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Bristled article

  • US 5,687,446 A
  • Filed: 06/21/1996
  • Issued: 11/18/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A bristled article comprising:

  • (a) a plurality of bristles folded into tufts having free ends;

    (b) at least one tuft cavity in a base having an upper outer surface contiguous to an open top end of said tuft cavity, said base having a bottom outer surface opposite said upper outer surface; and

    (c) an anchoring means that holds the plurality of tufted bristles together inside the tuft cavity and the free ends of the tufted bristles remain outside of the tuft cavity wherein the cross-sectional area of said tuft cavity decreases by at least one step such that said tuft cavity is broadest at the surface contiguous to the open top end of said cavity and narrows toward a closed bottom end of said cavity, wherein said cross-sectional area of said tuft cavity between said at least one step and said closed bottom end is smaller than said cross-sectional area of said tuft cavity at said surface contiguous to said top end of said cavity, and said open top end has an inner surface which contacts at least some of said plurality of bristles in a way that is effective to prevent splaying of the free ends of the tufted bristles;

    wherein said anchoring means is disposed only between said at least one step and said bottom outer surface of said base.

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