Abstract:
Oral care systems are provided, including oral care devices and stations for receiving the oral care devices. Methods for storing, filling and recharging dispensing oral care devices are also provided.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     This invention relates to oral care systems and methods of their use.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Conventional toothbrushes, having tufts of bristles mounted on a head, are generally effective at removing plaque from the flat surfaces of teeth and the areas between teeth and along the gumline that can be accessed by the bristles. Typically, a consumer manually squeezes a globule of paste from a tube onto the bristles of the conventional brush prior to placing the brush in their mouth. After paste is deposited on the bristles, the brush is placed in their mouth and brushing commences. As a further development on conventional toothbrushes, U.S. Serial No. 2002/0108193 proposes a sonic power toothbrush that is capable of dispensing additives at the head of the brush. The head can vibrate relative to the body of the brush due to sonic frequency vibrations that are transmitted to the brush head.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0003]     In general, in one aspect the invention features stations for storing oral care devices. For example, the invention features a station for an oral care device which includes a movable coupling adapted to mate with the oral care device, the movable coupling being capable of moving from a first position to a second position relative to the housing.  
         [0004]     Some implementations may include one or more of the following features. The station may also include a housing configured to receive the oral care device, and the movable coupling is configured to connect a passageway extending from a reservoir to an oral care device received by the housing when the coupling and the oral care device are mated. The station may also include a pump assembly configured to pump material from the reservoir, along the passageway and toward the oral care device. The pump assembly may be configured to pump material that includes a powder and/or a fluid. The reservoir may be, for example, a flexible pouch. The reservoir may be formed as an integral part of the housing. The station may further inculde a detector configured to receive a signal when the oral care device is received by the housing. The station may further include a controller in communication with the detector, the controller being configured to receive a signal transmitted by the detector when the oral care device is received by the housing. The station may also include a drive mechanism connected to the controller such that, in response to a signal received by the controller from the detector, the controller activates the drive mechanism to move the coupling from the first position to the second position. The station may include a limit switch electrically connected to the controller, the limit switch being configured to transmit an electric signal to the controller when the coupling reaches the second position. The controller may be configured to deactivate the drive mechanism in response to an electric signal received by the controller from the limit switch. The movable coupling may include a fluid coupling, e.g., a valve, configured to connect a fluid passageway extending from a fluid reservoir positioned in the housing to an oral care device when the coupling and oral care device are mated. The station may also include a control member accessible by a user and mechanically coupled to the coupling such that a movement of the control member moves the coupling from the first position to the second position relative to the housing. The station may further include an electrical coupling to electrically connect the oral care device and the station, which may be adapted to provide an electrical connection between a rechargeable battery housed by the oral care device and a power source. The housing may be configured to receive a cartridge component of an oral care device, the movable coupling being configured to connect a passageway extending from a reservoir to the cartridge component received by the housing when the coupling and the cartridge component are mated.  
         [0005]     In another aspect, the invention features a station for receiving an oral care device including (a) a fluid passageway constructed to direct fluid therethrough; (b) a fluid coupling connected to the passageway and adapted to mate with the oral care device to provide a fluid connection between a fluid reservoir in the housing and the oral care device; and (c) a reactive device configured to detect a predetermined fluid level within the oral care device when the fluid coupling is mated with the oral care device.  
         [0006]     Some implementations may include one or more of the following features. The pressure reactive device may include a pressure detector that is configured to detect a predetermined pressure level in the fluid passageway. The pressure detector may generate a control signal upon detection of the predetermined pressure level. The station may further include a controller in communication with the pressure detector and a pump electrically connected to the controller, the pump being configured to transfer fluid along the fluid passageway and the controller operating the pump in response to the control signal. The pump may be housed by the station or, alternatively, by the oral care device. The reactive device may include a pressure release valve, which may connect the fluid passageway and a return passageway in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. The pressure release valve may be configured to direct fluid to the return passageway upon detection of the predetermined pressure level.  
         [0007]     In a further aspect, the invention features a station for an oral care device, including (a) a fluid coupling configured to fluidly connect a fluid passageway and the oral care device; (b) a pump configured to transfer fluid along the fluid passageway; and (c) a controller connected to the pump, the controller being configured to control the pump.  
         [0008]     Some implementations include one or more of the following features. The controller may be configured to deactivate or not activate the pump upon receipt of a control signal, which may be generated, for example, when pressure in the fluid passageway is at or above a predetermined pressure level, e.g., between about 6 and 10 psi. The station may further include a timer connected to the controller, the timer being configured to transmit a control signal to the controller when a predetermined time period has lapsed. The controller may be configured to deactivate the pump upon lapse of a predetermined time period, e.g., between about 30 and 120 seconds, which may begin, for example, at pump activation.  
         [0009]     The invention also features oral care systems including oral care devices configured to mate with the stations described above. Such oral devices may include any of the features described in the following Detailed Description.  
         [0010]     In further aspects, the invention features methods of storing an oral care device. For example, the invention features a method including positioning an oral care device in a receiving portion of a station, the receiving portion constructed to receive the oral care device; and actuating a coupling from a first position to a second position to fluidly connect the oral care device and a fluid reservoir.  
         [0011]     Some implementations of this method may include one or more of the following features. The method may further include detecting presence of the oral care device in the receiving portion, then actuating the coupling. Actuating the coupling may include activating a motor configured to actuate the coupling. The method may further include activating a pump assembly configured to pump fluid along a fluid passageway connecting the fluid reservoir and the oral care device. The method may further include detecting when the oral care device is full, e.g., by detecting fluid pressure within the fluid passageway.  
         [0012]     In yet another aspect, the invention features a station for receiving an oral care device, including a fluid conduit defining at least a portion of a fluid passageway, the fluid conduit having a compressible region, and a motorized pumping assembly configured to compress the fluid conduit in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of the length of the fluid conduit to draw fluid into the compressible region and to transfer fluid out of the compressible region along the fluid passageway toward an outlet.  
         [0013]     Some implementations may include one or more of the following features. The pumping assembly may be configured to compress the conduit progressively with a series of multiple compression events. The conduit may have a substantially constant compressed volume (Vc) in the compressible region while the conduit is compressed in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of its length. The pumping assembly may further include comprises a rotatable shaft that includes a raised spiral. The spiral may be continuous, or may include a discontinuous arrangement of protrusions extending outwardly from a surface of the rotatable shaft. The spiral may be configured to compress the conduit in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of the length of the conduit as the shaft rotates. The pumping assembly may also include a compression element positioned between the shaft and the conduit such that the compression element is displaced by the shaft to compress the conduit in the compressible region when the shaft is rotated. The compression element may be displaced in a direction substantially transverse to the fluid passageway, e.g., it may be displaced substantially linearly when the shaft is at a selected angular position. The pumping assembly may include multiple compression elements, e.g., in one or more linear array(s), positioned between the shaft and the conduit such that the compression elements are capable of being displaced by the shaft when the shaft is rotated.  
         [0014]     The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an embodiment of an oral care system.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2A  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an oral care device.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2B  is a rear perspective view of the oral care device of  FIG. 2A .  
         [0018]      FIG. 3A  is a transparent front view of the oral care device of  FIG. 2A .  
         [0019]      FIG. 3B  is a transparent rear view of the oral care device of  FIG. 2A .  
         [0020]      FIG. 4A  is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a pump assembly and associated fluid passageway.  
         [0021]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective detail view of the pump assembly of  FIG. 4A .  
         [0022]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are front and side views, respectively, of an embodiment of an array of compression elements.  
         [0023]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are side and perspective views, respectively, of a screw embodiment.  
         [0024]      FIGS. 7A-7E  illustrate a pumping sequence for the pump assembly and fluid passageway of  FIG. 4A .  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a side view of elements of a pumping assembly including a flexible membrane.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 9 and 9 A illustrates another flexible membrane embodiment.  
         [0027]      FIG. 10A  is a perspective top view detailing an embodiment of a drive assembly.  
         [0028]      FIG. 10B  shows the drive assembly of  FIG. 10A  positioned within the oral care device.  
         [0029]      FIG. 10C  is a side view of an alternative cam embodiment.  
         [0030]      FIG. 10D  is a perspective view of a guide assembly.  
         [0031]      FIG. 11  is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a drive shaft.  
         [0032]      FIG. 12  is a sectional drawing of a head of the oral care device of  FIG. 2A .  
         [0033]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  are top and perspective views, respectively, of the drive shaft of  FIG. 11  and a fluid passageway connected to the head.  
         [0034]      FIGS. 14 and 15  are front perspective views of two brush embodiments.  
         [0035]      FIGS. 16A and 16B  are front and rear perspective views of the head and neck of another oral care device embodiment.  
         [0036]      FIGS. 17A and 17B  are front and rear perspective views of the head and neck of another oral care device embodiment.  
         [0037]      FIGS. 18A and 18B  are side views of an embodiment of a separable component forming part of the oral care device of  FIG. 2A .  
         [0038]      FIG. 18C  is a sectional detail view of area C of  FIG. 18A  showing a valve.  
         [0039]      FIGS. 19A and 19B  are side and sectional views, respectively, of an embodiment of a separable cartridge component forming part of the oral care device of  FIG. 2A .  
         [0040]      FIGS. 19C and 19D  are enlarged detail views of areas C and D, respectively, of  FIG. 19B .  
         [0041]      FIGS. 20A and 20C  are front and rear perspective views of an embodiment of a separable component forming part of the oral care device of  FIG. 2A .  FIGS. 20B and 20D  are transparent front and rear views, respectively, of the component of  FIG. 20A .  
         [0042]      FIG. 21  is a side section view of the valve of  FIG. 19D  mated with a docking station valve.  
         [0043]      FIGS. 22A and 22B  are side section views of another valve assembly embodiment.  FIG. 22C  is a front view of a valve fitment of  FIGS. 22A and 22B .  
         [0044]      FIG. 23A  is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a docking station.  
         [0045]      FIG. 23B  is a transparent side perspective view of the docking station of  FIG. 23A .  
         [0046]      FIG. 24  illustrates a docking station embodiment.  
         [0047]      FIG. 25  illustrates another docking station embodiment.  
         [0048]      FIGS. 26A and 26B  are side perspective views of a pump assembly embodiment.  
         [0049]      FIGS. 27A and 27B  are side perspective views of a valve actuation assembly.  
         [0050]      FIG. 28  is a diagram of an oral care system control embodiment.  
         [0051]      FIG. 29  is a perspective side view of another embodiment of an oral care device.  
         [0052]      FIGS. 30A and 30B  are, respectively, side perspective and transparent views of a separable component forming part of the oral care device of  FIG. 29 .  
         [0053]      FIGS. 31A and 31B  are, respectively, side perspective and transparent views of a separable component forming part of the oral care device of  FIG. 29 .  
         [0054]      FIGS. 32, 33  and  34  are perspective views of alternative compression member array embodiments.  
         [0055]      FIGS. 35A and 35B  show an alternative screw embodiment.  
         [0056]      FIGS. 36A and 36B  are rear and front views, respectively, of the head and neck of another oral care device embodiment with the neck shown as transparent.  
         [0057]      FIG. 37  is a rear view of the head and neck of another oral care device embodiment with the neck shown as transparent.  
         [0058]      FIGS. 38 and 39  illustrate alternative head embodiments.  
         [0059]      FIGS. 40A and 40B  are section views of an alternative valve assembly embodiment.  
         [0060]      FIGS. 41, 42  and  44  are perspective views of different fluid reservoir embodiments and  FIG. 43  is an end view of a fitment of  FIGS. 41 and 42 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0061]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of an oral care system  10  is shown that includes an oral care device  12 , in this case a toothbrush, and a docking station  14  that holds the oral care device  12  in an upright position within a receiving portion of the docking station. As will be described in much greater detail below, oral care device  12  is a power toothbrush having a motorized head and is designed to discharge a fluid, such as a dentifrice or mouthwash or a combination of various fluids, during the brushing cycle. The docking station  14  is designed to recharge batteries that are located within the oral care device, and to refill the oral care device with the fluid(s).  
         [0062]     Turning to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , oral care device  12  includes a multi-component, separable housing  16  consisting of three interconnected components  152 ,  154  and  156  (see also for example  FIGS. 18A, 19A  and  20 A). As assembled, the oral care device  12  includes a distal portion  18  at which a head  20  is located and a proximal portion  22  at which a handle  24  is located. Connecting handle  24  and head  20  is neck  26 . Head  20  is sized to fit within a user&#39;s mouth for brushing, while the handle  24  is graspable by a user and facilitates manipulation of the head  20  during use.  
         [0063]     Referring to  FIG. 2B , showing a rear view of the oral care device  12 , an inlet  28  is positioned near an end surface  30  at the proximal portion  22  of the oral care device. As will be described in greater detail below, the inlet  28  is matable with an outlet  280  ( FIG. 23A ) located at the docking station  14  for refilling a fluid path within component  154 . By positioning the inlet  28  distal of the end surface  30 , the inlet is spaced above a seating surface  275  ( FIG. 23A ) within the receiving portion of the docking station where substances (e.g., dentifrice, water, dust) may accumulate, so that substances will not interfere with mating between the inlet  28  and the outlet  280 .  
         [0064]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , internal components of the oral care device  12  are shown. Oral care device  12  includes motors  34  and  36 . Motor  34  drives a pumping assembly  38 , that is used to transfer a fluid along a fluid passageway  40  (see  FIG. 3B ) toward the distal portion  18  of the oral care device  12 . As will be discussed further below, pumping assembly  38  transfers fluid by compressing a portion of tube  60  with a compression element. In some embodiments, motor  34  is reversible and can move fluid in an opposite direction, toward the proximal portion  22  of the oral care device  12 . Moving the fluid in the opposite direction may, for example, reduce or, in some cases, even eliminate any leaking of fluid from the head that may occur due to pressure build-up within the passageway. Motor  36  drives a drive shaft  42 , which in turn moves (e.g., rotates) the head  20 . To supply power to motors  34 ,  36 , a rechargeable battery  44  is electrically coupled to the motors. A suitable rechargeable battery is a Li Ion UR 14500P, available from Sanyo.  
       Pump Assembly  
       [0065]     As can be seen more clearly in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , motor  34  includes a rotatable shaft  46  that is connected to a screw  48  having an advancing, enlarged spiral  50  ( FIG. 4B ) by a pair of gears  52  and  54 . Screw  48  and spiral  50  are shaped to sequentially displace each finger (or compression element) of an array of interconnected fingers  56  as motor  34  rotates the screw. Fingers  56  are secured to an inner wall of the housing  16  ( FIG. 2A ) forming a series of cantilevered projections that are positioned adjacent tube  60  within a compressible region  58  ( FIG. 4A ) that, itself, forms a portion of the fluid passageway  40 . When the fingers  56  are displaced, they compress the tube  60  within the compressible region  58  progressively along its length in a series of multiple compression events to force fluid along the fluid path (see  FIGS. 7A-7E ).  
         [0066]     Generally, the motor  34  and the gearing (e.g., gears  52  and  54 ) can be selected as desired. A suitable motor  34  is a FF-130SH, available from Mabuchi. In some embodiments, the gearing is selected to reduce speed by about 23:1.  
         [0067]     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , as shown, the array of fingers includes seven interconnected fingers  56  that extend integrally from a common base  57 . While seven fingers are depicted, the number of fingers can be selected as desired (e.g., greater than one finger, up to 10, 50, 100 or 200 fingers). Multiple arrays can also be used. The fingers  56  are interconnected at one end  62  and each extends to a free end  64  that can be displaced depending on the angular position of screw  48 . While the pump assembly  38  may be used without fingers  56  (e.g., spiral  50  of screw  48  may be used to compress tube  60  within the compressible region  58  directly), by utilizing fingers  56 , rolling and sliding wear against the tube  60  within the compressible region  58  can be reduced due to the displacement of the fingers in a direction substantially perpendicular to the long axis of the tube  60 . Such a reduction in rolling and sliding wear can reduce potential for rupture of tube  60  that can lead to fluid leakage within the housing  16 .  
         [0068]     Generally, the sizes and dimensions of each of the fingers can be selected as desired. As shown, each of the fingers  56  is of substantially identical dimensions having a width W f  (e.g., from about 0.05 inch to about 0.2 inch, such as about 0.1 inch) and a length L (e.g., from about 0.4 inch to about 0.6 inch, such as about 0.5 inch) and is shaped to reduce the volume occupied by the fingers within the housing. Referring particularly to  FIG. 5B , the fingers  56  extend relatively linearly within regions  66  and  68 , with region  68  offset from region  66  a distance T by a bend  70 . In operation, surface  72  of fingers  56  can contact an outer surface of the tube  60  and opposite surface  74  can contact screw  48  or vice versa. The offset can ensure that a downward force of the finger is fully applied to the tube  60 . In some embodiments, one or more of the fingers may have a differing dimension.  
         [0069]     Design of the fingers  56  depends, at least in part, on the screw design and tube  60  design. Each finger  56  is designed to compress a region of the tube  60  that is roughly equal to the width of the respective finger  56 . The distance between each finger and the adjacent finger is minimized (e.g., about 0.015 inch) for pumping efficiency.  
         [0070]     In general, materials for forming the fingers  56  can be selected as desired. Materials preferable for forming the array of fingers include elastic materials having high resistances to fatigue failure (e.g., due to the repeated displacement of the fingers) and capable of withstanding, at least for a reasonable time (e.g., 180 uses or more), the rolling and sliding contact between the fingers  56  and the spiral  50 . A suitable plastic material is DELRIN® plastic. Any suitable method can be employed for forming the fingers, such as molding (e.g., injection molding), casting and machining.  
         [0071]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the defining variables of the screw  48  include the pitch of the screw, the dwell time caused by the flat  76  at the top of the pitch. Other variables affecting screw design include the width of the fingers and the number of fingers. The screw pitch P (i.e., the distance center-to-center between flats  76  along a line parallel to shaft axis, at least in some cases, ensures that at least one (preferably more than one) finger compresses the tube at a given moment in time. As shown, P is about 0.8 inch, while the width of each flat is about 0.035 inch.  
         [0072]     Generally, the dimensions of the screw  48  can be selected as desired. Preferably, however, the screw  48  design depends, at least in part, on the design of the fingers  56  and the design of the tube  60  within compressible region  58  in order to achieve pumping action to transfer fluid along the passageway  40 . As discussed above with regard to the fingers, materials preferable for forming the screw can endure, at least for a reasonable time (e.g., 180 uses, or more), the rolling and sliding contact between the spiral  50  and the fingers  56 . A suitable plastic material is DELRIN® plastic. Any suitable method can be used to form the screw  48 , such as molding (e.g., injection molding the screw or over-molding plastic onto, for example, a metal shaft) and machining.  
         [0073]     Referring to  FIGS. 7A-7E , diagrammatic illustrations of portions of a displacement sequence are shown for the pump assembly  38  shown in  FIG. 4A  and described above. In this displacement sequence, the fingers  56  of the array are sequentially displaced by the enlarged spiral  50  (see  FIG. 4B ). Prior to compression, within compressible region  58  the tube  60  has a substantially constant inner and outer diameter, and an initial, uncompressed volume V 0  for a length L (i.e., the length of the compressible region  58 ), with L being substantially equal to the width W of the array of fingers ( FIG. 5A ). When the fingers  56  compress the tube  60 , the volume over L decreases to a compressed volume V c . In some embodiments, V c  remains substantially constant during the entire displacement sequence. In certain other embodiments, V c  changes substantially during the displacement sequence. In either case, it is the geometry of the passageway  40  through which fluid flows that is acted on by a series of discrete and progressive compression events to create flow.  
         [0074]     Referring particularly to  FIG. 7A , fingers  56   a  and  56   b  are displaced by screw  48  due to the increased diameter of spiral  50  ( FIGS. 6A and 6B ), which, in turn, compresses (e.g., occludes) a portion of tube  60  within the compressible region  58  between the finger  56  and the wall  78  to positively displace fluid along the passageway  40 . While the screw  48  displaces finger  56   a  (eventually a maximum distance l), the screw  48  also displaces finger  56   b . As the screw  48  turns, referring also to  FIG. 5B , finger  56   a  begins a return, drawing fluid into the previously displaced region of the tube  60 , while finger  56   b  is displaced the distance l and finger  56   c  begins its displacement. As shown by  FIG. 7C , spiral  50  is shaped such that finger  56   b  is displaced the distance l (or the maximum displacement distance) at least from the moment finger  56   a  begins on its return path and at least until finger  56   c  is displaced the distance l. Referring now to  FIGS. 7D and 7E , this sequence continues as all seven fingers  56   a - 56   g  are displaced (only the displacement of the first four fingers  56   a - 56   d  is shown, for brevity) and then repeats until the motor  34  stops rotating the screw  48 . By displacing more than one finger at all times, the displacement sequence compresses the tube  60  relatively continuously along the length L, with relatively little, if any, backflow. Minimizing backflow generally eliminates the need for a check valve to achieve pumping action. In some embodiments, l is substantially equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the tube  60  in the compressible region  58 , however, l can be less than the inner diameter of the tube  60  within the compressible region  58 . As shown, the inner diameter of the tube  60  in the compressible region is about 1/16 inch and l is slightly greater than 1/16 inch.  
         [0075]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , flexible membrane  80  may be positioned between the fingers  56  and the tube  60  (see  FIGS. 20C and 20D ). The membrane  80  is used to seal the internal components positioned within housing component  156  from water, paste or other liquids associated with brushing. The membrane can be, for example, adhered to inner wall  81  of component  156  and/or over molded on the component  156 . Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 9 A as examples, in some embodiments, the membrane  80  includes a compression element  57  or array of compression elements (or multiple arrays of compression elements) that can be used for compressing the tube  60 , replacing the fingers  56 . Additionally, other compression means are contemplated to compress tube  60  directly (or to displace the compressible elements), such as a spinning bent wire (e.g., a coiled wire or cam/crank shaft wire), solenoids, pneumatic cylinders, a rocking mechanism and/or annular constrictions with ferrofluids.  
         [0076]     By utilizing the above-described pump assembly, fluid can be positively displaced without backflow and, as mentioned, without any need for a backflow-preventive device, such as a check valve (although a check valve can be used, if desired). The pump assembly described above is particularly well suited to pump slurries, viscous, shear-sensitive and aggressive fluids. Additionally, the fingers, motor, gears, screw, and other internal components can be isolated from the fluid as the fluid travels along the passageway  40 , which, in some cases, can increase the life span of the oral care device  12 .  
       Head Drive Assembly  
       [0077]     Referring back to  FIG. 3A , motor  36  moves (e.g., translates linearly) pivoting drive shaft  42 , which in turn moves (e.g., oscillates rotationally) rotatable head  20 . The drive shaft  42  is connected to the rotatable head  20  using an offset design that facilitates placement of a fluid outlet at the head  20  and a tube  82  forming a portion of fluid passageway  40  within the neck  26  of the housing  16 . This offset design will be described in further detail below.  
         [0078]     Movement of the rotatable head  20  is accomplished, in part, by use of a cam and follower system that translates rotational output of the motor  36  into linear motion used to drive the drive shaft  42  backward and forward. Referring particularly to  FIG. 10A , a track  86  extends outwardly from a shaft  84  that is connected to the motor  36  by a series of interconnected gears. Follower  88  includes a pair of projections  90  that are designed to ride track  86  as shaft  84  is rotated by motor  36 . Track  86  is shaped such that as shaft  84  rotates, the follower  88  oscillates linearly. An alignment component  92  aids in aligning the follower  88  as it oscillates. Although a raised track-follower system is shown, any suitable system can be utilized, such as various other cam systems, including drum cams with followers and grooved tracks with followers. For example, referring to  FIG. 10C , an alternative cam design includes a cam  94  having cam geometry on an internal surface  96  of a cup  98 . In some cases, the cam follower can run axisymmetric with the motor. Non-cam systems can also be used, such as a belt or chain system. A belt or chain system can replace the drive shaft system shown to drive the head  20  while leaving the axis of the oral care device  12  available to make way for the fluid passageway  40 .  
         [0079]     Connected to follower  88  is an intermediate drive shaft  100 . Intermediate drive shaft  100  is slidably positioned within a guide assembly  102  that is secured directly to the housing  16 . Referring to  FIG. 10D , the guide assembly  102  includes a gasket  104  (e.g., formed of rubber), a bushing  106  (e.g., a bronze oilite bushing) and a mounting plate  108 . The mounting plate  108  is secured to the housing  16  (see  FIG. 10B ). The guide assembly  102  provides alignment and stabilization for the intermediate shaft  100  as the intermediate shaft moves forward and backward with the follower  88 .  
         [0080]     Referring to  FIG. 10B , a pivoting drive shaft  42  is coupled to the intermediate drive shaft  100 . The drive shafts  100  and  42  are coupled by a pair of interconnecting notches  110 A,  110 B, which are constructed to engage each other. Notch  110 A is positioned at an end of the shaft  42  ( FIG. 11 ) and notch  110 B is positioned at the adjacent end of intermediate shaft  100  ( FIG. 10A ). Drive shaft  42  is slidably positioned within a bracket  112  that is secured within the neck  26  of the housing  16  (shown in phantom) to restrict side-to-side movement of shaft  42  and to maintain the connection between the notches  110 . The notches  110  are detachable (e.g., to separate components  152  and  154 ) by applying a force (e.g., by a consumer) to the bracket  112  in a direction that separates the notches  110 . The bracket  112  has sufficient flexibility to allow the notches  110  to detach when pushed on by a consumer to allow the consumer to separate component  154  from components  152  and  156 .  
         [0081]     As can be seen, the available space within the neck  26  of housing  16  is relatively limited. As a result, the drive shaft  42  is shaped to facilitate placement of both the fluid-carrying tube  82  and the oscillating drive shaft  42  within the neck  26  of the housing  16 . Shown more clearly in  FIG. 11 , the drive shaft  42  includes a number of bends  114 ,  116  that aid in maintaining distance between the fluid passageway  40  and the drive shaft  42  so that the tube  82  does not interfere with motion of drive shaft  42 . The short bend  114  is connected to rotatable head  20  and is designed to be short enough to be assembled through the neck  26  of housing  16 . This can allow the shaft  42  to be assembled through an opening in the bottom of component  152  (see  FIG. 10B ) and facilitates use of a relatively narrow, unitary housing component  152 . The bend  114 , however, is long enough to drive the rotatable head  20 . By including bends  114 ,  116 , there is a reduced probability that the drive shaft  42  and tube  82  will interfere with each other&#39;s operation in use.  
         [0082]     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , rotatable head  20  is rotatably connected to housing  16  within a socket  118  formed in housing  16 . A non-rotatable fitting (e.g., a bushing)  120  is secured over a distal end of the tube  82  and a valve  122  is fitted over the fitting  120 . The valve  122  and fitting  120  extend through an aperture  124  in the rotatable head  20  such that, of the valve  122  and the fitting  120 , the non-rotatable fitting  120  receives much of forces from the rotatable head  20  during operation, thus reducing wear and tear on the valve. A pin  126  secures the rotatable head  20  in the housing  16  by passing through a hole  128  in the housing  16  and into a slot  130  formed in the rotatable head  20 . This pin  126  and slot  130  connection secures the rotatable head  20  within the housing  16  and allows the rotatable head  20  to rotate.  
         [0083]     Referring also to  FIGS. 13A and 13B , the drive shaft  42  is connected to the rotatable head  20  at a hole (not shown) formed in the rotatable head  20  and positioned offset from a longitudinal axis  131  by a distance d (e.g., greater than zero, such as from about 0.05 to about 0.2 inch, such as about 0.125 inch). The longitudinal axis  131  is perpendicular to an axis of rotation  134  ( FIG. 13B ) of the head, and distance d is measured perpendicularly from the longitudinal axis  131  to the center of the hole. The shaft  42  is slip fit into the hole to allow oscillation of the rotatable head  20  relative to shaft  42 . As drive shaft  42  translates backward and forward, the rotatable head  20  oscillates about axis  134  at a desired frequency (e.g., from about 35 Hz to about 140 Hz, such as from about 50 Hz to about 80 Hz.).  
         [0084]     Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , head  20  includes a base  136  that includes the opening  124  (see  FIG. 12 ) through which the valve  122  extends outwardly beyond the base. Although any suitable valve can be employed, such as a duckbill valve or other types of check valves, the duckbill valve is preferred for ease of use and for reducing the introduction of outside fluids and particles into the fluid passageway (e.g., during use and storage). In some embodiments, the distal end of the tube  82  forms the fluid outlet without use of a valve attached thereto. In some embodiments, opening  124  forms a portion of the fluid passageway.  
         [0085]     Extending from the base  136  is a plurality of bristle tufts  138 . Although each tuft  138  is shown as a solid mass in the drawings, the tufts are actually each made up of a great mass of individual plastic bristles. The bristles may be made of any desired polymer, e.g., nylon 6.12 or 6.10, and may have any desired diameter, e.g., 4-8 mil. The tufts  138  are supported by the base  136 , and may be held in place by any desired tufting technique as is well known in the art, e.g., hot tufting or a stapling process. The tufts  138  may also be mounted to move on the base  136 , as is well known in the toothbrush art. For a more detailed discussion of brush heads, Applicants refer to pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/666,497, filed Sep. 9, 2003, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.  
         [0086]     Generally, tufts  138  and fluid outlet  140  (along with opening  124 ) may be positioned where desired. Referring to  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15 , tufts  138  are positioned about centrally located valve  122 . Referring particularly to  FIG. 14 , a contoured ellipse head design is illustrated where base  136  is in the form of an ellipse. The valve  122  is shown positioned at about the center of the elliptical base  136  (i.e., at the intersection of the major and minor axes of the ellipse) with the tufts  138  arranged about the fluid outlet  140  in an elliptical arrangement.  FIG. 15  shows a more circular head design with valve  122  positioned at the center of the base  136  and the tufts  138  positioned about the fluid outlet  140  in a circular arrangement.  
         [0087]     It is not required, however, that the valve  122  and associated fluid outlet  140  be positioned centrally within the rotatable head  20  or that the fluid outlet be aligned with the axis of rotation  134  of the rotatable head  20 . For example, referring to  FIGS. 16A and 16B , a movable head  142  includes an offset valve design. In this embodiment, a valve  122  and associated fluid passageway  40  extends through a rotatable head  142  spaced from an axis of rotation  134 . As above, a drive shaft  42  is connected to the rotatable head  142  offset from a longitudinal axis  131 . As another example, referring to  FIGS. 17A and 17B , a head  146  includes a movable portion  148  and a stationary portion  150  with a valve  122  and associated fluid passageway  40  positioned in the stationary portion  150 . As an alternative, the valve  122  can be positioned within the movable portion  148 , as described above, rather than in the stationary portion  150 . The movable portion  148  can be formed by a rotatable head that is connected to a drive shaft, as described above. In some embodiments, the drive shaft  42  includes a fluid path that forms a portion of fluid passageway  40  by fluidly connecting the drive shaft  42  to tube  60 . An end (not shown) of the drive shaft  42  that is connected to the head can provide a fluid outlet, or a valve or other structure can be attached to the end of the drive shaft.  
       Valves and Seals  
       [0088]     Referring now to  FIGS. 18A-19B  and  20 A- 20 D, as noted above, housing  16  is separable into three components  152 ,  154  and  156 . Component  152  (i.e. a removable head assembly;  FIGS. 18A and 18B ) includes movable head  20  and neck  26  along with drive shaft  42  and tube  82 . Component  154  (i.e. a removable, refillable cartridge assembly;  FIGS. 19A and 19B ) includes tube  60 , compressible region  58  ( FIG. 19B ) and inlet  28 . Motors  34  and  36  are housed by component  156 , along with pumping assembly  38  and rechargeable battery  44  (see  FIG. 3B ).  
         [0089]     Because each of components  152  and  154  contain a portion of fluid passageway  40 , in order to reduce or, in some cases, to prevent fluid leakage when components  152  and  154  are separated, each of the components  152  and  154  includes a valve  160  and  162 , respectively, having a “normally closed” construction. The valves are disposed at an end of the associated conduit, e.g., to close substantially the entire fluid passageway associated with each component when the components are disengaged.  
         [0090]     Referring to  FIGS. 18A and 18C , the neck valve  160  is capable of mating with the cartridge valve  162  (see  FIGS. 19A and 19C ). Referring to both  FIGS. 18C and 19C , neck valve  160  and cartridge valve  162  include inner surfaces  164  and  166 , respectively, that each form a portion of fluid passageway  40 . Near openings  126  and  128 , inner surfaces  164  and  166  neck-down, reducing the inner diameter of the fluid passageway, to form seating surfaces  172  and  174 . Biased against seating surfaces  172  and  174  are poppets  176  and  178 . Poppets  176 ,  178  have outer surfaces  180 ,  182  that are contoured to complement the contour of the respective seating surfaces  172  and  174 . The poppets are biased against the seating surfaces  172 ,  174  by helical springs  184 ,  186  (e.g., between about 0.250 and 0.375 inch long with an overall outer diameter of between about 0.120 and 0.240 inch; formed from, e.g., stainless steel wire between about 0.014 and 0.018 inch in diameter) to close the fluid passageway  40  when components  152  and  154  are separated (e.g., forming a fluid-tight and/or air-tight seal). The valves can be constructed to remain closed and seal the passageway even if an amount of positive pressure is applied within the passageway (e.g., the pumping mechanism is activated). As positive pressure is applied to the respective poppet from within the passageway, an increased amount of biasing force is transmitted and the poppet applies more force against the seating surface maintaining the seal.  
         [0091]     Referring to  FIGS. 19B and 19D , the cartridge component  154  includes a second valve  200  that is capable of mating with docking station valve  322  at outlet  280  ( FIGS. 21 and 23 A). Valve  200  includes the features described above with regard to valve  162 , and valve  322  includes the features described above with regard to valve  160 . Valve  200  controls fluid flow through the inlet  28  positioned near the base surface  30  (see  FIG. 2B ), while valve  322  controls fluid flow through the docking station outlet  280 . To illustrate operation of the valves, referring to  FIG. 21 , each of the poppets  176  and  178  include an extended portion  188 . The extended portions  188  project beyond the seating surfaces  172 ,  174  when the valves are separated. When the valves  200  and  322  are mated, the extended portions  188  of the poppets  176 ,  178  contact each other. In some embodiments, only one or neither of poppets  176 ,  178  has an extended portion  188  that extends beyond the respective seating surface. As the valves  200  and  322  approach one another, the poppets  176 ,  178  deflect away from the seating surfaces, thus opening the fluid passageway  40  and allowing the flow of fluid therethrough. When mated, the valves are also constructed to remain open during use as pressure is applied to the poppets, e.g., by fluid flowing within the passageway. This can be accomplished by restricting motion of the respective poppets when the valves are open.  
         [0092]     To seal the fluid passageway  40  from the surroundings when the valves are mated, cartridge valves  162  and/or  200  can include a sealing ring  201  (e.g., an O-ring) positioned within a recess  192  extending inwardly from an outer surface  194  of the cartridge valve. In some embodiments, the sealing ring provides a fluid-tight seal, but not an airtight seal. In some cases, the sealing ring provides both a fluid-tight and an airtight seal. The sealing ring can be sized to contact an inner surface  190  of the valves  160  and/or  322 .  
         [0093]     Referring to  FIG. 18C , the neck valve  160  incorporates a portion  165  of the neck  26  as part of the valve assembly. The neck valve assembly  160  is directly connected to the proximal open end of tube  82 , allowing fluid passage directly from the valve into tube  82 . Referring to  FIG. 19C , the cartridge valve  162  is connected to tube  60  by means of a barbed fitting  203  at the rear of the assembly. Other methods of attachment, such as clamps, wire or plastic tie wraps and/or adhesives are also possible.  
         [0094]     In some embodiments, an alternative valve assembly is used that closes the fluid passageway  40  in only one component, when the components are separated. Referring to  FIGS. 22A-22C , a one-sided valve assembly  250  includes a valve  252  and an open fitment  254  (see  FIG. 22C ). The valve  252  includes an inner surface  256  that is necked-down to form a seating surface  258  and a poppet  260  with an extended portion  262  that is biased toward the seating surface  258 . The fitment  254  includes an inner surface  266  forming a passageway for fluid flow and a wall  268  that spans the passageway of the fitment. The wall  268  includes four channels  270  that are in fluid communication with the passageway. The channels  270  provide a conduit through which fluid can flow from the fitment  254  to the valve  252  (or vice versa) when the valve  252  is mated with the fitment  254 .  
         [0095]     As valve  252  is mated with fitment  254 , turning to  FIG. 22B , the extended portion  262  is brought into contact with wall  268 . As a surface  272  of the valve  252  approaches wall  268 , poppet  260  is deflected away from seating surface  258 , opening the valve  252 . The channels  270  are positioned such that poppet  260  does not block the channels  270  so that fluid can pass therethrough. In some embodiments, the fitment  254  replaces the neck valve  160  (e.g., to allow for rinsing of the passageway  40  within neck component  152 ).  
         [0096]     Generally, the materials for forming the fitment and valves, including the poppets and springs, can be selected as desired. Suitable materials for forming the valves include polyethylene (e.g., HDPE), polypropylene, acrylonitrile-based co-polymer (e.g., BAREX® available from BP p.1.c), acetal (POM), or corrosion resistant metals, such as stainless steel. Suitable materials for forming the poppets include elastomers such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), nitrile rubber (NBR), fluorocarbons (e.g., VITON® fluorocarbons, available from DuPont Dow Elastomers L.L.C.), combinations of these materials and any of these materials used in combination with a harder material such as stainless steel. The valves can be formed by any suitable method including molding (e.g., injection molding) and/or machining, with common joining processes such as ultrasonic or laser welding, adhesives and the like.  
         [0097]     Components  152  and  154  are designed to be replaceable. By “replaceable”, we mean that components  152  and  154  are interchangeable by the consumer with other like components to form an assembled oral care device, and that replacement can normally be effected by the consumer without damage to the oral care device. As can be appreciated from the above description, because the entirety of fluid passageway  40  is carried by components  152  and  154 , the entirety of fluid passageway  40  is also replaceable. In other words, any part of oral care device  12  that touches fluid is replaceable. This facilitates use of different types of fluids with the oral care device without undesired mixing of the fluids and repair of the oral care device (e.g., due to fluid passageway rupture, valve malfunction, and the like). This also helps to maintain the oral care device in a sanitary condition during extended use.  
         [0098]     To assemble the oral care device  12 , components  152  (head assembly) and  154  (cartridge) both attach to component  156  by independent mechanical snap latching mechanisms  137  ( FIGS. 2A and 2B ). Referring to  FIGS. 18A and 20A , component  152  is attached to component  156  by inserting a top end  133  of the component  156  into a receiving end  135  of component  156 . In doing so, a mechanical connection is formed by snap latch members  139  ( FIG. 18B ) and  141  ( FIG. 20A ), the drive shafts  42  and  100  are connected and, if component  154  is connected to component  156 , a fluid connection is made through the valves  160  and  162 . Component  154  is attached to component  156  by a similar snap latch connection (see also  FIG. 19A ). To detach components  152  and  154  from component  156 , a user can squeeze the snap latches  137  toward each other to disengage the mechanical connection. This is accomplished by pinching buttons  143  located at the handle  24  to detach component  154  from component  156  and by pinching buttons  143  located at the neck  26  to detach components  152  and  156 . Other connections are contemplated, such as an independent screw or bayonet-style collar that can move independently of the orientation of the components being attached. Because both a drive shaft and fluid line connection must be made, a linear connection (e.g., as opposed to a rotational) is preferred to align the two connections. Other general attachment arrangements can be made, such as attaching component  152  to component  154 , and subsequently, attaching component  154  to component  156 .  
       Oral Care Device Controls  
       [0099]     Referring back to  FIG. 3A , the oral care device  12  includes a control circuit or controller  400  that is electrically connected to the motors  34 ,  36  and that generally governs operation of the motors. A user interface  402  provides external interaction with controller  400 . The user interface  402  includes on and off buttons  404  and  406  and a fluid level switch  408 , all of which are accessible from exterior of the housing  16  (see  FIG. 2A ).  
         [0100]     While the controller can be programmed as desired, as one example, the controller is designed such that depressing button  404  initiates both motors  34  and  36  and depressing button  406  initiates only one of the motors  34 ,  36 , such as motor  36 . By depressing button  404  both head movement and fluid flow can be initiated. By depressing button  406 , only one of fluid flow and head movement can be initiated. Depressing button  404  or  406  can also halt the associated motor(s) subsequent to initiation. In cases where button  406  initiates and halts only motor  36 , a user can, for example, brush without additional fluid delivery and can rinse the oral care device  12  while the head rotates. The fluid level switch  408  allows a user to choose between preselected rates of fluid delivery, such as high (e.g., about 1.1 g/minute), medium (e.g., about 1 g/minute) and low (e.g., about 0.9 g/minute) rates. Three LED&#39;s  410  can selectively illuminate to indicate a selected fluid delivery level. As an alternative or in addition, an LCD display can be included to convey a fluid delivery level and/or can be used to display other information such as level of fluid in the oral care device  12  and/or status of battery charge.  
         [0101]     As mentioned above, the controller  400  can be programmed as desired. Preferably, the controller  400  is programmed to adjust a paste delivery level subsequent to initiation of the motor  34 . In some embodiments, the controller is programmed such that a relatively large bolus of fluid is delivered soon after motor  34  is initiated, e.g., to have enough paste to begin brushing, and then the level of paste delivery is decreased, e.g., to a lower delivery level throughout the remaining portion of the brushing cycle. The level of paste delivery may be decreased, for example, by intermittent bursts of fluid and/or by slower rates of fluid delivery. As an example, the controller may be programmed to provide three delivery settings, low, medium and high. In one embodiment, at the low delivery setting, the controller is programmed to deliver a bolus by activating the motor  34  for about seven seconds. After about seven seconds, the controller intermittently activates the motor  34  for about 0.75 seconds and deactivates motor  34  for about 2.4 seconds (i.e., cycles the motor on and off at these intervals). In the same embodiment, at the medium delivery setting, the controller is programmed to deliver a bolus by activating the motor  34  for about seven seconds, and then to cycle the motor on for about 0.75 seconds and off for about 1.63 seconds. At the high delivery setting, the controller is programmed to deliver a bolus by activating the motor  34  for about seven seconds and then to cycle the motor on for about 0.75 seconds and off for about 1.2 seconds. Depending on the desired programming of the controller  400 , more or fewer user interface controls can be used to initiate various functions.  
       Docking Station  
       [0102]     When not in use, oral care device  12  can be coupled with docking station  14 . Docking station  14  can be connected to an electrical outlet (not shown) or other suitable power supply.  
         [0103]     Referring to  FIGS. 23A and 23B , docking station  14  is formed to hold oral care device  12  within the receiving portion  273  in an upright position. The receiving portion  273  is formed between a vertical recess  295  formed in housing  291  and housing extension  297  extending from base  293 . The recess  295  is contoured to receive a portion of oral care device  12 . The docking station  14  includes a reactive device, e.g., a sensor (not shown) that detects an input upon receipt of the oral care device by the docking station and, in response to this input, sends a signal to a controller, the details of which will be described in greater detail below.  
         [0104]     Referring now to  FIG. 23B , the docking station  14  includes a fluid reservoir  274  (see  FIGS. 24 and 25 ) that is coupled with a tube  276  that forms a portion of a fluid passageway  278  extending from the fluid reservoir  274  to outlet  280 . In some embodiments, as shown by  FIG. 24 , the fluid reservoir  274  is formed as an integral part of a separable, replaceable portion  301  of the docking station  14 . In other embodiments, illustrated by  FIG. 25 , a replaceable pouch  303  forms the fluid reservoir. In this case, the upper portion  301  of the docking station is removable, to allow the consumer to easily remove pouch  303  when its contents are exhausted, or when the user wishes to use a different product, and insert a replacement pouch.  
         [0105]     Referring to  FIG. 23B , to move fluid along the fluid passageway, the docking station includes a reversible pump assembly  282 . As can be seen more clearly in  FIGS. 26A and 26B , the pump assembly  282  is similar to the pump assembly depicted by  FIGS. 4A and 4B  in that it includes a motor  284 , a screw  286  having an advancing spiral of enlarged dimension (see  FIG. 26A ), and an array of interconnected fingers  290  positioned to sequentially compress a compressible region  277  of the tube  276 . In some embodiments, the motor  284 , screw  286  including spiral and fingers  290  are of a construction substantially identical to the constructions described above. Other pump assemblies are also contemplated for moving fluid, particulate and/or powder along the passageway, such as a diaphragm pump, piston pump, compressed gas, gear pump, etc.  
         [0106]     The motor  284  is mounted, using a bracket  294 , on a support plate  296  that is secured to a floor  298  (see  FIG. 23B ) of the base station  14 . The fingers  290  are secured along their base (see, for example, element  53  of  FIG. 5A ) to a plate  305  that is secured to a support member  300 , which is mounted to side surfaces of pair of guide plates  306  and  308  ( FIG. 26B ). Mounted in this manner, the fingers  290  form a series of cantilevered projections positioned adjacent the tube  276 . The guide plates  306 ,  308  are each mounted at their lower surfaces to the support plate  296 . Guide plate  308  includes an aperture  309  sized to receive a coupling member  311  that connects the output from the gearbox to the screw  286  and guide plate  306  includes an aperture  309  that receives the screw  286 .  
         [0107]     Referring again to  FIGS. 26A and 26B , a positioning plate  310  is provided to position the fluid-carrying tube  276  so that the compressible region  292  is adjacent the fingers  290 . The positioning plate  310  is mounted to an upper surface of the plates  306 ,  308 , and includes openings, defined by the lower surface of the positioning plate  310  and recesses  312  and  314  in the upper surfaces of each of the guide plates  306 ,  308 , through which the tube  276  passes. Because the tube  276  is positioned and held in place by these openings, when the fingers  290  are displaced they compress the tube  276  in the compressible region  292  progressively along its length in a series of multiple compression events to force fluid along the fluid path.  
         [0108]     Generally, motor  284  can be selected as desired. A suitable motor is a FF130SH, available from Mabuchi. The screw  286 , the fingers  290  and the displacement sequence can be identical to those described above with reference to  FIGS. 7A-7E .  
         [0109]     Downstream of the pump assembly  282 , tube  276  is connected to a drive assembly  316  ( FIG. 27A ) that is used to extend and retract valve  322  to engage and disengage, respectively, valve  200  of the oral care device  12 . Although valve  322  is depicted, any suitable coupling can be used that is constructed to couple with the oral care device and provide communication between the fluid reservoir  274  and the oral care device. The drive assembly  316  includes a motor  318  capable of moving a sled  320  that is connected to the valve  322 , which is fluidly connected (e.g., using a barbed fitting) to the tube  276 . Referring now to  FIGS. 27A and 27B , the valve  322  is slidably positioned within a fixed bushing  324 . To move the sled  320  and associated valve  322 , the motor  318  and an associated gear box  328  are connected to a lead screw  330 , using a coupling which is threadably connected to the sled  320 . As the motor  318  rotates the lead screw  330 , the sled  320  is pulled or pushed toward or away from the motor  318 , depending on the direction of rotation of the lead screw  330 . The lead screw  330  is connected to a pair of bearings  334 , which aid in positioning the lead screw  330 . As noted above, valve  322  is positioned at outlet  280  to control the flow of fluid from the outlet  280 , and is matable with valve  200  that controls fluid flow into the inlet  28  of the oral care device  12 . As an alternative, in some embodiments, the valve can be mechanically actuated using other drive mechanisms, for example, a spring mechanism (e.g., by spring-loading the valve and releasing the valve using a button) and/or a lever that can cause the valve to extend and/or retract.  
         [0110]     Referring back to  FIG. 23B , a pair of leads  336 ,  338  are exposed within the receiving portion  273  of the docking station  14 . Leads  336 ,  338 , are positioned to contact a pair of contacts  340 ,  342  ( FIG. 2A ) on the oral care device  12  when the oral care device  12  is placed within the receiving portion  173 . This contact will electrically couple the oral care device  12  and the docking station  14 , so that the power source to which the docking station is connected can recharge the rechargeable batteries within the oral care device. Contacts  340 ,  342  are electrically connected with the rechargeable batteries, allowing power to flow from the docking station to the batteries.  
         [0111]     With reference to  FIG. 28 , by placing the oral care device  12  within receiving portion  273  such that contacts  340 ,  342  mate with leads  336 ,  338  a charging circuit is closed, which is recognized by the controller. When the charging circuit is closed, the rechargeable batteries  44  begin to charge. The charging circuit can include an inductive component for charging the batteries  44  inductively. In some embodiments, the oral care device is electrically connected to the docking station mechanically or by using a signal from a magnetic field, electrical field or radio frequency identification (RFID), as examples. As the charging process begins, the motor  318  of the drive assembly  316  is activated and the valve  322  projects forward to mate with the valve  200  ( FIG. 2B ) in the handle  24 . A limit switch (not shown) determines the end of travel of the valve  322 . Once the limit switch is actuated, the valve  322  can be projected forward by the drive assembly  316  for an additional selected period of time (e.g., about two seconds), which can ensure that valves  200  and  322  are seated. During the selected period of time, the valve  322  may or may not travel forward. The selected period of time for travel is primarily used to help ensure that that the valves  322  and  200  are mated.  
         [0112]     Upon activation of the limit switch and expiration of the selected period of time, the controller is programmed to determine if a pressure switch (not shown) has been actuated. The pressure switch is plumbed into the passageway  278  (or, in some embodiments, into passageway  40  of oral care device  12 ) and will actuate when pressure in the passageway exceeds a preselected threshold, e.g., eight psi (preferably between six and ten psi). If this threshold is exceeded, this indicates that the fluid passageway  40  in the oral care device is full. Once the valves are mated, if the fluid path in the oral care device is not already full (i.e., if the pressure switch is not activated) then the pumping assembly  282  is activated and pumps fluid from the reservoir  274  in the docking station to the fluid passageway  40  within component  154  of the oral care device  12 , refilling the supply of fluid within the fluid path of the oral care device  12 .  
         [0113]     If, however, the controller detects that the pressure switch is actuated prior to activating the pumping assembly  282  (i.e., if the fluid passageway of the oral care device is already full when the oral care device is placed on the docking station), the motor  284  is not activated and the valve  322  is retracted until a rear limit switch (not shown) is actuated.  
         [0114]     During a refill operation, when pressure in the passageway reaches the threshold the pressure switch is actuated and the controller signals the motor  284  to deactivate to discontinue pumping of fluid and signals the drive assembly  316  to retract the valve  322  to its starting, closed position. As an alternative, in some embodiments, upon actuation of the pressure switch, the controller opens a bypass valve that directs fluid back to the fluid reservoir. A similar operation can also be accomplished, for example, by use of a pressure relief valve, which does not require a pressure switch. The rear limit switch actuates when the valve  322  is retracted to its starting position.  
         [0115]     As explained above, the fluid passageway  40  is filled until pressure within the passageway reaches the preselected threshold, indicating that the component  154  has reached a predetermined capacity. As an over-spill prevention measure, the controller can deactivate motor  284  after a selected time period (e.g., one minute, preferably between 30 seconds and 2 minutes) has lapsed, regardless of whether the pressure switch has actuated. This can prevent the docking station  14  from emptying the fluid reservoir  274  (e.g., in the event of a valve mating problem or a broken component  154 ). When the valves  322  and  200  are mated ( FIG. 19 ), the oral care device  12  cannot be removed from receiving portion  273 . The mated valves lock the oral care device  12  to the docking station  14 , e.g., to maintain a fluid connection between the oral care device  12  and the docking station  14 .  
         [0116]     In some embodiments, only one motor housed within the docking station  14  is used to drive the valve  322  and to pump fluid along the fluid passageway  278 . In these cases, a clutch can be used to selectively engage the motor with the drive assembly and the pump assembly. In some cases, the pump assembly  38  within the oral care device  12  is used to pull fluid from the fluid reservoir of the docking station to refill the passageway  60  within the cartridge component  154 . This can render unnecessary the pumping assembly  282  within the docking station  14 .  
         [0117]     Referring now to  FIG. 29 , an alternative oral care device  400  is shown that includes a separable bi-component housing  402  with a separable and replaceable cartridge  404 . Similar to the oral care device  12  described above, oral care device  400  is a power toothbrush having a motorized head and is designed to discharge a fluid, such as a dentifrice or mouthwash or a combination of various fluids, during the brushing cycle. As will be discussed in detail below, the oral care device  400  includes a body component  418  and the separable cartridge component  404  that includes both a fluid reservoir (that can be refillable and/or disposable) and batteries (that can be rechargeable or disposable) or other power source. The body and cartridge components are secured together by snap latch  419 . In some embodiments, the entire cartridge component  404  is disposable.  
         [0118]     As assembled, the oral care device  400  includes a distal portion  406  at which a movable head  408  and neck  410  is located and a proximal portion  412  at which a handle  414  is located. The head  408  is sized to fit within a user&#39;s mouth for brushing, while the handle  414  is graspable by a user and facilitates manipulation of the head  408  during use. The oral care device  400  includes a user interface  416  in the form of an on/off button.  
         [0119]     As noted above, the cartridge component  404  is separable from the body component  418  (see  FIG. 31A ). As shown in  FIGS. 30A and 30B , the cartridge component  404  is a removable, replaceable cartridge capable of carrying a fluid (e.g., dentifrice, mouthwash, water) within a fluid reservoir  405  (e.g., a rigid container or a flexible pouch). The body component  418  also includes a power source  420  (see  FIG. 30B ). By providing the cartridge component  404  with a power source (e.g., one or more batteries) and a fluid reservoir, the need for a docking station capable of both refilling and recharging the cartridge component, can be eliminated. In some embodiments, a refilling station, a recharging station and/or a combination of a refilling and recharging station is provided for refilling the cartridge component  404  and/or recharging the power source  420 . In other embodiments, a simple docking station that neither refills nor recharges may be provided as a holder for the oral care device.  
         [0120]     Referring now to  FIGS. 31A and 31B , the body component  418  includes the movable head  408 , and, housed internally within the body component  418 , a pair of motors  34  and  36 . Motor  34  drives a pumping assembly  438  that is used to transfer a fluid along a fluid passageway  40  toward the head  408  of the oral care device  400 . In some embodiments, motor  34  is reversible and can move fluid in an opposite direction, toward the proximal portion of the oral care device  400  (e.g., to reduce or, in some cases, even eliminate any leaking of fluid from the head that may occur due to pressure build-up within the passageway). Motor  36  drives a drive shaft  442 , which in turn moves (e.g., rotates) the head  408 . When the cartridge component  404  is connected to the body component  418  (as shown in  FIG. 29 ), the power source  420  is electrically coupled to the motors  34 ,  36  for providing power thereto.  
         [0121]     The head drive assembly is similar to the head drive assembly of the oral care device  12 , discussed above, in that the drive shaft  42  is connected to the rotatable head  408  using an offset design that facilitates placement of a fluid outlet at the head  408  and a tube  422  forming the fluid passageway  40  within the neck  410  of the housing  402 . The drive shaft  42  is moved by use of a cam and follower system that translates rotational output of the motor  36  into linear motion used to drive the drive shaft  42  backward and forward. In some embodiments, the head drive assembly is substantially identical to that shown by  FIGS. 10A-13  (and may include any alternatives) as those described above.  
         [0122]     As can be seen by  FIG. 31B , the pumping assembly  438  is similar to the pump assembly  38  depicted by  FIGS. 4A and 4B  in that it includes the motor  34 , a screw  48  having an advancing spiral  50  of enlarged dimension, an array of interconnected fingers  56  and a tube  422  having a compressible region  58  that forms at least a portion of fluid passageway  40 . In some embodiments, the motor  34 , screw  48  including spiral  50 , tube  422  and fingers  56  are of substantially identical construction to the constructions described above, and may include any of the alternatives discussed above.  
         [0123]     Each of the housing components  404  and  418  contains a portion of fluid passageway  40 . In order to reduce or, in some cases, to even prevent fluid leakage from the fluid passageway  40  when components  404  and  408  are separated, valves  160  and  162  having a “normally closed” configuration are provided at the proximal end of the body component  418  and at the distal end of the cartridge component  404 , respectively. (Suitable valves having a “normally closed” configuration are shown, for example, in  FIGS. 18C and 19C  and discussed above. Other types of valves may be used, such as that described with reference to  FIGS. 40A and 40B  below.) As discussed above with respect to the valves shown in  FIGS. 18C-19C , valves  160  and  162  close passageway  40  when the body component  418  and the cartridge component  404  are separated, and allow fluid flow through passageway  40  when the components are joined.  
       Other Embodiments  
       [0124]     Referring now to  FIGS. 32, 33  and  34 , three alternative compression element arrays are shown that include compression elements having multiple bends  508 , e.g., to facilitate placement of the compression element arrays within the oral care device. The curvature can be 180 degrees, as shown, but other configurations may be used, such as a 90 degree curvature. Referring to  FIG. 32 , compression element array  500  includes multiple, interconnected compression elements  502 . Each of the compression elements  502  is supported at both ends by bases  504 , each of the bases  504  also interconnecting the elements  502  of the array. The compression elements  502  are formed to buckle upon application of a force, such as that applied by screw  48 . As the elements  502  buckle, an associated compression surface  506  is displaced, which, in turn, can displace, for example, an adjacent compressible tube. Referring to  FIG. 33 , another compression array  510  includes multiple, interconnected compression elements  512  that are supported at only one end by a base  504 .  
         [0125]     Referring now to  FIG. 34 , compression array  600  is capable of compressing a pair of compressible fluid conduits  602  and  604  to pump fluid along a pair of associated fluid passageways  606  and  608  (shown by dashed lines). The compression elements  610  extend from a common base  612  that also interconnects each compression element  610  of the two arrays. An advantage of the embodiment shown is that a single shaft with spiral can be utilized to displace both arrays of compression elements by placing the shaft with spiral (not shown) between the two arrays of compression elements  610 . In some embodiments, multiple, separate arrays of compression elements can be used, such as that shown by  FIG. 5B , along with multiple shafts with spirals, such as that shown by  FIG. 6A , to pump fluid along multiple, respective passageways.  
         [0126]     An alternative screw embodiment  700  is shown by  FIGS. 35A and 35B  where spiral  702  is formed of multiple, discontinuous projections  704 . The projections  704  are arranged and formed to displace an array of compression elements, e.g., as described above with reference to  FIGS. 7A-7E .  
         [0127]     As indicated above, the oral care device can include more than one fluid passageway. Referring to  FIGS. 36A and 36B , the oral care device includes a pair of tubes  514  and  516  to direct two fluid streams (e.g., of the same or of differing fluids) within the oral care device. As shown, each of the tubes  514  and  516  is connected to the head at a location offset from a longitudinal axis  531  perpendicular to an axis of rotation  518  of the movable head  408 . In some embodiments, one of the tubes  514 ,  516  may be connected to the head at the axis of rotation  518  and the other connected at a location offset from the axis of rotation  518 . Referring to  FIG. 37 , a variation is shown where tubes  550  and  552  are fluidly connected to each other downstream of the pumping assembly and upstream of a fluid outlet at the head. This embodiment may be advantageous where it is desirable to mix fluids within the passageways at a time just prior to delivery to a brushing surface.  
         [0128]     Referring to  FIGS. 38 and 39 , the head may include a prophy cup  620 ,  622  (or other guiding member, such as a pick). As shown by  FIGS. 38 and 39 , the prophy cups  620  and  622  extend from base  624  and around nozzle  626 . In  FIG. 39 , the prophy cup  622  is castellated and includes openings  628  positioned along a ridge  630  of the prophy cup, which can aid in cleaning.  
         [0129]      FIGS. 40A and 40B  illustrate an alternative valve assembly  800  embodiment, e.g., to replace valves  160  and  162  which can provide communication between the head component  152  and the cartridge component  154  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 18B and 19B ) and/or to replace the valves  200  and  322  which can provide communication between the cartridge component  154  and the docking station  14  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 21 ). Valve assembly  800  includes a fitment  802  having a passageway  804  extending therethrough. Positioned within the passageway  804  is a spring-biased ball  806  that is biased by a spring  808  toward a sealing ring  810  extending into and coaxial with the passageway  804 . Referring to  FIG. 40A , valve assembly  800  is shown in a closed position with the ball  806  biased against the sealing ring  810  sealing the passageway  804 . Referring now to  FIG. 40B , valve assembly  800  is shown in the open position with the ball  806  forced apart from the sealing ring  810  by a conduit  812  that is received by the fitment  802 . The conduit  812  includes multiple ports  814  extending through a sidewall  816  of the conduit  812 . The ports  814  allow fluid to pass therethrough and into the passageway  804  when an end  818  the conduit  812  abuts ball  806 . In the open position, fluid, particulate or any other suitable material can flow past the ball  806  during use toward and/or, in some embodiments, away from, e.g., the head  20  of oral care device  10 .  
         [0130]     Referring now to  FIGS. 41 and 42 , fluid reservoirs suitable for use with certain oral care device embodiments, e.g., oral care devices including one or more features described above, are in the form of refillable pouches  850  and  900 , respectively. As shown, pouches  850  and  900  are refillable. In some cases, the pouches are replaceable and can be disposable, e.g., when the pouch is emptied. Pouch  850  and  900  includes a pair of sidewalls  852 ,  854  that are joined along opposite longitudinal side edges  856 ,  858  by respective seams  860  and  862 . In some embodiments, the side edges can be joined along one longitudinal side edge by a seam and along an opposite longitudinal side edge by a fold. The sidewalls  852 ,  854  are also joined along a top edge  864  and a bottom edge  866  by seams  868 ,  870 . The sidewalls  852 ,  854  form a pouch body  872  having a volume formed between the sidewalls.  
         [0131]     Extending into the pouch body  872  and having an end  882  ( FIG. 43 ) disposed between the sidewalls  852 ,  854  at the top edge  864  is a fitment  874 . Fitment  874  provides communication between the pouch body  872  and the fluid conduit extending through the oral care device. In some embodiments, referring to  FIG. 44 , the fitment  880  extends through an opening formed in sidewall  852 . Referring again to  FIGS. 41 and 42 , connected to the fitment  874  is valve  200  having a normally closed construction, as described above.  
         [0132]     Referring now to  FIG. 43 , the end  882  of the fitment  874  has a width W that is greater than a height H of the fitment, W and H being measured along perpendicular major and minor axes  884 ,  886  (each axis shown in phantom), respectively (i.e., a height to width aspect ratio of the fitment  874  is less than one, preferably at most about 0.65, such as about 0.55).  
         [0133]     The pouch including fitment is constructed such that the volume of the pouch body increases from an original, unfilled volume as the pouch is filled with content, the volume decreasing as the pouch is emptied. When the pouch is substantially emptied, such as at least about 95 percent empty, the volume of the pouch is substantially equivalent to the original, unfilled volume (e.g., the volume is within at least about 40 percent of the original, unfilled volume, preferably at least about 20 percent of the original unfilled volume, such as at least about 10 percent of the original unfilled volume), with shoulders  888  and  890  of the pouch collapsed substantially flat. This construction can allow the pouch to be emptied without significant material fatigue, e.g., allowing the pouch to be refilled and reused, and can facilitate use of stiffer materials for forming the sidewalls.  
         [0134]     Pouches  850  and  900  can have a laminate structure that includes inner and outer layers that form the sidewalls  852 ,  854 , or the sidewalls can be of unitary structure having only a single layer. In embodiments having multiple layers forming the sidewalls, the layers can be of differing materials, or each of the layers can be of the same material. To form the pouches  850  and  900 , the pouch body can be formed of a single sheet of plastic film (or multiple sheets e.g., two sheets) of plastic film that is folded in half and sealed on the folded edge and the two open edges. The fitment is then inserted into the open edge and the edge is sealed with the fitment disposed between the two sidewalls. In some embodiments, as noted above, the folded edge may not be sealed. In some embodiments, the pouch body is rounded on one end and a continuous rounded seam seals the rounded end of the pouch body (not shown).  
         [0135]     Suitable materials for forming the pouch body include acrylonitrile co-monomer, acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer (e.g., BAREX® resin), polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, fluoropolymers, e.g., PCTFE or CTFE, polyethylene terephthalate or a combination thereof. The fitment can also be formed of any suitable material, such as acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer (e.g., BAREX® resin). The sidewalls (or at least a layer of the sidewalls) may comprise a laminate structure including an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer comprising a material having a flexural modulus of at most about 500,000 psi. In some embodiments, the sidewall (or at least a layer of the sidewall) is between about 25 and 100 microns thick.  
         [0136]     A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.