FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally pertains to a device and method for a molded double-sided pet brush.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

US Patent US7100230 discloses a golf accessory tool with an elongate rigid handle, one end of the handle terminating in a double sided brush and a cleat cleaning pick, the other end of the handle terminating in a standard bottle and can opener. One side of the double sided brush has nylon or similar plastic bristles for cleaning the tops of golf shoes, golf balls and the like. The opposing brush has metal bristles that can dean golf shoe cleats and golf clubs. A preferred embodiment includes a centrally located cigar clipping device and a spring reel and tether assembly. The tether and spring reel is attached to a clip that can removably fasten to a golf bag or golf cart or belt. However, the brushes are attached to the head in a conventional manner and are not molded to the head.

Chinese design patents CN301628047S, for a "pet brush (small double-sided brush)", CN301636274S for a "pet brush (large double-sided brush)", CN301847667S for a "pet brush (double-sided brush)" and CN302311534S for a "pet brush (double-sided brush)" disclose a design consisting of a body with conventionally-attached bristles on its opposing faces.

Commercial double-sided pet brushes are also available; they are of the type disclosed in the Chinese design patents, with the bristles either conventionally embedded in the head or conventionally attached to a rubber or other flexib le pad with is then embedded in the head. Some have wooden heads, some molded plastic heads. None has bristles molded to the head.

It is therefore a long felt need to provide a doubl e-sided pet brush wherein at least one set of bristles is molded on to a chassis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to disclos e a double-sided pet brush and a method for creating the same. It is another object of the present invention to disclose a double-sided brush for grooming animals, comprising:

a. a rigid chassis comprising a head portion, said head portion is characterized by a first side and an opposing second side, said first side comprising a substantially planar region;

b. a comb unit comprising a plurality of stiff bristles, either substantially rigid or semirigid, attached to a base, said base rigidly connectable to said first side of said head portion of said chassis; and,

c. a plurality of silicone bristles molded onto sai d second side of said head portion of said chassis;

wherein said chassis is a one-piece chassis, said chassis further characterized by a handle portion such that said head portion and said handle portion form a single part.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the brush, wherein said chassis comprises a material selected from a group consisting of polyester, nylon, metal and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein said metal is selected from a group consisting of iron, steel, co pper, chromium, nickel, aluminum, and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein said stiff bristles comprise a material selected from a group consisting of: nylon, steel, copper, aluminum, polyester, PVC and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein said comb unit comprises a one-piece molding.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein said comb unit is snap-fit connectable to said chassis.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein said substantially planar region is bounded by at least a portion of said snap-fit connection.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein said substantially planar region comprises a hollow. It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein said base is rigidly connectable to at least a portion of a boundary of said hollow.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein said base fits rigidly into at least a portion of said hollow.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the brush, wherein said handle portion is characterized by a cross-section having a cross- section long axis and a cross-section short axis.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein said cross section long axis is substantially perpendicular to said substantially planar region.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein each said silicone bristle is characterized by a silicone bristle main longitudinal axis, at least one of said silicone bristle main longitudinal axes substantially perpen dicular to said substantially planar region.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein each said stiff bristle is characterized by a stiff bristle main longitudinal axis, at least one of said stiff bristle main longitudinal axes substantially perpendicular to said substantially planar region.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein at least one of said silicone bristles comprises a wire substantially parallel to said silicone bristle's main longitudinal axis.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose a double-sided brush for grooming animals comprising:

a. a rigid one-piece chassis, said chassis characterized by a handle portion and a head portion, said head portion characterized by a first side and an opposing second side, said first side comprising a substantially planar region; said handle portion characterized by a cross-section having a cross-section long axis and a cross-section short axis;

b. a comb unit comprising a plurality of stiff bristles, either substantially rigid or semirigid, rigidly connectable to said first side of said head portion of said chassis; and c. a plurality of silicone bristles molded onto sai d second side of said head portion of said chassis;

wherein said long axis of said handle portion is substantially perpendicular to said substantially planar region. It is another object of the present invention to disclose the brush, wherein said chassis comprises metal.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein said metal is selected from a group consisting of iron, steel, copper, chromium, nickel, aluminum, and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein said stiff bristles comprise a material selected from a group consisting of: nylon, steel, copper, aluminum, polyester, PVC and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein said comb unit comprises a one-piece molding.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein said comb unit is snap-fit connectable to said chassis.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein said substantially planar region is bounded by at least a portion of said snap-fit connection.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein said substantially planar region comprises a hollow.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein said base is rigidly connectable to at least a portion of a boundary of said hollow.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein said base fits rigidly into at least a portion of said hollow.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein each said silicone bristle is characterized by a silicone bristle main longitudinal axis, at least one of said silicone bristle main longitudinal axes substantially perpendicular to said substantially planar region.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein each said stiff bristle is characterized by a stiff bristle main longitudinal axis, at least one of said stiff bristle main longitudinal axes substantially perpendicular to said substantially planar region.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein at least one of said silicone bristles comprises a wire substantially parallel to said silicone bristle's main longitudinal axis. It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein, for any two stiff bristles, said stiff bristles are either identical or they differ from each other in at least one stiff bristle parameter.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the brush, wherein said stiff bristle parameter is selected from a group consisting of: 1 ength, diameter, smoothness, coefficient of friction and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the brush, wherein, for any two flexible bristles, said flexible bristles are eithe r identical or they differ from each other in at least one flexible bristle parameter.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the brush, wherein said flexible bristle parameter is selected from a group consisting of: 1 ength, diameter, smoothness, coefficient of friction and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the brush, wherein, for any stiff bristle and any flexible bristle, either shape of said stiff bristle is identical to shape of said flexible bristle, or shape of said stiff bristle differs from shape of said flexible bristle.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the brush, wherein said difference in shape is selected from a group consisting of length, diameter and diameter as a function of length.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose a method of making a double-sided brush for grooming animals comprising steps of:

a. providing a one-piece rigid chassis, said chassi s characterized by a head portion and a handle portion, said head portion characterized by a first side and an opposing second side, said first side comprising a substantially pi anar region;

b. providing a base unit comprising a plurality of stiff bristles, either substantially rigid or semi-rigid, attached to a base;

c. placing at least a portion of said one-piece chassis and said base unit in a mold;

d. filling said mold with silicone, thereby molding onto said second side of said chassis a plurality of silicone bristles; and

e. rigidly connecting said base of said base unit to said first side of said head portion of said chassis; wherein said step of providing a chassis further comprises providing a metal chassis.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the method, wherein said step of molding further comprises at least partially covering said handle portion with said silicone, thereby forming a soft-touch handle.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method, further comprising step of selecting said metal from a group consisting of iron, steel, copper, chromium, nickel, aluminum, and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method, further comprising step of comprising said stiff bristles of a material selected from a group consisting of: nylon, steel, copper, aluminum, polyester, PVC and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the method, further comprising step of comprising said comb unit of a one-piece molding.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method, further comprising step of snap-fit connecting said comb unit to said chassis.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method, further comprising step of bounding said substantially planar region by at least a portion of said snap-fit connection.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the method, further comprising step of comprising said substantially planar region of a ho How.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method, further comprising step of rigidly connecting said base to at least a portion of a boundary of said hollow.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method, further comprising step of rigidly fitting said base into at least a portion of said hollow.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method, further comprising step of characterizing said handle portion by a cross-secti on having a cross-section long axis and a cross-section short axis,

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method, further comprising step of providing said chassis such that said cross section long axis is substantially perpendicular to said substantially planar region.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the method, further comprising steps of: (i) characterizing each said silicone bristle by a silicone bristle main longitudinal axis, and (ii) providing at least one of said silicone bristl e main longitudinal axes substantially perpendicular to said substantially planar region.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the method, further comprising steps of: (i) characterizing each said stiff bristle by a stiff bristle main longitudinal axis, and (ii) providing at least one of said stiff bristle main 1 ongitudinal axes substantially perpendicular to said substantially planar region.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method, further comprising step of at providing least one of said silicone bristles co mprising a wire substantially parallel to said silicone bristle's main longitudinal axis.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the method, additionally comprising step of providing stiff bristles characterized in that, for any two stiff bristles, said stiff bristles are either identical or they differ from each other in at least one stiff bristle parameter.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the method, additionally comprising step of selecting said stiff bristle parameter from a group consisting of: length, diameter, smoothness, coefficient of friction and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method, additionally comprising step of providing flexible bristles characterized in that, for any two flexible bristles, said flexible bristles are either identical or they differ from each other in at least one flexible bristle parameter.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method, additionally comprising step of selecting said flexible bristle parameter from a group consisting of: length, diameter, smoothness, coefficient of friction and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the method, additionally comprising step of providing stiff and flexible bristles characterized in that, for any stiff bristle and any flexible bristle, either shape of said stiff bristl e is identical to shape of said flexible bristle, o r shape of said stiff bristle differs from shape of said flexible bristle.

It is another object of the present invention to di sclose the method, additionally comprising step of selecting said difference in shape from a group consisting of length, diameter and diameter as a function of length. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order to better understand the invention and its implementation in practice, a plurality of embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate devices of the prior art;

Fig. 3 depicts an embodiment of a double sided pet brush of the present invention;

Fig. 4 depicts an embodiment of a chassis and comb unit of the double sided pet brush of the present invention; and

Fig. 5 depicts examples of arrangements of bristles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is provided, alongside all chapters of the present invention, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to make use of said invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out this invention. Various modifications, however, will remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined specifically to provide a means and method for providing a molded double-sided pet brush.

The term 'plurality' hereinafter refers to any number greater than one.

In the figures, similar numbers refer to similar parts.

Conventional double-sided pet brushes typically con sist of a handle and head of some hard material with bristles which are either embedded in the head and held in place, typically, by an adhesive, or which are embedded in a rubber or other flexible pad, the pad being firmly attached to the head. Figs. 1 and 2 show typical examples of the prior art. Fig. 1A shows a golf brush with wire bristles on one side and flexi ble nylon bristles, to clean the tops of golf shoes, golf balls and the like, on the other. Fig. IB shows a typical commercially available double-sided pet brush with wire bristles on one si de and flexible nylon bristles on the other. Other such brushes have, instead of the nylon bristles, animal hair or other fiber bristles. One such design has beechwood pins instead of wire bristles. The handles on prior-art devices are typically either circular in cross-section or the long axis of the handle cross-section is parallel to the face of the head and perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the brushes. In reference to Fig. 2A-F, a commercial double sided pet brush (2000) manufactured by Sweepa Productions is shown. The brush has stiffer bristles on one side and softer bristles on the other. All the bristles are of natural rubber; the difference in stiffness between harder and softer bristles being due to different thicknesses of the rubber. Fig. 2A shows the brush (2000) completely assembled. Figs. 2B and 2C shows the two main parts of the head of the brush (2000) - a main body (2100) with a metal core and a rubber overcoat comprising the thicker, coarser bristles; and a secondary body comprising the thinner, finer bristles (2200). Fig. 2B shows the secondary body (2200) from the front, with the bristles showing, while Fig. 2C shows the secondary body (2200) from the back, with the bristles down. As can be seen from Fig. 2B, the secondary body has a slot (2210) in the back which is slid onto a ridge (2110) on the main body (2100) in order to fasten the two pieces together. Fig. 2D, which shows the secondary body (2200) from the side, gives a clearer view of the slot (2210).

Fig. 2E shows the brush (2000) in a partially-assembled condition, with the seco dary body (2200) about halfway along the ridge (2110).

Fig. 2F shows that, in this prior art device, the main body (2100) has a flexible rim (2120) extending upward in the direction of the secondary body. The purpose of this rim (2120) is to prevent the secondary body (2200) from moving relative to the main body (2100) during use. However, sideways pressure on the brush, which will be common during use, will deform the rim (2120), thereby separating it from the secondary body (2200) and allowing the secondary body (2200) to slide free of the main body (2100).

In reference to Fig. 3, in the double-sided pet brush of the present inve tion (1000), the brush has two pluralities of bristles, one plurality com rising a comb with stiff bristles (1122), the bristles either substantially rigid or semi-rigid, and one plurality comprising a brush (1110), with the bristles substantially flexible, and is bu ilt around a one-piece chassis (not shown) of heat-resistant material, which has a head portion (1100) and a handle portion (1200). At least the head portion (1100) of the chassis and, preferably, the handle portion (1200) of the chassis are substantially completely covered with a silicone coating; the silicone coating on the handle providing a "soft-touch" handle which is comfortable to use.

The stiff bristles (1122) of the comb are part of a comb unit (1120), which comprises a back portion (1124) with a rear side and a front side in which the st iff bristles (1122) extend from the front side and the rear side is mountable to the head portion (1100) of the chassis. In some embodiments, such as the one shown in Fig. 3, the handle (1200) has a hole (1210). The hole can be used for, for non-limiting example, hanging the brush on a hook or other suspensory device, or passage of a loop of cord.

The chassis preferably comprises a heat-resistant polymer such as, but not limited to, polyester or nylon. It can also comprise a metal. Preferably, it has a recess or hollow in the center of the head portion, with the boundary or ri m of the recess being substantially planar, so that the recess defines a substantially planar region in the head.

The handle portion of the chassis can be fiat, can be curved at the edges, can comprise a flattened tube, and any combination thereof.

The handle's cross-section has a long axis and a sh ort axis, with the long axis of the handle's cross-section being perpendicular to the plane of the hollow in the head portion and, therefore, as will be shown below, substantially parallel to at least one of the bristles in the head. This provides a much more _^ comfortable grip for a user, when brushing an animal, than the conventional handle, a user's wrist need not be rotated at an uncomfortable angle in order to place the bristles perpendicular to the animal's skin.

The plurality of stiff bristles is attached to a ba se to form a comb unit, with the longitudinal axis of at least one of the bristles substantially perpendicular to the base.

In some embodiments, the base of the comb unit comprises flexible material.

The stiff bristles can be flexibly attached to the base, can be rigidly fixed to the base, the base and the stiff bristles can form a one-piece molding and any combination thereof. Preferably, the base and the stiff bristles form a one-piece molding.

In some embodiments, the stiff bristles can be of c onventional bristle material such as PVC fiber, polyester fiber, nylon fiber, metal wire preferably coated with silicone at the free end and any combination thereof.

The base is rigidly connectable to a first side of the head portion of the chassis. The base can rigidly connect to the head portion in any conventi onal fashion, but is preferably snap-fitted or press-fitted onto the head unit, typically fitti ng into at least a portion of the hollow in the head unit.

Typically, a snap-fitting or press-fitting mechanism comprises at least one flexible part with an overhang extending from one side. For each flex ible part, the overhang rests on one side of a mating part, with at least a portion of the si de of the flexible part fitting snugly against a portion of the edge of the mating part. Assembly comprises pressing the two parts together until the edge of the mating part is securely held under the overhang.

In some embodiments of the double sided pet brush o f the present invention, the overhang is on the head, with the edge of the base of the comb unit comprising the mating portion of the snap-fitting mechanism. In other embodiments, the overhang is on the comb unit, with the edge of the recess in the head forming the mating portion of the snap-fitting mechanism. In yet other embodiments part of the overhang is on the head and part of the overhang is on the comb unit.

In reference to Fig. 4, an embodiment of a chassis with a handle ( 1200) and a head (1100) is shown, as is an embodiment of a comb unit (1120). The comb unit (1120) is shown from the front, bristle (1122), side (1120B) and from the opposite, back side (1120A). In this embodiment, the mating part of the snap fit is on the head (1100), while the comb unit (1120A) has six flexible parts (1126). In other embodiments, the number of flexible parts ranges from one to 10.

The head (1100) of the chassis has a raised rim (1142) surrounding a central recess (1140). The rim (1142) is undercut (1128), with the undercut (1128) forming the edge and side of the mating part against which the overhangs of the flexible parts (1126) fit snugly.

Assembly is by means of pressing the comb unit (1120) into the recess (1140) until the flexible parts (1126) snap into place in the undercut (1128).

In reference to Fig. 5, embodiments of the comb and the fitting mechanism are shown.

Fig. 5A shows an embodiment of the handle (1120) and two embodiments of the comb unit (1120B and 1120C). In the embodiments of Fig. 5A, a frame lock is used. The base (1124) of the comb unit (1120B and 1120C) is rigid and snaps into the undercut (1128) in the handle (1100). The upper comb unit (1120B) comprises molded-in stiff bristles (1122), while, for the lower comb unit (1120C), the stiff bristles will be injected into the bas e (1124) using any conventional technology. Typically, injection of the stiff bristles (1122) into the base (1124) can be carried out on automatic machinery of the type used to manufacture other items comprising plastic or synthetic bristles, such as b rooms or brushes such as cleaning brushes or nail brushes.

Fig. 5B shows two embodiments of the comb unit ( 1120B and 1120C). In the embodiments of Fig. 5B, the base (1124) of the comb unit comprises a thick and dimensiona lly stable material. A semi-rigid injected plastic material such as polyester or polyethylene (PE) is injected onto the base (1124) and forms the flexible part (1126) of a snap mechanism which can snap into an undercut (1128, not shown) in the handle (1100, not shown). The upper comb unit (1120B) comprises molded-in stiff bristles ( 1122), while, for the lower comb unit (1120C), the stiff bristles will be injected into the bas e (1124) using any conventional technology. Typically, injection of the stiff bristles (1122) into the base (1124) can be carried out on automatic machinery of the type used to manufacture other items comprising plastic or synthetic bristles, such as brooms or brushes such as cleaning brushes or nail brushes.

Fig. 5C shows the front side of an embodiment of an exemplary frame lock snap-in comb unit (1120) with injected stiff bristles (1122). As described above, injected stiff bristles can be of any conventional bristle material, for non-limiting example, PVC, polyester, nylon, wire, and any combination thereof. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 5C, the stiff bristles (1122) have a knob (1129) of silicone at the free end, in order to prevent the free end of the bristle from scratching an animal being brushed.

The substantially flexible bristles are silicone, m olded in one piece with the silicone coating of the chassis. At least one of the flexible bristles has a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the hollow, so that the longitudinal axis of at least one of the flexible bristles is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of at least one of the stiff bristles, although the flexible bristles and the stiff bristles point in substantially opposite directions.

The silicone bristles are elastic, and are both flexible and stretchable.

It should be noted that an advantage of silicone bristles is that the silicone has a negative electrostatic charge which enables the bristles to gently attract pet fur, dust and dirt, which all have positive electrostatic charge. Therefore, electrostatic attraction between the positive and negative charges will cause fur, dust and dirt to the silicone of the brush, thereby making brushing, whether of a surface or a pet, more effic ient and, when a pet is brushed, preventing the pet or its owner from being enveloped in clouds of fur. Wetting the bristles destroys the electric charge, enabling easy removal of the fur. dust and dirt from the brush.

The longitudinal axes of the stiff bristles can be substantially parallel to each other, they can fan outward from each other in the longitudinal direction of the brush, they can fan outward from each other in the transverse direction of the brush, they can fan inward from each other in the longitudinal direction of the brush, they can fan inward from each other in the transverse direction of the brush, and any combination thereof. The stiff bristles of the comb can be identical, or they can differ in at least one respect. They can differ from each other in diameter or in length. At least one bristle can change diameter along its length (e.g., be conical, with the thick end at the bottom; or have a knob at the free end). Different bristles can have different surfac e characteristics such as, but not limited to, smoothness and coefficient of friction. Surface characteristics of individual bristles can differ along their length by, for example, differing in smoothness or coefficient of friction.

The stiff bristles can be arranged transversely in straight rows (Fig. 6A), can be arranged in rows of arcs (Fig. 6B), and any combination thereof. The arcs need not be the same in different rows. The rows can be evenly spaced, as shown, or can be unequally spaced. Bristles in the arcs can be equally spaced, or unequally spaced.

The longitudinal axes of the flexible bristles can be substantially parallel to each other, they can fan outward from each other in the longitudinal direction of the brush, they can fan outward from each other in the transverse direction of the brush, they can fan inward from each other in the longitudinal direction of the bru sh, they can fan inward from each other in the transverse direction of the brush, and any combination thereof.

The flexible bristles of the brush can be identical , or they can differ in at least one respect. They can differ from each other in diameter or in length. At least one bristle can change diameter along its length (e.g., be conical, with the thick end at the bottom; or have a knob at the free end). Different bristles can have different surface characteristics such as, but not limited to, smoothness and coefficient of friction. Surface characteristics of individual bristles can differ along their length by, for example, differing in smoothness or coefficient of friction.

The flexible bristles can be arranged transversely in straight rows (Fig. 6A), can be arranged in rows of arcs (Fig. 6B), and any combination thereof. The arcs need not be the same in different rows. The rows can be evenly spaced, as shown, or can be unequally spaced. Bristles in the arcs can be equally spaced, or unequally spaced.

The stiff bristles and the flexible bristles can be identical, or they can differ in diameter or in length, in whether the diameter changes along the length or in smoothness.

Typically, the brush is created in a process comprising the following basic steps:

1. A chassis is created from a rigid polymer, preferably nylon or polyester, or from a metal. If a metal chassis is used, it is preferably coated, preferably with an alodining solution, in order to promote adhesion of the silicone to the metal. 2. A comb unit, comprising a plurality of stiff bristl es attached at one end to a base unit, is molded.

3. At least the head portion of the chassis is placed in a mold with the recessed portion of the head, into which the comb unit will be fitted, outside the mold so that the snap-fitting mechanism or other means of attaching the chassis to the comb unit will not be silicone coated. Preferably, substantially all of the rest of the chassis, including both the head and the handle , is placed in the mold.

4. The mold, which comprises a bristle-forming portion, is filled with silicone in any conventional manner and the silicone is cured in any conventional manner. In some embodiments, the mold is filled by injection molding.

5. The comb unit is attached to the chassis.

Obviously, steps 1 and 2 can be done in any order.

In some embodiments, the comb unit is attached to the chassis before molding and the chassis-comb unit combination is placed in the mold with the bristles of the comb unit remaining outside the mold so that they are not sil icone coated, after which the mold is filled with silicone and the silicone cured, as described in step 4 above.

The metal of the chassis can comprise iron, steel, copper, chromium, nickel, aluminum, and any combination thereof.

The stiff bristles can comprise nylon, steel, copper, aluminum, polyester, PVC and any combination thereof.

In preferred embodiments, the comb unit is a one-piece molding.

In some embodiments, at least one of the substantially flexible bristles comprises a wire substantially parallel to said silicone bristle's m ain longitudinal axis. Such wires can be used to provide stiffer flexible bristles. Possible stiffening includes, but is not limited to: stiffening all the bristles, or stiffening only a p redetermined number of bristles. Stiffened bristles can be stiffened by the same amount or by different amounts. Different amounts of stiffening can be provided by using different thicknesses of the same material, or by using different materials. The stiffening wires can be made of metal or of any stiff but not completely inflexible polymer. Such materials include, but are not limited to, steel, copper, iron nickel, aluminum, nylon, polyester, PVC and any combination thereof.