Translucent Shell Oral Care Implement with Embedded Decorative Particles

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Solution Overview

Problem

The oral care implement industry seeks to enhance aesthetics through innovative designs that incorporate multiple mold cavities or components, yet existing solutions fail to create a visually appealing and simple design that effectively showcases decorative elements.

Innovation Solution

An oral care implement featuring a base structure with a core component and a translucent shell component, where the core component includes a body with discrete and spaced apart particles visible through the shell, achieved through a method involving injection molding with two materials in a single mold cavity, allowing the particles to be dispersed and visible, enhancing the aesthetic appeal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If multiple mold cavities or components are used to enhance aesthetics, then the visual appeal is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base structure is segmented into a core component and a shell component that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. The core component contains decorative particles while the shell provides structural enclosure, allowing each to be optimized independently for aesthetics and manufacturing respectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The core component is nested within the shell component to form the complete base structure. This nested arrangement allows the decorative elements in the core to be visible through the translucent shell while maintaining a unified external appearance, achieving enhanced aesthetics without proportionally increasing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Shape

If a translucent shell is used to showcase decorative particles, then the aesthetic effect is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic effectVSAvoidmolding precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The manufacturing process is segmented into two separate injection molding operations: first forming the core component with decorative particles, then forming the shell component separately. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured with appropriate precision controls for its specific requirements, rather than requiring all features to meet the highest precision standards simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The core component is manufactured and prepared in advance with its decorative particles embedded, then this pre-formed core is used as a insert for the subsequent shell molding operation. This preliminary action allows the decorative elements to be properly positioned and secured before the shell is formed around them, reducing the precision requirements for the final assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Shape

If discrete particles are dispersed in the core component, then the visual appeal is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual appealVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The manufacturing of the core component merges two operations into one: the decorative particles are dispersed and embedded within the core material during a single injection molding process. This combining of particle incorporation with core formation simplifies the overall manufacturing process compared to separately attaching decorative elements after core fabrication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The core component is formed as a composite material structure where decorative particles are distributed within a matrix material. This composite approach allows the aesthetic function of discrete particles to be integrated into the structural core component, achieving visual appeal without requiring separate decorative attachments or complex multi-step processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

The solution provides a visually appealing aesthetic effect by making the decorative elements visible through the shell, enhancing the product's attractiveness while maintaining structural integrity and ease of use.

Implementation Method 1

injecting a first material into the first mold cavity, the first material being transparent or translucent; and injecting a second material into the first material in the first mold cavity thereby displacing the first material within the first mold cavity and forming the base structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInjection molding:

Data Source

PatentEP3111799B1Oral care implement and method of forming an oral care implement

Publication Date: 2023.07.26 COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO

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Figure 4A~4B

AI summary

An oral care implement having a base structure with a handle portion and a head portion. In one aspect, the handle portion comprises a core component and a shell component that surrounds the core component. The core component may include a body formed of a rigid material and decorative elements embedded within the body. The shell component may be formed of a substantially transparent material so that the decorative elements of the core are visible through the shell component.