Abstract:
A mechanically tapered bristle filament for an oral care implement. The filament is characterized by a long thin tapered end portion. The tapered end portion has a taper length and tip diameter comparable to chemically tapered filaments. The areal surface roughness of the tapered end portion however is greater than chemically tapered filaments thereby producing increased scrubbing action against the surfaces of the teeth. The foregoing taper and roughness characteristics of the present filament enhance inter-dental cleaning effectiveness.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an oral care implement, comprising: a body comprising a handle and a head at an end of the handle; the body having a cavity therein for storing an oral care fluid; the head having at least one oral care element extending therefrom, and a fluid outlet through which the oral care fluid is dispensable to an exterior of the oral care implement; a passageway fluidly connecting the cavity with the fluid outlet; a mechanism for introducing air into the cavity from the exterior of the oral care implement; and a control valve on the head movable relative to the head between a first position for preventing fluid flow from the cavity through the fluid outlet and a second position for permitting fluid flow from the cavity through the fluid outlet.
Abstract:
A package (100) of articles, such as oral care implements (200) comprising: a tubular body (109) having a cavity (115), an open top end (167) and a closed bottom end (126). An annular wall (120) divides the cavity into a central cavity (125) and an annular cavity (115) that circumferentially surrounds the central cavity. A plurality of radial walls (130) extend from an outer surface (121) of the annular wall to an inner surface (112) of the tubular body and divide the annular cavity into a plurality of subcavities (135). At least one oral care implement is disposed within each of the subcavities. A cover (170) is coupled to at least one of the tubular body and the annular wall. The cover comprises a central opening (177) that forms a passageway into the central cavity and a dispensing opening (174).
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 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:
A package for displaying a plurality of items where the package has first and second containers connectable between an open position and a closed position, each container having an outer surface having at least one elongated protrusion, the at least one protrusion having a head end and a tail end, the head end extending further outwardly from the package than the tail end, and an inner surface having at least one inner cavity aligned with the at least one protrusion, the cavity having a depth varying along the protrusion and configured to receive one of the plurality of items, wherein the head end of the at least one protrusion, of the first container is proximate the tail end of the al least one protrusion, of the second container in the closed position.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an oral care implement, comprising: a body comprising a handle and a head, the body having a cavity, and the head having at least one oral care element extending therefrom; a movable wall in the cavity that divides the cavity into first and second reservoirs, the first reservoir for storing an oral care fluid; a fluid outlet through which the oral care fluid is dispensable to an exterior of the oral care implement; a passageway fluidly connecting the first reservoir with the fluid outlet; a control valve movable between a first position and a second position for preventing and permitting fluid flow from the first reservoir, respectively; a first opening fluidly connecting the second reservoir with the exterior of the oral care implement; and a first check valve for permitting and restricting air flow into and out of the second reservoir from the exterior.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an oral care implement, comprising: a body comprising a handle, a head having at least one oral care element extending therefrom, and at least one fluid outlet; a reservoir in the body and for storing an oral care fluid; and a pump in the body for pumping the oral care fluid from the reservoir towards the fluid outlet, wherein the pump comprises an umbrella check valve circumferentially surrounding a duckbill check valve. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing an oral care implement, comprising: providing a body comprising a base having first and second holes extending therethrough; and fitting to the body a unitary component comprising first and second valves at a position at which the first valve blocks the first hole and the second valve blocks the second hole, wherein the first valve comprises an umbrella check valve that circumferentially surrounds the second valve.
Abstract:
A package (100) for an oral care implement (50) comprising a container (200) having a display portion(220) and a periphery (230), and a backing(300) attached to the container for defining an interior (210) for receiving an oral care implement. The backing further comprises a first portion (310) attached to a portion of the periphery for defining an interior of the container and a second portion attached to the display portion; wherein the second portion (330) of the backing further comprises a separable portion that facilitates separation of the first portion of the backing from the display portion and thereby facilitates access to the interior of the container.
Abstract:
An oral care system comprising an oral care implement, such as a toothbrush, and dispenser containing a fluid detachably coupled to the toothbrush. In one embodiment, the dispenser includes a reservoir containing a fluid and a rotatable actuator for dispensing the fluid from the dispenser; and the dispenser is alterable between: (i) a storage state in which the dispenser is detachably coupled to the toothbrush and a mechanical interference between a portion of the rotatable actuator and a portion of the toothbrush prohibits rotation of the rotatable actuator relative to the toothbrush; and (ii) an application state in which a user can rotate the rotatable actuator to dispense the fluid from the dispenser.