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: 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.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a head with a soft tissue cleanser thereon. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement including a handle and a head coupled to the handle, the head comprising a front surface; a rear surface opposite the front surface; a peripheral surface extending between the rear surface and the front surface; a first elastomeric soft tissue cleanser comprising a bumper portion that extends along the peripheral surface, the bumper portion comprising an undulating upper edge that includes a plurality of high points protruding above the rear surface and a plurality of low points located at or below the rear surface; and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from the front surface.

Abstract: An oral care implement that includes a head having tooth cleaning elements including at least one conical tuft of bristles. The conical tuft of bristles defines a cavity that has a transverse cross-sectional area that increases with distance from the head. The tooth cleaning elements may also include one or more arcuate cleaning elements that at least partially surround the conical tuft. The tooth cleaning elements may also include multi-height bristle tufts along lateral sides of the head. Furthermore, the head may have two conical tufts such that one of the conical tufts is oriented at a smaller acute angle relative to the head than the other conical tuft and/or one of the conical tufts is taller than the other conical tuft.

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 tooth cleaning elements and an elastomeric soft tissue cleanser. In one aspect, the oral care implement has a handle and a head (110) coupled to the handle, an elastomeric soft tissue cleanser having a plurality of protuberances (152) extending from a rear surface of the head (110), and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements (115) extending from a front surface of the head. The protuberances (152) 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 (115) collectively define a concave longitudinal side profile and comprise at least one concave transverse top profile.

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.

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 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: An oral care implement having a multi-component handle is disclosed. In one aspect, the oral care implement comprises: a handle extending along a longitudinal axis; 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 material, the first component comprising a first component aperture; a second component constructed of a second material, the second component comprising the head and an anchor, the anchor located within the first component aperture and comprising a second component aperture; and a third component disposed within the second component aperture.

Abstract: An oral care implement having an arrangement of different types of cleaning elements. Specifically, in one embodiment the oral care implement includes a head and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements. The tooth cleaning elements include a plurahty of inclined bristle tufts that are circumferentially arranged about a reference ring. The inclined bristle tufts extend from the head so as to converge towards a reference axis with increasing distance from the head. The tooth cleaning elements also include an elastomerice member extending from the head within the reference ring. The elastomeric member may be conical in shape and have an inclined outer surface. In some embodiments the elastomeric member may include two components that are separated by a gap, and a central cleaning element may be located within the gap.

Abstract: Disclosed is an oral care implement, comprising: a body comprising a handle, a head having at least one oral care element extending therefrom, and at least one fluid outlet; a reservoir in the body and for storing an oral care fluid; and a pump in the body for pumping the oral care fluid from the reservoir towards the fluid outlet, wherein the pump comprises an umbrella check valve circumferentially surrounding a duckbill check valve. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing an oral care implement, comprising: providing a body comprising a base having first and second holes extending therethrough; and fitting to the body a unitary component comprising first and second valves at a position at which the first valve blocks the first hole and the second valve blocks the second hole, wherein the first valve comprises an umbrella check valve that circumferentially surrounds the second valve.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a tuft hole with inclined walls. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a head having a front surface and a rear surface; a tuft hole in the front surface of the head, the tuft hole extending along a central axis, the tuft hole comprising a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, each of the first and second sidewalls comprising an inclined section that converges toward a central plane that comprises the central axis with decreasing distance from the front surface; and a bristle tuft formed by a plurality of bristles, each of the plurality of bristles having a first portion disposed within the tuft hole and a second portion protruding from the front surface of the head, the second portions of the plurality of bristles converging toward the central plane.

Abstract: A toothbrush that enhances cleaning and user comfort while brushing. In one embodiment, the toothbrush comprises a cleaning element support member, or base member, that permits a head of the toothbrush to be comfortably received and manipulated within the user's mouth. In an embodiment, the support member comprises a head support having an overhanging portion and a portion free of an overhang.

Abstract: Disclosed is an oral care implement, comprising: a body comprising a handle and a head, the body having a cavity, and the head having at least one oral care element extending therefrom; a movable wall in the cavity that divides the cavity into first and second reservoirs, the first reservoir for storing an oral care fluid; a fluid outlet through which the oral care fluid is dispensable to an exterior of the oral care implement; a passageway fluidly connecting the first reservoir with the fluid outlet; a control valve movable between a first position and a second position for preventing and permitting fluid flow from the first reservoir, respectively; a first opening fluidly connecting the second reservoir with the exterior of the oral care implement; and a first check valve for permitting and restricting air flow into and out of the second reservoir from the exterior.

Abstract: Disclosed is an oral care implement, comprising: a body comprising a handle and a head at an end of the handle; the body having a cavity therein for storing an oral care fluid; the head having at least one oral care element extending therefrom, and a fluid outlet through which the oral care fluid is dispensable to an exterior of the oral care implement; a passageway fluidly connecting the cavity with the fluid outlet; a mechanism for introducing air into the cavity from the exterior of the oral care implement; and a control valve on the head movable relative to the head between a first position for preventing fluid flow from the cavity through the fluid outlet and a second position for permitting fluid flow from the cavity through the fluid outlet.

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.