Abstract: An oral care implement body to which a replacement head can be detachably coupled. In one embodiment, the oral care implement body includes a gripping portion having a shoulder, a stem extending from the shoulder along a longitudinal axis, and a boss protruding from an outer surface of the stem. The boss may have a locking rib section having an undercut surface that is axially spaced from the shoulder and a positioning rib section extending from the locking rib section to the shoulder. The undercut surface may circumferentially protrude from a first side surface of the positioning rib section. The locking rib section may extend along a first rib axis and the positioning rib section may extend along a second rib axis, the first rib axis oriented obliquely to the second rib axis.

Abstract: An oral care implement body to which a replacement head can be detachably coupled. In one embodiment, the oral care implement body includes a gripping portion having a shoulder, a stem extending from the shoulder along a longitudinal axis, and a boss protruding from an outer surface of the stem. The boss may have a locking rib section having an undercut surface that is axially spaced from the shoulder and a positioning rib section extending from the locking rib section to the shoulder. The undercut surface may circumferentially protrude from a first side surface of the positioning rib section. The locking rib section may extend along a first rib axis and the positioning rib section may extend along a second rib axis, the first rib axis oriented obliquely to the second rib axis.

Abstract: A replacement head for an oral care implement, such as a powered toothbrush, wherein the replacement head utilizes a specially designed structure for coupling the replacement head to an oral care implement body. In one embodiment, the invention can be a replacement head comprising: a head having a plurality of tooth cleaning elements mounted thereto; a tubular sleeve comprising a cavity for receiving a stem of the body, a proximal edge defining an opening into the cavity, and a distal end to which the head is coupled, the tubular sleeve comprising a locking tab for engaging an undercut surface of a locking section of a boss.

Abstract: A replacement head for an oral care implement, such as a powered toothbrush, wherein the replacement head utilizes a specially designed structure for coupling the replacement head to an oral care implement body. In one embodiment, the invention can be a replacement head comprising: a head having a plurality of tooth cleaning elements mounted thereto; a tubular sleeve comprising a cavity for receiving a stem of the body, a proximal edge defining an opening into the cavity, and a distal end to which the head is coupled, the tubular sleeve comprising a locking tab for engaging an undercut surface of a locking section of a boss.

Abstract: A toothbrush having a bristle-bearing head divided into at least two sections is disclosed. The free end section, when unstressed, is normally biased to assume an angle of about 15.degree. with respect to the other, to thereby define an articulated head. The two sections of the head have facing ends joined by a thin bridge or hinge section integral with the two head sections, the bridge or hinge forming a groove between adjacent head sections. The upper surface of the bridge section is substantially flush with the upper surface of the head (opposite to the bristle-bearing surface). The space between the two facing ends is filled with a soft elastomer of about 5 to about 30, preferably about 13 to about 30 Shore A hardness. This hinge construction defines an articulated head of limited flex motion, wherein, when utilized by the average adult brusher, who applies an average brushing force of 0.5 pounds, flexes to a substantially flattened position.