MAGENTIC HOLDER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is concerned with a kit comprising a personal care implement comprising a section which is at least partially made from a magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material, and a magnetic holder to which the personal care implement is magnetically attachable and detachable. The present disclosure is further concerned with a magnetic holder for releasably holding a personal care implement, the personal care implement comprising a section at least partially made from a magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Heads and handles for oral care implements, like manual and powered, e.g. battery driven toothbrushes, are well known in the art. Generally, tufts of bristles for cleaning teeth are attached to a bristle carrier or mounting surface of a brush head intended for insertion into a user's oral cavity. A handle is usually attached to the head, which handle is held by the user during brushing. The head is either permanently connected or repeatedly attachable to and detachable from the handle.

In order to clean teeth effectively, appropriate brushing techniques have to be applied, including sufficiently long brushing and polishing of all teeth within the mouth. If teeth are not brushed for a sufficient period of time, this results in reduced plaque removal efficiency on teeth surfaces. However, in order to achieve and preserve good oral health, and to prevent gingivitis, it is important to clean teeth and gums thoroughly, in particular in hard to reach areas, e. g. in the region of the back molars.

Dentists usually recommend brushing teeth for at least two minutes, twice per day. However, it has been seen in the past that users typically brush their teeth over a much shorter period of time, in particular if manual toothbrushes are used.

Methods for tracking users toothcare activities are known, such methods typically comprise receiving video images of a user's face during a toothbrushing session, and, and are, thus, relatively complex and not suitable for the use of manual toothbrushes. Also, timers tracking the users brushing time are known, however, such timers usually require a microcontroller comprising wireless module providing a connection between the toothbrush and the timer. Again such timers are relatively complex and not suitable to be used in connection with manual toothbrushes. Generally, toothbrush guiding devices or components provide either no feedback to a user, or require incorporation of a smartphone app or other sophisticated technologies which render the guiding devices complex and expensive.

Moreover, after use of an oral care implement/after brushing the teeth the user usually stores the wet implement/brush in a toothbrush beaker for drying. However, in a classical toothbrush beaker, drained fluids get collected and accumulated at the bottom of the beaker, and, the fluids stay in contact with the toothbrush for a longer period of time. Since the beaker is open on one side only, the toothbrush dries relatively slowly. Bacteria living in wet conditions/in a wet environment can grow quickly, contaminate the toothbrush and finally render the brush unhygienic. Consequently, there exists a need for a solution for not only guiding a user through an oral care routine, but also for hygienically storing and drying a manual toothbrush, thereby enabling remaining water, toothpaste slurry and saliva to drain off from the brush. The brush shall dry quickly thereby inhibiting bacterial growth.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a tool for personal care implements which overcomes at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks, in particular which provides a simple brush-coaching and monitoring system for transparent oral heath control, while enabling hygienic and drying storage of the personal care implement. Further, the tool shall be suitable to be used in connection with a common manual personal care implement not comprising electronic components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect, a kit is provided, the kit comprising a personal care implement comprising a section at least partially made from a magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material, and a magnetic holder to which the personal care implement is magnetically attachable and detachable, wherein the magnetic holder comprises a timer, the timer being activated by detaching the personal care implement from the magnetic holder.

In accordance with one aspect a magnetic holder for releasably holding a personal care implement is provided, the personal care implement comprising a section at least partially made from a magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material, wherein the magnetic holder comprises a timer, the timer being activated by detaching the personal care implement from the magnetic holder. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to various embodiments and figures, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows an example embodiment of a kit comprising a personal care implement, and a magnetic holder according to the present disclosure to which the personal care implement is magnetically attached;

Fig. 2 shows the magnetic holder of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the magnetic holder of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4 shows the magnetic holder of Fig. 1, the magnetic holder changing its status over time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A kit according to the present disclosure comprises a personal care implement comprising a section at least partially made from a magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material, and a magnetic holder to which the personal care implement is repeatedly magnetically attachable and detachable.

The personal care implement according to the present disclosure may be any type of personal care implement, e.g. a wet shaving razor, a trimmer, a beauty device, or a manual or an electrically operated oral care implement, e.g. a toothbrush.

The personal care implement may comprise a head and a handle, the head being either permanently attached to the handle, or repeatedly attachable to and detachable from the handle. The head may be any type of head, e.g. a razor cartridge or an oral-care head, including but not limited to a brush head, interdental or toothpick, tongue/tissue-cleaner, and chemistry-applicator. A brush head may comprise at least one tooth cleaning element, e.g. a tuft of bristles and/or an elastomeric element, fixed to a mounting surface of the head.

The section of the personal care implement which is at least partially made from a magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material may be the handle. If the handle is at least partially made from such magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material, such handle would be magnetically attachable to the magnetic holder. Such magnetic holder may be a wall holder for holding and storing the personal care implement. The personal care implement may be an oral care implement comprising a handle and a head on which at least one tooth cleaning element, e.g. a tuft of bristles and/or an elastomeric element, may be fixed. The head can be repeatedly attachable to and detachable from the handle. While the head can be made of a non-magnetic or non-ferromagnetic material, the handle can be made from a magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material. For example, the head may be injection molded from a thermoplastic polymer, e.g. polypropylene.

The oral care implement may be a manual toothbrush. The oral care implement may also be an inter-proximal pick, a plaque scraper or tissue/tongue cleanser. The head of the oral care implement may be attachable to the handle via a snap-fit locking mechanism. For example, the handle may comprise a connector which may be insertable into a hollow portion in the head, or the head may comprise a connector insertable into a hollow portion in the handle. Alternatively, a connector may be provided as a further, i.e. separate part of the oral care implement. Such connector may be insertable into a hollow portion in the handle and into a hollow portion the head, respectively, thereby providing a sufficiently strong connection and stability between the head and the handle to enable a user to perform a brushing action, for instance.

The magnetic/ferromagnetic material of the personal care implement allows for hygienic storage of the implement. For example, if the personal care implement is an oral care implement, then said oral care implement can be magnetically attached to the magnetic holder, for example a magnetic wall holder. Remaining water, toothpaste slurry and saliva can drain off from the oral care implement. The oral care implement can dry relatively quickly. Consequently, bacteria growth can significantly be reduced, thereby rendering the oral care implement more hygienic. In contrast to a common toothbrush being stored in a toothbrush beaker where drained fluids get collected and accumulated at the bottom of the beaker, the personal care implement according to the present disclosure can be exposed to wet conditions over a significantly shorter period of time.

The kit according to the present disclosure comprises the personal care implement according to the present disclosure and the magnetic holder for attaching and holding said personal care implement. The magnetic holder may have the form of a flat disk attachable to a wall, e.g. by means of a double-sided adhesive tape, for secure and hygienic storage of the personal care implement. Such flat disk may represent an easy to clean surface. The flat disk may comprise at least partially a TPE layer to enhance friction between the personal care implement and the magnetic holder. A user only needs to bring the personal care implement in close proximity to the magnetic holder, and then the personal care implement gets attached automatically. No precise positioning or threading as, e.g. with common toothbrush holders, is required. If magnetic properties are merely provided in the handle of the personal care implement, for example, and not in the head, the head portion cannot accidentally be attached to the magnetic holder, thereby reducing the risk that the magnetic holder gets soiled. The magnetic holder may have the form of a circular disc having a diameter of from about 30 mm to about 70 mm, or from about 40 mm to about 60 mm, or from about 50 to about 55, or about 52 mm.

The magnetic holder may comprise a housing, e.g. a watertight housing, with a small form factor, e.g. made form a hard plastic material, in which a magnet may be embedded. The magnet may be a neodymium (NdFeB) magnet, for example.

According to the present disclosure, the magnetic holder comprises a timer, the timer being activated by detaching the personal care implement from the magnetic holder. For that purpose, the magnetic holder may comprise a printed circuit board assembly (PCB-A), preferably a battery- driven printed circuit board assembly (PCB-A), comprising a microcontroller. The magnetic holder may further comprise means for detecting the presence of the personal care implement. The means for detecting the presence of the personal care implement may be a Hall Sensor, a Reed Contact Sensor, a switch, a light sensor, a proximity sensor and/or a movable magnet exhibiting a signal detectable by the microcontroller. Such means for detecting the presence of the personal care implement enable a seamless, noiseless, and effortless activation and deactivation of the timer of the magnetic holder by just removing/detaching and retuming/attaching the personal care implement from and to the holder.

The detachment and re-attachment of the personal care implement may be recognized by an energy saving sensor, for example a Reed Contact Sensor opening and closing an electrical circuit by applying an electro-magnetic field.

The Reed Contact Sensor represents an electrical switch operated by an applied magnetic field. The Reed Contact Sensor comprises of a pair of ferromagnetic flexible metal contacts in a hermetically sealed glass envelope. The contacts are usually normally open, closing when a magnetic field is present. The use of a Reed Contact Sensor allows the magnetic holder to recognize differences in magnetic fields by detaching and re-attaching the personal care implement's section which is at least partially made from a magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material. Attaching the personal care implement on the magnetic holder causes a closed loop of magnetic field lines thereby adjusting the Reed Contact to it’s open position; no electrical contact is provided.

If the personal care implement is getting detached from the magnetic holder, the magnetic field is getting “disturbed” by the absence of the magnetic body and the Reed Contact changes it’s state from open to close. This signal can be detected by the microcontroller and activates the timer/initiates the brushing cycle from the start.

Alternatively, the detachment and re-attachment of the personal care implement can be detected by means of a movable NdFeB magnet attracting the personal care implement as primary function and connecting electrical contacts as secondary function.

The magnet may be assembled in a flexible spring construction allowing small movements towards the personal care implement when brought near to its surface while disconnecting electrical contacts or releasing micro-switches which can be used as a trigger signal enabling or disabling software functions.

The magnet, e.g. a NdFeB magnet, of the magnetic holder for holding/fixing/attaching the personal care implement onto its surface and the printed circuit board assembly my be placed in a watertight housing with small and compact form-factor. The housing can be placed with doublesided adhesive e.g., on a bathroom -mirror, -tile or other wall-elements.

The magnetic holder may be equipped with at least one, or with a plurality of batteries, e.g. 2x AAA Duracell batteries. These batteries can be primary or secondary cells, being charged in an external charger or being charged inside the device, for example. For example, the batteries can be charged within the magnetic holder, e.g. by connecting the holder to an external power supply via a cable, e.g. USB, or by inductive/wireless charging, e.g. Qi being an open standard for wireless power transfer. The cells can be easily replaced if a bayonet lock is provided in the housing of the magnetic holder, i.e. by twisting the housing in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. Alternatively, in order to easily open the housing of the magnetic holder and for providing simple access to the batteries, a thread, a dovetail guide or a clip may be provided.

According to the present disclosure, the timer is getting activated by simply detaching the personal care implement from the magnetic holder. The pull-off force of the personal care implement perpendicular to the magnetic holder may be higher or about 3 N, for example.

The timer can be pre-configured so that it is activated after a pre-defined time period after the personal care implement is detached from the magnetic holder. In the following, such pre-defined period of time will be referred to as “initial intro-phase”. In other words, the timer starts after a defined waiting-period, allowing the user to moisturizing the toothbrush, adding toothpaste and preparing oneself before starting the cleaning process, for example.

Such pre-defined time period may be from about 2 seconds to about 20 seconds, or from about 5 seconds to about 15 seconds, or from about 8 seconds to about 12 seconds, or about 10 seconds.

The magnetic holder may comprise at least one or a plurality of light sources, at least two light sources, six or twelve light sources. These light sources can activate at least one, or a plurality of light indication segments, which may be arranged in a circle or in a rectangle, for example. The at least one light source may be a light-emitting diode (LED). The light indication segments may be used to guide a user through a brushing process, for example.

Such guidance process may start with removing the personal care implement form the magnetic holder. The initial intro-phase may allow a user to get prepared for the use of the personal care implement, e.g. by putting toothpaste on a brush head, wetting brush head with water, before the timer starts.

The magnetic holder may comprise a plurality of light indication segments, for example six light indication segments. These light indication segments can be activated one after the other, each after a pre-defined period of time. In other words, the light indication elements may alter one after the other in pre-defined period of times. Such pre-defined period of time may be from about 10 seconds to about 30 seconds, or about 20 seconds. If the magnetic holder comprises six light indication segments, each enlightened by one or 2 light sources, for example, and the pre-defined period of time of each light indication segment is set at 20 seconds, then the guidance process is adapted to the recommended 2 minutes brushing time. The different light indication elements may be enlightened with different colors, e.g. by means of six RGB-LEDs (red, green, blue LEDs), optionally in combination with an additional white LED. Further, the different segments may pulsate to indicate which of the segments/sextant the user should currently brush.

A first visual, acoustic and/or haptic signal may be given by the magnetic holder when all light indication segments have been activated, and the pre-defined time period expired for all segments. Likewise, a further, e.g. second visual, acoustic and/or haptic signal, preferably different form the first signal, may be given by the magnetic holder if the personal care implement is attached to the magnetic holder before all light indication segments have been activated, and before the predefined time period expired for all segments.

In other words, if a user stops the brushing process before the pre-defined total time-range of e.g. 2 minutes ends, and re-attaches the personal care implement onto the magnetic holder, a signal may be initiated. A further, e.g. different signal may be initiated if the user puts back the brush after the pre-defined time-range of e.g. 2 minutes brushing time to provide a reward to the user for compliant oral care hygiene.

With such a magnetic holder and kit according to the present disclosure a system is provided that enables an effortless brush-coaching system giving visual feedback and a reward system, even for manual devices/implements having no electronic components, while allowing for hygienic storage. Use of the implement/brushing can easily be monitored for transparent oral health control.

For example, the magnetic holder may be provided with six light indication segments, wherein the six light indication segments are arranged in a circle representing the teeth segments within the mouth (upper left/upper middle/upper right/lower left/lower middle/lower right). As soon as the user reaches the recommended/optimal brushing time of 2 minutes, the user may be informed by a visual signal or “visual reward”, e.g. by a pleasant flashing of all LEDs, by rotational clock-effects in multi-colors or the like. In addition, or alternatively, an acoustic or haptic feedback may be given. Acoustic feedback may be given by a piezo buzzer, a loudspeaker, a motor resonance beep and/or a motor beep, for example. Haptic feedback may be given by means of motor vibration of electro-magnet vibration, for example. Instead of using light sources/LEDs in connection with light indication elements activated/enlightened by the light sources, user feedback may be provided by means of a display displaying guidance elements, e.g. an abstract representation of brushing zones, dentition (still or animated), or comic elements, e.g. for kids training purposes. For example, such display may be a LED/TFT, LCD, OLED, elnk display, electro chrome display or an electro fluorescence display.

Further, a wireless connection for data transfer and individualization purposes may be provided within the magnetic holder. For example, the magnetic holder may comprise a Bluetooth or WiFi connection and/or other mesh network protocols, e.g. Thread. The magnetic holder/timer can be customized, e.g. in terms of total required brushing times, initial intro-phase, colors displayed, and pre-define time-periods of the segments.

In addition, the magnetic holder may comprise a nightlight function and a proximity sensor and/or a watch function, e.g. by means of low-power segments like an electro-chrome display, an elnk-display or low energy consuming LEDs.

Usually users are accustomed that products, in particular in the personal care sector, have a specific weight that guarantees high product quality and provides comfortable feeling during use of the product. The magnetic/ferromagnetic material of the handle of the personal care implement may possesses a relatively high density, and, thus, a relatively heavy weight, which provides the personal care implement with such benefits. Additionally, the magnetic/ferromagnetic material of the handle may have a higher density as the non-magnetic/ferromagnetic material of the head. Consequently, the center of mass may lie within the handle which enables users to perform a well- coordinated use/brushing technique with improved sensory feeling during use/brushing.

The personal care implement may comprise a head repeatedly attachable and detachable to and from the handle. While a high quality and relatively expensive handle of the personal care implement may be adapted for usage over a longer period of time as compared to common manual toothbrushes which are discarded after about three months of use, a relatively cheap brush refill can be exchanged on a regular basis, e.g. after about three months. This may provide a cost- efficient and environmentally sustainable personal care implement providing both, a high-quality handle with improved handling properties, and a solution for only purchasing a new head refill without the need to buy a respective handle, too. The magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material forming at least a part of the handle may comprise an amorphous thermoplastic resin. The magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material may further comprise aluminum oxide, boron nitride or aluminum silicate. Furthermore, the magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material may comprise in addition or alternatively iron oxide. The magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material may further comprise glass fibers which may be pre-mixed with at least a portion of the amorphous thermoplastic resin.

Alternatively, the magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material forming at least a part of the handle may not comprise aluminum oxide, but iron oxide instead. The amount of iron oxide used in the magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material may be up to about 70 weight percent, or up to about 67 weight percent. If iron oxide is used instead of aluminum oxide, such material composition provides improved magnetic properties and, thus, higher magnetic attraction forces between the personal care implement and the magnetic holder. Further, if iron oxide is used instead of aluminum oxide, negative abrasion effects which regularly occur in molds during a molding step due to the abrasive nature of aluminum oxide can be significantly reduced.

Such magnetic/ferromagnetic material may allow for control of the weight of the handle in whatever location, e.g. by filler variation. Control of the overall personal care implement may be required due to the relatively high weight of the handle. It is now possible to use the mass/weight distribution of the material for adaption of the inertial moment of the finished implement.

The magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material may comprise from about 13 weight percent to about 30 weight percent of an amorphous thermoplastic resin; from about 3 weight percent to about 25 weight percent of aluminum oxide, boron nitride or aluminum silicate; and from about 45 weight percent to about 67 weight percent of iron oxide.

Alternatively, the magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material may comprise from about 13 weight percent to about 30 weight percent of an amorphous thermoplastic resin; and up to about 70 weight percent of iron oxide.

Such compositions provide a material density that is about three times the density of a standard plastic material used for toothbrushes, e.g. polypropylene. With the higher weight and higher thermal conductivity, the material can drive value perception, in particular in combination with a galvanic coating. Such coating may be made from real metal. The galvanic coating can be applied in a selective electroplating process. During this coating process for a multicomponent plastic part, a metallic layer is only deposited on a hard material while a further over molded soft component may remain unaffected.

The magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material may comprise about 27.5 weight percent of an amorphous thermoplastic resin, about 17 weight percent of aluminum oxide, about 51 weight percent of iron oxide, and about 4.5% glass fiber. Alternatively, the magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material may comprise about 27.5 weight percent of an amorphous thermoplastic resin, about 67 weight percent of iron oxide, and about 4.5% glass fiber. The magnetic/ferromagnetic material of the handle may possess a relatively high density (about 2.5 g/cm ³ ), which is about three times the density of a standard plastic material used for toothbrushes, e.g. polypropylene (about 0.9 g/cm ³ ). The weight of said material is relatively high, which provides a user with a high-quality perception and comfortable feeling during use of the product.

The amorphous thermoplastic resin may comprise a styrene resin, e.g. styrene acrylonitrile “SAN”. The amorphous thermoplastic resin may be selected from the list consisting of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polystyrene, and styrene acrylonitrile.

The amorphous thermoplastic resin may comprise about 17% weight percent styrene acrylonitrile, and 10.5% weight percent of a mixture comprising polybutylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate.

It has been found out that such composition provides a high gravity molding material appropriate for injection molding or extrusion molding. A high specific gravity molding material high in surface hardness, excellent in coating characteristics as well as excellent in thermal conductivity can be provided.

The use of molding materials having a relatively high specific gravity is known. Such molding materials usually contain a polymeric resin and a high-density filler such as iron oxide. However, in such molding materials the amount of iron oxide which can be included is limited as the thermal conductivity properties of the molding material are relatively poor. Thus, on the one side, lower thermal conductivity leads to relatively longer cycle times during manufacturing to allow the molding material to cool after molding. On the other side, if heavy polymeric materials are filled with high heat conductive additives such as metal powder or fibers, the addition of these materials leads to tight process windows in molding because of the immediate freezing when the molten material contacts the cold wall of the tool. This fast freezing leads to high injection speed and low flow length to wall thickness ratio at the produced part.

It has been found out that the molding material as described above has a high specific gravity and optimally controlled thermal conductivity properties to reduce or expand the time needed for the molding material to cool during or after injection molding. Further, it has been found out that a relatively high percentage of iron oxide can be maintained in the molding material while improving on the thermal conductivity properties of the molding material.

The addition to aluminum oxide, boron nitride or aluminum silicate may provide the molding material with improved thermal conductivity as compared to materials containing styrene resin and iron oxide only. This improved thermal conductivity may lead to lower cycle times as the molding material may take less time to cool after molding.

Another benefit from the addition of aluminum oxide, boron nitride or aluminum silicate to the material is the ability to increase the overall amount of iron oxide in the molding material as compared to iron oxide and resins of the past. The improvements in the molding material properties come from the addition of relatively small amounts of aluminum oxide, boron nitride or aluminum silicate. The material composition comprising a relatively high percentage of iron oxide (magnetite), i.e. from about 45 weight percent to about 67 weight percent, preferably about 51 weight percent, provides good magnetic properties and a relatively heavy weight of the overall material.

Styrene acrylonitrile “SAN” provides high thermal resistance properties. The acrylonitrile units in the chain enable SAN to have a glass transition temperature greater than 100°C. The properties of SAN may allow for reduced cycle time due to relatively earlier and quicker transition temperature. Amorphous polymers are suitable for heavy resin compounds of the present disclosure due to the glass transition temperature Tg at which an amorphous polymer is transformed, in a reversible way, from a viscous or rubbery condition to a hard one. By injection molding of the heavy resin material of the present disclosure, the temperature of the material melt is above the Tg region (viscous or rubbery condition). During cooling the compound attains the high Tg temperature early and reaches dimensional stability (glassy condition). Over-molding of the heavy resin material is possible as the material stays dimensional stable due to the high Tg of the material.

Polybutylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate provides the handle with high quality surface properties, including improved optical characteristics, and high impact strength. Once heated, polybutylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate represent a high temperature-resistant melt having low viscosity and a high Melt Flow Index (MFI). Therefore, processability of the magnetic/ferromagnetic material during molding is improved.

It is known, that heavy resin materials tend to show high shrinkage effects for products having thick walls/dimensions. However, it has been found out that glass fibers added to the magentic/ferromagentic material provide the material composition with improved stability and low shrinkage effects.

The material composition may be made by blending the amorphous thermoplastic resin with powder of aluminum oxide, boron nitride or aluminum silicate with iron oxide powder. Increasing the amount of iron oxide within the material composition has further the advantage of providing a lower cost molding material as iron oxide powder is less expensive than the other filling agents. Amorphous thermoplastic resin, glass fibers, aluminum oxide, boron nitride or aluminum silicate powder and iron oxide powder may be blended by using a uniaxial extruder, a biaxial extruder, a kneader, a Banbury mixer, a roll or other such extruders. After blending, the material is heated to become flowable. The flowable material may then be molded into a handle or part of a handle by either injection molding or extrusion molding.

In an additional step, the handle or part of the handle may be electroplated to add improved appearance and a pleasant feel. Thermoplastic elastomers are well suited for electroplating as they allow for the creation of both hard and soft composite components to be electroplated selectively in one operation.

For example, the handle may comprise a thumb rest being made from a thermoplastic elastomer material and/or from a polypropylene material. These materials can be easily injection molded over the heavy resin material as discussed above. Such thumb rest may provide the handle with improved handling properties, e.g. with anti-slip properties to improve the maneuverability of the oral care implement under wet conditions, e.g. when the user brushes his teeth. The thumb rest may be made from thermoplastic elastomer material having a Shore A hardness from about 30 to about 60, or about 40 to prevent the oral care implement from being too slippery when used in wet conditions. At least a portion of the thumb rest may have a concave shape with an angle a with respect to the area of the remaining portion of the thumb rest from about 20° to about 25°, or about 24°. The thumb rest or a gripping region may be attached onto the front surface of the handle in the region close to the proximal end, i.e. closest to the head. The thumb rest may comprise a plurality of ribs extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the oral care implement. Such ribs may allow users/consumers to use the oral care implement with even more control. The user/consumer can better grasp and manipulate the handle of the oral care implement during brushing. Such handle may provide further improved control and greater comfort during brushing, in particular under wet conditions.

Furthermore, the handle may be made from at least two, or at least three different materials, each forming different parts of the handle. For example, a first material according to the present disclosure, i.e. a magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material may be injection molded into a first component of the handle thereby forming an underlying base structure of the oral care implement. A second component, e.g. of polypropylene material may be injection molded over the first component, and/or a third component, e.g. of thermoplastic elastomer material may be injection molded at least partially over the first component and/or the second component.

The third component of thermoplastic elastomer material may form the thumb rest on the front surface of the oral care implement and/or a palm grip on the back surface being opposite the front surface to be gripped by the user's/consumer's fingers and thumb. Such handle configuration may even further resist slippage during use. The thermoplastic elastomer material may extend through an aperture provided in the underlying base structure and/or second component of the handle.

Alternatively, the section of the personal care implement being at least partially made from a magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material may be a magnetic ring, sheet or clip attached to the personal care implement, a metal ring, sheet or clip attached to the personal care implement and/or a movable magnet attached to the personal care implement. As a further alternative, the personal care implement may comprise a housing, e.g. a handle housing made from magnetic metal.

The tooth cleaning elements of the oral care implement, e.g. bundle of filaments forming one or a plurality of tufts, may be attached to the head by means of a hot tufting process. One method of manufacturing the head with tufts of filaments embedded in the head may comprise the following steps: In a first step, tufts are formed by providing a desired amount of filaments. In a second step, the tufts are placed into a mold cavity so that ends of the filaments which are supposed to be attached to the head extend into said cavity. The opposite ends of the filaments not extending into said cavity may be either end-rounded or non-end-rounded. For example, the filaments may be not end-rounded in case the filaments are tapered filaments having a pointed tip. In a third step the head is formed around the ends of the filaments extending into the mold cavity by an injection molding process, thereby anchoring the tufts in the head. Alternatively, the tufts may be anchored by forming a first part of the head - a so called “sealplate” - around the ends of the filaments extending into the mold cavity by an injection molding process before the remaining part of the oral care implement is formed. Before starting the injection molding process the ends of the tufts extending into the mold cavity may be optionally melted or fusion-bonded to join the filaments together in a fused mass or ball so that the fused masses or balls are located within the cavity. The tufts may be held in the mold cavity by a mold bar having blind holes that correspond to the desired position of the tufts on the finished head of the oral care implement. In other words, the tufts attached to the head by means of a hot tufting process are not doubled over a middle portion along their length and are not mounted in the head by using an anchor/staple. The tufts are mounted on the head by means of an anchorfree tufting process.

Alternatively, the head for the oral care implement may be provided with a bristle carrier having at least one tuft hole, e.g. a blind-end bore. A tuft comprising a plurality of filaments may be fixed/anchored in said tuft hole by a stapling process/anchor tufting method. This means, that the filaments of the tuft are bent/folded around an anchor, e.g. an anchor wire or anchor plate, for example made of metal, in a substantially U-shaped manner. The filaments together with the anchor are pushed into the tuft hole so that the anchor penetrates into opposing side walls of the tuft hole thereby anchoring/fixing/fastening the filaments to the bristle carrier. The anchor may be fixed in opposing side walls by positive and frictional engagement. In case the tuft hole is a blindend bore, the anchor holds the filaments against a bottom of the bore. In other words, the anchor may lie over the U-shaped bend in a substantially perpendicular manner. Since the filaments of the tuft are bent around the anchor in a substantially U-shaped configuration, a first limb and a second limb of each filament extend from the bristle carrier in a filament direction. Filament types which can be used/are suitable for usage in a stapling process are also called “two-sided filaments”. Heads for oral care implements which are manufactured by a stapling process can be provided in a relatively low-cost and time-efficient manner. The following is a non-limiting discussion of example embodiments of a kit comprising a personal care implement and a magnetic holder comprising a timer in accordance with the present disclosure, where reference to the Figures is made.

Fig. 1 shows a kit 1 comprising a personal care implement 10, in the present case, a manual oral care implement 10, and a magnetic holder 100 to which the personal care implement 10 is magnetically attachable and detachable. The magnetic holder 100 may have the form of a flat disk attachable to a wall, e.g. by means of a double-sided adhesive tape, for secure and hygienic storage of the personal care implement 10. The flat disk may comprise at least partially a TPE layer to enhance friction between the personal care implement 10 and the magnetic holder 100.

The manual oral care implement 10 comprises a handle 12 and head 14, the head 14 being repeatedly attachable to and detachable from the handle 12. The handle 12 may be molded from a magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material and represents a section being at least partially made from a magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material. In addition, the handle 12 may have been undergone electroplating with any additional material, for example a polyethylene material or a thermoplastic elastomer to create a soft region, e.g. a thumb rest 16. The soft region/thumb rest 16 may improve comfort and feel of the handle 12. Alternatively, or in addition, by a further electroplating step the handle 12 may be provided with a metal layer 18 directly on the magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material of the present disclosure to further improve the appearance of the handle 12. For example, the metal layer 18 may have the form of a ring surrounding the outer circumference of the handle 12.

Alternatively, the section of the personal care implement 10 being at least partially made from a magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material can be a magnetic ring, sheet or clip attached to the personal care implement, a metal ring, sheet or clip attached to the personal care implement 10 and/or a movable magnet attached to the personal care implement 10.

The magnetic holder 100 comprises a timer. The timer is activatable by detaching the personal care implement 10 from the magnetic holder 100.

Fig. 2 and 3 show a front and exploded view of the magnetic holder 100, respectively. As shown in Fig. 3, the magnetic holder 100 comprises a magnet 170, a housing cover 105 and housing bottom 190 attachable to the housing cover 105 thereby providing a housing cavity, e.g. my means of a bayonet lock, screw or snap function. A battery-driven printed circuit board assembly (PCB- A) 110, comprising a microcontroller 120 is provided within the housing cavity. The batteries 180 powering the PCB-A are primary cells in the present case, but can also be secondary cells, charged in an external charger or inside the device. The magnetic holder 100 further comprises means 130 for detecting the presence of the personal care implement 10. The means 130 for detecting the presence of the personal care implement 10 can be Hall Sensor, a Reed Contact Sensor, a switch, a light sensor, a proximity sensor and/or a movable magnet exhibiting a signal detectable by the microcontroller 120.

The magnetic holder 100 comprises a plurality of light sources 140, in the present case six light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 140. A light guide 150 and a light diffusor 155 for even light distribution guide the light from the LEDs to a number of light indication elements 160 provided in the housing 105, when the timer is activated, i.e. when the personal care implement 10 is detached from the magnetic holder 100. In the present case, the magnetic holder 100 comprises six light indication elements 161, 161, 163, 164, 165, 166 being arranged in a circle. These six light indication elements 160 represent the teeth segments/sections within the mouth (upper left/upper middle/upper right/lower left/lower middle/lower right). Via adhesive tape 198, the magnetic holder 100 can be attached to a wall for hygienic storage of the personal care implement 10. Optionally, a real time module 195 can be further provided within the housing cavity to enable control and monitoring of the time expired in case the batteries 180 powering the PCB-A 110 run out of power during toothbrushing. If new batteries are inserted, the time previously recorded will be re-displayable immediately.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, the light indication segments 160 are getting activated one after the other, each after a pre-defined period of time, when the personal care implement 10 is detached from the magnetic holder 100. Said pre-defined period of time may be about 20 seconds. If the magnetic holder comprises six light indication segments 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, and the predefined period of time of each light indication segment is set at 20 seconds, then the guidance process is adapted to the recommended 2 minutes brushing time.

The timer is pre-configured so that it is activated after a pre-defined time period after the personal care implement 10 is detached from the magnetic holder 100, allowing the user moisturizing the toothbrush, adding toothpaste and preparing oneself before starting the cleaning process, for example. Said pre-defined time period can be from about 2 seconds to about 20 seconds, from about 5 seconds to about 15 seconds, or from about 8 seconds to about 12 seconds, or about 10 seconds.

A first visual, acoustic and/or haptic signal can be given to the user by the magnetic holder 100 when all light indication segments 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166 have been activated, and the pre-defined time period expired for all segments 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166.

Likewise, a second visual, acoustic and/or haptic signal can be given to the user by the magnetic holder 100 if the personal care implement 10 is re-attached to the magnetic holder 100 before all light indication segments 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166 have been activated, or before the pre-defined time period expired for all segments 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166.

Fig. 4 shows in sequence steps how the magnetic holder 100/timer changing its status over time. At step 200 the personal care implement 10 is getting detached from the magnetic holder 100, and the timer is in an “initial intro-phase”. The “initial intro-phase” is pre-configured so that the timer gets activated after a pre-defined time period which may be set at 10 seconds. This allows the user to moisturize the oral care implement 10, to add toothpaste thereon and to prepare himself for the cleaning process.

Steps 210, 220, 230 and 240 show how the light indication elements 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166 are getting activated, one after the other, each after a pre-defined period of time which may be set at 20 seconds.

Step 260 illustrates a first visual signal that will be given to the user if the personal care implement 10 is not re-attached to the magnetic holder 100 before all light indication segments 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166 have been activated, and before the pre-defined time period expired for all segments 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166.

In contrast to step 260, step 250 illustrates a second visual signal - different from the first visual signal - that is given to the user by the magnetic holder 100 as the personal care implement 10 is re-attached to the magnetic holder 100 before all light indication segments 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166 have been activated, and/or the pre-defined time period did not expire for all segments 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166. In the context of this disclosure, the term "substantially" refers to an arrangement of elements or features that, while in theory would be expected to exhibit exact correspondence or behavior, may, in practice embody something slightly less than exact. As such, the term denotes the degree by which a quantitative value, measurement or other related representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”