Abstract:
An oral care implement comprises a head portion and handle portion comprising resiliently folding appendages. The appendages extend laterally outwards from a central body of the handle portion in opposite directions. In one embodiment, the appendages may each have annular loop structures with recurvant ends coupled to the body. The head portion comprises tooth cleaning elements such as bristles. The head portion, handle portion, and bristles may be a monolithic construction of a resiliently deformable material with elastic memory. The bristles may be especially pliable and adapted for infant or toddler use. The appendages have an undeformed width preventing the young child from over-insertion into the oral cavity when at maximum span. The appendages may be folded against the body for deeper insertion into the oral cavity by an adult. The implement is configured to prevent the head portion and tooth bristles from contacting a flat surface when placed thereon.
Abstract:
An oral care implement having an arrangement of tooth cleaning elements thereon. The oral care implement may include a head extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end. A plurality of tooth cleaning elements extend from the head and are arranged in groups including a first group of tooth cleaning elements that terminate in distal ends that form a concave cleaning surface and a second group of tooth cleaning elements that terminate in distal ends that form a convex cleaning surface. Furthermore, there may also be a third group of tooth cleaning elements extending transversely across the head and dividing the first group of tooth cleaning elements into first and second subgroups of tooth cleaning elements. The third group of tooth cleaning elements may be inclined relative to a surface of the head from which they extend.
Abstract:
A method of forming a product array (1000) or a product array (1000) formed thereby. The method may include selecting a first oral care material (111) having a first oral care benefit, mounting a first plurality of tooth cleaning elements (113) comprising at least one first type of tooth cleaning element (114) that provides the first oral care benefit to a first toothbrush (112), and forming a first oral care kit (110) comprising the first oral care material (111) and the first toothbrush (112). The method may also include selecting a second oral care material (131) having a second oral care benefit that is different than the first oral care benefit, mounting a second plurality of tooth cleaning elements (133) comprising at least one second type of tooth cleaning element (134) that provides the second oral care benefit to a second toothbrush (132), and forming a second oral care kit (130) comprising the second oral care material (131) and the second toothbrush (132).
Abstract:
An oral care implement having a cover member. In one aspect, the invention is an oral care implement comprising: a body comprising a handle and a head coupled the handle, the head comprising a first coupling element, and the handle comprising a second coupling element; a store of oral care material located within the body; an outlet located on the head; a cover member comprising a cap portion, a mounting portion, and a third coupling element, the cover member alterable between: (1) a first state in which the first and third coupling elements cooperate with one another to detachably couple the cover member to the head to seal the outlet; and (2) a second state in which the second and third coupling elements cooperate with one another to detachably couple the cover member to the handle so that the mounting portion can operate as a stand.
Abstract:
A fluid dispensing toothbrush (100). In one aspect, the toothbrush comprises a body (105) having a reservoir (135) containing an oral care fluid (136) therein, the oral care fluid being delivered to an applicator (132) via capillary action. The toothbrush comprises an actuator (130) for moving either the applicator and/or the reservoir between different positions.
Abstract:
An interdental cleaning device that delivers an oral care fluid to a cleaning element via capillary action. The invention can be an interdental cleaning device comprising: a housing forming an internal reservoir containing an oral care fluid; an applicator extending from the housing, the applicator comprising a stem and at least one cleaning element extending from the stem; and wherein the stem comprises a capillary material that extends into the reservoir to be in fluid communication with the oral care fluid so that the capillary material of the stem delivers the oral care fluid from the reservoir to the at least one cleaning element via capillary action.
Abstract:
A toothbrush that includes a piezochromic polymer or a proximity dye based polymer effective to emit an optical signal indicative of brushing force.
Abstract:
A dental floss dispenser having a wicking delivery system with a reservoir for storing a solution of oral care ingredients generally in fluid form. The reservoir includes an absorbent wicking porous pad that extends through at least a portion of the floss dispensing device to deliver the solution to the dental floss. When the floss is pulled through the porous pad holding the oral care ingredient(s), the porous pad activates (e.g., coats, impregnates, saturates) the floss, providing the consumer with new benefits such as enhanced deep cleaning, new flavors, better plaque dissolving capabilities, ease of floss use and maneuverability, whitening, and deposition of therapeutic actives into the gum pockets.
Abstract:
An oral care dispenser and oral care system incorporating the system that includes a resilient applicator that optimizes application of the subject fluid to the desired oral surfaces. In one embodiment, the invention is a dispenser comprising a housing having an internal reservoir containing the fluid. The resilient applicator is coupled to the housing and comprises a dispensing orifice. The resilient applicator comprises a working surface that is oriented at an oblique angle to a longitudinal axis of the housing and is defined by a polygonal perimeter edge, the polygonal perimeter edge comprising a plurality of apex portions and a plurality of side portions, wherein one of the plurality of side portions forms a distal most-portion of the resilient applicator.
Abstract:
An oral care implement having movable and fixed tooth cleaning elements. The oral care implement may include a handle and a head coupled to the handle. The head may include a base that is coupled to the handle and a resilient bridge coupled to the base. The resilient bridge may be flexible between a normal state in which a portion of the resilient bridge is spaced from the base by a gap and a flexed state in which a portion of the resilient bridge is moved toward the base. Tooth cleaning elements may be coupled to the resilient bridge. Furthermore, the resilient bridge may include one or more apertures through which tooth cleaning elements that are fixed to the base may extend.