Improvements in Rubber Tooth Brushes.
Year: 1889

page_text: te of Application, 1st Oct., 1889-Accepted, 14th Dec., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rubber Tooth Brushes.
A communication from abroad by HERMAN EDGAR VAN HORNE, of 444, Sixth Avenue,
New York, in the County and State of New York, United States of America,
Dentist.
1. WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON; F.C.S., M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6 Bank Street, Manchester, both
in the County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
This invention relates to the manufacture of tooth-brushes in which the brush
portion is constructed of un-vulcanised or partially vulcanised rubber.
In the accompanying drawing:
:-
Figure 1 is an isometric view of the improved rubber tooth brush, with a portion
represented as broken away, for better illustration; and,
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section thereof, except as to the handle.
Like letters and figures of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the
drawing.
The object of the invention is to produce an improved brush from soft or gum
rubber adapted to fit the interstices between the teeth, and to scour and thoroughly
clean the teeth, without being harsh to the gums.
The invention consists in the several novel features of construction hereinafter
described, and which are specifically set forth in the several clauses of claim
hereunto annexed.
This device is constructed as follows:-
A, is the handle, B, the buck, and C the brush proper, formed of soft rubber.
The handle and the back are constructed in any ordinary or preferred manner.
The brush C is of a honeycomb pattern or formation, having perforations 1,
(preferably vertical) extending through it, leaving thin walls, 2, between the adjacent
perforations.
It is obvious that the perforations 1 may extend but partly through as well as
entirely through the soft brush portion, as is deemed preferable.
Furthermore, it will be observed that a tooth brush embodying this novel honey-
combed construction or formation necessarily requires a less amount of material in
its manufacture than some forms of moulded brushes, thereby effecting a material
saving in cost of manufacture; and is durable yet yielding, tenacious and yet
elastic; and, by reason of the material employed and its peculiar and novel construction,
especially adapted to the purpose of entering and cleansing the interstices between
the teeth of the user, in a thorough and efficient manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A tooth-brush consisting of a handle, a back, and a honeycombed brush of soft
rubber secured to the back, substantially as described.
2. As a new article of manufacture, a tootli-brush consisting of a handle and a
back of hard material, and a brush portion constructed of soft rubber secured to the
back and honeycombed, substantially as described.

page_text: 3. A tooth-brush consisting of a handle, a back, and a vertically honeycombed
brush of soft rubber attached to the back, substantially as described..
4. In a tooth brush, a honeycombed brush portion formed of soft rubber,
adapted to be attached to a brush handle or back, substantially as described.
Dated this 30th day of September 1889.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.