Abstract: This invention relates to the field of oral hygiene. One embodiment comprises a spring clamp adapted for removable affixation to the bristles of a toothbrush, after it has been used, in a crucial region proximal the free ends of the brush bristles. A discovery and identification of the crucial area is claimed. A preferred embodiment is so designed that the impact area of the clamp on the brush is approximately 1/4 distance down from the free ends of the bristles. The clamp causes the bristles to be closely juxtaposed throughout the clamped area, while the bristles above the clamped area are permitted to flare outward, while the lower portion of the bristles below the clamp line form into a wedge-like configurtation, both of which shapes tend to move in opposite direction during the brushing action providing a resilient base of support for the flared upper portion.

Abstract: A paint-coating brush is disclosed which comprises a body with an axial center bore and with a threaded portion on the butt side, a plurality of piliform members bundled on the outer surface of a muzzle-side end portion of the body, a cylindrical sleeve for fastening the piliform members to the body, and a cylindrical cover tube with which the piliform members are sheathed in such a manner that one end portion of the piliform members is left unsheathed. The cover tube is either made of a rigid material or in the form of a strap wound round the piliform members and the sleeve. In order to mount this paint-coating brush on an automatic paint-coating installation such as a robot, the above-mentioned threaded portion of the body is threaded into a tapped hole in the paint-coating installation.

Abstract: A sleeve device for protecting paintbrushes during soaking and storage comprises a resilient, generally rectangular body portion, having front and back faces, left and right sides, and a bottom opening, dimensioned to receive the brush stock and bristles; a neck portion having front and back faces continuous with the body portion's front and back faces, dimensioned to receive the brush handle; a shoulder region connecting the top of the body portion with the neck portion; and friction/elastic-retaining means for releasably engaging the brush stock, brush handle, or both. The friction/elastic-retaining means preferably comprise internally-projecting ridges positioned on the left and right sides of the body portion and oriented parallel to the left and right sides, where the ridges exhibit a maximal intrusion near the shoulder region of the left and right faces, and decline to a minimal intrusion near the bottom opening.

Abstract: An integral cover for the ferrule of a paint brush is provided which is formed from a rubber composition and includes a cover ferrule section and a hook which is formed with the cover ferrule section. The hook permits a paint brush to be hung onto the edge of a container of paint or paint thinner.

Abstract: A hair brush has a convex base formed with grooves at the floor of which are provided recesses in which the bristles are anchored. Between each row of bristles, there is formed a land by ribs upstanding from the floor of the grooves and which prevents loosened hair from accumulating at the base of the bristles.

Abstract: A sleeve-like case of pliable material covers part of the bundle of fibers of a broom next-adjacent the handle of the broom. The case has a pair of spaced opposite parallel face panels joined to each other by a pair of spaced opposite parallel side panels perpendicular to the face panels. The side panels are elastic material so that the case fits over different-sized bundles of fibers.

Abstract: A sweeping broom of the type having a brush or head attached to a handle is combined with a flexible dustpan that is slidable along the broom handle and has a shape conforming to the curvature of the brush. When engaged on the broom handle, the dustpan can be positioned against the rear face of the brush to serve as a backing member for adjustably regulating the stiffness of the bristles, and rendering the broom adaptable for indoor and outdoor use. When removed from the broom, the flexible dustpan can be pressed flat against a floor or other sweeping surface for use with the broom in the normal manner.