Abstract: A spiral bristle (201) includes: a first component (231), a second component (233), and a third component (235), with each of the second and third components (233, 235) wrapping around the first component (231) in a helical and spaced-apart manner, the second and third components (233, 235) isolated from one another by the first component (231). An oral care implement includes the spiral bristle.

Abstract: An oral care implement and/or a cleaning element for an oral care implement. The cleaning element may include an annular cleaning component having an inner surface defining a cavity. The annular cleaning component may be formed from a plurality of arcuate portions with each of the arcuate portions extending from a first end to a second end and terminating in a distal end. A height of each of the arcuate portions may be greater at the second end than at the first end. The plurality of arcuate portions may be arranged in a ring so that the first end of each of the arcuate portions is adjacent to the second end of another one of the arcuate portions.

Abstract: The mascara brush component comprises: a body (12) that extends along a longitudinal direction (X) and that comprises an outer surface, a row of application members (13) that each extend between a first end (16) connected to the body (12) and a free second end (17) at a distance from the body. The application members of the row extend on average in an application plane (P), and the longitudinal direction (X) forms, with the application plane (P), a non-zero angle between 2° and 30°.

Abstract: A monofilament bristle including: a body portion; a tip portion extending from the body portion and comprising a multi-lobed transverse cross-section, the monofilament bristle extending along a longitudinal axis; co-extruded first and second components, the first component being a first color and forming a first lobe of the multi-lobed transverse cross-section, the second component being a second color, which is different from the first color, and forming a second lobe of the multi-lobed transverse cross-section; and each of the first and second components forming a longitudinal section of the body portion, with an interface between the first and second components extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An oral care implement having tooth cleaning elements and an elastomeric soft tissue cleanser. In one aspect, the oral care implement has a handle and a head (110) coupled to the handle, an elastomeric soft tissue cleanser having a plurality of protuberances (152) extending from a rear surface of the head (110), and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements (115) extending from a front surface of the head. The protuberances (152) of the elastomeric soft tissue cleanser collectively define a convex longitudinal side profile and comprise at least one convex transverse top profile. The plurality of tooth cleaning elements (115) collectively define a concave longitudinal side profile and comprise at least one concave transverse top profile.

Abstract: A toothbrush includes an elongate body having a handle and a head formed with bristle assemblies each including elastic upper and lower boots on either side of an intermediate layer, an elastic collar extends through the intermediate layer from the lower boot to the upper boot, a tuft of bristles bound by a coupling, the tuft of bristles extends from the coupling in the lower boot through the collar and through the upper boot and therebeyond to a brushing extremity, the upper boot provides lateral elastic compliance between the upper boot and the tuft of bristles through the upper boot, the lower boot provides lateral elastic compliance between the lower boot and the coupling in the lower boot, and the intermediate layer pinches the collar against the tuft of bristles through the collar elastically retaining the tuft of bristles through the elastic collar to the elastic collar.

Abstract: A brush head (32) including: a plurality of bristle tufts (21), each of which comprises a plurality of bristle strands having a free end (25) and a proximal end (23); a plurality of retention rings (50) each comprising an upper portion (51), a lower portion (53), an exterior wall (55) and an interior wall (57), and each configured to receive the proximal end of at least one of the plurality of bristle tufts, wherein at least one of the plurality of retention rings comprises a transverse projection (71, 72) extending from the exterior and/or interior wall of the retention ring; and an elastomeric matrix (30) comprising at least a portion of each of the plurality of retention rings and the proximal end of each of the plurality of bristle tufts.

Abstract: A head for an oral care implement comprises at least one tooth cleaning element of a first type and at least one tooth cleaning element of a second type. The at least one tooth cleaning element of the first type has a length extension along a longitudinal axis being about 1 mm to about 2 mm shorter than the length extension of the at least one tooth cleaning element of the second type along its longitudinal axis. The at least one tooth cleaning element of the first type is a tuft of a first type comprising a plurality of filaments, each filament having a longitudinal axis and a substantially cross-shaped cross-sectional area extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The cross-shaped cross-sectional area has four projections and four channels, the projections and channels being arranged in an alternating manner. The at least one tuft of the first type has a packing factor within a range from about 40% to about 55%, preferably from about 45% to about 50%.

Abstract: A multi-surface cleaning brush may include: a head portion, an optional handle, and an optional tail portion. The head portion may include a head and a hemi-spheroid region formed by a first plurality of bristles coupled to the head in which the first plurality of bristles may terminate distally from the head to form a substantially hemi-spheroid shape. The head portion and tail portion may be coupled to opposing ends of the handle. Preferably, the first plurality of bristles may comprise microfiber. Preferably, the brush may also include a radial region formed by a second plurality of bristles which may terminate distally from the head to form a substantially cylindrical shape, and the radial region may be positioned between the hemi-spheroid region and the optional handle. An optional handle may be configured as an ergonomically shaped hand grip so that the user's hand may grip the brush via the handle.

Abstract: An oral care implement is described. The oral care implement may include a head extending along a longitudinal axis and having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a side surface extending between the first surface and the second surface. A central bristle tuft may from a central portion of the first surface. A plurality of perimetric bristle tufts may from the first surface and arranged to circumferentially surround the central bristle tuft. The perimetric bristle tufts may have distal ends that slope downwardly towards the central bristle tuft. The perimetric bristle tufts may be wedge shaped.

Abstract: An oral implement and a method of forming an oral care implement. The oral care implement may include a head having a front surface and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from the front surface. In one embodiment, the plurality of tooth cleaning elements may include three different types of tooth cleaning elements, each type of tooth cleaning element being formed of a different material. In one embodiment each of the materials has a different hardness and thus the oral care implement includes three different types of tooth cleaning elements each having a different hardness. In another embodiment, the oral care implement may include bristles and a molded cleaning element that may function as an interdental cleaner. Such a molded cleaning element may include a body and tines extending therefrom.

Abstract: An oral care implement having an arrangement of tooth cleaning elements thereon. The oral care implement may include a head extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end. A plurality of tooth cleaning elements extend from the head and are arranged in groups including a first group of tooth cleaning elements that terminate in distal ends that form a concave cleaning surface and a second group of tooth cleaning elements that terminate in distal ends that form a convex cleaning surface. Furthermore, there may also be a third group of tooth cleaning elements extending transversely across the head and dividing the first group of tooth cleaning elements into first and second subgroups of tooth cleaning elements. The third group of tooth cleaning elements may be inclined relative to a surface of the head from which they extend.

Abstract: A toothbrush having a cleaning column is provided. The toothbrush includes a handle portion, a neck portion, and a head portion. The cleaning column is attached to the head portion and extends away from an upper surface of the head portion. The cleaning column includes a cleaning surface for contacting a user's teeth. In one preferred embodiment, the cleaning surface can be made of foam that is formed via a reticulation process that exposes connected skeletal strands and the broken skeletal strands each having at least one free end of the foam. The connected skeletal strands and the broken skeletal strands of foam can facilitate the cleaning of the user's teeth, and the areas of the foam between the connected skeletal strands and the broken skeletal strands can facilitate holding of dentifrice therein.

Abstract: This application relates to oral hygiene and/teeth cleaning devices and associated methods. The devices can be configured to have a shape that allows all or substantially all of a user's teeth to be cleaned at once. In some embodiments, the devices are configured to be useable, for example, without access to water or a bathroom. The devices can be used to freshen up and clean the user's mouth on-the-go. In some embodiments, the devices are disposable.

Abstract: An ultrasonic system may include: an oral care device including: a head; a plurality of teeth cleaning elements extending from a first side of the head; and an ultrasound module including an ultrasound transceiver positioned in the head, the ultrasound transceiver configured to produce an ultrasound signal on the first side of the head and to generate a detection signal from a reflected ultrasound signal; and a processing module operably coupled to the ultrasound module to receive the detection signal; wherein the processing module includes a programmable processor configured to process the detection signal non-linearly with respect to time by first identifying a first reflection representing a surface of a tooth and then determining whether a second reflection peak is present in the detection signal at a time prior to the first reflection peak, the second reflection peak representing a biofilm on the surface of the tooth.

Abstract: An oral care implement that includes a handle and a head, the head having a front surface. A tuft extends from the front surface of the head along an axis and has a plurality of filaments formed of an elastomeric material. A sleeve circumferentially surrounds a first portion of the tuft while a second portion of the tuft protrudes beyond a distal end of the sleeve.

Abstract: An oral care implement having an arrangement of tooth cleaning elements thereon. The oral care implement may include a head extending from a proximal end to a distal end and comprising first and second peripheral sides. A plurality of tooth cleaning elements extend from the head and are arranged in groups including a first peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements positioned adjacent the first peripheral side of the head and having first and second types of tooth cleaning elements, a distal grouping of tooth cleaning elements positioned adjacent the distal end of the head and having a third type of tooth cleaning element, and a proximal grouping of tooth cleaning elements positioned adjacent the proximal end of the head and having the third type of tooth cleaning element. The first, second, and third types of tooth cleaning elements are different in at least one more structural characteristics.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a body that includes a head portion and a handle portion. At least one bristle is mounted to the head portion. The at least one bristle may include an oral care feature. The body may include a core component and a sheath component. The core component may include a structural feature that corresponds to or is representative of the oral care feature of the at least one bristle. The core component may be visible through the sheath component.

Abstract: Rotating dental systems and related guards and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments a guard is configured to prevent material from building up on at least a portion of the dental system. In some embodiments the guard is configured to prevent materials from being discharged from the dental system. In some embodiments, the guard is configured to direct the flow of material along a portion of the dental system. Some guards within the scope of this disclosure include bristles.

Abstract: A toothbrush for infants includes an elongate grasping region with a head at one end and a bottom at the other end. The head of the toothbrush includes a plurality of bristles, which may be formed from a soft, resiliently compressible material. The elongate grasping region may have dimensions that enable it to be held by an infant's hand while preventing its insertion and, thus, over-insertion of the toothbrush, into the infant's mouth. Various other features may be included to guide an infant's hand to an appropriate location on the toothbrush, as well as to enable an infant to grip the grasping region, particularly when moisture is present on the surface of the grasping region.

Abstract: A method (300) for providing feedback to a user of an oral cleaning device (10). The method includes the steps of: (i) receiving (330), from a sensor (28) of the oral cleaning device, data about a plurality of orientations of the oral cleaning device within the user's mouth during a cleaning session; (ii) extracting (340), from the received data, information about one or more stable orientations of the oral cleaning device within the user's mouth during the cleaning session, where a stable orientation is an orientation of the oral cleaning device maintained by the user for a period of time above a threshold; (iii) fitting (350) the information about the one or more stable orientations of the oral cleaning device to one or more expected orientations; and (iv) providing (360) feedback to the user about the cleaning session based on an analysis of the fitted one or more stable orientations.

Abstract: A toothbrush capable of inhibiting damage of an oral cavity of a user that includes: a head section that has a bristle implanting surface on a front end side; a handle section that is disposed on a rear end side from the head section and has a handle section main body; and a neck section that is disposed between the bristle implanting surface and the handle section. The toothbrush has a deforming portion that is located on the rear end side from the bristle implanting surface and is deformed, while stress characteristics associated with bending due to an external force acting on the head section are in a plane stress condition.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a tuft hole with inclined walls. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a head having a front surface and a rear surface; a tuft hole in the front surface of the head, the tuft hole extending along a central axis, the tuft hole comprising a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, each of the first and second sidewalls comprising an inclined section that converges toward a central plane that comprises the central axis with decreasing distance from the front surface; and a bristle tuft formed by a plurality of bristles, each of the plurality of bristles having a first portion disposed within the tuft hole and a second portion protruding from the front surface of the head, the second portions of the plurality of bristles converging toward the central plane.

Abstract: An toothbrush having a handle and a head. The handle may include a first component and a second component covering at least a portion of the first component. The first and second components may be chemically compatible. The first and second components may both comprise a hard polyolefin. The first and second components may have different transparencies. In one aspect, the first component may be opaque and the second component may be transparent or semi-transparent. In some aspects, the handle may also include a third component comprising a thermoplastic elastomer. Furthermore, there may be at least one projection extending outwardly from an outer surface of the first component.

Abstract: A hair brush has a semi-circular configuration, and has a head having a support member with a plurality of apertures therein that accommodate a plurality of bristles each having a hollow therein, and has a rear having an elongated hollow therein that complements the semi-circular configuration. When air is applied to the bristles, each bristle communicates with the aperture so that air can flow through the openings of the bristles, the aperture and outward through the hollow in the rear of the hair brush and away from the hair of a user. When air is applied to the hollow in the rear, the air is directed through the apertures and bristles onto the hair of the user.

Abstract: An outer elastomeric layer forms a nonogonal-shaped hollow tube for a finger toothbrush to be used by an adult caregiver to brush a child's teeth. The toothbrush has a first, rigid portion with a rigid inner lining configured to receive a middle phalange of the caregiver's finger and a second, flexible portion configured to receive a distal phalange of the caregiver's finger. The rigid inner lining may further comprise extensions and depressions to spread the pressure from a child's bite. The second, flexible portion may allow for better tactile response when the toothbrush is in the mouth of a child.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a medical device includes a needle member and a handle member. The handle member is coupled to the needle member. The handle member has a substantially flat portion. The handle member defines a groove. The groove is disposed on the substantially flat portion of the handle member.

Abstract: A sonic vibration toothbrush includes a head extending in an axial direction with a plurality of bristles implanted at an outer circumference thereof in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction; a head arm having an inner space to transmit a sonic wave to the head. A top portion of the head arm where the inner space is narrowed is coupled to the head and a motor accommodating portion that accommodates a motor therein and transmits a sonic wave generated by a rotating force of the motor to the head arm. The toothbrush further includes a handle having a space for accommodating a battery; an input unit provided at the motor accommodating portion in a button form; a display unit provided at the handle; and a control circuit that controls the motor according to input information provided from the input unit.

Abstract: A method (400) for modifying a user's oral care program. The method includes the steps of: (i) providing (410) a network (200) comprising a first personal care device (10a) in communication with a second personal care device (10b); (ii) cleaning (420) at least a portion of the oral cavity using the first personal care device; (iii) obtaining (440), while cleaning with the first personal care device, sensor data for the at least a portion of the oral cavity; (iv) communicating (450) the obtained sensor data to the second personal care device; and (v) modifying (460), based on the communicated sensor data, a function of the second personal care device.

Abstract: A brush construction for motor vehicle washing systems comprises a base plate (2) that supports a plurality of bristles (3) each of which has a base end (31), fixed to the plate (2), and a free end (32); the base plate (2) is suitable for being removably fixed to a rotating construction that is suitable for rotating the base plate (2) around the central axis thereof; the bristles (3) are fixed to the base plate (2) with different tilts both in radial directions, inwardly and outwardly, both in non-radial directions, clockwise and anticlockwise, with respect to the rotation direction of the base plate (2) or in any other direction that is different from the preceding directions; the bristles (3) being arranged with mutually converging and/or diverging tilt directions.

Abstract: A side brush for a robotic cleaner. The side brush is rotatable about a rotation axis in a rotational direction and has a brush body and numerous linear bristles including a first bristle having a base end at the brush body and an opposite distal end. An imaginary line extends perpendicularly to the rotation axis. The first bristle extends in a bristle direction outwardly from the brush body. Seen in a top view, the bristle direction extends at a first angle to the imaginary line with the distal end pointing rearwardly in relation to the rotational direction. Seen in a side view, the bristle direction extends at a second acute angle to the rotation axis pointing away from the brush body. A robotic cleaner having such a side brush is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A household brush or hygiene brush device has at least one brush application region comprising at least one first bristle end zone and at least one second bristle end zone, wherein the second bristle end zone is implemented differing from the first bristle end zone.

Abstract: A smart toothbrush is disclosed which includes a chewing base having an arch shape with varying surface areas and widths that conform to a biting pattern of an upper and lower jaws of a user; an array of bristles covering only the surface areas of the bottom side and top side so that when the user chews on the device, the array of bristles brushes the front, back, and biting surfaces of all the teeth of the upper jaw and said lower jaw, and the height of said array of bristles is 0.8 mm; and a removable handle connected to the chewing base.

Abstract: A convenient interdental brush is provided in which a bendable bellows structure similar to the corrugated portion of a straw is implemented in the interdental brush, thereby enabling the direction of bristles to be freely changed within the oral cavity.

Abstract: An oral-care implement comprises a mounting surface having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a plurality of filaments outwardly extending from the mounting surface in at least one direction not parallel to either one of the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis, each filament having a free end terminating with a tip. At least some of the filaments possess at least one functional characteristic selected from the group consisting of filament's structure, composition, cross-sectional shape, tip geometry, and any combination thereof. A plurality of filament tips comprises a working surface that includes at least a first color and a second color different from the first color.

Abstract: An oral care implement that includes a handle and a head. The head may include a support structure and a monolithic cleaning unit coupled thereto. The monolithic cleaning unit may include a base portion coupled to the support structure and a plurality of bristles extending therefrom. At least one, or each, of the plurality of bristles may comprise a body having an outer surface and a rib extending from the outer surface. The rib may be longitudinally elongated in some embodiments and it may be helical in other embodiments. Furthermore, there may be more than one rib extending from the outer surface of the body. The monolithic cleaning unit may be formed of an elastomeric material.

Abstract: An oral care implement that includes a handle and a head with a front surface. A plurality of tooth cleaning elements extend from the front surface. The plurality of tooth cleaning elements may include first and/or second sets of peripheral tooth cleaning elements located adjacent to opposing lateral edges of the head. The peripheral tooth cleaning elements may include elastomeric sleeve portions and bristle tuft portions. The elastomeric sleeve portions may be formed as a part of an integrally formed elastomeric component.

Abstract: A brush with bristles attached to multiple sides is designed to clean any gutter guard type that is manufactured today, including reverse curve type gutter guards. The brush has a main body of reverse-oriented bristles and accommodates an extension pole on the “reverse” side. When placed on top of the gutter guard, the brush can be pushed/pulled back and forth using the pole to dislodge any unwanted debris attached to the gutter guard's working surface. The use of the pole removes the need for a person to be on the roof when attempting to clean the gutter and/or gutter guard. With multiple bristle orientations, the brush can be used for other outdoor cleaning uses, such as house fixtures, structures, windows and so forth.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brush head for an electric toothbrush comprising a brush head shaft (20) with two ends, one end (21) with a tuft plate (30) being oscillatable about its centre axis, and one end adapted for detachable connection to a handle of the electric toothbrush, wherein the oscillatable tuft plate comprises at least three tufts (40), each tuft being non-rotatably attached to the tuft plate, wherein each tuft comprises a free end (41) and an end (42) fixedly attached to the oscillatable tuft plate.

Abstract: An oral stimulating device is inserted within a mouth of an individual and engages over the teeth. The oral stimulating device comprises a general U-shaped mouthpiece for engaging the teeth of the individual. A plurality of protruding knobs are coupled to the general U-shape mouthpiece. A vibrating device and an electric current source are within the general U-shaped mouthpiece for emitting vibration from the general U-shape mouthpiece. The plurality of protruding knobs and the emitting vibration provides oral stimulation.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a grip portion, a brush portion, and a joint arrangement for connecting the two portions. The joint arrangement has an upper cylinder portion and a lower cylinder portion, with an axis of the upper cylinder portion being inclined a predetermined angle with respect to an axis of the lower cylinder portion. The grip portion is connected to the lower cylinder portion and the brush portion is connected to the upper cylinder portion, so that the grip portion and the brush portion are inclined by the predetermined angle.

Abstract: A brush head (32) including: a plurality of bristle tufts (21), each of which comprises a plurality of bristle strands having a free end (25) and a proximal end (23); a plurality of retention rings (50) each comprising an upper portion (51), a lower portion (53), an exterior wall (55) and an interior wall (57), and each configured to receive the proximal end of at least one of the plurality of bristle tufts, wherein at least one of the plurality of retention rings comprises a transverse projection (71, 72) extending from the exterior and/or interior wall of the retention ring; and an elastomeric matrix (30) comprising at least a portion of each of the plurality of retention rings and the proximal end of each of the plurality of bristle tufts.

Abstract: A cushioned article includes a cage and a compressible material. The cage has at least one opening, an interior volume, and an outer surface. The at least one opening provides a passage from the outer surface to the interior volume. The compressible material extends through the at least one opening in the cage. A method for manufacturing a cushioned article includes providing a mold having at least one cavity, placing a cage within the mold, and injecting a compressible material into an interior of the cage. The cage includes at least one opening. A portion of the compressible material flows through the at least one opening in the cage and fills the at least one cavity of the mold. One or more shields may be connected to the cage before injection. The shields may be removed with the cage and heat treated with the shields still connected to the cage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new fiber which has a triangular cross section, and which may be used as a substitute for animal hair with comparable pickup and other properties. The disclosure also relates to methods for providing same.

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: The present invention relates to a cosmetic product applicator (14), of (lie type comprising: an application member (30) extending along a first longitudinal axis (34), a first end of said application member comprising an application element (42); and a gripping member (32) extending along a second longitudinal axis (36) and connected by a hinge (60, 76) to a second end (46) of the application member. The applicator timber comprises a removable locking element (33) forming a first stop between the gripping member and the application member, so as to lock the hinge and keep the first and second longitudinal axes substantially parallel.

Abstract: A head (14) for an oral care implement (10) has a mounting surface (20) comprising at least one tuft of a first type (16) and at least one tuft of a second type (18), the at least one tuft of the first type (16) and the at least one tuft of the second type (18) each having a cross-sectional area extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis. The cross-sectional area of the tuft of the first type (16) is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the tuft of the second type (18). The at least one tuft of the first type (16) comprises flagged filaments having split free ends, and the at least one tuft of the second type (18) comprises filaments having a substantially circular cross-sectional area extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and having an end-rounded free end.

Abstract: An oral care product array includes a handle component and multiple refill components therefor. The handle component includes a power source. A first refill component includes a first light generating module which emits light in a first spectrum from the first refill component. A second refill component includes a second light generating module which emits light in a second spectrum from the second refill component. Each refill component has a coupled state, when coupled to the handle component, and a decoupled state, when decoupled from the handle component. When the first refill component is in the coupled state, the first light generating module is powered by the power source to emit light in the first spectrum. When the second refill component is in the coupled state, the second light generating module is powered by the power source to emit light in the second spectrum.

Abstract: A head (14) for an oral care implement (10) has a mounting surface (20) with a proximal end (41) and a distal end (40), the head (14) comprising at least one tuft of a first type (16) and at least one tuft of a second type (18). The at least one tuft of the first type (16) comprises filaments having a substantially circular cross-sectional area extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and an end-rounded free end, and the at least one tuft of the second type (18) comprises flagged filaments having split free ends. The at least one tuft of the first type (16) is arranged at the distal end (40), and the at least one tuft of the second type (18) is arranged at the proximal end (41) of the head (14).

Abstract: A head for an oral care implement has a mounting surface comprising at least one tuft of a first length and at least one tuft of a second length, the first length being longer than the second length measured from the mounting surface of the head along a longitudinal axis of the tufts. The at least one tuft of the first length comprises filaments having a substantially circular cross-sectional area extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and an end-rounded free end, while the at least one tuft of the second length comprises flagged filaments having split free ends.