Abstract:
A mechanically tapered bristle filament for an oral care implement. The filament is characterized by a long thin tapered end portion. The tapered end portion has a taper length and tip diameter comparable to chemically tapered filaments. The areal surface roughness of the tapered end portion however is greater than chemically tapered filaments thereby producing increased scrubbing action against the surfaces of the teeth. The foregoing taper and roughness characteristics of the present filament enhance inter-dental cleaning effectiveness.
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. 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:
A system comprising an implement and dispenser containing a fluid detachably coupled to the implement. In one embodiment, the dispenser includes a reservoir containing a fluid and an actuator for dispensing the fluid from the dispenser; and the dispenser is alterable between: (i) a storage state in which the dispenser is detachably coupled to the implement and a mechanical interference between a portion of the actuator and a portion of the implement prohibits actuation of the actuator; and (ii) an application state in which a user can actuate the actuator to dispense the fluid from the dispenser.
Abstract:
A system or method of forming an oral care implement and an oral care implement formed thereby comprising a base structure having a handle portion and a head portion. The method may comprise providing a first mold that defines a first mold cavity having a first portion that corresponds to the handle portion and a second portion that corresponds to the head portion; injecting a first material into the first portion of the first mold cavity via a first injection orifice with a first hot runner sub-system; and injecting a second material into the first portion of the first mold cavity via a second injection orifice with a second hot runner sub-system, the second material being injected into the first material thereby forming the base structure, the second material forming a core component and the first material forming a shell component of the base structure that surrounds the core component.
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 an oral care implement and dispenser containing a fluid detachably coupled to the oral care implement. In one embodiment, the dispenser includes a reservoir containing a fluid and an actuator for dispensing the fluid from the dispenser; and the dispenser is alterable between: (i) a storage state in which the dispenser is detachably coupled to the oral care implement and a mechanical interference between a portion of the actuator and a portion of the oral care implement prohibits actuation of the actuator; and (ii) an application state in which a user can actuate the actuator to dispense the fluid from the dispenser.
Abstract:
A method of using an article such as an oral care implement. In one aspect, the invention can be a method of using an oral care implement comprising: a) obtaining a package of oral care implements, the package comprising a tubular body having a first cavity and a second cavity, the first cavity separated from the second cavity by at least one wall, the first cavity having an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the oral care implements are positioned within the first cavity and a cover encloses the open top end of the first cavity; and b) removing one of the oral care implements from the first cavity.
Abstract:
A vibrating toothbrush is provided with vibration-isolating zones that substantially isolate vibrations in the head and reduce vibrations transmitted to the handle without sacrificing structural integrity around the vibration-isolation zones. Such zones may generally comprise neck material that is reduced in cross-section, thinned, replaced by dampening material, or removed altogether to create transmission-inhibiting voids. The vibration-isolating zones may be further supported by the housing of the vibratory element to maintain the structural integrity around the zones and to thereby alleviate weakness conditions that might subject the toothbrush to fatigue and breakage.