Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a battery powered toothbrush utilizing selectively engageable electrical connectors between the head and handle of the toothbrush.

The present disclosure 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 present disclosure concerns 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: (<NUM>) a decoupled state in which the first refill component is separated from the handle component; and (<NUM>) 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: (<NUM>) a decoupled state in which the second refill component is separated from the handle component; and (<NUM>) 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.

The invention relates to 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: (<NUM>) a decoupled state in which the toothbrush refill head is separated from the handle component; and (<NUM>) 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 present disclosure concerns 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: (<NUM>) a decoupled state in which the first refill component is separated from the handle component; and (<NUM>) 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: (<NUM>) a decoupled state in which the second refill component is separated from the handle component; and (<NUM>) 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 disclosure relates to 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: (<NUM>) a decoupled state in which the refill head is separated from the handle component; and (<NUM>) 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.

It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

The description of illustrative embodiments not according and 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 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. 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.

Turning in detail to the drawings, an oral care implement <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>. In this exemplified embodiment, the oral care implement <NUM> is an electric or powered toothbrush which emits light from the head.

With reference to <FIG>, the oral care implement <NUM> includes a handle component <NUM> having a gripping section <NUM> extending from a proximal end <NUM> to a distal end <NUM>, a stem portion <NUM> extending from the distal end <NUM> of the gripping section <NUM>, and a refill component <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment the gripping section <NUM> of the handle component <NUM> includes an actuator button <NUM> which serves as a user input device and facilitates powering the oral care implement <NUM> on and off when the oral care implement <NUM> is a powered or electric toothbrush. Of course, the actuator button <NUM> may be positioned at other locations on the handle component <NUM> than that which is shown in the drawings in other embodiments. In certain embodiments, the actuator button <NUM> may be replaced by other types of actuator devices. The refill component <NUM> is detachably coupled to the stem portion <NUM> of the handle component <NUM> as described in greater detail below. Different variations of refill components may be used with and coupled to/decoupled from the handle component <NUM> so that a user has options regarding the type of refill component desired for use.

The refill component <NUM> includes a sleeve portion <NUM> and a head portion <NUM>. In certain embodiments, any refill component <NUM> described herein may be a toothbrush refill head, and as such, a plurality of tooth cleaning elements <NUM> are mounted to the head portion <NUM> and extend from a front surface <NUM> of the head portion <NUM> of the refill component <NUM>. A soft tissue cleaner <NUM>, which may be formed of an elastomeric material, is coupled to or mounted on a rear surface <NUM> of the head portion <NUM> of the refill component <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a cross-sectional view of the handle component <NUM> of the oral care implement <NUM>. The handle component <NUM> includes the gripping section <NUM>, a chassis <NUM>, a power source <NUM> (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 <NUM>, a motor <NUM> having a drive shaft <NUM>, a vibratory source <NUM>, and the stem portion <NUM>. The gripping section <NUM> is configured to be gripped or grasped by a user to enable the user to manipulate the oral care implement <NUM> during use. The gripping section <NUM> also houses the electronic circuitry and components necessary for operation of the oral care implement <NUM> as a powered or electric toothbrush which emits light. In certain embodiments, the power source <NUM> 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 <NUM> of the handle component <NUM> has an interior cavity for accommodating the chassis <NUM>, the power source <NUM>, and the control circuit <NUM>. The interior cavity of the gripping section <NUM> may be cylindrical in some embodiments.

In certain embodiments, the control circuit <NUM> may include a programmable controller to enable greater functionality and control over the electronic components within the oral care implement <NUM>. The control circuit <NUM> may be in operable communication with the button <NUM>, thereby enabling a user to provide input to the control circuit <NUM> for controlling the oral care implement <NUM>. User input to the control circuit <NUM> may be used to control any one or more of the electrical components included as part of the oral care implement <NUM>.

The stem portion <NUM> includes an open proximate end <NUM> which is affixed to the chassis <NUM> of the gripping section <NUM> and terminates in a sealed distal end <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the that stem portion <NUM> and the gripping section <NUM> may be integrally formed. The body <NUM> of the stem portion <NUM> may be tapered and generally cone-shaped, with a smaller cross-sectional profile at the sealed distal end <NUM> as compared to the open proximate end <NUM>. The external surface of the body <NUM> of the stem portion <NUM> may include a coupling element <NUM> which serves as an orientation key when the refill component <NUM> is coupled to the handle component <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the coupling element <NUM> may also serve to lock the refill component <NUM> onto the handle component <NUM>.

The open proximate end <NUM> of the stem portion <NUM> provides a passageway into a stem cavity <NUM> for receiving and/or retaining the vibratory source <NUM> and the motor <NUM> in certain embodiments. The sealed distal end <NUM> of the stem portion <NUM> forms an engagement portion <NUM>, which is configured to engage an inner surface of the sleeve portion <NUM> of the refill component <NUM> when the refill component <NUM> is coupled to the handle component <NUM>. The engagement portion <NUM> includes a stem tip <NUM> extending from an upper surface <NUM> of the stem portion <NUM>, such that the upper surface <NUM> forms an annular transverse shoulder that surrounds the stem tip <NUM>.

The vibratory source <NUM> includes an extension shaft <NUM> that may be formed of a synthetic resin and an eccentric shaft <NUM> that may be formed of metal. The extension shaft <NUM> of the vibratory source <NUM> is engaged with the drive shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM> so that the motor <NUM> can rotate the vibratory source <NUM> to impart a desired movement to the refill component <NUM>. The motor <NUM> is electrically connected by 62a, 62b to the control circuit <NUM>, which controls operation of the motor <NUM> and is powered by the power source <NUM>. The eccentric shaft <NUM> of the vibratory source <NUM> includes an eccentric portion <NUM> and an axial shaft portion <NUM>. The bottom end of the eccentric portion <NUM> is connected to the extension shaft <NUM>.

A recessed hole <NUM> is formed at the end of the stem cavity <NUM> adjacent the distal end <NUM> of the stem portion <NUM>. The recessed hole <NUM> slidably receives the axial shaft portion <NUM> of the eccentric shaft <NUM> of the vibratory source <NUM>. Thus, an upper end of the eccentric shaft <NUM> of the vibratory source <NUM> is mounted within or adjacent to the stem tip <NUM>. With this configuration, the eccentric portion <NUM> of the vibratory device <NUM> is rotatably mounted within the stem cavity <NUM>. The recessed hole <NUM> serves as a bearing for holding the axial shaft portion <NUM> of the eccentric shaft <NUM> of the vibratory source <NUM>. The vibratory source <NUM> is freely rotated in the stem cavity <NUM> even under high frequency vibration. In certain embodiments, because the recessed hole <NUM> serves as the bearing, it is not necessary to provide a separate bearing arrangement for rotatably holding the axial shaft portion <NUM>. Of course, a separate bearing assembly may be provided in some embodiments.

As noted above, the motor <NUM> is operably coupled to the power source <NUM> through the control circuit <NUM>. The drive shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM> is operably coupled to the eccentric portion <NUM> of the vibratory source <NUM> to rotate the eccentric portion <NUM> to cause vibrations in the refill component <NUM>, or specifically to the head portion <NUM> or the tooth cleaning elements <NUM> thereon. Specifically, when the vibratory source <NUM> rotates about its axis by the motor <NUM>, the eccentric portion <NUM> generates a high frequency vibration which is transmitted to the stem arrangement <NUM> and to the refill component <NUM> coupled thereto.

Two lead wires 93a, 93b, which serve to provide power to a light generating module included in the refill component <NUM>, are also coupled to the control circuit <NUM>. These lead wires 93a, 93b extend from the control circuit <NUM> to the body <NUM> of the stem portion <NUM>, and up to the distal end <NUM> of the stem portion <NUM>, where they each terminate at electrical contacts 94a, 94b. As depicted, the lead wires 93a, 93b are embedded within the body <NUM> of the stem portion <NUM> to prevent interference with the vibratory source <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the lead wires 93a, 93b may run along the inside surface of the body <NUM> of the stem portion <NUM>. In still other embodiments, particularly those without vibratory sources, the lead wires 93a, 93b may extend within the stem cavity <NUM> without being embedded within or running along the surface of the body <NUM> of the stem portion.

The refill component <NUM>, shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, includes a sleeve portion <NUM> and a head portion <NUM>. The sleeve portion <NUM> of the refill component <NUM> slides over the stem portion <NUM> of the handle component <NUM> to couple the refill component <NUM> to the stem portion <NUM>. The sleeve portion <NUM> extends from a proximal end <NUM> to a distal end <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the head portion <NUM> and the sleeve portion <NUM> 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 <NUM> and the sleeve portion <NUM> may be integrally formed or separately formed and later coupled together. In the exemplified embodiment the head and sleeve portions <NUM>, <NUM> are integrally formed in an injection molding process.

The head portion <NUM> of the refill component <NUM> is located at the distal end <NUM> of the sleeve portion <NUM> and includes a front surface <NUM> and an opposing rear surface <NUM>. As discussed above, there are a plurality of tooth cleaning elements <NUM> extending from the front surface <NUM> of the head portion <NUM> of the refill component <NUM>. The plurality of tooth cleaning elements <NUM> include a plurality of bristle tufts <NUM> that are mounted to the head portion <NUM> and extend from the front surface <NUM> of the head portion <NUM>. Each of the bristle tufts <NUM> 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 <NUM> may be coupled to the head portion <NUM> using staple technology, anchor-free tufting technologies, or the like as desired.

In addition to the bristle tufts <NUM>, the tooth cleaning elements <NUM> may include one or more elastomeric tooth contact elements 135a, 135b extending from the front surface <NUM> of the head portion <NUM>. In certain embodiments the bristle tufts <NUM> form a bristle field, and the elastomeric tooth contact elements 135a, 135b are located within the bristle field. In the exemplified embodiment the bristle tufts <NUM> extend to a height above the front surface <NUM> of the head portion <NUM> of the refill component <NUM> that is greater than a height that the elastomeric tooth contact elements 135a, 135b extend above the front surface <NUM> of the head portion <NUM> of the refill component <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown, the bristle tufts <NUM> and the elastomeric tooth contact elements 135a, 135b have a specific pattern on the head portion <NUM> of the refill component <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, other patterns for the bristle tufts <NUM> and the elastomeric tooth cleaning contact elements 135a, 135b may be used.

In this embodiment, the elastomeric tooth contact elements 135a, 135b include four peripheral contact elements 135a and two central contact elements 135b. The peripheral contact elements 135a include two peripheral contact elements 135a that are transversely aligned near a proximal end of the head portion <NUM> and two peripheral contact elements 135a that are transversely aligned near a distal end of the head portion <NUM>. The peripheral contact elements 135a are linear wall-like segments having a rib <NUM> protruding from its inner surface. Thus, the ribs <NUM> of the peripheral contact elements <NUM> face inwardly towards a center of the head portion <NUM>.

The two central contact elements 135b are arcuate shaped contact elements positioned centrally on the head portion <NUM> of the refill component <NUM>. The central contact elements 135b 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 135b 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 <NUM> of the refill component <NUM>, respectively.

The bristle tufts <NUM> 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 135a in the longitudinal direction of the head portion <NUM> of the refill component <NUM>. The bristle tufts also include four proximal bristle tufts located between the bottom one of the central contact elements 135b and the proximal end of the head portion <NUM> and six distal bristle tufts located between the top one of the central contact elements 135b and the proximal end of the head portion <NUM>. The four proximal tufts are positioned generally between two of the peripheral contact elements 135a located near the proximal end of the head portion <NUM>. The six distal proximal tufts are positioned generally between two of the peripheral contact elements 135a located near the distal end of the.

In this exemplary embodiment, the refill component <NUM> includes a light generating module <NUM> located within a cavity <NUM> formed within the head portion <NUM>. The light generating module <NUM> is configured to emit light in a first spectrum from the refill component <NUM>. To accomplish this, the light generating module <NUM> includes at least one light source <NUM>, a light guide <NUM>, and a light filter <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the light generating module <NUM> includes two light emitting diodes 206a, 206b as the light source <NUM>. Each light emitting diode 206a, 206b is positioned within the cavity <NUM> to direct light into one of the elastomeric tooth cleaning contacts elements 135b, both of which serve as part of the light guide <NUM> for the light generating module <NUM>. As part of the light guide <NUM>, the elastomeric tooth cleaning contacts elements 135b form part of a light receiving end <NUM> of the light guide <NUM>, which is located closest to the light emitting diodes 206a, 206b, and form part of a light emitting end <NUM>, which is distal from the front surface <NUM> of the head portion <NUM>. Light generated by the light emitting diodes 206a, 206b is received into the light receiving end <NUM> of the light guide <NUM> formed by the elastomeric tooth cleaning contacts elements 135b, and the received light is guided down the length of each elastomeric tooth cleaning contacts elements 135b to be emitted at the light emitting end <NUM> of the light guide <NUM>, which is at the distal ends of the elastomeric tooth cleaning contacts elements 135b. In this manner, light generated by the light source <NUM> is emitted from the refill component <NUM>. Although the above describes light as being emitted from the front surface <NUM> of the head portion <NUM> and/or from the elastomeric tooth cleaning contacts elements 135b, in certain embodiments, light may be emitted from any part of the head portion <NUM>, such as the rear surface <NUM> of the head portion <NUM>, or from the entirety of the head portion <NUM>.

In embodiments in which the light emitting diodes 206a, 206b generate light across a broad spectral range, generated light may be passed through the light filter <NUM> in order to spectrally limit light emitted from the head portion <NUM> of the refill component <NUM> to a desired spectrum. In embodiments in which the light emitting diodes 206a, 206b generate light in a spectrum that is desired for emission from the refill component <NUM>, then the light filter <NUM> may be omitted. In certain embodiments, an alternative light guide may be used that is positioned between the light source <NUM> and the front surface <NUM> of the head portion <NUM>, without extending beyond the front surface <NUM>, so that light is emitted directly from the front surface <NUM> of the head portion <NUM>. In such embodiments, it is optional to also use the elastomeric tooth cleaning contacts elements 135b as secondary light guides. In certain embodiments, one or both of the light guide <NUM> and the light filter <NUM> may be omitted from the light generating module <NUM>.

In the exemplary embodiment, the refill component <NUM> also includes electrical contacts 211a, 211b located within the sleeve portion <NUM>, and the electrical contacts 211a, 211b are operably coupled to the light generating module <NUM> by wires 212a, 212b. The location of the electrical contacts 211a, 211b within the sleeve portion <NUM> is such that, when the refill component <NUM> is seated on the stem portion <NUM> of the handle component <NUM>, electrical contact is made between the electrical contacts 211a, 211b within the sleeve portion <NUM> and the electrical contacts 94a, 94b of the stem portion <NUM> of the handle component <NUM>. Electrical contact between the electrical contacts 211a, 211b within the sleeve portion <NUM> and the electrical contacts 94a, 94b of the stem portion <NUM> of the handle component <NUM> serve to provide power to the light generating module <NUM> from the power source <NUM> as controlled by the control circuit <NUM>. With power to the light generating module <NUM> being controlled by the control circuit <NUM>, the control circuit <NUM> may be configured to provide power to the light generating module <NUM> based upon user input from the button <NUM> (see <FIG>).

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 <NUM>. 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 <NUM> 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 <NUM> include a <NUM> to <NUM> wavelength spectrum, a <NUM> to <NUM> wavelength spectrum, and a <NUM> to <NUM> wavelength spectrum. Other spectrums of light may also be emitted from the refill component <NUM>. 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 <NUM> includes a sleeve cavity <NUM> that extends along a longitudinal axis A-A from a blind top end <NUM> to an open bottom end <NUM> that is located at the proximal end <NUM> of the sleeve portion <NUM>. The blind top end <NUM> of the sleeve cavity <NUM> is blind because it is not visible from the exterior of the refill component <NUM>. The sleeve cavity <NUM> accommodates the stem portion <NUM> of the handle component <NUM> to permit coupling of the refill component <NUM> to the handle component <NUM>.

The sleeve cavity <NUM> includes an entry section <NUM> and an engagement section <NUM>. The entry section <NUM> of the sleeve cavity <NUM> has a first minimum diameter and includes the open bottom end <NUM> of the sleeve cavity <NUM>. The engagement section <NUM> of the sleeve cavity <NUM> has a second minimum diameter that is less than the first minimum diameter. In certain embodiments the maximum diameter of the engagement section <NUM> is less than the minimum diameter of the entry section <NUM>.

The sleeve portion <NUM> includes an outer surface <NUM> and an inner surface <NUM>, the inner surface <NUM> defining the sleeve cavity <NUM>. The inner surface <NUM> of the sleeve portion <NUM> includes an annular transverse shoulder <NUM> located between the entry section <NUM> of the sleeve cavity <NUM> and the engagement section <NUM> of the sleeve cavity <NUM>. The sleeve cavity <NUM> further includes an uppermost section <NUM> located between the engagement section <NUM> and the blind top end <NUM> of the sleeve cavity <NUM>. As shown, the uppermost section <NUM> of the sleeve cavity <NUM> has a transverse cross-sectional area that continually decreases with distance from the engagement section <NUM> of the sleeve cavity <NUM> towards the blind top end <NUM> of the sleeve cavity <NUM>.

The refill component <NUM> includes a coupling element <NUM> located near the proximal end <NUM> of the sleeve portion <NUM>. As shown, the coupling element <NUM> is an opening formed into the sleeve portion <NUM> that extends from the open bottom end <NUM> of the sleeve portion <NUM> upwardly in the direction of the head portion <NUM> for a portion of the length of the refill component <NUM>. The coupling element <NUM> may have a specific structure or shape that permits the coupling element <NUM> to mate with the coupling element <NUM> on the stem portion <NUM> to facilitate coupling and/or locking the refill component <NUM> to the handle component <NUM>.

The refill component <NUM> is alterable between a coupled state, as illustrated in <FIG>, in which the stem portion <NUM> of the handle component <NUM> is disposed within the sleeve cavity <NUM> of the refill component <NUM>, and a decoupled state, in which the refill component <NUM> is separated from the handle component <NUM>. In the decoupled state, the refill component <NUM> is separated from the handle component <NUM>. In the coupled state, the refill component <NUM> is mounted to the handle component <NUM> and the light generating module <NUM> is powered by the power source <NUM> to emit light from the refill component <NUM>.

A package <NUM> is shown in <FIG> which contains an oral care product array including one handle component <NUM>, a first refill component 100a, and a second refill component 100b. In certain embodiments, the package <NUM> may include additional refill components. The handle component <NUM> may have the features as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Each refill component 100a, 100b may have the features as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Optionally, each refill component 100a, 100b may have any one or more of the features described for alternative embodiments above. The difference between the refill components 100a, 100b is that the first refill component 100a is configured to emit light in a first spectrum, and the second refill component 100b 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 100a, 100b having the features shown for the refill components <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>. Optionally, each refill component 100a, 100b may have any one or more of the features described for alternative embodiments described in conjunction with <FIG> and <FIG>.

In the package <NUM>, each refill component 100a, 100b is shown in the decoupled state. Each refill component 100a, 100b may be separately placed in the coupled state on the handle component <NUM> (i.e., with the one handle component <NUM>, both refill components 100a, 100b may not be simultaneously placed in the coupled state). When the first refill component 100a is mounted to the handle component <NUM> in the coupled state, the light generating module of the first refill component 100a is powered by the power source of the handle component <NUM> to emit light in the first spectrum from the first refill component 100a. Similarly, when the second refill component 100b is mounted to the handle component <NUM> in the coupled state, the light generating module of the second refill component 100b is powered by the power source of the handle component <NUM> to emit light in the second spectrum from the second refill component 100b.

An alternative embodiment of an oral care implement <NUM> is shown in <FIG> having a refill component <NUM> mounted on a handle component <NUM>. The handle component <NUM> includes most of the same structural features as shown for the handle component <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>. The handle component <NUM> includes the gripping section <NUM>, a chassis <NUM>, a power source (not shown in <FIG>), a control circuit <NUM>, a motor <NUM> having a drive shaft <NUM>, a vibratory source <NUM>, and a stem portion <NUM>.

The stem portion <NUM> includes an open proximate end <NUM> which is affixed to the chassis <NUM> of the gripping section <NUM> and terminates in a sealed distal end <NUM>. The open proximate end <NUM> of the stem portion <NUM> provides a passageway into a stem cavity <NUM> for receiving and/or retaining the vibratory source <NUM> and the motor <NUM> in certain embodiments. The sealed distal end <NUM> of the stem portion <NUM> forms an engagement portion <NUM>, which is configured to engage an inner surface of the sleeve portion <NUM> of the refill component <NUM> when the refill component <NUM> is coupled to the handle component <NUM>. The engagement portion <NUM> includes a stem tip <NUM> extending from an upper surface <NUM> of the stem portion <NUM>, such that the upper surface <NUM> forms an annular transverse shoulder that surrounds the stem tip <NUM>.

A light generating module <NUM> is located within the handle component <NUM> at the stem tip <NUM>. The light generating module <NUM> is configured to emit light across a spectral range, and to that end, the light generating module <NUM> includes at least one light source <NUM>. As shown, the light generating module <NUM> includes a light emitting diode <NUM> as the light source <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, the light generating module <NUM> may include a plurality of light emitting diodes as the light source <NUM>. The light emitting diode <NUM> is coupled to the control circuit <NUM> by lead wires 242a, 242b, so that the control circuit <NUM> may control power supplied to the light emitting diode <NUM> from the power source.

The refill component <NUM> also includes a light guide <NUM> for guiding light from the light generating module <NUM> of the handle component <NUM> to the head portion <NUM> of the refill component <NUM>. The light guide <NUM> includes a light receiving end <NUM>, located between the blind top end <NUM> of the sleeve cavity <NUM> and the distal end <NUM> of the sleeve portion <NUM>, and a light emitting end <NUM>, which directs light out of the front surface <NUM> of the head portion <NUM>. The light emitting end <NUM> of the light guide <NUM> also directs light into the elastomeric tooth contact elements 135b, such that the elastomeric tooth contact elements 135b form part of the light emitting end <NUM> of the light guide <NUM>. A light filter <NUM> is located at the light receiving end <NUM> of the light guide <NUM> to in order to spectrally limit light emitted from the head portion <NUM> of the refill component <NUM> to a desired spectrum. In embodiments in which the light emitting diode <NUM> generates light in a spectrum that is desired for emission from the refill component <NUM>, then the light filter <NUM> may be omitted.

With the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the handle component <NUM> and a plurality of the refill components <NUM> may be incorporated into an oral care package in the same manner as shown and described for <FIG>.

An alternative embodiment of an oral care implement <NUM> is shown in <FIG> having a refill component <NUM> mounted on a handle component <NUM>. The handle component <NUM> includes some of the same structural features as shown for the handle component <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>. The handle component <NUM> includes the gripping section <NUM>, a chassis <NUM>, a power source (not shown in <FIG>), a control circuit <NUM>, and a stem portion <NUM>. The handle component <NUM> of the embodiment depicted does not include a vibratory source <NUM>, however, in alternative embodiments a vibratory source <NUM> could be included.

A light generating module <NUM> is located within the chassis <NUM> of the handle component <NUM>. The light generating module <NUM> is configured to emit light in a desired spectrum. To that end, the light generating module <NUM> includes at least one light source <NUM> which emits light across a spectral range. As shown, the light generating module <NUM> includes a light emitting diode <NUM> as the light source <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, the light generating module <NUM> may include a plurality of light emitting diodes as the light source <NUM>. The light emitting diode <NUM> is coupled to the control circuit <NUM> by lead wires 262a, 262b, so that the control circuit <NUM> may control power supplied to the light emitting diode <NUM> from the power source.

The light generating module <NUM> includes a light filter module <NUM>. The light filter module <NUM> 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 <NUM> is operably coupled to a servo motor <NUM>, which is located within the chassis <NUM> of the handle component <NUM>, through lead wires 263a, 263b. The servo motor <NUM> is operably coupled to a drive shaft <NUM>, which is in turn operably coupled to a rotatable filter plate <NUM>, which includes the plurality of light filters. The control circuit <NUM> serves as an actuator for the servo motor <NUM> and controls rotation of the servo motor <NUM> to rotate the rotatable filter plate <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the control circuit <NUM> may be actuated by the actuator button <NUM> included as part of the handle component <NUM>. <FIG> shows a schematic view of the rotatable filter plate <NUM>, which includes three filter sections, F0, F1, and F2. More or fewer light filters may be included as part of the filter plate <NUM>. The handle component <NUM> includes a light guide <NUM> having a receiving end <NUM> positioned to receive light passing through the selected filter (one of F0, F1, or F2) of the rotatable filter plate <NUM> and guide the received light to the emitting end <NUM>, which directs light out through the stem tip <NUM> of the stem portion <NUM>. Each filter section, F0, F1, and F2, when activated by optical coupling between the light source <NUM> and the receiving end <NUM> of the light guide <NUM>, 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 <NUM> and emitted at the emitting end <NUM> of the light guide <NUM>.

The refill component <NUM> includes a light guide <NUM> for guiding light from the emitting end <NUM> of the light guide <NUM> of the handle component <NUM> to the head portion <NUM> of the refill component <NUM>. The light guide <NUM> includes a light receiving end <NUM>, which is located between the blind top end <NUM> of the sleeve cavity <NUM> and the distal end <NUM> of the sleeve portion <NUM>, and a light emitting end <NUM>, which directs light out of the front surface <NUM> of the head portion <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, the light emitting end <NUM> of the light guide <NUM> may also direct light into one or more elastomeric tooth contact elements which are included as part of the refill component <NUM>.

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 <NUM> 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 <NUM> using the light filter module <NUM>.

Yet another alternative embodiment of an oral care implement <NUM> is shown in <FIG> having a refill component <NUM> mounted on a handle component <NUM>. In the depiction of this embodiment, the features which serve to enable mounting the refill component <NUM> onto the handle component <NUM> have been omitted for purposes of simplicity. It is to be understood that the handle component <NUM> may still include a stem portion <NUM> and the refill component <NUM> may still include a sleeve portion <NUM> for coupling the refill component <NUM> to the handle component <NUM>. Moreover, features of one or more of the previously discussed embodiments, particularly those which include a light generating module within the refill component <NUM>, may be incorporated into the embodiment of <FIG>.

The refill component <NUM> includes a light generating module <NUM> located within a cavity <NUM> formed within the head portion <NUM>. The light generating module <NUM> is configured to emit light in a first spectrum from the refill component <NUM>. To accomplish this, the light generating module <NUM> includes at least one light source <NUM> and a light guide <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the light generating module <NUM> may also include a light filter <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the light generating module <NUM> includes a light emitting diode <NUM> as the light source <NUM>. The light emitting diode <NUM> is positioned within the cavity <NUM> to direct light into the elastomeric tooth cleaning contacts elements 135b, both of which serve as part of the light guide <NUM> for the light generating module <NUM> to emit light generated by the light source <NUM> from the refill component <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the handle component <NUM> includes control circuit <NUM> which is operably coupled to a handle coil <NUM> through wire leads 291a, 291b. The handle coil <NUM> is located within the handle component <NUM> to be in close proximity to a refill coil <NUM> located within the refill component <NUM>. Each of the two coils <NUM>, <NUM> are wire coils, each including several loops of wire to create an electrical inductor. The two coils <NUM>, <NUM> are in sufficiently close proximity to be inductively coupled, i.e., when the handle coil <NUM> is powered by the control circuit <NUM> with an appropriate oscillating power signal, an induction field is established by the handle coil <NUM>, and this induction field is coupled to the refill coil <NUM> to induce a current to be generated within the refill coil <NUM>. The refill coil <NUM> is operably coupled to the light generating module <NUM> through lead wires 293a, 293b, such that the current generated by the inductively coupled refill coil <NUM> provides power to the light generating module <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An oral care implement (<NUM>) comprising:
a handle component (<NUM>) comprising:
a gripping section (<NUM>);
a power source (<NUM>); and
an inductive power circuit operably coupled to the power source (<NUM>); and
a toothbrush refill head (<NUM>) comprising:
a head portion (<NUM>);
a plurality of tooth cleaning elements (<NUM>) extending from a front surface (<NUM>) of the head portion (<NUM>);
a light generating module (<NUM>) configured to generate light across a spectral range; and
an inductive element operably coupled to the light generating module (<NUM>);
the toothbrush refill head (<NUM>) alterable between: (<NUM>) a decoupled state in which the toothbrush refill head (<NUM>) is separated from the handle component (<NUM>); and (<NUM>) a coupled state in which the toothbrush refill head (<NUM>) is mounted to the handle component (<NUM>) and the inductive element of the toothbrush refill head (<NUM>) is inductively coupled to the inductive power circuit of the handle component to supply power from the power source (<NUM>) to the light generating module (<NUM>), wherein the light generating module (<NUM>) comprises a light source (<NUM>) located in the head portion (<NUM>) of the toothbrush refill head (<NUM>), characterised in that the light generating module (<NUM>) further comprises a light guide (<NUM>) having a light receiving end (<NUM>) and a light emitting end (<NUM>), the light receiving end (<NUM>) receiving light from the light source (<NUM>) and the light emitting end (<NUM>) emitting light from the head portion (<NUM>) of the toothbrush refill head (<NUM>).