Abstract: An oral care implement for dispensing an oral care agent includes a housing, reservoir therein containing an oral care fluid, and an electrical circuit comprising first and second electrodes connected to an onboard power source. Each electrode is in contact with the oral care fluid in the housing. An actuator, operably coupled to the power source, is configured to both selectively energize the circuit and activate dispensing of the oral care fluid. An electrical charge is applied to the oral care fluid by activating the actuator when dispensing the oral care fluid. When the fluid comprises a peroxide based tooth whitening agent, the dispensed fluid pH is increased by the electrical charge which improves the efficacy of the whitener. In one embodiment, the implement is a modular system including a powered base unit and one or more interchangeable cartridges each having a reservoir containing an oral care fluid.

Abstract: Described herein is an oral care implement comprising: a handle; and a head coupled to the handle, the head comprising a main body and a release component coupled to the main body, the release component comprising: a water-dissolvable matrix comprising a first polymer having a processing temperature greater than or equal to 130° C.; and a release agent comprising a sensate; wherein the release agent is dispersed throughout the water-dissolvable matrix.

Abstract: Described herein is an oral care implement comprising: a handle; and a head coupled to the handle, the head comprising a main body and a release component coupled to the main body, the release component comprising: a water-dissolvable matrix comprising a first polymer having a processing temperature greater than or equal to 130° C.; and a release agent comprising at least one of zinc oxide, potassium nitrate, and tetrapotassium pyrophosphate; wherein the release agent is dispersed throughout the water-dissolvable matrix.

Abstract: A method of sanitizing a toothbrush. The method may include delivering a sanitizing fluid from a reservoir of a toothbrush that comprises a store of the sanitizing fluid to bristle tufts of the toothbrush solely via capillary action, wherein each of the bristle tufts comprises a plurality of bristle filaments so that the sanitizing fluid wicks upwardly along the bristle tufts within spaces between the bristle filaments to sanitize the bristle filaments.

Abstract: A personal care implement that dispenses a fluid to cleaning elements during a hygiene activity. The personal care implement may include a handle, a head, and a reservoir containing a fluid in one of the handle and the head. A plurality of bristle tufts may extend from the head along an axis. Each of the bristle tufts may include a plurality of bristle filaments that are arranged in the bristle tuft so that spaces exist within the bristle tuft. The personal care implement may also include a capillary member that is fluidly coupled to both the first fluid and to one of the bristle tufts. The fluid may flow by capillary action from the reservoir to a bottom end of the one of the bristle tufts and then upwardly along the bristle tuft within the spaces between the bristle filaments.

Abstract: A method of whitening teeth. The method may include delivering a buffer solution from a reservoir of a toothbrush to one or more tooth cleaning elements of the toothbrush; applying a toothpaste containing a peroxide to the tooth cleaning elements, the toothpaste having a first pH; and brushing the teeth with the tooth cleaning elements, thereby mixing the buffer solution and the toothpaste to form, at surfaces of the teeth, a tooth whitening mixture having a second pH that is greater than the first pH.

Abstract: A personal care implement that dispenses a fluid to cleaning elements during a hygiene activity. The personal care implement may include a handle, a head, and a reservoir containing a fluid in one of the handle and the head. A plurality of bristle tufts may extend from the head along an axis. Each of the bristle tufts may include a plurality of bristle filaments that are arranged in the bristle tuft so that spaces exist within the bristle tuft. The personal care implement may also include a capillary member that is fluidly coupled to both the first fluid and to one of the bristle tufts. The fluid may flow by capillary action from the reservoir to a bottom end of the one of the bristle tufts and then upwardly along the bristle tuft within the spaces between the bristle filaments.

Abstract: A personal care implement, such as an oral care implement, that includes a body containing a supply of a fluid. A flow barrier is positioned with a first surface adjacent to the supply of fluid and a second surface opposite the first surface. The flow barrier allows flow of the fluid through the flow barrier for application to a biological surface when the flow barrier is compressed and prevents or inhibits flow of another fluid that is in contact with the second surface of the flow barrier through the flow barrier in a static state. In certain embodiments, the fluid in the supply may have a first viscosity and a first surface tension and the another fluid may have a second viscosity and a second surface tension such that one of the first and second viscosities and one of the first and second surface tensions are different from each other.

Abstract: A writing instrument assembly has a writing instrument with a body and a working tip extended or extendable from the body. A holder has a landing spot for the writing instrument. The writing instrument is magnetically and detachably retained at the landing spot when attached to the holder. The working tip is sheathed or covered automatically when the writing instrument is attached to the holder and is unsheathed or uncovered when detached from the holder.

Abstract: A personal care implement, such as an oral care implement, that includes a body containing a supply of a fluid. A flow barrier is positioned with a first surface adjacent to the supply of fluid and a second surface opposite the first surface. The flow barrier allows flow of the fluid through the flow barrier for application to a biological surface when the flow barrier is compressed and prevents or inhibits flow of another fluid that is in contact with the second surface of the flow barrier through the flow barrier in a static state. In certain embodiments, the fluid in the supply may have a first viscosity and a first surface tension and the another fluid may have a second viscosity and a second surface tension such that one of the first and second viscosities and one of the first and second surface tensions are different from each other.

Abstract: An oral care device may include: a body including a head; a plurality of teeth cleaning elements extending from the head; a first electrode on the head; a second electrode on the head and spaced apart from the first electrode, wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes is a sacrificial electrode; a power source; and a controller configured to operably couple the power source to the first and second electrodes to create an electric potential between the first and second electrodes so that ions are released from the sacrificial electrode during a brushing session; wherein the controller is configured to change a magnitude of the electric potential the brushing session ends.

Abstract: An oral care device may include: a body including a head; a plurality of teeth cleaning elements extending from the head; a first sacrificial electrode on the head; a second sacrificial electrode on the head and spaced apart from the first sacrificial electrode; a power source; and a controller configured to alternate between an ON state and an OFF state, wherein: in the ON state the controller operably couples the power source to the first and second sacrificial electrodes to create an electric potential between the first sacrificial electrode and the second sacrificial electrode, the electric potential having one of a first polarity and a second polarity, and for each successive transition from the OFF state to the ON state, the controller is configured to alternate between the first polarity and the second polarity.

Abstract: A fluid supply apparatus with leakage protection. The apparatus includes a housing defining a storage cavity having a total volume including a fluid portion and a gas portion. The storage cavity extends along a cavity axis from a first end to a second end. A capillary member is fluidly coupled with the fluid. A vent tube having a primary vent passageway and a plurality of vent apertures is located in the storage cavity. The primary vent passageway forms a pathway from the vent apertures to the external atmosphere. Fluid cannot flow through the vent apertures at ambient temperature and pressure equilibrium. The vent apertures may be located and arranged on the vent tube such that irrespective of vertical and angular orientation of the housing relative to a gravitational vector at least one of the vent apertures is in spatial communication with the gas.

Abstract: A fluid supply apparatus with leakage protection. The apparatus includes a housing defining a storage cavity having a total volume including a fluid portion and a gas portion. The storage cavity extends along a cavity axis from a first end to a second end. A capillary member is fluidly coupled with the fluid. A vent tube having a primary vent passageway and a plurality of vent apertures is located in the storage cavity. The primary vent passageway forms a pathway from the vent apertures to the external atmosphere. Fluid cannot flow through the vent apertures at ambient temperature and pressure equilibrium. The vent apertures may be located and arranged on the vent tube such that irrespective of vertical and angular orientation of the housing relative to a gravitational vector at least one of the vent apertures is in spatial communication with the gas.

Abstract: A liquid supply apparatus with leakage protection. The apparatus includes a housing defining a storage cavity having a total volume including a liquid portion and a gas portion. The storage cavity extends along a cavity axis. A capillary member is fluidly coupled with the liquid to transport the liquid to the external atmosphere. The apparatus includes a plurality of vents that prevent liquid from flowing therethrough while permitting air to pass therethrough. A hub component is mounted within the storage cavity and it includes a plurality of radial vent passageways extending between the storage cavity and a primary vent passageway, which in turn forms a pathway to the external atmosphere. The vents may be located and arranged such that irrespective of inclination and rotational orientation of the housing relative to a gravitational vector at least one of the vents is in spatial communication with the gas.

Abstract: A fluid supply apparatus with leakage protection. The apparatus includes a housing defining a storage cavity having a total volume including a fluid portion and a gas portion. The storage cavity extends along a cavity axis from a first end to a second end. A capillary member is fluidly coupled with the fluid. A plurality of vent apertures are formed into the housing, each forming a passageway between the storage cavity and an external atmosphere and each configured such that the fluid cannot flow through the vent apertures at ambient temperature and pressure equilibrium between the storage cavity and the external atmosphere. The vent apertures may be located and arranged on the housing such that irrespective of vertical and angular orientation of the housing relative to a gravitational vector at least one of the vent apertures is in spatial communication with the gas.

Abstract: A writing instrument assembly has a writing instrument with a body and a working tip extended or extendable from the body. A holder has a landing spot for the writing instrument. The writing instrument is magnetically and detachably retained at the landing spot when attached to the holder. The working tip is sheathed or covered automatically when the writing instrument is attached to the holder and is unsheathed or uncovered when detached from the holder.

Abstract: A personal care implement with a fluid dispensing system includes a fluid applicator, a fluid dispensing assembly including main and overflow reservoirs, and a capillary member in fluid communication with the reservoirs and the applicator for dispensing personal care fluid stored in the reservoirs via capillary action. An air venting system in one arrangement allows ambient air to be drawn into the main reservoir through the overflow reservoir for alleviating vacuum formed in the main reservoir by the capillary action fluid dispensing process. The venting system may include an external vent to atmosphere from the overflow reservoir and an internal vent between the reservoirs. In the event air trapped within the main reservoir expands due to changes in altitude or temperature, fluid in the main reservoir is expelled into the overflow reservoir via the internal vent. In one implementation, the personal care implement may be an oral care implement.

Abstract: A fluid supply apparatus with leakage protection. The apparatus includes a housing defining a storage cavity having a total volume including a fluid portion and a gas portion. The storage cavity extends along a cavity axis from a first end to a second end. A capillary member is fluidly coupled with the fluid. A plurality of vent apertures are formed into the housing, each forming a passageway between the storage cavity and an external atmosphere and each configured such that the fluid cannot flow through the vent apertures at ambient temperature and pressure equilibrium between the storage cavity and the external atmosphere. The vent apertures may be located and arranged on the housing such that irrespective of vertical and angular orientation of the housing relative to a gravitational vector at least one of the vent apertures is in spatial communication with the gas.