MX2014000408A - Toothbrush and refill head for the same. - Google Patents

Abstract

A refill head, and an oral care implement including the same, wherein the refill head comprises a tubular sleeve having a cavity. First and second upper cam surfaces are provided in the cavity that form transverse shoulders within the cavity. The first and second upper cam surfaces are separated by first and second axial slots through which first and second bosses of a stem of a handle of the oral care implement can be passed.

Description

TOOTHBRUSH AND REPLACEMENT HEAD FOR THE SAME FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to spare heads for mouth care implements, and specifically to the coupling structure of the spare head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Energetic tooth brushes having replaceable heads, commonly referred to as spare heads, are known in the art. Such energized toothbrushes typically include a handle and a spare head that is detachably coupled to the handle. The ability to replace the heads in such powered toothbrushes is desirable because the handle, which includes the expensive components and circuitry that induce movement, is expensive to manufacture and has a much longer life expectancy than the elements. cleaning, such as bristles, which are on the head. Consumers would not be willing to pay a premium for purchasing such energized toothbrushes if they had to be discarded when the bristles or other cleaning elements wear out. Therefore, it is now standard in the industry provide spare heads that can be attached and separated from the handle so that worn spare heads can be replaced as needed for the same handle.

Existing replacement heads suffer from a number of shortcomings, including the complexity of manufacturing, the ability to improperly load the spare head to the handle, and inadequate coupling of the spare head to the handle. Therefore, there is a need for a replacement head having an improved coupling structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a spare head, and an oral care implement that includes the same, wherein the spare head comprises a tubular sleeve having a cavity. First and second upper cam surfaces are provided in a distal portion of the cavity that forms transverse supports within the cavity. The first and second upper cam surfaces are separated by first and second axial slots through which the first and second projections of a shank of a handle of the buccal care implement can be passed.

In one embodiment, the invention may be a toothbrush comprising: a handle comprising: a grasping portion; and a shank extending from the grip portion, the shank extending along an axis; and first and second projections extending radially from an exterior surface of the stem, the first and second projections located at a distal portion of the stem and accommodated in a circumferentially spaced manner; and a spare head removably coupled to the handle, the replacement head comprises: a head portion comprising a plurality of teeth cleaning elements; a tubular sleeve coupled to the head portion, the tubular sleeve has a cavity in which the stem is positioned; and first and second upper cam surfaces forming transverse supports in the cavity, the first shoulder in surface contact with the first top cam surface and the second shoulder in surface contact with the second top cam surface for axially retaining the stem inside. the cavity, the first and second upper cam surfaces spaced circumferentially from one another by first and second axial grooves, the first and second axial grooves configured to allow the first shoulder to slide axially through the first axial groove and the second projection slides out of axial way through the second axial groove when the spare head is in a rotational orientation in which the first shoulder is aligned axially with the first axial groove and the second shoulder is aligned axially with the second axial groove.

In another embodiment, the invention may be a spare head for an oral care implement comprising: a head portion; a tubular sleeve coupled to the head portion, the tubular sleeve has a cavity for receiving a stem of a handle of the mouth care implement; and first and second upper cam surfaces forming transverse supports in the cavity, the first and second upper cam surfaces spaced circumferentially from one another by the first and second axial slots.

Additional areas of applicability of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description that is 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 FIGURES The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a front view of a spare head and a toothbrush handle in alignment for detachable coupling according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the spare head is in cross section and the handle is cut partial; Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the spare head according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a front view of the handle of the toothbrush of Figure 1; Figure 4A is a top view of the handle of the toothbrush of Figure 1; Figure 4B is a right side view of a distal portion of the shank of the toothbrush handle of Figure 1; Figure 5A is a top view of the cam collar of the spare head of Figure 1, wherein the cam collar is removed from the tubular sleeve of the replacement head; Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view longitudinal of the cam collar of figure 5A; Y Figure 6 is a front view of the spare head and handle of the toothbrush of Figure 1 coupled together detachably according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application or uses.

The description of the illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which will be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to address or orientation is simply for convenience of the description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as "lower", "higher", "horizontal", "vertical", "above", "below", "above", "below", "superior", and "inferior", as well as derivatives of them (for example, "horizontally", "downward", "upward", etc.) should be interpreted to refer to the orientation as it is described later and as shown in the drawing under analysis. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly so indicated. Terms such as "joined", "fixed", "connected", "coupled", "interconnected", and the like refer to a relationship wherein the structures are secured or linked together either directly or indirectly through intermediate structures , as well as unions and mobile or rigid relationships, unless expressly described herein. In addition, the features and benefits of the invention are described by reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated herein. Accordingly, the invention should not expressly be limited to such exemplary embodiments which illustrate some non-limiting combinations of characteristics that may exist alone or in other combinations of characteristics; the scope of the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 6 concurrently, an energized toothbrush 1000 is illustrated in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The energized toothbrush 1000 usually comprises a replacement head 100 and a handle 200.

As discussed in greater detail below, the replacement head 100 and the handle 200 are designed so that the replacement head 100 can be repetitively coupled and uncoupled from the handle 200. In Figure 1, the energized toothbrush 1000 it is illustrated in a state in which the spare head 100 is not coupled to the handle 200 but is placed in an axial alignment with the handle 200 so that said coupling can be effected. In Figure 6, the energized toothbrush 1000 is illustrated in a state where the replacement head 100 is detachably coupled to the handle 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Although the invention is exemplified herein as an energized toothbrush 1000, it will be understood that the inventive concepts discussed herein can be applied to manual toothbrushes utilizing spare heads, or other manual or energized oral care implements, including without limitation cleansers. of tongue, water irrigators, interdental devices, tooth polishers and specially designed handle implements that have elements in contact with the teeth.

Referring now to Figures 1, 3, 4A and 4B concurrently, handle 200 will be described in greater detail. The handle 200 usually comprises a portion of grip 210 (only a small portion is exemplified) and a stem 220. Stem 220 extends from grasping portion 210 along a longitudinal axis A-A.

The grip portion 210 of the handle 200 is an elongated structure that provides the mechanism through which the user can hold and manipulate the energized toothbrush 1000 during use. The grasping portion 210 can assume a wide variety of shapes, contours and configurations, none of which are a limitation of the present invention. Within the grip portion 210 is included a power source, an electric motor and electrical circuitry as well as components necessary to create a desired movement within the spare head 100.

The grasping portion 210 also includes the user interface that controls the various operations of the toothbrush 1000, including without limitation the turning off and on, changing of the motor speeds, or other functions included. The gripping portion 210, in essence, forms a water-tight housing for the aforementioned electrical circuit and the mechanical components that need to be protected from moisture.

In the exemplified embodiment, the movement to be transmitted to the head portion 110 of the head of Spare 100 is a vibratory movement. In order to generate said vibratory movement, the handle 200 comprises a vibrating element, which in the exemplified embodiment is in the form of an eccentric 222 coupled to a driving shaft 221. A proximal portion (not shown) of the driving shaft 221 it is operatively coupled to the electric motor (not shown) so that the electric motor can rotate the motor shaft 221. A distal portion 223 of the motor shaft 221 is retained by an annular bearing 224 that is mounted within the stem 220. Custom-made that the motor shaft 221 is rotated, the eccentric 222, due to its center of gravity out of center, generates vibrations that are transmitted to the stem 220 and to the spare head 100 (which is discussed in more detail below). Although the eccentric 222 is exemplified as a portion of the motor shaft 221 that is radially offset from the longitudinal axis A-A, the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, eccentric 222 may be a deflected disc or other deflected weight, as is known in the art. As can be seen in Figure 1, the rod 220 forms a water-tight housing having an internal cavity 225 in which the drive shaft 221 and the eccentric 222 are housed. Additional details of a handle that produces convenient vibration, and Related structure that can be incorporated into the brush 1000 Powdered Teeth of the Present Invention, can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0269275, Shimoyama et al., published October 28, 2010 (filed as United States Patent Application. with serial number 12 / 377,355) whose entirety is incorporated herein by reference.

The stem 220 comprises a proximal portion 226 and a distal portion 228. The proximal portion 226 is the base portion of the stem 220 which is adjacent to the grip portion 210 of the handle 200. The distal portion 228 forms the free end of the stem 220. The distal portion 228 of the stem 220 further comprises a plug portion 231 and a support portion 232. The plug portion 231 extends axially from the support portion 232.

The rod 220 further comprises a first shoulder 229 and a second shoulder 230 extending radially outward from an outer surface 227 of the stem 220. The first and second shoulders 229, 230 are accommodated on the stem 220 in a circumferentially spaced manner. In the exemplary embodiment, the first and second projections 229, 230 are approximately 180 ° apart. Of course, other angular degrees of separation can be used as desired. In addition, in alternate embodiments, a greater or lesser amount of two projections may be included in the stem 220. 229, 230 In the embodied embodiment, the first and second projections 229, 230 are located on the plug portion 231 of the distal portion 228 of the stem 220 and extend a radial distance that is less than the support portion 232. Therefore, as can be seen in Figure 4A, the free ends 329, 330 of the first and second shoulders 229, 230 are located within a perimeter 332 of the support portion 232. In alternate embodiments, the first and second shoulders 229, 230 they can be located in other locations on the stem 220 if desired. In other words, the first and second projections 229, 230 do not extend radially beyond an outer surface 227 of the support portion 232.

In the exemplified embodiment, both the first and the second projections 229, 230 are cylindrical pin-type elements and have approximately equal diameters. However, in alternate embodiments, the first and second projections 229, 230 may have other shapes in cross section, including polygonal, oval or irregular shape. Therefore, as used herein, the term "diameter" is not strictly limited to circular geometries.

Referring now to Figures 2, 5A and 5B of In a concurrent manner, the structure of the replacement head 100 will be described in greater detail. The replacement head 100 generally comprises a head portion 110, a tubular sleeve 120 and an annular cam collar 150. The tubular sleeve 120, the portion of head 110 and cam collar 150 can be formed into a material that is rigid, such as a hard moldable plastic. Suitable hard plastics include polymers and copolymers of ethylene, propylene, butadiene, vinyl compounds and polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate. Of course, the invention is not limited thereto and other materials can be used to form the tubular sleeve 120 and the head portion 110 of the replacement head 100.

The tubular sleeve 120 extends along a longitudinal axis BB from a proximal end 121 to a distal end 182. The head portion 110 is coupled to the distal end 182 of the tubular sleeve 120. In the exemplified embodiment, the tubular sleeve 120 and the head portion 110 of the replacement head 100 are integrally formed as a single unitary structure using a molding, milling, machining or other convenient process. However, in other embodiments, the head portion 110 and the tubular sleeve 120 of the replacement head 100 can be formed as separate components which are operatively connected at a later stage of the manufacturing process through some known technique, including without limitation thermal or ultrasonic welding, an hermetic fitting assembly, a coupling sleeve, a threaded coupling, adhesion or fasteners.

The head portion 110 comprises a plurality of teeth cleaning elements 180 (which are illustrated in a generic manner) extending from a surface thereof as is known in the art. The plurality of teeth cleaning elements 180 is provided for cleaning and / or polishing a buccal surface and / or interdental spaces. The teeth cleaning elements 180 may be particularly convenient for brushing the teeth, or they may be particularly convenient for polishing the teeth instead of or in addition to cleaning the teeth. As used herein, the term "teeth cleaning elements" is used in a generic sense to refer to any structure that can be used to clean, polish or rinse teeth and / or soft oral tissue (e.g. , cheeks, gums, etc.) through relative surface contact. Common examples of "teeth cleaning elements" include, without limitation, bristle tufts, filament bristles, fiber bristles, nylon bristles, spiral bristles, bristles rubber, elastomeric protuberances, protrusions of flexible polymer, combinations thereof and / or structures containing said materials or combinations. Suitable elastomeric materials include any biocompatible resilient material suitable for use in an oral hygiene apparatus. To provide optimal comfort as well as cleaning benefits, the elastomeric material of the elements in contact with the soft tissue or the teeth has a hardness property in the range of A8 to A25 Shore. A suitable elastomeric material is the styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) manufactured by GLS Corporation. However, SEBS material from other manufacturers or other materials could be used inside and outside the observed hardness range.

The tooth cleaning elements 180 of the present invention can be connected to the replacement head 100 in any manner known in the art. For example, staples / anchors, inserted in-mold (IMT) or inserted anchor-free (AFT) could be used to mount the cleaning elements / elements in contact with the teeth. In AFT, a plate or membrane is secured to the head of the brush such as by ultrasonic welding. The bristles extend through the plate or membrane. The extremes Free of the bristles on one side of the plate or membrane perform the cleaning function. The ends of the bristles on the other side of the plate or membrane are fused together by heat to be anchored in place. Any convenient form of cleaning elements can be used in the broad practice of this invention. Alternatively, the bristles could be mounted to blocks or tuft sections extending through convenient openings in the tuft blocks so that the base of the bristles is mounted inside or under the tuft block.

The tubular sleeve 120 comprises an inner surface 181 forming an internal cavity 122 extending along the longitudinal axis B-B. The internal cavity 122 is dimensioned and shaped to accommodate the stem 220 of the handle 200 so that the replacement head 100 can detachably engage the handle 200 as described below. The tubular sleeve 120 further comprises an opening 123 at the proximal end 121 which provides a passageway within the cavity 122 so that the stem 220 can be translated axially into and out of the cavity 122 through the opening 123.

The cavity 122 comprises a proximal axial section 124, an average axial section 125 and a distal axial section 126. The proximal axial section 124 extends from the opening 123 to a first support 127 formed on the inner surface 181. The proximal axial section 124 has a tapered cross-sectional area along its length moving from the opening 123 to the first annular support 128. The middle axial section 125 extends from the first support 127 to a second support 128 formed on the inner surface 181. The middle axial section 125 has a slightly tapered cross-sectional area along its length moving from the first support 127 to the second support 128. The distal axial section 126 extends from the second annular support 128 to an end wall 129. The distal axial section 126 has a reduced cross-sectional area as compared to the average axial section 125, even in the smallest cross-sectional area of the axial section average 125 As mentioned before, the spare head 100 further comprises a cam collar 150. The cam collar 150 is positioned within the cavity 122 and coupled to the tubular sleeve 120. More specifically, the cam collar 150 is positioned within the middle axial section 125 of the internal cavity 122 (adjacent the distal axial section 126). The cam collar 150 is coupled to the tubular sleeve 120 so as not to be rotatable with respect to the tubular sleeve 120. In the embodiment exemplified, the axial position of The cam collar 150 within the cavity 122 of the tubular sleeve 120 is achieved by a combination of contact with the second annular support 128 and an annular retaining flange 130 projecting radially inward from the inner surface 181. Therefore, the second annular support 128 prevents axial movement of the cam collar 150 relative to the tubular sleeve 120 in a first axial direction while the annular retaining flange 130. prevents axial movement of the cam collar 150 relative to the tubular sleeve 120 in a second axial direction (opposite the first axial direction). The rotational movement between the cam collar 150 and the tubular sleeve 120 is prohibited by locking flanges 153 of the cam collar 150 extending into axially extending grooves. 131 formed on the second annular support 128 of the inner surface 181 of the tubular sleeve 120.

In the exemplified embodiment, the cam collar 150 comprises an annular outer wall 154 and a first inner step 155 and a second inner step 156. The first inner step 155 comprises a first upper cam surface 157 while the second inner step 156 comprises a second upper cam surface 158. The first and second upper cam surfaces 157, 158 forming transverse supports in the cavity 122. When the energized toothbrush 1000 is assembled appropriately and spare head 100 is detachably coupled to handle 200, first projection 229 of stem 120 is in surface contact with first upper cam surface 157 and second projection 230 is in surface contact with the second upper cam surface 158 (as shown in Figure 6) to axially retain the rod 220 within the cavity 122 in order to maintain the detachable coupling.

The first and second step 155, 156, and therefore the first and second top cam surfaces 157, 158, are circumferentially spaced from one another by first and second axial slots 151, 152. The first top cam surface 157 comprises a first depression 159 in which the first protrusion 229 is nested when the replacement head 100 is detachably coupled to the handle 200. Similarly, the second upper cam surface 158 comprises a second depression 160 in which the second projection 230 when the replacement head 100 is detachably coupled to the handle 200.

The first upper cam surface 157 also comprises a first ramp portion 161 and a first stop portion 162. The first ramp portion 161 is extends from the first axial groove 151 to the first depression 159 and is configured to allow the first shoulder 229 to slide along the first upper cam surface 157 from the first axial groove 151 and the first depression 159. On the other hand , the first stop portion 162 is located between the first depression 159 and the second axial slot 152 and is configured to prohibit the first shoulder 229 from rotating the first depression 129 toward axial alignment with the second axial slot 152. Similarly , the second upper cam surface 158 comprises a second ramp portion 163 and a second stop portion 164. The second ramp portion 163 extends from the second axial slot 152 to the second depression 160 and is configured to allow the second projection 230 slides along the second upper cam surface 158 from the second axial slot 152 to the second depression 160. On the other hand, l The second stop portion 164 is located between the second depression 160 and the first axial slot 151 and is configured to prohibit the second shoulder 230 from rotating the second depression 160 toward an axial alignment with the first axial slot 151.

The first and second axial grooves 151, 152 are configured to allow the first shoulder 229 to slide axially through the first axial groove 151 and the second shoulder 230 slides axially through the second axial slot 152 when the replacement head 200 is in a rotational orientation in which the first shoulder 229 is aligned axially with the first axial slot 151 and the second shoulder 230 is axially aligned with the second axial groove 152. Therefore, in order for the stem 220 of the handle 200 to be inserted into the cavity 122 of the spare head 200, the spare head must be put into a rotational orientation in which the first shoulder 229 is aligned axially with the first axial groove 151 and the second shoulder 230 is aligned axially with the second axial groove 152. Once this rotational orientation is achieved, the stem 220 is inserted into the cavity 122 until the first and second projections 229, 230 pass through the first and second axial slots 151, 152, respectively. Once the first and second projections 229, 230 have passed through the first and second axial grooves 151, 152, the replacement head 200 is rotated (90 degrees clockwise) relative to the handle 200 so that the first and second projections 229, 230 slide along the ramp portions 161, 163 of the first and second upper cam surfaces 157, 158 until they are nested in the first and second depressions 159, 160, respectively. Vertical side walls (not listed) of the axial grooves 151 and 152, and part of the cam surface areas 161 and 163 prevent the replacement head from rotating counterclockwise and thus maintaining the orientation of the head to the handle. As the first and second projections 229, 230 slide upwardly in the ramp portions 161, 163, the fit between the first and second projections 229, 230 and the first and second upper cam surfaces 157, 158 is tightened. The first and second projections 229, 230 then fall into the first and second depressions 159, 160 achieving a more relaxed state between the first and second projections 229, 230 and the first and second upper cam surfaces 157, 158. The first and second depressions 159, 160 retain the first and second projections 229, 230 in contact with the first and second upper cam surfaces 157, 158. This coupling can be further improved by incorporating a resilient washer that provides an axial force that pushes yet further to the first and second projections 229, 230 towards the first and second depressions 159, 160 (not shown). The stop portions 162, 164 prevent excessive rotation.

When a user wishes to remove the replacement head 100 from the handle 200, the user rotates the replacement head 100 relative to the handle 200 in the opposite rotational direction (i.e., 90 degrees counterclockwise) until the first and second projections 229, 230 are forced from the first and second depressions 159, 160 and slide towards down the ramp portions 161, 163 of the first and second upper cam surfaces 157, 158. This rotation continues until the first and second shoulders 229, 230 return to be in axial alignment with the first and second axial grooves 151, 52 respectively. At this point, the stem 220 can be withdrawn axially from the cavity 122 of the replacement head 100.

Further, when the replacement head 100 is detachably coupled to the handle 200 as described above, the first and second top cam surfaces 157, 158 are located within the middle axial section 125 of the cavity 122. In addition, such as shown in figure 6, only the outer surface of the supporting portion 232 of the distal portion 228 of the stem 220 is in narrow surface contact with the inner surface 181 of the tubular sleeve 120. Therefore, the vibrations generated by the eccentric 223 on the rod 220 are more efficiently transmitted to the head portion 210 of the replacement head 200. It may be convenient to minimize the vibration below the distal portion 228 so that the vibration is not transmitted to the handle 200.

The first and second shoulders 229, 230 are integrally molded to the stem 220 in the exemplified embodiment. Further, although the first and second upper cam surfaces 157, 158 are located in the cam collar 150 in the exemplified embodiment, the first and second upper cam surfaces 157, 158 could be integrally formed in the tubular sleeve 120.

As used here, ranges are used as a quick method to describe each value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the term of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the case of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure will be the one that regulates.

Although the foregoing description and drawings represent the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that various additions, modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the it and scope of the present invention as defined in the accompanying claims. In particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be incorporated in other forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, specific sizes and with other elements, materials and components, without departing from the it or characteristics of it. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials and components and can otherwise be used in the practice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operating requirements without departing from the principles of the present invention. The modalities disclosed herein will then be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, and is not limited to the foregoing description or embodiments.

Claims (1)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, c is considered a novelty and, therefore, claimed as property contained in the following: CLAIMS 1. - A toothbrush comprising: a handle comprising: a grip portion; Y a shank extending from the grip portion, the shank extending along an axis; Y first and second projections extending radially from an exterior surface of the stem, the first and second projections located on a distal portion of the stem and accommodated in a circumferentially spaced manner; Y a spare head detachably coupled to the handle, the spare head comprises: a head portion comprising a plurality of teeth cleaning elements; a tubular sleeve coupled to the head portion, the tubular sleeve has a cavity in which the stem is positioned; Y first and second upper cam surfaces that they form transverse supports in the cavity, the first projection in surface contact with the first upper cam surface and the second projection in surface contact with the second upper cam surface for axially retaining the stem within the cavity, the first and second upper cam surfaces circumferentially spaced from one another by first and second axial slots, the first and second axial slots configured to allow the first boss to slide axially through the first axial slot and the second shoulder it slides axially through the second axial groove when the replacement head is in a rotational orientation in which the first shoulder is axially aligned with the first axial groove and the second shoulder is axially aligned with the second axial groove . 2. - The toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that the first upper cam surface comprises a first depression, the first projection nesting in the first depression, and wherein the second upper cam surface comprises a second depression, the second stand out nesting in the second depression. 3. - The toothbrush in accordance with the claim 2, characterized in that the first upper cam surface comprises a first ramp portion and a first stop portion, the first ramp portion extending from the first axial slot to the first depression and configured to allow the first shoulder to be rotated between the first axial groove and the first depression, the first stop portion located between the first depression and the second axial groove and configured to prohibit the first shoulder from being rotated from the first depression to an axial alignment with the second axial groove, and in wherein the second upper cam surface comprises a second ram portion and a second ram portion, the second ram portion extending from the second axial slot to the second depression and configured to allow the second shoulder to be rotated between the second axial slot and the second depression, the second stop portion located between the second depression and the first axial groove and configured to prohibit the second boss from being rotated from the second depression to an axial alignment with the first axial groove. 4. - The toothbrush according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first and second projections are of the same size and shape. 5. - The toothbrush in accordance with any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spare head further comprises a cam collar positioned within the cavity, the cam collar comprising the first and second upper cam surfaces. 5. - The toothbrush according to claim 5, characterized in that the cam collar is retained axially within the cavity of the tubular sleeve through a retaining flange that protrudes from an inner surface of the tubular sleeve and is retained in a rotational manner through locking flanges of the cam collar that extend into the grooves on the inner surface of the tubular sleeve. 7. - The toothbrush according to claim 6, characterized in that the grooves extend axially in a transverse support formed on the inner surface of the tubular sleeve. 8. - The toothbrush according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the cam collar comprises an outer annular wall and first and second steps projecting radially inward from an inner surface of the outer annular wall, the first and second upper cam surfaces located in the first and second steps respectively. 9. - The toothbrush in accordance with any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first and second upper cam surfaces are integrally formed in the tubular sleeve. 10. - The toothbrush according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the free ends of the first and second projections are located within a perimeter of a support portion of a distal portion of the stem. 11. - The toothbrush according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a proximal portion of the cavity of the tubular sleeve is tapered. 12. - The toothbrush according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the distal portion of the stem comprises a plug portion and a support portion, the plug portion extending from the support portion and comprising the first and second portions. projections, and wherein the first and second projections do not extend radially beyond an outer surface of the support portion. 13. - The toothbrush according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the handle comprises a power source and a vibratory element operatively coupled to the power source. 14. - The toothbrush according to claim 13, characterized in that the vibrating element is located inside the stem. 15. - The toothbrush according to claim 14, characterized in that only the outer surface of the support portion of the stem is in close contact with an inner surface of the tubular sleeve. 16. - A spare head for an oral care implement that includes: a head portion; a tubular sleeve coupled to the head portion, the tubular sleeve has a cavity for receiving a stem of a handle of the mouth care implement; Y first and. second upper cam surfaces forming transverse supports in the cavity, the first and second upper cam surfaces separated circumferentially from one another by first and second axial slots. 17. - The spare head according to claim 16, characterized in that the first upper cam surface comprises a first depression and the second upper cam surface comprises a second depression. 18. - The spare head in accordance with the claim 17, characterized in that the first upper cam surface comprises a first ramp portion and a first stop portion, the first ramp portion extending from the first axial slot to the first depression, the first stop portion located between the first depression and the second axial groove, and wherein the second upper cam surface comprises a second ramp portion and a second stop portion, the second ramp portion extending from the second axial groove to the second depression, the second stop portion located between the second depression and the first axial groove. 19. - The spare head according to any of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the spare head further comprises a cam collar positioned within the cavity, the cam collar comprising the first and second upper cam surfaces. 20. - The spare head according to claim 19, characterized in that the cam collar is axially retained within the cavity of the tubular sleeve by a retaining flange projecting from a lower surface of the tubular sleeve and rotationally retained through interlocking tabs of the cam collar that extend into slots on the inner surface of the tubular sleeve. 21. - The spare head according to claim 20, characterized in that the grooves extend axially in a transverse support formed on the inner surface of the tubular sleeve. 22. - The spare head according to any of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the cam collar comprises an outer annular wall and first and second steps projecting radially inward from an inner surface of the outer annular wall, the first and second upper cam surfaces located in the first and second steps respectively. 23. - The replacement head according to any of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that the cam collar is a non-unitary structure with respect to the tubular sleeve. 24. - The spare head according to any of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the first and second upper cam surfaces are formed integrally in the tubular sleeve.