Abstract: An oral care implement that includes a handle and an oral care refill head. The oral care refill head is alterable between a first state in which it is separated from the handle and a second state in which it is coupled to the handle. The oral care refill head has a proximal edge surface that defines an opening into a sleeve cavity. The proximal edge surface may be inclined in one direction only as it extends from an inner edge surface to an outer edge surface. The handle may have a gripping portion and a stem, with a distal end of the gripping portion forming an annular shoulder surface that surrounds the stem. The annular shoulder surface may be inclined in one direction only as it extends from an inner shoulder edge adjacent to the stem to an outer shoulder edge adjacent to an outer surface of the handle.

Abstract: An oral care implement that includes a handle and an oral care refill head. The oral care refill head is alterable between a first state in which it is separated from the handle and a second state in which it is coupled to the handle. The oral care refill head has a proximal edge surface that defines an opening into a sleeve cavity. The proximal edge surface is inclined with radial distance from a cavity axis of the sleeve cavity. Similarly, the handle has a gripping portion that terminates at a distal end and a stem that protrudes from the distal end. The annular shoulder that is inclined downwardly and away from a stem to facilitate mating of the oral care refill head to the handle. The oral care refill head may have features for securing the oral care refill head to the stem of the handle.

Abstract: An oral care implement (1000) that includes a handle (100) and an oral care refill head (200). The oral care refill head (200) is alterable between a first state in which it is separated from the handle (100) and a second state in which it is coupled to the handle (100) by inserting a stem (120) of the handle (100) inside of a cavity (221) of the oral care refill head (200). The oral care refill head (200) has at least one alignment groove (250, 260) that receives at least one alignment rib of the stem (120) of the handle (100). Furthermore, the stem (120) and the oral care refill head (200) include snap lock features that form a snap-fit interlock to secure the oral care refill head (200) to the handle (100).

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention can be a system for determining toothbrush effectiveness, the system comprising a data capture subsystem comprising at least one sensor and configured to generate brushing data during a participant brushing session directed entirely by the participant, and at least one processor configured to receive the brushing data from the data capture subsystem. A brushing simulation subsystem includes artificial teeth; and a robotic arm configured to: hold a toothbrush; and receive from the at least one processor instructions for a motion to be carried out by the robotic arm, the motion of the robotic arm causing the toothbrush to carry out an automated brushing session upon the artificial teeth, the motion of the robotic arm being based on the brushing data captured during the participant brushing session.

Abstract: A personal care implement, such as an oral care implement, that includes a body containing a supply of a fluid. A flow barrier is positioned with a first surface adjacent to the supply of fluid and a second surface opposite the first surface. The flow barrier allows flow of the fluid through the flow barrier for application to a biological surface when the flow barrier is compressed and prevents or inhibits flow of another fluid that is in contact with the second surface of the flow barrier through the flow barrier in a static state. In certain embodiments, the fluid in the supply may have a first viscosity and a first surface tension and the another fluid may have a second viscosity and a second surface tension such that one of the first and second viscosities and one of the first and second surface tensions are different from each other.

Abstract: An oral care implement that includes a handle and an oral care refill head. The oral care refill head is alterable between a first state in which it is separated from the handle and a second state in which it is coupled to the handle. The oral care refill head has a proximal edge surface that defines an opening into a sleeve cavity. The proximal edge surface is inclined with radial distance from a cavity axis of the sleeve cavity. Similarly, the handle has a gripping portion that terminates at a distal end and a stem that protrudes from the distal end. The annular shoulder that is inclined downwardly and away from a stem to facilitate mating of the oral care refill head to the handle. The oral care refill head may have features for securing the oral care refill head to the stem of the handle.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention can be a system for determining toothbrush effectiveness, the system comprising a data capture subsystem comprising at least one sensor and configured to generate brushing data during a participant brushing session directed entirely by the participant, and at least one processor configured to receive the brushing data from the data capture subsystem. A brushing simulation subsystem includes artificial teeth; and a robotic arm configured to: hold a toothbrush; and receive from the at least one processor instructions for a motion to be carried out by the robotic arm, the motion of the robotic arm causing the toothbrush to carry out an automated brushing session upon the artificial teeth, the motion of the robotic arm being based on the brushing data captured during the participant brushing session.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention can be a system for determining toothbrush effectiveness, the system comprising a data capture subsystem comprising at least one sensor and configured to generate brushing data during a participant brushing session directed entirely by the participant. A brushing simulation subsystem includes a robotic arm configured to hold a toothbrush, and receive from at least one processor instructions for a motion to be carried out by the robotic arm. The motion of the robotic arm causes the toothbrush to carry out an automated brushing session upon the artificial teeth, the motion of the robotic arm being based on the brushing data captured during the participant brushing session. The at least one processor is further configured to determine an effectiveness of the toothbrush based on the substance determined to be removed from artificial teeth during an automated brushing session.

Abstract: A fluid supply apparatus with leakage protection. The apparatus includes a housing defining a storage cavity having a total volume including a fluid portion and a gas portion. The storage cavity extends along a cavity axis from a first end to a second end. A capillary member is fluidly coupled with the fluid. A vent tube having a primary vent passageway and a plurality of vent apertures is located in the storage cavity. The primary vent passageway forms a pathway from the vent apertures to the external atmosphere. Fluid cannot flow through the vent apertures at ambient temperature and pressure equilibrium. The vent apertures may be located and arranged on the vent tube such that irrespective of vertical and angular orientation of the housing relative to a gravitational vector at least one of the vent apertures is in spatial communication with the gas.

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 personal care implement with a fluid dispensing system includes a fluid applicator, a fluid dispensing assembly including main and overflow reservoirs, and a capillary member in fluid communication with the reservoirs and the applicator for dispensing personal care fluid stored in the reservoirs via capillary action. An air venting system in one arrangement allows ambient air to be drawn into the main reservoir through the overflow reservoir for alleviating vacuum formed in the main reservoir by the capillary action fluid dispensing process. The venting system may include an external vent to atmosphere from the overflow reservoir and an internal vent between the reservoirs. In the event air trapped within the main reservoir expands due to changes in altitude or temperature, fluid in the main reservoir is expelled into the overflow reservoir via the internal vent. In one implementation, the personal care implement may be an oral care implement.

Abstract: A personal care implement that dispenses a fluid to cleaning elements during a hygiene activity. The personal care implement may include a handle, a head, and a reservoir containing a fluid in one of the handle and the head. A plurality of bristle tufts may extend from the head along an axis. Each of the bristle tufts may include a plurality of bristle filaments that are arranged in the bristle tuft so that spaces exist within the bristle tuft. The personal care implement may also include a capillary member that is fluidly coupled to both the first fluid and to one of the bristle tufts. The fluid may flow by capillary action from the reservoir to a bottom end of the one of the bristle tufts and then upwardly along the bristle tuft within the spaces between the bristle filaments.

Abstract: A personal care implement that dispenses a fluid to cleaning elements during a hygiene activity. The personal care implement may include a handle, a head, and a reservoir containing a fluid in one of the handle and the head. A plurality of bristle tufts may extend from the head along an axis. Each of the bristle tufts may include a plurality of bristle filaments that are arranged in the bristle tuft so that spaces exist within the bristle tuft. The personal care implement may also include a capillary member that is fluidly coupled to both the first fluid and to one of the bristle tufts. The fluid may flow by capillary action from the reservoir to a bottom end of the one of the bristle tufts and then upwardly along the bristle tuft within the spaces between the bristle filaments.

Abstract: A personal care implement, such as an oral care implement, that includes a body containing a supply of a fluid. A flow barrier is positioned with a first surface adjacent to the supply of fluid and a second surface opposite the first surface. The flow barrier allows flow of the fluid through the flow barrier for application to a biological surface when the flow barrier is compressed and prevents or inhibits flow of another fluid that is in contact with the second surface of the flow barrier through the flow barrier in a static state. In certain embodiments, the fluid in the supply may have a first viscosity and a first surface tension and the another fluid may have a second viscosity and a second surface tension such that one of the first and second viscosities and one of the first and second surface tensions are different from each other.