Abstract: An oral care implement comprises a head with a plurality of cleaning elements, the head comprising a chamber. The oral care implement may include a reflective or refractive membrane positioned within the chamber. A light source may also be positioned within the chamber such that light from the light source is directed at the reflective or refractive membrane. The oral care implement may also include a head plate with a plurality of tooth cleaning elements coupled thereto, the head plate positioned over the chamber. The light from the light source may be emitted through the head plate. In some embodiments the oral care implement may be a toothbrush. In other embodiments the oral care implement may be non-toothbrush type implements that include a body forming a chamber within which the lighting components are positioned.

Abstract: An oral care device such as an oral care implement or a toothbrush. The oral care device may include a handle and a head. The head may have a plurality of cleaning elements extending therefrom. The head may comprise an open space or cavity. A plurality of electrodes may be located within the open space or cavity. The electrodes may be coupled to a voltage source. The electrodes may be used to generate a chemical agent via the application of an electrical potential across the electrodes when in communication with an electrolyte. The chemical agents may include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide, chlorine hypochlorite, ions, peroxides, and/or other chemical agents.

Abstract: An oral care implement has a head portion with tooth cleaning elements on a front surface thereof and a reservoir containing a fluid. A delivery member extends through at least a portion of the oral care implement to deliver the fluid from the reservoir to an applicator that may be positioned on the rear surface of the head. In one aspect, the applicator and the delivery member may be separate components that are fluidly coupled to one another. The applicator and the delivery member may both be formed of a capillary material.

Abstract: A toothbrush uses light to deliver an oral care benefit such as the detection of plaque or the whitening of teeth. In one embodiment, a toothpaste formulation contains ultraviolet brighteners as a whitening ingredient that has a whitening or bleaching effect when in contact with ultraviolet radiation. The activation of the brighteners may occur through the use of a toothbrush having a UV source. In yet another embodiment, a toothpaste formulation contains an oxidizing agent as a whitening ingredient, the activation of which occurs through the use of a toothbrush having a source of light energy which includes LEDs in the bristle field.

Abstract: An oral care implement is disclosed that comprises a handle and a head. The head comprises a base structure having a front surface. A cleaning element carrier is provided that includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The cleaning element carrier is supported so that the bottom surface of the cleaning element carrier is spaced from the front surface of the base structure. At least a portion of the cleaning element carrier is movable relative to the base structure in a direction towards the front surface of the base structure. A plurality of first cleaning elements are mounted to the cleaning element carrier and extend from the top surface of the cleaning element carrier. A plurality of second cleaning elements are mounted to the base structure and extend from the front surface of the base structure and beyond the top surface of the cleaning element carrier.

Abstract: An oral care device such as an oral care implement or a toothbrush. The oral care device may include a handle and a head. The head may have a plurality of cleaning elements extending therefrom. The head may comprise an open space or cavity. A plurality of electrodes may be located within the open space or cavity. The electrodes may be coupled to a voltage source. The electrodes may be used to generate a chemical agent via the application of an electrical potential across the electrodes when in communication with an electrolyte. The chemical agents may include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide, chlorine hypochlorite, ions, peroxides, and/or other chemical agents.

Abstract: A toothbrush uses light to deliver an oral care benefit such as the detection of plaque or the whitening of teeth. In one embodiment, a toothpaste formulation contains ultraviolet brighteners as a whitening ingredient that has a whitening or bleaching effect when in contact with ultraviolet radiation. The activation of the brighteners may occur through the use of a toothbrush having a UV source. In yet another embodiment, a toothpaste formulation contains an oxidizing agent as a whitening ingredient, the activation of which occurs through the use of a toothbrush having a source of light energy which includes LEDs in the bristle field.

Abstract: A method of cleaning teeth by providing a device for generating a chemical agent in situ on an as-needed basis via the application of an electrical potential across a pair of conductors in communication with an electrolyte. The chemical agents may include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide, chlorine and/or hypochlorite. The device may include a voltage source and a first set of electrodes for applying an electrical potential to the electrolyte. The device may also include a second set of electrodes disposed about an anode of the first set of electrodes. The first and second sets of anodes cooperate to produce ions, peroxides, ozone and/or other chemical agents via the application of electrical potential to the electrolyte.

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: An oral care implement has a head portion with tooth cleaning elements on a front surface thereof and a reservoir containing a fluid. A delivery member extends through at least a portion of the oral care implement to deliver the fluid from the reservoir to an applicator that may be positioned on the rear surface of the head. In one aspect, the applicator and the delivery member may be separate components that are fluidly coupled to one another. The applicator and the delivery member may both be formed of a capillary material.

Abstract: An oral care implement has a head portion with tooth cleaning elements on one surface thereof and a reservoir containing at least one active agent. A capillary channel extends through at least a portion of the oral care implement to deliver active agent(s) to one or more outlets. In one aspect, a vibration-producing device is provided to vibrate at least a portion of the implement to enhance the function of tooth cleaning elements and the delivery of the active agent through capillary action. A variety of active agents can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits, such as fresh breath, tooth whitening, or producing sensations of heat, cool, or tingling.

Abstract: An oral care implement comprises a head with a plurality of cleaning elements, the head comprising a chamber. The oral care implement may include a reflective or refractive membrane positioned within the chamber. A light source may also be positioned within the chamber such that light from the light source is directed at the reflective or refractive membrane. The oral care implement may also include a head plate with a plurality of tooth cleaning elements coupled thereto, the head plate positioned over the chamber. The light from the light source may be emitted through the head plate. In some embodiments the oral care implement may be a toothbrush. In other embodiments the oral care implement may be non-toothbrush type implements that include a body forming a chamber within which the lighting components are positioned.

Abstract: An oral care implement comprises a head with a plurality of cleaning elements, and a light source incorporated into or adjacent the head. The light source is incorporated prior to the attachment of the cleaning elements for ease of manufacturing and a cost-effective assembly. The cleaning elements are preferably pre-formed and attached to the head after the incorporation of the light source so that the provision of the light source does not require any post-processing that might impair the integrity of the head or cleaning elements.

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: An oral care implement is disclosed that comprises a handle and a head. The head comprises a base structure having a front surface. A cleaning element carrier is provided that includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The cleaning element carrier is supported so that the bottom surface of the cleaning element carrier is spaced from the front surface of the base structure. At least a portion of the cleaning element carrier is movable relative to the base structure in a direction towards the front surface of the base structure. A plurality of first cleaning elements are mounted to the cleaning element carrier and extend from the top surface of the cleaning element carrier. A plurality of second cleaning elements are mounted to the base structure and extend from the front surface of the base structure and beyond the top surface of the cleaning element carrier.

Abstract: An oral care implement has a head portion with tooth cleaning elements on one surface thereof and a reservoir containing at least one active agent. A capillary channel extends through at least a portion of the oral care implement to deliver active agent(s) to one or more outlets. In one aspect, a vibration-producing device is provided to vibrate at least a portion of the implement to enhance the function of tooth cleaning elements and the delivery of the active agent through capillary action. A variety of active agents can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits, such as fresh breath, tooth whitening, or producing sensations of heat, cool, or tingling.

Abstract: An oral care implement and method for forming the same is provided. The oral care implement comprises a handle and a head having a base structure. A plurality of cleaning elements is attached to the base structure. One end of each of the plurality of cleaning elements is connected to one another. At least one of the plurality of cleaning elements is a spiral bristle.

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: A method of cleaning teeth by providing a device for generating a chemical agent in situ on an as-needed basis via the application of an electrical potential across a pair of conductors in communication with an electrolyte. The chemical agents may include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide, chlorine and/or hypochlorite. The device may include a voltage source and a first set of electrodes for applying an electrical potential to the electrolyte. The device may also include a second set of electrodes disposed about an anode of the first set of electrodes. The first and second sets of anodes cooperate to produce ions, peroxides, ozone and/or other chemical agents via the application of electrical potential to the electrolyte.

Abstract: A method of cleaning teeth by providing a device for generating a chemical agent in situ on an as-needed basis via the application of an electrical potential across a pair of conductors in communication with an electrolyte. The chemical agents may include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide, chlorine and/or hypochlorite. The device may include a voltage source and a first set of electrodes for applying an electrical potential to the electrolyte. The device may also include a second set of electrodes disposed about an anode of the first set of electrodes. The first and second sets of anodes cooperate to produce ions, peroxides, ozone and/or other chemical agents via the application of electrical potential to the electrolyte.