Toothbrush Handle Voids and Slots for Lower Plastic Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
The excessive use of plastic in toothbrush manufacturing contributes to environmental pollution, as plastic does not biodegrade and leaches harmful chemicals, necessitating a reduction in plastic usage in oral care implements.
Innovation Solution
Designing an oral care implement with a handle featuring voids, slots, and a combination of hard and elastomeric materials to reduce plastic material while maintaining structural integrity, including an open thumb gripping passageway and elongated slots in the handle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If plastic material is used to manufacture toothbrushes, then structural integrity and durability are maintained, but environmental pollution and plastic waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials by incorporating a foam core within the handle structure. This foam core provides structural support and integrity while using less material overall, thereby maintaining strength while reducing plastic consumption and environmental pollution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining different materials in the handle construction - specifically a foam core with outer shell materials. This composite approach allows optimization of both structural integrity and environmental impact by selecting materials with appropriate properties for each functional requirement.
2Quantity of substance
If voids and slots are added to the handle, then material usage is reduced, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the handle into distinct regions with voids and slots created through longitudinal beams and transverse partitions. This segmentation reduces material usage while the strategic placement of these divisions maintains structural integrity by preserving load-bearing pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam core acts as a porous material that provides structural support throughout the handle volume. This allows the creation of voids and slots in the outer shell without compromising overall structural integrity, as the foam core continues to provide strength and stiffness.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple materials are combined in the handle, then material efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating multiple materials into a unified handle structure through processes like co-molding or assembly of pre-formed components. This allows different materials to be combined for optimal efficiency while the manufacturing process itself is designed to handle this multi-material construction efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of composite materials is implemented through structured assembly where a foam core is combined with outer shell materials. This composite construction can be achieved through various manufacturing methods including injection molding over foam cores or assembly of pre-formed components, balancing material efficiency with manufacturing feasibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Reduces the amount of virgin material needed for manufacturing while ensuring the oral care implement's functionality and comfort, addressing environmental concerns and material waste.
Implementation Method 1
The open thumb gripping passageway may be defined by an elastomeric ring portion that is fitted into an aperture in a rigid base component
Data Source
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AI summary
An oral care implement having a head and a handle. A plurality of tooth cleaning elements extend from an exposed front surface of the head. The handle has an open thumb gripping passageway extending between an exposed first surface of the handle and an exposed second surface of the handle opposite the exposed first surface. The handle also has a plurality of slots defining open slot passageways from the exposed first surface of the handle to the exposed second surface of the handle. The open thumb gripping passageway may be defined by a ring component that is fitted into an aperture in a body component. The open thumb gripping passageway may be a void space in the handle. The open slot passageways may be elongated along the handle and may serve to reduce a total amount of virgin material needed to manufacture the oral care implement.