Abstract:
A powered toothbrush includes a handle having a neck. A head is mounted to the neck and has a first surface and an opposed second surface. At least one fixed tuft block is mounted to the head in a fixed orientation and has a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending outwardly away from the first surface. A movable tuft block is flexibly connected to each fixed tuft block and has a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending outwardly away from the first surface. A drive assembly is operably connected to the movable tuft block to move the movable tuft block with respect to each fixed tuft block.
Abstract:
A fluid dispensing oral care implement with fluid delivery system. The implement includes a storage member containing a fluid. A channel formed of one or more wicking or capillary members extends through at least a portion of the oral care implement to deliver fluid(s) through one or more fluid outlets via capillary action. In one embodiment, the fluid outlet is comprised of a wicking or capillary material and is disposed in the head of the implement. In some embodiments, the implement may include a valve and a specially configured storage cap. A variety of fluids can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits, such as fresh breath, tooth whitening, tooth sensitivity, plaque and/or tartar control, or producing sensations of heat, cool, or tingling.
Abstract:
An oral care system comprising a toothbrush and a dispenser is disclosed. In one embodiment, the dispenser comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis and an internal reservoir containing an oral care material; a drive component rotatably disposed within the housing and comprising a drive screw, the drive component being axially retained relative to the housing through mechanical interference; and an elevator coupled to the drive screw so that rotation of the drive component in a first rotational direction causes the elevator to axially advance along the drive screw in a first axial direction to dispense the oral care material from a dispensing orifice.
Abstract:
A system or method of forming a handle portion of an oral care implement and a handle portion of an oral care implement formed thereby. The method may include providing a first mold that defines a first mold cavity having a shape that corresponds to the handle portion, injecting a first material into the first mold cavity via a first injection orifice with a first hot runner sub-system, and injecting a second material into the first mold cavity via a second injection orifice with a second hot runner sub-system. The second material is injected into the first material thereby forming the handle portion, with the second material forming a core component of the handle portion and the first material forming a shell component of the handle portion that surrounds the core component.
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:
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:
An oral care system comprising a toothbrush and a dispenser is disclosed. In one embodiment, the dispenser comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis and an internal reservoir containing an oral care material; a drive component rotatably disposed within the housing and comprising a drive screw, the drive component being axially retained relative to the housing through mechanical interference; and an elevator coupled to the drive screw so that rotation of the drive component in a first rotational direction causes the elevator to axially advance along the drive screw in a first axial direction to dispense the oral care material from a dispensing orifice.