Handle for a personal grooming device
View Patent ↗A method of manufacturing a handle for a personal grooming device includes forming a substrate portion of a first material. The substrate portion has first and second walls forming a channel extending along a long axis of the substrate portion. An insert member is formed separate from the substrate portion and disposed within the channel. A grip portion of a second material is formed on the substrate portion. The second material substantially encases the insert member.
1. A handle for a grooming device, the handle comprising:
a substrate member of a first material comprising first and second walls forming a channel extending along a longitudinal axis of the substrate member;
an insert member disposed within the channel;
a grip portion of a second material disposed on the substrate member and substantially encasing the insert member; and
a tower portion extending from a surface of the channel formed in the substrate member, the tower portion comprising [through] an [exterior] exposed top surface coplanar with a top surface of the handle [of the grip portion].
2. The handle of claim 1 further comprising a blade unit connecting portion at a distal end of the substrate member.
3. The handle of claim 2 , wherein the blade unit connecting portion forms a first recess in an upper surface thereof and a second recess in a lower surface thereof for connecting a blade unit.
4. The handle of claim 1 , further comprising a bristle-containing head.
5. The handle of claim 1 , wherein the substrate member comprises a rib portion transversely extending between the first and second walls.
6. The handle of claim 5 , wherein the insert member includes a slot sized to receive said rib.
7. The handle of claim 1 , wherein the insert member comprises an opening sized to accommodate the tower portion.
8. The handle of claim 1 , wherein the insert member comprises a hook portion which snap-fits onto the substrate member.
9. The handle of claim 1 , wherein the insert member comprises a finger portion projecting from an upper surface thereof.
10. The handle of claim 9 , wherein the finger portion is clamped to fix its position within the channel.
11. The handle of claim 1 , wherein the top surface is at least substantially flush with an exterior surface of the grip portion.
12. The handle of claim 1 , wherein the grip portion completely encases the insert member.
13. The handle of claim 1 , wherein the substrate member comprises a rigid material.
14. The handle of claim 13 , wherein the substrate member comprises polypropylene.
15. The handle of claim 1 , wherein the grip portion comprises an elastomeric material.