Handle for oral-care implement for safe and hygienic use by multiple users and method of disinfecting the same

An oral-care implement for safe and hygienic use by multiple users, the implement comprising a handle structured and configured to be attached to a replaceable head, wherein the handle comprises:

• an electrical motor arranged to drive an output element structured and configured to couple the handle and the replaceable head for a vibratory movement of the replaceable head;
• and
• a microcontroller for controlling the motor to cause the output element to vibrate in
• (a) at least one oral-hygiene mode during which the oral-care implement is being used for an oral-hygiene routine, wherein the output element is vibrating at a substantially constant frequency, and
• (b) a disinfection mode during which the handle is being disinfected, before or after being used for the oral-hygiene routine, wherein the output element is continuously vibrating at a modulated frequency alternating in a frequency range of between about 140 Hz and about 250 Hz, for a duration of a disinfection routine.

A handle for an oral-care implement, the handle comprising:

• an electrical motor arranged to drive an output element disposed at an end of the handle and structured and configured to couple the handle and a head attachable to and detachable from the handle;
• and
• a microcontroller for controlling the motor and to cause the output element to vibrate in
• (a) at least one oral-hygiene mode during which the oral-care implement is being used for an oral-hygiene routine, wherein the output element is vibrating at a substantially constant frequency, and
• (b) a disinfection mode wherein the handle is being disinfected during a disinfection routine, before or after being used for the oral-hygiene routine, wherein the output element is continuously vibrating at a modulated frequency alternating between a low modulated frequency and a high modulated frequency, wherein the high modulated frequency is at least 50 percent greater than the low modulated frequency.