US 5,593,213 A · Bristle finishing fork

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bristle finishing fork for isolating bristles affixed to a toothbrush head within a bristle finishing region comprising two elongated prongs having tips spaced at a distance "A" defining the width of the bristle swath to be isolated, wherein starting at said tip, the distance between the prongs increases to a distance "B" defining the sidewall of the bristle finishing region. The present invention still further relates to a device for isolating and end-rounding bristles affixed to a toothbrush head within a bristle finishing region comprising: (a) a means for holding a toothbrush with bristles affixed thereto; and (b) a bristle finishing fork comprising two elongated prongs having tips spaced at a distance "A" defining the width of the bristle swath to be isolated, wherein starting at said tip, the distance between the blades increases to a distance "B" defining the sidewall of the bristle finishing region, whereby said fork has a backwards and forwards motion, in such a way that the tip of said prongs can be introduced between toothbrush bristles through a parallel relative motion between fork and brush, so that the swath of bristles to be isolated are positioned in said bristle finishing region; and (c) a means for rounding the distal ends of the bristles positioned in said bristle finishing region.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A bristle finishing fork for isolating bristles affixed to a toothbrush head within a bristle finishing region comprising a planar base plate which is furcated into at least two elongated prongs having tips spaced at a distance "A" defining the width of the bristle swath to be isolated, wherein starting at said tip, the distance between the prongs increases to a distance "B" defining the sidewall of the bristle finishing region.

A method for isolating and end-rounding bristles affixed to a toothbrush head comprising the steps of:

(1) providing a device for isolating and end-rounding bristles affixed to a toothbrush head within a bristle finishing region comprising:
(a) a means for holding a toothbrush with bristles affixed thereto;
and
(b) a bristle finishing fork comprising a planar base plate which is furcated into at least two elongated prongs having tips spaced at a distance "A" defining the width of the bristle swath to be isolated, wherein starting at said tip, the distance between the blades increases to a distance "B" defining the sidewall of the bristle finishing region, whereby said fork has a backwards and forwards motion, in such a way that the tip of said prongs can be introduced between toothbrush bristles through a parallel relative motion between fork and brush, so that the swath of bristles to be isolated are positioned in said bristle finishing region;
and
(c) a means for rounding the distal ends of the bristles positioned in said bristle finishing region;
(2) engaging a toothbrush with a plurality of bristles affixed to the head within said means for holding a toothbrush;
(3) introducing said fork between the toothbrush bristles;
and
(4) rounding the distal ends of the bristles positioned in said bristle finishing region.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Bristle finishing fork

Life of this patent

Bristle finishing fork

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19