Non-planar brush

Abstract

Disclosed is a brush having a generally arc-shaped base surface with a plurality of bristles that are grouped together into arcuate or splayed tufts that are seated with cavities on the base surface and extend outwardly therefrom.

1 . A brush comprising an arc shaped base surface comprising a plurality of substantially linear bristles that are grouped together into tufts that extend out from the base surface and are splayed so that one or more bristles from adjacent tufts are in contact. 
   
   
       2 . The brush of  claim 1 , wherein the brush is a toothbrush. 
   
   
       3 . A brush comprising:
 (a) an arc-shaped base surface comprising a plurality of tuft cavities each having an open end and a closed end, and   (b) a plurality of bristles that are grouped together into tufts that are seated within the tuft cavities so that the bristles extend out from the base surface through the open ends of the tuft cavities, the tufts being sufficiently splayed so that one or more bristles from adjacent tufts are in contact.   
   
   
       4 . The brush of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the tuft cavities has a cross sectional area that is greatest at the open end and decreases towards the closed end of the cavity. 
   
   
       5 . The brush of  claim 3 , at least one of the tuft cavities has a substantially conical shape. 
   
   
       6 . The brush of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the tuft cavities has a shape that promotes splaying of a tuft. 
   
   
       7 . The brush of  claim 3 , wherein the bristle portions that extend outside of the tuft cavity are substantially linear. 
   
   
       8 . The brush of  claim 3 , wherein the tufts are splayed at or beneath the open ends of the tuft cavities. 
   
   
       9 . The brush of  claim 1 , wherein the tufts are distributed randomly over the arc-shaped base surface. 
   
   
       10 . The brush of  claim 3 , wherein the tuft cavities have different sizes and/or shapes. 
   
   
       11 . The brush of  claim 1 , wherein the brush comprises a first bristle that extends outward from the base surface at an angle that is greater than 180 degrees relative to a second bristle that extends outward from the base surface. 
   
   
       12 . A toothbrush comprising:
 (a) a first end comprising a handle, and   (b) a second end comprising a head that is sized to fit into a human mouth, the head comprising   (i) an arc-shaped base surface comprising a plurality of tuft cavities each having an open end and a closed end, and   (ii) a plurality of bristles that are grouped together into tufts that are seated within the tuft cavities so that the bristles extend out from the base surface through the open ends of the tuft cavities, the tufts being sufficiently splayed so that one or more bristles from adjacent tufts are in contact.   
   
   
       13 . The toothbrush of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the tuft cavities has a cross sectional area that is greatest at the open end and decreases towards the closed end of the cavity. 
   
   
       14 . The toothbrush of  claim 12 , at least one of the tuft cavities has a substantially conical shape. 
   
   
       15 . The toothbrush of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the tuft cavities has a shape that promotes splaying of a tuft. 
   
   
       16 . The toothbrush of  claim 12 , wherein the bristle portions that extend outside of the tuft cavity are substantially linear. 
   
   
       17 . The toothbrush of  claim 12 , wherein the tufts are splayed at or beneath the open ends of the tuft cavities. 
   
   
       18 . The toothbrush of  claim 12 , wherein the tuft cavities are distributed randomly over the arc-shaped base surface. 
   
   
       19 . The toothbrush of  claim 12 , wherein the tuft cavities have different sizes and/or shapes. 
   
   
       20 . The toothbrush of  claim 12 , wherein the head comprises a first bristle that extends outward from the base surface at an angle that is greater than 180 degrees relative to a second bristle that extends outward from the base surface. 
   
   
       21 . A brush comprising:
 (a) an arc-shaped base surface comprising a plurality of conical tuft cavities each having an open end and a closed end, and   (b) a plurality of bristles that are grouped together into arcuate tufts that are seated within the tuft cavities so that the bristles extend out from the base surface through the open ends of the tuft cavities.   
   
   
       22 . The brush of  claim 21 , wherein the brush is a toothbrush. 
   
   
       23 . The brush of  claim 21 , wherein the bristle portions that extend outside of the tuft cavity are substantially linear. 
   
   
       24 . The brush of  claim 21 , wherein the tufts are splayed at or beneath the open ends of the tuft cavities. 
   
   
       25 . The brush of  claim 21 , wherein the tuft cavities are distributed randomly over the arc-shaped base surface. 
   
   
       26 . The brush of  claim 21 , wherein the tuft cavities have different sizes and/or shapes. 
   
   
       27 . The brush of  claim 21 , wherein the head comprises a first bristle that extends outward from the base surface at an angle that is greater than 180 degrees relative to a second bristle that extends outward from the base surface.