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CPC Definition - Subclass A46B

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Last Updated Version: 2024.08
A46B
BRUSHES (handles not integral with brushware B25G)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Apparatus with brushes in general

Relationships with other classification places

Subclass A45D covers hairdressing or shaving equipment; manicuring or other cosmetic treatmen

Subclass A47L covers domestic washing or cleaning; suction cleaner in general

Subclass A61C covers oral or dental hygiene

Subclass A61H covers physical therapy apparatus e.g. skin or gum massage

Subclass B05C covers apparatus for applying liquids to surfaces in general

Subclass B05D covers process for applying liquids to surfaces in general

Subclass B08B covers cleaning in general or prevention of fouling in general

Subclass B24B covers machine and process for grinding or polishing

Subclass B25G covers handles for hand implements

Subclass B43K covers writing implements e.g. pen or pencil

Subclass B44D covers artistic painting

Subclass B60S covers cleaning of vehicles

Subclass E01H covers street cleaning

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Body washing implements

A47K 7/00

Handle constructions

B25G 1/00

Attaching handles to the implements

B25G 3/00

Vehicle cleaning apparatus not integral with vehicles

B60S 3/06

Street cleaning

E01H 1/00

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Handles for hand implements

B25G

Special rules of classification

Illustrative example of subject matter classified in A46B

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Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Tuft

a group of bristles

Brush bodies and bristles moulded as a unit
Definition statement

This place covers:

The brush body or brush carrier and the bristles are moulded in one piece

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EP0474934

by mouldable materials, e.g. metals, cellulose derivatives, plastics (A46B 1/00 takes precedence)
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Bristles and carrier or body moulded in one piece

A46B 1/00

by welding together bristles made of metal wires or plastic materials
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Machines for fusing or gluing bristle to body

A46D 3/045

specially adapted for paint-brushes
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Brushes used for painting

A46B 2200/202

specially adapted for street-cleaning or rail-cleaning brooms
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Brushes for street cleaning

A46B 2200/3066

Street cleaning apparatus with brush

E01H 1/02

rubber bristles being fixed in or on brush bodies
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Bristles and body moulded in on piece

A46B 1/00

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Brush material not made of bristles

A46B 9/005

Mixed Bristles

A46B 9/06

Bristle material

A46D 1/0207

Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Bristles carrier

A46B 7/00

Attaching handles to implements

B25G 3/00

{Brushes with elastically deformable heads that change shape during use}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Brushing action causing brush movements

A46B 13/08

{bending or stretching or collapsing (A46B 7/023 takes precedence)}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Bristle carrier retracts or collapse

A46B 7/023

{being flexible or resilient during use}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Brush head being articulated with the handle during use.

{being adjustable and stable during use}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Brush head fixed in one position relative to the handle during use.

{Removable or interchangeable brush heads}
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Interchangeably bristle carrier

A46B 7/04

specially shaped for holding by the hand
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Handle shape facilitating handling

B25G 1/102

Gripping portion for writing implement

B43K 23/00

Bristle carriers arranged in the brush body
Definition statement

This place covers:

Brushes for which the bristles are not directly joined/attached to the brush body but through an intermediate bristle carrier.

in an expanding or articulating manner
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Brush body with joints

A46B 5/002

{where the bristle carrier retracts or collapses, i.e. for storage}
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Folding or collapsing brush body

A46B 5/0033

interchangeably {removable bristle carriers}
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Removable brush head

A46B 5/0095

{Sliding connections for bristle carriers}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Folding collapsing body

A46B 5/0033

Articulated bristle carrier

A46B 7/02

Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Fixation of the bristle in the body or carrier

A46B 3/00

Powered brushes with cylindrical, annular or disk shape

A46B 13/00 - A46B 13/008

Bristle form or shape itself

A46D 1/00

{where the brushing material is not made of bristles, e.g. sponge, rubber or paper}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Fixation of rubber bristles on body

A46B 3/22

Bristles surrounded with an other material

A46B 9/065

Bristle material

A46D 1/0207

{arranged like in cosmetics brushes, e.g. mascara, nail polish, eye shadow}
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Brushes characterized by their function, i.e. cosmetic brushes

A46B 2200/1046

{Arranged like in or} for toothbrushes
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Brushes characterized by their function, i.e. toothbrushes

A46B 2200/1066

Arrangement of mixed bristles or tufts of bristles, e.g. wire, fibre, rubber
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Brushes characterized by their function, i.e. cosmetic brushes

A46B 2200/1046

Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water (driven brush bodies A46B 13/00; {massage apparatus with liquid delivery A61H 7/002, A61H 2201/105}; applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by liquid carrying members in general, e.g. by pads B05C 1/00, B05D 1/28)
Relationships with other classification places

Subclass B05C covers apparatus for applying liquids to a surface in general.

Subclass A61M covers device for introducing medical product onto the human body.

Subclass B05B covers spraying apparatus in general

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Driven brush bodies

A46B 13/00

Massage apparatus with liquid delivery

A61H 7/00

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Cosmetic container with brush applicator

A45D 34/042

Cleaning devices with liquid supply arrangements

A47L 13/26

Applying liquids to surfaces by liquid carrying members in general, e.g. by pads

B05C 1/00, B05D 1/28

Container with brush applicator

B65D 51/32

{Flexible or deformable reservoirs, e.g. resilient bulbs, compressible tubes}
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Device for squeezing flexible tubes

B65D 35/28

connected to supply pipe {or to other external supply means (A46B 11/0003 and A46B 11/0006 take precedence)}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Brush with a single dose substance

A46B 11/0003

Specially adapted to feed bristles upper surface

A46B 11/0006

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Implement for cleaning floors or furniture connected to the water supply

A46L13/23

Domestic water supply line with means to add soap, disinfectant

E03C 1/046

Brushes with driven brush bodies {or carriers} (power-driven toothbrushes A61C 17/16)
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Machines for cleaning floors, carpet furniture, walls or wall coverings

A47L 11/00

Power driven tooth cleaning device

A61C 17/16

{Cylindrical or annular brush bodies}
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Street cleaning devices

E01H 1/02

{Disc-shaped brush bodies}
Definition statement

This place covers:

The bristle carrier or body forms a disk and the bristles are positioned on a face of said disk.

power-driven {carriers}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Manually actuated mechanism for generating the movement of the brush

A46B 11/08

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Power driven toothbrush

A61C 17/16

with reservoir or other means for supplying substances
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Brush with reservoir

A46B 11/00

with brush driven by the supplied medium
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Bathing device water-flow operated

A47K 7/046

hand-driven
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Simple flexion or deformation of the brush head

A46B 5/0025

{with an electrical means}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Powered brushes

A46B 13/02

Electric toothbrushes

A61C 17/16

{with protrusion for polishing teeth}
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Brush for polishing

A46B 2200/30

{with a lighting means, e.g. laser, bulb (A46B 15/0034 takes precedence)}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Brush with a radiation source

A46B 15/0034

{Brushes fitted with ventilation suction, e.g. for removing dust (vacuum cleaner A47L 7/00)}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Structural features of vacuum cleaners

A47L 5/00

Vacuum cleaners adapted for additional purposes

A47L 7/00

Details or accessories of vacuum cleaners

A47L 9/00

{Brushes fitted with a interdental devices, e.g. toothpick (A46B 2200/108 takes precedence)}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Inter-dental brushes

A46B 2200/108

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Additional brush head

A46B 5/0004

{Toothbrushes with flossing arrangements (A61C 15/04 takes precedence)}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Flossing tools

A61C 15/04

{Container, e.g. bag or box with a collection of various devices}
Definition statement

This place covers:

For exemple a kit with a brush and other products in a bag.

{Magazins or sets of brushes components, e.g. plurality of brushes linked as a package}
Definition statement

This place covers:

For exemple a blister or package containing two or more brushes.

{Self supporting, e.g. brushes that stand upright or in other particular ways}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Storing of cleaning tools

A47L 13/51

Accessories for brushes
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Accessories for toilet tables (bathroom)

A47K 1/00

Devices for holding brushes in use
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Toothbrush holders

A47K 1/09

Paintbrush holders

B44D 3/12

Protective covers for the bristles
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Closure for brush with reservoir

A46B 11/0086

Other accessories, e.g. scrapers, rubber buffers for preventing damage to furniture
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Brush combined with other articles

A46B 11/001

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Implement for cleaning floors, furniture, walls

A47L 13/00

Disposable brush (A46B 11/0003, A46B 5/0004 take precedence)
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Additional brush head

A46B 5/0004

Brush containing a single dose substance

A46B 11/0003

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Removable bristle carrier

A46B 7/04

For human or animal care
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Body washing cleaning equipment

A47K 7/00

Brush specifically designed for massaging the skin or scalp (A46B 2200/1026 takes precedence)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Brushes where the principal function is massage.

Relationships with other classification places

Subclass A67H covers physical therapy apparatus e.g. skin or gum massage

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Additional massage device

A46B 15/0075

Gum massage

A46B 2200/1026

Brush for applying or spreading shaving foam or soap
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Shaving accessories

A45D 27/00

Hair brush
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Bristles arrangements for hair brushes

A46B 9/023

Hair drying accessories

A45D 20/00

Brush used for applying cosmetics
Definition statement

This place covers:

Cosmetic applicators where the brush aspect is important

Relationships with other classification places

Subclass A45D covers cosmetic applicators in general

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Bristles arrangements for cosmetic brushes

A46B 9/021

Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures (A61C 17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B 9/04)
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Power driven toothbrushes

A61C 17/16

Denture toothbrush, i.e. used for dentures specifically
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Cleaning device for prostheses removed from oral cavity

A61C 17/036

Inter-dental toothbrush, i.e. for cleaning interdental spaces specifically
Definition statement

This place covers:

Brushes where inter-dental cleaning is principal function

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Additional inter-dental device

A46B 15/0069

Toothbrush for cleaning animal teeth specifically
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Instruments for treating animals' teeth

A61D 5/00

Brushes for applying products to surfaces in general (A46B 2200/10 takes precedence)
Relationships with other classification places

Subclass B05C covers apparatus for applying liquids to surfaces in general

Subclass B43K covers writing implements e.g. pen or pencil

Brushes for cleaning or polishing
Relationships with other classification places

Subclass A47L covers domestic washing or cleaning; suction cleaner in general.

Subclass B08B covers cleaning in general or prevention of fouling in general.

Subclass E01H covers street cleaning.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Body washing implements

A47K 7/00

Vehicle cleaning apparatus not integral with vehicles

B60S 3/06

Other application
Definition statement

This place covers:

Brush where the brushing function is not the principal purpose