Abstract:
In some embodiments an oral care implement herein may be embodied as a toothbrush having a head disposed at a distal end of a handle. The head may include a fixed bristle support and at least two movable bristle supports, movable relative to the fixed bristle support and relative to each other. An actuator is disposed to actuate the movable bristle supports between a brushing position in which bristles on the fixed bristle support and the movable bristle supports are substantially parallel and an interdental cleaning position in which the movable bristle supports are moved relative to each other such that the bristles on the movable bristle supports are angled toward each other. In the interdental cleaning position, the bristles may form a point or similar bristle tip, which may be useful for interdental cleaning.
Abstract:
An oral care implement in one embodiment includes an elongated body comprising a head portion supporting plurality of tooth cleaning elements and a handle portion. The tooth cleaning elements are disposed on longitudinally extending bristle carrier sections hingedly coupled together about a common pivot axis. The axis may be formed by a flexible web. A slidable actuator mounted in the handle portion is mechanically coupled to the bristle carrier assembly by an elongated operating rod. Moving the actuator in opposing rearward and forward directions opens or folds the bristles on the carriers outwards or inwards respectively about the common pivot axis. In the folded position, the bristles are configured for interdental cleaning of the teeth. In the open or extended position, the bristles are configured for general purpose cleaning of the teeth.
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.
Abstract:
An oral care implement having a handle, a head, and at least one movable cleaning element coupled to the head. The movable cleaning element may be used as an interdental cleaner. The movable cleaning element may be positioned within a loop formed by fixed cleaning elements on the head. The movable cleaning element may be coupled to an actuator that moves the movable cleaning element between a first position wherein a distal tip of the movable cleaning element is spaced a first distance from a front surface of the head and a second position wherein the distal tip of the movable cleaning element is spaced a second distance from the front surface of the head, the second distance being greater than the first distance. The movable cleaning element may maintain the first and second positions until subsequent actuation of the actuator.
Abstract:
An oral care implement in one embodiment includes an elongated body comprising a head portion supporting plurality of tooth cleaning elements and a handle portion. The tooth cleaning elements are disposed on longitudinally extending bristle carrier sections hingedly coupled together about a common pivot axis. The axis may be formed by a flexible web. A slidable actuator mounted in the handle portion is mechanically coupled to the bristle carrier assembly by an elongated operating rod. Moving the actuator in opposing rearward and forward directions opens or folds the bristles on the carriers outwards or inwards respectively about the common pivot axis. In the folded position, the bristles are configured for interdental cleaning of the teeth. In the open or extended position, the bristles are configured for general purpose cleaning of the teeth.
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.
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.
Abstract:
An oral care implement having a handle, a head, and at least one movable cleaning element coupled to the head. The movable cleaning element may be used as an interdental cleaner. The movable cleaning element may be positioned within a loop formed by fixed cleaning elements on the head. The movable cleaning element may be coupled to an actuator that moves the movable cleaning element between a first position wherein a distal tip of the movable cleaning element is spaced a first distance from a front surface of the head and a second position wherein the distal tip of the movable cleaning element is spaced a second distance from the front surface of the head, the second distance being greater than the first distance. The movable cleaning element may maintain the first and second positions until subsequent actuation of the actuator.