A method for cleaning a coke deposit from an internal surface of a process equipment, comprising removing at least a portion of the coke deposit from the internal surface using a flexible pig comprising a plurality of bristles, without damaging a metal protective layer of the internal surface of the process equipment. A flexible pig for cleaning a coke deposit from an internal surface of a process equipment without damaging a metal protective layer of the internal surface, comprising a flexible body formed of a polymeric material, and a plurality of bristles partially encapsulated by the polymeric material of the flexible body.

A cosmetic brush fiber includes five substantially parallel outer edges extending along a length of the cosmetic brush fiber; and five substantially parallel inner edges extending along the length of the cosmetic brush fiber, wherein the cosmetic brush fiber defines a star-shaped transverse cross section.

The present invention is directed to a toothbrush (100) that incorporates tapered bristle filaments (141) in combination with tuft holes (142) of a reduced size, such as between 1.3 mm to 1.4 mm in diameter. In another aspect, the invention provides a toothbrush (100) that balances the number of tuft holes (142) and the number (X) of tapered bristle filaments (141) within each tuft hole (142) to achieve a unique ratio that reduces the cost of manufacture of the toothbrush (100) while maintaining a mouth-feel that consumers associate with a quality product. In still another aspect, the present invention provides a toothbrush (100) that incorporates tapered bristle filaments (141) and also achieves a balance between the perimeter of reduced size tuft holes (142) and the spacing between adjacent tuft holes (142) to achieve a unique ratio that reduces the cost of manufacture of the toothbrush (100) while maintaining a mouth-feel that consumers associate with a quality product.

An application element and an applicator comprising pluralities of said application elements on a molded support is provided for applying a product such as a cosmetic, a medicinal or a care product. At least one application element of the applicator includes a base portion and at least one thin projection. The thin projection includes at least one surface and wherein the at least one outer surface flushes with at least a portion of an outer surface of the base portion.

A device and method for cleaning a tool, in particular a rotatable tool. The device includes a receptacle that has a longitudinal axis and contains at least one work portion of a tool that is to be cleaned; a plurality of brushing threads to be placed in the receptacle such that the threads are not parallel to the longitudinal axis, preferably extending at an angle or substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, with at least three thread support sections that support the brushing threads and are spaced angularly apart at regular intervals around the longitudinal axis.

A wire cleaning apparatus and method is provided, in which a wire cleaning apparatus includes a passive brush mechanism comprising a helical brush, the helical structure having a helical axis substantially coincident with path of a wire passing through the wire cleaning apparatus. The helical brush includes a plurality of first bristles generally oriented inwardly from the helical structure toward the wire, and the helical brush may be compressed or extended to adjust the inner diameter of the helical brush. The wire cleaning apparatus further comprises an active brush mechanism disposed around the wire and configured to rotate around the wire. The active brush mechanism comprises at least one cylindrical brush having a plurality of second bristles disposed on a cylindrical surface such that one or more of the plurality of second bristles impinge upon the wire. The at least one cylindrical brush having a cylindrical axis about which the at least one cylindrical brush is configured to rotate relative to the active brush mechanism.

A toothbrush (100) having a combination of tapered and non-tapered cleaning elements (50) for enhanced cleaning effects and having a plurality of tapered bristle tufts of differing tuft configurations including, a first tapered bristle tuft (500) having a dome-shaped bristle tip profile (520) toward one end (210) of the head (200), a second tapered bristle tuft (602) having an arcuate-shaped bristle configuration (622) toward an opposite end (222) of the head (200), and a plurality of laterally-extending third tapered bristle tufts (600) arranged in an alternating fashion with non-tapered bristle tufts (630) and disposed between the first and second tapered bristle tufts (500, 602).

The present invention relates to an applicator (2) for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care product (P) to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having a moulded applicator member (8) having:—a core (10) that extends along a longitudinal axis (X), and—double spikes (18) that are carried by the core (10) and are disposed in a plurality of longitudinal rows, the double spikes (18) each having a recess that separates two arms, at least one first longitudinal row of spikes (18) being offset axially with respect to a second longitudinal row.

Applicator (2) for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care product (P) to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having a moulded applicator member (8) having: a core (10) that extends along a longitudinal axis (X), spikes (18) carried by the core (10), and reinforcing sails (1.3) for the spikes (18), which are connected by their base to the core (10). extend parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (10) and are disposed in a plurality of longitudinal rows (17, 19, 20), at least one first longitudinal row (17) being offset axially with respect to a second longitudinal row (19).

An oral care implement and/or a cleaning element for an oral care implement. The cleaning element may include an annular cleaning component having an inner surface defining a cavity. The annular cleaning component may be formed from a plurality of arcuate portions with each of the arcuate portions extending from a first end to a second end and terminating in a distal end. A height of each of the arcuate portions may be greater at the second end than at the first end. The plurality of arcuate portions may be arranged in a ring so that the first end of each of the arcuate portions is adjacent to the second end of another one of the arcuate portions.