Abstract: A personal hygiene implement, such as a toothbrush, is constructed to have a self-righting tendency to elevate a portion of the implement to avoid contamination from a support surface upon which it rests. The implement includes a functional head and a handle having a curved outer surface. When placed upon a horizontal surface on the curved outer surface, the implement rolls under gravitational force to a stable position in which the head is not in contact with the horizontal surface. In some cases a ballast material offsets the gravitational center of the implement to increase the self-righting tendency. Barrel-shaped, bulb-shaped and cylindrical handles are disclosed, as is a method of use.

Abstract: A dental hygiene article, including a dental floss, and a microcapsule associated with a portion of the floss. The microcapsule includes a pigment encapsulated within the microcapsule for changing the color of a portion of the floss associated with the microcapsule upon rupture of the microcapsule as an indication of use or release of an active agent.

Abstract: A dental hygiene article that includes a dental floss, a first component associated with the floss, a second component associated with the floss, and a first barrier constructed to separate the first component from the second component until flossing occurs. The first and the second components are selected to react with each other when the first and the second components are combined, e.g., in the mouth during flossing.

Abstract: A method of trimming and end-rounding bristles and a device for carrying out the method are provided. The method includes providing a group of elongated continuous filaments arranged so that the longitudinal axis of each of the filaments is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the other filaments and so that the ends of the filaments define a plane; advancing the group of filaments to an end-rounding device; end-rounding the group of filaments; and cutting the filaments to define a bundle of end-rounded filaments having a predetermined length.

Abstract: Elastomeric polymeric flosses comprising particulate modification agents stably associated with the surface thereof, as well as methods for their fabrication, are provided. In the subject flosses, particulate modification agents are either adsorbed to the surface of the floss or embedded in the surface of the floss. To fabricate the subject flosses, unmodified elastomeric flosses are contacted with particulate modification agents under conditions which provide for the stable association of the particles with the floss surface, where the floss surface may be softened to promote embedding of the particulate modification agents in the surface of the floss.

Abstract: Improved dental flosses are provided, including multicomponent coextruded filaments and/or filaments having a multilobal cross-section. Some preferred flosses of the invention are capable of bulking.

Abstract: A three-component mouthrinse comprises a mouthrinse active material e.g. bactericide, a polymeric material e.g. polysaccharide which can be gelled in the mouth, and means (e.g. a polyacid) for gelling the polymeric material to form a water-insoluble gel in the mouth, from which gel the active material is slowly released.

Abstract: A toothbrush including a head, a tuft of bristles positioned at the head, a piezoelectric film disposed within the head in such a way that a force applied to the tuft of bristles generates voltage in the piezoelectric film, and an indicator for indicating that a predetermined level of voltage is being generated in the piezoelectric film. Preferably the tuft of bristles is able to "float" within the head of the toothbrush. The indicator is constructed to provide a signal that is perceivable by a user of the toothbrush (e.g., a visible signal or an audible signal).

Abstract: Improved dental flosses include two or more components selected to provide desired properties to the floss. The improved flosses may comprise one or a plurality of multicomponent filaments, each filament including an inner core selected to provide strength to the floss, and an outer layer selected to provide a desired surface property. The improved flosses also may comprise one or a plurality of core filaments embedded in a single body sheath. The filament component provides desirable physical properties to the floss, such as tensile strength, while a floss body sheath component provides desirable surface properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stannous fluoride-containing gel comprising from about 0.3% to about 1.0% (by weight) stannous fluoride, from about 1.0% to about 10% (by weight) silica thickening agent and anhydrous glycerin. Preferably, these gels also contain from about 0.01% to about 5% (by weight) of a gum system, e.g. hydroxyethyl cellulose. These gels exhibit very good ribbon stand-up qualities and excellent fluoride ion and stannous ion stability. Also, the present invention relates to an improved method for producing the above gels. This method uses mixing equipment commonly employed to manufacture dentifrices and provides a simplified processing scheme.

Abstract: A method of forming blister pack packaging is provided including providing a thermoplastic material and placing the thermoplastic material between a pair of opposed male and female thermoforming dies, while cooling a portion of at least one of the dies. The cooled portion of the die is positioned to contact the area of the thermoplastic material in which it is desired to avoid distortion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a toothbrush, including providing a bristle having a first opening, a second opening, and a lumen between the first and the second openings; contacting the first opening with a substance; applying a vacuum to the second opening thereby suctioning the substance into the lumen through the first opening to provide a bristle containing a substance; and attaching the bristle containing the substance to a toothbrush. A toothbrush including a plurality of bristles having fracturable walls for controllably releasing a substance from the bristles into the oral cavity is provided.

Abstract: A dental floss dispenser is provided comprising a molded plastic housing which may be disassembled by the user to change the position of a removable cutting edge for the floss to one of two mounting positions within the housing. When the cutting edge is mounted in one mounting position, the dispensing and cutting of the thread is convenient for a right-handed user and when it is mounted in the other mounting position, the dispensing and cutting of the floss is convenient for a left-handed user.