Patent Publication Number: US-2020288858-A1

Title: Light Emitting Oral Care Implement

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/066,753, filed Jun. 28, 2018, which is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT/US2016/068262, filed Dec. 22, 2016, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     An oral care implement, such as a toothbrush, is used to clean the teeth by removing plaque and debris from the tooth surfaces. Toothbrushes may also emit light for purposes such as whitening teeth, killing bacteria within the mouth, detecting the presence of bacteria within the mouth, increasing blood circulation for gum therapy, reducing the pain from gum inflammation, among other potential uses. However, oral care implements that are presently available on the market are single purpose implements, in that they are designed to address only one purpose for which a light emitting toothbrush may be useful. Thus, a need exists for an oral care implement that can emit light that is useful for several purposes, and particularly an oral care implement that uses refill heads to provide the multi-purposed use. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present invention may be directed, in one aspect, to an oral care product having a handle component and one or more refill components configured to emit a selected spectrum of light. Each refill component may be detachably coupled to the handle component of the oral care product. A light emitting module may be included in the handle component or in one or more of the refill components and powered by a power source in the handle component. In embodiments with light emitting modules included in multiple refill components, each refill component may be configured to emit a different spectrum of light. In embodiments with the light emitting module included in the handle component, the emitted spectrum of light may be selected by having different refill components include different light filters or by the light emitting component being configured to enable selection of the emitted spectrum of light. 
     In one aspect, the invention may be an oral care product array including: a handle component including a power source; a first refill component comprising a first light generating module configured to emit light in a first spectrum from the first refill component; a second refill component including a second light generating module configured to emit light in a second spectrum from the second refill component, the second spectrum being different than the first spectrum; the first refill component alterable between: (1) a decoupled state in which the first refill component is separated from the handle component; and (2) a coupled state in which the first refill component is mounted to the handle component and the first light generating module is powered by the power source to emit light in the first spectrum from the first refill component; and the second refill component alterable between: (1) a decoupled state in which the second refill component is separated from the handle component; and (2) a coupled state in which the second refill component is mounted to the handle component and the second light generating module is powered by the power source to emit light in the second spectrum from the second refill component. 
     In another aspect, the invention may be an oral care implement including: a handle component including: a gripping section; a power source; and an inductive power circuit operably coupled to the power source; and a toothbrush refill head including: a head portion; a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from a front surface of the head portion; a light generating module operably coupled to the power source and configured to generate light across a spectral range; and an inductive element operably coupled to the light generating module; the toothbrush refill head alterable between: (1) a decoupled state in which the toothbrush refill head is separated from the handle component; and (2) a coupled state in which the toothbrush refill head is mounted to the handle component and the inductive element of the toothbrush refill head is inductively coupled to the inductive power circuit of the handle component to supply power from the power source to the light generating module. 
     In still another aspect, the invention may be an oral care product array including: a handle component including: a power source; and a light generating module operably coupled to the power source and configured to generate light across a spectral range; a first refill component including: a first light guide having a light receiving end and a light emitting end; and a first light filter operatively coupled to the first light guide to spectrally limit light emitted from the emitting end of the first light guide to a first spectrum; and a second refill component including: a second light guide having a light receiving end and a light emitting end; and a second light filter operatively coupled to the second light guide to spectrally limit light emitted from the emitting end of the second light guide to a second spectrum, the second spectrum being different than the first spectrum; wherein the spectral range comprises both the first and second spectrums; the first refill component alterable between: (1) a decoupled state in which the first refill component is separated from the handle component; and (2) a coupled state in which the first refill component is mounted to the handle component and the receiving end of the first light guide receives light generated by the light generating module; and the second refill component alterable between: (1) a decoupled state in which the second refill component is separated from the handle component; and (2) a coupled state in which the second refill component is mounted to the handle component and the receiving end of the second light guide receives light generated by the light generating module. 
     In yet another aspect, the invention may be an oral care implement including: a handle component including: a gripping section; a power source; a light generating module operably coupled to the power source and configured to generate light across a spectral range; and an actuator operably coupled to the light generating module, the actuator configured to spectrally limit light generated by the light generating module to a selected spectrum within the spectral range; and a refill head including: a head portion; a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from a front surface of the head portion; and a light guide having a light receiving end and a light emitting end; the refill head alterable between: (1) a decoupled state in which the refill head is separated from the handle component; and (2) a coupled state in which the refill head is mounted to the handle component and the receiving end of the light guide receives the selected spectrum of light for emission from the refill head. 
     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is perspective view of an oral care implement having a handle component and a refill component in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a gripping section and a stem portion of the handle component of the oral care implement of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the refill component of the oral care implement of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the refill component of the oral care implement of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an oral care product array including a handle component and a plurality of refill components; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an oral care implement having a handle component and a refill component in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectional view of an oral care implement having a handle component and a refill component in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7B  is a schematic view of a filter plate for the oral care implement of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view of an oral care implement having a handle component and a refill component in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial schematic view of the handle component and a refill component of an oral care implement in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
     The description of illustrative embodiments 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. 
     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. 
     Turning in detail to the drawings, an oral care implement  1  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In this exemplified embodiment, the oral care implement  1  is an electric or powered toothbrush which emits light from the head. However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments. In certain other embodiments the device may be a manual toothbrush having a replaceable head portion. Thus, the invention is not to be limited to an electric or powered oral care implement  1  unless so limited by the claims. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , the oral care implement  1  includes a handle component  2  having a gripping section  10  extending from a proximal end  8  to a distal end  9 , a stem portion  80  extending from the distal end  9  of the gripping section  10 , and a refill component  100 . In the exemplified embodiment the gripping section  10  of the handle component  2  includes an actuator button  3  which serves as a user input device and facilitates powering the oral care implement  1  on and off when the oral care implement  1  is a powered or electric toothbrush. Of course, the actuator button  3  may be positioned at other locations on the handle component  2  than that which is shown in the drawings in other embodiments. In certain embodiments, the actuator button  3  may be replaced by other types of actuator devices. The refill component  100  is detachably coupled to the stem portion  80  of the handle component  2  as described in greater detail below. Different variations of refill components may be used with and coupled to/decoupled from the handle component  2  so that a user has options regarding the type of refill component desired for use. 
     The refill component  100  includes a sleeve portion  110  and a head portion  130 . In certain embodiments, any refill component  100  described herein may be a toothbrush refill head, and as such, a plurality of tooth cleaning elements  133  are mounted to the head portion  130  and extend from a front surface  131  of the head portion  130  of the refill component  100 . A soft tissue cleaner  122 , which may be formed of an elastomeric material, is coupled to or mounted on a rear surface  132  of the head portion  130  of the refill component  100 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional view of the handle component  2  of the oral care implement  1 . The handle component  2  includes the gripping section  10 , a chassis  20 , a power source  44  (such as a rechargeable battery, a non-rechargeable battery, battery cells, printed batteries, super capacitors, a control circuit that stores electrical energy, or the like), a control circuit  50 , a motor  60  having a drive shaft  66 , a vibratory source  70 , and the stem portion  80 . The gripping section  10  is configured to be gripped or grasped by a user to enable the user to manipulate the oral care implement  1  during use. The gripping section  10  also houses the electronic circuitry and components necessary for operation of the oral care implement  1  as a powered or electric toothbrush which emits light. In certain embodiments, the power source  44  may be omitted and the device may be powered by a plug that is coupled to a power supply, such as a wall socket. 
     The gripping section  10  of the handle component  2  has an interior cavity for accommodating the chassis  20 , the power source  44 , and the control circuit  50 . The interior cavity of the gripping section  10  may be cylindrical in some embodiments although the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments. 
     In certain embodiments, the control circuit  50  may include a programmable controller to enable greater functionality and control over the electronic components within the oral care implement  1 . The control circuit  50  may be in operable communication with the button  3 , thereby enabling a user to provide input to the control circuit  50  for controlling the oral care implement  1 . User input to the control circuit  50  may be used to control any one or more of the electrical components included as part of the oral care implement  1 . 
     The stem portion  80  includes an open proximate end  81  which is affixed to the chassis  20  of the gripping section  10  and terminates in a sealed distal end  85 . In certain embodiments, the that stem portion  80  and the gripping section  10  may be integrally formed. The body  83  of the stem portion  80  may be tapered and generally cone-shaped, with a smaller cross-sectional profile at the sealed distal end  85  as compared to the open proximate end  81 . The external surface of the body  83  of the stem portion  80  may include a coupling element  91  which serves as an orientation key when the refill component  100  is coupled to the handle component  2 . In certain embodiments, the coupling element  91  may also serve to lock the refill component  100  onto the handle component  2 . 
     The open proximate end  81  of the stem portion  80  provides a passageway into a stem cavity  87  for receiving and/or retaining the vibratory source  70  and the motor  60  in certain embodiments. The sealed distal end  85  of the stem portion  80  forms an engagement portion  98 , which is configured to engage an inner surface of the sleeve portion  110  of the refill component  100  when the refill component  100  is coupled to the handle component  2 . The engagement portion  98  includes a stem tip  97  extending from an upper surface  96  of the stem portion  80 , such that the upper surface  96  forms an annular transverse shoulder that surrounds the stem tip  97 . 
     The vibratory source  70  includes an extension shaft  72  that may be formed of a synthetic resin and an eccentric shaft  73  that may be formed of metal. The extension shaft  72  of the vibratory source  70  is engaged with the drive shaft  66  of the motor  60  so that the motor  60  can rotate the vibratory source  70  to impart a desired movement to the refill component  100 . The motor  60  is electrically connected by  62   a ,  62   b  to the control circuit  50 , which controls operation of the motor  60  and is powered by the power source  44 . The eccentric shaft  73  of the vibratory source  70  includes an eccentric portion  77  and an axial shaft portion  78 . The bottom end of the eccentric portion  77  is connected to the extension shaft  72 . 
     A recessed hole  89  is formed at the end of the stem cavity  87  adjacent the distal end  85  of the stem portion  80 . The recessed hole  89  slidably receives the axial shaft portion  78  of the eccentric shaft  73  of the vibratory source  70 . Thus, an upper end of the eccentric shaft  73  of the vibratory source  70  is mounted within or adjacent to the stem tip  97 . With this configuration, the eccentric portion  77  of the vibratory device  70  is rotatably mounted within the stem cavity  86 . The recessed hole  89  serves as a bearing for holding the axial shaft portion  78  of the eccentric shaft  73  of the vibratory source  70 . The vibratory source  70  is freely rotated in the stem cavity  86  even under high frequency vibration. In certain embodiments, because the recessed hole  89  serves as the bearing, it is not necessary to provide a separate bearing arrangement for rotatably holding the axial shaft portion  78 . Of course, a separate bearing assembly may be provided in some embodiments. 
     As noted above, the motor  60  is operably coupled to the power source  44  through the control circuit  50 . The drive shaft  66  of the motor  60  is operably coupled to the eccentric portion  77  of the vibratory source  70  to rotate the eccentric portion  77  to cause vibrations in the refill component  100 , or specifically to the head portion  130  or the tooth cleaning elements  133  thereon. Specifically, when the vibratory source  70  rotates about its axis by the motor  60 , the eccentric portion  77  generates a high frequency vibration which is transmitted to the stem arrangement  80  and to the refill component  100  coupled thereto. 
     Two lead wires  93   a ,  93   b , which serve to provide power to a light generating module included in the refill component  100 , are also coupled to the control circuit  50 . These lead wires  93   a ,  93   b  extend from the control circuit  50  to the body  83  of the stem portion  80 , and up to the distal end  85  of the stem portion  80 , where they each terminate at electrical contacts  94   a ,  94   b . As depicted, the lead wires  93   a ,  93   b  are embedded within the body  83  of the stem portion  80  to prevent interference with the vibratory source  70 . In certain embodiments, the lead wires  93   a ,  93   b  may run along the inside surface of the body  83  of the stem portion  80 . In still other embodiments, particularly those without vibratory sources, the lead wires  93   a ,  93   b  may extend within the stem cavity  87  without being embedded within or running along the surface of the body  83  of the stem portion. 
     The refill component  100 , shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , includes a sleeve portion  110  and a head portion  130 . The sleeve portion  110  of the refill component  100  slides over the stem portion  80  of the handle component  2  to couple the refill component  100  to the stem portion  80 . The sleeve portion  110  extends from a proximal end  111  to a distal end  112 . In certain embodiments, the head portion  130  and the sleeve portion  110  are formed of a rigid material, such as a rigid plastic material including without limitation polymers and copolymers of ethylene, propylene, butadiene, vinyl compounds and polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate. The head portion  130  and the sleeve portion  110  may be integrally formed or separately formed and later coupled together. In the exemplified embodiment the head and sleeve portions  110 ,  130  are integrally formed in an injection molding process. 
     The head portion  130  of the refill component  100  is located at the distal end  112  of the sleeve portion  110  and includes a front surface  131  and an opposing rear surface  132 . As discussed above, there are a plurality of tooth cleaning elements  133  extending from the front surface  131  of the head portion  130  of the refill component  100 . The plurality of tooth cleaning elements  133  include a plurality of bristle tufts  134  that are mounted to the head portion  130  and extend from the front surface  131  of the head portion  130 . Each of the bristle tufts  134  may include a plurality of bristles. The bristles may be filament bristles, fiber bristles, spiral bristles, nylon bristles, or the like. Each of the above-referenced types of bristles may be end-rounded or tapered. The bristle tufts  134  may be coupled to the head portion  130  using staple technology, anchor-free tufting technologies, or the like as desired. 
     In addition to the bristle tufts  134 , the tooth cleaning elements  133  may include one or more elastomeric tooth contact elements  135   a ,  135   b  extending from the front surface  131  of the head portion  130 . In certain embodiments the bristle tufts  134  form a bristle field, and the elastomeric tooth contact elements  135   a ,  135   b  are located within the bristle field. In the exemplified embodiment the bristle tufts  134  extend to a height above the front surface  131  of the head portion  130  of the refill component  100  that is greater than a height that the elastomeric tooth contact elements  135   a ,  135   b  extend above the front surface  131  of the head portion  130  of the refill component  100 . 
     In the embodiment shown, the bristle tufts  134  and the elastomeric tooth contact elements  135   a ,  135   b  have a specific pattern on the head portion  130  of the refill component  100 . However, in other embodiments, other patterns for the bristle tufts  134  and the elastomeric tooth cleaning contact elements  135   a ,  135   b  may be used. 
     In this embodiment, the elastomeric tooth contact elements  135   a ,  135   b  include four peripheral contact elements  135   a  and two central contact elements  135   b . The peripheral contact elements  135   a  include two peripheral contact elements  135   a  that are transversely aligned near a proximal end of the head portion  130  and two peripheral contact elements  135   a  that are transversely aligned near a distal end of the head portion  130 . The peripheral contact elements  135   a  are linear wall-like segments having a rib  139  protruding from its inner surface. Thus, the ribs  139  of the peripheral contact elements  135  face inwardly towards a center of the head portion  130 . 
     The two central contact elements  135   b  are arcuate shaped contact elements positioned centrally on the head portion  130  of the refill component  100 . The central contact elements  135   b  are arranged to form a loop having gaps that are aligned along a plane that extends transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A. The central contact elements  135   b  have concave surfaces that face one another and convex surfaces facing away from one another and towards the proximal and distal ends of the head portion  130  of the refill component  100 , respectively. 
     The bristle tufts  134  include three peripheral bristle tufts on each opposing side of the head, the three peripheral bristle tufts being positioned between two of the peripheral contact elements  135   a  in the longitudinal direction of the head portion  130  of the refill component  100 . The bristle tufts also include four proximal bristle tufts located between the bottom one of the central contact elements  135   b  and the proximal end of the head portion  130  and six distal bristle tufts located between the top one of the central contact elements  135   b  and the proximal end of the head portion  130 . The four proximal tufts are positioned generally between two of the peripheral contact elements  135   a  located near the proximal end of the head portion  130 . The six distal proximal tufts are positioned generally between two of the peripheral contact elements  135   a  located near the distal end of the. 
     In this exemplary embodiment, the refill component  100  includes a light generating module  200  located within a cavity  201  formed within the head portion  130 . The light generating module  200  is configured to emit light in a first spectrum from the refill component  100 . To accomplish this, the light generating module  200  includes at least one light source  202 , a light guide  203 , and a light filter  204 . In the embodiment shown, the light generating module  200  includes two light emitting diodes  206   a ,  206   b  as the light source  202 . Each light emitting diode  206   a ,  206   b  is positioned within the cavity  201  to direct light into one of the elastomeric tooth cleaning contacts elements  135   b , both of which serve as part of the light guide  203  for the light generating module  200 . As part of the light guide  203 , the elastomeric tooth cleaning contacts elements  135   b  form part of a light receiving end  207  of the light guide  203 , which is located closest to the light emitting diodes  206   a ,  206   b , and form part of a light emitting end  208 , which is distal from the front surface  131  of the head portion  130 . Light generated by the light emitting diodes  206   a ,  206   b  is received into the light receiving end  207  of the light guide  203  formed by the elastomeric tooth cleaning contacts elements  135   b , and the received light is guided down the length of each elastomeric tooth cleaning contacts elements  135   b  to be emitted at the light emitting end  208  of the light guide  203 , which is at the distal ends of the elastomeric tooth cleaning contacts elements  135   b . In this manner, light generated by the light source  202  is emitted from the refill component  100 . Although the above describes light as being emitted from the front surface  131  of the head portion  130  and/or from the elastomeric tooth cleaning contacts elements  135   b , in certain embodiments, light may be emitted from any part of the head portion  130 , such as the rear surface  132  of the head portion  130 , or from the entirety of the head portion  130 . 
     In embodiments in which the light emitting diodes  206   a ,  206   b  generate light across a broad spectral range, generated light may be passed through the light filter  204  in order to spectrally limit light emitted from the head portion  130  of the refill component  100  to a desired spectrum. In embodiments in which the light emitting diodes  206   a ,  206   b  generate light in a spectrum that is desired for emission from the refill component  100 , then the light filter  204  may be omitted. In certain embodiments, an alternative light guide may be used that is positioned between the light source  202  and the front surface  131  of the head portion  130 , without extending beyond the front surface  131 , so that light is emitted directly from the front surface  131  of the head portion  130 . In such embodiments, it is optional to also use the elastomeric tooth cleaning contacts elements  135   b  as secondary light guides. In certain embodiments, one or both of the light guide  203  and the light filter  204  may be omitted from the light generating module  200 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the refill component  100  also includes electrical contacts  211   a ,  211   b  located within the sleeve portion  110 , and the electrical contacts  211   a ,  211   b  are operably coupled to the light generating module  200  by wires  212   a ,  212   b . The location of the electrical contacts  211   a ,  211   b  within the sleeve portion  110  is such that, when the refill component  100  is seated on the stem portion  80  of the handle component  2 , electrical contact is made between the electrical contacts  211   a ,  211   b  within the sleeve portion  110  and the electrical contacts  94   a ,  94   b  of the stem portion  80  of the handle component  2 . Electrical contact between the electrical contacts  211   a ,  211   b  within the sleeve portion  110  and the electrical contacts  94   a ,  94   b  of the stem portion  80  of the handle component  2  serve to provide power to the light generating module  200  from the power source  44  as controlled by the control circuit  50 . With power to the light generating module  200  being controlled by the control circuit  50 , the control circuit  50  may be configured to provide power to the light generating module  200  based upon user input from the button  3  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     As indicated above, the light source may generate light in a broad spectral range, with generated light limited to a narrower spectrum before it is emitted from the refill component  100 . The broad spectral range may be generated, for example, by a light source having a single light emitting diode, or by a light source having a plurality of light emitting diodes. In embodiments in which a plurality of light emitting diodes are utilized to generate the broad spectral range, each of the light emitting diodes may emit light in a different spectrum than the other ones of the light emitting diodes, such that the combination of spectrums from the plurality of light emitting diodes combine to create the broad spectral range. In such embodiments, the spectrum of light generated by each light emitting diode may be non-overlapping and/or non-contiguous with the spectrum of light generated by any of the other light emitting diodes. In certain embodiments in which multiple light emitting diodes are utilized as a light source, the spectrum of light emitted from the refill component  100  may be selected by providing power to fewer than all of the plurality of light emitting diodes or by filtering the broad spectral range to select only the desired spectrum to be emitted. Some spectrums of light that may be advantageously emitted by the refill component  100  include a 600 nm to 700 nm wavelength spectrum, a 385 nm to 520 nm wavelength spectrum, and a 200 nm to 300 nm wavelength spectrum. Other spectrums of light may also be emitted from the refill component  100 . In certain embodiments, multiple spectrums of light may be emitted simultaneously, with the multiple spectrums being non-overlapping and/or non-contiguous. 
     Certain wavelength spectrum may be particularly useful. By way of examples, light in the infra-red spectrum can increase blood circulation for gum therapy; light in the blue spectrum can reduce the pain from gum inflammation; light in another area of the blue spectrum can be used to identify bacteria on teeth and gums; light in the UV or purple spectrum can reduce the bacteria in the mouth; and white light can be used to whiten teeth, particularly when associated with light-sensitive chemicals in certain types of toothpaste. 
     The sleeve portion  110  includes a sleeve cavity  113  that extends along a longitudinal axis A-A from a blind top end  114  to an open bottom end  115  that is located at the proximal end  111  of the sleeve portion  110 . The blind top end  114  of the sleeve cavity  113  is blind because it is not visible from the exterior of the refill component  100 . The sleeve cavity  113  accommodates the stem portion  80  of the handle component  2  to permit coupling of the refill component  100  to the handle component  2 . 
     The sleeve cavity  113  includes an entry section  171  and an engagement section  172 . The entry section  171  of the sleeve cavity  113  has a first minimum diameter and includes the open bottom end  115  of the sleeve cavity  113 . The engagement section  172  of the sleeve cavity  113  has a second minimum diameter that is less than the first minimum diameter. In certain embodiments the maximum diameter of the engagement section  172  is less than the minimum diameter of the entry section  171 . 
     The sleeve portion  110  includes an outer surface  119  and an inner surface  173 , the inner surface  173  defining the sleeve cavity  113 . The inner surface  173  of the sleeve portion  110  includes an annular transverse shoulder  174  located between the entry section  171  of the sleeve cavity  113  and the engagement section  172  of the sleeve cavity  113 . The sleeve cavity  113  further includes an uppermost section  175  located between the engagement section  172  and the blind top end  114  of the sleeve cavity  113 . As shown, the uppermost section  175  of the sleeve cavity  113  has a transverse cross-sectional area that continually decreases with distance from the engagement section  172  of the sleeve cavity  113  towards the blind top end  114  of the sleeve cavity  113 . 
     The refill component  100  includes a coupling element  140  located near the proximal end  111  of the sleeve portion  110 . As shown, the coupling element  140  is an opening formed into the sleeve portion  110  that extends from the open bottom end  115  of the sleeve portion  110  upwardly in the direction of the head portion  130  for a portion of the length of the refill component  100 . The coupling element  140  may have a specific structure or shape that permits the coupling element  140  to mate with the coupling element  91  on the stem portion  80  to facilitate coupling and/or locking the refill component  100  to the handle component  2 . 
     The refill component  100  is alterable between a coupled state, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in which the stem portion  80  of the handle component  2  is disposed within the sleeve cavity  113  of the refill component  100 , and a decoupled state, in which the refill component  100  is separated from the handle component  2 . In the decoupled state, the refill component  100  is separated from the handle component  2 . In the coupled state, the refill component  100  is mounted to the handle component  2  and the light generating module  200  is powered by the power source  44  to emit light from the refill component  100 . 
     A package  220  is shown in  FIG. 5  which contains an oral care product array including one handle component  2 , a first refill component  100   a , and a second refill component  100   b . In certain embodiments, the package  220  may include additional refill components. The handle component  2  may have the features as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Each refill component  100   a ,  100   b  may have the features as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Optionally, each refill component  100   a ,  100   b  may have any one or more of the features described for alternative embodiments above. The difference between the refill components  100   a ,  100   b  is that the first refill component  100   a  is configured to emit light in a first spectrum, and the second refill component  100   b  is configured to emit light in a second spectrum, with the second spectrum being different from the first spectrum. In certain embodiments, the first and second spectrum may be overlapping spectrums. In certain other embodiments, the first and second spectrum may be non-overlapping and non-contiguous spectrums. 
     In alternative embodiments, the package may contain refill components  100   a ,  100   b  having the features shown for the refill components  100  of  FIGS. 6 and 8 . Optionally, each refill component  100   a ,  100   b  may have any one or more of the features described for alternative embodiments described in conjunction with  FIGS. 6 and 8 . 
     In the package  220 , each refill component  100   a ,  100   b  is shown in the decoupled state. Each refill component  100   a ,  100   b  may be separately placed in the coupled state on the handle component  2  (i.e., with the one handle component  2 , both refill components  100   a ,  100   b  may not be simultaneously placed in the coupled state). When the first refill component  100   a  is mounted to the handle component  2  in the coupled state, the light generating module of the first refill component  100   a  is powered by the power source of the handle component  2  to emit light in the first spectrum from the first refill component  100   a . Similarly, when the second refill component  100   b  is mounted to the handle component  2  in the coupled state, the light generating module of the second refill component  100   b  is powered by the power source of the handle component  2  to emit light in the second spectrum from the second refill component  100   b.    
     An alternative embodiment of an oral care implement  1  is shown in  FIG. 6  having a refill component  100  mounted on a handle component  2 . The handle component  2  includes most of the same structural features as shown for the handle component  2  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The handle component  2  includes the gripping section  10 , a chassis  20 , a power source (not shown in FIG.  6 ), a control circuit  50 , a motor  60  having a drive shaft  66 , a vibratory source  70 , and a stem portion  80 . 
     The stem portion  80  includes an open proximate end  81  which is affixed to the chassis  20  of the gripping section  10  and terminates in a sealed distal end  85 . The open proximate end  81  of the stem portion  80  provides a passageway into a stem cavity  87  for receiving and/or retaining the vibratory source  70  and the motor  60  in certain embodiments. The sealed distal end  85  of the stem portion  80  forms an engagement portion  98 , which is configured to engage an inner surface of the sleeve portion  110  of the refill component  100  when the refill component  100  is coupled to the handle component  2 . The engagement portion  98  includes a stem tip  97  extending from an upper surface  96  of the stem portion  80 , such that the upper surface  96  forms an annular transverse shoulder that surrounds the stem tip  97 . 
     A light generating module  230  is located within the handle component  2  at the stem tip  97 . The light generating module  230  is configured to emit light across a spectral range, and to that end, the light generating module  230  includes at least one light source  232 . As shown, the light generating module  230  includes a light emitting diode  236  as the light source  232 . In alternative embodiments, the light generating module  230  may include a plurality of light emitting diodes as the light source  232 . The light emitting diode  236  is coupled to the control circuit  50  by lead wires  242   a ,  242   b , so that the control circuit  50  may control power supplied to the light emitting diode  236  from the power source. 
     The refill component  100  also includes a light guide  233  for guiding light from the light generating module  230  of the handle component  2  to the head portion  130  of the refill component  100 . The light guide  233  includes a light receiving end  237 , located between the blind top end  114  of the sleeve cavity  113  and the distal end  112  of the sleeve portion  110 , and a light emitting end  238 , which directs light out of the front surface  131  of the head portion  130 . The light emitting end  238  of the light guide  233  also directs light into the elastomeric tooth contact elements  135   b , such that the elastomeric tooth contact elements  135   b  form part of the light emitting end  238  of the light guide  233 . A light filter  234  is located at the light receiving end  237  of the light guide  233  to in order to spectrally limit light emitted from the head portion  130  of the refill component  100  to a desired spectrum. In embodiments in which the light emitting diode  236  generates light in a spectrum that is desired for emission from the refill component  100 , then the light filter  234  may be omitted. 
     With the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the handle component  2  and a plurality of the refill components  100  may be incorporated into an oral care package in the same manner as shown and described for  FIG. 5 . 
     An alternative embodiment of an oral care implement  1  is shown in  FIG. 7A  having a refill component  100  mounted on a handle component  2 . The handle component  2  includes some of the same structural features as shown for the handle component  2  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The handle component  2  includes the gripping section  10 , a chassis  20 , a power source (not shown in  FIG. 7A ), a control circuit  50 , and a stem portion  80 . The handle component  2  of the embodiment depicted does not include a vibratory source  70 , however, in alternative embodiments a vibratory source  70  could be included. 
     The stem portion  80  includes an open proximate end  81  which is affixed to the chassis  20  of the gripping section  10  and terminates in a sealed distal end  85 . The open proximate end  81  of the stem portion  80  provides a passageway into a stem cavity  87  for receiving and/or retaining the vibratory source  70  and the motor  60  in certain embodiments. The sealed distal end  85  of the stem portion  80  forms an engagement portion  98 , which is configured to engage an inner surface of the sleeve portion  110  of the refill component  100  when the refill component  100  is coupled to the handle component  2 . The engagement portion  98  includes a stem tip  97  extending from an upper surface  96  of the stem portion  80 , such that the upper surface  96  forms an annular transverse shoulder that surrounds the stem tip  97 . 
     A light generating module  250  is located within the chassis  20  of the handle component  2 . The light generating module  250  is configured to emit light in a desired spectrum. To that end, the light generating module  250  includes at least one light source  252  which emits light across a spectral range. As shown, the light generating module  250  includes a light emitting diode  256  as the light source  252 . In alternative embodiments, the light generating module  250  may include a plurality of light emitting diodes as the light source  252 . The light emitting diode  256  is coupled to the control circuit  50  by lead wires  262   a ,  262   b , so that the control circuit  50  may control power supplied to the light emitting diode  236  from the power source. 
     The light generating module  250  includes a light filter module  254 . The light filter module  254  includes a plurality of light filters, each of which may be activated, one at a time, with each configured to spectrally limit light generated by the light generating module when activated. The control circuit  50  is operably coupled to a servo motor  259 , which is located within the chassis  20  of the handle component  2 , through lead wires  263   a ,  263   b . The servo motor  259  is operably coupled to a drive shaft  260 , which is in turn operably coupled to a rotatable filter plate  255 , which includes the plurality of light filters. The control circuit  50  serves as an actuator for the servo motor  259  and controls rotation of the servo motor  259  to rotate the rotatable filter plate  255 . In certain embodiments, the control circuit  50  may be actuated by the actuator button  3  included as part of the handle component  2 .  FIG. 7B  shows a schematic view of the rotatable filter plate  255 , which includes three filter sections, F 0 , F 1 , and F 2 . More or fewer light filters may be included as part of the filter plate  255 . The handle component  2  includes a light guide  265  having a receiving end  266  positioned to receive light passing through the selected filter (one of F 0 , F 1 , or F 2 ) of the rotatable filter plate  255  and guide the received light to the emitting end  267 , which directs light out through the stem tip  97  of the stem portion  80 . Each filter section, F 0 , F 1 , and F 2 , when activated by optical coupling between the light source  252  and the receiving end  266  of the light guide  265 , serves to spectrally limit light generated by the light generating module to the selected spectrum within the spectral range, such that light in the selected spectrum is received by the light guide  265  and emitted at the emitting end  267  of the light guide  265 . 
     The refill component  100  includes a light guide  253  for guiding light from the emitting end  267  of the light guide  265  of the handle component  2  to the head portion  130  of the refill component  100 . The light guide  253  includes a light receiving end  257 , which is located between the blind top end  114  of the sleeve cavity  113  and the distal end  112  of the sleeve portion  110 , and a light emitting end  258 , which directs light out of the front surface  131  of the head portion  130 . In alternative embodiments, the light emitting end  258  of the light guide  253  may also direct light into one or more elastomeric tooth contact elements which are included as part of the refill component  100 . 
     The broad spectral range may be generated, for example, by a light source having a single light emitting diode, or by a light source having a plurality of light emitting diodes. In embodiments in which a plurality of light emitting diodes are utilized to generate the broad spectral range, each of the light emitting diodes may emit light in a different spectrum than the other ones of the light emitting diodes, such that the combination of spectrums from the multiple light emitting diodes combine to create the broad spectral range. In such embodiments, the spectrum of light generated by each light emitting diode may be non-overlapping and/or non-contiguous with the spectrum of light generated by any of the other light emitting diodes. In certain embodiments in which multiple light sources are utilized, the spectrum of light emitted from the refill component  100  may be selected by providing power to fewer than all of the plurality of light emitting diodes instead of, or in addition to, filtering light from the light source  252  using the light filter module  254 . 
     Yet another alternative embodiment of an oral care implement  1  is shown in  FIG. 8  having a refill component  100  mounted on a handle component  2 . In the depiction of this embodiment, the features which serve to enable mounting the refill component  100  onto the handle component  2  have been omitted for purposes of simplicity. It is to be understood that the handle component  2  may still include a stem portion  80  and the refill component  100  may still include a sleeve portion  110  for coupling the refill component  100  to the handle component  2 . Moreover, features of one or more of the previously discussed embodiments, particularly those which include a light generating module within the refill component  100 , may be incorporated into the embodiment of  FIG. 8 . 
     The refill component  100  includes a light generating module  280  located within a cavity  281  formed within the head portion  130 . The light generating module  280  is configured to emit light in a first spectrum from the refill component  100 . To accomplish this, the light generating module  280  includes at least one light source  282  and a light guide  283 . In certain embodiments, the light generating module  280  may also include a light filter  204 . In the embodiment shown, the light generating module  280  includes a light emitting diode  286  as the light source  282 . The light emitting diode  286  is positioned within the cavity  201  to direct light into the elastomeric tooth cleaning contacts elements  135   b , both of which serve as part of the light guide  283  for the light generating module  280  to emit light generated by the light source  282  from the refill component  100 . 
     In this embodiment, the handle component  2  includes control circuit  50  which is operably coupled to a handle coil  290  through wire leads  291   a ,  291   b . The handle coil  290  is located within the handle component  2  to be in close proximity to a refill coil  292  located within the refill component  100 . Each of the two coils  290 ,  292  are wire coils, each including several loops of wire to create an electrical inductor. The two coils  290 ,  292  are in sufficiently close proximity to be inductively coupled, i.e., when the handle coil  290  is powered by the control circuit  50  with an appropriate oscillating power signal, an induction field is established by the handle coil  290 , and this induction field is coupled to the refill coil  292  to induce a current to be generated within the refill coil  292 . The refill coil  292  is operably coupled to the light generating module  280  through lead wires  293   a ,  293   b , such that the current generated by the inductively coupled refill coil  292  provides power to the light generating module  280 . 
     Portions of a refill component  100  coupled to a handle component  2  are illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The combination of the refill component  100  coupled to the handle component  2  provides a selection mechanism which may be used in combination with any of the embodiments described above which may make use of a selection input made to the control circuit  50  to function as an actuator in response to the selection input. As part of the selection mechanism, the refill head  100  includes a plurality of selection indicator features  302 , which are shown as a plurality of teeth, and the handle component  2  includes a plurality of selection identifiers  301 , which are shown as a plurality of switches. Each selection identifier  301  is located within one of a plurality of receptacles  300 , each of which is formed to receive one of the teeth. Each selection identifier  301  is operably coupled to the control circuit  50  within the handle component  2 , such that the control circuit  50  may determine which, if any, of the selection identifiers  301  of the handle component  2  are interacting with one of the selection indicator features  302  of the refill component  100  when the refill component  100  is mounted to the handle component  2 . By identifying which of the selection identifiers  301  are interacting with one of the selection indicator features  302 , the control circuit  50  can identify the type of refill component  100  that has been mounted onto the handle component  2 , and use that information as a selection input to determine which of a plurality of light emitting diodes are to be powered and/or which light filter on a rotatable filter plate is to be used to filter a broad spectral range. Such a selection mechanism may also be used for other purposes in connection with an oral care implement when a selection input is required. 
     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.