CN106913058B

CN106913058B - Luminous oral cavity nursing utensil

Info

Publication number: CN106913058B
Application number: CN201510994722.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 奚文进; 郭广生; 张波; 谢凡刚; 周建荣
Original assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Current assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Priority date: 2015-12-28
Filing date: 2015-12-28
Publication date: 2021-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-28
Also published as: CN106913058A

Abstract

The oral care product assembly includes a handle member and one or more replacement members for the handle member. The handle member includes an electrical power source and a light generating module coupled to the electrical power source and configured to generate light over a spectral range. First and second replacement members may be provided that include first and second light guides and first and second light filters, respectively, operably coupled to the first and second light guides to spectrally limit light emitted from the light guides to respective first and second spectra. Each of the first and second replacement members is changeable between coupled and uncoupled states relative to the handle member. In other embodiments, the handle member may include an actuator configured to spectrally limit the light generated by the light generating module.

Description

Luminous oral cavity nursing utensil

Technical Field

Oral care implements, such as toothbrushes, are used to clean teeth by removing plaque and debris from the surfaces of the teeth. The toothbrush may also emit light to, for example, whiten teeth, kill bacteria in the oral cavity, detect the presence of bacteria in the oral cavity, increase blood circulation for gum treatment, reduce pain from gum inflammation, and for other potential uses. However, the oral care implements currently available on the market are monocular implements, as they are designed to address only one purpose for which the lighted toothbrush can be used. Thus, there is a need for an oral care implement that can emit light for several purposes, and in particular, an oral care implement that provides multi-purpose use using a replacement head.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, the invention can be directed to an oral care product having a handle member and one or more replacement members configured to emit light of a selected spectrum. Each replacement member is detachably coupled to a handle member of the oral care product. The light emitting module may be included in the handle member or in one or more alternative members and is powered by a source of electrical power in the handle member. In embodiments where the light emitting module is included in a plurality of replacement members, each replacement member may be configured to emit light of a different spectrum. In embodiments where the light emitting module is included in the handle member, the emission spectrum of the light may be selected by having a different replacement member comprising a different light filter or by configuring the light emitting member such that the emission spectrum of the light can be selected.

In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care product component comprising: a handle member including a source of electrical power; a first replacement component comprising a first light generating module configured to emit light in a first spectrum from the first replacement component; a second replacement component comprising a second light generating module configured to emit light from the second replacement component in a second spectrum, the second spectrum different from the first spectrum; the first replacement means may be changed between: (1) a disengaged state in which the first replacement member is separated from the handle member; and (2) a coupled state in which the first replacement member is mounted to the handle member and the first light generating module is powered by the electrical power source to emit light in a first spectrum from the first replacement member; and the second replacement component may be changed between: (1) a disengaged state in which the second replacement member is separated from the handle member; and (2) a coupled state in which the second replacement member is mounted to the handle member and the second light generating module is powered by the electrical power source to emit light in a second spectrum from the second replacement member.

In another aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle member, comprising: a gripping section; a source of electrical power; and an inductive power circuit operably coupled to the power source; and a toothbrush refill head comprising: a head portion; a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from a front surface of the head portion; a light generation module operably coupled to the electrical power source and configured to generate light over a spectral range; and a sensing element operably coupled to the light generating module; the toothbrush refill head can be changed between: (1) a disengaged state in which the toothbrush refill head is separated from the handle member; and (2) a coupled state in which the toothbrush refill head is mounted to the handle member and the inductive element of the toothbrush refill head is inductively coupled to the inductive power circuit of the handle member to supply power from the power source to the light generating module.

In yet another aspect, the invention can be an oral care product component comprising: a handle member, comprising: a source of electrical power; and a light generating module operably coupled to the power source and configured to generate light over a spectral range; a first replacement component comprising: a first light guide having a light receiving end and a light emitting end; and a first optical filter operably coupled to the first light guide to spectrally limit light emitted from the emission end of the first light guide to a first spectrum; and a second replacement component comprising: a second light guide having a light receiving end and a light emitting end; and a second optical filter operably coupled to the second light guide to spectrally limit light emitted from the emission end of the second light guide to a second spectrum, the second spectrum different from the first spectrum; wherein the spectral range includes a first and a second spectrum; the first replacement means may be changed between: (1) a disengaged state in which the first replacement member is separated from the handle member; and (2) a coupled state in which the first replacement member is mounted to the handle member and the receiving end of the first light guide receives the light generated by the light generating module; and the second replacement component may be changed between: (1) a disengaged state in which the second replacement member is separated from the handle member; and (2) a coupled state in which the second replacement member is mounted to the handle member and the receiving end of the second light guide receives the light generated by the light generating module.

In yet another aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle member, comprising: a gripping section; a source of electrical power; a light generation module operably coupled to the electrical power source and configured to generate light over a spectral range; and an actuator operably coupled to the light generating module, the actuator configured to spectrally confine light generated by the light generating module to a selected spectrum within a spectral range; and a replacement head comprising: a head portion; a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from a front surface of the head portion; and a light guide having a light receiving end and a light emitting end; the replacement head may be changed between: (1) a disengaged state in which the refill head is separated from the handle member; and (2) a coupled state in which the refill head is mounted to the handle member and the receiving end of the light guide receives light of a selected spectrum for emission from the refill head.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Drawings

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an oral care implement having a handle member and a replacement member according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the grip section and the stem portion of the handle member of the oral care implement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of an alternate member of the oral care implement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative component of the oral care implement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an oral care product assembly including a handle member and a plurality of replacement members;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an oral care implement having a handle member and a replacement member according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of an oral care implement according to yet another embodiment of the invention having a handle member and a replacement member;

FIG. 7B is a schematic view of a filter plate of the oral care implement of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an oral care implement having a handle member and a replacement member according to yet another embodiment of the invention;

fig. 9 is a partial schematic view of a handle member and a replacement member of an oral care implement according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

The description of illustrative embodiments in accordance with the principles of the invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is only intended for convenience of description and is not in any way intended to limit the scope of the invention. Relative terms such as "lower," "upper," "horizontal," "vertical," "above," "below," "upward," "downward," "top" and "bottom" as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally," "downwardly," "upwardly," etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are used merely for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly so indicated. Terms such as "attached," "secured," "connected," "coupled," "interconnected," and the like refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Furthermore, the features and benefits of the present invention are illustrated by reference to the illustrated embodiments. The invention must therefore expressly not be limited to such exemplary embodiments, which show some possible non-limiting combinations of features that may be present alone or in other feature combinations; the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within a range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the event of a conflict between a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure is employed.

Referring to the drawings in detail, an oral care implement 1 is shown in fig. 1. In this illustrated embodiment, the oral care implement 1 is a power or automatic toothbrush that emits light from the head. However, the present invention is not limited thereto in all embodiments. In certain other embodiments, the device can be a manual toothbrush having a replaceable head portion. Thus, the present invention is not limited to an electric or automatic oral care implement 1 unless the claims so define.

Referring to fig. 1-3, an oral care implement 1 includes: a handle member 2 having a grip section 10, the grip section 10 extending from a proximal end 8 to a distal end 9; a stem portion 80 extending from the distal end 9 of the gripping section 10; and a replacement component 100. In the exemplified embodiment, the grip section 10 of the handle member 2 comprises an actuator button 3 that serves as a user input device and facilitates turning the oral care implement 1 on and off when the oral care implement 1 is an automatic or electric toothbrush. Of course, the actuator button 3 may in other embodiments be positioned at other locations on the handle member 2 than shown in the figures. In certain embodiments, the actuator button 3 may be replaced by other types of actuator devices. The replacement member 100 is detachably coupled to the body portion 80 of the handle member 2, as described in more detail below. Different variations of the replacement member may be used for the handle member 2 and the coupling/decoupling to/from the handle member 2, such that the user has the option of regarding the type of replacement member desired to be used.

The replacement member 100 includes a sleeve portion 110 and a head portion 130. In certain embodiments, any of the replacement members 100 described herein can be a toothbrush replacement head, and as such, a plurality of tooth cleaning elements 133 are mounted to the head portion 130 and extend from the front surface 131 of the head portion 130 of the replacement member 100. Soft tissue cleanser 122, which may be formed of a resilient material, is coupled or mounted to rear surface 132 of head portion 130 of replacement member 100.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the handle member 2 of the oral care implement 1. The handle member 2 includes a gripping section 10, a chassis 20, an electrical power source 44 (such as a rechargeable battery, a non-rechargeable battery, a battery pack, a printed battery, a super capacitor, a control circuit to store electrical energy, etc.), a control circuit 50, a motor 60 having a drive shaft 66, a vibration source 70, and a stem portion 80. The gripping section 10 is configured to be gripped or grasped by a user to enable the user to manipulate the oral care implement 1 during use. The gripping section 10 also houses the electronic circuitry and components required for the oral care implement 1 to operate as an automatic or electric toothbrush that emits light. In certain embodiments, the power source 44 may be omitted and the device may be powered by a plug coupled to a power supply, such as a wall outlet.

The grip section 10 of the handle member 2 has an interior cavity for housing the holster 20, the power source 44 and the control circuit 50. The inner cavity of the gripping section 10 may be cylindrical in some embodiments, although the invention is not so limited in all embodiments.

In certain embodiments, the control circuit 50 may include a programmable controller to enable further functionality and control electronic components within the oral care implement 1. The control circuit 50 may be in operable communication with the button 3, thereby enabling a user to provide input to the control circuit 50 to control the oral care implement 1. User input to the control circuit 50 may be used to control any one or more electrical components included as part of the oral care implement 1.

The stem portion 80 includes an open proximal end 81 that is secured to the chassis 20 of the gripping section 10 and terminates in a sealed distal end 85. In certain embodiments, the stem portion 80 and the gripping section 10 may be integrally formed. The body 83 of the stem portion 80 may be tapered and generally conical with a smaller cross-sectional profile at the sealed distal end 85 than at the open proximal end 81. The outer surface of the body 83 of the stem body portion 80 may include a coupling element 91 that functions as an orientation key when the replacement member 100 is coupled to the handle member 2. In certain embodiments, coupling element 91 may also be used to lock replacement member 100 to handle member 2.

In certain embodiments, the open proximal end 81 of the stem portion 80 provides access into the stem cavity 87 to receive and/or retain the vibration source 70 and the motor 60. The sealed distal end 85 of the stem portion 80 forms an engagement portion 98 configured to engage an inner surface of the sleeve portion 110 of the replacement member 100 when the replacement member 100 is coupled to the handle member 2. The engagement portion 98 includes a stem tip 97 that extends from the upper surface 96 of the stem portion 80 such that the upper surface 96 forms an annular transverse shoulder that encompasses the stem tip 97.

The vibration source 70 includes an extension shaft 72, which may be formed of synthetic resin, and an eccentric shaft 73, which may be formed of metal. The extension shaft 72 of the vibration source 70 engages the drive shaft 66 of the motor 60 such that the motor 60 can rotate the vibration source 70 to impart the desired motion to the replacement component 100. The motor 60 is electrically connected by 62a, 62b to the control circuit 50 that controls the operation of the motor 60, and is powered by the electrical power source 44. The eccentric shaft 73 of the vibration source 70 includes an eccentric portion 77 and an axial shaft portion 78. The bottom end of the eccentric portion 77 is connected to the extension shaft 72.

An inner recessed hole 89 is formed at the end of the stem cavity 87 proximate the distal end 85 of the stem portion 80. The inner concave hole 89 slidably receives the axial shaft portion 78 of the eccentric shaft 73 of the vibration source 70. Thus, the upper end of the eccentric shaft 73 of the vibration source 70 is mounted within the dry body tip 97 or near the dry body tip 97. With this configuration, the eccentric portion 77 of the vibration device 70 is rotatably mounted within the dry body cavity 86. The inner concave hole 89 serves as a bearing to hold the axial shaft portion 78 of the eccentric shaft 73 of the vibration source 70. The vibration source 70 is free to rotate within the dry body cavity 86 even under high frequency vibrations. In certain embodiments, because the inner recessed bore 89 functions as a bearing, a separate bearing assembly need not be provided to rotatably retain the axial shaft portion 78. Of course, a separate bearing assembly may be provided in some embodiments.

As mentioned above, the motor 60 is operatively coupled to the source of electrical power 44 through the control circuit 50. The drive shaft 66 of the motor 60 is operatively coupled to the eccentric portion 77 of the vibration source 70 to rotate the eccentric portion 77 to generate vibrations in the displacement member 100, or specifically the drive shaft 66 of the motor 60 is coupled to the head portion 130 or tooth cleaning elements 133 on the eccentric portion 77. In particular, when the motor 60 rotates the vibration source 70 about its axis, the eccentric portion 77 generates high frequency vibrations that are transmitted to the stem arrangement 80 and the replacement member 100 coupled thereto.

Two

leads

93a, 93b for providing power to the light generating module included in the replacement component 100 are also coupled to the control circuit 50. These

leads

93a, 93b extend from the control circuit 50 to the body 83 of the stem body portion 80 and up to the distal end 85 of the stem body portion 80 where they terminate at

electrical contacts

94a, 94b, respectively. As depicted, leads 93a, 93b are embedded in the body 83 of the dry body portion 80 to prevent interference with the vibration source 70. In certain embodiments, the

leads

93a, 93b may extend along an inner surface of the body 83 of the stem body portion 80. In still other embodiments, particularly those without a vibration source, the

leads

93a, 93b may extend within the dry body cavity 87 without being embedded within or extending along the surface of the dry body part body 83.

The replacement member 100 shown in fig. 3 and 4 includes a sleeve portion 110 and a head portion 130. The sleeve portion 110 of the replacement member 100 slides over the stem portion 80 of the handle member 2 to couple the replacement member 100 to the stem portion 80. The cannula portion 110 extends from a proximal end 111 to a distal end 112. In certain embodiments, the head portion 130 and the sleeve portion 110 are formed of a rigid material, such as a rigid plastic material, including without limitation polymers and copolymers of: ethylene, propylene, butadiene, vinyl compounds and polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate. The head portion 130 and the sleeve portion 110 may be integrally formed or separately formed and later coupled together. In the illustrated embodiment, the head and

sleeve portions

110, 130 are integrally formed in an injection molding process.

Head portion 130 of replacement member 100 is located at distal end 112 of cannula portion 110 and includes a front surface 131 and an opposing rear surface 132. As discussed above, there are a plurality of tooth cleaning elements 133 that extend from the front surface 131 of the head portion 130 of the replacement member 100. The plurality of tooth cleaning elements 133 includes a plurality of bristle tufts 134 mounted to the head portion 130 and extending from the front surface 131 of the head portion 130. Each bristle tuft 134 may comprise a plurality of bristles. The bristles may be filament bristles, fiber bristles, spiral bristles, nylon bristles, or the like. Each of the above-mentioned types of bristles may be rounded or tapered. The tufts 134 can be coupled to head portion 130 using staple technology, anchor-free tufting technology, or the like, as desired.

In addition to the bristle tufts 134, the tooth cleaning elements 133 can include one or more resilient

tooth contacting elements

135a, 135b that extend from the front surface 131 of the head portion 130. In some embodiments, the bristle tufts 134 form a bristle field and the resilient

tooth contacting elements

135a, 135b are located within the bristle field. In the illustrated embodiment, the tufts of bristles 134 extend to a height above the front surface 131 of the head portion 130 of the replacement member 100 that is greater than the height at which the resilient

tooth contacting elements

135a, 135b extend above the front surface 131 of the head portion 130 of the replacement member 100.

In the embodiment shown, the tufts of bristles 134 and the resilient

tooth contacting elements

135a, 135b have a particular pattern on the head portion 130 of the replacement member 100. However, in other embodiments, other patterns for the tufts of bristles 134 and the resilient tooth cleaning

contact elements

135a, 135b can be used.

In this embodiment, the resilient

tooth contacting elements

135a, 135b include four peripheral contacting elements 135a and two central contacting elements 135 b. The peripheral contact element 135a includes two peripheral contact elements 135a that are laterally aligned near the proximal end of the head section 130 and two peripheral contact elements 135a that are laterally aligned near the distal end of the head section 130. The peripheral contact element 135a is a straight wall-like segment having ribs 139 protruding from its inner surface. Thus, ribs 139 of peripheral contact element 135 face inwardly toward the center of head portion 130.

The two center contact elements 135b are arcuate contact elements that are centrally located on the head portion 130 of the replacement member 100. The center contact elements 135b are arranged to form a ring with gaps aligned along a plane extending transverse to the longitudinal axis a-a. The center contact elements 135b have concave surfaces facing each other and convex surfaces facing away from each other, and they face the proximal and distal end head portions 130 of the replacement member 100, respectively.

The bristle tufts 134 comprise three peripheral bristle tufts on each of the opposite sides of the head, which are positioned between two peripheral contact elements 135a in the longitudinal direction of the head portion 130 of the replacement member 100. The bristle tufts further include four proximal bristle tufts located between the bottom center contact element in the center contact element 135b and the proximal end of head section 130, and six distal bristle tufts located between the top center contact element in the center contact element 135b and the proximal end of head section 130. Four proximal tufts are positioned generally between two peripheral contact elements 135a located near the proximal end of head section 130. Six distal proximal tufts are generally positioned between two circumferential contact elements 135a located near the distal end.

In this exemplary embodiment, replacement component 100 includes a light generating module 200 located within a cavity 201 formed within head portion 130. The light generating module 200 is configured to emit light in a first spectrum from the replacement component 100. To achieve this, the light generating module 200 comprises at least one light source 202, a light guide 203 and a light filter 204. In the embodiment shown, the light generating module 200 comprises two light emitting

diodes

206a, 206b as the light source 202. Each

light emitting diode

206a, 206b is positioned within the cavity 201 to direct light into one of the resilient tooth cleaning contact elements 135b, both of which serve as part of the light guide 203 of the light generating module 200. As part of the light guide 203, the resilient tooth cleaning contact elements 135b form part of the light guide 203 that is located closest to the light receiving end 207 of the

light emitting diodes

206a, 206b and form part of the light emitting end 208 that is remote from the front surface 131 of the head section 130. The light generated by the

light emitting diodes

206a, 206b is received into the light receiving end 207 of the light guide 203 formed by the resilient tooth cleaning contacting elements 135b and the received light is guided along the length of the respective resilient tooth cleaning contacting elements 135b to be emitted at the light emitting end 208 of the light guide 203 at the distal end of the resilient tooth cleaning contacting elements 135 b. In this manner, light generated by the light source 202 is emitted from the replacement member 100. Although light is described above as being emitted from the front surface 131 of the head section 130 and/or the resilient tooth cleaning contact elements 135b, in certain embodiments, light may be emitted from any portion of the head section 130, such as the rear surface 132 of the head section 130, or the entire head section 130.

In embodiments where the

light emitting diodes

206a, 206b generate light over a wide spectral range, the generated light may be transmitted through the optical filter 204 to spectrally limit the light emitted from the head portion 130 of the replacement member 100 to a desired spectrum. In embodiments where the

light emitting diodes

206a, 206b produce light in the spectrum desired to be emitted from the replacement component 100, then the optical filter 204 may be omitted. In certain embodiments, an alternative light guide may be used that may be positioned between the light source 202 and the front surface 131 of the head section 130 without extending beyond the front surface 131 such that light is emitted directly from the front surface 131 of the head section 130. In such an embodiment, it is optional to also use the resilient tooth cleaning contact elements 135b as an auxiliary light guide. In certain embodiments, one or both of the light guide 203 and the light filter 204 may be omitted from the light generating module 200.

In an exemplary embodiment, the replacement component 100 further includes

electrical contacts

211a, 211b that are located within the sleeve portion 110, and the

electrical contacts

211a, 211b are operatively coupled to the light generating module 200 by leads 212a, 212 b. The position of the

electrical contacts

211a, 211b within the sleeve portion 110 is such that when the replacement member 100 is seated on the stem portion 80 of the handle member 2, electrical contact is made between the

electrical contacts

211a, 211b within the sleeve portion 110 and the

electrical contacts

94a, 94b of the stem portion 80 of the handle member 2. Electrical contact between the

electrical contacts

211a, 211b within the sleeve portion 110 and the

electrical contacts

94a, 94b of the stem portion 80 of the handle member 2 is used to provide power from the power source 44 to the light generating module 200, as controlled by the control circuit 50. Where power to the light generating module 200 is controlled by the control circuit 50, the control circuit 50 may be configured to provide power to the light generating module 200 based on user input from the button 3 (see fig. 1).

As indicated above, the light source may produce light in a broad spectral range, the produced light being limited to a narrower spectrum before it is emitted from the replacement component 100. The broad spectral range may for example be generated by a light source with a single light emitting diode or a light source with a plurality of light emitting diodes. In embodiments where multiple light emitting diodes are used to generate a wide spectral range, each light emitting diode may emit light in a different spectrum than the other light emitting diodes, such that the combination of the spectra from the multiple light emitting diodes combine to generate the wide spectral range. In such embodiments, the spectrum of light produced by each light emitting diode may not overlap and/or be discontinuous with the spectrum of light produced by any other light emitting diode. In certain embodiments in which multiple light emitting diodes are used as light sources, the spectrum of light emitted from the replacement component 100 may be selected by powering less than all of the multiple light emitting diodes or by filtering a wide spectral range to select only the desired spectrum to be emitted. Some of the spectra of light that may be advantageously emitted by the replacement component 100 include a 600nm to 700nm wavelength spectrum, a 385nm to 520nm wavelength spectrum, and a 200nm to 300nm wavelength spectrum. Other spectra of light may also be emitted from the replacement component 100. In certain embodiments, multiple spectra of light may be emitted simultaneously, the multiple spectra not overlapping and/or not contiguous.

Certain wavelength spectra may be used in particular. As an example, light in the infrared spectrum can increase blood circulation for gum treatment; light in the blue spectrum can reduce pain of gingival inflammation; light in another region of the blue spectrum can be used to identify bacteria on the teeth and gums; light in the UV or violet spectrum may reduce bacteria in the oral cavity; and white light can be used to whiten teeth, particularly when associated with light-sensitive chemicals in certain types of toothpastes.

The cannula portion 110 comprises a cannula cavity 113 extending along the longitudinal axis a-a from a closed top end 114 to an open bottom end 115, the open bottom end 115 being located at the proximal end 111 of the cannula portion 110. Closed top end 114 of cannula cavity 113 is closed because it cannot be seen from the exterior of replacement member 100. The cannula cavity 113 receives the stem portion 80 of the handle member 2 to permit coupling of the replacement member 100 to the handle member 2.

The casing cavity 113 includes an entry section 171 and an engagement section 172. The entry section 171 of the casing cavity 113 has a first minimum diameter and includes the open bottom end 115 of the casing cavity 113. The engagement section 172 of the cannula cavity 113 has a second minimum diameter that is less than the first minimum diameter. In certain embodiments, the maximum diameter of the engagement section 172 is less than the minimum diameter of the entry section 171.

The cannula portion 110 includes an outer surface 119 and an inner surface 173, the inner surface 173 defining the cannula lumen 113. The inner surface 173 of the sleeve portion 110 includes an annular transverse shoulder 174 located between the entry section 171 of the sleeve cavity 113 and the engagement section 172 of the sleeve cavity 113. The cannula lumen 113 further includes an uppermost section 175 located between the engagement section 172 and the closed top end 114 of the cannula lumen 113. As shown, the uppermost section 175 of the cannula lumen 113 has a transverse cross-sectional area that continuously decreases toward the closed top end 114 of the cannula lumen 113 with increasing distance from the engagement section 172 of the cannula lumen 113.

The replacement member 100 includes a coupling element 140 located near the proximal end 111 of the cannula portion 110. As shown, the coupling element 140 is an opening formed in the sleeve portion 110 that extends upward from the open bottom end 115 of the sleeve portion 110 in the direction of the head portion 130 for a portion of the length of the replacement member 100. Coupling element 140 may have a particular structure or shape that allows coupling element 140 to mate with coupling element 91 on stem body portion 80 to facilitate coupling and/or locking of replacement member 100 to handle member 2.

The replacement component 100 may vary between: the coupled condition shown in fig. 1, wherein the stem portion 80 of the handle member 2 is disposed within the cannula lumen 113 of the replacement member 100; and a disengaged state in which the replacement member 100 is separated from the handle member 2. In the disengaged state, the replacement member 100 is separated from the handle member 2. In the coupled state, the replacement member 100 is mounted to the handle member 2, and the light generating module 200 is powered by the power source 44 to emit light from the replacement member 100.

A package 220 is shown in fig. 5 containing an oral care product assembly, including one handle member 2, a first replacement member 100a and a second replacement member 100 b. In certain embodiments, package 220 may include additional replacement components. The handle member 2 may have features as shown in fig. 1 and 2. Each of the

replacement components

100a, 100b may have features as shown in fig. 3 and 4. Optionally, each

replacement component

100a, 100b may have any one or more of the features described above for the alternative embodiments. The difference between the

replacement members

100a, 100b is that the first replacement member 100a is configured to emit light in a first spectrum, while the second replacement member 100b is configured to emit light in a second spectrum, different from the first spectrum. In certain embodiments, the first and second spectra may be overlapping spectra. In certain other embodiments, the first and second spectra may be non-overlapping and non-contiguous spectra.

In an alternative embodiment, the package may house

replacement components

100a, 100b having the features shown for replacement component 100 of fig. 6 and 8. Optionally, each

replacement component

100a, 100b may have any one or more of the features described for the alternative embodiments described in connection with fig. 6 and 8.

In the package 220, each of the

replacement members

100a, 100b is shown in a disengaged state. Each of the

replacement members

100a, 100b may be individually placed on the handle member 2 in a coupled state (i.e., for one handle member 2, both of the

replacement members

100a, 100b may not be placed in a coupled state at the same time). When the first replacement member 100a is mounted to the handle member 2 in the coupled state, the light generating module of the first replacement member 100a is powered by the power source of the handle member 2 to emit light in a first spectrum from the first replacement member 100 a. Similarly, when the second replacement member 100b is mounted to the handle member 2 in the coupled state, the light generating module of the second replacement member 100b is powered by the power source of the handle member 2 to emit light in a second spectrum from the second replacement member 100 b.

An alternative embodiment of an oral care implement 1 is shown in fig. 6 having a replacement member 100 mounted on the handle member 2. The handle member 2 includes most of the same structural features shown for the handle member 2 of fig. 1 and 2. The handle member 2 comprises a gripping section 10, a chassis 20, an electrical power source (not shown in fig. 6), a control circuit 50, a motor 60 having a drive shaft 66, a vibration source 70 and a dry body portion 80.

The stem portion 80 includes an open proximal end 81 that is secured to the chassis 20 of the gripping section 10 and terminates in a sealed distal end 85. In certain embodiments, the open proximal end 81 of the stem portion 80 provides access into the stem cavity 87 to receive and/or retain the vibration source 70 and the motor 60. The sealed distal end 85 of the stem portion 80 forms an engagement portion 98 configured to engage an inner surface of the sleeve portion 110 of the replacement member 100 when the replacement member 100 is coupled to the handle member 2. The engagement portion 98 includes a stem tip 97 that extends from the upper surface 96 of the stem portion 80 such that the upper surface 96 forms an annular transverse shoulder that encompasses the stem tip 97.

The light generating module 230 is located at the body tip 97 within the handle member 2. The light generating module 230 is configured to emit light over a spectral range, and to this end, the light generating module 230 comprises at least one light source 232. As shown, the light generation module 230 includes a light emitting diode 236 as the light source 232. In alternative embodiments, the light generation module 230 may include a plurality of light emitting diodes as the light source 232. The light emitting diodes 236 are coupled to the control circuit 50 by

leads

242a, 242b such that the control circuit 50 can control the power supplied to the light emitting diodes 236 from the power source.

The replacement member 100 further comprises a light guide 233 to guide light from the light generating module 230 of the handle member 2 to the head portion 130 of the replacement member 100. Light guide 233 includes a light receiving end 237 located between closed top end 114 of cannula cavity 113 and distal end 112 of cannula portion 110, and a light emitting end 238, light emitting end 238 directing light out of front surface 131 of head portion 130. The light emitting end 238 of the light guide 233 also directs light into the photo-elastic tooth contact element 135b such that the elastic tooth contact element 135b forms a portion of the light emitting end 238 of the light guide 233. The light filter 234 is located at the light-receiving end 237 of the light guide 233 to spectrally limit the light emitted from the head portion 130 of the replacement member 100 to a desired spectrum. In embodiments where the light emitting diodes 236 produce light in the spectrum of light desired to be emitted from the replacement component 100, this may omit the optical filter 234.

For the embodiment shown in fig. 6, the handle member 2 and a plurality of replacement members 100 may be incorporated into an oral care package in the same manner as shown and described with respect to fig. 5.

An alternative embodiment of an oral care implement 1 is shown in fig. 7A having a replacement member 100 mounted on a handle member 2. The handle member 2 includes some of the same structural features shown for the handle member 2 of fig. 1 and 2. The handle member 2 includes a gripping section 10, a chassis 20, a power source (not shown in fig. 7A), a control circuit 50, and a stem portion 80. The handle member 2 of the depicted embodiment does not include a vibration source 70, however, in alternative embodiments, a vibration source 70 may be included.

The light generating module 250 is located within the housing 20 of the handle member 2. The light generating module 250 is configured to emit light in a desired spectrum. To this end, the light generating module 250 comprises at least one light source 252, which emits light over a spectral range. As shown, the light generating module 250 includes a light emitting diode 256 as the light source 252. In alternative embodiments, the light generation module 250 may include a plurality of light emitting diodes as the light source 252. The light emitting diodes 256 are coupled to the control circuit 50 by

leads

262a, 262b such that the control circuit 50 can control the power supplied to the light emitting diodes 236 from the power source.

The light generation module 250 includes a light filter module 254. The optical filter module 254 includes a plurality of optical filters, each of which is activatable one at a time, each optical filter being configured to spectrally limit the light generated by the light generating module when activated. The control circuit 50 is operatively coupled by

leads

263a, 263b to a servo motor 259, the servo motor 259 being located within the housing 20 of the handle member 2. The servomotor 259 is operably coupled to the drive shaft 260, which drive shaft 260 is in turn operably coupled to the rotatable filter plate 255, which rotatable filter plate 255 includes a plurality of optical filters. The control circuit 50 acts as an actuator for the servo motor 259 and controls the rotation of the servo motor 259 to rotate the rotatable filter plate 255. In certain embodiments, the control circuit 50 may be actuated by an actuator button 3, the actuator button 3 being included as part of the handle member 2. Fig. 7B shows a schematic view of a rotatable filter plate 255 comprising three filter sections F0, F1, and F2. More or fewer optical filters may be included as filter panels 255. The handle member 2 includes a light guide 265 having a receiving end 266, the receiving end 266 positioned to receive light transmitted through a selected filter (F0, F1, or F2) of the rotatable filter plate 255 and direct the received light to an emitting end 267, the emitting end 267 directing the light into the stem tip 97 of the stem body portion 80. The respective filter sections F0, F1, and F2, when enabled by the optical coupling between the light source 252 and the receiving end 266 of the light guide 265, serve to spectrally limit the light generated by the light generating module to a selected spectrum within the spectral range such that light in the selected spectrum is received by the light guide 265 and emitted at the emitting end 267 of the light guide 265.

The replacement member 100 comprises a light guide 253 for guiding light from the emission end 267 of the light guide 265 of the handle member 2 to the head portion 130 of the replacement member 100. The light guide 253 includes a light receiving end 257 positioned between the closed top end 114 of the cannula cavity 113 and the distal end 112 of the cannula portion 110, and a light emitting end 258, the light emitting end 258 directing light out of the front surface 131 of the head portion 130. In an alternative embodiment, light emitting end 258 of light guide 253 may also direct light into one or more elastic tooth contact elements included as part of replacement member 100.

The broad spectral range can be produced by a light source with a single light emitting diode or a light source with a plurality of light emitting diodes, for example. In embodiments where multiple light emitting diodes are used to generate a wide spectral range, each light emitting diode may emit light in a different spectrum than the other light emitting diodes, such that the combination of the spectra from the multiple light emitting diodes combine to generate the wide spectral range. In such embodiments, the spectrum of light produced by each light emitting diode may not overlap and/or be discontinuous with the spectrum of light produced by any other light emitting diode. In certain embodiments in which multiple light sources are used, instead of or in addition to filtering the light from the light source 252 using the optical filter module 254, the spectrum of light emitted from the replacement component 100 may be selected by providing power to less than all of the plurality of light emitting diodes.

Yet another alternative embodiment of an oral care implement 1 is shown in fig. 8 having a replacement component 100 mounted on the handle component 2. In the depiction of this embodiment, the features used to enable the replacement member 100 to be mounted to the handle member 2 are omitted for simplicity. It is to be understood that the handle member 2 may still include the stem body portion 80 and the replacement member 100 may still include the sleeve portion 110 to couple the replacement member 100 to the handle member 2. Furthermore, features of one or more of the previously discussed embodiments, particularly those of the light generating module included within the replacement component 100, may be incorporated into the embodiment of fig. 8.

Replacement component 100 includes a light generating module 280 that is located within a cavity 281 formed within head portion 130. The light generating module 280 is configured to emit light in a first spectrum from the replacement component 100. To accomplish this, the light generating module 280 includes at least one light source 282 and a light guide 283. In certain embodiments, the light generation module 280 may also include an optical filter 204. In the embodiment shown, the light generation module 280 includes a light emitting diode 286 as the light source 282. Light emitting diode 286 is positioned within cavity 201 to direct light into resilient tooth cleaning contact element 135b, both of which serve as part of light guide 283 of light generating module 200 to emit light generated by light source 282 from replacement member 100.

In this embodiment, the handle member 2 includes a control circuit 50 operatively coupled to the handle coil 290 by

leads

291a, 291 b. Handle coil 290 is located within handle member 2 immediately adjacent replacement coil 292 located within replacement member 100. Each of the two

coils

290, 292 is a coil of wire, each comprising several loops of wire, to create an electrical inductor. The two

coils

290, 292 are sufficiently close to be inductively coupled, i.e., when the handle coil 290 is powered by the control circuit 50 with an appropriate oscillating power signal, an inductive field is established by the handle coil 290 and this inductive field is coupled to the replacement coil 292 to generate an inductive current within the replacement coil 292. The replacement coil 292 is operably coupled to the light generating module 280 by

leads

293a, 293b such that current generated by the inductively coupled replacement coil 292 provides power to the light generating module 280.

The portion of the replacement member 100 coupled to the handle member 2 is shown in fig. 9. The combination of the replacement member 100 coupled to the handle member 2 provides a selection mechanism that can be used in conjunction with any of the embodiments described above that can utilize a selection input to the control circuit 50 to act as an actuator in response to the selection input. As part of the selection mechanism, the refill head 100 includes a plurality of selection indicator structures 302, shown as a plurality of teeth, and the handle member 2 includes a plurality of selection identifiers 301, shown as a plurality of switches. Each selection identifier 301 is located within one of the plurality of receptacles 300, each receptacle 300 being formed to receive one tooth. Each selection identifier 301 is operatively coupled to the control circuit 50 within the handle member 2 such that when the replacement member 100 is mounted to the handle member 2, the control circuit 50 can determine which, if any, of the selection identifiers 301 of the handle member 2 interact with one of the selection indicator structures 302 of the replacement member 100. By identifying which selection identifier 301 interacts with one selection indicator structure 302, the control circuit 50 can identify the type of replacement member 100 that has been mounted to the handle member 2 and use that information as a selection input to determine which of a plurality of light emitting diodes is powered and/or which optical filter on a rotatable filter plate is used to filter a broad spectral range. Such a selection mechanism may also be used in conjunction with an oral care implement for other purposes when a selection input is desired.

While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An oral care implement comprising:

a handle member, comprising:

a gripping section;

a source of electrical power;

a light generation module operably coupled to the electrical power source and configured to generate light over a spectral range; and

an actuator operably coupled to the light generating module, the actuator configured to spectrally confine light generated by the light generating module to a selected spectrum within the spectral range; and

a replacement head, comprising:

a head portion;

a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from a front surface of the head portion; and

a light guide having a light receiving end and a light emitting end;

the replacement head may be changed between: (1) a disengaged state in which the replacement head is separated from the handle member; and (2) a coupled state in which the replacement head is mounted to the handle member and the receiving end of the light guide receives the selected spectrum of light for emission from the replacement head;

wherein the light generation module comprises a light source configured to generate light over the spectral range, and a light filter module comprising a plurality of light filters, each of the plurality of light filters configured to spectrally limit the light generated by the light generation module when activated; and is

Wherein the actuator is operably coupled to the optical filter module to selectively activate selected optical filters from the plurality of optical filters;

wherein the refill head comprises a selection indicator structure and the handle member comprises a selection identifier that interacts with the selection indicator structure when the refill head is in the coupled state;

wherein the actuator is configured to spectrally limit light generated by the light generation module to a selected spectrum within the spectral range based on input received from the selection identifier when the refill head is in the coupled state.

2. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein the handle member comprises a stem portion extending from a distal end of the grip section, the stem portion terminating in a sealed distal end; and the replacement head includes a cannula portion having an inner surface defining a cannula lumen, the head portion coupled to a distal end of the cannula portion.

3. The oral care implement according to claim 2 wherein the cannula body extends along a longitudinal axis from a closed top end to an open bottom end, the open bottom end located at a proximal end of the cannula portion; and wherein in the coupled state, the stem portion of the handle member is disposed within the cannula lumen.

4. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein the light emitting end of the light guide emits light from the head portion of the replacement head.

5. The oral care implement according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein at least one of the plurality of tooth cleaning elements forms a portion of the light guide and comprises the light emitting end of the light guide.

6. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein the light filter module comprises a rotatable filter plate comprising a plurality of sections, each of the sections comprising one of the plurality of light filters.

7. The oral care implement according to claim 6 wherein the actuator comprises a programmable controller operably coupled to a servo motor configured to rotate the rotatable filter plate; wherein the programmable controller is configured to actuate the servo motor to selectively enable selected optical filters.

8. The oral care implement according to claim 7 wherein the actuator comprises a user input device operably coupled to the programmable controller; wherein the programmable controller is configured to actuate the servo motor to selectively enable selected optical filters based on user input received from the user input device.

9. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein the light generation module comprises a light emitting diode that emits light over the spectral range.

10. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein the light generation module comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes, each of the light emitting diodes emitting light in a different spectrum than the other of the light emitting diodes, the spectral range comprising a combined spectrum of the plurality of light emitting diodes.

11. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein the selected spectrum comprises one or more of: a wavelength spectrum of 600nm to 700nm, a wavelength spectrum of 385nm to 520nm, and a wavelength spectrum of 200nm to 300 nm.

12. An oral care implement comprising:

a handle member, comprising:

a gripping section;

a source of electrical power;

a replacement head, comprising:

a head portion;

a light guide having a light receiving end and a light emitting end;

13. The oral care implement according to claim 12 wherein the selected spectrum comprises one or more of: a wavelength spectrum of 600nm to 700nm, a wavelength spectrum of 385nm to 520nm, and a wavelength spectrum of 200nm to 300 nm.

14. An oral care implement comprising:

a handle member, comprising:

a gripping section;

a source of electrical power;

a replacement head, comprising:

a head portion;

a light guide having a light receiving end and a light emitting end;

wherein the light generation module comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes, each of the light emitting diodes emitting light in a spectrum different from other light emitting diodes of the light emitting diodes, the spectral range comprising a combined spectrum of the plurality of light emitting diodes;

wherein the actuator is configured to spectrally limit light generated by the light generation module to a selected spectrum within the spectral range by activating less than all of the plurality of light emitting diodes;

15. The oral care implement according to claim 14 wherein the selected spectrum comprises one or more of: a wavelength spectrum of 600nm to 700nm, a wavelength spectrum of 385nm to 520nm, and a wavelength spectrum of 200nm to 300 nm.