Described is a paint brush that includes: a handle; a ferrule secured to the handle; and a brush head including a plurality of synthetic bristle filaments extending in a longitudinal direction from the ferrule. The brush head has a width dimension and a thickness dimension in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, with the width dimension being greater than the thickness dimension. Each filament has a fixed end secured at the ferrule and an opposite free end longitudinally distant from the ferrule. The free ends of at least a portion of the filaments collectively define a substantially chisel-shaped tip profile in a plane perpendicular to the width dimension such that an apex of the chisel-shaped tip extends across the width of the brush head. Every filament in the brush head is tapered over at least 60% the filament length.

A mold insert and an injection-molding machine including the mold insert. The mold insert has at least one filament cavity and a stack of at least a first and second insert plates, wherein the first plate has a front face that closely abuts a front face of the second insert plate. A portion of the a filament cavity is provided in at least one of the front faces of the first and second insert plates such that the filament cavity is open at a top surface of the mold insert but does not extend to a bottom surface of the mold insert. A venting cavity is provided in the same front face of the insert plate in which the portion of the at least one filament cavity is provided.

A mold insert and an injection-molding machine including the mold insert. The mold insert has at least one filament cavity and a stack of at least a first and second insert plates, wherein the first plate has a front face that closely abuts a front face of the second insert plate. A portion of the a filament cavity is provided in at least one of the front faces of the first and second insert plates such that the filament cavity is open at a top surface of the mold insert but does not extend to a bottom surface of the mold insert. A venting cavity is provided in the same front face of the insert plate in which the portion of the at least one filament cavity is provided.

A method of manufacturing a unitary toothbrush head having a base and filaments extending therefrom. The method includes steps of injecting molten plastic material into a mold cavity having a pre-base cavity and a filament cavity extending therefrom; compressing the molten plastic material, once it is essentially filling the pre-base cavity, by impressing a punching tool into the molten plastic material from the rear side of the pre-base cavity being opposite to a side from which the filament cavity extends; and filling the filament cavity with the molten plastic material under the continuous impression of the punching tool.

A ported brush applicator that includes a brush with a ferrule; an applicator base cap attached to the brush, where the applicator base cap includes a cap section having a cap opening that is sized and configured for attachment to a container; an applicator base mesa protruding from the cap section and secured within the ferrule, where the applicator base mesa has at least one through-hole and a fluid port having a first end in the brush and a second end in the through-hole.

A ported brush applicator that includes a brush with a ferrule; an applicator base cap attached to the brush, where the applicator base cap includes a cap section having a cap opening that is sized and configured for attachment to a container; an applicator base mesa protruding from the cap section and secured within the ferrule, where the applicator base mesa has at least one through-hole and a fluid port having a first end in the brush and a second end in the through-hole.

A paint brush and method include a ferrule extending around and in contact with a plurality of bristles and a spacer apparatus positioned to space apart the plurality of bristles to provide at least one reservoir within the plurality of bristles. The spacer apparatus defines at least one opening extending through the spacer apparatus that allows fluid passage therethrough to the at least one reservoir to assist in removal of paint from the plurality of bristles when fluid is provided therein.

A paint brush and method include a ferrule extending around and in contact with a plurality of bristles and a spacer apparatus positioned to space apart the plurality of bristles to provide at least one reservoir within the plurality of bristles. The spacer apparatus defines at least one opening extending through the spacer apparatus that allows fluid passage therethrough to the at least one reservoir to assist in removal of paint from the plurality of bristles when fluid is provided therein.

A paint brush is provided and comprises a handle, a ferrule and a bristle stack. The bristle stack comprises a plurality of synthetic, virgin bristle filaments secured at one end in the ferrule. At the opposite end of the bristle stack the ends of the filaments collectively define a first notional plane which is generally curved, and a second notional plane which is generally orthogonal to the first notional plane and is also generally curved.

A paint brush is provided and comprises a handle, a ferrule and a bristle stack. The bristle stack comprises a plurality of synthetic, virgin bristle filaments secured at one end in the ferrule. At the opposite end of the bristle stack the ends of the filaments collectively define a first notional plane which is generally curved, and a second notional plane which is generally orthogonal to the first notional plane and is also generally curved.