Abstract:
An oral care implement is provided having a head frame and a cleaning elements assembly attached thereto with tooth cleaning elements extending from one or more carriers. One or more central carriers can be suspended via a flexible bridge between a pair of support carriers attached to the head frame. The bridge may be formed from an elastomer and permit the one or more central carriers to move from an initial position toward the head frame during use. The bridge may include rigid supports and flexible elastomeric supports. The carriers and the bridge can be formed as a unitary assembly attached to the head frame, such as via mechanical connections. The mechanical connections could include snap-fit connections.
Abstract:
An oral care implement is provided having a head frame and a cleaning elements assembly attached thereto with tooth cleaning elements extending from one or more carriers. One or more central carriers can be suspended via a flexible bridge between a pair of support carriers attached to the head frame. The bridge may be formed from an elastomer and permit the one or more central carriers to move from an initial position toward the head frame during use. The bridge may include rigid supports and flexible elastomeric supports. The carriers and the bridge can be formed as a unitary assembly attached to the head frame, such as via mechanical connections. The mechanical connections could include snap-fit connections.
Abstract:
An oral care implement has a head portion with tooth cleaning elements on one surface thereof and a reservoir containing at least one active agent. A capillary channel extends through at least a portion of the oral care implement to deliver active agent(s) to one or more outlets. In one aspect, a vibration-producing device is provided to vibrate at least a portion of the implement to enhance the function of tooth cleaning elements and the delivery of the active agent through capillary action. A variety of active agents can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits, such as fresh breath, tooth whitening, or producing sensations of heat, cool, or tingling.
Abstract:
A toothbrush, either manual or powered, including an elongated member with a head at one end and a handle at the other end. The toothbrush is generally aligned along a central longitudinal axis. The head having a brush face including a brush cavity from which a plurality of bristles extend. The bristles being arranged in a plurality of bristle tufts so as to extend generally perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. The toothbrush also includes a plurality of lateral support members extending upwardly from a base of the brush cavity. The bristles are attached to the toothbrush by an attachment device provided in the brush cavity. The attachment device engages at least one of the tufts and secures the tuft between adjacent lateral support members. The attachment device includes a bottom edge and a top edge. Each of the lateral support members extend to a predetermined height from the base of the brush cavity so as to reach at least the height of the bottom edge of said attachment device in the brush cavity.
Abstract:
An oral care implement includes a head platform having a plurality of faces with bristles extending therefrom. The oral care implement can have a pair of opposite bristled faces and the bristles can extend from the faces in opposite directions. The oral care implement can be formed by affixing a first AFT-tufted carrier plate to a first face of the head platform and affixing a second AFT-tufted carrier plate to the second face of the head platform. Optionally, the oral care implement can be formed by in-mold tufting bristles in the first face and affixing an AFT-tufted carrier plate to the second face of the head platform.
Abstract:
An oral care implement includes a head platform having a plurality of faces with bristles extending therefrom. The oral care implement can have a pair of opposite bristled faces and the bristles can extend from the faces in opposite directions. The oral care implement can be formed by affixing a first AFT-tufted carrier plate to a first face of the head platform and affixing a second AFT-tufted carrier plate to the second face of the head platform. Optionally, the oral care implement can be formed by in-mold tufting bristles in the first face and affixing an AFT-tufted carrier plate to the second face of the head platform.
Abstract:
An oral care implement is provided having a handle and a head with tooth cleaning elements extending from fixed pods. Additional tooth cleaning elements extend from one or more central pods suspended between the fixed pods via a bridge. The bridge may be formed from an elastomer and permit the one or more central pods to move from an initial position toward the head during use. The central pods, the bridge and outer portions of the fixed pods may be formed as a unitary structure. When a single central pod is employed, a flexible section may be disposed in the middle of the central pod so that cleaning elements extending from either end of the central pod can move toward one another during use.
Abstract:
An oral care instrument (1) includes at least one oral care agent. In one embodiment, the oral care agent can be provided on one or more surfaces of the oral care instrument or included within cavities (50) within the head or in one or more surfaces of a head. In other embodiment, the oral care agent can be provided in or on a thin slab subsequently bonded onto a surface, or applied as a stable coating. The oral care instrument can also be provided with a wear indicator (120) . The oral care agents can be released during one use, during multiple uses, or throughout the life of the instrument. Water, oral secretions and/or chemicals within the mouth can activate the oral care agents .
Abstract:
An oral care implement is provided having a handle and a head with a soft tissue cleanser and/or tooth cleaning elements. The tooth cleaning elements may be flexibly mounted in the head for movement from an initial position with respect to the head during use. The soft tissue cleanser may include a plurality of projections for cleaning the soft tissue. The soft tissue cleanser may include a face having hills and valleys upon which the projections are located. The handle may include a base with a gripping region and a projection protruding from the base in the gripping region. The handle may also have a grip surface with a plurality of spaced slot openings exposing portions of the base. The grip body may form opposite finger grips on the handle.
Abstract:
An oral care implement is provided having a handle and a head with a soft tissue cleanser and/or tooth cleaning elements. The tooth cleaning elements may be attached to a flexible support on the head and be outwardly movable from the head. The cleaning elements may include a column-shaped bristle at the central portion of the flexible support, and may further include a row of first cleaning elements traversing a central region of the flexible support. The soft tissue cleanser may include a plurality of projections for cleaning the soft tissue and may have an elongate ridge projecting from the head in generally the same direction as the projections. The handle may include a base with a gripping region and a projection protruding from the base in the gripping region. The handle may also have a grip surface with a plurality of spaced slot openings exposing portions of the base.