Abstract: A head for an oral care implement comprises a mounting surface and at least one tuft extending from the mounting surface. The tuft comprises a first group of filaments and at least a second group of filaments. The first group of filaments is surrounded by the second group of filaments. The filaments of the first group have a first length and the filaments of the second group have a second length, the first length being different from the second length. The difference in length between the first length and the second length is about 1.1 mm to about 1.9 mm.

Abstract: An oral-care implement comprises a carrier plate and a support plate. Each of the carrier plate and the support plate has a back side and a front side opposite the back side. At least one cleaning element extends from the front side of the carrier plate. The back side of the carrier plate is secured to the front side of the support plate with a plastic material that is molded around at least a portion of the back side of the support plate and over at least a portion of the carrier and that fills a channel formed by a recess in at least one of the back side of the carrier plate and the front side of the support plate, thereby providing a non-detachable connection between the carrier plate and the support plate.

Abstract: A head for an oral care implement comprises a mounting surface and at least one tuft extending from the mounting surface. The tuft comprises a first group of filaments and at least a second group of filaments. The first group of filaments is surrounded by the second group of filaments. The filaments of the first group have a first length and the filaments of the second group have a second length, the first length being different from the second length. The difference in length between the first length and the second length is about 1.1 mm to about 1.9 mm.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an injection-molded first component of an article, in particular a handle or a head of a toothbrush, having a sheath element with a cavity and a recess extending from the cavity into a wall of the sheath element surrounding the cavity, including the steps of: (1) providing a first mold having first mold components that define a first mold cavity in the form of a pre-sheath element having a through hole in the pre-sheath element at the location where the recess shall be formed, (2) injection-molding of the pre-sheath element using a first plastic material, (3) closing the through-hole with a lid element, (4) providing a second mold having second mold components for receiving the pre-sheath element and for defining a remaining second mold cavity that extends at least over a part of a parting line between the lid element and the pre-sheath element when the pre-sheath element is inserted in the second mold, (5) inserting the pre-sheath element into the second mold, and (6) connecting th

Abstract: A display panel including a translucent carrier element that has an inner side, an outer side, and a display area is provided. At least one display element is arranged within the display area, the display element being formed by geometric structures realized as protrusions and/or depressions on both of the inner side and the outer side of the translucent carrier element. The display panel can be used in an information display that in particular comprises at least a light emitting element for backlighting the display element. The information display can be used in an appliance such as an electric toothbrush, wherein the protrusions and/or depressions integrally formed with the translucent carrier element.

Abstract: An oral hygiene implement is described herein. The oral hygiene implement has a handle; a head, and a neck disposed between the handle and the head. The head has a plurality of contact elements. An indication element is positioned between the neck and handle of the oral hygiene element. A transmission element is positioned between the indication element and a light emitting source. The light emitting source provides electromagnetic energy to the transmission element.

Abstract: A head for an oral care implement comprises a mounting surface and at least one tuft extending from the mounting surface. The tuft comprises a first group of filaments and at least a second group of filaments. The first group of filaments is surrounded by the second group of filaments. The filaments of the first group have a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional area extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the cross sectional area has a substantially circular shape with a first diameter. The filaments of the second group have a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional area extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the cross sectional area has a substantially circular shape with a second diameter. The first diameter is smaller than the second diameter. The first diameter is about 0.15 mm to about 0.16 mm, preferably about 0.152 mm (6 mil) and the second diameter is about 0.17 mm to about 0.18 mm, preferably about 0.178 mm (7 mil).

Abstract: A toothbrush having a handle and a head in a display package is described. The head is attached to a neck which is attached to the handle. An indication element is between the head and the handle and is in electrical communication with a power source. A switch connects the indication element to the power source and has a first position where the indication element is not energized and a second position where the indication element is energized. An adequate force applied to the head and an at least partially translucent package body moves the switch to the second position. The package body has a first face and a second face. The first face and/or the second face have a rugose area configured to facilitate application of a force to the head and/or neck through the package body to place the switch in the second position.

Abstract: A head for an oral care implement comprises a mounting surface and at least one tuft extending from the mounting surface. The tuft comprises a first group of filaments and at least a second group of filaments. The first group of filaments is surrounded by the second group of filaments. The filaments of the first group have a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional area extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the cross sectional area has a substantially circular shape with a first diameter. The filaments of the second group have a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional area extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the cross sectional area has a substantially circular shape with a second diameter. The first diameter is smaller than the second diameter. The first diameter is about 0.15 mm to about 0.16 mm, preferably about 0.152 mm (6 mil) and the second diameter is about 0.17 mm to about 0.18 mm, preferably about 0.178 mm (7 mil).

Abstract: A tuft picker for a tuft-picking device has a working surface having a tuft-picking notch with a depth, a width, and an opening. First and second projections reduce the opening of the notch versus an inner width. At least one top of the first and/or second projection is located off-site the working surface of the tuft picker and inside of the notch. A distance from the at least one top to the working surface of the tuft picker is in the range of from 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm, and an angle between the working surface of the tuft picker and a line of reflection symmetry crossing the at least one top is from 1° to 45°.

Abstract: An oral hygiene implement is described herein. The oral hygiene implement has a handle; a head, and a neck disposed between the handle and the head. The head has a plurality of contact elements. An indication element is positioned between the neck and handle of the oral hygiene element. A transmission element is positioned between the indication element and a light emitting source. The light emitting source provides electromagnetic energy to the transmission element.

Abstract: An oral hygiene implement is described herein. The oral hygiene implement has a handle; a head, and a neck disposed between the handle and the head. The head has a plurality of contact elements. An indication element is positioned between the neck and handle of the oral hygiene element. A transmission element is positioned between the indication element and a light emitting source. The light emitting source provides electromagnetic energy to the transmission element.

Abstract: An electrical appliance with a resonant motor for driving a vibratory component is provided that has a control unit for driving the resonant motor with a predetermined driving frequency and for measuring the motion-induced voltage of the resonant motor and for determining whether the measured voltage value coincides with a predetermined target voltage value or whether the measured voltage value has crossed over the predetermined target value. The control unit measures the motion-induced voltage at a predetermined time of measurement (tm) within a driving cycle.

Abstract: An electro-polymer motor comprising a fixed member and a first actuator having a first end fixedly connected to the fixed member and a second end is presented. The first actuator comprises a polymer positioned between two electrodes. The electrodes are in communication with a power supply. The motor also comprises a driven member comprising a first leg and a second leg such that the first leg and the second leg are separated by an axis. The driven member is fixedly connected to the second end of the first actuator. The motor also comprises a compressible member having a first end fixedly connected to the fixed member and a second end fixedly connected to the second leg of the driven member. The compressible member is spaced apart from the first actuator. The first actuator elongates after the power supply applies a voltage across the electrodes to move the driven member.

Abstract: A head for an oral care implement comprises a mounting surface having a maximum longitudinal extension and a longitudinal axis extending along the maximum longitudinal extension. At least one tuft extends from the mounting surface. The tuft has a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional area extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The cross-sectional area has a shape substantially of a parallelogram with two pairs of substantially parallel sides forming four angles and a diagonal joining two non-consecutive angles of the parallelogram. The sides of the parallelogram have a length of at least 3.5 mm. The at least one tuft extends from the mounting surface so that the diagonal of the parallelogram is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mounting surface.

Abstract: A head for an oral care implement comprises a mounting surface and at least one tuft extending from the mounting surface. The tuft comprises a first group of filaments and at least a second group of filaments. The first group of filaments is surrounded by the second group of filaments. The filaments of the first group have a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional area extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the cross sectional area has a substantially circular shape with a first diameter. The filaments of the second group have a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional area extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the cross sectional area has a substantially circular shape with a second diameter. The first diameter is smaller than the second diameter. The first diameter is about 0.15 mm to about 0.16 mm, preferably about 0.152 mm (6 mil) and the second diameter is about 0.17 mm to about 0.18 mm, preferably about 0.178 mm (7 mil).

Abstract: A head for an oral care implement has a mounting surface and at least one tuft mounted thereon. The tuft has a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional area extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The tuft comprises a plurality of substantially cylindrical filaments. Each filament has a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional area extending in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The cross-sectional area of an individual filament has a substantially non-circular shape. The plurality of filaments is arranged such that the cross-sectional area of the tuft has a scaled-up shape of the individual filament's cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an injection-molded first component of an article, in particular a handle or a head of a toothbrush, having a sheath element with a cavity and a recess extending from the cavity into a wall of the sheath element surrounding the cavity, including the steps of: (1) providing a first mold having first mold components that define a first mold cavity in the form of a pre-sheath element having a through hole in the pre-sheath element at the location where the recess shall be formed, (2) injection-molding of the pre-sheath element using a first plastic material, (3) closing the through-hole with a lid element, (4) providing a second mold having second mold components for receiving the pre-sheath element and for defining a remaining second mold cavity that extends at least over a part of a parting line between the lid element and the pre-sheath element when the pre-sheath element is inserted in the second mold, (5) inserting the pre-sheath element into the second mold, and (6) connecting th

Abstract: A linear electro-polymer motor includes a fixed member, a linear shaft having an axis, a polymer actuator, and a bias member. The polymer actuator includes a first end fixedly connected to the linear shaft and a second end fixedly connected to the fixed member. The bias member includes a first end fixedly connected to the linear shaft and a second end fixedly connected to the fixed member. The polymer actuator changes length after receipt of voltage to linearly move the linear shaft along the axis.

Abstract: An injection-molding process and an apparatus for making a multi-component hollow article, and the article made thereby. The process comprises molding, from a first plastic material, a hollow body having a wall with at least one vent therethrough and at least one flap molded in an area adjacent to the vent. The flap is molded in a first position in which the vent is open. The flap is hingedly movable from the first position to a second position in which the vent is closed by the flap. After the flap is folded into the second position, the hollow body, including the folded flap, is at least partially overmolded with a second plastic material, wherein the second material is essentially precluded from leaking into the hollow body through the vent. The apparatus comprises a first mold bar for molding a hollow body, a second mold bar for overmolding the hollow body with a second plastic material, and a closing tool for moving, and optionally retaining, the flap in the second position.