Abstract:
A toothbrush handle, and toothbrush incorporating the same, wherein the handle comprises a stem to be slidably inserted into a refill head. An aperture in the stem defines a latch having a locking lug that operably mates with a locking lug of the refill head to axially retain the refill head to the handle. A resilient material seals the aperture to provide increased rigidity to the latch.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/506,970, filed on Jul. 12, 2011, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to refill heads for oral care implements, and specifically to the coupling structure for the refill head. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Powered toothbrushes having replaceable heads, commonly referred to as refill heads, are known in the art. Such powered toothbrushes typically include a handle and a refill head that is detachably coupled to the handle. The replaceability of the heads in such powered toothbrushes is desirous because the handle, which includes the motion-inducing circuitry and components, is expensive to manufacture and has a much longer life expectancy than do the cleaning elements, such as bristles, that are on the head. Consumers would not be willing to pay a premium to purchase such powered toothbrushes if they had to be discarded when the bristles or other cleaning elements wore out. Thus, it is now standard in the industry to provide refill heads that can be attached and detached from the handle so that worn out refill heads can be replaced as needed. 
         [0004]    Existing refill heads suffer from a number of deficiencies, including complexity of manufacture, the ability to improperly load the refill head to the handle, and inadequate coupling of the refill head to the handle. Thus, a need exist for a refill head having an improved coupling structure. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention is directed to a handle, and a toothbrush incorporating the same, wherein the handle comprises a stem to be slidably inserted into a refill head. An aperture in the stem defines a latch having a locking lug that operably mates with a locking lug of the refill head to axially retain the refill head to the handle. A resilient material seals the aperture to provide increased rigidity to the latch. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the invention can be a toothbrush comprising: a handle comprising: a gripping portion; a stem extending from the gripping portion, the stem extending along an axis, the stem comprising a first aperture defining a first latch in the stem, the first latch comprising a first locking lug protruding radially outward from an outer surface of the first latch; and a first resilient material disposed within and sealing the first aperture; a refill head detachably coupled to the handle, the refill head comprising: a head portion comprising a plurality of tooth cleaning elements; a tubular sleeve coupled to the head portion, the tubular sleeve having a cavity in which the stem is disposed, the tubular sleeve comprising a first locking lug protruding radially inward from an inner surface of the tubular sleeve; wherein the first locking lug of the first latch operably mates with the first locking lug of the tubular sleeve to axially retain the stem within the cavity. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the invention can be a toothbrush handle for detachable coupling to a refill head comprising: a gripping portion; a stem extending from the gripping portion, the stem extending along an axis, the stem comprising a first aperture defining a first latch in the stem, the first latch comprising a first locking lug protruding radially outward from an outer surface of the first latch; and a first resilient material disposed within and sealing the first aperture. 
         [0008]    In yet another embodiment, the invention can be a toothbrush handle for detachable coupling to a refill head comprising: a gripping portion; a stem extending from the gripping portion, the stem extending along an axis, the stem comprising a first aperture defining a first latch in the stem, the first latch comprising a first locking lug protruding radially outward from an outer surface of the first latch; and a first resilient material disposed within and sealing the first aperture, the first locking lug remaining exposed. 
         [0009]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a refill head and a toothbrush handle in alignment for detachable coupling according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the refill head according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a right-side view of a proximal portion of the stem of the toothbrush handle of  FIG. 1  illustrating the latch structure of the refill head; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the refill head and the toothbrush handle of  FIG. 1  detachably coupled together according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a transverse cross-sectional view of the toothbrush of  FIG. 4  taken along view V-V; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a transverse cross-sectional view of the toothbrush of  FIG. 4  taken along view VI-VI. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    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. 
         [0018]    The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present 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 embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative 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 for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar 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. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4  concurrently, a powered toothbrush  1000  according to one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The powered toothbrush  1000  generally comprises a refill head  100  and a handle  200 . As discussed in greater detail below, the refill head  100  and the handle  200  are designed so that the refill head  100  can be repetitively coupled and uncoupled from the handle  200 . In  FIG. 1 , the powered toothbrush  1000  is illustrated in a state wherein the refill head  100  is not coupled to the handle  200  but is an axial alignment with the handle  200  so that such coupling can be effectuated. In  FIG. 4 , the powered toothbrush  1000  is illustrated in a state wherein the refill head  100  is coupled to the handle  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0020]    While the invention is exemplified herein as a powered toothbrush  1000 , it is to be understood that the inventive concepts discussed herein can be applied to manual toothbrushes that utilize refill heads, or other manual or powered oral care implements, including without limitation tongue cleaners, water picks, interdental devices, tooth polishers and specially designed ansate implements having tooth engaging elements. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4  concurrently, the handle  200  will be described in greater detail. The handle  200  generally comprises a gripping portion  210  (only a small portion of which is exemplified) and a stem  220 . The stem  220  extends from the gripping portion  210  along a longitudinal axis A-A. 
         [0022]    The gripping portion  210  of the handle  200  is an elongated structure that provides the mechanism by which the user can hold and manipulate the toothbrush  1000  during use. The gripping portion  210  can take on a wide variety shapes, contours and configurations, none of which are limiting of the present invention. Included within the gripping portion  210  is a power source, a motor and the electrical circuitry and components necessary to create a desired motion within the refill head  100 . In the exemplified embodiment, the desired motion is a vibratory motion. 
         [0023]    The gripping portion  210  also includes the user interface that controls the various operations of the toothbrush  1000 , including without limitation turning off and on, changing speeds of the motor, or other functions. The gripping portion  210 , in essence, forms a watertight housing for the aforementioned electrical circuitry and mechanical components that need to be protected from moisture. 
         [0024]    In the exemplified embodiment, the motion to be transmitted to the head portion  110  of the refill head  100  is a vibratory motion. In order to generate such vibratory motion, the handle  200  comprises a vibratory element, which in the exemplified embodiment is in the form of an eccentric  222  coupled to a drive shaft  221 . A proximal portion (not illustrated) of the drive shaft  221  is operably coupled to the electric motor (not illustrated) so that the electric motor can rotate the drive shaft  221 . A distal portion  223  of the drive shaft  221  is retained by an annular bearing  224  which is mounted within the stem  220 . As the drive shaft  221  is rotated, the eccentric  222 , due to its off-center center of gravity, generates vibrations that are transmitted to the stem  220  and to the refill head  100  (discussed in greater detail below). While the eccentric  222  is exemplified as a portion of the drive shaft  221  that is radially offset from the longitudinal axis A-A, the invention is not so limited. In other embodiments, the eccentric  222  may be an offset disc or other offset weight, as is known in the art. As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the stem  220  forms a watertight housing having an internal cavity  225  in which the drive shaft  221  and eccentric  222  are housed. Additional details of a suitable vibratory producing handle, and related structure that can be incorporated into the powered toothbrush  1000  of the present invention, can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0269275, Shimoyama et al., published Oct. 28, 2010 (filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/377,355), the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0025]    The stem  220  comprises a proximal portion  226 , a middle portion  227  and a distal portion  228 . The proximal portion  226  is the base portion of the stem  220  that is adjacent the gripping portion  210  of the handle  200 . The distal portion  228  forms the free end of the stem  220  while the middle portion  227  is located axially between the proximal portion  226  and the distal portion  228 . The stem  220  of the handle  200  is generally formed of a material that is rigid, such as a moldable hard plastic. Suitable hard plastics include polymers and copolymers of ethylene, propylene, butadiene, vinyl compounds and polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate. Of course, the invention is not to be so limited and other moldable hard plastics and/or other materials can be used to form the stem  220  of the handle  200 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 - 4  and  6 , the stem  220  further comprises a first aperture  230  that defines a first latch  240  and a second aperture  235  that defines a second latch  245 . It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to any specific number of apertures or latches. For example, in alternate embodiments the stem  220  may comprise only one aperture defining a single latch or more than two apertures that define more than two latches. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 3  concurrently, the first aperture  230  defines the first latch  240  and the second aperture  235  defines the second latch  245 . The first and second apertures  230 ,  235  are openings or passageway in the stem  220 . As discussed in greater detail below, the first and second apertures  230 ,  235  are respectively filled with first and second resilient materials  250 ,  255 . It should be noted that in illustrations, the first and second apertures  230 ,  235  are filled with the first and second resilient materials  250 ,  255 . However, it is to be understood that prior to being filled with the first and second resilient materials  250 ,  255 , the first and second apertures  230 ,  235  are openings that form passageways into the internal cavity  225  of the stem  220 . Each of the first and second apertures  230 ,  235  have a closed perimeter. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the first and second apertures  230 ,  235  are each a substantially U-shaped aperture. In an alternative embodiment, the first and second apertures  230 ,  235  can be substantially V-shaped apertures. However, it should be noted that the invention is not so limited and in alternate embodiments the first and second apertures  230 ,  235  may be any shape suitable for defining a latch. 
         [0028]    Referring now to FIGS.  1  and  3 - 4  concurrently, the first and second latches  240 ,  245  will be described in more detail. The first latch  240  comprises an outer surface  242  and a first locking lug  241 , while the second latch  245  comprises an outer surface  247  and a second locking lug  246 . Both the first and second latches  240 ,  245  are located on the proximate/base portion  226  of the stem  220  and are integrally molded with the stem  220 . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the first latch  240  extends from a proximal edge  243  to a distal edge  244 . Similarly, the second latch  245  extends from a proximal edge  248  to a distal edge  249  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). The proximal edge  243  of the first latch  240  forms a living hinge while the distal edge  244  of the first latch  240  forms a free edge. Similarly, the proximal edge  248  of the second latch  245  forms a living hinge while the distal edge  249  of the second latch  245  forms a free edge. 
         [0029]    The first locking lug  241  protrudes radially outward from the outer surface  242  of the first latch  240  and comprises an upper surface  251  that is oblique to the axis A-A. Similarly, the second locking lug  246  protrudes radially outward from the outer surface  247  of the second latch  245  and comprises an upper surface  252  that is oblique to the axis A-A. As illustrated in the exemplified embodiments, the first and second locking lugs  241 ,  246  of the first and second latches  240 ,  245  are circumferentially spaced-apart on the stem  220 . In one embodiment, the first and second locking lugs  241 ,  246  of the first and second latches  240 ,  245  are circumferentially spaced-apart by about 180°. However, it should be noted that the circumferential degree by which the latches of the stem  220  are circumferentially spaced-apart can be varied as desired. 
         [0030]    As discussed in more detail below, the first and second latches  240 ,  245  are configured to flex radially inward during the loading and unloading of the handle  200  to the refill head  100  due to contact between the first and second locking lugs  241 ,  246  of the first and second latches  240 ,  245  of the stem  220  and the first and second locking lugs  130 ,  135  of the tubular sleeve  120 . Further, the first and second latches  240 ,  245  are movable between a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, the first and second latches  240 ,  245  operably mate with the first and second locking lugs of the tubular sleeve  120  to axially retain the stem  220  within the cavity  121  of the tubular sleeve  120  (shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 ). In the unlocked state, the first and second latches  240 ,  245  are flexed radially inward due to contact between the first and second locking lugs  241 ,  246  of the first and second latches  240 ,  245  and the first and second locking lugs  130 ,  135  of the tubular sleeve  120  (not shown). As discussed in more detail below, the first and second latches  240 ,  245  enter the unlocked state during the coupling and uncoupling of the refill head  100  and the handle  200 . Therefore, when the refill head  100  is loaded or unloaded from the handle  200 , the first and second latches  240 ,  245  are forced from the locked state to the unlocked state as the first and second locking lugs  130 ,  135  of the tubular sleeve  120  slide over the first and second locking lugs  241 ,  246  of the first and second latches  240 ,  245 . 
         [0031]    The first and second latches  240 ,  245  are biased in the locked state. Therefore, when the refill head  100  and handle  200  are coupled together, the first and second latches  240 ,  245  are biased to keep the first and second locking lugs  241 ,  246  of the first and second latches  240 ,  245  operably mated with the first and second locking lugs  24130 ,  135  of the tubular sleeve  120 . 
         [0032]    As noted above, the stem  220  further comprises a first resilient material  250  and a second resilient material  255 . The first resilient material  250  is disposed within and seals the first aperture  230 , while the second resilient material  255  is disposed within and seals the second aperture  235 . The first and second latches  240 ,  245 , however, remain exposed and are not covered by the first resilient material  250  and/or the second resilient material  255 . 
         [0033]    In the exemplified embodiment, the first and second resilient materials  250 ,  255  are portions of an integral mass of resilient material  253  over-molded to the stem  220 . However, the invention is not so limited and in alternate embodiments the first and second resilient materials  250 ,  255  may be separately molded onto the stem  220 . The first and second resilient materials  250 ,  255  can be an elastomeric material, such as a suitable thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or other similar materials used in oral care products. The first and second resilient materials  250 ,  255  may have a hardness durometer measurement ranging between A13 to A50 Shore hardness, although materials outside this range may be used. A suitable range of the hardness durometer rating is between A25 to A40 Shore hardness. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3  concurrently, the first and second resilient materials  250 ,  255  fill the first and second apertures  230 ,  235  and surround the first and second latches  240 ,  245  on three sides, thereby making the flexibility of the first and second latches  240 ,  245  more rigid. As a result, the handle  200  is more difficult to remove from the cavity  121  of the tubular sleeve  120 . This is advantageous because it helps to prevent unintended uncoupling of the handle  200  from refill head  100 . The first and second resilient materials  250 ,  255  also perform the function of sealing the first and second apertures  230 ,  235  to prevent toothpaste and foreign material from entering the cavity  225  of the stem  220 . In alternate embodiments, the first and second resilient materials  250 ,  255  may be molded in different colors to identify different users if the powered toothbrush  1000  is being shared. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  5  concurrently, the stem  220  further includes a flange  258  extending radially inward from the outer surface  257 . As best seen in  FIG. 5 , the flange  258  comprises an axial slot  256  formed therein. The flange  258  and the axial slot  256  are configured for maintaining relative rotational orientation between the handle  200  and the refill head  100  as will be described in detail below. Stated simply, the axial slot  256  of the flange  258  is an indexing feature. 
         [0036]    The distal portion  228  of the stem  220  further comprises a plug portion  260  extending axially from a shoulder portion  261 . The plug portion  260  acts as an axial alignment feature by sliding into a distal axial section  127  of the cavity  121  of the refill head  100  when the refill head  100  is being coupled to the stem  220 /handle  100 . The shoulder portion  232  can be used to prevent over-insertion of the stem  220  into the cavity  121  during said coupling via contact with an annular should formed in the inner surface of the refill head  100 . 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4  concurrently, the refill head  100  will be described in greater detail. As noted above, the refill head  100  is capable of being detachably coupled to the handle  200  so that the refill head  100  can be replaced with a new refill head when it becomes worn out and/or no longer effectively cleans a user&#39;s teeth and/or other oral surfaces. By enabling the powered toothbrush  1000  to have refill heads  100  that can be detachably coupled to the handle  200 , the entire powered toothbrush  1000  does not need to be replaced when the tooth engaging elements  111  on the refill head  100  become worn out. 
         [0038]    The refill head  100  generally comprises a head portion  110  and a tubular sleeve  120  that is coupled to the head portion  110 . In the exemplified embodiment, the tubular sleeve  120  and the head portion  110  of the refill head  100  are integrally formed as a single unitary structure using a molding, milling, machining or other suitable process. However, in other embodiments the head portion  110  and the tubular sleeve  120  of the refill head  100  may be formed as separate components which are operably connected at a later stage of the manufacturing process by any suitable technique known in the art, including without limitation thermal or ultrasonic welding, a tight-fit assembly, a coupling sleeve, threaded engagement, adhesion, or fasteners. 
         [0039]    The head  100  of the powered toothbrush  1000  comprises a collection of oral cleaning elements such as tooth cleaning elements  110  extending therefrom for cleaning and/or polishing contact with an oral surface and/or interdental spaces. In the exemplified embodiment, the tooth cleaning elements  110  are generically illustrated. While the collection of tooth cleaning elements  110  is suited for brushing teeth, the collection of tooth engaging elements  110  can also be used to polish teeth instead of or in addition to cleaning teeth. As used herein, the term “tooth cleaning elements” is used in a generic sense to refer to any structure that can be used to clean, polish or wipe the teeth and/or soft oral tissue (e.g. tongue, cheek, gums, etc.) through relative surface contact. Common examples of “tooth cleaning elements” include, without limitation, bristle tufts, filament bristles, fiber bristles, nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, elastomeric protrusions, flexible polymer protrusions, combinations thereof and/or structures containing such materials or combinations. Suitable elastomeric materials include any biocompatible resilient material suitable for uses in an oral hygiene apparatus. To provide optimum comfort as well as cleaning benefits, the elastomeric material of the tooth or soft tissue engaging elements has a hardness property in the range of A8 to A25 Shore hardness. One suitable elastomeric material is styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) manufactured by GLS Corporation. Nevertheless, SEBS material from other manufacturers or other materials within and outside the noted hardness range could be used. 
         [0040]    The tooth cleaning elements  110  of the present invention can be connected to the head  100  in any manner known in the art. For example, staples/anchors, in-mold tufting (IMT) or anchor free tufting (AFT) could be used to mount the cleaning elements/tooth engaging elements. In AFT, a plate or membrane is secured to the brush head such as by ultrasonic welding. The bristles extend through the plate or membrane. The free ends of the bristles on one side of the plate or membrane perform the cleaning function. The ends of the bristles on the other side of the plate or membrane are melted together by heat to be anchored in place. Any suitable form of cleaning elements may be used in the broad practice of this invention. Alternatively, the bristles could be mounted to tuft blocks or sections by extending through suitable openings in the tuft blocks so that the base of the bristles is mounted within or below the tuft block. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-4  concurrently, the tubular sleeve  120  will be described in greater detail. The tubular sleeve  120  comprises an inner surface  122  that forms an internal cavity  121  that extends along the longitudinal axis A-A. The cavity  121  is sized and shaped to accommodate the stem  220  of the handle  200  so that the refill head  100  can be detachably coupled to the handle  200 . The tubular sleeve further comprises an opening  123  at the proximal end  124  that provides a passageway into the cavity  121  so that the stem  220  can be axially translated into and out of the cavity  121  via the opening  123 . 
         [0042]    The cavity  121  comprises a proximal axial section  125 , a middle axial section  126 , and a distal axial section  127 . The proximal axial section  125  extends from the opening  123  to the middle axial section  126 . The proximal axial section  125  has a tapered transverse cross-sectional area along its length moving from the opening  123  to the middle axial section  126 . The middle axial section  126  extends from the proximal axial section  125  to a shoulder  128  formed in the inner surface  122 . The middle axial section  126  has a substantially constant transverse cross-sectional area. However, in alternate embodiments, the middle axial section  126  may also have a tapered transverse cross-sectional area along its length. The distal axial section  127  extends from the shoulder  128  to an end wall  129 . The distal axial section  127  has a reduced cross-sectional area in comparison to the middle axial section  126 , even at the middle axial section&#39;s  126  smallest transverse cross-sectional area. 
         [0043]    As mentioned above, the refill head  100  further comprises a first locking lug  130  and a second locking lug  135 . The first and second locking lugs  130 ,  135  are disposed within the cavity  121  and coupled to the tubular sleeve  120 . More specifically, the first and second locking lugs  130 ,  135  are disposed within the proximal axial section  125  of the internal cavity  121 . The first and second locking lugs  130 , 135  are formed into the tubular sleeve  120  and protrude radially inward from the inner surface  122  of the tubular sleeve  120 . As noted above, the first and second locking lugs  130 ,  135  of the tubular sleeve  120  are configured to operably mate with the first and second locking lugs  241 ,  246  of the first and second latches  240 ,  245  of the stem  220  to axially retain the stem  220  within the cavity  121  of the tubular sleeve  120 . In one embodiment, the first and second locking lugs  130 ,  135  of the tubular sleeve are arranged in a circumferentially spaced apart manner in the cavity  121 . However, in the exemplified embodiments, the first and second locking lugs  130 ,  135  of the refill head  100  are portions of an annular flange  131  protruding from the inner surface  122  of the tubular sleeve  120 . 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5  concurrently, the tubular sleeve  120  further comprises an axial rib  140 . The axial rib  140  is a protuberance that extends radially inward from the inner surface  122  of the tubular sleeve  120 . The axial rib  140  tapers from the proximal axial section  125  to the middle axial section  126 . As mentioned above and illustrated in  FIGS. 5 , the axial rib  140  is configured to mate with the axial slot  256  of the flange  258  of the stem  220  to maintain relative rotational orientation between the stem  220  and the tubular sleeve  120 . Therefore, when the head  100  and handle  200  are coupled together, the inner surface  122  of the tubular sleeve  120  and the outer surface  257  of the stem  220  are keyed to maintain relative rotational orientation between the stem  220  and the tubular sleeve  120 . 
         [0045]    A method of coupling and uncoupling the refill head  100  and the handle  200  will be described. In  FIG. 1 , the powered toothbrush  1000  is illustrated wherein the refill head  100  is not coupled to the handle  200 , but is in axial alignment with the handle  200  so that such coupling can be effectuated. To assemble the refill head  100  to the handle  200 , the tubular sleeve  120  is placed on the stem  120  and rotated until the axial rib  140  aligns with the axial slot  256  of the flange  258 . Once aligned, the refill head  100  is pressed downward onto the stem  220  of the handle  200 . As the refill head  100  is being pressed downward onto the stem  220 , the first and second locking lugs  241 ,  246  of the first and second latches  240 ,  245  of the stem  220  are pressed inwardly stretching the first and second resilient materials  250 ,  255  as the first and second locking lugs  241 ,  246  move over the first and second locking lugs  130 ,  135  of the tubular sleeve  120 . After the first and second locking lugs  241 ,  246  move over the major diameter of the first and second locking lugs  130 ,  135  of the tubular sleeve  120 , the first and second locking lugs  241 ,  246  snap back into the locked state and in position above the first and second locking lugs  130 ,  135  of the tubular sleeve  120 . Since the first and second latches  240 ,  245  are biased in the locked state, the first and second locking lugs  241 ,  246  operably mate with the first and second locking lugs  130 ,  135  of the tubular sleeve  120  to axially retain the stem  220  within the cavity  121 . Further, since the axial rib  140  is aligned with the axial slot  256 , relative rotation orientation between the stem  220  and the tubular sleeve  120  is maintained. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , it should be noted that when the refill head  100  is coupled to the handle  200 , only the distal section  228  of the stem  220  is in intimate contact with the inner surface  122  of the tubular sleeve  120 , thereby minimizing vibration below the distal section  228  of the stem  220 . This minimizes the vibration felt by the gripping portion  210  of the handle  200 . The present design minimizes contact between the stem  220  and the tubular sleeve  120  below the distal section  228  of the stem  220  by utilizing the first and second latches  240 ,  245  of the stem  220  that has minimal contact with the inner surface  122  of the tubular sleeve  120 . 
         [0047]    To decouple the refill head  100  from the stem  220  of the handle  200  of the powered toothbrush  1000 , the consumer pulls upward on the refill head  100  causing the first and second locking lugs  241 ,  246  of the first and second latches  240 ,  245  to be pressed inwardly, allowing the first and second latches  240 ,  245  to move over the first and second locking lugs  130 ,  135  of the tubular sleeve  120 . 
         [0048]    As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by referenced in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls. 
         [0049]    While the foregoing description and drawings represent the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that various additions, modifications and substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the accompanying claims. In particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, sizes, and with other elements, materials, and components, without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims, and not limited to the foregoing description or embodiments.