Abstract: A toothbrush for partial denture plate and natural teeth wherein an elongate handle includes a brush head plate having a first matrix of bristles, with the first matrix of bristles including an arcuate profile to permit cleansing of natural teeth and partial plates, with a conical second matrix of bristles integral with the handle at a second end of the handle spaced from the first matrix of bristles, such that the conical second matrix of bristles is arranged for cleaning clasp openings within the partial denture plates, that in turn are secured to a user's natural teeth.

Abstract: A toothbrush for brushing tooth surfaces and for flossing and picking foreign matter from spaces and interstices on and between and around teeth and gums.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the use of wear measuring elements to monitor the wear of cleaning elements on cleaning devices, such as cleaning machines and vacuum cleaners. The wear measuring elements are located adjacent to cleaning elements and have a length corresponding to a minimum desired length for the cleaning elements. When the length of the cleaning elements decreases due to usage to the length of the wear measuring elements, the user will realize that the cleaning elements need replacement.

Abstract: A brushroll for a vacuum cleaner includes a cylindrical dowel having a number of holes drilled thereinto. The holes are formed into a first row and a second row, the two rows being closely spaced in relation to each other. First tufts are secured in each hole of the first row and second tufts are secured in each hole of the second row. The tufts can be made of the same type of bristle or of different types of bristles. The tufts of the first row are supported by the tufts of the second row during a cleaning rotation of the brushroll. Preferably, the tufts of the second row are located at between 1/4 and 3/4 of a free length of the first row of tufts. The bristles of the second row are shorter than the bristles of the first row. If desired, a third row of tufts may also be provided. The rows of tufts can extend helically around the dowel.

Abstract: A toothbrush whose tufts comprise three distinct groups of rows, with each row oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the head. The tufts of the first group are the shortest. The endmost tufts on each row of the second kind tilt laterally outwardly by about 12 degrees. The tufts of the third group are nearest the end of the head farthest from the handle and diverge from each other. In one embodiment, each tuft of the third kind tilts laterally at an angle of about 30 degrees and forwardly at about 14 degrees. In a first embodiment, each row of the first group comprises a single, wide tuft. In a second embodiment, each row of the first group has a plurality of laterally spaced round tufts. In a third embodiment, each row of the first group comprises a plurality of laterally spaced quadrangular tufts. All of the tufts may also be considered as defining four functional groups of tufts, with each of these four groups performing a specific function during brushing.

Abstract: A hand and nail brush used to clean both sides of a hand and having a curved, recessed brush area for the cleaning of fingers and fingernails. An elongated generally rectangular-shaped body has four finger recesses located extending along opposite side edges of the brush body. The finger recesses facilitate ease of use of the brush when the hands of the user are wet with soap. The surface of the brush body utilized to clean both sides of the hand has bristles of a length of approximately 1/2 inch designed to clean but not scratch the hand surfaces. The curved, recessed area at one end of the brush body is used to clean the fingers and fingernails. This recessed area includes bristles of a shorter and less resilient material of approximately 1/4 inch length. The sides of the recessed area, with one side tapering to the portion of the brush body used to clean the hand surfaces, includes bristles at a length of approximately 7/16 inch to clean all sides of the fingers and nails at the same time.

Abstract: A toothbrush having the following combination of bristles: bristles that taper downward at the front of the toothbrush relative to the rear of the toothbrush, a central row of bristles that is the tallest and hardest, and side rows of bristles that are softer and shorter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a toothbrush utilized for properly cleaning all teeth, including hard to reach back teeth. It includes a tapering head having bristles extending outward from its end. This toothbrush improves the quality of brushing by being configured to be readily maneuverable within confined portions of a user's mouth. The brushing surface formed by the bristles is substantially planar with the distance between adjacent bristles being substantially consistent throughout the head. This assures an even cleaning of the teeth, and also provides for even wear of the bristles.

Abstract: A toothbrush comprises both soft and hard bristles. The soft bristles are longer while the hard bristles are shorter. With less force, only the soft bristles are used, giving minor cleaning and gum massaging. With stronger force, the hard bristles will be used, giving more effective cleaning, especially the space between the teeth. The hard bristles are implanted away from the edge of the bristle pattern so they are kept from being bent outward. Some bristles at the edge of the pattern are cut shorter to give the hard bristles a chance to get into space between the teeth.

Abstract: A toothbrush is described whose head has a special arrangement of bristle tufts. The arrangement includes a fan-shaped grouping of tufts along left and right edges of the head. Near front and rear ends of the head are a grouping of tufts whose free ends are trimmed to define respective planes slanting downwardly towards the interior area of the head. Within the interior area is a further grouping of tufts arranged in a saddle-shape.

Abstract: A cleaning pad for use for cleaning carpet, rugs, furniture and like includes a pair of circular base sheets of a non-woven materials secured together at their peripheries. In each base sheet are at least first and second strips of piles of a fibrous bristle with the fibrous bristles of the first strips being stiffer than the fibrous bristles of the second strip. The fibrous bristles of the first strips have a shorter pile height than the pile height of the fibrous bristles of the second strips. A bed of firmly looped strands woven to a hooked rug solidity to present a cleaning surface fill in the space of each base sheet between the strips. For a carpet cleaning pad, there are preferably two of the first strips and two of the second strips on each base sheet. Each of the first strip forms a V with a separate one of the second strips with the apices of the V's being adjacent the periphery of the base sheet and being diagonally opposite each other.

Abstract: A method for transferring generally radial patterns to topping compound applied to a surface using a stipple brush. The stipple brush has a two-sided base plate having a first side moveable into substantially parallel adjacency with the surface to be stippled, an oppositely disposed second side, and an outer edge. The first side of the base plate has disposed therein a predetermined pattern of brush receptacles which are all acutely angled at substantially the same angle with respect to a central axis extending perpendicularly through the base plate, and which radiate outwardly therefrom toward the outer edge of the base plate. A plurality of brush elements having predetermined lengthwise extents are disposed in the brush receptacles at orientations defining substantially the same acute angle with respect to the central axis of the base plate as the brush receptacles.

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 brush intended for the application of a cosmetic product comprises a plurality of bristles (3, 4) transversely implanted in a core. These bristles are formed by a mixture of bristles selected from at least two groups, namely a first group consisting of bristles (3) of relatively small section and a second group of bristles (4) of larger section. The bristles of small section (3) are made of a thermoplastic having a higher melting point than the melting point of the thermoplastic elastomer from which the bristles (4) of larger section are made. The melting point of the thermoplastic of the bristles of small section is of the order of 230.degree. to 280.degree. C., while the melting point of the thermoplastic elastomer of the bristles of larger section is of the order of 150.degree. to 230.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention directs itself to a subgingival toothbrush (10) for insertion of first and second sets of bristles (36 and 38) below the gum line (22) of a user. First and second sets of bristles (36 and 38) are adapted to be oscillated and abrasively contact a tooth surface (20) below the gum line (22) to disrupt bacteria adhering to the tooth surface (20). The first and second sets of bristles (36 and 38) are encapsulated by an encapsulating pair of sleeve members (40 and 42) to provide stabilization of the first and second sets of bristles (36 and 38) when in operational use. In this manner, first and second sets of bristles (36 and 38) can optimally be inserted beneath the gum line (22) of a user (14) for abrasive action against the tooth surface (20) and aid in controlling periodontal disease.

Abstract: A cleaning brush includes an elongated handle having opposed ends and a handle shape for use as a manual cleaning brush. A primary wire stem extends outwardly from one end of the handle and supports a primary bristle array having a generally cylindrical shape portion terminating in an outwardly extending domed portion. A secondary wire stem extends oppositely from the primary wire stem outwardly from the opposite end of the handle and supports a secondary bristle array. The secondary bristle array defines a cylindrical bristle portion proximate the handle end and a tapered bristle portion extending beyond the cylindrical bristle portion. The secondary bristle array is configured to correspond to the interior of a typical tint bottle nozzle cap while the primary bristle array is configured to correspond to the interior of a typical tint bottle.

Abstract: A toothbrush whose tufts comprise three distinct kinds of rows, with each row oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the head. The tufts of the first kind are the shortest. The endmost tufts on each row of the second kind tilt laterally outwardly by about 12 degrees. The tufts of the third kind are nearest the end of the head farthest from the handle and diverge from each other, with each tuft thereof tilting laterally at an angle of about 30 degrees and forwardly at about 14 degrees. In a first embodiment, each row of the first kind comprises a single, wide tuft. In a second embodiment, each row of the first kind has a plurality of laterally spaced round tufts. In a third embodiment, each row of the first kind comprises a plurality of laterally spaced rectangular tufts. All of the tufts may also be considered as defining four functional groups of tufts, with each of these four groups performing a specific function during brushing.

Abstract: A toothbrush for use by wearers of orthodontic appliances comprises an elongated handle, a neck and a head. The bristles are designed so that the outermost rows are relatively soft and of long length, the bristles in the pattern gradually shortening in length and becoming stiffer, with the shortest and stiffest bristles being positioned along the center rows of the brush's longitudinal centerline axis. Also, the center rows of bristles are formed to be angled at their ends to reduce the pressure required to deflect the bristles beneath brace elements thus reducing undue pressure against the gums. Furthermore, a flexible member compressibly supports the center rows of bristles. The toothbrush also comprises an outer bumper protectively surrounding the toothbrush head. Moreover, a further embodiment of the invention has a lower tuft of bristles projecting from the lower portion of the handle.

Abstract: A toothbrush for cleaning individual teeth includes a longitudinally extending handle portion (10) connected to a curved head portion (20). The head portion (20) carries a plurality of relatively long, soft bristle tufts (31) arranged in transverse rows and a plurality of relatively short, hard bristle tufts (32) arranged in transverse rows sandwiched between the transverse rows of the plurality of relatively long, soft bristle tufts (31). The curved head portion (20) has a small radius of curvature of between 1.4 and 1.8 centimeters, optimally 1.5 centimeters, while the relatively long, soft bristle tufts (31) each extend radially from the curved head portion (20) by a distance of between 0.8 and 1.2 centimeters, optimally 1 centimeter. In this manner, the entire arrangement (30) of bristle tufts is made to converge substantially on the area of an individual tooth and its surrounding gum line.

Abstract: A toothbrush having three brush heads that self-adjust to maintain contact with the surfaces of the teeth and the gums. The three brush heads are independently attached to a single handle through elongated flexible arms and adjust independently to maintain contact with the surfaces of different size teeth and gums. The two brush heads whose bristles contact the sides of the teeth are slanted at a predetermined angle.

Abstract: The brush element (10) includes a base (14), the base (14) including a connecting portion (18) at one end (16) thereof, which is capable of receiving the lever arm (15) of a vibrating toothbrush. Successive lateral rows of spaced bristles (19-27) are anchored in the brush base (14), in a pattern comprising two successive rows of full length bristles which are configured so that the tips of each two rows form a peak, followed by a third row of shorter bristle portions which are approximately 0.2 inch shorter than the full length bristles.

Abstract: A toothbrush having a handle rotated by forty five degrees with respect to its detachable and replaceable bristle head, whose bristles form a contoured brushing surface having three to four alternating rounded peaks and valleys, and which has a raised helical screw thread on its neck that allows a twirling motion at the neck to impart a diagonal direction of travel to the bristles of the brush.

Abstract: A brush having a plurality of tufts extending outwardly thereof in a common direction and having a floss holder in one or more of the tufts through which extends a string or web of a floss material and outwardly of the bristles for hand or machine held cleaning and enhancing purposes.

Abstract: A brush attachment for a power tool, such as an electric drill, capable of rotating a suitable shaft including an attachment body containing a longitudinally extending chamber and an elongate shaft rotatably mounted in this body and projecting from a rear end thereof. A cam and cam follower mechanism in the chamber convert rotary motion of the shaft into a reciprocating linear motion. There is a shaft mechanism mounted in the body for sliding reciprocating movement only relative to the body and connected to the cam follower. This shaft mechanism projects from a front end of the body. A brush is attached to a front end of the shaft mechanism and reciprocates with this mechanism in the longitudinal direction thereof. The brush attachment can be mounted on the power tool so the attachment body remains stationary relative to the tool when the shaft is rotating.

Abstract: A watercolor brush, used to draw fine lines wherein the core of this brush is composed of short thick sable hairs with long stiff bristles dispersed therein and the outer surrounding portion of this brush is composed of long fine sable hairs. An oil/acrylic flat brush used to draw straight lines wherein the brush is composed of stiff hair such as badger or horse hair at one end of the flat brush with the remaining bristles adjacent thereto being sable.

Abstract: A toothbrush which is anatomically designed and constructed to effectively and efficaciously remove plaque or calculus from the inaccessible interproximal spaces between adjacent teeth, and at the same time gently massage the gingiva and effectively clean the teeth. The toothbrush includes a unique and novel bristle arrangement at one end of an offset handle. The bristles are arranged in tufts embedded in and anchored to a toothbrush head which is integrated with the handle in a conventional manner. The bristle tufts being arranged in twelve transverse or lateral rows with each transverse row including four tufts of bristles except for the outermost transverse row which includes only two tufts of bristles. The odd numbered transverse rows of tufts of bristles are all the same length and the even numbered transverse rows of tufts are of a length less than the odd numbered transverse rows of tufts.

Abstract: A process for producing a toothbrush produced thereby have the cavities (11, 12) arranged on the back side of the tooth brush head. The longitudinal axes (14a, 15a) for angling the head portions (13, 14, 15) relative to each other are arranged on or at the bristle-carrying side of the head portion directly opposite the associated cavity (11, 12). A blank for carrying out the process and a toothbrush produced thereby have the cavities (11, 12) arranged on the back side of the toothbrush head. The longitudinal axes (14a, 15a) for angling the head portions (13, 14, 15) relative to each other are arranged on or at the bristle-carrying side of the head portion directly opposite the associated cavity (11, 12).

Abstract: The present invention consists of a toothbrush with multiple tooth cleaning surfaces that allow the simultaneous cleaning of two or more tooth surfaces. In the preferred embodiment, there are three tooth cleaning surfaces, one each for the front, back, and top of the teeth. The tooth cleaning surfaces for the front and the back surfaces of the teeth comprise bristles mounted on surfaces that are movable towards and away from each other to compensate for the varying thicknesses of teeth. The handle of the toothbrush may be pivotably or detachably attached to the head of the toothbrush.

Abstract: A toothbrush has a special head for brushing the posterior teeth and a special head for brushing the anterior teeth. Each head includes bristles that contact the lateral surfaces of the teeth including at or just below the gum line as well as the top surfaces of the teeth.

Abstract: Synthetic microcellular paintbrush bristles are produced having a generally consistent cross-sectional shape along their length and a rough and irregular surface. The bristles comprise 15 to 40% cells on a volume basis, the cells being predominantly closed in the interior of the bristle and being open along the wall to provide the rough and irregular surface.

Abstract: A back brush apparatus is provided with a flexible, helically wound wire core coaxially arranged through the brush containing a series of three separate sets of bristles, each randomly arranged with one another throughout the brush matrix defining a cylinder about the wire core. The first longest series of bristles are of a relatively soft character with the shortest and third series of bristles being of the stiffest character, with the second series of bristles being of intermediate length and stiffness relative to the first and third series. A hand loop is secured to a loop formed at each terminal end of the wire core and secured to the wire loop by means of a fastener to enable reciprocating the brush during use by an individual.

Abstract: A synthetic bristle for brushes, including particularly paint brushes, which has attributes of natural bristle, such as the hair of swine, including an irregular surface texture which holds paint and is easy to clean, while retaining desirable characteristics of synthetic bristles such as good water and abrasion resistance, said bristle being formed preferably from a synthesized polymer, a co-polymer, or an alloy or mixture of synthetic polymers.

Abstract: A razor cleaning device has a suction cup base which supports a stem. The end of the stem supports a cleaning head which has a plurality of bristles. The bristles are disposed in an appropriate angle so that a blade positioned against the bristles in a natural cleaning motion remains substantially parallel to the bristles. A wiping plane defined by free ends of the bristles can be disposed at an actue angle with respect to the bristle direction to apply even pressure and effectively clean twin edges of twin blade razors.

Abstract: A dental apparatus adapted for penetrating and cleaning the interstices and interproximal surfaces between the teeth, the surfaces at and below the gum margins, and the tooth-gum interfaces including the grooves and crevices thereof, is provided. In a preferred embodiment, a neck portion interconnects an elongated handle portion and a head portion, with the head portion being angled upwardly of the handle portion. A plurality of tufts of bristles are fixedly attached to the face of said head portion, said tufts of bristles having wedge means and conforming means to enable penetration into and cleaning of said interstices, surfaces and interfaces.A single row of a plurality of tufts of bristles, disposed substantially perpendicularly of said handle portion, has the free end of each of said plurality of tufts which are disposed at said end of said head portion beveled, said bevel sloping upwards from a vertex formed at said free end of the outermost bristle in each of said tufts.

Abstract: A toothbrush is provided with a plurality of bristles arranged perpendicular to the working surface of the brush head, and a further plurality of bristles arranged at an angle with respect thereto of preferably 45.degree.. The angled bristles extend from a working platform which is installed on the working surface of the brush head and which provides a further working surface. Such angled bristles promote cleansing of the gingival margin and the gingival sulcus, without requiring the toothbrush head to be canted during brushing. In a highly advantageous embodiment of the invention, further angled bristles are provided extending from a region near the juncture of the working platform and the first working surface of the brush head. In addition, soft perpendicular bristles are arranged to extend from the further working surface.

Abstract: A hand held brush specifically adapted for sweeping and cleaning regions of carpet. The brush is constructed with a handle portion in which is secured a field of bristles in a slanted bristle array. The bristle length tapers downwardly from the frontal edge of the brush to the rear edge and the flexibility varies accordingly. In this manner, the bristles may be swept through an area of carpet to remove both large and small dirt and lint particles by utilizing the varying flexibility of the bristles concomittantly with the tapering length thereacross.

Abstract: A toothbrush in which the bristles define a surface across the width of the handle having a convex portion along the midline of the handle and concave portions on either side of the convex portion, thereby to conform to the corresponding complementary surface portions of the molars. In a preferred embodiment the bristles are longest along the center of the handle and shortest along the sides of the handle. To facilitate gripping, the handle has a cross-section that is concave along the front of the handle and of uniform thickness across the width of the handle. To minimize displacement of the handle when brushing various portions of the teeth, the handle is rearwardly curved along the lower portion thereof and is forwardly curved along the upper portion thereof.

Abstract: A cleaning tool with a bristle body has bristle sets on its underside. On its top side a handle is removably fixed. In order to attain a varied use of cleaning tool, less weight of the bristle body and a simple fastening of the handle, the bristle body has a hollow chamber extending over its length, which is opened in the area of its top side by a continuous slit. Furthermore the handle attachment has a clamping piece disposed in the hollow chamber and at least partially adapted to its cross section, which is connected with the handle by means of a threaded pin extending through the slit.

Abstract: A can cleaning device including a base having a cylindrical cross-section and an integral side wall to form a cavity for receiving the top of a can. A cleaning material is affixed to the base within the cavity to scrub the top of a can through manual manipulation of the device.

Abstract: The invention is a system for applying color to hair in such a manner as to show depth of color. The system comprises two application brushes of different lengths which are riveted together, and can be opened to dip into two colors simultaneously, then closed to apply both colors at once to show depth of color in the hair.

Abstract: A toothbrush having a pad of bristles, a neck region and a handle is disclosed. The bristle pad has three longitudinally arranged columns of bristles, except at the distal end of the pad where there are two additional columns of bristles. The handle is short, so as to bring the user's hand into a closer relation to the mouth and teeth. The reverse side of the bristle pad has a concavity for receiving the user's finger.

Abstract: A toothbrush comprising five or seven rows of tufts of soft filaments or bristles of which the middle row of bristles is higher than the rows of tufts of bristles on each side. The middle row performs the special task of cleaning the gum line or sulcus while the rows on each side alternately, as used in various positions in the mouth, either clean the teeth themselves or support and massage the gum tissue.

Abstract: A bristle broom is provided with a plurality of relatively flexible, soft bristles the ends of which form the majority of the broom's sweeping surface, and a smaller number of relatively inflexible, stiff bristles the ends of which form a small portion of the sweeping surface adjacent one end thereof. The stiff bristles improve the broom's sweeping efficiency in corners and edges or in removing stubborn dirt while the remainder of the bristles retain the conventional sweeping efficiency of flat bristle brooms.

Abstract: A rotatable tire brush for a vehicle washing apparatus, which brush includes a plurality of abrasive bristles defining a first cylindrical array, and a plurality of nonabrasive bristles defining a second cylindrical array. The abrasive and nonabrasive bristles are dispersed in a uniform pattern throughout the first and second cylindrical arrays, and the outer diameter of the second cylindrical array is greater than the outer diameter of the first array. The tip ends of the nonabrasive bristles are preferably flagged to provide the brush with an outer fluffy layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hairbrush that comprises bristles or bunches of bristles arranged in parallel rows. The length of the bristles in each row differs from row to row in the direction in which the brush is moved through the hair of a person whose hair is being brushed so as to have the row of longest bristles lift or fluff each successive increment of hair it engages and have the successive rows of successively shorter bristles smooth down each successive increment of hair that has been lifted by the longer bristles in the previous rows that engage the hair.

Abstract: A toothbrush capable of removing the sordes from the teeth excellently, and massaging the gums effectively without paining or hurting the same. The toothbrush has a handle, and bristles implanted into the handle, characterized in that all of the bristles have spherical portions formed at the free ends thereof, these bristles consisting of bristles of not less than two kinds of lengths, a difference between the length of the longest bristles and that of the shortest bristles being within the range of 1-4 mm, the bristles being arranged in such an implantation pattern that the bristles of an equal length do not gather locally so as to prevent the spherical portions thereof from contacting one another, whereby these bristles are not bent outward.

Abstract: A hairbrush has an assembly of bristle tufts (2), each of which consists of a plurality of natural bristles (6) bent into a U-shape and respectively one synthetic bristle (3) bent into a U-shape, wherein the synthetic bristle (3) has legs (4 and 5) of equal length, these legs being longer than the unequally long legs (7 and 8) of the natural bristles (6).

Abstract: A combination base board/corner and floor brush holder is provided for simultaneously cleaning or polishing the base boards and floor. The device consists of a circular pad for removable attachment to bottom of the holder for use on a floor and a plurality of brushes for removable attachment around perimeter of the holder for use on a base board of a wall. A flexible cover is removably attached over the holder to keep the brushes in proper position when the holder rotates when used. A longer softer brush may be installed so that bristle will reach to a corner apex between wall at right angles to each other.

Abstract: A brush for a washing roller for use in an automatic motor vehicle washing installation or the like, comprises a flexible rectangular backing element (2) having means (3,4) along each of two opposite parallel edges for joining these edges together to hold the backing element (2) in a cylindrical configuration. Over the surface of the backing element (2) there are a plurality of sockets (5) for receiving fibres (10) fixed to the backing element by a sewing thread (11). One or a plurality of strip-like zones inclined diagonally with respect to the rectangular shape of the backing element (2) is or are provided with fibres (10) of a greater length such that when the backing element (2) is curved into its cylindrical configuration the strip-like zones with longer fibres form a helix over the surface of the roller thus formed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cleaning a flexible sheet moving along a travel path, such sheet including a leading edge extending transverse to the direction of sheet travel. A rotatable fibrous cleaning brush is located with its fibers intercepting the travel path of the moving sheet. Responsive to the approach of the leading edge of the sheet, a standing wave is generated in the fibers of the rotating brush. The standing wave results in the fibers being temporarily moved away from the travel path to enable the leading edge to pass substantially freely by such fibers. The fibers return substantially immediately into contact with the sheet after passage of the leading edge to clean the sheet including the area of the sheet adjacent to such edge.