Abstract: A toilet brush is provided which includes an elongated handle having a first axis, a brush head having a second axis, and a flexible joint flexibly connecting the handle to the brush head. The joint is threadedly connected to at least one of the brush head and the handle, whereby the joint allows the second axis of the brush head to be deflected with respect to the first axis of the handle. The brush head may also include first and second sets of segregated bristles. The second set of bristles being longer, stiffer and disposed closer to the handle than the first set of bristles.

Abstract: A toothbrush in accordance with the invention includes a plastic brush body having a head, a neck and a handle, as well as bristle bundles fixed to the head, the free ends of the bristles of at least part of the bundles are located on an approximately conical envelope surface with a cone angle .alpha. of 30 to 90.degree. and the neck of the brush body in the case of an application force K between 500 to 1200 grams acting on the bristles resiliently to give way with the cone angle .alpha. and the application force K being approximately inversely proportional.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a toothbrush which exhibits superior interproximal and gingival margin cleaning. The toothbrush includes an elongated handle member connected to a toothbrush head member. The head is divided into two regions. A "toe" region is defined as the part of the head which is furthest from the handle and a "heel" region is the portion of the head which is closest to the handle. A multiplicity of bristles extend from the heel region of the head; the distal ends of these bristles form a longitudinally aligned concave shape when viewed on end.

Abstract: A toothbrush comprises a plurality of tufts each including a plurality of bristles embedded respectively in a plurality of bored holes formed in a head portion. The tufts each comprise a plurality of first bristles tapered towards distal ends thereof, and a plurality of second bristles likewise tapered towards the distal ends and each having a ball-like portion on each of the distal ends thereof. The distal ends of the first bristles are located in a higher position than the distal ends of the second bristles.

Abstract: A toothbrush with silicon rubber bristles is disclosed. The bristles are soft and have both a high polishing power and a high water repellency, thus effectively cleaning teeth without injuring one's teeth or gums. The toothbrush consists of a long handle with a longitudinal opening at one end. A brushing head with the silicon rubber bristles is attached to the opening of the handle. The bristles easily remove foreign substances such as food remnants from teeth or gums and effectively brush the inside, outside and top surfaces of each tooth simultaneously, thus saving time while brushing teeth. The bristles include a plurality of finely rugged bristles.

Abstract: An improved oral brush is provided that includes crimped bristles. The oral brush includes a body and, extending from the body, a plurality of crimped bristles. One such oral brush is an electric toothbrush, with a brush head having a preferred arrangement of tufts of crimped and straight bristles that are flexed by cyclic motions of the brush head toward and away from the tooth.

Abstract: A tooth brush comprises a plurality of tufts each of which comprises a plurality of bristles embedded respectively in bored holes which are vertically and laterally formed in a head portion of the toothbrush. The tufts each comprises first and second bristles, such that in each of the tufts, the total of the first and second bristles is 50% or more, in number. The first bristles are tapered bristles having a factorial coefficient n=0.29 to 0.51 in the equation (I) r(x)=a{(L-x)/L}.sup.n. The distal ends of the second bristles are located in a lower position than the distal ends of the first bristles, vertical intervals between the bored holes are from 1.2 mm to 3.0 mm, and lateral intervals are from 0.75 mm to 1.5 mm. In formula (I), r(x): sectional radius, x: length from base of each bristle, L: length to distal end from base of each bristle, a: sectional radius in case x=O[=r(O)], n: factorial coefficient.

Abstract: A toothbrush having a novel bristle configuration and trim pattern is described. The bristles of the tufts are of varying lengths and are so arranged to form a concave shape resembling the shape of a rubber prophy cup used by dentists and hygienists for polishing teeth. The individual bristles are of varying length and so placed into or mounted in the head to yield tufts having the same concave shape but without the requirement for trimming the bristle ends. In a variant construction, the upper ends of a number of tufts are so contoured, either by trimming or by insertion of various length bristles, that each tuft upper end has a surface which is a portion of a larger concave surface. Thus in one type of arrangement each tuft has its own prophy brush shape at its upper end. In another type of arrangement there is only one prophy brush shape for the entire head, each tuft making its own partial contribution to the single prophy shape.

Abstract: A brushhead for a toothbrush having a particular bristle configuration which includes a plurality of bristle tufts arranged in three columns and nine rows, wherein the distal end two adjacent rows and the proximal end two adjacent rows and an intermediate row have longer bristles than the remaining bristle tuft rows. The distal, intermediate and proximal bristle tuft rows all have pointed tips (in the lateral direction) and beveled outside edges at the top portion thereof. The shorter bristle tuft rows also have beveled outside edges. The shorter bristle tuft rows between the distal and intermediate rows have angled top surfaces in addition to the beveled outside edges.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning uneven or periodic corrugated surfaces has a head and a handle which is attached in a similar configuration as for a rake or push broom. The head has a cleaning edge which projects a varying distance, the distance varying according to a period configured to mate with the grooves and ridges of the corrugated surface. The cleaning edge may be solid, bristles or a combination of the two. The tool may have plural cleaning edges for cleaning different areas or types of material. The cleaning tool finds particular applicability in cleaning debris from the corrugated floor of a pickup truck bed liner.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush section (24) for an electric toothbrush (20) in which a handle section (22) is connectible with the brush section (24). A bristle carrier (44) of a circular disk shaped configuration is arranged at the end of the brush section (24) remote from the handle section (22) and has on its upper side bristle tufts (46, 60, 62, 72, 74) disposed on one central ring (54) and one outer ring (56). The bristle carrier (44) is mounted on the brush section (24) so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (50) in an alternating oscillating fashion from a central position (58). The axis of rotation (50) is aligned at approximately right angles to a longitudinal center line (52) of the brush section (24). In use of the electric toothbrush (20), an improved cleaning action is accomplished in that the outer ring (56) of the bristle carrier (44) is set with tufts (60, 62) of bristles of different lengths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a toothbrush which exhibits superior interproximal and gingival margin cleaning. The toothbrush includes an elongated handle member connected to a toothbrush head member. The head is divided into two regions. A "toe" region is defined as the part of the head which is furthest from the handle and a "heel" region is the portion of the head which is closest to the handle. A multiplicity of bristles extend from the heel region of the head; the distal ends of these bristles form a longitudinally aligned concave shape when viewed on end.

Abstract: A hand held toothbrush with multiple levels of bristles on a rotary pad. When the user manually pushes the brush, there is a force created which propels the bristles to catch the irregular surface of the teeth, gaps, and pockets, causing the rotary pad to turn. The bristle's pattern is designed specially to improve the rotary pad to circular more effectively. The advantage of this invention is that even though the user operates the toothbrush in left and right movement, the bristles on rotary pad, converts left and right motion into circular motion.

Abstract: In the case of conventional toothbrushes whose bristles have all needlelike tapering tips, the bristles near the tips become too thin and too flexible. In the case of toothbrushes whose bristle ends are all round or hemispherical, it is difficult to get into the spaces between teeth or boundary spaces between teeth and gums.Thus, it is difficult for conventional toothbrushes to clean up in every nook and corner in the mount. A toothbrush comprising a block head having brush portion, a handle and a neck portion connecting the block head with the handle, wherein a part of the tufts of the brush portion are made up of filament with polygonal cross section, and the rest of the tufts are made up of sheath-core structural filament whose core material is covered with sheath material such that the filaments are circular in cross-section, with the sheath material being concentric to the core material.

Abstract: Brushes, e.g. a brush, particularly a hygienic brush, or a paintbrush, which is exposed to moisture during use and which has a bristle carrier, preferably made from plastic, and a bristle facing. The entire bristle facing is formed from individual, closely standing, non-contacting bristles.

Abstract: A method of permanently mounting bristles on a handle to form a brush, and a brush having bristles which extend preselected, irregular distances from the brush handle. First ends of bristles of substantially equal length are contacted against an insert element or a receiving body having a contour corresponding with the preselected, irregular distances. The insert element is heated to soften the bristle first ends or the receiving body, and then the insert element is cooled to harden the softened one of the bristle first ends and the receiving body, fastening the bristle first ends to the insert element. The insert element is fastened in a receptacle in the brush handle. As a result, the bristles extend from the brush handle with the corresponding contour. The several steps may be performed in various sequences.

Abstract: A toothbrush for cleaning and polishing teeth includes a handle attached to a brush head. Attached to the brush head are a plurality of elastomeric prophy bristles for polishing teeth, and a plurality of bristle tufts for scrubbing teeth, the bristle tufts being attached to the brush head and placed about the perimeter of the prophy bristles.

Abstract: A toothbrush which provides superior cleaning as well as gum and inter dental stimulation. The toothbrush has an elongated member extending between two ends. The elongate member has a head at one of its ends. The head has a plurality of tufts comprising a multiplicity of bristles. The tufts have proximal ends attached to the head, distal ends extending outwardly from the head and sides extending between the distal and proximal ends. The distal ends of the tufts are angled downwardly from a peak so that adjacent tufts form a V shaped profile when looking at the side of the tufts. The head further includes a number of additional bristles attached thereto and extending above the peaks of the tufts. Alternatively, the tufts of bristles may include a predetermined number of bristles that are stiffer than the rest.

Abstract: A toothbrush wherein the stiffness of the bristles varies along the length or across the width of the head of the toothbrush.

Abstract: A new Skin Rejuvinating System for exfoliating the user's skin thereby facilitating blood movement and reducing cellulite by utilizing a brushing means controlled at various rotational speeds depending on the sensitivity of the user's skin. The inventive device includes a motor encasement, a motor means secured within the motor encasement, a controller means electronically connected to the motor means, a power source electronically connected to the controller means, and a brushing means rotatably secured to the motor means.

Abstract: A toothbrush for simultaneously brushing a plurality of tooth surfaces, outer inner and crown portions comprising a one head construction with anchored filaments arranged in bundles of bristles forming four longitudinal rows, the exterior angled facing inwards the two interior rows upright. By not being encircled by exterior filaments the top brushing surface remains concave.

Abstract: An oral hygiene system includes a method of removing plaque from teeth and gums by brushing the teeth with a plaque-disclosing dentifrice composition including a dye which will differentially stain plaque according to the organizational structure of the plaque, correlating the observed color of the plaque to the plaque structure, and brushing to remove the plaque structure so identified. The system also includes a toothbrush having a head and a handle, where the head has bristles with their freestanding end in a square pyramidal shape with sides having a slope corresponding approximately to buccal and lingual contours of a tooth.

Abstract: The invention is directed in part to an interproximal brush apparatus containing:a stem portion having a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis, at least one of said first and said second ends being adapted for receiving an interproximal cleansing portion having an hourglass shape extending 360.degree. along said longitudinal axis of said stem portion. Methods of cleansing interproximal spaces are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electric toothbrush having a brush section and a drive shaft received in the brush section. The brush section includes a first bristle supporting structure operatively coupled to the shaft for motion about an axis essentially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shaft, and a second bristle supporting structure operatively coupled to the shaft for substantially transverse oscillating motion of the entire second bristle supporting structure relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The first bristle supporting structure is generally cylindrically shaped and carries a plurality of bristle clusters.

Abstract: A toothbrush is disclosed having a brush head that includes a flexible member formed for resilient flexure between a first shape and a second shape. The flexible member has first and second sides and a central bristle support portion disposed between first and second outer bristle support portions. The flexible member also has an elastic portion interconnecting the central bristle support portion to the first and second bristle support portions along lateral edges thereof. The toothbrush further includes a pair of handle extensions for supporting the flexible member at the first and second sides thereof such that the flexible member is free to flex between first and second shapes when stressed. An array of first bristle tufts is attached to the central bristle support portion. First and second arrays of second bristle tufts are attached to the first and second outer bristle support portions, respectively, and are aligned in parallel relation to the array of first bristle tufts.

Abstract: Improvement in a toothbrush (301), especially for the combined brushing of teeth and massaging of gums, comprising a plurality of toothbrush bristles attached at their one end to the head (302) of the toothbrush and having their other end extending freely from said head, the improvement comprising one or more inner rows or groups of bristles (303a, 303b) of ordinary cleaning quality in combination with adjacent outer rows or groups of bristles (304n, 305n) of smaller height than said inner rows of bristles, said outer bristles provided with free rounded end portions (306).

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a toothbrush that effectively removes plaque attached to or deposited on all the regions of tooth surface, interdental space, and cervical margin, and to conduct efficient tooth brushing. To attain the object, at least one of a plurality of tufts constituting the tufting area is wide extending along the longitudinal direction of a tufting base, and the profile of the end portion of the wide tuft is converged toward the end in a shape of dot, line, or plane.

Abstract: A debris cleaning device is equipped with a compound auger which has a rigid inner auger portion with auger fighting and a plurality of compliant combing attachments connected to the edge of the fighting. Instead of the compound auger, a helical rotary brush with a dense inner region of shorter stiffer bristles and a less populous outer region of longer bristles may be used. The cleaning device also has a suction mechanism with a nozzle located about at the midway point of the length of the auger (or rotary brush). The auger (or rotary brush) is positioned horizontally with its rotational axis co-linear with, or parallel to, an axle of supporting wheels so that the auger (or rotary brush) follows the contour of the surface being cleaned as do the wheels, thereby preventing the auger (or rotary brush) from digging into uneven terrain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a toothbrush which exhibits superior interproximal and gingival margin cleaning. The toothbrush includes an elongated handle member connected to a toothbrush head member. The head is divided into two regions. A "toe" region is defined as the part of the head which is furthest from the handle and a "heel" region is the portion of the head which is closest to the handle. A multiplicity of bristles extend from the heel region of the head; the distal ends of these bristles form a longitudinally aligned concave shape when viewed on end.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an interproximal brush for an electric toothbrush which is coupled to the shaft driving the bristle supporting structure in an alternating motion in a manner independent of the coupling of the bristle supporting structure to the shaft. The interproximal brush performs a pivotal motion enabling additional cleaning in particular of interproximal spaces.

Abstract: The method substantially removes a soil spot (resulting from a beverage spill or the like) from a carpet by using a particular type of brush. The brush has (a) a detachable handle, (b) a body with a pair of holes therein for attaching the handle to the body at either hole, and (c) first and second brush portions on first and second brush faces, respectively. The brush portions have differing stiffnesses and either portion may be used to "de-spot" carpet by inserting the handle in the appropriate attachment hole. The method includes the steps of identifying the tuft and pile characteristics of the spot-soiled area of carpet and selecting one of the brush portions for use in removing the spot on carpet having such characteristics. The handle is attached to the hole related to the selected brush portion, a granular cleaning product is deposited on the spot and such product is "worked" across and through that portion of the carpet which includes the spot.

Abstract: An anatomical toothbrush having a configuration for maximizing the brushing effectiveness of the molar and premolar teeth is disclosed. Specifically, the present invention discloses a toothbrush with a bristle face forming a plurality of arcuate curves of various lengths along the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush head in order to conform to the premolar and molar tooth configuration, thus maximizing the brushing of the interproximal tooth surfaces.

Abstract: A brush for cleaning foodstuff, especially fragile foodstuff such as ears of fresh corn and mushrooms. The brush has a handle portion which supports many straight rows of bristles. The rows of bristles are not parallel but get closer together near one end of the brush. The bristles are fabricated from a very soft polymer and are positioned at different heights along the bottom of the brush. The shortest bristles are near the center so that the brush can be used on a curved surface such as an ear of corn, a mushroom, or a carrot among other fruits and vegetables.

Abstract: A toothbrush is described whose head has a different design in comparison to a conventional flat-trimmed toothbrush in that the heights of the bristles are arranged to create a concave cylindrical brushing surface at the free ends of bristles which has a curvature approximating that of a user's frontal dental arch. Moreover, the heights of the interior bristles at the inner rows are further shortened to follow a more concave cylindrical shape or to form a plane surface. The toothbrush of this design is an improvement to the conventional flat-trimmed toothbrush in terms of dental cleaning and gums stimulation but does not have the drawbacks of the designs found in the prior art.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush section for an electric toothbrush with a handle section comprising an electric motor, wherein the brush section is adapted to be connected with the handle section and has at its end remote from the handle section an essentially circular cylindrical rotary bristle supporting structure (38) on which bristles (48, 50) are arranged in the form of tufts (60, 62) of different lengths, and wherein the bristle supporting structure (38) has its axis of rotation at approximately right angles to a longitudinal center line of the brush section and is adapted to be driven in an alternating rotary motion over an arc of .+-.20.degree. to .+-.100.degree.. Some of the tufts (60) of bristles are serially located in position on a diameter and on an outer circular ring of the bristle supporting structure (38).

Abstract: A toothbrush for cleaning and polishing teeth includes a handle attached to a brush head. Attached to the brush head is at least one prophy cup device for polishing teeth, and a plurality of bristle tufts for scrubbing teeth, the bristle tufts being attached to the brush head and placed about the perimeter of each prophy cup device.

Abstract: A brush for the application of nail varnish, or a similar product, includes a tuft obtained from a bundle of bristles which are substantially parallel and folded in two halfway along their length. The bristles are fixed at the folded part in a housing opening at the end of the rod. The bristles have cross-sections bounded by a circle of constant diameter and are chosen from at least two groups. The bristles of one group are arranged so as to exhibit a different mechanical behavior in flexure to that of the bristles of the other group so that these groups give a brush tuft which is open to the air and spread out, with relatively large spaces between bristles to promote good capillary action for varnishes whose viscosity may vary over a wide range.

Abstract: A swatter has a handle, and a flat swatting blade which is fast with the handle. The blade is provided with openings which are uniformly distributed over the blade. Two sets of impaling projections are mounted on one of the major surfaces of the blade. The projections of the two sets are of different length and are uniformly distributed over the blade and among each other. Neighboring projections of each set are spaced from one another by distances which are so large that essentially no squashing of an insect would occur were the insect to be impaled by more than one projection of a set.

Abstract: A shaft is formed with a curved neck. The long axis of an oval brash head at the end of the neck is approximately perpendicular to a handle region of the shaft. Four semi-circular rows of bristles and two relatively straight rows of bristles project from the brush head at approximately right angles to the handle region. Two of the semi-circular rows are proximal to the handle and define a generally convex brushing surface. The other two semi-circular rows are distal to the handle and define a generally concave brushing surface. The two relatively straight rows are medial to the concave and convex brushing surfaces and define a generally planar brushing surface.

Abstract: A dental prosthesis cleaning instrument is defined by an elongated member having a brush portion and a handle portion. The brush portion has a head formation formed at one end of the handle and a plurality of bristles extend from a surface portion thereof. The bristles terminate in an angled brushing surface defining an apex brush ridge adapted to clean angled surfaces of a dental prosthesis. A small scraping tool is provided at an opposed end of the handle portion. The scraping tool is dimensioned to scrape cavitated areas of the dental prosthesis. The scraping tool is a small spatula-shaped tool having a rounded end portion.

Abstract: A cleaning brush that is uniquely configured for removing lint, dust and other debris from an arcuate duct, such as an exhaust duct of a clothes dryer. The brush generally includes a body having an elongate arcuate shape, with a radius of curvature that is preferably greater than the length of the body. The body is formed of a flexible material so as to permit the brush to flex in the direction of the radius of curvature, which enables the brush to adapt to variations in the arcuate shapes of ducts. The brush is also provided with bristles that substantially cover one end of the body. The bristles include shorter, tightly-wound inner bristles and longer bristles that surround the inner bristles. As such, the brush is characterized by features that uniquely enable the brush to effectively remove lint and dust from along the entire length of a duct, yet enable the brush to flex sufficiently to accommodate variations in the arcuate shapes of ducts.

Abstract: A toothbrush which provides the user with simultaneous brushing action within the user's mouth. The long handle has an end portion of a substantially elliptical cross section in which a first side and a second side are of substantially similar elliptical curvature. Bristles are attached to both the first side and the second side in a similar pattern. The bristles on each side taper from a short extant near the end of the handle to a longer extant at a position farther from the end of the handle. Also, the bristles are formed in tufts substantially in rows latitudinally of the two sides.

Abstract: A brush has first and second faces and first and second brush portions on the first and second faces, respectively. The tuft bristles used to make the first portion are of a size different from those used to make the second portion, thereby providing brush portions of differing stiffness for removing spots from different types of carpet. The tufts of the brush portions are in a unique pattern particularly well suited for using the brush with a dry granular carpet cleaning product. Each brush portion is defined by rows of bristle tufts disposed along respective row axes oriented in the direction of normal brushing. The tufts are generously spaced from one another (both laterally and longitudinally) so that carpet can be cleaned with a granular cleaning product while yet avoiding brush packing with the product. A new method for removing a spot from a carpet is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is a brush for cleaning and polishing teeth while stimulating the gums. The invention consists of a handle with an integral head. The head has a flat surface with a plurality of recessed sockets. Affixed within the recessed sockets are the stimulator rods surrounded by bristles and polishing rods surrounded by bristles.

Abstract: A toothbrush is provided for achieving improved interproximal cleaning without increasing gum irritation. The bristles of the toothbrush have a generally "V" shaped side profile. In addition, the exposed ends of all of the bristles are properly end rounded. The dimensions and shape of the "V" shape fall within a certain range, as does the stiffness of the bristles. These characteristics allow the bristles to penetrate into the interproximal areas with enough force to effectively clean these areas without causing irritation to the user's gums.

Abstract: A brush for applying coloring matter to hair includes a rack having two ends for holding a row of bristles, the ends of the bristles forming an essentially flat tip surface portion and a tapered surface portion extending from the flat tip surface portion generally toward the rack. The tip surface portion may be provided opposite one rack end, with one tapered surface portion extending to the other rack end. Equivalently, the tip surface portion has two sides and is located midway between the rack ends, with one tapered surface portion extending from either side of the tip surface portion to the rack ends. In another equivalent configuration, one tip surface portion is provided opposite each rack end, and one tapered surface portion extends from each tip surface portion toward the other tip surface portion so that the tapered surface portion converge between the tip surface portion.

Abstract: A toothbrush having two types of bristle end forms. Filaments, each having a tapered end and a ball-like end, are bundled, and folded in to a U-shape bend in a manner that the tapered end is projected from the ball end. The tapered end is inserted into a periodontal pocket by the projected length.

Abstract: A toothbrush is set forth in which the bristles are mounted on a readily flexed resilient member supported from a handle by means of one or more handle extensions. The bristles are arranged in arrays with a center array for engaging the biting surface of a tooth and outer arrays for simultaneously engaging the sides of the tooth and adjacent gums when the resilient member is flexed by the engagement of the center array bristles with the tooth. The resilient member can be flat or arcuate and bristles can project from either side of the resilient member. A double headed toothbrush is also described.

Abstract: A mascara brush having three sections and three types of bristles is disclosed. The brush portion has a larger diameter middle section comprised of a combination of soft and stiff bristles in random configuration, and two end sections comprised of hollow filaments which preferably become progressively shorter towards the ends of the brush portion. The end sections exhibit less bristle density than the middle section. This improved brush configuration allows for optimal one-stroke mascara application.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush for an electric toothbrush, comprising a cylindrical bristle supporting structure equipped with bristles arranged on several approximately concentric circular rings on the bristle supporting structure. A circular ring devoid of bristles is maintained between at least two adjacent bristled circular rings, with the average width of the bare circular ring corresponding approximately to the average width of a bristled circular ring. The brush is adapted to perform an oscillating movement vertically to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush. As a special brush, it is particularly well suited to the cleaning of teeth of persons wearing orthodontic appliances.