AUTOMATED PROCESS FOR FABRICATING ORAL CARE IMPLEMENTS

Title:

AUTOMATED PROCESS FOR FABRICATING ORAL CARE IMPLEMENTS

Document Type and Number:

WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/081946

Kind Code:

A1

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.

Inventors:

WANG PENG (CN)
XIA SHIYONG (CN)
XIE TAO (CN)

Application Number:

PCT/CN2016/104335

Publication Date:

May 11, 2018

Filing Date:

November 02, 2016

Export Citation:

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Assignee:

COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO (US)
WANG PENG (CN)

International Classes:

B29C45/70; A46D3/00

Domestic Patent References:

WO1999001055A1

1999-01-14

Foreign References:

CN103660126A	2014-03-26
CN204977331U	2016-01-20
CN203876179U	2014-10-15
CN102166807A	2011-08-31
DE10145864A1	2003-04-03
EP2191951A1	2010-06-02
US20140077410A1	2014-03-20
EP1079712A2	2001-03-07

Other References: