral gripping portion having a first outer surface and at least one second gripping feature; and The second integral elastomer material block is isolated from the first integral elastomer material block through a portion of the handle portion of the structural body.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: The second recess includes a first recessed portion in the first lateral surface of the handle portion of the structural body, a second recessed portion in the second lateral surface of the handle portion of the structural body, and a third recessed portion in the rear surface of the handle portion of the structural body. The second recessed portion extends continuously along the first lateral surface of the handle portion, the rear surface of the handle portion, and the second lateral surface of the handle portion. The second integral elastomeric material block includes a first lateral gripping portion located in the first recessed portion, a second lateral gripping portion located in the second recessed portion and having a second outer surface and at least one third gripping feature, and a strip portion located in the third recessed portion.

20. The method of any one of claims 18 to 19, wherein the handle portion of the structural body includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a waist portion located between the distal portion and the proximal portion, the waist portion having a reduced width relative to the proximal portion and the distal portion, a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface of the handle portion of the structural body being recessed along the waist portion such that the waist portion has a reduced width relative to the maximum width of the proximal portion and the distal portion, wherein the second integral elastomeric material block is positioned along the waist portion of the handle portion of the structural body, wherein the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface of the handle portion of the structural body protruding along the proximal portion and the distal portion, and wherein the first outer surface of the first lateral gripping portion is convex or planar.

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