Brushing components for oral hygiene products

Abstract

A brushing component is provided. The brushing component comprises an inner group of angled bristle tufts arranged with rotational symmetry about a point of symmetry. The brushing component also comprises a set of outer groups of angled bristle tufts surrounding the inner group and having rotational symmetry about a second point of symmetry. Both the first and second points of symmetry are located on the longitudinal axis of the support surface. The proposed component provides improved brushing performance over a greater portion of a user's oral surface than conventional brushing components.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of oral hygiene products, and more particularly to brushing components for oral hygiene products such as toothbrushes. [Background technology]

[0002] Many oral hygiene products use a brushing component to clean a user's teeth. Commonly used examples include manual and power toothbrushes, which include tufts of bristles attached to a platen in a brush head.

[0003] Brushing performance can be highly dependent on the user's precise positioning of the bristle tufts, the brushing angle of the tufts, and / or the pressure exerted by the bristle tufts on the tooth / gingival surface during brushing. Therefore, dental professionals and dentists typically communicate instructions for use (DFUs) that specify the precise placement and brushing angle to achieve optimal clinical results. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, many users do not read such instructions. Moreover, these instructions can be difficult for users to follow and / or remember. Data from brushing studies clearly shows that users are not brushing at the preferred or optimal angle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The invention is defined by the claims.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a brushing component for an oral hygiene product, the brushing component comprising: Support surface and; an inner group of bristle tufts extending from the support surface and including a plurality of angled bristle tufts arranged with rotational symmetry about a first point of symmetry; a plurality of outer groups of bristle tufts extending from the support surface, each outer group of bristle tufts comprising one or more angled bristle tufts; Equipped with the outer group of bristle tufts is arranged to surround the inner group of bristle tufts and is further arranged to have rotational symmetry about a second point of symmetry; Both the first point of symmetry and the second point of symmetry lie on the longitudinal axis of the support surface.

[0007] In conventional brushing components, bristle tufts are typically oriented perpendicular to the brush head platen for ease of manufacturing. However, if all tufts are oriented in a single direction, the resulting brushing performance becomes orientation-dependent, and thus, deviations from the ideal brushing angle during use result in poor brushing performance. Data suggests that users do not brush at the ideal brushing angle. In contrast, the proposed embodiments provide high brushing performance while reducing sensitivity to brushing angle and / or orientation during use. In this way, the embodiments may accommodate the user's natural behavior while ensuring adequate or optimal brushing performance.

[0008] According to the proposed embodiment, by providing angled bristle tufts distributed in a rotationally symmetrical manner, the bristle tufts can provide high brushing performance even when the user's brushing angle does not follow a typical DFU. Therefore, brushing performance is less dependent on the user's orientation. For example, angled bristle tufts oriented symmetrically ensure that more tufts on the brush head contact surfaces at various angles, thus making the product more robust to user movements. In addition, robustness to user movements is not provided in a single dimension, but applies to the roll, yaw, and pitch angles. Furthermore, during use, more tufts contact oral surfaces at angles with high performance, thereby ensuring high performance.

[0009] Providing an inner group of angled bristle tufts with an outer group of angled bristle tufts surrounding the inner group of bristle tufts improves brush head performance. Indeed, experimental data shows that providing multiple outer groups of bristle tufts surrounding an inner group of bristle tufts results in improved brushing performance. Furthermore, the brushing performance improvement provided by the proposed combination of an inner group of bristle tufts with a surrounding set of outer groups of bristle tufts exceeds the sum of the individual performance improvements provided by these features when used separately.

[0010] In some embodiments, the plurality of angled bristle tufts in the inner group are symmetrically arranged with n-fold symmetry, where n is an integer greater than 1. For example, the inner group of bristle tufts comprises three angled bristle tufts arranged with three-fold symmetry. In another embodiment, the inner group of bristle tufts comprises four angled bristle tufts with four-fold symmetry. In yet another embodiment, the inner group of bristle tufts comprises five angled bristle tufts with five-fold symmetry. Such symmetrical arrangements enable robustness benefits by providing performance that is less sensitive to user orientation. The minimum number of symmetrically arranged tufts required to obtain robustness benefits is three.

[0011] In an embodiment, the inner group of bristle tufts comprises non-angled bristle tufts located at a first point of symmetry, such a configuration allowing for additional robustness benefits when used with symmetrically positioned tufts.

[0012] In other embodiments, the first and second points of symmetry are substantially coincident with one another. In further embodiments, the group of bristle tufts and the distal ends of the bristles of the second group of bristle tufts define a convex brushing surface. Locating multiple points of symmetry along the longitudinal axis or at substantially the same location allows for additional manufacturing process simplification. Additionally, the convex nature of the additional tufts allows for reduced dependency on user orientation.

[0013] The distal ends of the bristles of the inner group of bristle tufts define a convex brushing surface. Thus, the proposed embodiment is based on the combination of two features: bristle tips throughout the group of bristle tufts adapted to create a convex brushing surface, and rotationally symmetric, angled bristle tufts. As a result of the provision of a convex brushing surface, the height of the central tufts is greater than the height of the outer tufts. Furthermore, the rotationally symmetric, angled bristle tufts reduces the dependency on brushing orientation and / or angle for optimal brushing performance.

[0014] Embodiments use the concept of providing a convex brushing surface to improve brushing performance (compared to conventional brushing components utilizing bristle tufts of the same bristle length). It has been realized that using a convex shape at the bristle tips throughout a group of bristle tufts helps ensure maximum contact with the oral surface during brushing (since more tufts are exposed to the oral surface than when the bristle tips define a flat / planar brushing surface). This is particularly advantageous for the lower tongue area of ​​the mouth, which can be difficult to clean. The proposed convex surface provides increased contact with rounded / curved surfaces in the lower tongue area of ​​the mouth (i.e., the back surfaces of the lower anterior teeth).

[0015] Furthermore, convex brushing surfaces allow users to improve access to crevices on the oral surface, such as between the teeth and gum line, which are difficult to reach (because convex brushing surfaces conform to the contours of the oral surface better than flat / planar brushing surfaces). Thus, embodiments provide improved brushing performance with tufts configured to clean more portions of the oral surface simultaneously.

[0016] The proposed embodiments combine the improved accessibility and increased brushing area of ​​the convex brushing surface with the robustness to user action of the rotationally symmetric, angled bristle tufts to provide better brushing performance over more of the user's oral surface than conventional brushing components. Indeed, experiments with the proposed embodiments have shown that a synergistic effect is provided by the proposed arrangement of rotationally symmetric, angled (inner) bristle tufts surrounded by an outer group of bristle tufts. That is, the improvement in brushing performance of the proposed combination of features exceeds the sum of the individual performance improvements provided by the features when used separately.

[0017] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the bristles of a group of bristle tufts are substantially equal in length, and this uniform nature of the bristle tuft lengths provides a simplified manufacturing process, as a single bristle tuft can be manufactured as a single unit with bristles of equal length.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toothbrush comprising a brushing component according to the proposed embodiment.

[0019] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an oral hygiene product comprising a brushing component according to the proposed embodiment.

[0020] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

[0021] For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a 2D plan view of a brushing component. [Figure 2] A 2D plan view of the second brushing component is illustrated along with a cross-sectional view. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the head end of a toothbrush with attached brushing components. [Figure 4] 2A illustrates a 2D plan view of the top half of the brushing component shown in FIG. 1, along with a cross-sectional view. [Figure 5] 1 illustrates an example of a brushing component in which the (inner) group of bristle tufts comprises three angled bristle tufts. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates the concept of a brushing component in which the (inner) group of bristle tufts comprises a non-angled bristle tuft and five angled bristle tufts. [Figure 7] 1 illustrates the concept of a brushing component in which two (inner and outer) groups of bristle tufts comprise three and six angled bristle tufts, respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0024] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the devices, systems, and methods, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the devices, systems, and methods of the present invention will become better understood from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. It should be understood that the drawings are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to denote the same or similar parts.

[0025] Embodiments according to the present disclosure relate to various arrangements, applications, and / or configurations of bristle tufts for brushing components related to supporting improved brushing performance over a wide range of brushing angles. According to the proposed concepts, several possible solutions can be realized individually or together. That is, although these possible solutions are described individually below, two or more of these possible solutions can be realized in one or another combination.

[0026] Thus, the proposed embodiments improve brushing performance by providing a convex brushing surface across the bristle tips of rotationally symmetrical angled bristle tufts, and are therefore used for brush heads and oral hygiene products such as toothbrushes.

[0027] Brushing components for oral hygiene products typically include tufts of bristles (i.e., bristle tufts) attached to a support surface (e.g., a platen). The bristles are single filaments, typically nylon, and are used to clean oral surfaces. Thus, the bristle tufts are bundles of tightly packed filaments, with one end of each bristle attached to the brush head and the other end of each bristle being free and used to clean the oral surfaces (by brushing the oral surfaces with the bristles).

[0028] Angled bristle tufts are bristle tufts that are attached to the brush head at an angle that is not perpendicular to the support surface. That is, the bristles of the angled bristle tufts form / subtend an angle with the support surface that is less than 90° and greater than 0°. Thus, angled bristle tufts are considered to comprise tufts that are obliquely oriented, tilted, or inclined relative to the support surface.

[0029] A brushing component according to the proposed concept will now be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 illustrates a 2D plan view (i.e., a view of the brushing component from above) of a brushing component according to the proposed embodiment. The brushing component of this exemplary embodiment is for an oral hygiene product, specifically a toothbrush.

[0030] The brushing component comprises a rigid support surface 100 (e.g., platen 100) and groups of bristle tufts. The groups of bristle tufts are arranged as an inner set 120 and an outer set 140 of groups. Each bristle tuft extends from the support surface 100 and is configured to contact a user's oral surface during use (i.e., during brushing). Specifically, the inner set 120 of groups comprises a first inner group of bristle tufts 122, a second inner group of bristle tufts 124, and a third inner group of bristle tufts 126, and the outer set 140 of outer groups comprises a fourth outer group of bristle tufts 142, a fifth outer group of bristle tufts 144, a sixth outer group of bristle tufts 146, and a seventh outer group of bristle tufts 148.

[0031] Each of the first inner group of bristle tufts 122, the second inner group of bristle tufts 124, and the third inner group of bristle tufts 126 comprises a plurality of angled bristle tufts arranged with rotational symmetry about a respective point of symmetry on the support surface. Thus, the first inner group of bristle tufts 122 comprises a plurality of angled bristle tufts arranged with rotational symmetry about the point of symmetry 122p on the support surface. The rotational symmetry of the angled bristle tufts allows each group of bristle tufts to provide cleaning for oral surfaces that is more robust to both user orientation and performance variations.

[0032] Additionally, for each group of bristle tufts, the distal ends of the bristles of the group define a convex brushing surface (i.e., a surface that is curved or rounded outward relative to the support surface 100). The convex brushing surface defined by each group of bristle tufts allows for maximized surface contact between the oral cavity surface and the brushing surface.

[0033] Additionally, the first to third inner groups of bristle tufts 122 to 126 comprise a plurality of angled bristle tufts symmetrically arranged with n-fold symmetry, where n is an integer greater than one.

[0034] 1, the first inner group of bristle tufts 122, the second inner group of bristle tufts 124, and the third inner group of bristle tufts 126 each include four tilted bristle tufts with four-fold symmetry. Furthermore, the first inner group of bristle tufts 122, the second inner group of bristle tufts 124, and the third inner group of bristle tufts 126 also include a (central) non-tilted bristle tuft located at the symmetry point of the inner group. For example, the first inner group of bristle tufts 122 includes a central non-tilted bristle tuft located such that its center substantially coincides with the symmetry point 122p of the first inner group of bristle tufts 122.

[0035] By combining angled bristles arranged in n-fold symmetry with a central non-angled bristle tuft, brushing performance becomes less dependent on user orientation. Increasing the value of n further reduces this dependency, thus improving robustness. It is suggested that the minimum value of n that provides a robustness benefit is 3, and the minimum number of angled bristle tufts required is 3, arranged in 3-fold symmetry.

[0036] 1, the second inner group of bristle tufts 124 and the third inner group of bristle tufts 126 also have the same arrangement as that of the first inner group of bristle tufts 122. Thus, the second inner group of bristle tufts 124 and the third inner group of bristle tufts 126 each comprise four slanted bristle tufts with four-fold symmetry and a central non-slanted bristle tuft located at the respective symmetry points 124p, 126p of the inner groups.

[0037] The first inner group of bristle tufts 122, the second inner group of bristle tufts 124, and the third inner group of bristle tufts 126 are arranged in a linear array and spaced apart from one another such that the symmetry points 122p, 124p, 126p of the first inner group of bristle tufts 122, the second inner group of bristle tufts 124, and the third inner group of bristle tufts 126, respectively, lie along the longitudinal axis 102 of the support surface 100.

[0038] Additionally, the longitudinal axis 102 coincides with the line of symmetry of the brushing component, and therefore the brushing performance provided by the inner set of bristle tuft groups 120 is uniform throughout each of the first inner group of bristle tufts 122, the second inner group of bristle tufts 124, and the third inner group of bristle tufts 126, as well as throughout the brushing component itself. Thus, the cleaning provided by the brushing component is even across the entire oral surface and is not concentrated in areas of relatively high bristle tuft density that are irregularly distributed across the brushing surface, which would undesirably result in some areas of the oral surface being cleaned more than others.

[0039] The brushing component comprises a set of (outer) groups (of bristle tufts) 140. The outer set 140 comprises a fourth outer group of bristle tufts 142, a fifth outer group of bristle tufts 144, a sixth outer group of bristle tufts 146 and a seventh outer group of bristle tufts 148.

[0040] The fourth outer group of bristle tufts 142 and the seventh outer group of bristle tufts 148 are located at opposite ends of the longitudinal axis of the support surface 100 and each comprise angled bristle tufts. For the fourth outer group of bristle tufts 142 and the seventh outer group of bristle tufts 148, the angled bristle tufts are angled toward a center point 124p of the brushing component, which center point 124p substantially coincides with the symmetry point 124p of the second inner group of bristle tufts 124.

[0041] A fifth outer group of bristle tufts 144 and a sixth outer group of bristle tufts 146 are located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the support surface 100 and each comprise non-angled bristle tufts.

[0042] The outer groupings 140 are symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 102. In this manner, cleaning of the oral surface by the outer groupings of bristle tufts is uniform across the brushing component.

[0043] The outer group of bristle tufts is implemented to increase the area of ​​the brushing component, which covers a larger area of ​​the user's oral cavity, so that each brushing stroke brushes a larger portion of the user's oral cavity, thereby improving brushing performance.

[0044] Computer simulations and laboratory studies have demonstrated a synergistic effect between combined features that results in an improvement in brushing performance that exceeds the sum of the individual performance improvements associated with each feature. For example, the table below (Table 1) details the various brushing performance improvements that can be obtained from various configurations of brushing components.

[0045] [Table 1]

[0046] From Table 1, it can be seen that rotationally symmetric, angled bristle tufts forming a flat brushing surface only provide a 5% performance improvement. Furthermore, non-angled bristle tufts forming a convex brushing surface do not provide any performance improvement. However, when rotationally symmetric, angled bristle tufts are configured to define a convex brushing surface, an additional 5% performance improvement is obtained (resulting in a total performance improvement of 10%). Hence, a synergistic effect is seen from the proposed combination of rotationally symmetric, angled bristle tufts and a convex brushing surface.

[0047] 2 illustrates a 2D plan view of a second brushing component. The brushing component comprises a support surface 200 and a group of bristle tufts 220 extending from support surface 200. Bristle tuft group 220 comprises four angled bristle tufts 222, 224, 228, 230 arranged with rotational symmetry about a point of symmetry 220p on support surface 200. Bristle tuft group 220 further comprises a single non-angled bristle tuft 226 located at point of symmetry 220p of group 220. Thus, the arrangement of bristle tuft group 220 is identical to each of first to third bristle tuft groups 122 to 126 in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0048] A cross section 201 along line AA is shown with the brushing components.

[0049] The angled bristle tufts 222, 224, 228, 230 are arranged with rotational symmetry about a point of symmetry 220p on the support surface. Thus, the group of bristle tufts comprises four angled bristle tufts with four-fold symmetry. From a plan view, it can be seen that each angled bristle tuft is angled in a direction independent of the other tufts.

[0050] Additionally, cross-sectional view 201 illustrates the angle of each angled bristle tuft, and thus the differences in length and orientation of bristle tufts 222, 224, 228, and 230. The orientation of bristle tuft 222 is depicted as being angled relative to bristle tuft 224, and similarly, the orientation of bristle tuft 228 is depicted as being angled relative to bristle tuft 230. Additionally, due to the angled nature of bristle tuft 224, the bristle length of the tuft appears to be shorter than the bristle length of bristle tuft 222, and similarly, the bristle length of bristle tuft 230 appears to be shorter than the bristle length of bristle tuft 228. However, the bristle lengths of bristle tufts 222, 224, 228, and 230 are substantially equal.

[0051] The distal ends of the bristle tuft groups 222, 224, 228, 230 combine to define a convex brushing surface 232 (e.g., due to the non-angled bristle tufts 226 having longer bristle lengths). Thus, the brushing component benefits from a convex brushing surface, allowing for maximum surface contact between the brushing component and the oral surface, thereby improving brushing performance. Additionally, the convex brushing surface conforms to the contours of the oral surface, allowing for greater access to hard-to-reach crevices on the oral surface, such as between the teeth and the gum line.

[0052] 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the head end of a toothbrush 300 according to a proposed embodiment. The toothbrush comprises an elongated shaft 302, a toothbrush head 304 attached near the (distal) end of the shaft 302, and a brushing component 320 supported on the toothbrush head 304. Thus, the brushing component 320 is secured to the toothbrush head 304, and the toothbrush head 304 is secured to the toothbrush shaft 302.

[0053] In use, a user holds the toothbrush shaft 302 (at the proximal end) and uses the brushing component 320 to clean his / her oral surfaces.

[0054] The brushing component 320 comprises a support surface 322 and a group of bristle tufts 324 extending from the support surface 322. The group of bristle tufts 324 comprises a plurality of angled bristle tufts 326 arranged with rotational symmetry about a point of symmetry 320p. The angled bristle tufts 326 are symmetrically arranged with n-fold symmetry, where n is an integer greater than 1. In this case, the group of bristle tufts comprises four angled bristle tufts 326 with four-fold symmetry. A single non-angled bristle tuft 328 is located at the point of symmetry 320p.

[0055] The distal end of each individual bristle tuft 326, 328 defines a convex brushing surface. In addition, the distal ends of the bristles in a bristle tuft group 324 combine to define a convex brushing surface 330. That is, the length of the bristles throughout a bristle tuft group 324 is adapted to define a brushing surface 330 that is curved or rounded outward relative to the support surface 322. This ensures accessibility of the brushing components to the oral surface.

[0056] Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view 401 of the top half of the brushing component shown in Figure 1, the view being taken along line BB illustrated in Figure 4. The brushing component comprises a support surface 400 and a group of bristle tufts 420 extending from the support surface 400. The distal ends of the bristles of the group of bristle tufts 420 meet to define a convex-shaped brushing surface 422.

[0057] 4, it can be seen that the convex brushing surfaces 422 of the bristle tuft groups extend across the brushing component. The bristle tuft groups with the smallest vertical displacement 404 from the central longitudinal axis 402 have the longest bristle lengths 424. That is, the average bristle length decreases (non-linearly) with increasing distance from the central longitudinal axis 402.

[0058] In other words, the bristle length of a group of bristle tufts is inversely proportional to the magnitude of the vertical displacement 404 from the central longitudinal axis 402. Thus, the group of bristle tufts with the greatest vertical displacement 404 from the longitudinal axis 402 has the shortest bristle length 426. The convex nature of the brushing surface 422 defined by the group of bristle tufts provides maximum contact with the oral surface during brushing.

[0059] Although exemplary embodiments are described above as using one or more groups of bristle tufts with angled bristle tufts symmetrically arranged with four-fold symmetry, it should be understood that embodiments are not limited to using four-fold symmetry, i.e., it is proposed that embodiments use groups of bristle tufts with a plurality of angled bristle tufts arranged with n-fold rotational symmetry about a point of symmetry, where n is an integer greater than 1.

[0060] As an example, as illustrated by FIG. 5, n may be 3, with the inner group of bristle tufts comprising three angled bristle tufts arranged in a three-fold symmetry.

[0061] 5 illustrates an inner group 500 of bristle tufts for a brushing component according to an exemplary embodiment. The inner group 500 of bristle tufts comprises first bristle tufts 502a, second bristle tufts 502b, and third bristle tufts 502c that are tilted in different directions (as indicated by respective first, second, and third arrows 504a, 504b, and 504c). The tilted bristle tufts 502a, 502b, and 502c are arranged with rotational symmetry about a point of symmetry 506p. Specifically, the inner group 500 of bristle tufts 502a, 502b, and 502c are arranged with three-fold symmetry.

[0062] As a further example, as illustrated by FIG. 6, n may be 5, with the inner group of bristle tufts comprising five angled bristle tufts arranged with five-fold symmetry.

[0063] 6 illustrates an inner group 600 of bristle tufts for a brushing component according to an exemplary embodiment. The inner group 600 of bristle tufts comprises first bristle tufts 602a, second bristle tufts 602b, third bristle tufts 602c, fourth bristle tufts 602d, and fifth bristle tufts 602e that are tilted in different directions (as indicated by the first arrow 604a, second arrow 604b, third arrow 604c, fourth arrow 604d, and fifth arrow 604e, respectively). The tilted bristle tufts 602a, 602b, 602c, 602d, and 602e are arranged with rotational symmetry about a point of symmetry 606p. Specifically, the inner group 600 of bristle tufts 602a, 602b, 602c, 602d, and 602e are arranged with five-fold symmetry. The inner group of bristle tufts 600 also includes a non-angled bristle tuft 608 whose center is located at the point of symmetry 606p.

[0064] As a still further example, an alternative embodiment comprises inner and outer groups of bristle tufts, the outer group of bristle tufts surrounding the inner group, the two different groups being arranged with rotational symmetry but with different values ​​of n. For example, as depicted by Figure 7, for the outer group of bristle tufts, n is 6 and for the inner group, n is 3. Thus, the outer group of bristle tufts comprises six angled bristle tufts arranged with six-fold symmetry, and the inner group of bristle tufts comprises three angled bristle tufts arranged with three-fold symmetry.

[0065] Specifically, Figure 7 illustrates a first outer group of bristle tufts 702 comprising six bristle tufts tilted in different directions (as indicated by respective arrows 704) and arranged with six-fold symmetry. The first outer group of bristle tufts 702 is arranged around (i.e., surrounds) a second inner group of bristle tufts 706 (distinguished from the first outer group by shading in Figure 7). The second inner group of bristle tufts 706 comprises three bristle tufts tilted in different directions (as indicated by respective arrows 708) and arranged with three-fold symmetry. Both the first outer group of bristle tufts 702 and the second inner group of bristle tufts 706 have rotational symmetry about the same symmetry point 710p.

[0066] That is, the points of symmetry 710p of the first outer group of bristle tufts 702 and the second inner group of bristle tufts 706 substantially coincide with one another.

[0067] Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, in practicing the claimed invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the word "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0068] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. It should be noted that, if the word "adapted for" is used in the claims or the description, it is intended as equivalent to the word "comprises". Any reference signs in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A brushing component for an oral hygiene product, said brushing component comprising: a support surface; a first inner group of bristle tufts extending from the support surface and including a plurality of angled bristle tufts arranged with rotational symmetry about a first point of symmetry; a second inner group of bristle tufts extending from the support surface, the second inner group of bristle tufts comprising a second plurality of angled bristle tufts arranged with rotational symmetry about a second point of symmetry; a set of outer groups of bristle tufts extending from the support surface, each outer group of bristle tufts comprising one or more angled bristle tufts; Equipped with the set of outer groups of bristle tufts is arranged to surround the first inner group of bristle tufts and the second inner group of bristle tufts, and is further arranged to have rotational symmetry about a third point of symmetry; the first inner group of bristle tufts and the second inner group of bristle tufts are arranged in a linear array and spaced apart from one another; The brushing component, wherein the first point of symmetry, the second point of symmetry, and the third point of symmetry all lie on a longitudinal axis of the support surface.

2. The brushing component of claim 1 , wherein the first point of symmetry and the third point of symmetry substantially coincide with each other.

3. The brushing component of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of angled bristle tufts of the inner group of first bristle tufts are symmetrically arranged with n-fold symmetry, where n is an integer greater than 1.

4. The brushing component of claim 3 , wherein n is an integer greater than or equal to 3.

5. The brushing component of claim 3 , wherein the first inner group of bristle tufts comprises three angled bristle tufts arranged in a three-fold symmetry.

6. The brushing component of claim 3 , wherein the first inner group of bristle tufts comprises four angled bristle tufts with four-fold symmetry.

7. The brushing component of claim 3 , wherein the first inner group of bristle tufts comprises five angled bristle tufts with five-fold symmetry.

8. The brushing component of claim 1 , wherein the first inner group of bristle tufts comprises non-angled bristle tufts located at the point of symmetry.

9. The brushing component of claim 1 , wherein the distal ends of the inner group of bristles of the first bristle tuft define a convex brushing surface.

10. 10. The brushing component of claim 1, wherein the bristles of a bristle tuft are substantially equal in length.

11. 11. The brushing component of claim 1, wherein the outer group of bristle tufts is symmetrically arranged with n-fold symmetry, where n is an integer greater than 1.

12. The brushing component of claim 11 , wherein the set of outer groups of bristle tufts comprises five outer groups of bristle tufts arranged in five-fold symmetry.

13. The brushing component of claim 1 , wherein distal ends of bristles in the inner group of the first bristle tufts and the inner group of the second bristle tufts define a convex-shaped brushing surface.

14. A toothbrush comprising a brushing component according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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