Abstract: An oral care implement having a base structure with a handle portion and a head portion. In one aspect, the handle portion comprises a core component and a shell component that surrounds the core component. The core component may include a body formed of a rigid material and decorative elements embedded within the body. The shell component may be formed of a substantially transparent material so that the decorative elements of the core are visible through the shell component.

Abstract: An oral care implement (100) includes an elastomeric component and a method of forming the same. In one embodiment, the oral care implement (100) includes a handle (120) and a head (110). The elastomeric component is positioned on at least one of the handle (120) and the head (110). The elasto-meric component includes a body, a plurality of the first particles (202), and a plurality of the second particles (203). The body comprises a transparent or translucent elastomeric material. The pluralities of first and second particles are embedded in the body of the elastomeric component. The plurality of first particles (202) includes a first color and the plurality of second particles (203) includes a second color. The elastomeric component may form a tissue cleanser (140) on a rear surface of the head, an elastomeric tooth cleaning element (150) on a front surface of the head, and/or a grip (121) on the handle (120).

Abstract: A toothbrush handle includes a support structure formed of clarified polypropylene and a body formed of thermoplastic elastomer disposed on the support structure. The support structure includes a web having a thickness in a first direction orthogonal to an axis of the toothbrush handle of less than 2 millimeters and at least one rib depending from the web and having a thickness in a second direction, orthogonal to the axis and angled relative to the first direction, of less than about 2 millimeters. The body at least partially covers the web and the at least one rib. The handle has a light transmissivity of greater than 40% through a portion of the handle at which the body covers the web and the at least one rib.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a flexible handle. In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a head; and a handle extending along a longitudinal axis and connected to the head, the handle comprising: a main body integrally formed of a rigid material, the main body comprising a rigid gripping section terminating in a bulbous body, a rigid neck section terminating in a basin, and a flexible strut having a first end connected to the bulbous body and a second end connected to a floor of the basin; a resilient material encasing the flexible strut; and the flexible strut and the resilient material forming a hinge about which the rigid neck section pivots relative to the rigid gripping section upon a force being applied to the head.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and systems for detecting the existence of oral conditions. In one aspect, the invention is a device including a detector capable of detecting a marker of an oral condition; a self-contained indicator that is actuated by a signal from the detector, wherein the indicator is one of a structural indicator adapted to undergo a physical change that is haptically perceptible, a dye adapted to be released into a user's mouth, and a flavor adapted to be released into a user's mouth; and wherein said device is detachably securable to an oral care implement.

Abstract: An oral care implement having conductive protrusions. In one embodiment, the oral care implement includes a handle and a head coupled to the handle. Furthermore, the oral care implement includes a power source. A plurality of conductive protrusions may be electrically coupled to the power source. The plurality of conductive protrusions may include a base proximate the head and a distal end spaced from the head. Furthermore, at least one of the conductive protrusions may taper from the base to the distal end.

Abstract: An oral care implement is provided. The oral care implement may include a handle comprising a core and a cover enveloping the core. The cover may be formed from a substantially translucent first rigid material. The core may be formed from a second rigid material and a plurality of elements, the plurality of elements suspended within the second rigid material and visible through the cover. In other embodiments the core may include a foamed material.

Abstract: A toothbrush comprising a bristle having a cross-sectional profile with a major axis and a minor axis. In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a head; a handle; and at least one bristle extending from a face of the head, the bristle having a longitudinal axis and a transverse cross-sectional profile having a major axis and a minor axis, the major axis being longer than the minor axis.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a head that achieves an enhanced cleaning action during brushing. In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle; a head connected to the handle, the head comprising a base structure having a front surface and an opening in the front surface; a carrier having a front surface and a rear surface, the carrier comprising a plurality of teeth cleaning elements extending from the front surface, the carrier movably supported above the front surface of the base structure so that a gap exists between the rear surface of the carrier and the front surface of the base structure; and a spheroid positioned within the opening so that a first portion of the spheroid protrudes from the front surface of the head into the gap and alters movement of the carrier relative to the head.

Abstract: A toothbrush comprising a tapered bristle having a cross-sectional profile with a major axis and a minor axis. In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a head; a handle; and at least one tapered bristle extending from a face of the head, the tapered bristle having a longitudinal axis and a transverse cross-sectional profile having a major axis and a minor axis, the major axis being longer than the minor axis.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a head that achieves an enhanced cleaning action during brushing. In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle; a head connected to the handle and comprising a base structure (130) having a front surface (131), a rear surface (132), an island protruding from the rear surface of the base structure, and a passageway extending through the base structure from the front surface of the base structure to a rear surface of the island; a resilient soft tissue cleanser (170) on the rear surface of the base structure, the resilient soft tissue cleanser comprising an aperture through which the island extends; a mass (180) of a first resilient material positioned within the passageway so that a first portion (181) of the mass protrudes from the front surface of the head and a second portion (182) of the mass protrudes from the island, the island isolating the resilient soft tissue cleanser from the mass; and a plurality of teeth cleaning elements (105).

Abstract: An oral care implement comprising at least one tapered bristle. In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle; a head having a face; a tuft hole in the face, the tuft hole having a polygonal transverse cross-sectional profile; and a bristle tuft mounted in the first tuft hole and extending from the face of the head, the first bristle tuft comprising a plurality of tapered bristles.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a grip component. In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a head portion and a handle portion; a socket formed in an outer surface of the handle portion, the socket comprising a floor and an open top end; at least one tooth cleaning elements mounted to the head portion of the elongated body; at least one protuberance extending upwardly from the floor of the socket; and a grip component comprising a resilient body formed of a resilient material mounted to the handle portion of the elongated body so as to enclose the open top end of the socket, an inner surface of the resilient body separated from the floor of the socket by a free volume of space.

Abstract: An oral care implement is provided having a head frame and a cleaning elements assembly attached thereto with tooth cleaning elements extending from one or more carriers. One or more central carriers can be suspended via a flexible bridge between a pair of support carriers attached to the head frame. The bridge may be formed from an elastomer and permit the one or more central carriers to move from an initial position toward the head frame during use. The bridge may include rigid supports and flexible elastomeric supports. The carriers and the bridge can be formed as a unitary assembly attached to the head frame, such as via mechanical connections. The mechanical connections could include snap-fit connections.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing an oral care implement, the method comprising: providing a member and providing a group of non-parallel tooth cleaning elements that together define therebetween a conically-shaped cavity, wherein the tooth cleaning elements extend through a passage formed in the member so that respective first portions of the tooth cleaning elements are disposed on a first side of the member and respective second portions of the tooth cleaning elements are disposed on a second side of the member; and then fixing together the second portions of the tooth cleaning elements at the second side of the member.

Abstract: An oral care implement is provided. The implement comprises a head having a first surface and a group of non-parallel tooth cleaning elements extending from the first surface of the head. The tooth cleaning elements together define therebetween a conically-shaped cavity. Moreover, the tooth cleaning elements together define a wall around the cavity, the wall having a proximal end adjacent the first surface of the head and a distal end distal from the first surface of the head, the distal end of the wall being defined by distal ends of a plurality of the tooth cleaning elements.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a grip component. In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: an elongated body comprising a head portion and a handle portion, the handle portion comprising a socket; at least one tooth cleaning element mounted to the head portion of the elongated body; and a first grip component comprising: an annular rim defining a central opening, the annular rim formed of a rigid material; and a resilient body mounted to the annular rim that covers the central opening, the resilient body formed of a resilient material; the first grip component mounted within the socket.

Abstract: An oral care implement is provided. The implement comprises: a head having a surface from which a cleaning element extends, the cleaning element having a distal end furthest from the surface of the head; and a handle connected to the head, the handle comprising a grip structure forming at least a portion of an exterior surface of the handle; wherein the grip structure is rotatable relative to the head about an axis that passes through the cleaning element at a point on the cleaning element between the surface of the head and the distal end of the cleaning element.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a grip component. In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a head portion and a handle portion; a socket formed in an outer surface of the handle portion, the socket comprising a floor and an open top end; at least one tooth cleaning elements mounted to the head portion of the elongated body; at least one protuberance extending upwardly from the floor of the socket; and a grip component comprising a resilient body formed of a resilient material mounted to the handle portion of the elongated body so as to enclose the open top end of the socket, an inner surface of the resilient body separated from the floor of the socket by a free volume of space.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a head with a soft tissue cleaner disposed on a second side thereof. In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle; a head attached to the handle and having a first side and a second side; a plurality of tooth cleaning elements attached to the first side of the head; and a soft tissue cleaner disposed on the second side of the head, the soft tissue cleaner including a first portion comprising a plurality of projections and a second portion comprising a plurality of bristles.