Abstract: An oral care implement is provided having a handle and a head with tooth cleaning elements extending from fixed pods. Additional tooth cleaning elements extend from one or more central pods suspended between the fixed pods via a bridge. The bridge may be formed from an elastomer and permit the one or more central pods to move from an initial position toward the head during use. The central pods, the bridge and outer portions of the fixed pods may be formed as a unitary structure. When a single central pod is employed, a flexible section may be disposed in the middle of the central pod so that cleaning elements extending from either end of the central pod can move toward one another during use.

Abstract: A rechargeable device is provided having a motor and a small-capacity battery coupled to the motor. The small-capacity battery has a storage capacity sufficient for an average use of the device up to a few average uses of the device. A charger may also be provided for charging a rechargeable device. The charger may have charging circuitry and an indicator indicating a recharge state of the rechargeable device. The charger may have a large-capacity battery with a storage capacity greater than a small-capacity battery of the rechargeable device. The large-capacity battery provides sufficient electrical power to recharge the small-capacity battery. The charger may also have a power cord for receiving power from an alternating current power source. Methods for using a rechargeable device and for charging a rechargeable device are also provided.

Abstract: An oral care implement is provided having a handle and a head with tooth cleaning elements extending from fixed pods. Additional tooth cleaning elements extend from one or more central pods suspended between the fixed pods via a bridge. The bridge may be formed from an elastomer and permit the one or more central pods to move from an initial position toward the head during use. The central pods, the bridge and outer portions of the fixed pods may be formed as a unitary structure. When a single central pod is employed, a flexible section may be disposed in the middle of the central pod so that cleaning elements extending from either end of the central pod can move toward one another during use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enhanced cleaning toothbrush bristle pattern, wherein two rows of taller bristle tufts transversely divide the toothbrush head into three sections, the bristle tufts within each section having a trim pattern which in profile is convex in relation to the toothbrush face; wherein the two rows of taller bristle tufts penetrate between teeth, while the curved trim profile of each section provides for good conformity to the curved tooth surfaces and for an improved sweeping action.

Abstract: An electrically driven toothbrush having a rotatable drive shaft with an end, off-set from the central longitudinal axis of the drive shaft and lodged in a boring in a bristle carrier, which bristle carrier is orbitally secured within a socket in the toothbrush head. When the drive shaft rotates, the end describes a circle and drivingly engages the bristle carrier to actuate the bristle carrier in a three dimensional reciprocating side-to-side and rocking up-and-down motion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enhanced cleaning toothbrush bristle pattern, wherein two rows of taller bristle tufts transversely divide the toothbrush head into three sections, the bristle tufts within each section having a trim pattern which in profile is convex in relation to the toothbrush face; wherein the two rows of taller bristle tufts penetrate between teeth, while the curved trim profile of each section provides for good conformity to the curved tooth surfaces and for an improved sweeping action.