Abstract: In some embodiments, an oral care implement includes an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a head disposed at the distal end of the elongate body, a plurality of bristles disposed at the head, a speaker, a sound chamber, and a water impermeable membrane. The speaker is disposed in the elongate body to emit sound corresponding to audio received from an audio source. Speakers disposed in a distance spaced from the proximal end of the elongate body and is configured to emit sound toward the proximal end of the elongate body. The sound chamber includes an elongate internal space extending from the first opening proximate the speaker the second proximate the proximal end of the elongate body. Sound emitted from the speaker passes through the sound chamber. The water impermeable membrane occludes the sound chamber between the speaker and the proximal end.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush head that, in one embodiment, includes a head portion including a first movable tuft block configured for holding tooth cleaning elements. The first movable tuft block is operably connected to a motor-driven drift shaft for movement. An eccentric cam formed on the shaft drives the first movable tuft block via engagement with a slot formed in the body of the first movable tuft block. The first movable tuft block is movable in a combination oscillating motion comprising vertical motion and lateral pivoting or tilting motion upon rotation of the drive shaft. A related method for oscillating the first movable tuft block is disclosed.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush head that, in one embodiment, includes a head portion including a first movable tuft block configured for holding tooth cleaning elements. The first movable tuft block is operably connected to a motor-driven drift shaft for movement. An eccentric cam formed on the shaft drives the first movable tuft block via engagement with a slot formed in the body of the first movable tuft block. The first movable tuft block is movable in a combination oscillating motion comprising vertical motion and lateral pivoting or tilting motion upon rotation of the drive shaft. A related method for oscillating the first movable tuft block is disclosed.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush apparatus with capacitive touch control is disclosed. The tooth brush includes a head portion having an oscillating tuft block driven by a motor, a handle portion, and an elastically deformable capacitive touch control panel mounted in the handle portion. In one embodiment, the control panel includes a plurality of capacitance sensor buttons each having movable sensor targets paired with a corresponding capacitance sensor electrically connected to a programmable microprocessor. Applying finger pressure on the control panel adjacent a sensor target changes capacitance of the sensor button. The microprocessor detects the change in capacitance, which controls the operating mode of the toothbrush including on/off, motor speed, brushing mode such as pulse, or other. A related operating method is disclosed.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush head that, in one embodiment, includes a head portion including a first movable tuft block configured for holding tooth cleaning elements. The first movable tuft block is operably connected to a motor-driven drift shaft for movement. An eccentric cam formed on the shaft drives the first movable tuft block via engagement with a slot formed in the body of the first movable tuft block. The first movable tuft block is movable in a combination oscillating motion comprising vertical motion and lateral pivoting or tilting motion upon rotation of the drive shaft. A related method for oscillating the first movable tuft block is disclosed.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush apparatus with capacitive touch control, which includes a head portion having an oscillating tuft block driven by a motor, a handle portion, and an elastically deformable capacitive touch control panel mounted in the handle portion. In one embodiment, the control panel includes movable sensor targets each paired with a corresponding capacitance sensor electrically connected to a programmable microprocessor. Applying finger pressure on the control panel adjacent a sensor target operates to change the capacitance of the respective sensor target-sensor pair. The microprocessor detects the change in capacitance, which may be used to control the motor speed for changing the oscillation rate of the tuft block. In one embodiment, a linear array of sensor targets-sensors is provided which is activated by a sliding finger or thumb motion across the array. A related operating method is disclosed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of controlling an oral care implement having an audio output device and a movable oral cleaning element driven by a motor includes receiving a user instruction to commence a cleaning sequence; playing, via the audio output device, an audio instruction relating to oral cleaning; after completion of playing the audio instruction relating to oral cleaning, controlling the motor to drive the oral cleaning element; a predetermined time after operating the motor to drive the oral cleaning element, controlling the motor to stop driving the oral cleaning element; and at least in part in response to controlling the motor to stop driving the oral cleaning element, playing, via the audio output device, a recording containing praise.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an oral care implement includes an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a head disposed at the distal end of the elongate body, a plurality of bristles disposed at the head, a speaker, a sound chamber, and a water impermeable membrane. The speaker is disposed in the elongate body to emit sound corresponding to audio received from an audio source. Speakers disposed in a distance spaced from the proximal end of the elongate body and is configured to emit sound toward the proximal end of the elongate body. The sound chamber includes an elongate internal space extending from the first opening proximate the speaker the second proximate the proximal end of the elongate body. Sound emitted from the speaker passes through the sound chamber. The water impermeable membrane occludes the sound chamber between the speaker and the proximal end.

Abstract: A toothbrush having a pressure sensor. In one embodiment, the invention can comprise a body comprising a handle portion and a head portion having a basin; a cleaning assembly comprising: a head plate; a plurality of tooth cleaning elements, each of the plurality of tooth cleaning elements comprising a cleaning portion extending from a front surface of the head plate and a base portion extending from a rear surface of the head plate; the base portions of the plurality of tooth cleaning elements melted together to form a melt matte adjacent the rear surface of the head plate; the head plate of the cleaning element assembly positioned in the basin and connected to the head portion; a pressure sensor adjacent a rear surface of the melt matte; and an indicator operably coupled to the pressure sensor for generating a user perceptive signal upon the pressure sensor sensing a pressure that exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A toothbrush having a pressure sensor. In one embodiment, the invention can be a toothbrush comprising: a handle; a head; a plurality of tooth cleaning elements mounted to and extending from a front surface of the head; a printed circuit board located within the head, the printed circuit board having a front surface and a rear surface; a pressure sensor operably coupled to a front surface of the printed circuit board, wherein pressure applied to the plurality of tooth cleaning elements is transmitted to the pressure sensor; and a light source attached to a rear surface of the printed circuit board, wherein the light source is illuminated upon the pressure sensor being subjected to a pressure that exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush apparatus with capacitive touch control, which includes a head portion having an oscillating tuft block driven by a motor, a handle portion, and an elastically deformable capacitive touch control panel mounted in the handle portion. In one embodiment, the control panel includes movable sensor targets each paired with a corresponding capacitance sensor electrically connected to a programmable microprocessor. Applying finger pressure on the control panel adjacent a sensor target operates to change the capacitance of the respective sensor target-sensor pair. The microprocessor detects the change in capacitance, which may be used to control the motor speed for changing the oscillation rate of the tuft block. In one embodiment, a linear array of sensor targets-sensors is provided which is activated by a sliding finger or thumb motion across the array. A related operating method is disclosed.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush apparatus with capacitive touch control is disclosed. The tooth brush includes a head portion having an oscillating tuft block driven by a motor, a handle portion, and an elastically deformable capacitive touch control panel mounted in the handle portion. In one embodiment, the control panel includes a plurality of capacitance sensor buttons each having movable sensor targets paired with a corresponding capacitance sensor electrically connected to a programmable microprocessor. Applying finger pressure on the control panel adjacent a sensor target changes capacitance of the sensor button. The microprocessor detects the change in capacitance, which controls the operating mode of the toothbrush including on/off, motor speed, brushing mode such as pulse, or other. A related operating method is disclosed.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush head that, in one embodiment, includes a head portion including a first movable tuft block configured for holding tooth cleaning elements. The first movable tuft block is operably connected to a motor-driven drift shaft for movement. An eccentric cam formed on the shaft drives the first movable tuft block via engagement with a slot formed in the body of the first movable tuft block. The first movable tuft block is movable in a combination oscillating motion comprising vertical motion and lateral pivoting or tilting motion upon rotation of the drive shaft. A related method for oscillating the first movable tuft block is disclosed.