Abstract:
An oral care implement having a handle and a head. The head may include a support structure formed of a rigid material and a monolithic cleaning block formed of a thermoplastic elastomer. The support structure may have a front surface and a recess formed therein, the recess extending partially through the support structure and terminating in a floor. The monolithic cleaning block may include an anchor portion disposed within the recess of the support structure, a base portion having a bottom surface overlying at least a portion of the front surface of the support structure, and a plurality of cleaning elements extending from a top surface of the base portion.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/320,504, filed Jun. 30, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/887,452, filed May 6, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,764,332, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/334,562, filed Dec. 15, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,449,211, which is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/314,716, filed Dec. 21, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,478,959, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/843,135, filed May 11, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,731, which is a continuation-in-part of International application PCT/US03/27455, filed Sep. 4, 2003, which claims priority to U.S. Application 60/408,321, filed Sep. 5, 2002. U.S. application Ser. No. 11/314,716, filed Dec. 21, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,478,959, is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 29/231,483, filed Jun. 6, 2005, now U.S. Design Pat. No. D532,607, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/213,754, filed Sep. 23, 2004, now U.S. Design Pat. No. D532,202, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/843,135, filed May 11, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,731, which is a continuation in part of International application PCT/US03/27455, filed Sep. 4, 2003, which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application 60/408,321, filed Sep. 5, 2002. U.S. application Ser. No. 11/314,716, filed Dec. 21, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,478,959, is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 29/231,487, filed Jun. 6, 2005, now U.S. Design Pat. No. D528,803, Each of the above-referenced applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The advantages of good dental hygiene are well known. Often, however, toothbrushes are forgotten when one is traveling or away from home. Hotels, health care facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, daycare facilities, schools, airlines, etc. have a need for single use disposable or limited multiple use toothbrushes that may be economically supplied to and discarded by individuals. Such toothbrushes could be used in vending machines, or distributed in large quantities for simple, portable use from anywhere. Furthermore, there is a constant desire in the art to manufacture toothbrushes in a more cost-effective manner. Thus, a need exists for a toothbrush or other type of oral care implement that satisfies the above-noted deficiencies. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The present invention may be directed, in one embodiment, to an oral care implement comprising: a handle and a head, the head comprising: a support structure formed of a rigid material and having a front surface and a recess formed into the front surface, the recess extending partially through the support structure and terminating in a floor; and a monolithic cleaning block formed of a thermoplastic elastomer and comprising an anchor portion disposed within the recess, a base portion having a bottom surface overlying at least a portion of the front surface of the support structure and a top surface, and a plurality of cleaning elements extending from the top surface of the base portion. 
         [0004]    In another embodiment, the invention may be directed to an oral care implement comprising: a handle and a head, the head comprising: a support structure formed of a rigid material and having a front surface; and a monolithic cleaning block formed of a thermoplastic elastomer, the monolithic cleaning block comprising: a base portion having a bottom surface overlying at least a portion of the front surface of the support structure and a top surface; a first member extending from the top surface of the base portion and having a first shape; and a second member extending from the top surface of the base portion and having a second shape that is different than the first shape. 
         [0005]    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 or purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of an oral care toothbrush with a toothpick and a breath freshening, teeth cleaning gel capsule connected thereto in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the toothbrush shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view of the toothbrush shown in  FIGS. 1-2 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a fragmental, cross-sectional view of the head of an oral care toothbrush shown in accordance with this invention; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 5-6  are side elevational views of other forms of heads for an oral care toothbrush in accordance with this invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a fragmental side elevational view showing a head detachably mounted to the handle in accordance with a further practice of this invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a fragmental cross-sectional elevational view showing a vibrating toothbrush head in accordance with this invention; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 9-10  are fragmental front elevational views partly broken away of portions of a handle in accordance with yet another practice of this invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is a side elevational view partly in section of yet another toothbrush in accordance with this invention; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 12-13  are front elevational views showing various forms of toothbrushes in accordance with this invention in the packaged or display condition; 
           [0017]      FIG. 14  is a side view of a head of an embodiment of the invention with only portions of the cleaning elements shown in solid lines for purposes of focus and clarity; 
           [0018]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a toothbrush head of the invention; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 16  is a close up perspective front view of the head of  FIG. 15 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    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. 
         [0021]    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 derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are 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. 
         [0022]    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. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 1-4  illustrate one practice of the present invention wherein an oral care toothbrush  10  includes a head  12  and a handle  14 . Head  12  may be a refill head and thus be removably connected to handle  14 , or head  12  may be permanently connected to head  12  within the practice of the present invention. 
         [0024]    The majority of handle  14  and a portion of head  12  may be molded from a variety of rigid materials, including plastics, resins, etc., such as, for example, polypropylene. An end portion of handle  14 , opposite the end head  12  is attached to an accessory, preferably a toothpick  16  formed of a resilient and soft thermoplastic elastomer. Toothpick  16  may be a refill and thus be removably connected to handle  14 , or toothpick  16  may be permanently connected to handle  14  within the practice of the present invention. Toothpick  16  provides a mechanism for spot cleaning between teeth. Forming toothpick  16  of a soft elastomer provides more comfortable interproximal cleaning between teeth. Toothpick  16  could, however, be made of a stiff rigid material similar to the main portion of handle  14 , or could simply be a rubber or elastomeric pick adhered or otherwise mounted to the end of handle  14 . 
         [0025]    Portions  18  of handle  14  may also be formed of a resilient and soft thermoplastic elastomer. The thermoplastic elastomer which forms toothpick  16  and handle portions  18  may be a thermoplastic vulcanate (TPV) consisting of a mixture of polypropylene and EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomers) which is available as SANTOPRENE (brand), described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,796, or VYRAM (brand), another TPV consisting of a mixture of polypropylene and natural rubber. Both SANTOPRENE and VYRAM (brands) are elastomers marketed by Advanced Elastomer Systems. Other suitable elastomers include KRATON, a brand of styrene block copolymer (SBC) marketed by Shell, and DYNAFLEX G 2706 (brand), a thermoplastic elastomer marketed by GLS Corporation and which is made with KRATON (brand) polymer. 
         [0026]    Handle  14  may further include dimples, bumps, or ridges protruding from portions of its surface, and providing a decorative appearance to handle  14  and enhanced gripping of handle  14  during use of toothbrush  10 . The dimples may be formed from the same material as soft elastomer portions  18  of handle  14  or from the same material as the majority of handle  14  (e.g., a rigid material such as polypropylene). All or part of handle  14  could be made of any suitable material, such as plastic, wood, metal or various natural materials which are biodegradable. Preferably handle  14  is made of a generally flat or oval shape rather than cylindrical in its gripping portion which would be between the spaced elastomer portions  18 , 18  to facilitate the gripping of the handle. 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 4  another portion of head  12 , defining a bristle or cleaning element block  22  of head  12 , may also be formed of a resilient and soft thermoplastic elastomer, such as the thermoplastic elastomer used to form handle portions  18 . Cleaning block  22  may include one or more depressions  24  provided in a surface thereof with an opening  30  therein that provides a cushioning effect to a rupturable dispenser, preferably a gel capsule  32 , contained therein, as described more fully below. Cleaning block  22  further includes a multitude of cleaning elements which could be conventional filament, preferably nylon, or elastomeric bristles or fingers  26  extending integrally outwardly from the outer surface of head  12 . In the illustrated embodiment as best shown in  FIG. 4 , all of the cleaning elements  26  extend outwardly from the outer surface of block  22  the same distance so as to create a generally flat surface. Alternatively, however, some elements  26  may be shorter or longer than other elements  26 . The variable length of the cleaning elements  26  is illustrated by the dotted out tips  26   a  in  FIG. 14 , with only body portions  26   b  of the cleaning elements  26  shown in solid lines for purposes of clarity and to focus on the variable nature of such elements. 
         [0028]    The term “cleaning elements” as used herein is intended to be used in a generic sense as cleaning elements or massage elements arranged in a circular cross-section shape or any type of desired shape, including straight portions or sinusoidal portions. It is to be understood that the specific illustration of the cleaning elements is merely for exemplary purposes. The invention can, however, be practiced with various combinations of the same or different configurations (such as stapled, in-mold tufting (IMT) bristle technology as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,609,890, 5,390,984, and 5,533,791, the disclosures of which being incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, etc.) and/or with the same or different bristle materials (such as nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.). Similarly, while  FIGS. 1-4  illustrate the cleaning elements  26  to be generally perpendicular to the outer surface of head  12 , some or all of the cleaning elements  26  may be angled at various angles with respect to the outer surface of head  12 . It is thereby possible to select the combination of configurations, materials and orientations to achieve specific intended results, such as enhanced cleaning, tooth polishing, breath freshening, tooth whitening and/or massaging of the gums. 
         [0029]    As stated above, the cleaning block  22  may include one or more depressions  24  which are designed to receive and retain an oral care dispenser, such as a rupturable gel capsule  32  therein. In the exemplified embodiment, the depression  24  is formed into the front surface of the head  12  and has a floor  27 . The one or more depressions  24  can be varied in size so as to accommodate not only varying size dispensers  32 , but varying quantities of toothpowder, a toothpaste or tooth cleaning gel dentifrice or other oral care material, for delivery to the dentiture as the elements  26  extending from the block  22  are applied thereto, during use of the present invention such that the oral care material enhances the cleaning of the dentiture by the cleaning elements. While the present invention can be manufactured containing a packed toothpowder, toothpaste or tooth cleaning gel dentifrice and used repeatedly by the user refilling the dispenser with toothpowder, toothpaste or tooth cleaning gel dentifrice, it is preferably used with one or more gel capsules  32  contained therein. Most preferably the present invention is used with a single gel capsule  32 , supplied therewith, so as to be most easily transported, used, and subsequently disposed of; however, it may also be used repeatedly with replaceable gel capsules  32 , and then disposed of. 
         [0030]    It is preferred that the depression is in the form of a cushioned socket  28  sized and shaped to receive and retain the gel capsule  32 , without premature rupture of the gel capsule  32  prior to use thereof during application of the bristle block  22  to the dentiture and brushing thereof. Cushioning socket  28  opening  30 , and the material making up bristle block  22  provide a cushioning effect for gel capsule  32  to prevent gel capsule  32  from rupturing prior to use. 
         [0031]    Gel capsule  32  holds and applies a mouth care solution onto bristles  26  of toothbrush head  12 . The mouth care solution may be a toothpaste, a gel, a mouthwash, or similar dentifrice or oral hygiene product, or a combination of the same contained in the rupturable capsule  32 . Preferably gel capsule  32  is a liquid-filled gel capsule having frangible, thin walls that easily rupture or burst when rubbed against the teeth, or dissolve when mixed with the saliva of a user. The materials making up gel capsule  32  and the oral or mouth care solution contained therein preferably are consumable by the user of toothbrush  10 , eliminating the need for water, a sink, or a waste receptacle to expectorate the gel capsule  32  or its contents. The mouth care solution remains in gel capsule  32  until toothbrush  10  is ready for use. Preferably, gel capsule  32  is fully sealed, helping the mouth care solution to remain fresh until use. 
         [0032]    In use, gel capsule  32  would be pressed against the teeth and burst or rupture or dissolve, applying the mouth care solution over cleaning elements  26 . The user then may brush their teeth with toothbrush  10 . The user may also use toothpick  16  to clean between teeth, either before or after brushing. After the user has used toothbrush  10 , one may, but not necessarily, then easily and economically dispose of toothbrush  10 . 
         [0033]    In one preferred aspect of the present invention, the entire structure of toothbrush  10 , including head  12 , handle  14 , and toothpick  16 , is molded as one integral structure, using a conventional two-component injection molding operation typically used in the manufacture of toothbrushes. This enables toothbrush  10  to be economically and quickly manufactured. Although toothbrush  10  may have a variety of sizes and dimensions, it is preferred that toothbrush  10  have a small profile, with head  12  being small enough to cover one tooth at a time and handle being thinner than conventional, everyday toothbrush handles. Toothbrush  10  is thus readily portable or space saving. 
         [0034]    The toothbrush  10  of the present invention provides many benefits, including the cosmetic benefits of brushing one&#39;s teeth in a form that can be used when one is away from home, and away from a water supply. The cosmetic benefits achieved by the toothbrush  10  of the present invention include the cleaning of debris between teeth with toothpick  16 , broad tooth surface cleaning (particularly the front teeth) with cleaning elements  26  and the mouth care solution of gel capsule  32 , and breath freshening with the mouth care solution of gel capsule  32 . 
         [0035]    In addition to the cosmetic benefits, the toothbrush  10  of the present invention also provides economic benefits in the form of an inexpensive toothbrush that is both quickly and economically manufactured. Toothbrush  10  also provides a mechanism for maintaining oral health, without the need for toothpaste, water, mouth wash, and containers to hold the same. Thus, toothbrush  10  is also very convenient to use. 
         [0036]    Although  FIGS. 1-4  illustrate a manually-operated, disposable toothbrush, the present invention may also be practiced where the head includes one or more power or electrically operated movable sections carrying cleaning elements. Such movable section may oscillate in a rotational manner or may oscillate linearly in a longitudinal direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head or may oscillate linearly in a lateral or transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head. The movable section may oscillate in and out in a direction toward and away from the outer surface of the head. The movable section may rock back and forth with respect to the outer surface of the head. The movable section may rotate continuously in the same direction, rather than oscillate. Any suitable drive mechanism may be used for imparting the desired motion to the movable section. Where plural movable sections are used, all of the movable sections may have the same type and direction of movement, or combinations of different movements may be used. 
         [0037]    In accordance with one aspect of this invention the cleaning elements may be in the form of bristles made from conventional materials, such as nylon, as well as from a combination of materials so as to provide the proper stiffness in an economical manner. For example, the cleaning elements could be made of a flexible resilient material, such as TPE and a lesser expensive material such as LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene) or EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) or a TPE. The cleaning elements could be made of a blend of TPE and either LLDPE, EVA, or polypropylene. Preferably, the two materials are combined to provide a stiffness of less than 600 MPa. The blend of materials would give the properties of conventional nylon bristles, while offering reduced costs. For example, there would be lower manufacturing costs by injection molding instead of conventional bristle tufting. Alternatively the resilient material could be a single material, such as hard TPE (i.e. Shore A  80  hardness), straight LLDPE or straight EVA. 
         [0038]    The cleaning elements may be of any desired shape. For example, the cleaning elements could be of cylindrical shape having a uniform diameter throughout their length. Alternatively, the cleaning elements could taper from the root of each cleaning element where it extends from head  22  to its outer cleaning end. Since a preferred practice of the invention is to provide a small lightweight toothbrush the dimensions of the various components of toothbrush  10  are preferably small. Thus, for example, each cleaning elements may extend outwardly from the outer surface of cleaning block  22  a distance no greater than 10 mm and preferably no greater than 8 mm and most preferably no greater than 6 mm. Where tapered cleaning elements are used the root diameter should be no greater than 1.5 mm, preferably no greater than 1 mm, most preferably no greater than 0.7 mm or no greater than 0.5 mm or no greater than 03.mm. The diameter could then decrease in size to no greater than 0.2 mm at a distance of no greater than 6 mm from the base of the cleaning element. The taper relationship of diameter at a distance location above the root diameter could be a range of no greater than 1 mm at a distance of no greater than 10 mm, preferably no greater than 0.6 mm at a distance of no greater than 8 mm, most preferably no greater than 0.2 mm at a distance of no greater than 6 mm. Preferably, the length of the entire toothbrush  10  is no greater than 5 inches, preferably no greater than 4 inches, and more preferably no greater than 3.75 or 3 or 2.50 inches, and may be in the range of 2 to 4 inches. 
         [0039]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4  the cleaning elements define a cleaning field in the head and the dispenser  32  is mounted within this cleaning field. The cleaning elements  26  preferably extend outwardly from the cleaning block  22  to be approximately flush with the outer surface of the gel bead or capsule  32 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The invention, however, can also be practiced where the cleaning elements extend either a greater distance or a lesser distance than the dispenser  32  as shown in  FIG. 14 . Since toothbrush  10  is intended to be both small and lightweight, it is preferred that toothbrush  10  weigh no more than 3 grams. The small size is such that it can be held completely within the palm of an adult user. Head  12  is of a size that it would correspond to the size of an individual tooth or an individual tooth and the interproximal areas. Head  12  could be made of any suitable shape and is preferably of circular or oval shape having a maximum lateral dimension or diameter of no greater than 13 mm, preferably no greater than 12 mm and most preferably no greater than 11 mm. Where head  12  is of non-circular shape its maximum lateral dimension is 14 mm. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 2  head  12  is preferably at an angle between 0° and 90° to the longitudinal axis of handle  14 . The preferred angle is from 20° to 70° and more preferably from 30° to 60°. The cleaning elements could be perpendicular to the outer surface of head  12  or could also be at an angle to the outer surface such as in the range of 60° to 90° or in the range of 75° to 90°. 
         [0041]    In one practice of the invention the cleaning elements could be hollow, such as hollow bristles, which are capable of absorbing a medicament by capillary action. Such practice of the invention would be particularly useful for children where a medicament or some form of flavor could be dispensed from the hollow cleaning elements. It is also possible to leach antibacterial material from the cleaning elements. In one practice of the invention where the cleaning elements are used to dispense oral care materials the cleaning elements themselves may be considered as the oral care dispensers without requiring additional dispensers such as capsule  32 . 
         [0042]    Where specific parameters and characteristics have been given for cleaning elements, the invention could be practiced where other cleaning elements do not include those parameters and characteristics. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 5-6  show other variations in the practice of this invention wherein the cleaning elements are in the form of a single mass having an irregular outer surface. As shown in  FIG. 5  the mass  34  is similar to that of “steel wool” as used in household cleaning or could be part of Velcro® formations, such as hooks or loops. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  shows a variation where the cleaning element  36  is of a single mass of foam for cotton which could be used as a swab for oral care material. The outer surface of the swab could be generally planar or could have surface irregularities. In such practice of the invention the cleaning element  36  could be impregnated with the oral care material or could be dipped into oral care material so as to absorb the material and thereby the cleaning element  36  would also function as the oral care dispenser. Such swab type cleaning elements are gentle for children, particularly infants. 
         [0045]    The invention could be practiced where the various components of the toothbrush  10  are segmented for manufacturing and assembly purposes. Such segmented components could also be detachably connected together so as to permit the interchangeability of the components thereby providing the possibility for the substitution of different components in the combination. Thus, the head  12  could be detachably connected to the handle  14 .  FIG. 7 , for example, illustrates head  12  to be detachably mounted to handle  14  by a snap fitting  38  which may be of any suitable construction as is known to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0046]    The concept of a detachable interconnection may also be used wherein the dispenser  32  is detachably mounted in the head  12  or wherein the oral care accessory, such as toothpick  16 , is detachably mounted to handle  14 . Thus, as later described with respect to  FIGS. 12 and 13  the toothbrush and its various components could be packaged wherein the same package includes a plurality of toothbrushes and/or a plurality of different components such as heads, dispensers or accessories. 
         [0047]      FIG. 8  shows a further practice of the invention wherein a piezoelectric crystal  40  is provided in the handle  14  at the junction with head  12  so as to cause the head  12  to vibrate during use. Alternatively the head  12  could be mounted to a rotatable shaft extending from the handle and having an eccentric weight on the shaft to cause the head to vibrate. 
         [0048]    Although  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate an oral care accessory  16  in the form of a toothpick, other types of accessories  42  could be used as schematically shown in  FIG. 9 . As illustrated therein such accessory  42  would be mounted to the end of handle  14  similar to the mounting of toothpick  16 . Such mounting could be detachable or of a permanent nature. Examples of such oral care accessories include tongue cleaners, floss holders or an interproximal brush. Similarly, the accessory could be of a swab or foam type similar to the cleaning element  36  of  FIG. 6  or could be of the single mass of roughened material such as the cleaning element  34  of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 10  shows another variation of the invention wherein the toothbrush is particularly adapted for use by children. Such use is enhanced by providing any suitable ornament or caricature  44  on the toothbrush, such as on the handle or on any other suitable location including the backside of the head. Such ornament  44  could be detachably mounted so that it could be kept by the child after the rest of the toothbrush is thrown away. Other aspects of the invention which make it desirable for use by children include the possibilities of dispensing various types of oral care materials including materials having special flavors, tooth numbing materials, anti-sensitive materials or various medicaments. 
         [0050]    The toothbrush could also be made of various colors for different parts of the toothbrush. For example, soft elastomer  18  could be made of a different, such as a contrasting, color with respect to the remainder of handle  14  which would be made of a rigid material. Similarly, the head  12  could be made of a different color than the rigid portion of the handle and/or the soft elastomer portions  18 . The cleaning elements  26  could be made of distinct colors and the dispenser  32  could also be made of a distinct color. Along the same lines the accessory such as toothpick  16  or other accessory  42  could be made of a distinct color. These various colors could be contrasting or complementary with each other. Thus, for example, the various colors could differ only slightly in color or shade. 
         [0051]      FIG. 11  illustrates another practice of the invention wherein the handle  14  has a hollow chamber  46  in which the oral care material could be contained. Chamber  46  leads to a passageway  48  which extends to the head  12  such as terminating in a plurality of branches  49  at the outer surface of head  12  within the cleaning field. In order to dispense the oral care material located in the chamber or reservoir  46  handle  14  would have sufficient resiliency so that it can be squeezed thereby forcing the material from the handle to the head into a dispensing cavity or one or more dispensing openings. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate a head  60  according to another embodiment of the invention, the head  60  having an outer surface  62 , a plurality of cleaning elements  64  extending from a portion of the outer surface  62 , and a raised socket  68  extending from another portion of the outer surface  62 . The socket  68  is preferably formed from the same material as the outer surface  62 , and is preferably integrally formed with the outer surface such as by molding or the like. The socket  68  extends outwardly relative to the outer surface  62  by an upstanding wall  69 , and includes a seat to accommodate an oral care dispenser such as a bead or capsule  70  as discussed herein. The raised socket  68  positions the dispenser  70  closer to the edges of the cleaning elements  64  to facilitate contact between the dispenser  70  and the user&#39;s teeth and to encourage rupturing of the dispenser  70  early in the brushing process. The socket may also position the dispenser  70  beyond the cleaning elements  64  as discussed above, which would encourage even greater and immediate contact with the user&#39;s teeth. 
         [0053]    The cleaning elements  64  may comprise a variety of configurations as discussed above, such as a circular configuration as shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 16  illustrates an example of an oval configuration, wherein the cleaning elements  64  are arranged in a plurality of concentric rings  65   a ,  65   b ,  65   c , surrounding the socket  68 . One of such rings is a partial ring comprised of partial ring sections  65   d ,  65   e  defined along the upper and lower edges  61 ,  63  of the outer surface  62  of the head  60 , which sections  65   d ,  65   e  comprise the equivalent of a so-called power tip that is designed to provide a cleaning edge that extends beyond the majority of the field of cleaning elements for increased efficacy. 
         [0054]    Any suitable oral care products could be dispensed from the dispenser. Such products include, but are not limited to the gel capsule  32  as previously described and could contain toothpaste, tooth powder or could be a small vial of mouthwash having a gel, a powder or a liquid. Such a vial could be separately included in a package containing the toothbrush. The materials could be flavored and could be provided in sets of different flavors and/or different characteristics such as medicaments, numbing materials, etc. 
         [0055]    Where the dispensers  32  are in the form of beads, different beads or capsules could be used with different colors/flavors to enhance consumer appeal. As described the capsule  32  could be an impregnated bead that burst. Suitable beads include those supplied by Mane Inc. 
         [0056]    Any suitable methods may be used for forming toothbrush  10  and its various components. For example, multi-component injection molding could be used to integrally couple various components such as the cleaning elements and the head and/or the handle. This could be done in an automated or multiple step process. The handle could be rotocast blow molded to form a hollow squeeze handle that would be usable in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0057]      FIGS. 12-13  show different manners of packaging toothbrushes in accordance with this invention. As shown in  FIG. 12 , for example, a single package  50  could contain a plurality of toothbrushes  10  all of which could be the same or could differ from each other. The package  50  could be of any conventional construction, such as a blister pack, which might include a hole  52  to permit the package to be hung for display purposes. 
         [0058]      FIG. 13  illustrates a variation wherein the package  54  includes one or more toothbrushes  10  and a plurality of other components  56  which could be accessories or dispensers or other components. The components could include a small vial of mouthwash. Preferably, the package  50  or  54  would be hermetically sealed to assure freshness. Such hermetic sealing is particularly desired to prevent moisture from reaching gel capsule  32  and causing the capsule to burst. 
         [0059]    As is apparent the present invention provides an oral care toothbrush which is preferably small in size and portable and can be conveniently used away from home under circumstances, such as travel, where water is not readily available. 
         [0060]    The invention could be practiced with a combination of various components which do not involve “toothbrush” usage. In that sense the invention is an oral care device or the like, rather than strictly being a toothbrush. Where used as a toothbrush or the like, the invention may have the advantages, because of the size and configuration, to allow discreet hygienic use, such as no fingers in the mouth, adapting it to be readily used in public areas. 
         [0061]    Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. 
         [0062]    While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.