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).

The invention relates to a hairbrush with an assembly consisting of bristle 
tufts inserted in mounting holes in a brush body, wherein each bristle 
tuft comprises natural bristles bent into a U-shape and at least one 
synthetic bristle likewise bent into a U-shape, the natural bristles and 
the synthetic bristle being held together in their bending zone 
accommodated within the mounting hole and being fixed in the mounting 
hole, and the free length of the natural bristles being smaller than the 
length of the synthetic bristle which latter has a greater stiffness than 
the natural bristles and is preferably a monofil, especially of nylon. 
Besides hairbrushes having bristle tufts of natural bristles, there are 
also hairbrushes exhibiting bristle tufts of a mixture of natural and 
synthetic bristles. Furthermore, hairbrushes have become known studded 
exclusively with comparatively stiff synthetic resin bristles (cf. DOS No. 
2,828,289; British Patent No. 1,469,552; U.S. Pat. No. 4,475,261; and 
EP-A1-0 103 205). Such hairbrushes display an essentially combing effect 
without the brushing action beneficial to hair. In the hairbrushes with 
bristle tufts containing, besides natural bristles, also synthetic 
bristles, the synthetic bristles have the same length as the natural 
bristles so that essentially the same, brushing effect results as in 
hairbrushes solely carrying natural bristles. 
A hairbrush is known from DOS No. 2,041,032 having bristle tufts of natural 
bristles and of synthetic bristles longer than the former bristles. 
A hairbrush of the type discussed in the foregoing is known from DOS No. 
2,020,976. 
EP-B1-0 080 121 and EP-A1-0 103 205 disclose synthetic bristles, the ends 
of which are shaped into spherical bulges, in connection with hairbrushes 
solely studded with synthetic bristles. 
Hairbrushes exhibiting an assembly of artificial bristles wherein the 
synthetic bristles, bent into a U-shape, exhibit equal-length legs have 
been known from DOS No. 2,828,289. 
It is an object of the invention to provide a hairbrush of the type 
discussed hereinabove, exhibiting besides the effect of a conventional 
brush simultaneously the effect of a comb and, respectively, of a 
hairbrush studded exclusively with comparatively strong synthetic 
bristles, wherein the synthetic bristles are not combined into bristle 
tufts. 
This object has been attained according to the invention in that the legs 
of the natural bristles exhibit differing lengths; that the legs of the 
synthetic bristle are of equal length; and that the free ends of the 
synthetic bristle of each bristle tuft are shaped into a substantially 
spherical bulge. 
On account of the structure of the hairbrush in accordance with this 
invention, there results, besides the brushing effect supplied by the 
natural bristles, a combing effect by the synthetic bristles projecting 
beyond the natural bristles. Since the synthetic bristles are encompassed 
by a clip together with the natural bristles, the synthetic bristles of 
each bristle tuft, differently from synthetic bristles merely inserted in 
bristle tufts of natural bristles, are securely retained. It is possible 
by means of a hairbrush designed according to this invention to seize hair 
in a parting fashion and grasp it, for example, for curling without any 
problems. 
On account of the fact that, in the invention, the legs of the natural 
bristles have differing lengths, the brushing effect of the hairbrush of 
the invention is further enhanced. The thorough combing action is achieved 
in the invention by the fact that the legs of the synthetic bristle are of 
equal length. 
The brushing and simultaneously combing effect intended by this invention 
is attained especially advantageously if the length of the legs of the 
synthetic bristles projecting beyond the brush body has a relationship to 
the length of the longer leg of the natural bristles of 15:10 to 11:10, 
preferably of 13:10, the provision being usually made that the free length 
of the longer leg of the natural bristles has a ratio of 19:10 to 13:10, 
preferably 17:10 to 15:10.

Before the illustrated embodiments will be described in detail, it is to be 
noted that the shape of the brush body is of no importance to the 
invention, and that the illustrated embodiments are not to be considered 
as limiting. 
A hairbrush shown in FIG. 1 consists of a brush body 1 studded with several 
bristle tufts 2. Each bristle tuft 2 is made up of a synthetic bristle 3, 
which is, for example, a monofil of nylon and is bent into a U-shape, the 
two legs 4 and 5 of the synthetic bristle 3 being of equal length. The 
monofil constituting the synthetic bristle 3 can have diameters of between 
0.2 and 0.8 mm, the diameter of the monofil being selected in dependence 
on the desired hardness of the brush. 
Each bristle tuft 2 contains, besides the synthetic bristle 3, 30 to 70+10 
natural bristles 6 bent into a U-shape. The natural bristles possess 
diameters of between 0.10 and 0.30 mm. The natural bristles 6 are bent 
asymmetrically, as contrasted to the synthetic bristle 3, so that there 
result a longer leg 7 and a shorter leg 8. 
Each bristle tuft 2, consisting of one synthetic bristle 3 bent into a 
U-shape, and several natural bristles 6 bent into a U-shape, is held 
together in the bending zone 9 by means of a clip 10. The clip 10 
consists, for example, of wire coated with copper or tin, bent into a loop 
(ring) surrounding the bending zone 9, the ends 11 of the wire forming the 
clip 10 resting on the bottom of the mounting hole 12 in the brush body 1 
accommodating the bristle tufts 2. The ring of the clip 10 is in contact 
with the sidewalls of the mounting hole 12 so that, in combination with 
the ends 11 resting on the bottom 13 of the hole 12, a secure mounting of 
the bristle tufts 2 in the brush body 1 is obtained. 
The free ends of the synthetic bristles 3 are shaped into an essentially 
spherical bulge 14. 
The embodiment of a hairbrush according to this invention illustrated in 
FIGS. 4 and 5 exhibits a brush body 15 with an essentially circular cross 
section, the bristle tufts 2 being distributed over the outer surface area 
thereof. Here again, each bristle tuft 2 consists of a synthetic bristle 3 
bent into a U-shape, the ends of which have an enlarged portion 14, and of 
several natural bristles 6 bent asymmetrically into a U-shape, all of the 
bristles of a bristle tuft 2 being held together with the aid of a bracket 
10. 
The length L.sub.1 of the legs 4 and 5 of the synthetic bristles 3 
projecting past the brush body 1 or 15 has a relationship to the length 
L.sub.2 of the longer leg 7 of the natural bristle 6 like 15 to 11:10, 
preferably like 13:10. 
The free length L.sub.2 of the longer leg 7 of the natural bristles 6 has a 
relationship to the length L.sub.3 of the shorter leg 8 of the natural 
bristles 6 like 19 to 13:10, preferably like 17 to 15:10. 
Examples for length combinations are compiled in the table below, the 
length being indicated respectively in millimeters: 
TABLE 
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(Length in mm) 
L.sub.1 L.sub.2 L.sub.3 
______________________________________ 
Round Brush 
13 .+-. 0.5 10 .+-. 1.0 
6 .+-. 1.0 
.0. 14 mm 
Flat Brush 18 .+-. 0.5 14 .+-. 1.5 
8 .+-. 1.5 
Round Brush 
17 .+-. 0.5 13 .+-. 1.0 
8 .+-. 1.0 
.0. 20 mm 
Flat Brush 20 .+-. 0.5 15 .+-. 1.5 
10 .+-. 1.5 
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An advantageous, hair-pampering action results with the brush fashioned in 
accordance with this invention. On account of the natural bristles which 
are, for example, wild boar bristles, an effect results, because of their 
irregular surface, which cleanses the hair surface from oils and dirt. In 
contrast thereto, the longer synthetic bristles separate and pass through 
the hair, thus making it possible for the natural bristles to deploy their 
cleansing, smoothing, and luster-imparting action. If the synthetic 
bristles are equipped with thickenings at their free ends, the scalp is 
not irritated and, at the same time, penetration of the synthetic bristles 
into the hair is facilitated. 
Accordingly, the brush of this invention achieves not only a smoothing and 
straightening, but also untangling effect, accompanied by a cleansing and 
luster-imparting effect. 
The natural bristles 6 and the synthetic bristle 3 can be held together, 
instead of by a clip 10, also by punched anchoring means, mounting by 
fusion (melting the bristles into a support), vulcanizing, or the like.