Abstract: A lactation aid and soothing garment suspends thermal management pads near the surface of a patient's breasts by means of an adjustable-length neck band passing behind the patient's neck. The thermal management pads contain a heat-absorbing material that can be heated or cooled, for example in a microwave oven or a refrigerator, to apply heat or cold therapy to the breasts. Some embodiments comprise separable nipple soothers that can be heated or cooled to a different temperature so that the nipples can receive different temperature therapy than the bulk of the breast. Some embodiments facilitate the use of a mechanical breast pump while the thermal therapy is underway. Features of an embodiment allow a patient to wear the garment in a variety of ways in addition to around the neck (e.g., around the waist).

Abstract: Packaging configured to contain an item is made from a pre-formed plastic web from which a user-graspable tear tab extends to enable removal of the item from the packaging. Preferred embodiments each include a plastic web in the form of a pocket and positioned between front and back lidding sheets that have adhesive sections bonded together to form unitary packaging. The pocket is sized to pass through a pocket-receiving aperture in the front lidding sheet and retains and displays the packaged item. The tear tab outwardly extends from a peripheral flange from which the plastic web depends. A score line boundary formed in one of the front and back lidding sheets circumscribes or partly circumscribes at least a majority of the pocket receiving aperture and allows removal of the item by a user pulling the tear tab to tear open the packaging along the score line boundary.

Abstract: An oral care implement, such as an electric toothbrush, is ergonomically configured for the anatomical structures of children. In one embodiment, a toothbrush is provided with three dimensional sections in visually appealing or recognizable shapes for promoting more frequent of brushing by children. In another embodiment, a toothbrush includes user replaceable sections or covers that allow a user to selectively tailor the visual appearance of their own toothbrush or allow for increased exposure of other products by providing surface areas for placement of advertising or other promotional material.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush which has been designed for improved ergonomics and for assisting the user in using a powered brush in an improved and gentler manner. The powered toothbrush includes a handle portion having a base member at one end thereof. A neck portion extends from the other end of the handle portion with the head coupled to the neck portion. The head includes at least one bristle carrier connected to a drive shaft rotating the at least one bristle carrier in a first rotatable direction. In order to improve the ergonomics and stability of the powered toothbrush, the handle portion is formed asymmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the powered toothbrush and the base member of the handle portion is substantially flat.

Abstract: An oral care implement, such as an electric toothbrush, is ergonomically configured for the anatomical structures of children. In one embodiment, a toothbrush is provided with three dimensional sections in visually appealing or recognizable shapes for promoting more frequent of brushing by children. In another embodiment, a toothbrush includes user replaceable sections or covers that allow a user to selectively tailor the visual appearance of their own toothbrush or allow for increased exposure of other products by providing surface areas for placement of advertising or other promotional material.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush having a curved neck, a flexible shaft within the neck and a single battery is provided. In a preferred embodiment, a powered toothbrush having a curved neck of a constant radius, a flexible unitary shaft, a single battery power source and a clutch mechanism to disengage the flexible shaft from a drive mechanism upon overload is provided.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush which has been designed for improved ergonomics and for assisting the user in using a powered brush in an improved and gentler manner. The powered toothbrush includes a handle portion having a base member at one end thereof. A neck portion extends from the other end of the handle portion with the head coupled to the neck portion. The head includes at least one bristle carrier connected to a drive shaft rotating the at least one bristle carrier in a first rotatable direction. In order to improve the ergonomics and stability of the powered toothbrush, the handle portion is formed asymmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the powered toothbrush and the base member of the handle portion is substantially flat.