Abstract: An oral care implement has a head portion with tooth cleaning elements on one surface thereof and a reservoir containing at least one active agent. A capillary channel extends through at least a portion of the oral care implement to deliver active agent(s) to one or more outlets. In one aspect, a vibration-producing device is provided to vibrate at least a portion of the implement to enhance the function of tooth cleaning elements and the delivery of the active agent through capillary action. A variety of active agents can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits, such as fresh breath, tooth whitening, or producing sensations of heat, cool, or tingling.

Abstract: An oral care implement includes a head platform having a plurality of faces with bristles extending therefrom. The oral care implement can have a pair of opposite bristled faces and the bristles can extend from the faces in opposite directions. The oral care implement can be formed by affixing a first AFT-tufted carrier plate to a first face of the head platform and affixing a second AFT-tufted carrier plate to the second face of the head platform. Optionally, the oral care implement can be formed by in-mold tufting bristles in the first face and affixing an AFT-tufted carrier plate to the second face of the head platform.

Abstract: A sanitizing device for personal hygiene articles, particularly toothbrushes, is disclosed. A Xenon bulb or other source of sterilizing ultraviolet light is arranged in close proximity to the article to be sterilized. The light is powered by a battery which reduces the size and increases the portability of the sanitizing device. A magnifying glass or Fresnel lens can be arranged within the device between the light and article to be sanitized to focus the light on, and increase heat around, the article to be sanitized.

Abstract: A toothbrush includes a handle and a head. The head is in the form of a peripheral frame having an open central area. A plurality of cleaning element carrying support members are mounted across the frame over the open central area to form an open lattice pattern having through holes to facilitate the cleaning of the head. The cleaning elements are bristles laser welded to the support members.

Abstract: A consumer acceptable toothbrush and method of forming same, composed of a preformed components, which components are welding together by applying a hot gas to an end of each component until the surface of each end is molten, and bringing said molten ends together within a mold having the desired shape of the portion of the toothbrush being welded.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of welding pre-formed toothbrush heads and handles using about 0.7 to about 2.0 micrometers, or about 4.0 to about 6.0 micrometers, wavelength laser beam.