The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 29, 2000
Filed:
May. 10, 1999
Glenn F Cueman, Davidson, NC (US);
William D Hanrahan, Charlotte, NC (US);
Microban Products Company, Huntersville, NC (US);
Abstract
A brush having antimicrobial characteristics that inhibit bacterial growth. The antimicrobial agents, compounds or chemicals are embedded in either the body or bristles or both of the brush. Further, the present invention is a method of manufacturing a brush having antimicrobial characteristics that inhibit bacterial growth. An antimicrobial additive is incorporated in resin concentrate form into the amorphous zones of the molecular structure of the polymer from which brush handles are injection molded, thereby incorporating the antimicrobial agent into the brush handle. The antimicrobial additive in the body of the brush, incorporated in the manner above, results in substantive controlled migration from the body to the bristles, until a point of equilibrium is reached. The invention is suitable for any brush in which bristles are embedded in plastic, including toothbrushes, hair brushes, scrub brushes, toilet bowl brushes, cosmetic brushes, lip-color brushes, etc.