Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a bristle comprising a circular core with two, three or four ribs attached to the core. The ribs wrap around the core in a helical manner.

<CIT> discloses a bristle comprising a core component and a fully surrounding second component. The core and the surrounding component can have different shapes. In addition, the material and the color of the components can differ from each other.

<CIT> discloses a bristle, which is formed of coextruded first and second round strand components that are intertwined together.

The present invention is directed to a spiral bristle according to claim <NUM>. Further, the invention is a method of forming a spiral bristle according to claim <NUM>. The dependent claims represent further beneficial embodiments of the invention.

A spiral bristle may comprise: a first component, a second component, and a third component wherein the first component is a first color, the second component is a second color, and a third component is a third color, each of the first, second, and third colors being different from one another; each of the second and third components wrapping around the first component in a helical and spaced-apart manner.

An oral care implement may comprise: a handle; a head coupled to the handle; and at least one bristle tuft extending from a first surface of the head, the at least one bristle tuft comprising at least one spiral bristle as set forth above.

An oral care implement may comprise: a handle; a head coupled to the handle; at least one bristle tuft extending from a first surface of the head, the at least one bristle tuft comprising at least one spiral bristle as set forth above, the spiral bristle bent into a U-shape and mounted to the head.

In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by referenced in their entireties.

Referring to <FIG>, an oral care implement <NUM> is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the exemplified embodiment, the oral care implement <NUM> is in the form of a manual toothbrush. However, in certain other embodiments the oral care implement <NUM> can take on other forms such as a powered toothbrush. Thus, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts discussed herein can be applied to any type of brushing implement used for oral care, unless a specific type of oral care implement is specified in the claims.

The oral care implement <NUM> generally includes a body <NUM> comprising a handle <NUM> and a head <NUM>. The body <NUM> generally extends from a proximal end <NUM> to a distal end <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the body <NUM> may have a simple linear arrangement, and in certain other embodiments, the body <NUM> may have a non-linear structure.

The handle <NUM> extends from a proximal end <NUM> to a distal end <NUM> and the head <NUM> is coupled to the distal end <NUM> of the handle <NUM>. The handle <NUM> is an elongated structure that provides the mechanism by which the user can hold and manipulate the oral care implement <NUM> during use. The handle <NUM> comprises a front surface <NUM> and an opposing rear surface <NUM>. The handle <NUM> may include various contours for user comfort. In certain other embodiments the handle <NUM> can take on a wide variety of shapes, contours and configurations, none of which are limiting of the present invention unless so specified in the claims.

In the exemplified embodiment, the handle <NUM> is formed of a rigid plastic material, such as, for example without limitation, polymers and copolymers of ethylene, propylene, butadiene, vinyl compounds and polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate. Of course, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the handle <NUM> may include a resilient material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, as a grip cover that is molded over portions of or the entirety of the handle <NUM> to enhance the gripability of the handle <NUM> during use. For example, portions of the handle <NUM> that are typically gripped by a user's palm during use may be overmolded with a thermoplastic elastomer or other resilient material to further increase comfort to a user.

The head <NUM> of the oral care implement <NUM> is coupled to the handle <NUM> and comprises a front surface <NUM> and an opposing rear surface <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, the head <NUM> is formed integrally with the handle <NUM> as a single unitary structure using a molding, milling, machining or other suitable process. However, in other embodiments the handle <NUM> and the head <NUM> may be formed as separate components which are operably connected at a later stage of the manufacturing process by any suitable technique known in the art, including without limitation thermal or ultrasonic welding, a tight-fit assembly, a coupling sleeve, threaded engagement, adhesion, or fasteners. In some embodiments the head <NUM> may be detachable from the handle <NUM>. The head <NUM> may be formed of any one of the materials discussed above with regard to the handle <NUM>.

In the exemplified embodiment, the head <NUM> of the oral care implement <NUM> is provided with a plurality of tooth cleaning elements <NUM> extending from the front surface <NUM>. Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment the tooth cleaning elements <NUM> are illustrated as a plurality of bristle tufts <NUM>, and each bristle tuft <NUM> is illustrated as a plurality of spiral bristles <NUM>. In certain embodiments the exact structure, pattern, orientation and material of the tooth cleaning elements <NUM> are not to be limiting of the present invention unless so specified in the claims. In certain embodiments, the tooth cleaning elements <NUM> may include the bristle tufts <NUM> along with one or more other types of tooth cleaning elements. As used herein, the term "tooth cleaning elements" is used in a generic sense to refer to any structure that can be used to clean, polish or wipe the teeth and/or soft oral tissue (e.g. tongue, cheek, gums, etc.) through relative surface contact. Common examples of "tooth cleaning elements" include, without limitation, filament bristles, fiber bristles, nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, elastomeric protrusions, flexible polymer protrusions, combinations thereof and/or structures containing such materials or combinations. Suitable elastomeric materials include any biocompatible resilient material suitable for uses in an oral hygiene apparatus. To provide optimum comfort as well as cleaning benefits, the elastomeric material of the tooth or soft tissue engaging elements has a hardness property in the range of A8 to A25 Shore hardness. One suitable elastomeric material is styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) manufactured by GLS Corporation. Nevertheless, SEBS material from other manufacturers or other materials within and outside the noted hardness range could be used.

In certain embodiments, the bristle tufts <NUM>, and other tooth cleaning elements <NUM>, may be mounted on a head plate that forms part of the head <NUM> of the oral care implement <NUM>. The head plate is formed separately and, at a later stage of the manufacturing process, is connected to the body <NUM> at a later stage of the manufacturing process to form the head <NUM>. The head plate may be connected to the body <NUM>, to form the head <NUM>, by any suitable technique known in the art, including without limitation thermal or ultrasonic welding, any fusion techniques such as thermal fusion, melting, a tight-fit assembly, a coupling sleeve, threaded engagement, adhesion, or fasteners. In such an embodiment, the head plate may include a plurality of holes formed therethrough, with the bristle tufts <NUM> and any other included tooth cleaning elements <NUM> mounted to the head plate within the holes. This type of technique for mounting the bristle tufts <NUM> and other tooth cleaning elements to the head <NUM> via a head plate is generally known as anchor free tufting (AFT). Specifically, in AFT a plate or membrane is created separately from the head <NUM>. The tooth cleaning elements <NUM> (such as the bristle tufts <NUM>) are positioned into the head plate so as to extend through the head plate. The free ends of the other tooth cleaning elements <NUM> on one side of the head plate perform the cleaning function. The ends of the tooth cleaning elements <NUM> on the other side of the head plate are melted together by heat to be anchored in place. After the tooth cleaning elements <NUM> are secured to the head plate, the head plate is secured to the head <NUM> such as by ultrasonic welding. In certain embodiments, the portion of the bristle tufts <NUM> that are melted together comprise the anchor portion of the bristle tufts <NUM> and individual bristles.

Any suitable technique for attaching the bristle tufts <NUM> and other tooth cleaning elements <NUM> to the head may be used in the broad practice of this invention. Specifically, the tooth cleaning elements <NUM> of the present invention can be connected to the head <NUM> in any manner known in the art. For example, staples/anchors or in-mold tufting (IMT) could be used to mount the tooth cleaning elements <NUM>. In certain embodiments, various combinations of stapled, IMT or AFT bristles may be used. Alternatively, the bristle tufts <NUM> may be mounted to tuft blocks by extending through suitable openings in the tuft blocks so that the base of the bristles is mounted within or below the tuft block. Such tuft blocks may then be connected to the body <NUM> to form the head <NUM> of the oral care implement <NUM>.

Although not illustrated herein, in certain embodiments the head <NUM> may also include a soft tissue cleanser coupled to or positioned on its rear surface <NUM>. An example of a suitable soft tissue cleanser that may be used with the present invention and positioned on the rear surface of the head <NUM> is disclosed in <CIT> to the assignee of the present application.

In certain other embodiments, the soft tissue cleanser may include protuberances, which can take the form of elongated ridges, nubs, or combinations thereof. Of course, the invention is not to be so limited and in certain embodiments the oral care implement <NUM> may not include any soft tissue cleanser.

Referring to both <FIG>, an embodiment of a spiral bristle <NUM> forming a monofilament <NUM> is shown. The monofilament <NUM> includes a base portion <NUM> and a tapered portion <NUM>. The base portion <NUM> extends into the head <NUM> to anchor the monofilament <NUM> to the head <NUM>. The monofilament <NUM> extends away from the head <NUM> along a bristle axis <NUM>, and the base portion <NUM> has a substantially constant transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> (as viewed in a plane orthogonal to the bristle axis <NUM>) between the point where the base portion <NUM> extends out of the head <NUM> to the tapered portion <NUM>. The transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. As shown, the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> is a square. In certain other embodiments, the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> may have a geometrical shape other than square, such as a rectangle.

In certain embodiments, the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> may be any type of polygonal transverse cross-section profile. The tapered portion <NUM> includes a free end <NUM> extending longitudinally from the base portion <NUM>. The tapered portion <NUM> has a transverse cross-section (as viewed in a plane orthogonal to the bristle axis <NUM>) that decreases in size moving from the base portion <NUM> toward the free end <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, any one end of the spiral bristle <NUM> may be tapered by briefly immersing an end of the spiral bristle <NUM> in a bath of a chemical solution, such as a caustic soda (NaOH). When the end is removed from the bath, the tapered portion <NUM> is formed as shown in <FIG>. The length of the tapered portion <NUM> may be adjusted by the concentration of the chemical solution, immersion time, pulling out speed from the chemical solutions, among other factors. The tapered portion <NUM> may generally be delineated from the base portion <NUM> in that the tapered portion <NUM> is the portion of the spiral bristle <NUM> that is immersed within the chemical solution.

The spiral bristle <NUM> includes a first component <NUM>, a second component <NUM>, and a third component <NUM>, with the second and third components <NUM>, <NUM> isolated from one another by the first component <NUM>. The second and third components <NUM>, <NUM> are wrapped around the first component <NUM> in a helical and spaced-apart manner to form the monofilament <NUM>. The helical form of the spiral bristle <NUM> results in apexes of the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> twisting around the monofilament <NUM> along the bristle axis <NUM> of the spiral bristle <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the bristle axis <NUM> does not intersect either of the second component <NUM> or the third component <NUM>.

In certain embodiments the first component <NUM> may be a first color, the second component <NUM> may be a second color, and the third component <NUM> may be a third color, with each of the first, second, and third colors being different colors. By forming the spiral bristle <NUM> with first, second, and third components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> having such a color variation, the monofilament <NUM> has a bristle outer surface <NUM> with a helically striped pattern showing a repeating color sequence (when viewed in a direction parallel to the bristle axis <NUM>) of: the first color, followed by the second color, followed by the first color, followed by the third color. In such an arrangement, the boundary between the respective adjacent components along the bristle axis <NUM> forms the boundary between the respective colors. While the apexes of the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> may also add to the overall appearance of the monofilament <NUM>, the apexes may provide improvement in tooth cleaning for toothbrushes which include a plurality of spiral bristles <NUM>. Such an improvement in tooth cleaning may be realized from the spiral bristle <NUM> having more apex edges on all sides of the spiral bristle as compared to bristles having a square cross section with apexes that run parallel to the bristle axis.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the first component <NUM> is positioned at a first apex <NUM> of the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, and the second component <NUM> is positioned at a second apex <NUM> of the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, with the first and second apexes <NUM>, <NUM> being opposite one another. In certain non-claimed examples, the first and second apexes <NUM>, <NUM> may be adjacent apexes of the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>. In certain other non-claimed examples, , one or both of the second and third components may be located within the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> at positions other than at apexes.

Although the second and third components <NUM>, <NUM> shown in <FIG> have triangular cross sections, certain embodiments of the monofilament <NUM> may include the second and third components <NUM>, <NUM> having a different cross-sectional shape within the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>. Each of the second and third components <NUM>, <NUM> may have any shape of cross section within the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>. Moreover, the shape of the cross section for each of the second and third components <NUM>, <NUM> may be different from the shape of cross section of the other of the second and third components <NUM>, <NUM>.

As a result of the respective positioning of the first, second, and third components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> shown in the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> of <FIG>, the first component <NUM> forms a first section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>, with the first section <NUM> having two separate sub-sections 251a, 251b, the second component <NUM> forms a second section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>, and the third component <NUM> forms a third section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>. Thus, in the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, the sub-sections 251a, 251b of the first section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM> are located between the second and third sections <NUM>, <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>.

The first, second, and third components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the spiral bristle <NUM> may be formed from a wide variety of synthetic materials which may be coextruded. Examples of materials that may be used to form the spiral bristle <NUM> include, but are not limited to, plastics, nylon, aramid, and other polyamide resins, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polypropylene terephthalate (polytrimethylene terephthalate, PPT or PTT), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and other polyester resins, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and other polyolefin resins, and other synthetic resins can be used for bristles of a toothbrush.

In certain embodiments, the first component <NUM> may be a first material, the second component <NUM> may be a second material, and the third component <NUM> may be a third material. In certain embodiments, the first, second, and third materials may all be different, yet chemically compatible, materials. In still other embodiments, the first material may be chemically compatible with the second and third materials, with the second and third materials being chemically incompatible with one another.

Coloring agents may be added to any one or more of the first, second, and third materials of the spiral bristle <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the only difference between the first, second, and third materials may be the inclusion of a coloring agent in one or more of the materials, while no coloring agent, or a different coloring agent, is included in the other ones of the materials. The bristle tufts <NUM>, in certain embodiments, may be formed from multiple ones of the spiral bristles <NUM> that are formed to have the same coloration for first, second, and third materials, or from spiral bristles <NUM> that have a variety of coloration for one or more of first, second, and third materials. In this way, a greater variety in the coloration of the tooth cleaning elements <NUM> may be obtained using such multicolored spiral bristles <NUM>. For example, in certain embodiments the coloring agents may be selected so that the colors of the any two of the first, second, and third materials are contrasting or complementary. In certain other embodiments, the coloring agents may be selected so that the colors of any one or more of the first, second, and third materials, impart sentimental meaning to the user of a toothbrush, e.g., the colors are the same as the colors used by a favorite sports team, a high school, a college, a brand (which may be a brand other than the manufacturer or seller of the toothbrush), and the like.

In certain embodiments, the first, second, and third materials may be selected to vary the translucency/opaqueness of one or more of the materials. As used herein, a component forming part of the spiral bristle <NUM> is translucent when the perceived color results from at least one color of visible light substantially passes through the material. Conversely, as used herein, a material forming part of the spiral bristle <NUM> is opaque when the perceived color results from at least one color of visible light reflected or scattered off the surface of the component. In certain embodiments, any one or more of the first, second, and third materials forming part of the spiral bristle <NUM> may be both partially translucent and partially opaque.

A process for forming the spiral bristle <NUM> of <FIG> is illustrated in the flowchart <NUM> of <FIG>. In a first step <NUM>, a bristle strand is formed by coextruding the first, second, and third components. The bristle strand has the same cross-sectional profile as shown in <FIG>, but the first, second, and third components of the bristle strand do not wrap around each other in a helical manner at this stage of the process. At this stage, the second and third components are isolated from one another by the first component, and each of the second and third components form a longitudinal section of the outer surface of the bristle strand. In a second step <NUM>, the bristle strand is twisted so that each of the second and third components wrap around the first component in a helical and spaced-apart manner. In certain embodiments of the process, a stretching step may be added in which the bristle strand is stretched to increase its length and to decrease its transverse cross-section. In embodiments in which stretching is performed, the stretching may be inserted into the process, as indicated by the optional insertion points in the flowchart <NUM>, prior to A, contemporaneous with B, and/or subsequent to C the twisting step <NUM>. The next step in the process is a cutting step <NUM>, in which the bristle strand is cut into a plurality of spiral bristles. Once cut, a tip forming step <NUM> is performed to form ends of the spiral bristles into the desired type of tip. For example, one end of the spiral bristles may be formed into an end-rounded tip or a tapered tip. The spiral bristles with formed ends may be mounded to a toothbrush head. In certain embodiments, the spiral bristles may be mounted to a toothbrush head before the tips of the spiral bristles are formed.

Referring to both <FIG>, another embodiment of a spiral bristle <NUM> forming a monofilament <NUM> is shown. The monofilament <NUM> includes a base portion <NUM> and a tip portion <NUM>. The base portion <NUM> extends into the head <NUM> to anchor the monofilament <NUM> to the head <NUM>. The monofilament <NUM> extends away from the head <NUM> along a bristle axis <NUM>, and the base portion <NUM> has a substantially constant transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> (as viewed in a plane orthogonal to the bristle axis <NUM>) between the point where the base portion <NUM> extends out of the head <NUM> to a single end-rounded tip <NUM>. The transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. As shown, the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> is a square. In certain other embodiments, the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> may have a geometrical shape other than square, such as a rectangle.

In certain embodiments, the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> may be any type of polygonal transverse cross-section profile.

In the non-claimed example shown in <FIG>, the first component <NUM> is positioned at first and third apexes <NUM>, <NUM> of the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, and the second component <NUM> is positioned at second and fourth apexes <NUM>, <NUM> of the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, with the first and third apexes <NUM>, <NUM> being opposite one another, and the second and fourth apexes <NUM>, <NUM> being opposite one another. In certain embodiments, the second component <NUM> may be located at adjacent apexes of the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, and likewise the third component <NUM> may be located at adjacent apexes. In certain non-claimed examples, one or both of the second and third components <NUM>, <NUM> may be located within the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> at positions other than at apexes.

As a result of the respective positioning of the first, second, and third components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> shown in the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> of <FIG>, the first component <NUM> forms a first section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>, with the first section <NUM> having four separate sub-sections 351a, 351b, 351c, 351d, the second component <NUM> forms a second section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>, with the second section <NUM> having two separate sub-sections 353a, 353b, and the third component <NUM> forms a third section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>, with the third section <NUM> also having two separate sub-sections 355a, 355b. Thus, in the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, the four separate sub-sections 351a, 351b, 351c, 351d of the first section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM> are, respectively, located between the sub-sections 353a, 353b of the second section <NUM> and the sub-sections 355a, 355b of the third section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>.

An alternative non-claimed of a transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> for the base portion of a monofilament is shown in <FIG>. In a monofilament having this type of transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, the base portion would include a first component <NUM>, a second component <NUM>, and a third component <NUM>. The three components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> form a triangular shape for the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, with the second component <NUM> and the third component <NUM> being located at two of the apexes of the triangular shape, such that the bristle axis would not intersect the second or third components <NUM>, <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the first component <NUM> may have a first color, the second component <NUM> may have a second color, and the third component <NUM> may have a third color. The shapes of the cross sections for the second and third components <NUM>, <NUM> may have any shape of cross section within the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, and the shape of the cross section for each of the second and third components <NUM>, <NUM> may be different from the shape of cross section of the other of the second and third components <NUM>, <NUM>.

As a result of the respective positioning of the first, second, and third components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> shown in the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> of <FIG>, in a monofilament having this type of transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, the first component <NUM> forms a first section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>, with the first section <NUM> having two separate sub-sections 413a, 413b, the second component <NUM> forms a second section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>, and the third component <NUM> forms a third section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>. Thus, in the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, the sub-sections 413a, 413b of the first section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM> are located between the second and third sections <NUM>, <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>.

An alternative non-claimed example of a transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> for the base portion of a monofilament is shown in <FIG>. In a monofilament having this type of transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, the base portion would include a first component <NUM>, a second component <NUM>, a third component <NUM>, and a fourth component <NUM>. The four components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> form a triangular shape for the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, with the second, third, and fourth components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> being located at the three apexes of the triangular shape, such that the bristle axis would not intersect the second, third, or fourth components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the first component <NUM> may have a first color, the second component <NUM> may have a second color, the third component <NUM> may have a third color, and the fourth component <NUM> may have a fourth color. The shapes of the cross sections for the second, third, and fourth components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may have any shape of cross section within the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, and the shape of the cross section for each of the second, third, and fourth components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be different from the shape of cross section of the others of the second, third, and fourth components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

As a result of the respective positioning of the first, second, third, and fourth components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> shown in the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> of <FIG>, in a monofilament having this type of transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, the first component <NUM> forms a first section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>, with the first section <NUM> having three separate sub-sections 433a, 433b, 433c, the second component <NUM> forms a second section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>, the third component <NUM> forms a third section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>, and the fourth component <NUM> forms a fourth section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>. Thus, in the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, the sub-sections 433a, 433b, 433c of the first section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM> are located, respectively, between the second, third, and fourth components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>.

An alternative non-claimed example of a transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> for the base portion of a monofilament is shown in <FIG>. In a monofilament having this type of transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, the base portion would include a first component <NUM>, a second component <NUM>, and a third component <NUM>. The three components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> form a circular shape for the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, with the second component <NUM> and the third component <NUM> being located opposite each other in the circular shape. In certain embodiments, the first component <NUM> may have a first color, the second component <NUM> may have a second color, and the third component <NUM> may have a third color. The shapes of the cross sections for the second and third components <NUM>, <NUM> may have any shape of cross section within the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, and the shape of the cross section for each of the second and third components <NUM>, <NUM> may be different from the shape of cross section of the other of the second and third components <NUM>, <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the shapes of the second and third components <NUM>, <NUM> may be made such that the bristle axis would not intersect the second or third components <NUM>, <NUM>.

As a result of the respective positioning of the first, second, and third components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> shown in the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> of <FIG>, in a monofilament having this type of transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, the first component <NUM> forms a first section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>, with the first section <NUM> having two separate sub-sections 453a, 453b, the second component <NUM> forms a second section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>, and the third component <NUM> forms a third section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>. Thus, in the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, the sub-sections 453a, 453b of the first section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM> are located between the second and third sections <NUM>, <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>.

An alternative non-claimed example of a transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> for the base portion of a monofilament is shown in <FIG>. In a monofilament having this type of transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, the base portion would include a first component <NUM>, a second component <NUM>, and a third component <NUM>. The three components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> form an elliptical shape for the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, with the second component <NUM> and the third component <NUM> being located at the two narrower ends of the elliptical shape, such that the bristle axis would not intersect the second or third components <NUM>, <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the first component <NUM> may have a first color, the second component <NUM> may have a second color, and the third component <NUM> may have a third color. The shapes of the cross sections for the second and third components <NUM>, <NUM> may have any shape of cross section within the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, and the shape of the cross section for each of the second and third components <NUM>, <NUM> may be different from the shape of cross section of the other of the second and third components <NUM>, <NUM>.

As a result of the respective positioning of the first, second, and third components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> shown in the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM> of <FIG>, in a monofilament having this type of transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, the first component <NUM> forms a first section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>, with the first section <NUM> having two separate sub-sections 473a, 473b, the second component <NUM> forms a second section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>, and the third component <NUM> forms a third section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>. Thus, in the transverse cross-sectional profile <NUM>, the sub-sections 473a, 473b of the first section <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM> are located between the second and third sections <NUM>, <NUM> of the bristle outer surface <NUM>.

A second embodiment of an oral care implement <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>. Again, in this exemplified embodiment, the oral care implement <NUM> is in the form of a manual toothbrush. However, in certain other embodiments the oral care implement <NUM> can take on other forms such as a powered toothbrush. The oral care implement <NUM> generally includes a body <NUM> comprising a handle <NUM> and a head <NUM>. In this embodiment, the head <NUM> of the oral care implement <NUM> is provided with a plurality of tooth cleaning elements <NUM> extending from the front surface <NUM>. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tooth cleaning elements <NUM> are illustrated as a plurality of bristle tufts <NUM>, and each bristle tuft <NUM> is illustrated as a plurality of spiral bristles <NUM>. In certain embodiments the exact structure, pattern, orientation, and material of the tooth cleaning elements <NUM> are not to be limiting of the present invention unless so specified in the claims. In certain embodiments, the tooth cleaning elements <NUM> may include the bristle tufts <NUM> along with one or more other types of tooth cleaning elements.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the bristle tufts <NUM> may be affixed to the head <NUM> by staples/anchors in a manner that is known in the art. In affixing the bristle tufts <NUM> in this manner, the spiral bristles <NUM> which form each bristle tuft <NUM> may be bent into a U-shape, as shown in <FIG>. Each U-shaped spiral bristle <NUM> has two legs <NUM>, <NUM> which extends away from the head <NUM> (<FIG>). The legs <NUM>, <NUM> share a common anchor portion <NUM>, which is the bottom part of the U-shape that extends into the head <NUM> and is anchored to the head by the staple/anchor. Each leg <NUM>, <NUM> includes a base portion <NUM>, <NUM> and a tip portion <NUM>, <NUM>. The base portions <NUM>, <NUM> are respectively located between the anchor portion <NUM> and the tip portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and each base portion <NUM>, <NUM> extends away from the head <NUM> along a respective bristle axis <NUM>, <NUM>. In the embodiment depicted, the spiral bristle <NUM> is bent into the U-shape so one of the legs <NUM> is longer than the other of the legs <NUM>, so that the tips <NUM> of the tip portion <NUM> extend beyond the end-rounded tip <NUM> of the tip portion <NUM>. In certain other embodiments the legs <NUM>, <NUM> may be made of equal length, and in still other embodiments, the leg <NUM> may be shorter than the leg <NUM>.

The base portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the spiral bristle <NUM> have a transverse cross-sectional profile, such as any of those shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, or any other configuration of transverse cross-sectional profile. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the concepts exhibited by the embodiments shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> may be extended into a such a spiral bristle <NUM>. In certain embodiments, concepts exhibited by the embodiments shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> may be combined.

The tip portion <NUM> may be formed with multiple tips <NUM> by immersing one end of the spiral bristle <NUM> into a chemical solution, as described above, before the spiral bristle <NUM> is bent into the U-shape. The tip portion <NUM> may be formed with a single end-rounded tip <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A spiral bristle (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) comprising:
a first component (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>), a second component (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>), and a third component (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>);
each of the second (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) and third components (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) wrapping around the first component (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) in a helical and spaced-apart manner, the second (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) and third components (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) isolated from one another by the first component (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>);
characterized in that the spiral bristle (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) has a polygonal transverse cross-sectional profile (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>), the second component (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) comprising a first apex (<NUM>) of the polygonal transverse cross-sectional profile (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) and the third component (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) comprising a second apex (<NUM>) of the polygonal transverse cross-sectional profile (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>); and wherein the first (<NUM>) and second apexes (<NUM>) are opposite one another.