Oral care device, handle thereof, and oral care replacement head thereof

Abstract

An oral care implement (1000) includes a handle (100) and an oral care replacement head (200). The oral care replacement head (200) is capable of changing between a first state in which the oral care replacement head and the handle (100) are separated and a second state in which the oral care replacement head is coupled to the handle (100) by inserting the stem (120) of the handle (100) into the interior of a cavity (221) of the oral care replacement head (200). The oral care replacement head (200) has at least one alignment groove (250, 260) that receives at least one alignment rib of the stem (120) of the handle (100). In addition, the stem (120) and the oral care replacement head (200) include snap-fit ​​locking features that form a snap-fit ​​interlock to secure the oral care replacement head (200) to the handle (100).

Description

Background Art

[0001] Toothbrushes with replaceable heads have been used for many years, allowing users to replace the head of the toothbrush to continue using it with the same handle. This is commonly used with electric toothbrushes because the handle houses expensive electronic circuitry, making it cost-prohibitive to dispose of the handle each time the cleaning elements on the head wear out and need replacement. However, manual toothbrushes also exist that use replaceable heads, which can be beneficial to the environment, for example because less plastic waste is added to landfills when only the head is replaced every three months or so. There is a continuing need for improvements in the connection mechanism between a handle and a replaceable head configured to attach to the handle. Summary of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an oral care implement comprising a handle and an oral care replacement head. The oral care replacement head is capable of being changed between a first state in which the oral care replacement head and the handle are separated and a second state in which the oral care replacement head is coupled to the handle by inserting a stem of the handle into a cavity of the oral care replacement head. The oral care replacement head includes at least one alignment groove that receives at least one alignment rib of the stem of the handle. In addition, the stem and the replacement head include a snap-fit ​​interlocking feature that forms a snap-fit ​​interlock to secure the oral care replacement head to the handle.

[0003] In one aspect, the present invention can be an oral care implement, which includes: a handle, the handle including a gripping portion having a distal end and a shaft extending from the distal end of the gripping portion along a shaft axis, the shaft including a first axial section extending axially from the distal end of the gripping portion, a second axial section extending axially from the first axial section, and a first alignment element, the second axial section including a lower end surface, the lower end surface protruding outward from the first axial section in a direction away from the shaft axis to form a downwardly facing shoulder, the first alignment element protruding from and extending axially along an outer surface of the first axial section and terminating at a distal end axially spaced apart from the lower end surface of the second axial section; and an oral care replacement head, the oral care replacement head including an oral care The invention relates to a processing portion and a sleeve portion, the sleeve portion including an inner surface defining a sleeve cavity extending along the cavity axis and a proximal edge surface defining an opening into the sleeve cavity, the sleeve cavity including a first alignment groove formed into the inner surface and a snap element, the oral care replacement head being able to change between a first state and a second state, in the first state, the oral care replacement head is separated from the handle, in the second state, the rod portion of the handle is arranged in the sleeve cavity of the sleeve portion so that the proximal edge surface of the oral care replacement head is adjacent to the distal end of the gripping portion of the handle and the first alignment element of the handle is nested in the first alignment groove of the oral care replacement head, and the oral care replacement head is fixed to the handle by engagement between the snap element of the oral care replacement head and the downward-facing shoulder of the rod portion.

[0004] In another aspect, the present invention may be an oral care implement handle for removably connecting to an oral care replacement head, the oral care implement handle comprising a gripping portion having a distal end and a stem extending along a stem axis and protruding from the distal end of the gripping portion, the stem comprising: a first axial section extending from the distal end of the gripping portion; a second axial section extending axially from the first axial section, a lower end surface of the second axial section protruding outward from the first axial section to form a downward-facing shoulder; and a first alignment rib protruding from and extending axially along an outer surface of the first axial section, the distal end of the first alignment rib being axially spaced from the downward-facing shoulder of the second axial section.

[0005] In another aspect, the present invention can be an oral care implement handle for being detachably connected to an oral care replacement head, the oral care implement handle comprising a gripping portion having a distal end and a rod portion extending along a rod axis and protruding from the distal end of the gripping portion, the rod portion comprising: a rod body having an outer surface; a first alignment rib protruding from the outer surface of the rod body on a first side of the rod axis and extending axially along the outer surface, the outer surface of the first alignment element extending along a first alignment axis that intersects the rod axis at a first angle; and a second alignment rib protruding from the outer surface of the rod body on a second side of the rod axis opposite to the first side of the rod axis and extending axially along the outer surface, the outer surface of the second alignment element extending along a second alignment axis that intersects the rod axis at a second angle greater than the first angle.

[0006] In another aspect, the present invention can be an oral care replacement head for removably connecting to a rod portion of a handle, the oral care replacement head comprising an oral care treatment portion and a sleeve portion, the sleeve portion comprising: an inner surface defining a sleeve cavity extending along a cavity axis; a sleeve snap element protruding from the inner surface toward the cavity axis and configured to snap interlock with the rod snap element of the rod portion; a first alignment groove formed into the inner surface on a first side of the cavity axis, wherein a first reference plane transverse to the rod axis intersects both the first alignment groove and the sleeve snap element; and a second alignment groove formed into the inner surface on a second side of the cavity axis opposite to the first side of the cavity axis, wherein the second alignment groove does not intersect the first reference plane.

[0007] In yet another aspect, the present invention can be an oral care replacement head for removably connecting to a rod portion of a handle, the oral care replacement head comprising an oral care treatment portion and a sleeve portion, the sleeve portion comprising: an inner surface defining a sleeve cavity extending along a cavity axis; a first alignment groove formed into the inner surface on a first side of the cavity axis, the first alignment groove comprising a bottom portion extending along a first groove axis oriented at a first angle relative to the cavity axis; and a second alignment groove formed into the inner surface on a second side of the cavity axis opposite to the first side of the cavity axis, the second alignment groove comprising a bottom portion extending along a second groove axis, the second groove axis oriented at a second angle relative to the cavity axis greater than the first angle.

[0008] In another aspect, the present invention can be an oral care replacement head for being removably connected to a rod portion of a handle, the oral care replacement head comprising an oral care treatment portion and a sleeve portion, the sleeve portion comprising: an inner surface defining a sleeve cavity extending along a cavity axis; a sleeve snap element protruding from the inner surface toward the cavity axis and configured to snap interlock with the rod snap element of the rod portion; and a first alignment groove formed into the inner surface, the first alignment groove comprising a bottom portion extending along the first groove axis, the first groove axis being oriented at an angle relative to the cavity axis.

[0009] In another aspect, the present invention can be an oral care replacement head for removably connecting to a rod portion of a handle, the oral care replacement head comprising an oral care processing portion having a plurality of tooth cleaning elements and a sleeve portion, the sleeve portion comprising: an inner surface defining a sleeve cavity extending along a cavity axis; a sleeve snap element positioned along the inner surface and configured to engage with the rod snap element of the rod portion; and at least one alignment groove configured to receive a first alignment rib and a second alignment rib of the rod portion, the first alignment rib and the second alignment rib being separated by 180° from each other, the at least one alignment groove comprising a first portion on a first side of the cavity axis for receiving the first alignment rib, and a second portion on a second side of the cavity axis for receiving the second alignment rib.

[0010] The present invention can be an oral care replacement head comprising an oral treatment portion and a sleeve portion. Optionally, the sleeve portion can have an inner surface defining a sleeve cavity extending along a cavity axis. Optionally, the sleeve portion can include a sleeve snap element protruding from the inner surface toward the cavity axis. The sleeve snap element can be configured to interlock with a stem snap element of a handle to which the oral care replacement head is configured to be coupled. Optionally, the sleeve portion can include a first alignment groove formed into the inner surface for receiving a first alignment rib of the handle's stem. Optionally, the sleeve portion can include a second alignment groove formed into the inner surface for receiving a second alignment rib of the handle's stem. Optionally, the first alignment groove and the second alignment groove can extend along an axis that is inclined relative to the cavity axis. The present invention can include one or both of the alignment grooves of the various different embodiments described herein.

[0011] The present invention may be an oral care implement comprising the oral care replacement head described above and a handle. Optionally, the handle may comprise a gripping portion and a stem. Optionally, the stem may comprise a first axial section extending from the stem and a second axial section extending from the first axial section. Optionally, the lower surface of the second axial section may protrude radially from the first axial section to form a downwardly facing shoulder facing the gripping portion and for interlocking with the sleeve snap element of the oral care replacement head. Optionally, the stem may comprise a first alignment element protruding from an outer surface of the stem. Optionally, the stem may comprise a second alignment element protruding from an outer surface of the stem. Optionally, the first alignment element and the second alignment element may be received in a first alignment groove and a second alignment groove. The present invention may comprise one or both of the alignment elements in the various different embodiments described herein.

[0012] 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

[0013] The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an oral care implement according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the handle and oral care replacement head are in an attached state;

[0015] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of an oral care implement with a handle and a replacement oral care head disassembled;

[0016] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Close-up stereogram of area III;

[0017] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Close-up front view of region III;

[0018] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 Close-up side view of region III;

[0019] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 a top view of a handle of an oral care appliance;

[0020] Figure 7 It is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII;

[0021] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 Front view of the oral care replacement head;

[0022] Figure 9 yes Figure 1 Side view of the oral care replacement head;

[0023] Figure 10 yes Figure 1 Bottom view of the oral care replacement head;

[0024] Figure 11 It is along Figure 8 A cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI;

[0025] Figure 12A It is a diagram showing the positioning Figure 1 The stem portion of the handle is aligned to attach to the stem portion of the Figure 1 A stereoscopic view of an oral care replacement head;

[0026] Figure 12B It is along Figure 12A A cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII;

[0027] Figure 13A is shown partially inserted into Figure 1 Oral Care Replacement Head Cavity Figure 1 A perspective view of the stem portion of the handle;

[0028] Figure 13B It is along Figure 13A A cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII;

[0029] Figure 14A It's a picture Figure 1 Oral Care Replacement Heads Figure 1 A perspective view of a portion of the handle in an attached state; and

[0030] Figure 14B It is along Figure 14A A cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] 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.

[0032] The description of the illustrative embodiments according to the principles of the present invention is intended to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which will be considered as part of the entire written description. In the description of the embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is intended only for convenience of description and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Relative terms such as "lower", "upper", "horizontal", "vertical", "above", "below", "upward", "downward", "top" and "bottom" and their derivatives (e.g., "horizontally", "downwardly", "upwardly", etc.) should be understood to refer to the orientation shown in the accompanying drawings as described later or in the discussion. These relative terms are only for convenience of description, and unless clearly stated otherwise, do not require the device to be constructed or operated in a specific orientation. Unless otherwise clearly described, terms such as "attachment", "attachment", "connection", "connection", "interconnection" and similar words refer to the relationship in which structures are fixed or attached to each other directly or indirectly through intermediate structures, and the attachment or relationship in which the two are removable or rigid. In addition, the features and benefits of the present invention are described with reference to exemplary embodiments. Therefore, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combinations of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims.

[0033] First refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , which illustrates an oral care appliance 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the oral care appliance 1000 is a manual toothbrush. However, the present invention is not so limited in all embodiments, and the oral care appliance 1000 can take other structural forms, including an electric toothbrush, a tongue scraper, a gum and soft tissue cleaner, an irrigator, an interdental device, a tooth polisher, a specially designed handle appliance with tooth engaging elements, or any other type of appliance commonly used for oral care. In addition, in other embodiments, the appliance may not be dedicated to oral care, but may instead be a personal care appliance, which includes the various types of oral care appliances mentioned herein, and also includes hairbrushes, razors, body scrubbers, skin treatment devices, etc. Therefore, it should be understood that unless a specific type of appliance is specified in the claims, the inventive concepts discussed herein can be applied to any type of oral care appliance or personal care appliance.

[0034] The oral care implement 1000 generally includes a handle 100 and an oral care replacement head 200. The handle 100 is the portion of the oral care implement 1000 that is gripped by the user during use of the oral care implement 1000, while the oral care replacement head 200 is the portion of the oral care implement 1000 that includes a handling portion for performing a treatment, such as oral cleaning, on the user. The oral care replacement head 200 is capable of being in a first state (e.g., Figure 2 ) and a second state in which the oral care replacement head 200 is coupled to the handle 100 (as shown in FIG. Figure 1 Thus, the oral care replacement head 200 is replaceable so that once its handling portion is worn, it can be replaced with a new oral care replacement head by attaching it to the same common handle 100. This can reduce cost and waste, which consumers may find desirable in today's climate.

[0035] The handle 100 generally includes a grip portion 110 extending from a proximal end 111 to a distal end 112, and a stem portion 120 extending or protruding from the distal end 112 of the grip portion 110. The grip portion 110 of the handle 100 is the portion that is typically grasped and manipulated by the user to perform treatment functions during use of the oral care implement 1000. In an exemplary embodiment, the grip portion 110 of the handle 100 has a circular or annular / oval cross-sectional shape. However, the present invention is not limited in all embodiments, and the grip portion 110 may take any desired shape, including having additional recesses, contours, etc. to enhance gripability. Therefore, although the grip portion 110 is generally depicted in the figures, in other embodiments, the grip portion 110 may take any of a variety of different shapes. The stem portion 120 of the handle 100 is the portion used to couple the handle 100 to the oral care refill head 200, as described in more detail below. Thus, stem 120 has features that facilitate attachment of handle 100 to oral care replacement head 200. Stem 120 includes a stem body 121 having several different sections that provide different functions in achieving an acceptable coupling between handle 100 and oral care replacement head 200.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, the shaft 120 and the grip portion 110 are integrally formed as a single, unitary component. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the entire handle 100 is formed from a first material. In some embodiments, the first material may have a first hardness. In some embodiments, the first material may be a metal or a metal alloy. In other embodiments, the first material may be wood or a hard plastic. In other embodiments, the grip portion 110 and the shaft 120 may be formed from different materials. Thus, for example, the grip portion 110 may be formed from a metal or a metal alloy, while the shaft 120 may be formed from a hard plastic. In other embodiments, the grip portion 110 may be formed from a hard plastic, while the shaft 120 may be formed from a metal or a metal alloy. In still other embodiments, the grip portion 110 may be formed from wood, while the shaft 120 may be formed from a metal, a metal alloy, a hard plastic, or a combination thereof. Thus, in some embodiments, there may be some variation in the materials used to form the different parts of the handle 100.

[0037] The oral care replacement head 200 includes an oral care treatment portion 210 and a sleeve portion 220. The sleeve portion 220 includes a sleeve cavity 221 configured to receive at least a portion of the stem portion 120 of the handle 100 for the purpose of coupling the oral care replacement head 200 to the handle 100. The oral care replacement head 200 extends from a proximal end 201 formed by a proximal edge surface 222 of the sleeve portion 220 to a distal end 202 formed by a terminal end of the oral care treatment portion 210. The oral care treatment portion 210 includes a head body 211 located at the distal end of the sleeve portion 220. The head body 211 can be integrally formed with the sleeve portion 220 as a unitary component. The head body 211 and the sleeve portion 220 can be formed as a one-piece structure from a hard plastic material such as polypropylene or polyethylene, but the present invention is not so limited in all embodiments, and in other embodiments, the head body 211 and the sleeve portion 220 can be formed from other materials including metal, wood, other hard plastics, etc. The head body 211 has a front surface 212 facing in a first direction and a rear surface 213 facing in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The oral care treatment portion 210 also includes a plurality of tooth cleaning elements 214 protruding from the front surface 212 of the head body 211 in the first direction.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of tooth cleaning elements 214 includes a plurality of bristle tufts 215 and a plurality of elastomeric cleaning elements 216. The bristle tufts 215 and the elastomeric cleaning elements 216 together form a cleaning element area on the head body 211. In all embodiments, the specific arrangement and / or pattern and / or position of the various bristle tufts 215 and elastomeric cleaning elements 216 should not be regarded as limiting the present invention. Thus, the bristle tufts 215 and the elastomeric cleaning elements 216 may be positioned at positions other than those depicted in the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the oral care replacement head 200 may include only bristle tufts 215 without the elastomeric cleaning elements 216, or may include only elastomeric cleaning elements 216 without the bristle tufts 215. Thus, various arrangements of the plurality of tooth cleaning elements 214 are possible within the scope of the invention described herein.

[0039] In addition, when contradictory with other disclosures provided herein or the claims, it should be understood that the term "tooth cleaning element" can be used to refer to any structure that can be used for cleaning, polishing or wiping teeth and / or oral soft tissues (e.g., tongue, cheek, gums, etc.) by relative surface contact. Common examples of "tooth cleaning elements" include, but are not limited to, tufts of bristles, filamentous bristles, fiber bristles, nylon bristles, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, elastomeric protrusions, flexible polymer protrusions, combinations thereof, and / or structures comprising such materials or combinations. Therefore, in some embodiments, any combination of these tooth cleaning elements can be used within the tooth cleaning element region. In addition, when bristles are used for one or more tooth cleaning elements in the tooth cleaning element 214, such bristles can be tapered, end rounded, spiral, etc.

[0040] In the embodiment of using elastomeric material to form one or more tooth cleaning elements in tooth cleaning element 214, suitable elastomeric material can comprise any biocompatible elastic material that is applicable to oral hygiene equipment.In order to provide optimal comfort and cleaning benefit, the elastomeric material of any such tooth cleaning element can have the hardness characteristic in the range of A10 to A70 Shore hardness in one embodiment, or can have the hardness characteristic in the range of A8 to A25 Shore hardness in another embodiment.A kind of suitable elastomeric material is the styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) manufactured by GLS company.However, SEBS material from other manufacturers or other materials in and outside the hardness range can be used.

[0041] The tooth cleaning elements 214 can be coupled to the head body 211 in any manner known in the art, including stapling, in-mold tufting (IMT), anchorless tufting (AFT), or any of other known modified AFT technologies such as AMR and PTt. In an exemplary embodiment, the bristle tufts 215 are secured to the head body 211 using staples / anchors, and the elastomeric cleaning elements 216 are secured to the head body 211 by an injection molding process.

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, the oral care replacement head 200 further includes a tongue cleaner 217 located on the rear surface 213 of the head body 211. The tongue cleaner 217 may include a pad portion and various protrusions (including bumps, ridges, etc.) to facilitate proper cleaning of the user's tongue. Figure 9 ). The tongue cleaner 217 can be formed from a thermoplastic elastomer, such as the materials mentioned above for forming the elastomeric cleaning element 216. In some embodiments, the tongue cleaner 217 and the elastomeric cleaning element 216 can be integrally formed through an injection molding process, such that the head body 211 can include channels extending from the front surface 211 to the rear surface 212, allowing the raw material to flow to simultaneously form the elastomeric cleaning element 216 and the tongue cleaner 217 within the mold cavity. Of course, in other embodiments, the tongue cleaner 217 can be formed separately from the elastomeric cleaning element 216 in a separate step.

[0043] The oral care replacement head 200 can be formed from a second material that is different from the first material used to form the handle 100. For example, the second material can be a hard plastic. Thus, in some embodiments, the handle 100 or at least the grip portion 110 of the handle 100 can be formed from a metal or metal alloy, while the oral care replacement head 200 can be formed from a hard plastic. Of course, in other embodiments, other material combinations can be used as desired. In some embodiments, the material used to form the handle 100 and / or its stem portion 120 can have a first hardness, and the material used to form the oral care replacement head 200 or its sleeve portion 220 can have a second hardness, wherein the first hardness of the first material is greater than the second hardness of the second material. Thus, the handle 100 can be formed from a harder material than the oral care replacement head 200. In some embodiments, regardless of the materials used to form the other portions of the handle 100 and the oral care replacement head 200, the stem portion 120 can be formed from a harder material than the sleeve portion 220 of the oral care replacement head 200. In still other embodiments, the oral care refill head 200 and the handle 100 may both be formed from the same material, such as a hard plastic (ie, polypropylene or polyethylene, or a combination thereof).

[0044] Reference Figures 3 to 5 The shaft 120 of the handle 100 will now be described in detail according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the shaft 120 includes a shaft body 121, which, in an exemplary embodiment, protrudes from the distal end 112 of the grip portion 110 of the handle 100 and terminates at the distal end 113 of the handle 100 (wherein the distal end 113 of the handle 100 forms the distal end of the shaft 120). Although the shaft 120 is described herein as extending from the distal end 112 of the grip portion 110, this does not require that the shaft 120 be directly attached to the distal end 112 of the grip portion 110. In particular, the shaft 120 can be considered to extend from the distal end 112 of the grip portion 110, even if an intermediate structure is provided between the shaft 120 and the distal end 112 of the grip portion 110. Therefore, the description of the shaft 120 extending from the distal end 112 of the grip portion 110 includes both the case where the shaft 120 is directly coupled to and extends directly from the distal end of the grip portion 110, and the case where the shaft extends in an axial direction relative to the grip portion 110 without being directly attached to the grip portion 110. The shaft 120 (and its shaft body 121) extends from the distal end 112 of the grip portion 110 of the handle 100 along the shaft axis AA to the distal end 113 of the handle 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the shaft body 121 includes a first axial segment 122, a second axial segment 123, a third axial segment 124, and a fourth axial segment 125. In an exemplary embodiment, the first axial segment 122, the second axial segment 123, the third axial segment 124, and the fourth axial segment 125 all form part of the entire shaft body 121.

[0045] Thus, the first axial segment 122, the second axial segment 123, the third axial segment 124, and the fourth axial segment 125 each form an axial portion of the shaft body 121. Specifically, the first axial segment 122 is a segment that extends axially (i.e., in the direction of the shaft axis AA) from the distal end 112 of the gripping portion 110 and terminates at a distal end 135. The second axial segment 123 extends axially from the distal end 135 of the first axial segment 122 and terminates at a distal end 136. The third axial segment 124 extends axially from the distal end 136 of the second axial segment 123 and terminates at a distal end 137. The fourth axial segment 125 extends axially from the distal end 137 of the third axial segment 124 and terminates at the distal end 113 of the shaft 120. The distal end 112 of the gripping portion 110 forms an annular shoulder surface that surrounds the shaft 120.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, the first axial section 122 of the shaft 120 (or the shaft body 121) is in the shape of a frustoconical section. Specifically, the first axial section 122 continuously tapers as it extends further away from the distal end 112 of the gripping portion 110 of the handle 100. Thus, the first axial section 122 continuously tapers from its proximal end (the proximal end being the end directly connected to the distal end 112 of the gripping portion 110) to its distal end 135. In other words, the first axial section 122 has a greater width or diameter at a distance closer to the distal end 112 of the gripping portion 110 than at a distance further away from the distal end 112 of the gripping portion 110. The width or diameter of the first axial section 122 decreases as the first axial section 122 extends further from the distal end 112 of the gripping portion 110.

[0047] As described above, the second axial section 123 of the shaft 120 extends axially from the first axial section 122 in a direction further away from the distal end 112 of the grip portion 110. Thus, the first axial section 122 is axially located between the second axial section 123 and the distal end 112 of the grip portion 110 of the handle 100. The second axial section 123 of the shaft 120 includes a lower end surface 138 that projects outward from the first axial section 122 at the distal end 135 of the first axial section 122. Specifically, the lower end surface 138 extends radially outward from the outer surface of the first axial section 122 in a direction away from the shaft axis AA. Thus, the lower end surface 138 of the second axial section 123 of the shaft 120 forms an overhang that radially extends from the first axial section 122 of the shaft 120 at the distal end 135 of the first axial section 122 of the shaft 120.

[0048] However, in the exemplary embodiment, the outer surface of the second axial segment 123 is a smooth and continuous surface without protrusions, etc. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment, the lower end surface 138 is not the result of a protruding annular rib, but is instead formed as an integral part of the shape of the second axial segment 123. In other words, the lower end surface 138 forms part of the outer surface of the second axial segment 123, rather than protruding outwardly from the second axial segment 123.

[0049] The second axial section 123 of the shaft 120 includes a first portion 139 having a lower end surface 138, a second portion 145 extending axially from the first portion 139, and a third portion 146 extending axially from the second portion 145. The first portion 139 of the second axial section 123 of the shaft 120 tapers in a direction moving from the second portion 145 of the second axial section 123 toward the first axial section 122 (i.e., the first portion 139 tapers downward). Therefore, and due to the fact that the lower end surface 138 protrudes beyond the outer surface of the first axial section 123 of the shaft 120, the lower end surface 138 of the second axial section 123 forms a downwardly facing shoulder that faces downwardly toward the distal end 112 of the gripping portion 110 of the handle 100. The lower end surface or downwardly facing shoulder 138 forms a surface on which features of the oral care replacement head 200 can engage to securely couple the oral care replacement head 200 to the handle 100, as described in more detail herein below. As in the exemplary embodiment, first portion 139 of second axial segment 123 can be curved or rounded, which can allow oral care replacement head 200 to be easily attached to and detached from handle 100 as described herein. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment, first portion 139 and second portion 145 of second axial segment 123 form a frustoconical shape whereby the bottom thereof is rounded to form a lip with which a portion of oral care replacement head 200 can engage.

[0050] The second portion 145 of the second axial segment 123 of the shaft 120 tapers as it moves from the first portion 139 of the second axial segment 123 toward the distal end 113 of the shaft 120. That is, the second portion 145 of the second axial segment 123 tapers as it moves further away from the distal end 112 of the grip portion 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the second portion 145 tapers continuously. As shown in the exemplary embodiment, the transition area between the first portion 139 and the second portion 145 of the second axial segment 123 may be rounded to facilitate coupling and decoupling of the oral care refill head 200 from the handle 100, as described further below. In an exemplary embodiment, the third portion 146 of the second axial segment 123 has a constant cross-sectional area and does not taper. That is, the third axial segment 146 is cylindrical in shape, rather than being conical like the second axial segment 145. In some alternative embodiments, the stem 120 may be formed such that the third portion 146 of the second axial segment 123 is a continuation of the second portion 145 , such that the third portion 146 of the second axial segment 123 is also tapered.

[0051] The third axial section 124 of the shaft 120 extends from the distal end 136 of the second axial section 123 of the shaft 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the third axial section 124 of the shaft 120 has the shape of a frusto-conical section, wherein the third axial section 124 of the shaft 120 continuously tapers as the distance from the distal end 112 of the grip portion 110 and toward the distal end 113 of the shaft 120 increases. The present invention is not so limited in all embodiments, and in other embodiments, the third axial section 124 may have a non-tapered cylindrical shape. However, tapering the third axial section 124 may help form a guide for guiding the oral care replacement head 200 onto the shaft 120 of the handle 100 during coupling of the oral care replacement head 200 to the handle 100 as described herein.

[0052] The fourth axial segment 125 of the shaft 120 extends from the distal end 137 of the third axial segment 124 of the shaft 120. The fourth axial segment 125 is cylindrical and has a constant cross-sectional area along a first portion 147 thereof, and is then rounded along a distal portion 148 thereof. Of course, in other embodiments, the fourth axial segment 125 may be cylindrical with a constant cross-sectional area along its entire axial length and may not include a rounded distal portion 148.

[0053] Reference Figures 5 to 7The shaft 120 and its features and structure will be further described. The shaft body 121 has an outer surface 149 that extends along each of the first axial segment 122, the second axial segment 123, the third axial segment 124, and the fourth axial segment 125 of the shaft 120. Furthermore, the shaft 120 includes a first alignment element 160 and a second alignment element 150, each of which protrudes from the outer surface 149 of the shaft body 121 and extends axially along the shaft body 121. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the first alignment element 160 and the second alignment element 150 on the shaft 120 is a rib protruding from the outer surface 149 of the shaft body 121. Furthermore, each of the first alignment element 150 and the second alignment element 150 is elongated in the direction of the shaft axis AA. The second alignment element 150 is located on a first side of the shaft axis AA, and the first alignment element 160 is located on a second side of the shaft axis AA. 10. Thus, the shaft axis AA lies in a plane, and the first alignment element 160 and the second alignment element 150 are located on opposite sides of the plane. In an exemplary embodiment, the first alignment element 160 and the second alignment element 150 are positioned 180° apart, but in other embodiments, the first alignment element 160 and the second alignment element 150 may be spaced apart by other circumferential distances. The first alignment element 160 and the second alignment element 150 are configured to interact with the alignment elements of the oral care replacement head 200 to ensure that the oral care replacement head 200 is properly oriented relative to the handle 100 when the oral care replacement head 200 is attached to the handle 100. That is, in some embodiments, the oral care replacement head 200 can be attached to the handle 100 in only one specific angular position relative to the handle 100.

[0054] The first alignment element 160 extends from a first end 161 in the direction of the shaft axis AA to a second end 162 (hereinafter, this second end 162 may also be referred to as the distal end of the first alignment element 160). The first end 162 is located at the distal end 112 of the gripping portion 110. That is, the first alignment element 160 extends directly from the distal end 112 of the gripping portion 110 and is actually attached to the distal end 112 of the gripping portion 110. In alternative embodiments, the first end 161 of the first alignment element 160 may be spaced apart from the distal end 112 of the gripping portion 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the second end 162 of the first alignment element 160 is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the shaft axis AA. That is, the second end 162 of the first alignment element 160 is angled upward as it extends from the outer surface of the first alignment element 160 toward the outer surface 149 of the shaft body 121. Thus, the second end 162 of the first alignment element 160 extends along an axis DD that intersects the shaft axis AA at an oblique angle θ5.

[0055] The first alignment element 160 includes an outer surface 163 spaced a distance from the outer surface 149 of the shaft body 121 of the shaft 120, a first side surface 164 extending from the outer surface 149 of the shaft 120 to the outer surface 163, and a second side surface 165 extending from the outer surface 149 of the shaft 120 to the outer surface 163. The first alignment element 160 has a length L2 measured from the first end 161 to the second end 162 (i.e., from the distal end 112 of the gripping portion 110 to the second end 162). The first alignment element 160 has a width W2 measured from the first side surface 164 to the second side surface 165. Because the first alignment element 160 is elongated in the axial direction, the length L2 is greater than the width W2. In the exemplary embodiment, the length L1 of the second alignment element 150 is greater than the length L2 of the first alignment element 160.

[0056] The first alignment element 160 extends only along the first axial segment 122 of the shaft 120. Thus, the first alignment element 160 does not extend along any of the second axial segments 123, the third axial segment 124, or the fourth axial segment 125 of the shaft 120. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, the second end 162 of the first alignment element 160 is positioned below the distal end 135 of the first axial segment 122 such that the first axial segment 122 has a greater length than the first alignment element 160 and the first alignment element 160 extends only along a portion of the first axial segment 122. Thus, the second end 162 of the first alignment element 160 is spaced apart from the lower end surface 138 of the second axial segment 123 by a gap 166. This ensures that there is space for the locking feature of the oral care replacement head 200 to nest when engaging the lower end surface 138 of the second axial segment 123 to couple the oral care replacement head 200 to the handle 100.

[0057] The outer surface 163 of the first alignment element 160 is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the shaft axis AA. That is, the outer surface 163 of the first alignment element 160 is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the shaft axis AA. The outer surface 163 of the first alignment element 160 extends along a first alignment axis CC that intersects the shaft axis AA at a second angle θ2. In the exemplary embodiment, the first alignment axis CC intersects the shaft 120. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, the first alignment axis CC passes through (i.e., intersects) the distal end 113 of the shaft 120. Thus, the first alignment axis CC intersects the shaft axis AA at a location along the length of the shaft 120. In the exemplary embodiment, the first alignment axis CC intersects the shaft axis AA along the fourth axial segment 125 of the shaft 120. In the exemplary embodiment, the outer surface 149 of the shaft 120 lies along the first alignment axis CC along the second portion 145 of the second axial segment 123 of the shaft 120.

[0058] The second alignment element 150 extends from a first end 151 in the direction of the shaft axis AA to a second end 152 (hereinafter, the second end 152 may also be referred to as the distal end of the second alignment element 150). The first end 151 is located at the distal end 112 of the gripping portion 110. That is, the second alignment element 150 extends directly from the distal end 112 of the gripping portion 110 and is actually attached to the distal end 112 of the gripping portion 110. In alternative embodiments, the first end 151 of the second alignment element 150 may be spaced apart from the distal end 112 of the gripping portion 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the second end 152 of the second alignment element 150 is oriented perpendicularly relative to the shaft axis AA.

[0059] The second alignment element 150 includes an outer surface 153 spaced apart from the outer surface 149 of the shaft body 121, a first side surface 154 extending from the outer surface 149 of the shaft 120 to the outer surface 153, and a second side surface 155 extending from the outer surface 149 of the shaft 120 to the outer surface 153. The second alignment element 150 has a length L1 measured from the first end 151 to the second end 152 (i.e., from the distal end 112 of the gripping portion 110 to the second end 152). The second alignment element 150 has a width W1 measured from the first side surface 154 to the second side surface 155. Because the second alignment element 150 is elongated in the axial direction, the length L1 is greater than the width W1. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, the width W2 of the second alignment element 150 is greater than the width W2 of the first alignment element 160. By making both the length and width of the second alignment element 150 greater than the length and width of the first alignment element 160, it is ensured that the second alignment element 150 cannot nest within the recess of the oral care replacement head 200 intended for the first alignment element 160. Thus, this relative sizing of the first alignment element 160 and the second alignment element 150 helps ensure that the oral care replacement head 200 is properly oriented relative to the handle 100.

[0060] The second alignment element 150 extends along the first axial section 122 of the shaft 120 and along the second axial section 123 of the shaft 120. In fact, in the exemplary embodiment, the second alignment element 150 extends along the first axial section 122 of the shaft 120 and each of the first portion 139, the second portion 145, and the third portion 146 of the second axial section 123. However, in the exemplary embodiment, the second end 152 of the second alignment element 150 is located below the distal end 136 of the second axial section 123, and thus the second alignment element 150 does not extend along the entire second axial section 123. However, the present invention is not so limited in all embodiments, and the specific length L1 of the first alignment portion 150 and the relative position of the second end 152 of the second alignment element 150 along the shaft 120 may be modified from the embodiment shown in the figures without affecting functionality. The length of the second alignment element 150 should be consistent with, equal to, or less than the length of the groove in the oral care replacement head 200 into which the second alignment element 150 nests when the oral care replacement head 200 is coupled to the handle 100, as will be discussed in more detail below.

[0061] The outer surface 153 of the second alignment element 150 is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the shaft axis AA. That is, the outer surface 153 of the second alignment element 150 is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the shaft axis AA. The outer surface 153 of the second alignment element 150 extends along a second alignment axis BB that intersects the shaft axis AA at a first angle θ1. In an exemplary embodiment, the second angle θ2 at which the first alignment axis CC intersects the shaft axis AA is greater than the first angle θ1 at which the second alignment axis BB intersects the shaft axis AA. Therefore, the outer surface 163 of the first alignment element 160 is oriented at a greater angle relative to the shaft axis AA than the outer surface 153 of the second alignment element 150. In an exemplary embodiment, the second alignment axis BB does not intersect the shaft 120. Therefore, the second alignment axis BB intersects the shaft axis AA at a location distal from the shaft 120. In the figures provided, the intersection between the second alignment axis BB and the shaft axis AA is not shown, but it will be understood that the intersection is located some distance above the distal end 113 of the shaft 120 in movement away from the handle 100 .

[0062] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 7 The distal end 112 of the grip portion 110 of the handle 100 will be further described. As described above, the distal end 112 of the grip portion 110 of the handle 100 includes an annular shoulder surface 116 that surrounds the shaft 120. The annular shoulder surface 116 radially extends from an outer shoulder edge 117 to an inner shoulder edge 118, wherein the outer shoulder edge 117 is aligned with the outer surface of the grip portion 110 of the handle 100 and the inner shoulder edge 118 is adjacent to the shaft 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the annular shoulder surface 116 slopes downwardly away from the distal end 113 of the shaft 120 as the distance from the shaft axis AA increases as the annular shoulder surface 116 moves from the inner shoulder edge 118 to the outer shoulder edge 117. In alternative embodiments, the annular shoulder surface 116 may slope upwardly toward the distal end 113 of the shaft 120 as the annular shoulder surface 116 moves from the inner shoulder edge 118 to the outer shoulder edge 117. In either case, the annular shoulder surface 116 is angled in one direction only, such that it forms a tapered surface (particularly a frusto-conical portion).

[0063] Reference Figures 8 to 11, the oral care replacement head 200 will be further described. As previously described, the oral care replacement head 200 includes an oral care treatment portion 210 and a sleeve portion 220. Specifically, the oral care treatment portion 210 includes a head body 211 having a front surface 212 from which tooth cleaning elements 214 extend and an opposing rear surface 213. A tongue cleaner 217 is positioned on the rear surface 213, but the tongue cleaner 217 may be omitted in alternative embodiments. In an exemplary embodiment, the tongue cleaner 217 includes a plurality of protrusions that protrude from the rear surface 213 of the head body 211 and can be used to clean the user's tongue and other soft tissue surfaces. The oral care replacement head 200 extends from a proximal end 201 formed by a proximal edge surface 222 of the sleeve portion 220 to a distal end 202 formed by a terminal end of the oral care treatment portion 210.

[0064] In this embodiment, the proximal edge surface 222 of the sleeve portion 220 defines an opening 230 into the sleeve cavity 221. Thus, the sleeve cavity 221 opens at the proximal edge surface 222 of the sleeve portion 220. The sleeve cavity 221 extends from the opening 230 at the proximal edge 222 along the cavity axis EE to a distal end wall 231. The proximal edge surface 222 of the sleeve portion 220 extends radially from an outer sleeve edge 223 to an inner sleeve edge 224. The proximal edge surface 222 slopes downwardly away from the oral treatment portion 210 from the inner sleeve edge 223 to the outer sleeve edge 223 as the distance from the cavity axis EE increases. However, in other embodiments, the proximal edge surface 222 can slope upwardly toward the oral treatment portion 210, as long as the proximal edge surface 222 of the sleeve portion 220 of the oral care refill head 200 is configured to mate with the distal end 112 of the gripping portion 110 of the handle 100. This allows the proximal edge surface 222 of the sleeve portion 220 to abut the annular shoulder surface 116 of the handle 100 when the oral care refill head 200 is coupled to the handle 100 .

[0065] The head body 211 of the oral care replacement head 200 extends along a head longitudinal axis FF that is inclined relative to the cavity axis EE. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the head longitudinal axis CC tilts forward as it moves from the proximal end of the head body 211 adjacent the sleeve portion 220 to the distal end of the head body 211 (which is also the distal end 202 of the oral care replacement head 200).

[0066] The sleeve cavity 221 is defined by the inner surface 227 of the sleeve portion 220. The oral care replacement head 200 includes a sleeve snap element 240, a first alignment groove 260, and a second alignment groove 250, which interact with the previously described features of the stem 120 to properly orient the oral care replacement head 200 relative to the handle 100 and secure it to the handle 100. In the exemplary embodiment, the first alignment groove 260 and the second alignment groove 250 are located on opposite sides of the cavity axis EE. Indeed, in the exemplary embodiment, the first alignment groove 260 and the second alignment groove 250 are positioned 180° apart, but other spacing distances are possible in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the circumferential spacing between the first and second alignment grooves 260 and 250 coincides with the spacing between the first and second alignment elements 160 and 150 of the stem 120. However, this is not required in all embodiments. In particular, the first and / or second alignment grooves may extend a greater circumferential distance around the sleeve cavity 221 than shown in the accompanying drawings. That is, the exact size or width of the first and second alignment grooves 260, 250 is not necessarily a limitation of the present invention, so long as some type of groove is present in the sleeve cavity 221 that is configured to receive the first and second alignment elements 160, 150 of the rod portion 120 described above.

[0067] The sleeve snap element 240, the second alignment groove 250, and the first alignment groove 260 are located within the sleeve cavity 221 of the sleeve portion 220 of the oral care refill head 200. In an exemplary embodiment, the sleeve snap element 240 is an annular protrusion that protrudes from the inner surface 227 of the sleeve portion 220. The sleeve snap element 240 extends circumferentially around the entire inner surface 227 of the sleeve portion 220, except where the second alignment groove 250 is located. Thus, the sleeve snap element 240 extends circumferentially from the first end 241 to the second end 242, with the second alignment groove 250 located between the first end 241 and the second end 242. The sleeve snap element 240 is configured to snap-interlock with the lower end surface 138 of the stem 120, as described above, when the oral care refill head 200 is coupled to the handle 100.

[0068] The first alignment groove 260 is a groove formed into the inner surface 227 of the sleeve portion 220 and is elongated in the direction of the lumen axis EE. In the exemplary embodiment, the first alignment groove 260 is located on the opposite side of the lumen axis EE from the second alignment groove 250. However, this is not required in all embodiments, as long as the first and second alignment grooves 260, 250 are designed, positioned, and configured to receive the first and second alignment elements 160, 150 of the shaft portion 120. The first alignment groove 260 extends from a first open groove end 261 in the direction of the lumen axis EE to a first closed groove end wall 262. The first open groove end 261 is located at the proximal end 222 of the sleeve portion 220, and the first closed groove end wall 262 is located within the sleeve lumen 221. In the exemplary embodiment, the first closed groove end wall 262 is oriented obliquely relative to the lumen axis EE to match the orientation of the second end 252 of the first alignment element 160 of the shaft portion 120. In particular, the first closed groove end wall 262 extends along an axis II that intersects the cavity axis EE at an inclination angle θ6. In some embodiments, the inclination angle θ6 may be between 70° and 89°.

[0069] The first alignment groove 260 has a length L4 measured from the first open groove end 261 to the first closed groove end wall 262 and a width W4 measured in a direction transverse to the length L4. The length L4 and width W4 of the first alignment groove 260 match or correspond to the length L2 and width W2 of the first alignment element 160 of the shaft 120, such that the first alignment element 160 of the shaft 120 can be comfortably nested within the first alignment groove 260 of the oral care refill head 200. Of course, in other embodiments, the length L4 and width W4 of the first alignment groove 260 can be greater, and even significantly greater, than the length L2 and width W2 of the first alignment element 160, so long as the first alignment groove 260 is designed, positioned, and configured to receive the first alignment element 160 therein.

[0070] The first alignment groove 260 includes a bottom portion 265 that is recessed relative to the inner surface 227 of the sleeve portion 220. In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom portion 265 extends along a first alignment groove axis HH that is oriented obliquely relative to the cavity axis EE. The first alignment groove axis HH intersects the cavity axis EE at a fourth angle θ4. Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the second alignment groove axis HH passes through the sleeve cavity 221 and intersects the cavity axis EE at a position positioned within the sleeve cavity 221. The second alignment groove axis HH also passes through the terminal end wall 231 of the sleeve cavity 221 or intersects the terminal end wall 231 of the sleeve cavity 221. The first closed groove end wall 262 of the first alignment groove 260 is oriented at an obtuse angle relative to the bottom 265 of the first alignment groove 260, as shown in FIG. Figure 11 Best seen in.

[0071] In the exemplary embodiment, the entire first alignment groove 260 is axially located between the sleeve snap element 240 and the proximal end 201 of the oral care replacement head 200. Thus, there is a space or gap between the bottom-most edge 243 of the sleeve snap element 241 and the second closed-groove end wall 262. In other words, reference plane ZZ does not intersect the first alignment groove 260. Instead, the first alignment groove 260 is completely located between reference plane ZZ and the proximal end 201 of the oral care replacement head 200. However, in other embodiments, the first alignment groove 260 can have a greater length and can extend axially beyond the sleeve snap element 240.

[0072] The second alignment groove 250 is a groove formed into the inner surface 227 of the sleeve portion 220 and is elongated in the direction of the cavity axis EE. The second alignment groove 250 is located on a portion of the sleeve portion 220 aligned with the rear surface 213 of the head portion 211. The second alignment groove 250 extends in the direction of the cavity axis EE from a second open groove end 251 to a second closed groove end wall 252. The second open groove end 251 is located at the proximal end 222 of the sleeve portion 220, and the second closed groove end wall 252 is located within the sleeve cavity 221 between the proximal end 222 and the closed groove end wall 231. In the exemplary embodiment, the second closed groove end wall 252 is oriented perpendicular to the cavity axis EE to match the orientation of the second end 152 of the second alignment element 150 of the shaft portion 120. The second alignment groove 250 has a length L3 measured from the second open groove end 251 to the second closed groove end wall 252, and a width W3 measured in a direction transverse to the length L3. In an exemplary embodiment, the length L3 and width W3 of the second alignment groove 250 match or correspond to the length L1 and width W1 of the second alignment element 150 of the shaft 120 (or are slightly larger than the length L1 and width W1 of the second alignment element 150 of the shaft 120), such that the second alignment element 150 of the shaft 120 can nest comfortably but snugly within the second alignment groove 250 of the oral care refill head 200. However, as described above, in alternative embodiments, the length L3 and width W3 of the second alignment groove 250 can be significantly larger than the length L1 and width W1 of the second alignment element 150 of the shaft 120, so long as the second alignment groove 250 is sized and configured to receive the second alignment element 150 therein. In an exemplary embodiment, the length L3 and width W3 of the second alignment groove 250 are larger than the length L4 and width W4 of the first alignment groove 260, respectively.

[0073] The second alignment groove 250 includes a bottom portion 255 that is recessed relative to the inner surface 227 of the sleeve portion 220. In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom portion 255 extends along a second alignment groove axis GG that is oriented obliquely relative to the cavity axis EE. The second alignment groove axis GG intersects the cavity axis EE at a third angle θ3. In an exemplary embodiment, the second alignment groove axis GG does not intersect the sleeve cavity 221 or otherwise pass through the sleeve cavity 221. The second alignment groove axis GG intersects the cavity axis EE at a location outside the sleeve cavity 221. In an exemplary embodiment, the fourth angle θ4 at which the first alignment groove axis HH intersects the cavity axis EE is greater than the third angle θ3 at which the first alignment groove axis GG intersects the cavity axis EE. In an exemplary embodiment, the oblique angle θ6 at which the axis II intersects the cavity axis EE is greater than each of the third angle θ3 and the fourth angle θ4.

[0074] In an exemplary embodiment, a strip 290 of elastomeric material integral with the tongue cleaner 217 extends from the tongue cleaner 217 down the rear surface of the oral care replacement head 200 to the proximal end 201 of the oral care replacement head 200. Furthermore, the strip 290 of elastomeric material extends through the entire thickness of the oral care replacement head 200 at a location aligned with at least a portion of the second alignment recess 250. Thus, as Figure 8 、 Figure 10 and Figure 11 , a strip 290 of elastomeric material forms part of the bottom 255 of the second alignment recess 250. This can be beneficial because it can provide some additional degree of flexibility to the oral care replacement head 200, so that the oral care replacement head 200 can flex outwardly when it is attached to the handle 100, thereby allowing the sleeve snap element 240 to snap-interlock with the downwardly facing shoulder of the stem 120, as described below with reference to Figures 12A to 14B Described in more detail, in an exemplary embodiment, a reference plane ZZ transverse to the cavity axis EE intersects both the second alignment groove 250 and the sleeve snap element 240 .

[0075] The sleeve cavity 221 has a shape that generally, but not completely, matches or corresponds to the shape of the shaft 120 of the handle 100. In particular, the sleeve cavity 221 includes a first axial section 270 adjacent to the proximal end 201, a second axial section 271 extending axially from the first axial section, and a third axial section 272 extending axially from the second axial section 271 to the terminal end wall 231. As described below, the first axial section 122 of the shaft 120 is nested within the first axial section 270 of the sleeve cavity 221, the second axial section 123 and the third axial section 124 of the shaft 120 are nested within the second axial section 271 of the sleeve cavity 221, and the fourth axial section 125 of the shaft 120 is nested within the third axial section 272 of the sleeve cavity 221. This is discussed below. FIG. 14A to FIG. 14B Shown in.

[0076] Now refer to Figures 12A to 14B , which illustrates in partial perspective view along with matching cross-sectional views the process of coupling the oral care replacement head 200 to the handle 100, and will now be described. Figure 12A and Figure 12B , the first step is to align the opening 230 of the sleeve cavity 221 with the shaft 120 of the handle 100, and in particular, with the distal end 113 of the handle 100. In particular, the distal end 113 of the handle 100 is aligned with the proximal end 201 of the oral care replacement head 200.

[0077] Next, refer to Figure 13A and Figure 13B , the oral care replacement head 200 is lowered so that the stem 120 of the handle 100 enters the sleeve cavity 221 of the sleeve portion 220 of the oral care replacement head 200. The first alignment element 160 and the second alignment element 150 of the stem 120 must be rotationally / circumferentially aligned with the first alignment groove 260 and the second alignment groove 250 of the oral care replacement head 200, respectively, in order to align the stem 120 as shown in FIG. Figure 13A and Figure 13B100 , the second alignment element 150 of the stem 120 will contact the proximal edge surface 222 of the sleeve portion 220 and prevent the stem 120 from being inserted further into the sleeve cavity 221. If such a collision occurs, the user will be prompted to rotate the oral care replacement head 200 relative to the handle 100 until the second alignment element 150 of the stem 120 is aligned with the second alignment groove 250 of the oral care replacement head 200. When this is achieved, the stem 120 will be able to be further inserted into the sleeve cavity 221 so that the second alignment element 150 of the stem 120 mates with and nests in the second alignment groove 250 of the oral care replacement head 200, and so that the first alignment element 160 of the stem 120 mates with and nests in the first alignment groove 260 of the oral care replacement head 200, as shown in FIG. Figure 13B As shown in .

[0078] exist Figure 13A and Figure 13B , the stem 120 of the handle 100 is partially nested within the sleeve cavity 221 of the oral care refill head 200 to the extent that the sleeve snap element 140 abuts against a protruding portion of the second axial segment 123 of the stem 120 that is located directly above the lower end surface 138 of the stem 120. Due to the shape of the second axial segment 123 that protrudes outwardly during movement in the direction from the third axial segment 124 toward the first axial segment 122 and the protruding nature of the sleeve snap element 240, the user needs additional force to force the sleeve snap element 240 to move axially past the second axial segment 123 of the stem 120.

[0079] Reference Figure 14A and Figure 14B, which illustrates the oral care replacement head 200 in the second state, fully coupled to the handle 100. As can be seen, the sleeve snap element 240 has passed over the protrusion formed by the lower end surface 138 of the second axial segment 123 of the stem 120. In an exemplary embodiment, this creates a snap-fit ​​interlock between the sleeve snap element 240 and the downwardly facing shoulder of the lower end surface 138 of the second axial segment 123 of the stem 120. Thus, in some embodiments, the downwardly facing shoulder of the lower end surface 138 of the second axial segment 123 of the stem 120 can be the stem snap element of the stem 120. The snap-fit ​​interlock can be achieved by slightly flexing the sleeve portion 220 of the oral care replacement head 200 outward as the sleeve snap element 240 passes over the second axial segment 123 of the stem 120. As described above, this may be facilitated or assisted by the elastomeric strip 290 extending through the entire thickness of the sleeve portion 220 of the oral care replacement head 200 along the second alignment groove 250. Once the snap-fit ​​interlock between the sleeve snap element 240 and the lower end surface 138 of the second axial section 123 of the stem is achieved, the oral care replacement head 200 is securely coupled to the handle 100 such that a force needs to be applied in an opposite direction to the oral care replacement head 200 and / or the handle 100 to overcome the snap-fit ​​interlock in order to separate the oral care replacement head 200 from the handle 100. Figure 14B As seen in FIG, when the oral care replacement head 200 is in the second state and attached to the handle 100 , the sleeve snap element 240 is nested within the gap 166 between the second end 162 of the first alignment element 160 and the lower end surface 138 of the second axial section 123 of the stem 120 .

[0080] Although the snap-fit ​​interlock between the sleeve snap element 240 and the downward-facing shoulder of the lower end portion 138 of the second axial section 123 of the stem 120 is described as an attachment feature in the exemplary embodiment, the present invention is not so limited in all embodiments. In other embodiments, there may be a friction fit, a press fit, etc. to achieve the coupling of the oral care replacement head 200 to the handle 100. In the case of a snap-fit ​​interlock, an audible click may be heard when the sleeve snap element 240 snaps onto the downward-facing shoulder.

[0081] Additionally, when the oral care replacement head 200 is coupled to the handle 100, the second alignment element 150 of the stem 120 nests within the second alignment groove 250 of the oral care replacement head 200. Similarly, the first alignment element 160 of the stem 120 nests within the first alignment groove 260 of the oral care replacement head 200. This not only ensures that the oral care replacement head 200 is initially coupled to the handle 100 in the correct rotational orientation, but also prevents the oral care replacement head 200 from rotating relative to the handle 100 once the oral care replacement head 200 is coupled to the handle 100. As noted herein, the oral care replacement head 200 cannot be changed from a first state (in which the oral care replacement head 200 is detached from the handle 100) to a second state (in which the oral care replacement head 200 is coupled to the handle 100) unless the first and second alignment elements 160, 150 are circumferentially aligned with the first and second alignment grooves 260, 250 (i.e., are in the same rotational position about the stem axis AA and the cavity axis BB).

[0082] Furthermore, when the oral care replacement head 200 is coupled to the handle 100, the first axial section 122 of the shaft 120 is nested within the first axial section 270 of the sleeve cavity 221. The fourth axial section 125 of the shaft 120 is nested within the third axial section 272 of the sleeve cavity 221. The second axial section 123 and the third axial section 124 of the shaft 120 are both nested within the second axial section 271 of the sleeve cavity 221. In some embodiments, an interference fit can be achieved between various portions of the shaft 120 and various portions of the sleeve cavity 221. Specifically, various portions of the inner surface 227 of the sleeve portion 220 of the oral care replacement head 200 can contact various portions of the outer surface 149 of the shaft 120 to create a friction fit, thereby helping to securely hold the shaft 120 in place within the sleeve cavity 221. In some embodiments, this means that there is pressure, even if very slight, exerted by the inner surface 227 of the sleeve portion 220 of the oral care replacement head 200 against a portion of the outer surface 149 of the stem 120. This interference fit can prevent relative movement (rocking, rattling, wobbling, etc.) between the oral care replacement head 200 and the handle 100 during use of the oral care implement 1000. In some embodiments, the interference fit formed between the stem 120 and the sleeve cavity 2221 can extend the length of the stem 120 by 25% or more of its total length.

[0083] Finally, when the oral care replacement head 200 is in the second state and coupled to the handle 100, the proximal edge surface 222 of the sleeve portion 220 of the oral care replacement head 200 is adjacent to or abuts the shoulder 116 at the distal end 112 of the grip portion 110 of the handle 100. More specifically, the proximal edge surface 222 of the sleeve portion 220 of the oral care replacement head 200 abuts the annular shoulder surface 116 of the grip portion 110 of the handle 100. The snap-fit ​​interlock between the sleeve snap element 240 and the lower end surface or downwardly facing shoulder 138 biases or urges the proximal edge surface 222 of the sleeve portion 220 against (in abutment with) the annular shoulder surface 116 of the grip portion 110 of the handle 100.

[0084] The use of specific numerical values ​​as prefixes for various angles is not necessarily consistent throughout the specification and claims. In fact, the numerical values ​​used in the specification are used solely to distinguish one angle from another. The same is true in the claims, but the prefixes used for angles in the claims are simply listed sequentially when they appear in the claims, rather than in a manner that corresponds to how the same angle is described in the specification.

[0085] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing the various values ​​and each value within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the endpoint of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the event that a definition in this disclosure conflicts with a definition in the cited reference, this disclosure shall prevail.

[0086] Although the present invention has been described with reference 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 should 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. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention should be interpreted broadly as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An oral care device comprising: A handle, comprising: a gripping portion having a distal end; and a stem extending from the distal end of the grip portion along a stem axis, the stem comprising: a first axial segment extending axially from the distal end of the gripping portion; a second axial segment extending axially from the first axial segment, the second axial segment including a lower end surface projecting outwardly from the first axial segment in a direction away from the shaft axis to form a downwardly facing shoulder; a first alignment element projecting from and extending axially along an outer surface of the first axial segment and terminating at a distal end axially spaced from the lower end surface of the second axial segment; An oral care replacement head, comprising: Oral care treatment section; and a sleeve portion comprising an inner surface defining a sleeve cavity extending along a cavity axis and a proximal edge surface defining an opening into the sleeve cavity, the sleeve cavity including a first alignment recess formed into the inner surface and a snap element; the oral care replacement head being changeable between the following states: a first state in which the oral care replacement head is detached from the handle; and a second state, in which the stem of the handle is disposed within the sleeve cavity of the sleeve portion such that the proximal edge surface of the oral care replacement head is adjacent the distal end of the grip portion of the handle and the first alignment element of the handle is nested within the first alignment recess of the oral care replacement head, the oral care replacement head being secured to the handle by engagement between the snap element of the oral care replacement head and the downwardly facing shoulder of the stem. Wherein, the second axial section of the rod further includes: a first portion including the lower end surface and tapering in a direction approaching the first axial section; a second portion extending axially from the first portion and tapering in a direction away from the first axial segment; and A rounded transition region is located between the first portion and the second portion.

2. The oral care implement according to claim 1, wherein The proximal edge surface of the sleeve portion extends radially from the outer sleeve edge to the inner sleeve edge, and the proximal edge surface is inclined from the inner sleeve edge to the outer sleeve edge in a direction upward toward the oral care treatment portion or downward away from the oral care treatment portion as the distance from the cavity axis increases.

3. The oral care implement according to claim 2, wherein: The distal end of the gripping portion includes an annular shoulder surface surrounding the stem, the annular shoulder surface extending radially from an outer shoulder edge to an inner shoulder edge adjacent to the stem, the annular shoulder surface sloping from the inner shoulder edge to the outer shoulder edge in a direction upward toward the distal end of the stem or downward away from the distal end of the stem as the distance from the stem axis increases.

4. The oral care implement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The oral care treatment portion of the oral care replacement head includes a plurality of tooth cleaning elements protruding from a head body.

5. The oral care implement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The first axial section of the stem tapers continuously from a proximal end adjacent the distal end of the gripping portion to a distal end axially spaced from the distal end of the gripping portion.

6. The oral care implement according to claim 1, wherein The second axial section of the shaft further includes a third portion extending axially from the second portion in a direction toward the distal end of the shaft, and wherein the first alignment element is positioned along each of the first, second, and third portions of the first and second axial sections.

7. The oral care implement according to claim 6, wherein: The rod portion also includes: a third axial segment, which extends axially from the second axial segment; and a fourth axial segment, which extends axially from the third axial segment and includes the distal end of the rod portion, the third axial segment continuously tapers as the third axial segment extends from the second axial segment to the fourth axial segment, and the fourth axial segment has a constant cross-sectional area from a first end of the fourth axial segment adjacent to the third axial segment to a rounded distal portion of the fourth axial segment.

8. The oral care implement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The shaft includes a second alignment element that protrudes from and extends axially along the outer surfaces of the first and second axial sections of the shaft, the first alignment element and the second alignment element being located on opposite sides of the shaft axis, wherein the first alignment element and the second alignment element extend from the distal end of the gripping portion of the handle, and wherein the outer surface of each of the first alignment element and the second alignment element is angled toward the shaft axis in a direction moving from the distal end of the gripping portion toward the distal end of the shaft.

9. The oral care implement according to claim 8, wherein: The outer surface of the first alignment element extends along a first alignment axis that intersects the stem axis at a first angle, and the outer surface of the second alignment element extends along a second alignment axis that intersects the stem axis at a second angle, the first angle being greater than the second angle.

10. The oral care implement of claim 9, wherein: The first alignment axis intersects the stem, and the second alignment axis does not intersect the stem.

11. The oral care implement of claim 9, wherein: The sleeve portion includes a second alignment groove for receiving the second alignment element of the stem portion when the oral care replacement head is in the second state, wherein the first alignment groove has a first length and the second alignment groove has a second length that is greater than the first length.

12. The oral care implement of claim 11, wherein: The first alignment groove includes a bottom portion oriented at a first angle relative to the cavity axis, and the second alignment groove includes a bottom portion oriented at a second angle relative to the cavity axis, the first angle being greater than the first angle.

13. The oral care implement of claim 12, wherein: A bottom portion of the first alignment groove extends along a first bottom axis that intersects the sleeve cavity, and wherein a bottom portion of the second alignment groove extends along a second bottom axis that does not intersect the sleeve cavity.

14. The oral care implement of claim 11, wherein: The snap element of the oral care replacement head includes an annular protrusion projecting from the inner surface of the sleeve portion of the oral care replacement head in a direction toward the cavity axis, the annular protrusion including a gap aligned with the second alignment groove.

15. The oral care implement of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The snap element of the oral care replacement head abuts the downwardly facing shoulder of the second axial section of the stem when the oral care replacement head is in the second state, and a portion of the snap element is nested in a gap between the distal end of the first alignment element and the downwardly facing shoulder of the stem.

16. The oral care implement of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The sleeve portion is configured such that the oral care replacement head cannot be changed from the first state to the second state unless the first alignment element of the stem is circumferentially aligned with the first alignment groove of the oral care replacement head.

17. The oral care implement of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a second alignment element protruding from and extending axially along the outer surfaces of the first and second axial segments of the stem, wherein The second alignment element of the stem and the downwardly facing shoulder of the second axial section of the stem are positioned on the stem so that a first reference plane transverse to the stem axis intersects both the second alignment element and the downwardly facing shoulder, and wherein the first reference plane does not intersect the first alignment element of the stem.

18. The oral care implement of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: In the second state, a snap-fit ​​interlock is achieved between the downwardly facing shoulder of the second axial section of the stem and the snap element of the oral care replacement head to bias the proximal edge surface of the sleeve portion of the oral care replacement head against the distal end of the grip portion of the handle.

19. The oral care implement of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The oral care implement is a manual toothbrush.

20. An oral care implement handle for removably coupling to an oral care replacement head, the oral care implement handle comprising: a gripping portion having a distal end; as well as a stem extending along a stem axis and projecting from the distal end of the grip portion, the stem comprising: a first axial segment extending from the distal end of the gripping portion; a second axial segment extending axially from the first axial segment, a lower end surface of the second axial segment projecting outwardly from the first axial segment to form a downwardly facing shoulder; a first alignment rib projecting from and extending axially along an outer surface of the first axial segment, a distal end of the first alignment rib being axially spaced from the downwardly facing shoulder of the second axial segment; wherein the second axial segment of the shaft further comprises: a first portion including the lower end surface and tapering in a direction approaching the first axial section; a second portion extending axially from the first portion and tapering in a direction away from the first axial segment; and A rounded transition region is located between the first portion and the second portion.

21. The oral care implement handle of claim 20, wherein: The first axial section of the stem tapers with increasing distance from the distal end of the gripping portion.

22. The oral care implement handle of claim 20 or claim 21, wherein The second axial section includes a first portion including the lower end surface and tapering as it moves toward the first axial section, and a second portion extending axially from the first portion and tapering as it moves away from the first axial section.

23. The oral care implement handle of claim 22, wherein: The second axial section of the shaft further includes a third portion extending axially from the second portion in a direction toward the distal end of the shaft, and wherein the first alignment element is positioned along each of the first, second, and third portions of the first and second axial sections.

24. The oral care implement handle of claim 23, wherein: The rod portion also includes: a third axial segment, which extends axially from the second axial segment; and a fourth axial segment, which extends axially from the third axial segment and includes the distal end of the rod portion, the third axial segment continuously tapers as the third axial segment extends from the second axial segment to the fourth axial segment, and the fourth axial segment has a constant cross-sectional area from a first end of the fourth axial segment adjacent to the third axial segment to a rounded distal portion of the fourth axial segment, and wherein the distal end of the first alignment element is axially spaced below the lower end of the third axial segment.

25. The oral care implement handle according to any one of claims 20 to 21 further comprises a second alignment rib protruding from and extending axially along the outer surfaces of the first axial segment and the second axial segment of the stem, the second alignment rib being circumferentially spaced from the first alignment rib.

26. The oral care implement handle of claim 25, wherein: The first alignment rib and the second alignment rib are located on opposite sides of the stem axis, wherein an outer surface of the first alignment rib extends along a first alignment axis that intersects the stem axis at a first angle, and wherein an outer surface of the second alignment rib extends along a second alignment axis that intersects the stem axis at a second angle that is less than the first angle, wherein the first alignment axis intersects the stem and the second alignment axis does not intersect the stem.

27. The oral care implement handle of any one of claims 20 to 21 , wherein The second alignment rib extends from the distal end of the grip portion to a distal end oriented perpendicular to the shaft axis, and wherein the first alignment rib extends from the distal end of the grip portion to a distal end oriented at an oblique angle relative to the shaft axis.

28. The oral care implement handle of any one of claims 20 to 21 , wherein The first alignment rib has a first length and a first width, and the second alignment rib has a second length and a second width, the second length being greater than the first length and the second width being greater than the first width.

29. An oral care implement handle for removably coupling to an oral care replacement head, the oral care implement handle comprising: a gripping portion having a distal end; as well as a stem extending along a stem axis and projecting from the distal end of the grip portion, the stem comprising: The rod body comprises: a first axial segment extending from the distal end of the gripping portion; a second axial section extending axially from the first axial section, the second axial section comprising: a lower end surface projecting outwardly from the first axial section in a direction away from the shaft axis to form a downwardly facing shoulder; a first portion comprising the lower end surface and tapering in a direction proximate to the first axial section; a second portion extending axially from the first portion and tapering in a direction away from the first axial section; and a rounded transition region located between the first portion and the second portion; a first alignment rib projecting from and extending axially along the outer surface of the stem body on a first side of the stem axis, the outer surface of the first alignment element extending along a first alignment axis that intersects the stem axis at a first angle; and a second alignment rib projecting from and extending axially along the outer surface of the stem body on a second side of the stem axis, the outer surface of the second alignment element extending along a second alignment axis that intersects the stem axis at a second angle different from the first angle.

30. The oral care implement handle of claim 29, wherein: The first alignment rib has a first length measured from the distal end of the gripping portion to the distal end of the first alignment rib, and wherein the second alignment rib has a second length measured from the distal end of the gripping portion to the distal end of the second alignment rib, the second length being greater than the first length.

31. The oral care implement handle of claim 29 or claim 30, wherein The first alignment rib has a first width measured in a direction transverse to the stem axis, and wherein the second alignment rib has a second width measured in a direction transverse to the stem axis, the second width being greater than the first width.

32. The oral care implement handle of claim 29, wherein: The second axial segment is configured to engage a snap element of an oral care replacement head to form a snap interlock between the oral care replacement head and the oral care implement handle.

33. The oral care implement handle of claim 29, wherein: The second alignment rib extends along the first axial section and the second axial section of the shaft body, and the distal end of the second alignment rib is perpendicular to the shaft axis, and wherein the first alignment rib extends only along the first axial section of the shaft body, the distal end of the first alignment rib is spaced apart from the lower end surface of the second axial section, and the distal end of the first alignment rib is oriented to be inclined relative to the shaft axis.

34. An oral care replacement head for removably coupling to a stem portion of a handle, the oral care replacement head comprising: Oral care treatment section; as well as The sleeve portion comprises: an inner surface defining a sleeve cavity extending along a cavity axis; a proximal edge surface defining an opening into the sleeve cavity; a sleeve snap element protruding from the inner surface toward the cavity axis and configured to snap-interlock with a stem snap element of the stem; a first alignment groove formed into the inner surface on a first side of the cavity axis, a second alignment groove formed into the inner surface on a second side of the cavity axis opposite the first side of the cavity axis, wherein a first reference plane transverse to the cavity axis intersects both the second alignment groove and the sleeve snap element without intersecting the first alignment groove, Wherein, the proximal edge surface of the sleeve portion extends radially from the outer sleeve edge to the inner sleeve edge, and the proximal edge surface is inclined from the inner sleeve edge to the outer sleeve edge in a direction upward toward the oral care treatment part or downward away from the oral care treatment part as the distance from the cavity axis increases.

35. The oral care replacement head of claim 34, wherein: An open groove end of each of the first and second alignment grooves is located at the proximal edge surface.

36. An oral care replacement head according to claim 34 or claim 35 wherein: The first alignment groove has a first length and a first width, and wherein the second alignment groove has a second length and a second width, the second length being greater than the first length and the second width being greater than the first width.

37. The oral care replacement head of any one of claims 34 to 35 wherein: The first alignment groove extends from the first open groove end to a first closed groove end wall, which is located below the sleeve snap element and is separated from the sleeve snap element by a certain gap, and the first closed groove end wall is oriented at an inclined angle relative to the cavity axis.

38. The oral care replacement head of any one of claims 34 to 35 wherein: The first alignment groove includes a bottom extending along a first alignment groove axis, and wherein the second alignment groove includes a bottom extending along a second alignment groove axis, the first alignment groove axis intersects the cavity axis at a first angle, and the second alignment groove axis intersects the cavity axis at a second angle different from the first angle.

39. The oral care replacement head of claim 38, wherein: The first alignment groove axis intersects the sleeve cavity, and wherein the second alignment groove axis does not intersect the sleeve cavity.

40. The oral care replacement head of any one of claims 34 to 35 wherein: The second closed groove end wall of the second alignment groove is oriented perpendicular to the cavity axis, and wherein the first closed groove end wall of the first alignment groove is oriented obliquely relative to the cavity axis.

41. The oral care replacement head of any one of claims 34 to 35 wherein: The first and second alignment grooves are configured to cooperate with the first and second alignment ribs of the stem portion of the handle to prevent relative rotation between the handle and the oral care replacement head, and wherein the sleeve portion is configured to prevent the stem portion from being fully inserted into the sleeve cavity unless the first and second alignment ribs of the stem portion and the first and second alignment grooves of the sleeve portion are circumferentially aligned with each other.

42. The oral care replacement head of any one of claims 34 to 35 wherein: The oral care treatment portion includes a plurality of tooth cleaning elements protruding from a head body.

43. An oral care replacement head for removably coupling to a stem portion of a handle, the oral care replacement head comprising: Oral care treatment section; as well as The sleeve portion comprises: an inner surface defining a sleeve cavity extending along a cavity axis; a proximal edge surface defining an opening into the sleeve cavity; a first alignment groove formed into the inner surface on a first side of the cavity axis, the first alignment groove including a bottom portion extending along a first groove axis, the first groove axis being oriented at a first angle relative to the cavity axis; and A second alignment groove, wherein the second alignment groove is formed into the inner surface on a second side of the cavity axis opposite to the first side of the cavity axis, the second alignment groove includes a bottom portion extending along the second groove axis, the second groove axis is oriented at a second angle relative to the cavity axis, and the second angle is different from the first angle, wherein the proximal edge surface of the sleeve portion extends radially from the outer sleeve edge to the inner sleeve edge, and the proximal edge surface is inclined from the inner sleeve edge to the outer sleeve edge in a direction upward toward the oral care treatment portion or downward away from the oral care treatment portion as the distance from the cavity axis increases.

44. The oral care replacement head of claim 43, wherein: The first alignment groove extends axially from a first open groove end in the proximal edge surface of the sleeve portion to a first closed groove end wall, and wherein the second alignment groove extends axially from a second open groove end in the proximal edge surface of the sleeve portion to a second closed groove end wall.

45. The oral care replacement head of claim 44, wherein: The first closed groove end wall is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the cavity axis, and wherein the second closed groove end wall is oriented perpendicular to the cavity axis.

46. ​​The oral care replacement head of claim 45, wherein: The inclination angle is an angle greater than the first angle and the second angle, and wherein the first closing groove end wall forms an obtuse angle with the bottom portion of the first alignment groove.

47. The oral care replacement head of any one of claims 43 to 46 wherein: The first alignment groove has a first length and a first width, and wherein the second alignment groove has a second length and a second width, the second length being greater than the first length and the second width being greater than the first width.

48. The oral care replacement head according to any one of claims 43 to 46 further includes a sleeve snap element, which protrudes from the inner surface toward the cavity axis and is configured to snap interlock with the rod snap element of the rod portion, and the sleeve snap element extends circumferentially around the inner surface of the sleeve portion and has a gap aligned with the second alignment groove.

49. The oral care replacement head of claim 48, wherein: The second alignment groove is axially aligned with the stem snap element, and the first alignment groove is located entirely between the stem snap element and a proximal edge surface of the sleeve portion.

50. An oral care replacement head for removably coupling to a stem portion of a handle, the oral care replacement head comprising: Oral care treatment section; as well as The sleeve portion comprises: an inner surface defining a sleeve cavity extending along a cavity axis; a proximal edge surface defining an opening into the sleeve cavity; a sleeve snap element protruding from the inner surface toward the cavity axis and configured to snap-interlock with a stem snap element of the stem; and a first alignment groove formed into the inner surface, the first alignment groove including a bottom portion extending along a first groove axis, the first groove axis being oriented at an angle relative to the cavity axis, Wherein, the proximal edge surface of the sleeve portion extends radially from the outer sleeve edge to the inner sleeve edge, and the proximal edge surface is inclined from the inner sleeve edge to the outer sleeve edge in a direction upward toward the oral care treatment part or downward away from the oral care treatment part as the distance from the cavity axis increases.

51. An oral care replacement head for removably coupling to a stem portion of a handle, the oral care replacement head comprising: an oral care treatment portion comprising a plurality of tooth cleaning elements; as well as The sleeve portion comprises: an inner surface defining a sleeve cavity extending along a cavity axis; a proximal edge surface defining an opening into the sleeve cavity; a sleeve snap element positioned along the inner surface and configured to engage a stem snap element of the stem; and at least one alignment groove configured to receive a first alignment rib and a second alignment rib of the stem, the first alignment rib and the second alignment rib being positioned 180° apart from each other, the at least one alignment groove comprising a first portion on a first side of the cavity axis for receiving the first alignment rib and a second portion on a second side of the cavity axis for receiving the second alignment rib, Wherein, the proximal edge surface of the sleeve portion extends radially from the outer sleeve edge to the inner sleeve edge, and the proximal edge surface is inclined from the inner sleeve edge to the outer sleeve edge in a direction upward toward the oral care treatment part or downward away from the oral care treatment part as the distance from the cavity axis increases.

52. The oral care replacement head of claim 51 , wherein: The at least one alignment groove includes a first alignment groove having the first portion and a second alignment groove having the second portion.

53. The oral care replacement head of claim 51 , wherein: The at least one alignment groove is a continuous groove including both the first portion and the second portion.

54. The oral care replacement head of any one of claims 51 to 53 wherein: An open groove end of each of the first and second alignment grooves is located at the proximal edge surface.

55. The oral care replacement head of claim 54, wherein: The proximal edge surface of the sleeve portion extends radially from an outer sleeve edge to an inner sleeve edge, the proximal edge surface slopes from the inner sleeve edge to the outer sleeve edge in a direction downwardly away from the oral care treatment portion with increasing distance from the cavity axis.

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