Abstract: A toothbrush includes a handle and a head mounted to the handle. In one aspect, the head may extend from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the head having a base portion formed of a rigid plastic material and a flexible portion formed of an elastomeric material, a first longitudinal section of the flexible portion spaced apart from the base portion by a gap. The flexible portion of the head may have an upper surface and an opposing lower surface such that within the first longitudinal section of the flexible portion the upper surface and the lower surface are substantially planar and parallel to one another. Furthermore, tooth cleaning elements may be secured to the flexible portion of the head by in-molded technology to extend from the upper surface of the flexible portion.

Abstract: An oral care system includes a toothbrush and a dispenser detachably coupled to the toothbrush. The dispenser includes a collapsible bladder containing an oral care material. A compression device assembly includes an actuator operably coupled to a compression device movably mounted inside the dispenser. In one embodiment, the compression device includes a feed slot that engages opposite sides of the collapsible bladder. Actuating the actuator translates the compression device in a first longitudinal direction extruding and dispensing the oral care material from the oral care product dispenser. The actuator may be slideably mounted to the dispenser in one embodiment. A ratcheting mechanism may be provided to provide indexed movement of the compression device, thereby dispensing predetermined doses of the oral care material with each indexed movement.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush includes a handle, a power source disposed in the handle, a head including a cavity disposed at a distal end of the handle, an electrically conducting element disposed in the cavity and electrically connected to the power source, and a movable cleaning element connected to the head and movable relative to the cavity. The movable cleaning element includes a tooth cleaning support member, a tooth cleaning element mounted on the support member, and a ferromagnetic member. Application of an electrical current to the electrically conducting element generates a magnetic field at the electrically conducting element. The magnetic field selectively at least one of attracts and repels the ferromagnetic member to move the movable cleaning element relative to the electrically conducting element.

Abstract: A package for an oral care implement. The package may have an exposed outer surface, a package portion forming a first portion of the exposed outer surface, and a reusable cap forming a second portion of the exposed outer surface. The package portion may define a first cavity and the reusable cap may define a second cavity. The package portion may be formed by a backer panel and a cover panel that are coupled together to define the first cavity. The reusable cap may have a flange that is sandwiched between the backer panel and the cover panel to secure the reusable cap to the package portion. A personal care implement may be disposed within the package so that a first portion of personal care implement is located within the first cavity and a second portion of the personal care implement is located within the second cavity.

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 system includes a dispenser comprising a product tube having a reservoir containing an oral care material and an outlet. In one embodiment, the dispenser may be configured for detachable coupling to a toothbrush. A compression device engages the product tube and pressurizes the tube contents. The oral care material may be dispensed by actuating a valve fluidly coupled to the reservoir and outlet. In one embodiment, actuating the valve includes a flow orifice movable into and out of a flow path through the dispenser. Oral care material may be dispensed by positioning the orifice in the flow path in which the pressurized material flows outwards the product tube. To stop the flow of oral care material, the orifice is removed from the flow path which blocks the path. An operating button is provided in one embodiment to change position of the flow orifice.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush includes a handle, a power source disposed in the handle, a head including a cavity disposed at a distal end of the handle, an electrically conducting element disposed in the cavity and electrically connected to the power source, and a movable cleaning element connected to the head and movable relative to the cavity. The movable cleaning element includes a tooth cleaning support member, a tooth cleaning element mounted on the support member, and a ferromagnetic member. Application of an electrical current to the electrically conducting element generates a magnetic field at the electrically conducting element. The magnetic field selectively at least one of attracts and repels the ferromagnetic member to move the movable cleaning element relative to the electrically conducting element.

Abstract: An oral care implement having an applicator. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement having: a body having a handle and a head coupled to a distal end of the handle, the body extending along a longitudinal axis; a store of oral care material located within the body; an applicator on the body, the applicator having a plurality of outlets in fluid communication with the store of oral care material, the plurality of outlets located on a concave dispensing surface of the applicator; and an actuator operably coupled to the store of oral care material to dispense the oral care material through the plurality of outlets.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a tissue cleaning pad. In one aspect, the oral care implement includes a head having a front surface and an opposite rear surface. A plurality of tooth cleaning elements extend from the front surface of the head. A tissue cleaning pad is positioned on the rear surface of the head. The tissue cleaning pad has a planar top surface bounded by a perimetric edge and a plurality of protrusions extending from the planar top surface. The perimetric edge of the planar top surface of the tissue cleaning pad has a first portion that is flush with the rear surface of the head and a second portion that is raised relative to the rear surface of the head.

Abstract: An oral care system includes a toothbrush and a dispenser detachably coupled to the toothbrush. The dispenser includes a chamber containing an oral care material. A compression device assembly includes an actuator operably coupled to a compression device movably mounted inside the dispenser. In one embodiment, the actuator may be a ratcheting rocker switch that alternatingly engages gear racks formed on the dispenser housing. Actuating the rocker switch imparts pivotable and indexed linear motion to the switch. This in turn axially translates the compression device in a first longitudinal direction thereby compressing and extruding the oral care material from the dispenser. The corresponding indexed movement of the compression device dispenses predetermined doses of the oral care material providing precise control over the amount of oral care material dispensed.

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 coupled to the handle, an elastomeric soft tissue cleanser having a plurality of protuberances extending from a rear surface of the head, and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from a front surface of the head. The protuberances 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 collectively define a concave longitudinal side profile and comprise at least one concave transverse top profile.

Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus including a reservoir containing at least one fluid. A capillary channel extends from the reservoir to deliver the fluids stored in the reservoir through one or more fluid outlets via capillary action. In one embodiment, an applicator formed of a capillary material is located within the outlet. A variety of fluids can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a housing defining a reservoir; at least one fluid stored in the reservoir; and a capillary channel in fluid coupling with the at least one fluid, the capillary channel including a first capillary member and a second capillary member that circumferentially surrounds the first capillary member such that the first and second capillary members are concentric.

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 with a soft tissue cleaner. The oral care implement may include a handle and a head, the head having a first surface, and an opposite second surface, and a peripheral surface extending between the first and second surfaces. A soft tissue cleaner may have a first cleaner fixed to the second surface of the head and a second cleaner fixed to the peripheral surface of the head. Furthermore, a second cleaner may incorporate a plurality of grooves extending at least a portion of the distance from the first surface to the second surface along the peripheral surface.

Abstract: An oral care implement having 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 is an umbrella check valve circumferentially surrounding a duckbill check valve. Alternatively, the invention is a method of manufacturing an oral care implement, including the steps of 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 is an umbrella check valve that circumferentially surrounds the second valve.

Abstract: An oral care implement that includes a handle and a head with a front surface. A plurality of tooth cleaning elements extend from the front surface. The plurality of tooth cleaning elements may 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 and bristle tuft portions. The elastomeric sleeve portions may be formed as a part of an integrally formed elastomeric component.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a head that achieves an enhanced cleaning action during brushing. In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care implement having a handle extending from a proximal end to a distal end and a head having a front surface and an opposite rear surface. The head includes a cantilever extending from the distal end of the handle, a rigid plate that is spaced from the cantilever, and a resilient material that fills in the space between the cantilever and the rigid plate. The resilient material may be in direct contact with an entirety of a front surface of the cantilever and an entirety of a rear surface of the rigid plate. Furthermore, the cantilever, the rigid plate, and the resilient material may collectively form an exposed side surface of the head.

Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus including a reservoir containing at least one fluid. A capillary channel extends from the reservoir to deliver the fluids stored in the reservoir through one or more fluid outlets via capillary action. In one embodiment, an applicator formed of a capillary material is located within the outlet. A variety of fluids can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a housing defining a reservoir; at least one fluid stored in the reservoir; and a capillary channel in fluid coupling with the at least one fluid, the capillary channel including a first capillary member and a second capillary member that circumferentially surrounds the first capillary member such that the first and second capillary members are concentric.