Patent ID: 6638384
Filing Date: 2003-10-28
Classification: A46B,D04D

Abstract:
A continuous method for making a bristle subassembly comprising the steps of:(a) continuously forming a wrap of polymeric filaments by wrapping at least one filament around the axis of at least a three sided mandrel having a moving cable support on each corner running the length of the mandrel on the exterior corner of the mandrel and returning along a continuous exposed recessed channel in a diagonal opposing face of the mandrel in an opposite direction, said cable support being capable of supporting and moving the polymeric filaments of the wrap along at least a portion of the length of the mandrel; (b) feeding at least one base string outside of the wrap of polymeric filaments to a selected portion of the mandrel as required to form the subassembly while the polymeric filaments of the wrap are being moved at least a portion of the length of the mandrel; (c) bonding the base string and the polymeric filaments of the wrap together by simultaneously pressing the base string in contact with the polymeric filaments of the wrap and applying energy to the base string and polymeric filaments of the wrap; and (d) cutting the polymeric filaments of the wrap at a point downstream of where the polymeric filaments of the wrap are bonded with the base string to form at least one bristle subassembly having at least one row of filament segments connected to at least one base string.