U.S. patent application number 10/365813 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-19 for household scrubbing brushes and methods of manufacture thereof.
Invention is credited to Canton, Albert Gene, Kitzmiller, Aaron, Sander, David R..
Application Number | 20040158948 10/365813 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32849661 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040158948 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sander, David R. ; et
al. |
August 19, 2004 |
Household scrubbing brushes and methods of manufacture thereof
Abstract
Flexible household scrubbing brushes and methods of manufacture
thereof are disclosed. The scrubbing brushes include a handle
connected to a head. The head includes two opposing faces including
a top face and a bottom face. The bottom face is connected to a
plurality of bristles some or all of which are molded elastomer
bristles. The top and bottom faces may also include a plurality of
grooves to increase the flexibility of the head. The grooves are
filled with elastomer material to improve the durability of the
brush head without detracting from the flexibility thereof. The
distal portion of the handle or the handle-head connection may also
be slotted to enhance the flexibility of the brush. Brushes with
thermal plastic bristles for cleaning cookware with non-stick
coatings are also disclosed. Injection molded methods for
fabricating the disclosed brushes are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Sander, David R.; (Wooster,
OH) ; Kitzmiller, Aaron; (Nova, OH) ; Canton,
Albert Gene; (Wooster, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
6300 SEARS TOWER
233 S. WACKER DRIVE
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
32849661 |
Appl. No.: |
10/365813 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/188 ; 15/201;
300/21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 5/0066 20130101;
A46B 1/00 20130101; A46B 2200/3033 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/188 ;
015/201; 300/021 |
International
Class: |
A46B 001/00; A46B
003/22; A46B 009/06; A46D 003/00 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A household scrubbing brush comprising: a handle connected to
neck which is connected to a head, the head being connected to a
plurality of bristles, at least some of which comprise molded
elastomer bristles.
2. The scrubbing brush of claim 1 wherein the head is connected to
the handle by a neck, the neck providing an obtuse connected
between the head and handle, the neck comprising at least one slot
for enhancing flexibility of the head with respect to the
handle.
3. The scrubbing brush of claim 1 wherein the slot in the neck is
filled with elastomer.
4. The scrubbing brush of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of
slots in the neck that are filled with elastomer.
5. The scrubbing brush of claim 1 wherein the head comprises two
opposing faces including a top face and a bottom face, the bottom
face being connected to a plurality of tufts of bristles and a
plurality of molded elastomer bristles.
6. The scrubbing brush of claim 5 wherein the top and bottom faces
comprising a plurality of grooves, each groove being filled with
elastomer.
7. The scrubbing brush of claim 6 wherein the elastomer disposed in
the grooves in the head are connected to molded elastomer
bristles.
8. The scrubbing brush of claim 7 wherein portions of the bottom
face of the head disposed between the grooves in the bottom face
are connected to a plurality of tufts of bristles.
9. The scrubbing brush of claim 6 wherein the grooves of the top
face and the grooves of the bottom face are in alignment with each
other.
10. The scrubbing brush of claim 6 wherein the grooves of the top
face and the grooves of the bottom face are staggered with respect
to each other.
11. The scrubbing brush of claim 6 wherein the grooves of the top
and bottom faces extend transversely across the top and bottom
faces and generally perpendicular to the handle.
12. The scrubbing brush of claim 6 wherein the grooves of the top
and bottom faces extend longitudinally along the top and bottom
faces and generally parallel to the handle.
13. The scrubbing brush of claim 6 wherein some of the grooves of
the top and bottom faces extend transversely across the top and
bottom faces and generally perpendicular to the handle and other
grooves of the top and bottom faces extend longitudinally along the
top and bottom faces and generally parallel to the handle.
14. The scrubbing brush of claim 6 wherein some of the grooves of
the top and bottom faces extend transversely across the top and
bottom faces and generally perpendicular to the handle and at least
one groove of the top face and at least one groove of the bottom
face extend longitudinally along the top and bottom faces and
generally parallel to the handle.
15. The scrubbing brush of claim 6 wherein some of the grooves of
the top and bottom faces extend transversely across the top and
bottom faces in a chevron pattern and at least one groove of the
top face and at least one groove of the bottom face extend
longitudinally along the top and bottom faces and generally
parallel to the handle.
16. The scrubbing brush of claim 6 wherein some of the grooves of
the top and bottom faces extend transversely across the top and
bottom faces in a chevron pattern and one groove of the top face
and one groove of the bottom face extend longitudinally along the
top and bottom faces and generally in axial alignment with the
handle.
17. The scrubbing brush of claim 16 wherein the elastomer disposed
in the grooves of the bottom face is connected to a plurality of
elastomeric bristles.
18. The scrubbing brush of claim 6 wherein the grooves of the
bottom face extend between the tufts of bristles and the elastomer
disposed in the grooves of the bottom face is connected to a
plurality of molded elastomeric bristles.
19. The scrubbing brush of claim 6 wherein portions of the grooves
of the top and bottom faces extend through the head to form slots
extending through the head.
20. The scrubbing brush of claim 6 wherein the bristles are
elastomer bristles which are molded to an elastomeric body which is
connected to a lower surface of the head.
21. The scrubbing brush of claim 20 wherein the elastomer body is
glued to the head.
22. The scrubbing brush of claim 20 wherein the elastomer body is
molded onto the head and held in place by a tongue-in-groove
connection.
23. The scrubbing brush of claim 20 wherein a top surface of the
head is connected to at least one tuft of bristles.
24. A household scrubbing brush comprising: a handle connected to a
head, the head comprising a shaft connected to and extending away
from the handle, the shaft comprising a plurality of enlarged
transverse bodies that are spaced apart from each other and the
handle and a plurality of narrow sections to provide a plurality of
transverse slotted openings one either side of the narrow sections
of the shaft and between the handle and one of the enlarged
transverse bodies and between the enlarged transverse bodies, each
enlarged transverse body comprising two opposing faces including a
top face and a bottom face, the bottom face of each enlarged
transverse body being connected to a plurality of tufts of
bristles, the transverse slotted openings being filled with
elastomer material, the elastomer material being molded to form a
plurality of molded elastomer bristles.
25. The scrubbing brush of claim 24 wherein the transverse slotted
openings extend between the tufts of bristles.
26. The scrubbing brush of claim 24 wherein the top face of each
transverse body comprises a longitudinal groove that is generally
parallel with the handle, the longitudinal grooves of the top faces
being filled with elastomer.
27. The scrubbing brush of claim 24 wherein the head is connected
to the handle by a neck, the neck providing an obtuse connected
between the head and handle, the neck comprising at least one slot
for enhancing flexibility of the head with respect to the
handle.
28. The scrubbing brush of claim 27 wherein the neck comprises a
plurality of slots filled with elastomer.
29. A household scrubbing brush comprising: a handle comprising a
distal end connected to a head, the head comprising a shaft
connected to and extending away from the distal end of the handle,
the shaft comprising at least three spaced apart transverse bodies
including a proximate body that is spaced apart from the distal end
of the handle, a middle body that is spaced apart from the
proximate body and disposed between the proximate body and a distal
body, the distal body being spaced apart from the middle body, the
shaft further comprising narrow sections connecting the proximate
body to the handle, the middle body to the proximate body and the
distal body to the middle body, the narrow sections of the shaft
defining a plurality of slotted openings on either side of narrow
sections of the shaft and between the distal end of the handle and
proximate body, between the proximate and middle bodies and between
the middle and distal bodies, each body comprising two opposing
faces including a top face and a bottom face, the bottom face of
each transverse body being connected to a plurality of tufts of
bristles, the slotted openings extend between the tufts of
bristles, the slotted openings being filled with elastomer material
at least some of which is connected to a plurality of elastomeric
bristles.
30. A method of manufacturing a household scrubbing brush, the
method comprising: injection molding a first structure comprising a
handle connected to a head, the head comprising a shaft connected
to and extending away from the handle, the shaft comprising a
plurality of enlarged transverse bodies that are spaced apart from
each other and the handle and a plurality of narrow sections
linking the handle to one of the enlarged transverse bodies and the
other enlarged transverse bodies together to provide a plurality of
slotted openings one either side of the narrow sections of the
shaft and between the handle and one of the enlarged transverse
bodies and between the enlarged transverse bodies, each enlarged
transverse body comprising two opposing faces including a top face
and a bottom face, the top face of each transverse body comprising
a longitudinal groove that is generally parallel with the handle,
injection molding a second elastomeric structure in the slotted
openings, around the narrow sections of the shaft and in the
longitudinal grooves of the first structure, the second structure
further comprising a plurality of bristles extending downward
between the bottom faces of the enlarged transverse bodies of the
first structure, attaching a plurality of tufts of bristles to the
bottom faces of the enlarged transverse bodies of the first
structure.
31. The method of claim 30 wherein the first structure is molded
from a material selected from the group consisting of low density
polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, polypropylene,
polyethyleneterepthalate, polyvinylchloride, polycarbonate and
mixtures thereof.
32. The method of claim 30 wherein the second structure is molded
from one or more thermal plastic elastomers.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] An improved flexible household scrubbing brush is disclosed
which includes molded elastomer bristles for cleaning non-stick
coated pots and plans. Further, the improved scrubbing brush also
includes a flexible head that enables portions of the head, which
is connected to tufts of bristles, to flex with respect to other
portions of the head and the handle thereby greatly facilitating
use of the brush to clean corners of rectangular pans, areas under
the lips of pans and other hard-to-reach surfaces of household
items. Further, methods of manufacturing such flexible scrubbing
brushes are also disclosed.
BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED ART
[0002] Plastic household scrubbing brushes are known. These items
are extremely useful for removing food and other debris from
cooking utensils, such as pots and pans. Also, these brushes can be
used for cleaning sinks, bathrooms and other areas of the home or
office. Essentially, plastic household scrubbing brushes are useful
for a wide variety of cleaning chores where it is preferable to use
plastic bristles to clean away dirt and grime.
[0003] One problem associated with currently available plastic
household scrubbing brushes is the lack of flexibility of the head
and lack of flexibility of the connection between the head and the
handle. Specifically, due to the rigid connection between the
handle and the head, there is little or no flexibility between the
handle or head and, as a result, the currently available brushes
are not effective in cleaning hard-to-reach areas such as the
corners of rectangular pots and pans and under the lips of circular
pots and pans. Further, because the head itself is rigid, and is
not capable of flexing, the user must apply a great deal of
pressure in order to press the plastic bristles down into
hard-to-reach areas for removing debris.
[0004] Thus, the currently available plastic household scrubbing
brushes cannot be used effectively by people with weak hands, such
as senior citizens or others suffering from joint discomfort.
Further, currently available household scrubbing brushes are not
very effective in removing debris from hard to reach surfaces.
[0005] Further, currently available scrubbing brushes typically
include tufts of bristles wherein the tufts include a plurality of
filaments or fibers. These tufts of bristles are useful for
cleaning metallic pots and pans and plastic containers and bowls
but, in the case of non-stick coated cookware, the tufts of
bristles are found to impart undue wear and tear to the non-stick
coatings. Accordingly, an improved scrubbing brush is needed which
imparts less wear and tear to non-stick coatings.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] An improved household scrubbing brush is disclosed which
comprises a handle connected to a head, the head comprises two
opposing faces including a top face and a bottom face. The bottom
face is connected to a plurality of tufts of bristles at least some
of which are molded elastomeric bristles. In a refinement, the top
bottom and face comprise a plurality of grooves. Each groove is
filled with elastomer material. The combination of the grooves and
elastomer material result in the head being flexible. The elastomer
disposed in the grooves can be used to form the molded elastomeric
bristles.
[0007] In a refinement, the top face also includes a plurality of
grooves and the grooves in the top face and the grooves in the
bottom face are in alignment with each other.
[0008] In a refinement, the grooves of the top face and the grooves
of the bottom face are staggered with respect to each other.
[0009] In a refinement, the grooves of the top and bottom faces
extend transversely across the top and bottom faces and generally
perpendicular to the handle.
[0010] In a refinement, the grooves of the top and bottom faces
extend longitudinally along the top and bottom faces and generally
parallel to the handle.
[0011] In a refinement, some of the grooves of the top and bottom
faces extend transversely across the top and bottom faces and
generally perpendicular to the handle and other grooves of the top
and bottom faces extend longitudinally along the top and bottom
faces and generally parallel to the handle.
[0012] In a refinement, some of the grooves of the top and bottom
faces extend transversely across the top and bottom faces and
generally perpendicular to the handle and at least one groove of
the top face and at least one groove of the bottom face extend
longitudinally along the top and bottom faces and generally
parallel to the handle.
[0013] In a refinement, some of the grooves of the top and bottom
faces extend transversely across the top and bottom faces in a
chevron pattern and at least one groove of the top face and at
least one groove of the bottom face extend longitudinally along the
top and bottom faces and generally parallel to the handle.
[0014] In a refinement, some of the grooves of the top and bottom
faces extend transversely across the top and bottom faces in a
chevron pattern and one groove of the top face and one groove of
the bottom face extend longitudinally along the top and bottom
faces and generally in axial alignment with the handle.
[0015] In a refinement, the grooves of the bottom face extend
between the tufts of bristles.
[0016] In a refinement, the elastomer disposed in the grooves of
the bottom face is connected to a plurality of elastomeric
bristles.
[0017] In a refinement, portions of the grooves of the top and
bottom faces extend through the head to form slots extending
through the head.
[0018] In a refinement, the handle or neck connecting the handle to
the head comprises a plurality of transverse grooves to increase
the flexibility of the handle-head connection.
[0019] In a refinement, the grooves of the handle are filled with
elastomer.
[0020] In a further refinement, a household scrubbing brush
comprises a handle connected to a head. The head comprises a shaft
connected to and extending away from the handle. The shaft
comprises a plurality of enlarged transverse bodies that are spaced
apart from each other and the handle and a plurality of narrow
sections to provide a plurality of transverse slotted openings one
either side of the narrow sections of the shaft and between the
handle and one of the enlarged transverse bodies and between the
enlarged transverse bodies. Each enlarged transverse body comprises
two opposing faces including a top face and a bottom face. The
bottom face of each enlarged transverse body is connected to a
plurality of tufts of bristles. The transverse slotted openings are
filled with elastomer material connected to a plurality of
elastomeric bristles.
[0021] In a refinement, the top face of each transverse body
comprises a longitudinal groove that is generally parallel with the
handle, the longitudinal grooves of the top faces being filled with
elastomer.
[0022] In a refinement, the distal end of the handle includes a
plurality of slots or grooves to enhance the flexibility or the
handle-head connection.
[0023] In a further refinement, a household scrubbing brush is
disclosed which comprises a handle comprising a distal end
connected to a head. The head comprises a shaft connected to and
extending away from the distal end of the handle. The shaft
comprises at least three spaced apart transverse bodies including a
proximate body that is spaced apart from the distal end of the
handle, a middle body that is spaced apart from the proximate body
and disposed between the proximate body and a distal body. The
distal body is spaced apart from the middle body. The shaft further
comprises narrow sections connecting the proximate body to the
handle, the middle body to the proximate body and the distal body
to the middle body. The narrow sections of the shaft define a
plurality of slotted openings on either side of narrow sections of
the shaft and between the distal end of the handle and proximate
body, between the proximate and middle bodies and between the
middle and distal bodies. Each transverse body comprises two
opposing faces including a top face and a bottom face. The bottom
face of each transverse body is connected to a plurality of tufts
of bristles. The slotted openings are filled with elastomer
material that forms a plurality of elastomeric bristles.
[0024] A method of manufacturing a household scrubbing brush is
disclosed which comprises injection molding a first structure that
comprises a handle connected to a head. The head comprises a shaft
connected to and extending away from the handle. The shaft
comprises a plurality of enlarged transverse bodies that are spaced
apart from each other and the handle and a plurality of narrow
sections linking the handle to one of the enlarged transverse
bodies and the other enlarged transverse bodies together to provide
a plurality of slotted openings on either side of the narrow
sections of the shaft and between the handle and one of the
enlarged transverse bodies and between the enlarged transverse
bodies. Each enlarged transverse body comprises two opposing faces
including a top face and a bottom face. The top face of each
transverse body comprises a longitudinal groove that is generally
parallel with the handle.
[0025] The method further comprises injection molding a second
elastomeric structure in the slotted openings, around the narrow
sections of the shaft and in the longitudinal grooves of the first
structure. The second structure further comprises a plurality of
bristles extending downward between the bottom faces of the
enlarged transverse bodies of the first structure.
[0026] The method further comprises attaching a plurality of tufts
of bristles to the bottom faces of the enlarged transverse bodies
of the first structure.
[0027] In a refinement, the first structure is molded from a
material selected from the group consisting of low density
polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, polypropylene,
polyethyleneterepthalate, polyvinylchloride, polycarbonate and
mixtures thereof.
[0028] In a refinement, the second structure is molded from one or
more thermal plastic elastomers (TPE).
[0029] In yet another refinement, a household scrubbing brush is
disclosed which comprises a handle connected to a head. A head is
then connected to a plurality of elastimeric bristles. In a further
refinement, the bristles are fabricated from a thermal plastic
elastimer (TPE) as opposed to natural fiber or plastic filament
bristles. And still another refinement, the disclosed brush which
comprises all TPE bristles can be equipped with any one of the
flexible head and/or handle designs disclosed above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The invention is described more or less diagrammatically in
the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0031] FIG. 1 is a partial side view of a disclosed scrubbing
brush;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a partial top plan view of the scrubbing brush of
FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 3 is a partial bottom plan view of the scrubbing brush
of FIG. 1, with the bristles removed;
[0034] FIG. 4 is a partial side view of another disclosed scrubbing
brush;
[0035] FIG. 5 is a partial side view of yet another disclosed
scrubbing brush;
[0036] FIG. 6 is a partial side view of yet another disclosed
scrubbing brush;
[0037] FIG. 7 is a partial top plan view of the scrubbing brush
shown in FIG. 6;
[0038] FIG. 8 is a partial bottom plan view of the scrubbing brush
of FIG. 6, with the bristles removed;
[0039] FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along line
9-9 of FIG. 7;
[0040] FIG. 10 is an end view of the scrubbing brush of FIG. 6;
[0041] FIG. 11 is a partial side view of yet another disclosed
scrubbing brush;
[0042] FIG. 12 is a partial top plan view of the scrubbing brush of
FIG. 11;
[0043] FIG. 13 is a partial bottom plan view of the scrubbing brush
of FIG. 11;
[0044] FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken substantially along line
14-14 of FIG. 12;
[0045] FIG. 15 is an end view of the scrubbing brush of FIG.
11;
[0046] FIG. 16 is a side plan view of a handle and head portion of
yet another disclosed scrubbing brush;
[0047] FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the handle and head portion of
the scrubbing brush of FIG. 16;
[0048] FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken substantially along line
18-18 of FIG. 17;
[0049] FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken substantially along line
19-19 of FIG. 17;
[0050] FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken substantially along line
20-20 of FIG. 16;
[0051] FIG. 21 is partial top plan view of the head and handle
portion of the scrubbing brush as shown in FIG. 16 equipped with
bristles and a second elastomeric structure.
[0052] FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken substantially along line
22-22 of FIG. 21;
[0053] FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken substantially along line
23-23 of FIG. 21;
[0054] FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken substantially along line
24-24 of FIG. 21;
[0055] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a scrubbing brush equipped
with TPE bristles;
[0056] FIG. 26 is a side plan view of another scrubbing brush
equipped with TPE bristles;
[0057] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of yet another scrubbing brush
equipped with TPE bristles; and
[0058] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of yet another scrubbing brush
equipped with TPE bristles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0059] The embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 1-24 specifically
disclose flexible heads or handles with and without elastimeric
(TPE) bristles. It will be noted that this disclosure is intended
to cover conventional brushes with conventional handles connected
to conventional heads with TPE bristles which avoid in parting
undue wear and tear on non-stick codings on pots and pans. Thus,
this disclosure includes embodiments which have a conventional
brush design with thermal plastic elastimer bristles, flexible
handles with natural bristles, plastic filament bristles and/or TPE
bristles, brushes with flexible heads having natural bristles,
filament bristles and/or TPE bristles and brushes with flexible
heads and handles again, with natural bristles, plastic filament
bristles and/or TPE bristles. The embodiments with relatively
conventional handles and heads are illustrated in FIGS. 25-28.
[0060] FIG. 1 is a partial side view of a brush 30 that includes a
handle 31 connected to a head 32. The head 32 includes a plurality
of transverse slots including the slots 33 disposed through a top
face 34 of the head 32 and the slots 35 disposed through a bottom
face 36 of the head 32. See also FIGS. 2 and 3 which are top and
bottom plan views of the head 32. In the case of FIG. 3, the 37 of
bristles have been removed for clarity.
[0061] The slots or grooves 33, 34 through the head 32 increase the
flexibility of the head 32 thereby enabling the head 32 to bend so
that the bristles 37 may be more easily pressed into hard-to-reach
areas such as corners of pots and pans, under the rims of pots and
pans and other difficult to reach areas in a home or office which
require a brush or bristles for debris removal. Preferably, the
grooves 33, 35 are filled with an elastomer material. The elastomer
material can, in the case of the bottom grooves 35, be used to form
elastomer molded bristles 37a shown in phantom in FIG. 1. The
elastomer bristles 37a are excellent for cleaning cookware with
non-stick coatings that are relatively fragile or subject to
scratching from normal filament-type bristles shown at 37. More
preferably, the elastomer material is a thermal plastic elastomer
(TPE) material. Mixtures of various TPE materials may be utilized.
In contrast, the material which comprises the head 32 and handle 31
may be a more sturdy or rigid material such as polypropylene. Other
suitable materials include low density polyethylene, linear low
density polyethylene, polyethyleneterepthalate, polyvinylchloride,
polycarbonate and mixtures thereof. Further, the distal portion of
the handle 31 may include one or more sots 38 to enhance the
flexibility of the head 32-handle 31 connection.
[0062] The grooves 33, 35 may be modified from the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. Specifically, referring to FIG. 4, the
brush 30a includes a handle 31a connected to a head 32a. The head
32a includes transverse slots 33a in the top face 34a thereof.
Bristles 37 are connected to the bottom face 36a. Again, the
transverse slots 33a are preferably filled with TPE.
[0063] In contrast, turning to FIG. 5, a brush 30b is illustrated
with a handle 31b connected to a head 32b which includes transverse
slots 35b disposed in the bottom face 36b of the head 32b. The
slots 35b extend between the bristles 37 and, again, are preferably
filled with TPE which can be used to form elastomeric bristles
37a.
[0064] Turning to FIGS. 6-10, yet another embodiment is disclosed.
As shown in FIG. 6, the brush 30c includes a handle 31c connected
to a head 32c. Referring to FIGS. 6-8, the head 32c includes a
plurality of transverse slots 41 that extend through the head 32c
on either side of a central shaft 42 or linking sections 42 as
shown in FIGS. 6 and 9. The narrow sections 42 connect the larger
transverse section shown at 43. As a result, the slots 41 extend
through the head 32c on either side of the narrow connecting
sections 42 and, preferably, the slots 41 are filled with TPE
which, in turn, may be used to form TPE bristles 37a. An advantage
of the design illustrated in FIGS. 6-10 is that it is flexible in
at least two different directions. That is, referring to FIG. 6,
the distal end 44 of the brush 30c can bend upward and downward as
indicated by the arrow 45. This flexibility is provided by the
transverse slots 41. Further, as indicated in FIG. 10, the lateral
side edges 46, 47 of the brush 30c can also bend upward and
downward as indicated by the arrows 49 due to the longitudinal slot
51 which is also preferably filled with TPE. The elastomer material
is indicated in FIG. 9 at 52.
[0065] Still another embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 11-15. The
brush 30d includes a handle 31d connected to a head 32d. Similar to
the embodiment 30c illustrated in FIGS. 6-10, the head 32d includes
a plurality of transverse slots 41d arranged in a chevron-like
pattern and that are intersected by a longitudinal slot 51d.
Similar to the embodiment 30c illustrated in FIGS. 6-10, the head
32d includes narrow connecting portions 42d which link larger
transverse sections 43d together and to the handle 31d.
Conventional tufts of bristles 37 are connected to the enlarged
transverse sections 43d as shown in FIG. 11. However, the elastomer
material 52d used to fill the slots 41d and 51d are also molded so
as to provide elastomer bristles shown at 53 in FIGS. 11 and 13.
The bristles 37 have been removed in the view shown in FIG. 13 and
the holes 54 for accommodating the bristles 37 are exposed. Similar
to the embodiment 30c shown in FIGS. 6-10, the brush 30d can flex
in both an upward and downward direction as indicated by the arrow
45d of FIG. 11 and further is capable of transverse flexing as
indicated by the arrows 48, 49d of FIG. 15.
[0066] Turning to FIGS. 16-24, an additional embodiment is
disclosed whereby a first structure that comprises a handle 31e and
a head 32e is injection molded to form the structure shown in FIG.
16. Again, the head 32e includes a plurality of enlarged transverse
sections 43e linked by narrower sections 42e and linked to the
handle by a narrow section 42e as illustrated in FIGS. 16-20.
[0067] After the first structure comprising the handle 31e and head
32e is molded, a second structure of elastomeric material such as
TPE is molded into the transverse slots 41e and longitudinal slot
51e and around the narrow connecting sections 42e as shown in FIG.
22. Further, similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11-15,
the elastomer material 52e is used to fabricate elastomeric
bristles 53. Conventional bristles are shown at 37. The flexing
capabilities of the brush 30e illustrated in FIGS. 16-24 is similar
to that of the brush 30d illustrated in FIGS. 11-15 and the brush
30c illustrated in FIGS. 6-10.
[0068] In manufacturing the brushes disclosed in FIGS. 1-24, the
structure that comprises the handle 31 and head 32 is injection
molded first and the elastomer material is injection molded into
the slots or grooves disposed in the head 32. The conventional
bristles 37 are subsequently added.
[0069] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a brush 30f with a handle
31f connected to a head 32f. The head 32f is connected to a molded
thermal plastic elastimer body 61f which comprises a plurality
downwardly extending bristles 62f and a plurality of laterally
outwardly extending bristles 63f. A top side 64f of the head is
also connected to one or more tops 65f of bristles which may be of
the TPE type, natural bristles or plastic filament bristles.
[0070] Alternative embodiments of the brush 30f are illustrated at
30g, 30h and 30i in FIGS. 26, 27 and 28 respectively. The bodies
61f-61i may be attached to their respective head 32f-32i
adhesively, by a tongue-in-groove connection or other suitable
attachment means. The TPE body 61f-61i may or may not include the
laterally outwardly extending bristles 63f shown in FIG. 25.
Additionally, it may be preferable that the bristles 65f-65i that
extend outwardly from the upper surfaces 64f-64i of the heads
32f-32i consist of natural bristles or plastic filament bristles
which may be better at removing stains and baked-on or burnt-on
deposits from certain items not equipped with non-stick codings. In
addition, the upper bristles 65f-65i may include metallic bristles
for this purpose.
[0071] While only certain embodiments have been set forth,
alternative embodiment and various modifications will be apparent
from the above description to those skilled in the art. These and
other alternatives are considered equivalents and within the spirit
and scope of this disclosure.
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