US4802255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Novel brush filaments
Assignee: Gillette Canada Inc
•
Filing: 1987-08-10
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Granted: 1989-02-07
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Expires: 2007-08-10
Abstract
Abstract Novel, improved filaments for brushes. The filaments include a colored region provided by a dye colorant and the colored region is adapted to provide a color intensity which can change in response to increased use of the filament to provide a signal indicative of filament wear. The filaments are particularly useful in toothbrushes.
Inventors
- 👤 Miklos M. Breuer
- 👤 Joseph A. Hanak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:03
CPC Classifications
A; A46; A46B; A46B15/00; A46B15/0002; A46B15/0004; A46B15/001; A46D; A46D1/00; A46D1/02; A46D1/023; A46B2200/00; A46B2200/10; A46B2200/1066; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2913; Y10T428/2933; Y10T428/2938
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A monofilament for a toothbrush, said filament having a longitudinal surface defining the maximum width (W) of the cross-sectional area of the filament which includes a first colored region provided by a dye colorant and which extends along at least a portion of the longitudinal surface, said first colored region being arranged in association with another portion of the cross-sectional area providing at least one different colored region, said first colored region providing a color intensity which can change in response to increased use of the filament to provide a signal indicative of wear.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A monofilament for a toothbrush, said filament having a longitudinal surface defining the maximum width (W) of the cross-sectional area of the filament which includes a first colored region provided by a dye colorant and which extends along at least a portion of the longitudinal surface, said first colored region being arranged in association with another portion of the cross-sectional area providing at least one different colored region, said first colored region providing a color intensity which can change in response to increased use of the filament to provide a signal indicative of wear.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A filament of claim 1 where the first colored region extends along the entire longitudinal surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A filament of claim 1 where the first colored region extends inwardly into a portion of the cross-sectional area for a distance equivalent to about 20 percent or less of the value W/2.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A filament of claim 3 where the colored region provides an annular ring extending inwardly for a substantially uniform distance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A filament of claim 3 including a dye or a pigment substantially uniformly dispersed throughout the filament.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A filament of claim 3 where the first colored region extends inwardly into a portion of the cross-sectional area for a distance equivalent to about 10 percent or less of the value W/2.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A filament of claim 6 where the colored region provides an annular ring extending inwardly for a substantially uniform distance.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A filament of claim 6 including a dye or a pigment substantially uniform dispersed throughout the filament.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
A filament of claim 1 where the dye colorant is a food dye.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A toothbrush including a handle associated with a head having at least one tuft securely affixed in or attached to the head, said tuft including a plurality of filaments of claim 1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A toothbrush of claim 10 where said filaments are filaments of claim 2.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
A toothbrush of claim 10 where said filaments are filaments of claim 3.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
A toothbrush of claim 10 where said filaments are filaments of claim 4.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
A toothbrush of claim 10 where said filaments are filaments of claim 5.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
A toothbrush of claim 10 where said filaments are filaments of claim 6.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
A toothbrush of claim 10 where said filaments are filaments of claim 7.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A toothbrush of claim 10 where said filaments are filaments of claim 8.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
A toothbrush of claim 10 where said filaments are filaments of claim 9.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-02-07 | 1992-08-08 | 1993-02-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-02-07 | 1996-08-08 | 1997-02-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-02-07 | 2000-08-08 | 2001-02-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |