Abstract: An oral care refill head (300), the oral care refill head (300) may be detachably coupled to a handle (200). The handle (200) may include a stem (250) that is received within a connection cavity (326) of the oral care refill head (300). The stem (250) and the connection cavity (326) may have specific geometries and structures to ensure an adequate coupling therebetween. An oral care implement (100), the oral care implement (100) have a pressure sensing assembly, excessive pressure applied onto the oral care refill head (300) will cause the motor (140) and a motor chassis (401) to rock. As the motor chassis (401) rocks, a contact element (456) thereon will actuate a pressure actuator element (455). In response, a control unit (150) may initiate generation of a user perceptible signal to inform the user of the excess pressure.

Abstract: An oral care implement that includes a handle and a head. The head, which has an exposed front surface and an exposed rear surface, may include a support structure having a perimetric wall that defines a central opening and a monolithic cleaning unit including a pad located within the central opening and molded bristles extending from the pad. The support structure and the pad may collectively define the exposed front surface and the exposed rear surface of the head. Furthermore, the support structure may have a maximum thickness of 3 mm or less measured from a front surface of the perimetric wall to a rear surface of the perimetric wall.

Abstract: An oral care system includes an oral care implement and a smart device removably retained in a cavity of the oral care implement. The smart device may have a plurality of sensors for sensing conditions of the oral cavity and/or for sensing various parameters associated with the movement of the oral care implement within the oral cavity during use. The smart device may also include a transmitter for transmitting data/information obtained by the sensors to an electronic device, such as a smart phone.

Abstract: An oral care system includes an oral care implement and a smart device removably retained in a cavity of the oral care implement. The smart device may have a plurality of sensors for sensing conditions of the oral cavity and/or for sensing various parameters associated with the movement of the oral care implement within the oral cavity during use. The smart device may also include a transmitter for transmitting data/information obtained by the sensors to an electronic device, such as a smart phone.

Abstract: An oral care implement (100) having a head (120). The head (120) has a support structure (130) and a monolithic cleaning unit (140) that is coupled to the support structure (130). The head (120) has a side surface (123) that includes a first lateral portion (124) and a second lateral portion (125). The monolithic cleaning unit (140) includes a base portion (141) that is coupled to the support structure (130) and a plurality of bristles (150) extending from the base portion (141). The plurality of bristles (150) include a plurality of first peripheral bristles (171) positioned adjacent to the first lateral portion (124) of the head (120), a plurality of second peripheral bristles (172) positioned adjacent to the second lateral portion (125) of the head (120), and a plurality of central bristles (175).

Abstract: An oral care implement having a head with a bristle bearing surface. The oral care implement may include a central bristle tuft extending from a central portion of the bristle bearing surface, the central bristle tuft terminating in a domed distal surface. Furthermore, the oral care implement may include a plurality of perimetric bristle tufts extending from the bristle bearing surface and arranged to circumferentially surround the central bristle tuft. Each of the perimetric bristle tufts may have an inclined distal surface that slopes downward towards the central bristle tuft. The bristle bearing surface of the head may have a total surface area (TSA), and the toothbrush may include a tooth cleaning element field having X number of tooth cleaning elements that collectively occupy a total cleaning element area (TCEA) such that 1 X × T ? C ? E ? A T ? S ? A = Z and Z is in a range of 0.04 to 0.065.

Abstract: A bristle for an oral care implement and an oral care implement including a plurality of such bristles. The bristle may include a body extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, the body having tapered portion having a transverse cross-sectional profile with a perimeter defined by a first linear section and a second linear section that intersect to form a first apex, a third linear section and a fourth linear section that intersect to form a second apex, a first curved section extending between the first and third linear sections, and a second curved section extending between the second and fourth linear sections. The body may also include a cylindrical body portion such that the tapered portion extends from a top end of the cylindrical body portion. The bristle includes various edges and rounded contours for enhanced cleaning.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a head with a bristle bearing surface. The oral care implement may include a central bristle tuft extending from a central portion of the bristle bearing surface, the central bristle tuft terminating in a domed distal surface. Furthermore, the oral care implement may include a plurality of perimetric bristle tufts extending from the bristle bearing surface and arranged to circumferentially surround the central bristle tuft. Each of the perimetric bristle tufts may have an inclined distal surface that slopes downward towards the central bristle tuft. The bristle bearing surface of the head may have a total surface area (TSA), and the toothbrush may include a tooth cleaning element field having X number of tooth cleaning elements that collectively occupy a total cleaning element area (TCEA) such that 1 X × T ? C ? E ? A T ? S ? A = Z and Z is in a range of 0.04 to 0.065.

Abstract: A spiral bristle (201) includes: a first component (231), a second component (233), and a third component (235), with each of the second and third components (233, 235) wrapping around the first component (231) in a helical and spaced-apart manner, the second and third components (233, 235) isolated from one another by the first component (231). An oral care implement includes the spiral bristle.

Abstract: A bristle for an oral care implement and an oral care implement including a plurality of such bristles. The bristle may include a body extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, the body having tapered portion having a transverse cross-sectional profile with a perimeter defined by a first linear section and a second linear section that intersect to form a first apex, a third linear section and a fourth linear section that intersect to form a second apex, a first curved section extending between the first and third linear sections, and a second curved section extending between the second and fourth linear sections. The body may also include a cylindrical body portion such that the tapered portion extends from a top end of the cylindrical body portion. The bristle includes various edges and rounded contours for enhanced cleaning.

Abstract: A monofilament bristle including: a body portion; a tip portion extending from the body portion and comprising a multi-lobed transverse cross-section, the monofilament bristle extending along a longitudinal axis; co-extruded first and second components, the first component being a first color and forming a first lobe of the multi-lobed transverse cross-section, the second component being a second color, which is different from the first color, and forming a second lobe of the multi-lobed transverse cross-section; and each of the first and second components forming a longitudinal section of the body portion, with an interface between the first and second components extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An oral care implement including an elongated body having a head portion supporting plurality of tooth cleaning elements and a handle portion defining an outer surface. A grip control component is disposed on the handle portion and includes a pair of transversely spaced apart control surfaces separated by a longitudinally extending channel. The control surfaces are elevated above the outer surface of the handle portion and positioned to engage a user's thumb. The control component is operable to tilt the head portion at an upward or downward angle relative to a vertical plane of a user's teeth when the control component is grasped between the user's thumb and forefinger for producing a proper brushing angle at the gum line.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a head with a bristle bearing surface. The oral care implement may include a central bristle tuft extending from a central portion of the bristle bearing surface, the central bristle tuft terminating in a domed distal surface. Furthermore, the oral care implement may include a plurality of perimetric bristle tufts extending from the bristle bearing surface and arranged to circumferentially surround the central bristle tuft. Each of the perimetric bristle tufts may have an inclined distal surface that slopes downward towards the central bristle tuft. The bristle bearing surface of the head may have a total surface area (TSA), and the toothbrush may include a tooth cleaning element field having X number of tooth cleaning elements that collectively occupy a total cleaning element area (TCEA) such that 1 X × T ? C ? E ? A T ? S ? A = Z and L is in a range of 0.04 to 0.065.

Abstract: An toothbrush having a handle and a head. The handle may include a first component and a second component covering at least a portion of the first component. The first and second components may be chemically compatible. The first and second components may both comprise a hard polyolefin. The first and second components may have different transparencies. In one aspect, the first component may be opaque and the second component may be transparent or semi-transparent. In some aspects, the handle may also include a third component comprising a thermoplastic elastomer. Furthermore, there may be at least one projection extending outwardly from an outer surface of the first component.

Abstract: An oral care implement including an elongated body having a head portion supporting plurality of tooth cleaning elements and a handle portion defining an outer surface. A grip control component is disposed on the handle portion and includes a pair of transversely spaced apart control surfaces separated by a longitudinally extending channel. The control surfaces are elevated above the outer surface of the handle portion and positioned to engage a user's thumb. The control component is operable to tilt the head portion at an upward or downward angle relative to a vertical plane of a user's teeth when the control component is grasped between the user's thumb and forefinger for producing a proper brushing angle at the gum line.