技术问题语段：
The technical problem addressed in this patent is the need for a brush that combines the benefits of twisted wire brushes and stacked disc brushes, allowing for a wider array of shapes and configurations and easy customization. The invention provides a brush with a core section having a proximal end and a distal end, and an integral tip formed on the distal end, and at least one bristle element slidably received on the core section. The brush also includes a plurality of discs received on the core section, which interact with the bristle elements to inhibit rotation of the discs relative to the core section.
技术功效语段：
The present invention relates to a brush with a twisted wire core and a method of manufacturing it. The brush has a wider array of shapes and configurations than current brushes in the art and can be easily customized. The brush includes a core section with an integral tip and at least one bristle element slidably received on the core section. The brush can also be shaped, trimmed, or deformed like traditional fiber brushes. The technical effects of the invention are improved brush performance and customization options.
权利要求：
AMENDED CLAIMS
received by the International Bureau on
20 July 2020 (20.07.2020)
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A brush, comprising:
a core wire section having a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one bend intermediate the proximal end and the distal end; and
a plurality of discs received on the core wire section, the plurality of discs defining a brush head;
wherein the brush head is received about the at least one bend of the core wire section such that the at least one bend of the core wire section imparts a corresponding bend to the brush head.
2. The brush of claim 1, wherein:
the brush head is shaped by trimming the plurality of discs; and
the brush head has one of a bullet shape, an hourglass shape, a prolate spheroid shape and a power slide shape.
3. The brush of claim 1, wherein:
the brush head is shaped by bending a portion of the core section at an angle.
4. The brush of claim 3, wherein:
the angle is between about 0 degrees and about 90 degrees.
5. The brush of claim 1, wherein:
the plurality of discs are formed from a polymer or elastomeric material.
6. The brush of claim 1, further comprising:
an integral tip formed on the distal end, the integral tip and the core wire section being unitary and homogeneous;
wherein the integral tip forms as a position stop preventing the plurality of discs from sliding off the distal end of the core section.
7. The brush of claim 1, wherein:
the core section includes at least two leg members twisted about one another in a helical configuration.
8. The brush of claim 7, further comprising:
a plurality of bristles extending from the core section.
6. (Canceled).
9. The brush of claim 6, wherein:
the integral tip has a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the core section.
10. (Canceled).
11. The brush of claim 1, wherein:
the core section is formed from a metal or metal alloy.
12. A method of manufacturing a brush, comprising the steps of:
providing a core section having a proximal end and a distal end;
positioning at least one bristle element having a throughbore on the core section such that the core section is received through the throughbore of the at least one bristle element; and
at least one of trimming the at least one bristle element to shape after positioning the at least one bristle element on the core section and / or bending the core section after positioning the at least one bristle element on the core section.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein:
the at least one bristle element is a plurality of discs, the plurality of discs forming a brush head.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein:
the plurality of discs are trimmed to one of an hourglass shape, a bullet shape, a prolate spheroid shape and a power slide shape.
15. The method according to claim 13, wherein:
the core section is bent to an angle between about 0 degrees and about 90 degrees.
16. The method according to claim 12, wherein:
the core section includes a plurality of leg portions twisted in a helical configuration, and a plurality of fiber bristles anchored between the plurality of leg portions.
17. The method according to claim 12, wherein:
the core section includes an enlarged, distal tip.
18. The method according to claim 12, wherein:
the at least one bristle element is formed via an additive manufacturing process.
19. A method of manufacturing a brush, comprising the steps of:
providing a core section having a proximal end and a distal end;
positioning a plurality of disc elements on the core section in stacked
relationship; and
at least one of bending the core section after positioning the plurality of disc elements on the core section and/ or trimming at least a subset of the plurality of disc elements after positioning the plurality of disc elements on the core section.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein:
the core section includes a plurality of leg portions twisted in a helical configuration, and an enlarged, distal tip forming a position stop preventing the plurality of disc elements from sliding off the distal end of the core section.
STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19(1)
The International Searching Authority has rejected Claims 1-22 as lacking either novelty under PCT Article 33(2) or inventive step under PCT Article 33(3) as being anticipated and / or obvious over one or more of AA R&D LLC, Schrepf, Gueret, , Kulik, and Borsari.
Independent claims 1 and 12 have been amended. Independent claim 1 is directed to a brush having a core wire section having a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one bend intermediate the proximal end and the distal end, and a plurality of discs received on the core wire section, the plurality of discs defining a brush head. The brush head is received about the at least one bend of the core wire section such that the at least one bend of the core wire section imparts a corresponding bend to the brush head. It is not seen that any of these references, AA R&D in particular, disclose a stacked disc brush having a bent configuration.
Independent claim 12 is directed to a method of manufacturing a brush including providing a core section having a proximal end and a distal end, positioning at least one bristle element having a throughbore on the core section such that the core section is received through the throughbore of the at least one bristle element, and at least one of trimming the at least one bristle element to shape after positioning the at least one bristle element on the core section and / or bending the core section after positioning the at least one bristle element on the core section. It is not seen that any of these references, Schrepf in particular, disclose trimming or bending a brush after positioning bristle elements having a throughbore on a core wire section.
In view of the above, claims 1, 12 and 19, and those claims dependent thereon, are urged allowable.
It is believed that no fees or deficiencies in fees are owed. However, authorization is hereby given to charge Deposit Account No. 50-6776 in the event any additional fees or deficiencies in fees are owed.