Abstract: A charger for wireless energy transfer to a personal care device has a travel mode and an internal energy storage, a sensor for detecting a change of position of the charger, and a processor coupled with the sensor for receiving sensor signals relating to a detected change of position of the charger.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush, in combination with a universal base for receiving and wirelessly charging the toothbrush, the base to be coupled with the electric toothbrush for wireless communication therebetween. The base comprises a magnetic element for forming a magnetic connection with the electric toothbrush when the latter is received by the base for charging. The base includes a charging component for inductively charging the electric toothbrush, a Bluetooth component for communicating usage data received from the toothbrush during a brushing session, an analyzing component for instantaneous processing of the usage data received from the toothbrush, a timer-clock component for displaying either a count-up or a countdown of the brushing session during the brushing session and time of day before and after the brushing session, and a multi-functional light component for instantaneously communicating, during the brushing session, at least one element of the usage data.

Abstract: A universal base for an electric toothbrush has a body comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface therebetween. The base can be coupled with the toothbrush for wireless communication therebetween. The base includes a charging component for inductively charging the electric toothbrush, a Bluetooth component for communicating usage data received from the toothbrush during a brushing session, an analyzing component for instantaneous processing of the usage data received from the toothbrush, a timer-clock component for displaying either a count-up or a countdown of the brushing session during the brushing session and time of day before and after the brushing session, and a multi-functional light component for instantaneously communicating, during the brushing session, at least one element of the usage data.

Abstract: A faucet-mounted filter system includes a body forming a fluid chamber having a water inlet, a quick connect device positioned adjacent the water inlet for mounting the filter system to a water faucet, a filtered water flow path disposed within the body and in fluid communication with the water inlet, an unfiltered water flow path disposed within the body and in fluid communication with the water inlet, a diverter valve disposed within the fluid chamber and operable to open and close the filtered and unfiltered water flow paths, a seal, an actuator engaging the diverter valve to open and close the filtered and unfiltered water flow paths, a flow meter connected to the body and in fluid communication with the filter flow path, a filter housing connected to the body and having a reservoir, and a filter cartridge disposed within the reservoir.

Abstract: An oral-care implement comprises a mounting surface having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a plurality of filaments outwardly extending from the mounting surface in at least one direction not parallel to either one of the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis, each filament having a free end terminating with a tip. At least some of the filaments possess at least one functional characteristic selected from the group consisting of filament's structure, composition, cross-sectional shape, tip geometry, and any combination thereof. A plurality of filament tips comprises a working surface that includes at least a first color and a second color different from the first color.

Abstract: A voice-activated electric toothbrush system including an electric toothbrush, a charging station such as an inductive charging station that provides power to the electric toothbrush, and a voice-assistant application that may be included in the electric toothbrush or the charging station. The device that includes the voice-assistant application may also include one or more microphones for receiving voice input, such as a microphone array, and one or more speakers for providing voice output, such as a speaker array. The toothbrush and the charging station may communicate with each other via a short-range communication link—and may also communicate with a client computing device of the user via short-range communication. The electric toothbrush may include one or more sensors for detecting sensor data during a brushing session which may be used when generating the voice output.

Abstract: A portable self-contained tooth-whitening device includes a compact housing structured and configured to be held in a fixed position adjacent to a human jaw during use; at least a first array of LEDs disposed in a first plane at a front side of the housing and arranged to deliver blue visible light or near-visible UV light of at least a threshold intensity to substantially all anterior surfaces of anterior maxillary teeth or anterior mandibular teeth of the human jaw, wherein the first array of LEDs forms at least two intersecting arcs, each of which is disposed in the first plane and has its own focal point located outside the device; and at least one battery cell powering the array of LEDs.

Abstract: A faucet-mounted filter system includes a body forming a fluid chamber having a water inlet, a quick connect device positioned adjacent the water inlet for mounting the filter system to a water faucet, a filtered water flow path disposed within the body and in fluid communication with the water inlet, an unfiltered water flow path disposed within the body and in fluid communication with the water inlet, a diverter valve disposed within the fluid chamber and operable to open and close the filtered and unfiltered water flow paths, a seal, an actuator engaging the diverter valve to open and close the filtered and unfiltered water flow paths, a flow meter connected to the body and in fluid communication with the filter flow path, a filter housing connected to the body and having a reservoir, and a filter cartridge disposed within the reservoir.

Abstract: An oral-care implement comprises a mounting surface having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a plurality of filaments outwardly extending from the mounting surface in at least one direction not parallel to either one of the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis, each filament having a free end terminating with a tip. At least some of the filaments possess at least one functional characteristic selected from the group consisting of filament's structure, composition, cross-sectional shape, tip geometry, and any combination thereof. A plurality of filament tips comprises a working surface that includes at least a first color and a second color different from the first color.

Abstract: A faucet-mounted filter system includes a body forming a fluid chamber having a water inlet, a quick connect device positioned adjacent the water inlet for mounting the filter system to a water faucet, a filtered water flow path disposed within the body and in fluid communication with the water inlet, an unfiltered water flow path disposed within the body and in fluid communication with the water inlet, a diverter valve disposed within the fluid chamber and operable to open and close the filtered and unfiltered water flow paths, a seal, an actuator engaging the diverter valve to open and close the filtered and unfiltered water flow paths, a flow meter connected to the body and in fluid communication with the filter flow path, a filter housing connected to the body and having a reservoir, and a filter cartridge disposed within the reservoir.

Abstract: An oral-care implement comprises a mounting surface having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a plurality of filaments outwardly extending from the mounting surface in at least one direction not parallel to either one of the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis, each filament having a free end terminating with a tip. At least some of the filaments possess at least one functional characteristic selected from the group consisting of filament's structure, composition, cross-sectional shape, tip geometry, and any combination thereof. A plurality of filament tips comprises a working surface that includes at least a first color and a second color different from the first color.

Abstract: A tooth-whitening process includes providing an array of LEDs disposed in a first plane and forming an inner arc having an inner focal point and an outer arc having an outer focal different from the inner focal point; applying a whitening composition to at least the anterior surfaces of at least six mandibular or maxillary anterior teeth and maintaining the whitening composition on the at least six teeth for a first time period; after the first time period, directing a light radiation comprising blue visible light or near-visible UV light of at least a threshold intensity from the least a first array of LEDs for a second time period to the anterior surfaces of the at least six teeth, the first time period having a duration greater than 50% of a total duration of the first time period and the second time period; and removing the whitening composition from the at least six teeth.

Abstract: A portable self-contained tooth-whitening device includes a compact housing structured and configured to be held in a fixed position adjacent to a human jaw during use; at least a first array of LEDs disposed in a first plane at a front side of the housing and arranged to deliver blue visible light or near-visible UV light of at least a threshold intensity to substantially all anterior surfaces of anterior maxillary teeth or anterior mandibular teeth of the human jaw, wherein the first array of LEDs forms at least two intersecting arcs, each of which is disposed in the first plane and has its own focal point located outside the device; and at least one battery cell powering the array of LEDs.

Abstract: A portable self-contained tooth-whitening device includes a compact housing structured and configured to be held in a fixed position adjacent to a human jaw during use; at least a first array of LEDs disposed in a first plane at a front side of the housing and arranged to deliver blue visible light or near-visible UV light of at least a threshold intensity to substantially all anterior surfaces of anterior maxillary teeth or anterior mandibular teeth of the human jaw, wherein the first array of LEDs forms at least two intersecting arcs, each of which is disposed in the first plane and has its own focal point located outside the device; and at least one battery cell powering the array of LEDs.

Abstract: A feed system for an injection molding machine. The feed system includes a first part with a first channel, and a second part with a second channel. The first channel and the second channel together form a molten plastic feed conduit when they are engaged. The first part and the second part are unbonded to one another.

Abstract: Methods for producing toothbrush handles having an inner cavity are provided.

Abstract: A tooth-whitening process includes providing an array of LEDs disposed in a first plane and forming an inner arc having an inner focal point and an outer arc having an outer focal different from the inner focal point; applying a whitening composition to at least the anterior surfaces of at least six mandibular or maxillary anterior teeth and maintaining the whitening composition on the at least six teeth for a first time period; after the first time period, directing a light radiation comprising blue visible light or near-visible UV light of at least a threshold intensity from the least a first array of LEDs for a second time period to the anterior surfaces of the at least six teeth, the first time period having a duration greater than 50% of a total duration of the first time period and the second time period; and removing the whitening composition from the at least six teeth.

Abstract: A portable self-contained tooth-whitening device includes a compact housing structured and configured to be held in a fixed position adjacent to a human jaw during use; at least a first array of LEDs disposed in a first plane at a front side of the housing and arranged to deliver blue visible light or near-visible UV light of at least a threshold intensity to substantially all anterior surfaces of anterior maxillary teeth or anterior mandibular teeth of the human jaw, wherein the first array of LEDs forms at least two intersecting arcs, each of which is disposed in the first plane and has its own focal point located outside the device; and at least one battery cell powering the array of LEDs.

Abstract: A feed system for an injection molding method and machine includes a first part including a first channel, and a second part including a second channel, the first channel and the second channel forming a molten plastic feed conduit when the first part is located adjacent to the second part. A joint is formed between the first part and the second part along the first channel and the second channel and the joint is one of a sintered joint, a welded joint, and a brazed joint.