A brush head (32) including: a plurality of bristle tufts (21), each of which comprises a plurality of bristle strands having a free end (25) and a proximal end (23); a plurality of retention rings (50) each comprising an upper portion (51), a lower portion (53), an exterior wall (55) and an interior wall (57), and each configured to receive the proximal end of at least one of the plurality of bristle tufts, wherein at least one of the plurality of retention rings comprises a transverse projection (71, 72) extending from the exterior and/or interior wall of the retention ring; and an elastomeric matrix (30) comprising at least a portion of each of the plurality of retention rings and the proximal end of each of the plurality of bristle tufts.

A toilet brush assembly including a brush, including: a handle assembly including a handle assembly proximal end and a handle assembly distal end; and a brush head that includes a plurality of tufts of bristles disposed on an outer surface of the brush head, a cavity defined by an inner surface of the brush head, and a fastener portion. The toilet brush assembly also includes a base, including a cup for receiving the brush head. The brush head selectively couples to the handle assembly distal end at the fastener portion of the brush head at a handle assembly-brush head connection; and at least one of the base and the brush head define at least one interference feature formed from a surface of the base and that contacts the tufts of bristles when the brush head is in a rest position within the cup.

A toilet brush assembly including a brush, including: a handle assembly including a handle assembly proximal end and a handle assembly distal end; and a brush head that includes a plurality of tufts of bristles disposed on an outer surface of the brush head, a cavity defined by an inner surface of the brush head, and a fastener portion. The toilet brush assembly also includes a base, including a cup for receiving the brush head. The brush head selectively couples to the handle assembly distal end at the fastener portion of the brush head at a handle assembly-brush head connection; and at least one of the base and the brush head define at least one interference feature formed from a surface of the base and that contacts the tufts of bristles when the brush head is in a rest position within the cup.

A method of forming an oral care implement, a method of forming a head plate for an oral care implement, and an oral care implement or head plate formed therefrom. The head plate may have micro-sized or fine features. The method may include providing an amount of a first solid material upstream of a first mold cavity; prior to the first solid material entering the first mold cavity, applying ultrasonic energy to the first solid material to melt the first solid material into a first molten material; flowing the first molten material into the first mold cavity; allowing the first molten material to harden within the first mold cavity to form a head plate comprising micro-sized features; forming a body from a second material, the body including a handle portion and a head portion; and coupling the head plate to the head portion of the body.

A method of forming an oral care implement, a method of forming a head plate for an oral care implement, and an oral care implement or head plate formed therefrom. The head plate may have micro-sized or fine features. The method may include providing an amount of a first solid material upstream of a first mold cavity; prior to the first solid material entering the first mold cavity, applying ultrasonic energy to the first solid material to melt the first solid material into a first molten material; flowing the first molten material into the first mold cavity; allowing the first molten material to harden within the first mold cavity to form a head plate comprising micro-sized features; forming a body from a second material, the body including a handle portion and a head portion; and coupling the head plate to the head portion of the body.

A brush head assembly comprising: a hard platen; a plurality of bristle tufts, each of which comprises a plurality of bristle strands, each bristle tuft having a proximal end and a free end; and a flexible matrix at least partially comprised of a shear-thickening material for coupling the plurality of bristle tufts to the hard platen, wherein the flexible matrix is arranged such that there is shear-thickening material between the proximal ends of the plurality of bristle tufts and the hard platen. A method of manufacturing the brush head assembly for use with a personal care appliance.

A brush head assembly comprising: a hard platen; a plurality of bristle tufts, each of which comprises a plurality of bristle strands, each bristle tuft having a proximal end and a free end; and a flexible matrix at least partially comprised of a shear-thickening material for coupling the plurality of bristle tufts to the hard platen, wherein the flexible matrix is arranged such that there is shear-thickening material between the proximal ends of the plurality of bristle tufts and the hard platen. A method of manufacturing the brush head assembly for use with a personal care appliance.

An oral care implement comprises a head and a handle, the head being repeatedly attachable to and detachable from the handle. The head is made from a non-magnetic and/or non-ferromagnetic material, while the handle is at least partially made from a magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material.

A brush head (10) and a method for manufacturing a welded tuft assembly (20) for a brush head (10). The method includes inserting a bristle tuft (21) into an opening (51) in a retention element (52). A proximal end of the bristle tuft (23) and a proximal side (53) of the retention element are laser welded to at least partially melt the bristle tuft and at least a portion of the proximal side of the retention element together to create a merged proximal end head portion (26) that holds the welded tuft assembly together.

A mould system for producing a tufted body having a curved outer surface, for example one hemispherical half of a spherical toothbrush head, the mould system comprising a mould form having a receptacle and an annular flange circumscribing an open end of the receptacle and at least one slot formed substantially radially in the flange and extending into a sidewall of the receptacle.