Abstract: An oral care implement including an elongated body having a head portion supporting plurality of tooth cleaning elements and a handle portion defining an outer surface. A grip control component is disposed on the handle portion and includes a pair of transversely spaced apart control surfaces separated by a longitudinally extending channel. The control surfaces are elevated above the outer surface of the handle portion and positioned to engage a user's thumb. The control component is operable to tilt the head portion at an upward or downward angle relative to a vertical plane of a user's teeth when the control component is grasped between the user's thumb and forefinger for producing a proper brushing angle at the gum line.

Abstract: An oral care implement (100) in one embodiment includes an elongated body (101) comprising a head portion (110) supporting plurality of tooth cleaning elements (111) and a handle portion (120) defining an outer surface (127). A grip control component (130) is disposed on the handle portion (120) and includes a pair of transversely spaced apart control surfaces (132) separated by a longitudinally extending channel (133). The control surfaces (132) are elevated above the outer surface (127) of the handle portion (120) and positioned to engage a user's thumb. The control component (130) is operable to tilt the head portion (110) at an upward or downward angle relative to a vertical plane of a user's teeth when the control component (130) is grasped between the user's thumb and forefinger for producing a proper brushing angle at the gum line.

Abstract: A toothbrush includes a handle and a head mounted to the handle. In one aspect, the head may extend from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the head having a base portion formed of a rigid plastic material and a flexible portion formed of an elastomeric material, a first longitudinal section of the flexible portion spaced apart from the base portion by a gap. The flexible portion of the head may have an upper surface and an opposing lower surface such that within the first longitudinal section of the flexible portion the upper surface and the lower surface are substantially planar and parallel to one another. Furthermore, tooth cleaning elements may be secured to the flexible portion of the head by in-molded technology to extend from the upper surface of the flexible portion.

Abstract: An oral care implement including an elastomeric component that includes a bumper portion that forms a distal-most section of the peripheral surface and a wall portion located along a distal-most section of the perimeter edge and protruding above the front surface. The wall portion may include a first ramped portion, an apex portion, and a second ramped portion. The wall portion may include a plurality of spaced-apart ridges protruding from an outer surface of the bumper portion and an outer surface of the wall portion. An oral care implement is disclosed that includes a soft tissue cleanser having a plurality of protuberances of differing heights.

Abstract: An oral care implement that includes a conical tuft of bristles. In one embodiment, the invention is an oral care implement that includes a handle and a head coupled to the handle, the head having a front surface. A plurality of tooth cleaning elements extend from the front surface of the head. The plurality of tooth cleaning elements include a conical tuft that has a bristle wall having an inner surface defining a cavity, the cavity having a transverse cross-sectional area that increases with distance from the front surface of the head. Furthermore, in some embodiments the bristle wall terminates in an annular top surface that is inclined relative to the front surface of the head. In some embodiments, the head includes more than one of the conical tufts, such as two of the conical tufts or four of the conical tufts.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a tissue cleaning pad. In one aspect, the oral care implement includes a head having a front surface and an opposite rear surface. A plurality of tooth cleaning elements extend from the front surface of the head. A tissue cleaning pad is positioned on the rear surface of the head. The tissue cleaning pad has a planar top surface bounded by a perimetric edge and a plurality of protrusions extending from the planar top surface. The perimetric edge of the planar top surface of the tissue cleaning pad has a first portion that is flush with the rear surface of the head and a second portion that is raised relative to the rear surface of the head.

Abstract: An oral care implement having tooth cleaning elements and an elastomeric soft tissue cleanser. In one aspect, the oral care implement has a handle and a head coupled to the handle, an elastomeric soft tissue cleanser having a plurality of protuberances extending from a rear surface of the head, and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from a front surface of the head. The protuberances of the elastomeric soft tissue cleanser collectively define a convex longitudinal side profile and comprise at least one convex transverse top profile. The plurality of tooth cleaning elements collectively define a concave longitudinal side profile and comprise at least one concave transverse top profile.

Abstract: An oral care implement with a soft tissue cleaner. The oral care implement may include a handle and a head, the head having a first surface, and an opposite second surface, and a peripheral surface extending between the first and second surfaces. A soft tissue cleaner may have a first cleaner fixed to the second surface of the head and a second cleaner fixed to the peripheral surface of the head. Furthermore, a second cleaner may incorporate a plurality of grooves extending at least a portion of the distance from the first surface to the second surface along the peripheral surface.

Abstract: An oral care implement that includes a handle and a head with a front surface. A plurality of tooth cleaning elements extend from the front surface. The plurality of tooth cleaning elements may include first and/or second sets of peripheral tooth cleaning elements located adjacent to opposing lateral edges of the head. The peripheral tooth cleaning elements may include elastomeric sleeve portions and bristle tuft portions. The elastomeric sleeve portions may be formed as a part of an integrally formed elastomeric component.

Abstract: An oral care implement with a soft tissue cleanser. The oral care implement may include a handle and a head, the head having a first surface and an opposite second surface. A first cleanser may be fixed to the first surface of the head such that the first cleanser has a hole through which a portion of the first surface of the head is exposed. Furthermore, a second cleanser may be fixed to the portion of the first surface of the head that is exposed through the hole of the first cleanser.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a multi-component handle is disclosed. In one aspect, the oral care implement comprises: a handle comprising a first component constructed of a first material and a second component constructed of a second material; the first component comprising: first, second and third depressions formed into an outer surface of the first component; and a first through-hole extending from a floor of the second depression to a floor of the third depression, the first through-hole extending through sidewalls of the first depression; and the second component comprising: a first portion disposed within the first depression, a second portion disposed within the second depression, and a third portion disposed within the first depression; and the first, second and third portions connected together to form an integral mass of the second material.

Abstract: A toothbrush includes a handle and a head mounted to the handle. In one aspect, the head may extend from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the head having a base portion formed of a rigid plastic material and a flexible portion formed of an elastomeric material, a first longitudinal section of the flexible portion spaced apart from the base portion by a gap. The flexible portion of the head may have an upper surface and an opposing lower surface such that within the first longitudinal section of the flexible portion the upper surface and the lower surface are substantially planar and parallel to one another. Furthermore, tooth cleaning elements may be secured to the flexible portion of the head by in-molded technology to extend from the upper surface of the flexible portion.

Abstract: An oral care implement that includes a handle (120) and a head (100) with a front surface. A plurality of tooth cleaning elements extend from the front surface. In one embodiment the plurality of tooth cleaning elements include a conical tuft (130) that is formed by a wall of bristles. The tooth cleaning elements may also include first and/or second sets of peripheral tooth cleaning elements located adjacent to opposing lateral edges of the head. The peripheral tooth cleaning elements may include elastomeric sleeve portions (144, 154) and bristle tuft portions (145, 155). The elastomeric sleeve portions may be formed as a part of an integrally formed elastomeric component (170).

Abstract: An oral care implement having a multi-component handle is disclosed. In one aspect, the oral care implement comprises: a handle; a head coupled to the handle; at least one tooth cleaning element extending from the head; the handle comprising: a first component constructed of a first hard material; and a second component constructed of a second hard material, the second component comprising a plurality of strips that collectively form a strap network that wraps around the first component.