METHODS OF MAKING ELECTROMECHANICAL PERSONAL CARE DEVICE

1 . A method of assembling a handheld, electromechanical device useful in mammalian body-care, the method comprising:

a) providing a one-piece housing having a single opening defined by a rim;

b) providing a unitary insert dimensioned to be insertable through the opening defined by the rim, the unitary insert comprising a frame having disposed thereon electromechanical elements interconnected in an electrical circuit;

c) inserting the unitary insert through the single opening of the housing;

d) removably applying a cover having an exterior surface to close the opening of the one-piece housing; and

e) attaching the unitary insert to the cover prior to removably applying the cover to close the opening.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising sealingly engaging at least two of the cover, frame and one-piece unitary housing to resist the ingress of liquids into the one-piece housing.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein providing the one-piece housing comprises providing a one-piece housing formed by subjecting a thermoplastic preform to a blow-molding process.

4 . The method claim 1 , wherein providing a one-piece housing comprises providing a one-piece housing formed by rotomolding a polymeric material.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one-piece housing has a projected area that is symmetrical on opposite sides of a plane perpendicular to the opening.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the unitary insert has a projected area that is circumscribed by the single opening, and inserting the unitary insert through the single opening involves a single, linear motion.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the unitary insert has a projected area that extends outside of the opening, and inserting the unitary insert through the single opening comprises aligning a distal portion of the unitary insert with the opening, inserting the distal portion through the opening, pivoting the unitary insert to align a remaining portion of the unitary insert that has a projected area that is circumscribed by the rim, and inserting the remaining portion of the unitary insert through the rim.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a damping member between the unitary insert and the one-piece housing to inhibit the transfer of motion therebetween.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the removable cover is arranged and configured to transmit at least one output of the electromechanical elements disposed within the one-piece housing through the exterior surface of the cover.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the cover further comprises an aperture having a gasket and a moveable shaft disposed therein, and wherein the moveable shaft is operatively connected to the motor to transfer motion from the motor to a skin-contacting element disposed outside of the one-piece housing.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the removable cover comprises a cap, and the step of removably applying the cover comprises removably engaging the cap over the rim.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the removable cover comprises a plug, and the step of removably applying the cover comprises removably engaging the plug within the rim.

13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising arranging a gasket about the plug.

14 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising arranging a gasket about the unitary insert between the unitary insert and the one-piece housing.

15 . A method of assembling a handheld, electromechanical device useful in mammalian body-care, the method comprising:

a) attaching a unitary insert to a cover having an exterior surface, the unitary insert comprising a frame having disposed thereon electromechanical elements interconnected in an electrical circuit; and

b) removably applying the cover with the unitary insert already attached thereto to the single opening of a one-piece housing to close the opening of the one-piece housing.

16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising sealingly engaging at least two of the cover, frame and one-piece unitary housing to resist the ingress of liquids into the one-piece housing.

17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the one-piece housing has a projected area that is symmetrical on opposite sides of a plane perpendicular to the opening.

18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the unitary insert has a projected area that is circumscribed by the single opening, and inserting the unitary insert through the single opening involves a single, linear motion.

19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the unitary insert has a projected area that extends outside of the opening, and inserting the unitary insert through the single opening comprises aligning a distal portion of the unitary insert with the opening, inserting the distal portion through the opening, pivoting the unitary insert to align a remaining portion of the unitary insert that has a projected area that is circumscribed by the rim, and inserting the remaining portion of the unitary insert through the rim.

20 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising providing a damping member between the unitary insert and the one-piece housing to inhibit the transfer of motion therebetween.

21 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the removable cover is arranged and configured to transmit at least one output of the electromechanical elements disposed within the one-piece housing through the exterior surface of the cover.

22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the cover further comprises an aperture having a gasket and a moveable shaft disposed therein, and wherein the moveable shaft is operatively connected to the motor to transfer motion from the motor to a skin-contacting element disposed outside of the one-piece housing.

23 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising arranging a gasket about the unitary insert between the unitary insert and the one-piece housing.