KR20140033511A - Toothbrush and refill head for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A refill head and an oral care appliance comprising the same is provided, the refill head comprising a tubular sleeve having a cavity. The first and second upper cam surfaces are provided in the cavity forming a transverse shoulder in the cavity. The first and second upper cam surfaces are separated by first and second axial slots through which the first and second bosses of the stem of the handle of the oral care implement can pass.

Description

Toothbrush and refill head for it {TOOTHBRUSH AND REFILL HEAD FOR THE SAME}

The present invention claims the advantages of US Provisional Patent Application 61/506996, filed on July 12, 2011, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to a refill head for oral care appliances, and more particularly to a connection structure of the refill head.

Electric toothbrushes with replaceable heads, commonly referred to as refill heads, are known in the art. Such powered toothbrushes typically include a handle and a refill head removably connected to the handle. In such powered toothbrushes, the replaceability of the head is desirable because the handles, which contain expensive motion-inducing circuits and components, are expensive to manufacture and are much longer than cleaning elements such as bristles on the head. Because it has a lifespan. If bristles or other cleaning elements wear out, if they must be discarded, consumers will not pay a premium to purchase such an electric toothbrush. Therefore, it is standard in the art to provide a refill head that can be attached and detached from the handle so that worn refill heads can be replaced when needed for the same handle.

Existing refill heads suffer from many defects, including manufacturing complexity, the ability to improperly load the refill head into the handle, and improper connection of the refill head to the handle. Therefore, there is a need for a refill head having an improved connection structure.

The present invention relates to a refill head and an oral care implement comprising the same, wherein the refill head comprises a tubular sleeve having a cavity. First and second upper cam surfaces are provided at the distal portion of the cavity forming a transverse shoulder in the cavity. The first and second upper cam surfaces are separated by first and second axial slots through which first and second bosses of the stem of the handle of the oral care implement can pass.

In one embodiment, the present invention includes a handle and a refill head detachably connected to the handle; The handle includes a gripping portion, a stem extending from the gripping portion, and first and second bosses extending radially from an outer surface of the stem; The refill head comprises a head portion comprising a plurality of tooth cleaning elements, a tubular sleeve connected to the head portion, and first and second upper cam surfaces defining lateral shoulders in the cavity; The stem extends along an axis and the first and second bosses are located on the distal portion of the stem and are arranged in a circumferentially spaced manner, the tubular sleeve having a cavity in which the stem is disposed, The first boss is in surface contact with the first upper cam surface and the second boss is in surface contact with the second upper cam surface to maintain axially within the cavity, and the first and second upper cam surfaces are first and second. Circumferentially separated from each other by a second axial slot, the refill head being in a rotational direction in which the first boss is axially aligned with the first axial slot and the second boss is axially aligned with the second axial slot And the first and second axial slots are configured to allow the first boss to slide axially through the first axial slot and also to allow the second boss to be axially through the second axial slot. Slip May be a toothbrush is configured to allow the lock.

In another embodiment, the present invention includes a head portion, a tubular sleeve connected to the head portion, and first and second upper cam surfaces defining lateral shoulders in the cavity; The tubular sleeve has a cavity for receiving a stem of a handle of the oral care implement, wherein the first and second upper cam surfaces are separated from each other in a circumferential direction by the first and second axial slots. It may be a refill head.

Other 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 preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

The invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

1 is a front view of the refill head and toothbrush handle in alignment for a detachable connection according to one embodiment of the invention, with the refill head shown in cross section and the handle partially cut away.
2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a refill head according to one embodiment of the invention.
3 is a front view of the toothbrush handle of FIG.
4A is a top view of the toothbrush handle of FIG.
4B is a right side view of the distal portion of the stem of the toothbrush handle of FIG. 1.
5A is a top view of the cam color of the refill head of FIG. 1 with the cam collar removed from the tubular sleeve of the refill head.
FIG. 5B is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the cam color of FIG. 5A; FIG.
6 is a front view of the refill head and toothbrush handle of FIG. 1, detachably connected together in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

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 made with respect to the embodiments according to the principles of the present invention is intended to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are considered to be a part of the entire specification of the present application. In the description of the embodiments of the invention described herein, the optional criteria for orientation are intended merely for convenience of explanation and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. The terms "lower", "upper", "horizontal", "vertical", "upper", "lower", "upper", "lower" Quot ;, "bottom "," top ", "bottom ", etc. are to be construed as referring to the directions as described in the following description or as shown in the figures. These relative terms are merely for convenience of description and do not require that the device be configured or operated in a particular direction unless explicitly so indicated. The terms "attached," "attached," "connected," "coupled," "interconnected," and the like, unless otherwise expressly referred to, Directly or indirectly < / RTI > Moreover, the features and advantages of the present invention are described with reference to exemplary embodiments shown herein. Thus, although the present invention is shown as being preferred, it is not limited specifically to these exemplary embodiments. The description herein describes and illustrates some possible combinations of features that may exist alone or in different combinations of features.

1 and 6 illustrate an electric toothbrush 1000 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The powered toothbrush 1000 generally includes a refill head 100 and a handle 200. As described in more detail below, the refill head 100 and the handle 200 are designed such that the refill head 100 can be repeatedly connected and disconnected from the handle. In FIG. 1, the powered toothbrush 1000 is shown with the refill head 100 not connected to the handle 200 but positioned axially aligned with the handle 200 so that such a connection can be made. . In FIG. 6, the powered toothbrush 1000 is shown with the refill head 100 detachably connected to the handle 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Although the invention is illustrated herein as an electric toothbrush 1000, the inventive concept described herein is a manual toothbrush using a refill head, or a tongue cleaner, a water pick, an interdental device, a tooth polisher. It should be appreciated that it may be applied to manual or powered oral care appliances including, without limitation, polishers, and specially designed ansate instruments having tooth engaging elements.

1, 3, 4a and 4b the handle 200 is shown in more detail. Handle 200 generally includes gripping portion 210 (only a small portion thereof is shown) and stem 220. The stem 220 extends from the gripping portion 210 along the longitudinal axis A-A.

The gripping portion 210 of the handle 200 is an elongated structure that provides a mechanism by which a user can hold and manipulate the electric toothbrush 1000 during use. The gripping portion 210 can take a variety of shapes, contours, and configurations, none of which limit the invention. Power supplies, electric motors, and electrical circuits and components necessary to produce the desired motion in the refill head 100 are included in the grip portion 210.

In addition, the gripping portion 210 includes a user interface to control various operations of the toothbrush 1000, including, without limitation, ON and OFF, speed change of the motor, or other included functions. The gripping portion 210 basically forms a waterproof housing for the above mentioned electrical circuits and mechanical components that need to be protected from moisture.

In an exemplary embodiment, the movement transmitted to the head portion 110 of the refill head 100 is a vibrational movement. To generate this vibratory movement, the handle 200 includes a vibrating element in the form of an eccentric 222 that is connected to the drive shaft 221 in an exemplary embodiment. A proximal portion (not shown) of the drive shaft 221 is operably connected to the electric motor (not shown) such that the electric motor can rotate the drive shaft 221. The distal portion 223 of the drive shaft 221 is held by an annular bearing 224 mounted within the stem 220. When the drive shaft 221 is rotated, the eccentric 222 generates vibrations transmitted to the stem 220 and the refill head 100 due to off-center of the center of gravity (more below). Described in detail). The eccentric 222 is illustrated as part of the drive shaft 221 radially offset from the longitudinal axis A-A, but the invention is not so limited. In other embodiments, the eccentric 222 may be an offset disk or other offset weight as known in the art. As shown in FIG. 1, the stem 220 forms a waterproof housing having an internal cavity 225 in which the drive shaft 221 and the eccentric portion 222 are accommodated. Further details of suitable vibration generating handles and related structures that can be incorporated into the powered toothbrush 1000 of the present invention are disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0269275 to Shimoyama et al., Issued October 28, 2010. Which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Stem 220 includes a base portion 226 and a distal portion 228. Base portion 226 is the base portion of stem 220 adjacent grip portion 210 of handle 200. Distal portion 228 forms the free end of stem 220. The distal portion 228 of the stem 220 further includes a plug portion 231 and a shoulder portion 232. Plug portion 231 extends axially from shoulder portion 232.

The stem 220 further includes a first boss 229 and a second boss 230 extending radially outward from the outer surface 227 of the stem 220. The first and second bosses 229 and 230 are disposed on the stem 220 in a circumferentially spaced manner. In the exemplary embodiment, the first and second bosses 229 and 230 are approximately 180 degrees apart. Of course, other separation angles can be used if necessary. Moreover, in other embodiments, more or less than two bosses 229 and 230 may be included in the stem 220.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second bosses 229, 230 are located on the plug portion 231 of the distal portion 228 of the stem 220 and also have a radial distance less than the shoulder portion 232. Extends. Thus, as can be seen in FIG. 4A, the free ends 329, 330 of the first and second bosses 229, 230 are located at the perimeter 332 of the shoulder portion 232. In other embodiments, the first and second bosses 229 and 230 may be located at other locations on the required system 220. Alternatively, the first and second bosses 229, 230 do not extend radially beyond the outer surface 227 of the shoulder portion 232.

In an exemplary embodiment, both the first and second bosses 229 and 230 are cylindrical pin-shaped elements and also have approximately the same diameter. However, in other embodiments, the first and second bosses 229 and 230 may have other cross-sectional shapes, including polygonal, elliptical, or irregular shapes. Thus, as used herein, the term "diameter" is not strictly limited to the circular shape.

The structure of the refill head 100 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2, 5A, and 5B. Refill head 100 generally includes head portion 110, tubular sleeve 120, and annular cam collar 150. The tubular sleeve 120, the head portion 110, and the cam collar 150 may be formed of a rigid material, such as a moldable hard plastic. Suitable hard plastics include polymers and copolymers of ethylene, propylene, butadiene, vinyl components, and polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate. Of course, the present invention is not so limited, and other materials may also be used to form the head portion 110 and tubular sleeve 120 of the refill head 100.

The tubular sleeve 120 extends along the longitudinal axis B-B from the base end 121 to the distal end 182. Head portion 110 is connected to distal end 182 of tubular sleeve 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the head portion 110 and tubular sleeve 120 of the refill head 120 are integrally formed as a single unitary structure using molding, milling, machining, or other suitable method. However, in other embodiments the head portion 110 and tubular sleeve 120 of the refill head 120 include, without limitation, thermal and ultrasonic welding, hermetic assembly, connecting sleeve, threaded engagement, adhesion, or fasteners. As such, it may be formed as a separate component that is operatively connected at a later stage of the manufacturing process by any suitable technique known in the art.

Head portion 110 includes a plurality of tooth cleaning elements 180 (collectively shown) extending from its surface as known in the art. A plurality of tooth cleaning elements 180 are provided for cleaning and / or polishing the oral surface and / or interdental spaces. The tooth cleaning element 180 may be particularly suitable for brushing teeth, or may be particularly suitable for polishing teeth instead of or with cleaning teeth. As used herein, the term “tooth cleaning element” may be used to wash, polish, or flush away teeth and / or soft oral tissue (eg, tongue, cheeks, gums, etc.) via relative surface contact. Used in the general sense to refer to any structure present. Typical examples of “tooth cleaning elements” include bristle tufts, filament bristle, fiber bristle, nylon bristle, spiral bristle, rubber bristle, elastomeric protrusions, flexible polymer protrusions, combinations thereof, and / or structures comprising such materials or combinations. Include without limitation. Suitable elastomeric materials include any biocompatible elastic materials suitable for use in oral care devices. In order to provide cleaning benefits as well as optimal comfort, the elastomeric material of the tooth or soft tissue engaging element has hardness properties in the A8 to A25 Shore hardness range. One suitable elastomeric material is styrene-ethylene / butene-styrene block copolymers (SEBS) prepared by GLS Corporation. However, SEBS materials from other manufacturers or other materials outside the hardness ranges mentioned above may be used.

The tooth cleaning element 180 of the present invention may be connected to the refill head 100 in any manner known in the art. For example, a staple / anchor, in-mold tufting (IMT), or anchor free tufting (anchor free tufting) for mounting a cleaning element / teeth engagement element. AFT) can be used. In the AFT, a plate or a membrane is fixed to the brush head by ultrasonic welding or the like. The bristles extend through the plate or membrane. The free end of the bristles on one side of the plate or membrane performs a cleaning function. The free ends of the bristles on the other side of the plate or membrane are melted together by heat to anchor in place. Any suitable form of cleaning element can be used in the broad practice of the present invention. Alternatively, the bristles may be mounted to the tuft block or portion by extending through a suitable opening of the tuft block such that the base of the bristles is mounted in or below the tuft block.

The tubular sleeve 120 includes an inner surface 181 that defines an interior cavity 122 extending along the longitudinal axis B-B. The inner cavity 122 is sized and shaped to receive the stem 220 of the handle 200 such that the refill head 100 can be detachably connected to the handle 200 as described below. The tubular sleeve 120 has a base end 121 that provides a passage into the cavity 122 such that the stem 220 can be axially translated into and out of the cavity 122 through the opening 123. And further includes an opening 123.

The cavity 122 includes a base axial portion 124, a middle axial portion 125, and a distal axial portion 126. Base axial portion 124 extends from opening 123 to first shoulder 127 formed on inner surface 181. Base axial portion 124 has a tapered transverse cross-sectional area that moves from opening 123 to first annular shoulder 127 along its length. Middle axial portion 125 extends from first shoulder 127 to second shoulder 128 formed on inner surface 181. The intermediate axial portion 125 has a finely tapered transverse cross-sectional area that moves from the first shoulder 127 to the second shoulder 128 along its length. Distal axial portion 126 extends from second annular shoulder 128 to end wall 129. The distal axial portion 126 has a reduced cross-sectional area compared to the intermediate axial portion 126 even in the smallest transverse cross-sectional area of the intermediate axial portion 125.

As mentioned above, the refill head 100 further includes a cam collar 150. Cam collar 150 is disposed within cavity 122 and is also connected to tubular sleeve 120. In particular, the cam collar 150 is disposed in the middle axial portion 125 of the inner cavity 122 (adjacent to the terminal axial portion 127). The cam collar 150 is connected to the tubular sleeve 120 such that it cannot be rotated relative to the tubular sleeve 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the axial position of the cam collar 150 in the cavity 122 of the tubular sleeve 120 is annular retaining flange 130 and second annular projecting radially inwardly from the inner surface 181. Achieved by a combination of contacts of the shoulder 128. Thus, the second annular solder 128 prevents axial movement of the cam collar 150 in the first axial direction with respect to the tubular sleeve 120, and the annular retaining flange 130 is formed with respect to the tubular sleeve 120. The axial movement of the cam collar 150 in the two axial directions (as opposed to the first axial direction) is prevented. The rotational movement between the cam collar 150 and the tubular sleeve 120 extends into an axially extending slot 131 formed in the second annular shoulder 128 of the inner surface 181 of the tubular sleeve 120. This is prevented by an interlock tab 153 of the color 150.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cam collar 150 includes an annular outer wall 154 and a first inner step 155 and a second inner step 156. The first inner step 155 includes a first upper cam surface 157 and the second inner step 156 includes a second upper cam surface 158. The first and second upper cam surfaces 157, 158 form a lateral shoulder in the cavity 122. When the powered toothbrush 1000 is properly assembled and the refill head 100 is releasably connected to the handle 200, the stem is held axially in the cavity 122 to maintain a detachable connection. The first boss 229 of 120 is in surface contact with the first upper cam surface 157, and the second boss 230 is in surface contact with the second upper cam surface 158 (shown in FIG. 6). As).

The first and second staircases 155, 156 and thus the first and second upper cam surfaces 157, 158 are separated from one another in the circumferential direction by the first and second axial slots 151, 152. . The first upper cam surface 157 includes a first recess 159 in which the first boss 229 is seated when the refill head 100 is removably connected to the handle 200. Similarly, the second top cam surface 158 includes a second recess 160 where the second boss 230 seats when the refill head 100 is removably connected to the handle 200.

The first upper cam surface 157 also includes a first ramp portion 161 and a first stopper portion 162. The first lamp portion 161 extends from the first axial slot 151 to the first recess 159 and further includes a first boss 229 along the first upper cam surface 157 in the first axial slot. 151 and the first recess 159 are configured to allow riding. On the other hand, the first stopper portion 162 is located between the first recessed portion 159 and the second axial slot 152 and the first boss 229 is axle with the second axial slot 152. It is prevented from rotating from the first recessed portion 129 aligned in the direction. Similarly, the second top cam surface 158 includes a second lamp portion 163 and a second stopper portion 164. The second lamp portion 163 extends from the second axial slot 152 to the second recess 158 and the second boss 230 extends from the second axial slot 152 to the second recess 160. Is configured to allow riding along the second upper cam surface 158. On the contrary, the second stopper portion 164 is located between the second recess 160 and the first axial slot 151 and the second boss 230 is axially aligned with the first axial slot 151. It is configured to prevent rotation from the second concave portion 160 aligned with.

Rotation of the refill head 200 in which the first boss 229 is axially aligned with the first axial slot 151 and the second boss 230 is axially aligned with the second axial slot 152. Direction, the first and second axial slots 151 and 152 allow the first boss 229 to slide axially through the first axial slot 151 and the second boss 230 to And to allow sliding in the axial direction through the biaxial slot 152. Thus, the refill head has a first boss 229 axially aligned with the first axial slot 151 such that the stem 220 of the handle 200 is inserted into the cavity 122 of the refill head 200. In addition, the second boss 230 must be in a rotational direction that is axially aligned with the second axial slot 152. Once this direction of rotation is achieved, the stem 220 is inserted into the cavity 122 until the first and second bosses 229 and 230 pass through the first and second axial slots 151 and 152, respectively. do. Once the first and second bosses 229, 230 pass through the first and second axial slots 151, 152, the refill head 200 may include these first and second recesses 159, 160. To the handle 200 such that the first and second bosses 229 and 230 climb along the ramp portions 161 and 163 of the first and second upper cam surfaces 157 and 158 until they are seated in Rotated about 90 ° clockwise. The vertical sidewalls (not shown) of the axial slots 151, 152 and portions of the cam surface regions 161, 163 prevent the refill head from rotating counterclockwise and thus maintain the head's orientation relative to the handle. do. When the first and second bosses 229 and 230 climb on the ramp portions 161 and 163, between the first and second bosses 229 and 230 and the first and second upper cam surfaces 157 and 158. The fit of the is reinforced. Thereafter, the first and second bosses 229 and 230 fall into the first and second recesses 159 and 160, so that the first and second bosses 229 and 230 and the first and second upper cam surfaces. A looser state is achieved between 157 and 158. The first and second recesses 159 and 160 maintain contact between the first and second bosses 229 and 230 and the first and second upper cam surfaces 157 and 158. This mating of the elastic gasket provides an axial force that further presses the first and second bosses 229 and 230 into the first and second recesses 159 and 160 (not shown). It can be further strengthened by integration. Stopper portions 162 and 164 prevent excessive rotation.

When the user wants to remove the refill head 100 from the handle 200, the user presses the first and second bosses 229, 230 from the first and second recesses 159, 160 and firstly. Rotate the refill head 100 relative to the handle 200 in the opposite rotational direction (ie counterclockwise 90 °) until it slides below the first and second upper cam surfaces 157, 158. This rotation continues until the first and second bosses 229 and 230 are axially aligned with the first and second axial slots 152 and 152, respectively. At this time, the stem 220 may be retracted axially from the cavity 122 of the refill head 100.

In addition, when the refill head 100 is removably connected to the handle 200 as described above, the first and second upper cam surfaces 157, 158 are intermediate axial portions 125 of the cavity 122. Is located within. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 6, only the outer surface of the shoulder portion 232 of the distal portion 228 of the stem 220 is in intimate surface contact with the inner surface 181 of the tubular sleeve 120. Thus, vibration generated by the eccentric portion 223 of the stem 220 is more effectively transmitted to the head portion 210 of the refill head 200. It may be desirable to minimize vibrations under distal portion 228 so that vibrations are not transmitted to handle 200.

The first and second bosses 229 and 230 are integrally molded to the stem 220 in an exemplary embodiment. Further, although the first and second top cam surfaces 157, 158 are positioned on the cam collar 150 in an exemplary embodiment, the first and second top cam surfaces 157, 158 are tubular sleeves 120. It can be formed integrally with.

As used herein, ranges are used as abbreviations to describe each value and all values falling within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the end point of the range. Also, all documents cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where there is a conflict between the definition of the present invention and the definition of the cited document, the present invention is controlled.

It should be understood that the above description and drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, but that various additions, changes and substitutions may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed in the appended claims . In particular, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other specific forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, sizes, and other elements, materials, and parts may be used without departing from the spirit and basic characteristics thereof. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many other types of modification, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials, and parts can be used and the present invention can be used as an embodiment of the present invention, It will be appreciated that the present invention may be applied specifically to specific environmental and operating requirements without departing from the present invention. Accordingly, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims, and is not limited to the above description or examples.

100: refill head 200: handle
210: grip part 220: stem
221: drive shaft 225: internal cavity
229 and 230: first and second bosses

Claims (24)

As a toothbrush:
handle; And
A refill head detachably connected to said handle,
The handle
Gripping parts;
A stem extending from the gripping portion; And
A first boss and a second boss extending radially from the outer surface of the stem,
The refill head
A head portion comprising a plurality of tooth cleaning elements;
A tubular sleeve connected to the head portion; And
A first and second upper cam surface defining a lateral shoulder in the cavity,
The stem extends along an axis, and the first and second bosses are located on distal portions of the stem and are arranged in a circumferentially spaced manner,
The tubular sleeve has a cavity in which the stem is disposed, the first boss is in surface contact with the first upper cam surface and the second boss is in surface contact with the second upper cam surface to maintain the stem axially in the cavity. And the first and second upper cam surfaces are circumferentially separated from each other by the first and second axial slots, the refill head being axially aligned with the first axial slot and the second boss Is in the rotational direction axially aligned with the second axial slot, the first and second axial slots are configured to allow the first boss to slide axially through the first axial slot and also Configured to allow the second boss to slide axially through the second axial slot
toothbrush. The method of claim 1,
The first upper cam surface includes a first recessed portion, the first boss is seated in the first recessed portion, and the second upper cam surface includes a second recessed portion, and the second boss is seated in the second recessed portion.
toothbrush. 3. The method of claim 2,
The first upper cam surface includes a first ramp portion and a first stopper portion, the first ramp portion extending from the first axial slot to the first recess and further comprising a first boss with the first axial slot and the first recess. And a first stopper portion positioned between the first recessed portion and the second axial slot, wherein the first boss is axially aligned with the second axial slot. And a second upper cam surface comprising a second ramp portion and a second stopper portion, the second ramp portion extending from the second axial slot to the second recess and Configured to allow the boss to rotate between the second axial slot and the second recess, wherein the second stopper portion is located between the second recess and the first axial slot and the second boss is in the first axial direction. From the second recess axially aligned with the slot Configured to prevent the I
toothbrush. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The first and second bosses have the same size and shape
toothbrush. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The refill head further includes a cam color disposed within the cavity, wherein the cam color includes first and second upper cam surfaces.
toothbrush. 6. The method of claim 5,
The cam color is held axially in the cavity of the tubular sleeve by a retaining flange projecting from the inner surface of the tubular sleeve and rotatably held through an interlock tab of the cam color extending into a slot on the inner surface of the tubular sleeve.
toothbrush. The method according to claim 6,
The slot extends axially into a transverse shoulder formed in the inner surface of the tubular sleeve
toothbrush. 8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
The cam color includes an outer annular wall and first and second staircases projecting radially inwardly from an inner surface of the outer annular wall, the first and second cam top surfaces respectively being on the first and second staircases. Located
toothbrush. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The first and second upper cam surfaces are integrally formed with the tubular sleeve
toothbrush. 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The free ends of the first and second bosses are located within the perimeter of the shoulder portion of the distal portion of the stem
toothbrush. 11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The base portion of the cavity of the tubular sleeve is tapered
toothbrush. 12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The distal portion of the stem includes a plug portion and a shoulder portion, the plug portion extending from the shoulder portion and also including first and second bosses, wherein the first and second bosses radiate past the outer surface of the shoulder portion. Not extending in the direction
toothbrush. 13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The handle includes a power source and a vibrating element operatively connected to the power source.
toothbrush. 14. The method of claim 13,
Vibration element is located within the stem
toothbrush. 15. The method of claim 14,
The outer surface of the shoulder portion of the stem makes intimate surface contact with the inner surface of the tubular sleeve
toothbrush. As a refill head for oral care appliances:
Head portion;
A tubular sleeve connected to the head portion;
A first and second upper cam surface defining a lateral shoulder in the cavity,
The tubular sleeve has a cavity for receiving a stem of a handle of an oral care implement, wherein the first and second upper cam surfaces are separated from each other in a circumferential direction by first and second axial slots.
Refill head. 17. The method of claim 16,
The first upper cam surface includes a first recess and the second upper cam surface includes a second recess.
Refill head. 18. The method of claim 17,
The first upper cam surface includes a first ramp portion and a first stopper portion, the first ramp portion extending from the first axial slot to the first recessed portion, the first stopper portion being the first recessed portion and the second shaft portion. Positioned between the directional slots, the second upper cam surface comprising a second ramp portion and a second stopper portion, the second ramp portion extending from the second axial slot to the second recess, 2 located between the recess and the first axial slot
Refill head. 19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18,
The refill head further includes a cam color disposed within the cavity, wherein the cam color includes first and second upper cam surfaces.
Refill head. 20. The method of claim 19,
The cam color is held axially in the cavity of the tubular sleeve by a retaining flange projecting from the inner surface of the tubular sleeve and rotatably held through an interlock tab of the cam color extending into a slot on the inner surface of the tubular sleeve.
Refill head. 21. The method of claim 20,
The slot extends axially into a transverse shoulder formed in the inner surface of the tubular sleeve
Refill head. 22. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21,
The cam color includes an outer annular wall and first and second staircases projecting radially inwardly from an inner surface of the outer annular wall, the first and second cam top surfaces respectively being on the first and second staircases. Located
Refill head. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 22,
The cam color is a structure that does not rotate integrally with respect to the tubular sleeve
Refill head. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18,
The first and second upper cam surfaces are integrally formed with the tubular sleeve
Refill head.

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