Abstract: A device for testing aqueous laboratory samples in one embodiment includes a base member extending along a longitudinal axis and defining a plurality of sample chambers recessed in a first outer surface. A resiliently deformable first gasket is disposed on the first outer surface and comprises openings each corresponding to a respective one of the chambers. At least a first cover glass is disposed on the first gasket to enclose the openings. A peripheral clamping frame disposed on the first cover glass comprises resiliently flexible cantilevered locking protrusions configured to form a snap interlock with the base member and compress the first cover glass between the clamping frame and first gasket to seal the chambers. Some embodiments include a second resiliently deformable gasket compressed between the clamping frame and first cover glass. Fluid couplings associated with each chamber allow fluid to enter and exit the chambers.

Abstract: This application relates to novel aqueous oral care compositions useful for combining and delivering incompatible stannous fluoride, and/or stannous chloride, and/or stannous pyrophosphate and potassium salts, with a polyphosphate source, wherein the polyphosphate source comprises three or more phosphate moieties or units, in a high-water composition, for example, to provide effective caries prevention, protection against dental erosion, relief from dental hypersensitivity, and to treat or reduce malodor.

Abstract: A method of determining a color value of a target object is provided. The method includes capturing an image having a color calibration object and a color reference object. Computed calibration color values for the color calibration object and a first computed reference color value for the color reference object may be determined based on the single first image. A color calibration coefficient may be determined. A corrected reference color value may be determined based on the color calibration coefficient and the first computed reference color value. A second image may be captured. A second computed reference color value of the color reference object and a computed object color value of the target object may be determined based on the second image. A corrected object color value may be determined based on the corrected reference color value, the second computed reference color value, and the computed object color value.

Abstract: An oral care implement used for treatment of a user's oral cavity. The oral care implement may include a body having a longitudinal axis, a first hard plastic component, and a second hard plastic component. The first hard plastic component may have a front surface having a perimeter portion and a central portion that is surrounded by the perimeter portion, the central portion being recessed relative to the perimeter portion. The second hard plastic component may be positioned on the central portion of the first hard plastic component and surrounded by the perimeter portion of the first hard plastic component. The second hard plastic component may have an outer surface with a plurality of grooves that are elongated in a direction of the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An oral care implement including an elongated body having a head portion supporting plurality of tooth cleaning elements and a handle portion defining an outer surface. A grip control component is disposed on the handle portion and includes a pair of transversely spaced apart control surfaces separated by a longitudinally extending channel. The control surfaces are elevated above the outer surface of the handle portion and positioned to engage a user's thumb. The control component is operable to tilt the head portion at an upward or downward angle relative to a vertical plane of a user's teeth when the control component is grasped between the user's thumb and forefinger for producing a proper brushing angle at the gum line.

Abstract: An oral care composition comprising zinc phosphate, stannous fluoride and an organic acid buffer system, as well as methods of using the same.

Abstract: An oral care implement handle (200) having a gripping portion (210) and an oral care refill head (300) that is detachably coupled thereto. The oral care implement handle (200) may include the gripping portion (210) and a rocker unit (400) which includes a stem (250), a motor (224), and a motor chassis (410). The rocker unit (400) may be pivotably mounted within the gripping portion (210) so that upon pressure being applied an oral care refill head (300) which is coupled to the stem (250) that exceeds a pressure threshold, the rocker unit (400) may be altered from a normal position to an excessive pressure position. When in the excessive pressure position, the rocker unit (400) may actuate an actuator element (265) of a control unit (260) to initiate generation of a user perceptible signal.

Abstract: Described herein are oral care compositions comprising metal silicates (e.g. sodium silicate); along with methods of making and using same.

Abstract: Methods for measuring pH of gel, paste, colloid, and aqueous solutions, such as a consumer product, a food product, a pet food product, a beverage product, a pharmaceutical product, and/or a medical product, are provided. The method may include preparing a calibration curve of a chemical species including or having an acid dissociation constant. Preparing the calibration curve may include plotting a chemical shift of the chemical species relative to pH. The method may also include determining a chemical shift of a gel, paste, and colloid, aqueous solutions, such as a consumer product, a food product, a pet food product, a beverage product, a pharmaceutical product, and/or a medical product, including the chemical species.

Abstract: A novel actuating device (1) is described for use in combination with a pressurized packaging (6), which comprises an actuator head (2) having a discharge orifice (11), a discharge duct (3) which connects the discharge orifice with an entry port (4). The actuating device is provided for actuating a resilient biased valve means for dispensing the fluid from the fluid container (6) and further comprises an open piston (16) having at least an upper sealing lip (20) which is sealing towards an inner wall of the discharge duct (3). An inner rod (25) is attached to the open piston (16) having a free end (26; 53) for closing the discharge orifice (11). The open piston (16) is biased towards the discharge opening: The actuator head (2) comprises a lever (31) for actuating the open piston (16) towards the entry port of the discharge duct (3).

Abstract: An oral care implement (1000) that includes a handle (100) and an oral care refill head (200). The oral care refill head (200) is alterable between a first state in which it is separated from the handle (100) and a second state in which it is coupled to the handle (100) by inserting a stem (120) of the handle (100) inside of a cavity (221) of the oral care refill head (200). The oral care refill head (200) has at least one alignment groove (250, 260) that receives at least one alignment rib of the stem (120) of the handle (100). Furthermore, the stem (120) and the oral care refill head (200) include snap lock features that form a snap-fit interlock to secure the oral care refill head (200) to the handle (100).

Abstract: Personal care compositions and methods for preparing the same are disclosed. The personal care composition may include an emulsifying system, one or more emollients, and one or more humectants. The method for preparing the personal care composition may include contacting the emulsifying system, the one or more emollients, and the one or more humectants with one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oral hydrogel compositions, more particularly to thermosensitive gel compositions, which undergo a sol-gel transition in the oral cavity, and which optionally comprise therapeutic actives for sustained release.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a natural sweetener system and oral care compositions comprising the same. In one aspect the natural sweetener system comprises a combination of a Rebaudioside A extract and enzymatically glucosylated steviol glycosides extract obtained from Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni. The natural sweetener system of the disclosure unexpectedly improves the taste of oral care compositions masking the bitterness and metallic notes of Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni.

Abstract: A personal care implement that uses less plastic by removing material from a handle of the oral care implement while maintaining a comfortable grip which is similar to a normal grip that a user associates with a personal care implement. That is, the handle has a recess in a rear surface thereof, such that the handle or a portion thereof has a U-shaped transverse cross-sectional area. Portions of the handle may be covered with an elastomeric material to increase gripability and comfort. The handle may also include various rib structures elongated along the recess to increase the strength of the handle so that it does not significantly deform during normal use.

Abstract: A tracking attachment for an oral care implement that includes a housing and a tracking unit configured to track position, orientation, or movement of the oral care implement. The housing may define a receiving cavity that is configured to receive a portion of the oral care implement. The housing may include a first housing portion having an inner surface that defines a first portion of the receiving cavity that is open at both of the first and second ends of the first housing portion and a second housing portion that mates with the first housing portion to detachably couple the second housing portion to the first housing portion. The second housing portion may have an inner surface that defines a second portion of the receiving cavity that is open at the second end of the second housing portion.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for detecting blood in an oral cavity during toothbrushing is disclosed. A toothbrush includes a sensor configured to emit first light at a first wavelength and second light at a second wavelength, and receive reflected portions of the light, the reflected portions having a first intensity and a second intensity, respectively. For each of a plurality of different times of a brushing session, a processor calculates a ratio of the first intensity to the second intensity. The processor identifies peaks in the ratio over the different times and, based on the number of peaks in the ratio, determines whether hemoglobin is present in the oral cavity.