Abstract: A method for manufacturing a handle, a connector, and a head by injection molding at least a part of the handle having a distal end and a proximal end comprising a hollow portion opposite the distal end. At least a part of the connector having an outer lateral surface and a recess therein by injection molding with the recess forming a cavity within the connector. A spring-loaded ball-snap element is provided that with a ball and a spring configured to apply a radial force onto the ball. The spring-loaded ball-snap element is inserted into the cavity of the connector and the spring-loaded ball-snap element is fixed therein. At least a part of the head is injection molded. The connector is inserted into the hollow portion of the handle and the connector and fixed. The ball is extended slightly beyond the connector's outer lateral surface surrounding the ball.

Abstract: A connector with a first substantially cylindrical section having a cavity with a spring-loaded ball-snap element comprising a ball and a spring. An at least partially conically shaped section connecting the first substantially cylindrical section and a second substantially cylindrical section. The first and the second substantially cylindrical sections and the at least partially conically section define a longitudinal length extension. The first substantially cylindrical section and the second substantially cylindrical section are off-center with respect to the longitudinal length extension. A head having a hollow portion is dimensioned to receive the second substantially cylindrical section, the at least partially conically shaped section and a part of the first substantially cylindrical section. The hollow portion has an inner wall with a circular recess dimensioned to receive the ball, removably attaching the head to the second substantially cylindrical section.

Abstract: A cleaning section for an electric oral hygiene device includes a carrier mounted for driven rotation and/or oscillating rotation around a rotation axis, at least a plurality of first cleaning elements and a plurality of second cleaning elements, the cleaning elements being mounted on a mounting surface of the carrier. The carrier has an outer rim and an inner portion. The plurality of first cleaning elements are arranged at the inner portion of the carrier, and the plurality of second cleaning elements are arranged at the outer rim of the carrier. The plurality of first cleaning elements have 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 having four projections and four channels, the projections and channels being arranged in an alternating manner.

Abstract: A manual oral care implement comprises a handle, a connector and a head, the head being repeatedly attachable to and detachable from the handle via the connector. The handle has a distal end and a proximal end opposite to the distal end and adjacent to the head when the head is attached to the handle. The proximal end has an upper surface that is at least partially chamfered. The handle has a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional area extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The chamfered surface and the cross-sectional area define therebetween an angle ? from about 15° to about 30°.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an oral care implement comprising a handle, a connector, and a head repeatedly attachable to and detachable from the handle via the connector. The method includes the steps of injection molding of at least a part of the handle having a distal end and a proximal end opposite thereto and comprising a hollow portion; injection molding of at least a part of the connector having an outer lateral surface and a recess therein, the recess forming a cavity within the connector; injection molding of at least a part of the head; inserting the connector into the hollow portion of the handle and fixing the connector therein by gluing, welding, and/or press-fitting.

Abstract: A toothbrush head or a brush carrier having at least one carrier element including at least one shape-shifting tuft mounted thereon. The shape-shifting tuft raises from a mounting end on a mounting surface of the carrier element generally along an extension direction towards a free end of the shape-shifting tuft. The shape-shifting tuft has a length from the mounting base to the free end and comprises a plurality of fibers.

Abstract: A connector for repeatedly attaching and detaching a head to and from a handle of a manual oral care implement comprises a first substantially cylindrical section, a second substantially cylindrical section, and an at least partially conically shaped section connecting the first and second cylindrical sections. The first and second substantially cylindrical sections and the at least partially conically section define a longitudinal length extension of the connector, wherein the first substantially cylindrical section and the second substantially cylindrical section are placed off-center with respect to the longitudinal length extension.

Abstract: A connector for repeatedly attaching and detaching a head to and from a handle of a manual oral care implement has an outer surface and a recess. The recess forms a cavity within the connector, wherein the cavity comprises a spring-loaded ball-snap element, the element comprising a ball and a spring, the spring applying a radial force onto the ball in a direction towards the outer surface of the connector.

Abstract: A connector with a first substantially cylindrical section having a cavity with a spring-loaded ball-snap element comprising a ball and a spring. An at least partially conically shaped section connecting the first substantially cylindrical section and a second substantially cylindrical section. The first and the second substantially cylindrical sections and the at least partially conically section define a longitudinal length extension. The first substantially cylindrical section and the second substantially cylindrical section are off-center with respect to the longitudinal length extension. A head having a hollow portion is dimensioned to receive the second substantially cylindrical section, the at least partially conically shaped section and a part of the first substantially cylindrical section. The hollow portion has an inner wall with a circular recess dimensioned to receive the ball, removably attaching the head to the second substantially cylindrical section.

Abstract: A filament for an oral care implement has 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 are arranged in an alternating manner. Each channel has a concave curvature formed by neighboring and converging projections. The concave curvature has a radius, and each projection is end-rounded thereby forming a curvature. The curvature has a diameter, and the ratio of the diameter of the curvature of the projection to the radius of the curvature of the channel is from about 0.2 to about 1.5.

Abstract: A head for an oral care implement has an outer rim and an inner portion. The head comprises at least one tuft of filaments of a first type and at least one tuft of filaments of a second type. The at least one tuft of the first type is arranged at the inner portion of the head and comprises a plurality of filaments, each filament having a longitudinal axis and a substantially circular cross-sectional area extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The at least one tuft of the second type is arranged at the outer rim of the head and comprises 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 having four projections and four channels, the projections and channels being arranged in an alternating manner.

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 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 longer 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 has 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 replaceable head for removeable connection with a manual toothbrush handle, the head comprising: a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, a neck having a hollow portion therein and extending between the first end and the second end, and a bristle carrier disposed adjacent to the first end. The second end comprises a second-end opening leading into the hollow portion of the neck and terminates with a second-end edge comprising a chamfered surface structured and configured to mate with a corresponding chamfered surface of the handle when the head is connected thereto. The neck's hollow portion is defined by an inner wall comprising a recess for receiving a spring-loaded ball associated with a connector of the handle.

Abstract: A tuft picker for a brush-making machine for automated production of brushes, toothbrushes adapted to remove filaments from a filament container. The tuft picker includes two cover tools spaced by a picking part. The picking part has at least one picker eye for taking up a predefined number of loose filaments from the filament container. This picker eye has an opening that can be opened and closed by moving the cover tools from a first position to a second position during one working stroke.

Abstract: A manual toothbrush, including a disposable head comprising a thermoplastic material and a reusable handle comprising an aluminum material, has a center of gravity, a longitudinal axis, and mutually opposite front and back sides. The handle has a proximal end, which is adjacent to the head when the head is attached to the handle, and a distal end opposite thereto. The center of gravity lies within the handle even when the brush head is loaded with toothpaste, wherein the center of gravity is arranged at or in close proximity to the pivot point of a wrist joint of a user brushing teeth, which arrangement facilitates precise and accurate brushing movements by the user. The handle's proximal end terminates with a chamfered surface, wherein the chamfered surface and a cross-sectional area perpendicular to the axis form therebetween an angle ? from about 15° to about 30° such that one of the front side and the back side of the handle is shorter than the other.

Abstract: A tuft picker for a brush-making machine for automated production of brushes, such as toothbrushes, which is adapted to remove filaments from a filament container. The tuft picker comprises two parts. Each of the two parts comprises at least one picker eye for taking up a predefined number of loose filaments from the filament container. These picker eyes comprise an opening which can be opened and closed by moving the cover tool from a first position into a second position during one working stroke.

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 longer 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 has 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%.