Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Automated process for fabricating oral care implements
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Application No.: US16346293Application Date: 2016-11-02
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Publication No.: US11351706B2Publication Date: 2022-06-07
- Inventor: Peng Wang , Shiyong Xia , Tao Xie
- Applicant: Colgate-Palmolive Company
- Applicant Address: US NY New York
- Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
- Current Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
- Current Assignee Address: US NY New York
- International Application: PCT/CN2016/104335 WO 20161102
- International Announcement: WO2018/081946 WO 20180511
- Main IPC: B29C45/16
- IPC: B29C45/16 ; B29C45/42 ; B29C41/42 ; B29C45/00 ; B29C35/00 ; B25J11/00 ; B29C35/16 ; B29C44/06 ; B29L31/42

Abstract:
A system comprises a fully automated fabrication cell (20) for forming overmolded oral care implements. The cell (20) includes a cluster of process stations (21) including injection molding machines operable to first form oral care implement preforms and then overmold the preforms with an overlay to create fully formed oral care implement bodies. In one example, the overlay may be a flexible elastomeric or rubber material while the preform may comprise a more rigid plastic material. Transfer of the preforms and bodies between the process stations (21) is fully automated and performed by a computer-operated robot (40) having a jointed articulated arm. A grasping tool (60) disposed on an end of the arm (42) releasably engages and transports a plurality of preforms and/or bodies simultaneously. The tool provides two different methods for engaging and holding the toothbrush skeletons/bodies. A programmable controller (130) automatically controls the robotic arm (42)'s operation and movement.
Public/Granted literature
- US20200055218A1 Automated Process for Fabricating Oral Care Implements Public/Granted day:2020-02-20
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