BRUSHES

Introduced: September 1968

Classification Context

Section:: HUMAN NECESSITIES
Class:: BRUSHWARE
Subclass:: BRUSHES

Description

A46B covers the design and construction of brushes used for personal hygiene, cleaning, and grooming applications. This classification includes toothbrushes, hairbrushes, shaving brushes, and general-purpose cleaning brushes with various bristle materials, handle configurations, and mechanical features. It encompasses both manually operated brushes and those with powered or semi-automated elements, as well as innovations in bristle attachment, wear resistance, and ergonomic design. Related brush components and manufacturing methods specific to brush construction are included within this subclass.

Filing statistics

IPC subclass A46B recorded 43,435 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 2,930 in 2013 to 3,110 in 2023 (+6%), peaking at 4,935 applications in 2017. The most active applicants in class A46 are COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY (1,438 applications), PHILIPS ELECTRONICS (724 applications) and L'OREAL (626 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Related Keywords

brushes for ARTISTSBRISTLE(S) carriers for brushesBROOMSBRUSH(ES) in generalBRUSH(ES) warecleaning of BRUSH(ES) after usenon-power-driven tooth BRUSH(ES)shaving BRUSH(ES)brushesPAINT(S) brushesSHAVING(S) brushesnon-power-driven TOOTH (TEETH) brushesWHISKS [= brushes]brush WIPERS

9 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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A46B 1/00 Brush bodies and bristles moulded as a unit
A46B 11/00 Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes or water
A46B 13/00 Brushes with driven brush bodies
A46B 15/00 Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
A46B 17/00 Accessories for brushes
A46B 3/00 Brushes characterised by the way in which the bristles are fixed or joined in or on the brush body or carrier
A46B 5/00 Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
A46B 7/00 Bristle carriers arranged in the brush body
A46B 9/00 Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class A46, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY US 1,438
PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NL 724
L'OREAL FR 626
GILLETTE COMPANY US 420
P&G (PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY) US 313
DYSON GB 291
LION CORPORATION JP 267
BRAUN DE 259
ZAHORANSKY DE 248
LION CORPORATION 214