Abstract: An oral care implement handle (200) having a gripping portion (210) and an oral care refill head (300) that is detachably coupled thereto. The oral care implement handle (200) may include the gripping portion (210) and a rocker unit (400) which includes a stem (250), a motor (224), and a motor chassis (410). The rocker unit (400) may be pivotably mounted within the gripping portion (210) so that upon pressure being applied an oral care refill head (300) which is coupled to the stem (250) that exceeds a pressure threshold, the rocker unit (400) may be altered from a normal position to an excessive pressure position. When in the excessive pressure position, the rocker unit (400) may actuate an actuator element (265) of a control unit (260) to initiate generation of a user perceptible signal.

Abstract: An oral care implement (1000) that includes a handle (100) and an oral care refill head (200). The oral care refill head (200) is alterable between a first state in which it is separated from the handle (100) and a second state in which it is coupled to the handle (100) by inserting a stem (120) of the handle (100) inside of a cavity (221) of the oral care refill head (200). The oral care refill head (200) has at least one alignment groove (250, 260) that receives at least one alignment rib of the stem (120) of the handle (100). Furthermore, the stem (120) and the oral care refill head (200) include snap lock features that form a snap-fit interlock to secure the oral care refill head (200) to the handle (100).

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 plurality of cleaning elements coupled thereto and extending therefrom. In the exemplified embodiment, the cleaning elements have a plurality of bristle tufts each including a plurality of bristle filaments. In one aspect, the oral care implement may include a first bristle tuft having inner and outer filaments with the outer filaments being taller than the inner filaments and a second bristle tuft having inner and outer filaments with the outer filaments being shorter than the inner filaments. The first bristle tufts may be arranged on the head in a position so as to surround the second bristle tufts, or the second bristle tufts may be arranged on the head in a position so as to surround the first bristle tufts. Distal ends of the first and second bristle tufts may be angled.

Abstract: A toothbrush (100) including a head portion (120) formed from bamboo. A plurality of tuft holes (130) are formed into the head portion (120) and a bristle tuft (151) is positioned within each of the tuft holes (130) and secured by an anchor wire (200). The anchor wire (200) may be formed from a metal alloy that includes nickel. The anchor wire (200) includes a plurality of first grooves (210) in its first surface (203) and a plurality of second grooves (220) in its second surface (204). The grooves (210, 220) may have sidewalls (212, 213, 222, 223) that are perpendicular to its floor (211, 221). A width (WG1, WG2) of the grooves (210, 220) may be equal to a spacing (D2, D5) between the grooves (210, 220) and greater than a thickness (Ti) of the anchor wire (200).

Abstract: An oral care system includes an oral care implement and motion tracking attachment configured to allow tracking of the implement during an oral care activity such as tooth brushing. The oral care implement may include a handle and head. The tracking attachment is coupled to the implement and comprises colored tracking markers detectable by a programmable visual-based motion tracking unit. The tracking attachment in one configuration may comprise a housing with plural insertable tracking colored wedges. In another configuration, a colored tracking portion colored panels and optional colored neck band may be formed on or attached to the oral care implement. Both the tracking attachment and tracking portion embodiments as applicable facilitate tracking at least one of a position, orientation, movement, and the like of the oral care implement to which it is attached. The tracking attachment may be non-electric in nature without any onboard electronics in some embodiments.

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 having a head with a plurality of cleaning elements coupled thereto and extending therefrom. In the exemplified embodiment, the cleaning elements have a plurality of bristle tufts each including a plurality of bristle filaments. In one aspect, the oral care implement may include a first bristle tuft having inner and outer filaments with the outer filaments being taller than the inner filaments and a second bristle tuft having inner and outer filaments with the outer filaments being shorter than the inner filaments. In another aspect, the oral care implement may include a bristle tuft having inner and outer filaments with the inner filaments being either taller or shorter than the outer filaments, and whereby distal ends of the inner and outer filaments are angled relative to an axis of the bristle tuft.

Abstract: An oral care implement (100) including a head portion (120) that extends from a proximal end (121) to a distal edge (122) along a longitudinal axis (A-A). The head portion (120) may be formed of a cellulosic material such as a wood material or a bamboo material having a longitudinal grain direction. The head portion (120) may include a plurality of tuft holes (130) such that a bristle tuft (151) is anchored to the head portion (120) within each of the tuft holes (130) by an anchor (200). The anchors (200) may extend along an anchor axis that is oblique to the longitudinal axis (A-A). The bristle tufts (151) may include perimeter bristle tufts (153,154) located within perimeter tuft holes (140) that are adjacent to a perimeter (128) or peripheral edge (126,127) of the head portion (120). The perimeter tuft holes (140) may be located at least 1.80 mm from the perimeter (128) of the head portion (120).