New-Concept Black & Decker [R] Electric Knife Has the Same Tekbond [TM] TPE Molded Over Different Rigid Thermoplastics

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SHELTON, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., February 29, 2000--Demonstrating the versatility of Tekbond [trade mark] thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) from Teknor Apex, the manufacturer of a new Black & Decker electric knife uses the same Tekbond grade to over-mold components injection molded from different rigid thermoplastics, it was announced today by the company, Household Products, Inc. The electric knife is part of the new Ergo [trade mark] series of Black and Decker [registered trade mark] small appliances in which a key design factor is ergonomics.

Household Products produces a distinctively colored "soft-touch" grip for the appliance by over-molding the Tekbond TPE compound onto the acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) housing top. A matching blade guide is over-molded onto the polycarbonate (PC) base, providing non-slip properties. By using the same Tekbond TPE grade, Household Products ensures absolute color consistency, identical tactile properties, and the same end-use performance, according to Scott Lutz, Senior Project Engineer.

The performance specifications include long-term resistance to discoloration caused by ultraviolet (UV) light exposure; stress cracking and staining from exposure to household chemicals and oils; and failures resulting from abrasion, impacts, and other stresses.

"As with all of our Black & Decker small appliances, the Ergo electric knife incorporates new design concepts and the durability required to perform well beyond its expected product life," said Lutz. "The extremely strong bonds created when a Tekbond TPE is over-molded onto many types of rigid thermoplastics allowed us to employ a different thermoplastic for the rigid substrate of each component, optimizing the performance of each part without the conventional penalty of having to use dissimilar elastomers."

The sleek Ergo electric knife was developed to provide consumers with a more appealing, user-friendly, and safer-to-use appliance than conventional products, according to Product Manager Kristen Verratti. "Our primary goal was to explore new design possibilities as a way to enhance what we call the 'user interface'," she said. "Many features of the Ergo product reflect this emphasis on boosting the quality, performance, and safety of the electric knife, which until now has been manufactured in virtually the same design for decades."

For one example, Verratti cited the cool green TPE grip over-molded onto the top half of the housing. The grip enhances dexterity and provides a pleasing tactile experience for users, she said. The housing itself is gradually tapered from its bulbous end to the thinner trigger area (see photo), providing a comfortable and secure grip for large and small hands alike. In addition, the knife blade is offset downward in relation to the housing, which makes it far easier to slice evenly and right to the bottom of a roast or loaf of bread than with a conventional electric knife, and without the user's knuckles hitting the cutting board.

The blade guide over-molded of Tekbond TPE acts as a non-slip surface at the front of the housing, while also giving aesthetic color balance. Also, when the Ergo electric knife is rested on a table or cutting board, the blade remains slightly above, rather than on, the surface to prevent unintentional contact with the blade; conventional electric knives do not have this extra feature.

The third and perhaps most important part that is overmolded is the oval-shaped finger-grip on each knife blade. The base material again is ABS, and Tekbond supplied the necessary grip strength, feel, and matched color. The combination of a slightly dish-shaped and oversized outline of the grips communicates immediately to the user how to hold and manage the blade, and the non-slip Tekbond gives assurance for safe handling.

Unlike conventional TPEs, Tekbond compounds can be over-molded directly onto most rigid thermoplastics used for "soft-touch" grips and for multi-component parts in appliance, automotive, and other applications. They form strong, permanent chemical bonds to PC, ABS, PC/ABS alloys, acrylic, cellulose propionate, PCT polyester, and nylon 6,6. They are available in a range of hardnesses and are off-white in natural form, allowing pigmentation to any color.

For more information on Household Products, Inc., contact the company at 6 Armstrong Road, Shelton, Connecticut 06484 U.S.A. Tel: 203 926 3000. Fax: 203 926 0000. Web site: www.householdproducts.com.