Abstract:
An oral care kit (100) is provided to allow users with the ability to view a portion of the toothbrush (400) and the dispenser (500), such as a recess located at one end of the toothbrush (400) and an anti-rotation member (560) located at one end of the dispenser (500), without opening the package (300). The oral care kit (100) includes a package (300) comprising first and second cavities(600, 700). Each cavity (600, 700) includes retaining elements (630, 640, 650, 730, 750). Additionally, the second cavity (700) includes a retaining channel (740). The oral care kit (100) also includes a toothbrush (400) comprising a head (430), a handle (410), and a recess located at a proximal end of the handle (410), and a dispenser (500) comprising a housing (520), a rotatable actuator (540)and an anti-rotation member (560) located at a proximal end of the housing (520). When the toothbrush (400) is mounted within the first cavity (600), the recess is visible and when the dispenser (500) is mounted within the second cavity (700), the anti-rotation member (560) is visible.
Abstract:
A method of forming a head plate for enhanced cleaning action during brushing. In one embodiment, the invention can be a method of forming a head plate comprising: a) forming a mounting plate comprising a first section and a second section, the first section separated from the second section by a gap, a groove formed into the second section that extends from the gap to a cleaning element location; b) positioning the mounting plate in a mold cavity; c) injecting a molten resilient material into the mold cavity so that the molten resilient material: (1) flows into the gap; (2) flows into the groove; and (3) flows into a cleaning element chamber; and d) solidifying the molten resilient material, the solidified resilient material in the gap coupling the first and second sections of the plate together, the solidified resilient material in the cleaning element chamber forming a first resilient tooth cleaning element.
Abstract:
An oral care implement having a head that achieves an enhanced cleaning action during brushing. In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle; a head connected to the handle, the head comprising a base structure having a front surface and an opening in the front surface; a carrier having a front surface and a rear surface, the carrier comprising a plurality of teeth cleaning elements extending from the front surface, the carrier movably supported above the front surface of the base structure so that a gap exists between the rear surface of the carrier and the front surface of the base structure; and a spheroid positioned within the opening so that a first portion of the spheroid protrudes from the front surface of the head into the gap and alters movement of the carrier relative to the head.
Abstract:
An oral care implement such as a toothbrush includes a head defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements supported by the toothbrush head. The tooth cleaning elements preferably include at least one tooth polishing unit having a polishing element including a supporting base and a broadened flexible tooth polishing head extending angularly outwards from the base and defining a polishing surface. In a preferred embodiment, the polishing element is made of an elastomeric material. In some embodiments, the polishing element may be comprised of a plurality of individual polishing members.
Abstract:
An oral care implement having a body that appears to float within an aperture of the handle. The body can perform both a decorative and/or utilitarian function depending on its design and/or location on the handle. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle; a head connected to the handle; an aperture in the handle; and a grip body disposed within the aperture and enveloping a body, the grip body constructed of a first material and the body constructed of a second material, the second material being harder than the first material.
Abstract:
A method of forming an oral care implement, a method of forming a head plate for an oral care implement, and an oral care implement or head plate formed therefrom. The head plate may have micro-sized or fine features. The method may include providing an amount of a first solid material upstream of a first mold cavity; prior to the first solid material entering the first mold cavity, applying ultrasonic energy to the first solid material to melt the first solid material into a first molten material; flowing the first molten material into the first mold cavity; allowing the first molten material to harden within the first mold cavity to form a head plate comprising micro-sized features; forming a body from a second material, the body including a handle portion and a head portion; and coupling the head plate to the head portion of the body.
Abstract:
A fluid dispensing oral care implement with fluid delivery system. The implement includes a storage member containing a fluid. A channel formed of one or more wicking or capillary members extends through at least a portion of the oral care implement to deliver fluid(s) through one or more fluid outlets via capillary action. In one embodiment, the fluid outlet is comprised of a wicking or capillary material and is disposed in the head of the implement. In some embodiments, the implement may include a valve and a specially configured storage cap. A variety of fluids can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits, such as fresh breath, tooth whitening, tooth sensitivity, plaque and/or tartar control, or producing sensations of heat, cool, or tingling.
Abstract:
An oral care implement with a soft tissue cleaner. The inventive oral care implement comprises different kinds of soft tissue cleaners that offer expanded in -mouth cleaning. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle (110); a head (120) having a structural body having a front surface (121) and a rear surface (122) opposite the front surface; a basin (190) formed into the rear surface of the structural body, the structural body comprising a protuberance extending upward from a recessed floor of the basin, the basin surrounding the protuberance; a first cleaner (140) formed of a resilient material for cleansing soft oral tissue located within the basin, the protuberance of the structural body extending through a central hole of the first cleaner; and a second cleaner (160) formed of a resilient material for cleansing soft oral tissue, the second cleaner located on the protuberance of the structural body.
Abstract:
An oral care system, such as a toothbrush having a detachable dispenser containing an oral care material. The dispenser includes a housing; an internal reservoir for containing a fluid and a dispensing orifice for dispensing the fluid; a first cam surface, the first cam surface being non-rotatable with respect to the housing; a reciprocator comprising an actuator, a drive screw, and a second cam surface, the reciprocator being rotatable with respect to the housing; an elevator forming a transverse end wall of the reservoir, the elevator being non-rotatable with respect to the housing and threadily coupled to the drive screw; wherein rotation of the actuator causes the elevator to (1) axially advance, and (2) axially reciprocate.
Abstract:
An oral care implement implementing a cleaning element arrangement having diverging cleaning elements. In one aspect, the invention is an oral care implement comprising a handle and a head. A plurality of cleaning elements extend from the first surface of the head so as to form a ring about an axis extending from the first surface of the head. Each of the cleaning elements extend from the first surface of the head at an inclined orientation so as to radially diverge from the axis. In one embodiment, a cleaning element wall also extends from the first surface of the head and circumferentially surrounds the plurality of cleaning elements. In another aspect, the invention may be an apparatus for incorporation into an ansate oral care implement that utilizes the aforementioned arrangement of cleaning elements.