Abstract: A replacement toothbrush head includes a tubular sleeve having a brush at one end and a drive shaft receptacle at the opposite end. The receptacle extends into the sleeve from a mouth at a tube end to a shoulder spaced from the mouth within the tube. A coupling member is inserted into the receptacle, and a spring clip is positioned between the receptacle and the coupling member, the spring clip having a base positioned between the shoulder and the distal end of the coupling member and a pair of spring arms overlying the sidewall of the coupling member. At least one of the spring arms engages a flexible region of the coupling member such that the flexible region flexes to engage a drive shaft inserted into the coupling member and retain the replacement head on the drive shaft.

Abstract: A pressure feedback system continuously monitors the level of pressure or force on a brush head and is programmed to provide a feedback signal to a user based on the amount of pressure. The pressure level is monitored as a function of the change in the speed of the drive shaft. The system includes a housing, a motor, a drive shaft for attachment to a brush head, a feedback device, a sensor capable of detecting a change in the rotational speed of the drive shaft, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed activate the feedback device as a function of the measured change in rotational speed. The sensor may be a Hall effect sensor, or another sensor that is responsive to a magnetic field. A magnet may be positioned on the drive shaft, or another portion of the system that moves as a function of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A toothbrush can include a handle and a head. At least one bristle can be attached to the head. The toothbrush can also have an illumination member, an illumination circuit and an activation device. A pliant base on the handle can be used to activate the activation device to initiate the illumination circuit.

Abstract: A toothbrush can include a handle and a head. At least one bristle can be attached to the head. The toothbrush can also have an illumination member, an illumination circuit and an activation device. A pliant base on the handle can be used to activate the activation device to initiate the illumination circuit.

Abstract: A toothbrush including a handle extending in a longitudinal direction and including an upper portion and a base. The upper portion includes an insert portion. The base is made of a flexible material and overlaps the insert portion and includes an interior cavity. A light is configured to emit light visible from outside the handle. An activation device is positioned in the interior cavity and is configured to be pressed in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction to activate the light upon a user pressing the base.

Abstract: A spring mechanism for attaching to a power device drive unit includes a housing connectable to a portion of the power device and a shaft extending through the housing. One end of the shaft is coupled to a workpiece and a bottom member extends from the other end and is positioned adjacent the drive unit. The bottom member includes at least one of a ferromagnetic material and a permanent magnet. The bottom member, shaft and workpiece move upon actuation of the drive unit, and a spring extends laterally outwardly from the shaft between the shaft and the housing. The spring is affixed to one of the shaft and the housing, wherein the spring bends between a deformed position and a return position upon the movement of the bottom member.

Abstract: An interdental brush has a handle with a helix style shape, as well as sections of long and short bristles to maximize plaque removal. The handle has a first end, a second end and a length between the first and second ends. The handle defines a longitudinal axis extending through the handle along the length. A brush extends from the handle and includes a stem projecting along the longitudinal axis and a set of bristles extending laterally outwardly from the stem. Each of the bristles has a bristle length from the stem to a bristle tip, the bristle tips collectively defining a bristle profile. In one embodiment, the bristle profile alternates along the stem between valley sections of short bristle length and mountain sections of long bristle length. The handle includes a grip portion along the length, and the grip portion is shaped such that it is twisted about the longitudinal axis in the manner of a helix.

Abstract: A replacement head for an electric toothbrush has a simplified drive construction and desired bristle carrier retention. The replacement head includes a neck with a head at one end and a brush shaft disposed within the neck. An eccentric extension extends from the brush shaft parallel with the longitudinal axis and an axial extension extends parallel to the eccentric extension. The eccentric extension engages an angled slot in the bristle carrier to drive the bristle carrier. The brush shaft, including the eccentric extension and the axial extension, may be formed together as a single unitary piece.

Abstract: A container for storing a set of oral care tools in which multiple oral care tools are removably connected to connecting portion. The container includes a first portion that defines a first cavity configured to receive and capture the connecting portion therein and a second portion including first and second side walls defining a second cavity in which the oral care tools are stored. At least one of the first or second side walls can be pivoted to an open position to allow a consumer to access and separate an oral care tool from the connecting portion while the connecting portion is retained within the first cavity.

Abstract: A spring mechanism for an electromagnetic drive unit converts or translates the movement and/or actuation of the electromagnet into a desired movement of the workpiece and enables simple and efficient tuning of the workpiece movement. The spring mechanism includes a housing, a spring connected to the housing, wherein at least a section of the spring is movable with respect to the housing, a drive shaft that includes a first end having a magnet and a second end for attachment to a workpiece, and an adjustable tuning element connecting the drive shaft to the movable portion of the spring. In one embodiment, the spring may be a flat spring, and the movable section may be a positioned between a pair of cutouts defined in the spring. In one embodiment, the adjustable tuning element is connected to the spring such that the adjustable tuning element places the movable portion of the spring under a degree of tension.

Abstract: A spring mechanism for an electromagnetic drive unit converts or translates the movement and/or actuation of the electromagnet into a desired movement of the workpiece and enables simple and efficient tuning of the workpiece movement. The spring mechanism includes a housing, a spring connected to the housing, wherein at least two sections of the spring are movable with respect to the housing, a drive shaft that includes a first end having a magnet and a second end for attachment to a workpiece, and at least two tuning elements connecting the drive shaft to the movable portion of the spring. At least one of the tuning elements is adjustable. In one embodiment, the spring may be a flat spring, and the movable sections may each be positioned between a pair of cutouts defined in the spring.

Abstract: A replacement head for an electric toothbrush has a simplified drive construction and desired bristle carrier retention. The replacement head includes a tubular neck with a head at one end and a brush shaft disposed within the neck. An eccentric extension extends from the brush shaft parallel with the longitudinal axis and an axial extension extends parallel to the eccentric extension. The eccentric extension engages the bristle carrier to drive the bristle carrier. The brush shaft, including the eccentric extension and the axial extension, may be formed together as a single unitary piece. A pin may extend through pin retention openings in the head and a pin slot in the bristle carrier in a direction transverse to both the longitudinal axis and the carrier rotation axis to retain the bristle carrier on the head.