Bristle for an Oral Care Implement

Abstract

A bristle for an oral care implement and an oral care implement including a plurality of such bristles. The bristle may include a body extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, the body having tapered portion having a transverse cross-sectional profile with a perimeter defined by a first linear section and a second linear section that intersect to form a first apex, a third linear section and a fourth linear section that intersect to form a second apex, a first curved section extending between the first and third linear sections, and a second curved section extending between the second and fourth linear sections. The body may also include a cylindrical body portion such that the tapered portion extends from a top end of the cylindrical body portion. The bristle includes various edges and rounded contours for enhanced cleaning.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bristle for an oral care implement comprising:
 a body extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, the body comprising a transverse cross-sectional profile having a perimeter defined by a first linear section and a second linear section that intersect to form a first apex, a third linear section and a fourth linear section that intersect to form a second apex, a first curved section extending between the first and third linear sections, and a second curved section extending between the second and fourth linear sections.   
     
     
         2 . The bristle according to  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a base portion and a tapered portion extending from the base portion, the base portion having a cylindrical cross-sectional profile and comprising the proximal end of the body, and the first transverse cross-sectional profile being located along the tapered portion of the body. 
     
     
         3 . An oral care implement comprising:
 a head; and   a plurality of the bristles according to  claim 1  extending from the head, the plurality of bristles being integrally formed as a part of a monolithic cleaning unit.   
     
     
         4 . A bristle for an oral care implement comprising:
 a body extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, the body comprising a first axial portion comprising at least one edge elongated in a direction of the longitudinal axis and at least one curved surface.   
     
     
         5 . The bristle according to  claim 4  wherein the at least one edge comprises a first edge and a second edge that are circumferentially spaced apart from one another, and wherein the at least one curved surface is located between the first and second edges. 
     
     
         6 . The bristle according to  claim 5  wherein the first axial portion further comprises a first linear surface and a second linear surface that intersect to form the first edge and a third linear surface and a fourth linear surface that intersect to form the second edge. 
     
     
         7 . The bristle according to  claim 6  wherein the at least one curved surface comprises a first curved surface extending from the first linear surface to the third linear surface and a second curved surface extending from the second linear surface to the fourth linear surface. 
     
     
         8 . The bristle according to  claim 4  wherein the body further comprises a second axial section extending from the first axial section, the second axial section comprising a third curved surface and a fourth curved surface that intersect to form a third edge and a fourth edge. 
     
     
         9 . The bristle according to  claim 8  wherein each of the first and second axial sections of the body are tapered. 
     
     
         10 . A bristle for an oral care implement comprising:
 a body extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, the body comprising:
 a first axial portion comprising a first transverse cross-sectional profile having a perimeter defined by a first concave section and a second concave section that intersect to form a first apex, a third concave section and a fourth concave section that intersect to form a second apex, a first convex section extending between the first and third concave sections, and a second convex section extending between the second and fourth concave sections. 
   
     
     
         11 . The bristle according to  claim 10  wherein the body further comprises:
 a second axial portion comprising a second transverse cross-sectional profile having a perimeter defined by a third apex, a fourth apex, a third convex section, and a fourth convex section, the third and fourth convex sections intersecting to form the third and fourth apexes.