Abstract: The invention provides for an improved article of manufacturing, being a utility brush that is designed to be made from material that minimizes abrasion to surfaces. This brush is made from materials excluding metal and other materials that can cause abrasion to surfaces upon the utility brush making physical contact with those surfaces. The utility brush being further designed to be made of material that excludes adhesives, where adhesives can be vulnerable to decomposition caused by physical contact with chemical solvents that could be applied to the utility brush or to the surfaces. The brush can be further dimensioned and/or customized, to brush surfaces located within oddly dimensioned and/or difficult to access spaces, including small and/or narrow spaces and crevices.

Abstract: Pile articles (20,22), especially pile weather stripping, and a method and apparatus (10) for making such articles where the backing (24) and the pile (26) are of unlike material, especially nylon yarn for the pile (26) and polypropylene containing material for the backing (24), wherein prior to the welding of the pile (26) to the backing (24) the pile is first pre-heated using ultrasonic energy to melt the pile in a region (65) thereof where the pile is ultrasonically welded to the backing and before the weld is made. The ultrasonic melting occurs upstream of the location where the pile (26) is welded to the backing (24) so that the ultrasonically pre-heated melted region (65) of the pile (26) can cool and become at least partially solidified. Then pile (26) at the pre-heated melted region (65) is welded to the backing (24) and causes a reactive or chemical weld to occur, thereby attaching the pile (26) to the backing (24).

Abstract: The invention provides for an article of manufacture, being a sealing pad (410a, 410b, 510a, 510b, 610a) for providing resistance (obstruction) to infiltration of matter and/or energy into pre-manufactured products, including such as windows, doors and appliances. The invention also provides for a method of employing the sealing pad (410a, 410b, 510a, 510b, 610a) to provide location targeted and value added obstruction (resistance) to such infiltration into pre-manufactured products, in response to performance of infiltration testing.

Abstract: A personal-care applicator comprises at least one stem having a proximal end including a handle and a distal end opposite to the proximal end and at least one bristled component attached to the stem, wherein the bristled component comprises a carrier and a plurality of bristles ultrasonically welded to the carrier and outwardly extending therefrom according to a pre-determined pattern, wherein the elongated carrier and the at least first plurality of bristles comprise ultrasonically compatible materials, and wherein the bristles are ultrasonically bonded to the carrier through a direct ultrasonic bond between a surface of the carrier and a lengthwise portion of each of the bristles. Process comprises providing at least one elongated stem having a proximal end and a distal end, providing the at least one bristled component, and attaching the at least one bristled component to the at least first stem.

Abstract: Pile articles (20,22), especially pile weather stripping, and a method and apparatus (10) for making such articles where the backing (24) and the pile (26) are of unlike material, especially nylon yarn for the pile (26) and polypropylene containing material for the backing (24), wherein prior to the welding of the pile (26) to the backing (24) the pile is first pre- heated using ultrasonic energy to melt the pile in a region (65) thereof where the pile is ultrasonically welded to the backing and before the weld is made. The ultrasonic melting occurs upstream of the location where the pile (26) is welded to the backing (24) so that the ultrasonically pre-heated melted region (65) of the pile (26) can cool and become at least partially solidified. Then pile (26) at the pre-heated melted region (65) is welded to the backing (24) and causes a reactive or chemical weld to occur, thereby attaching the pile (26) to the backing (24).

Abstract: Pile articles (20,22), especially pile weatherstripping, and a method and apparatus (10) for making such articles where the backing (24) and the pile (26) are of unlike material, especially nylon yarn for the pile (26) and polypropylene containing material for the backing (24), wherein prior to the welding of the pile (26) to the backing (24) the pile is first pre-heated using ultrasonic energy to melt the pile in a region (65) thereof where the pile is ultrasonically welded to the backing and before the weld is made. The ultrasonic melting occurs upstream of the location where the pile (26) is welded to the backing (24) so that the ultrasonically pre-heated melted region (65) of the pile (26) can cool and become at least partially solidified. Then pile (26) at the pre-heated melted region (65) is welded to the backing (24) and causes a reactive or chemical weld to occur, thereby attaching the pile (26) to the backing (24).

Abstract: A bristled component for a cosmetic applicator comprising: an elongated carrier having a longitudinal axis; and at least a first plurality of bristles including at least one array of bristles ultrasonically welded to the carrier and outwardly extending therefrom according to a first pre-determined pattern, wherein the carrier and the bristles comprise ultrasonically compatible materials, and wherein the bristles are ultrasonically bonded to the carrier through a direct ultrasonic bond between a surface of the carrier and a lengthwise portion of each of the bristles.

Abstract: A personal-care applicator comprises at least one stem having a proximal end including a handle and a distal end opposite to the proximal end and at least one bristled component attached to the stem, wherein the bristled component comprises a carrier and a plurality of bristles ultrasonically welded to the carrier and outwardly extending therefrom according to a pre-determined pattern, wherein the elongated carrier and the at least first plurality of bristles comprise ultrasonically compatible materials, and wherein the bristles are ultrasonically bonded to the carrier through a direct ultrasonic bond between a surface of the carrier and a lengthwise portion of each of the bristles.

Abstract: The invention provides for an article of manufacture, being an improved weather strip and dust plug. The invention also provides for an apparatus, system and method for manufacturing the improved weather strip and dust plug.

Abstract: A bristled component for a cosmetic applicator comprising: an elongated carrier having a longitudinal axis; and at least a first plurality of bristles including at least one array of bristles ultrasonically welded to the carrier and outwardly extending therefrom according to a first pre-determined pattern, wherein the carrier and the bristles comprise ultrasonically compatible materials, and wherein the bristles are ultrasonically bonded to the carrier through a direct ultrasonic bond between a surface of the carrier and a lengthwise portion of each of the bristles. A process comprises wrapping a yarn around a moving endless band, juxtaposing a support strip with the band's edge, ultrasonically welding the yarn to the first support strip, removing the welded yarn and support strip from the band, and cutting the strip into a plurality of bristled components.

Abstract: A personal-care applicator comprising at least one stem having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end including a handle, and a distal end opposite to the proximal end, and at least a first plurality of bristles ultrasonically welded to the stem and outwardly extending therefrom according to a first pre-determined pattern, wherein the elongated stem and the at least first plurality of bristles comprise ultrasonically compatible materials, and wherein the bristles are ultrasonically bonded to the stem through a direct ultrasonic bond between a surface of the stem and a lengthwise portion of each of the bristles.

Abstract: A bristled component for a cosmetic applicator comprising: an elongated carrier having a longitudinal axis; and at least a first plurality of bristles including at least one array of bristles ultrasonically welded to the carrier and outwardly extending therefrom according to a first pre-determined pattern, wherein the carrier and the bristles comprise ultrasonically compatible materials, and wherein the bristles are ultrasonically bonded to the carrier through a direct ultrasonic bond between a surface of the carrier and a lengthwise portion of each of the bristles.

Abstract: A personal-care applicator comprising at least one stem having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end including a handle, and a distal end opposite to the proximal end, and at least a first plurality of bristles ultrasonically welded to the stem and outwardly extending therefrom according to a first pre-determined pattern, wherein the elongated stem and the at least first plurality of bristles comprise ultrasonically compatible materials, and wherein the bristles are ultrasonically bonded to the stem through a direct ultrasonic bond between a surface of the stem and a lengthwise portion of each of the bristles.

Abstract: A personal-care applicator comprises at least one stem having a proximal end including a handle and a distal end opposite to the proximal end and at least one bristled component attached to the stem, wherein the bristled component comprises a carrier and a plurality of bristles ultrasonically welded to the carrier and outwardly extending therefrom according to a pre-determined pattern, wherein the elongated carrier and the at least first plurality of bristles comprise ultrasonically compatible materials, and wherein the bristles are ultrasonically bonded to the carrier through a direct ultrasonic bond between a surface of the carrier and a lengthwise portion of each of the bristles.

Abstract: A personal-care applicator comprises at least one stem having a proximal end including a handle and a distal end opposite to the proximal end and at least one bristled component attached to the stem, wherein the bristled component comprises a carrier and a plurality of bristles ultrasonically welded to the carrier and outwardly extending therefrom according to a pre-determined pattern, wherein the elongated carrier and the at least first plurality of bristles comprise ultrasonically compatible materials, and wherein the bristles are ultrasonically bonded to the carrier through a direct ultrasonic bond between a surface of the carrier and a lengthwise portion of each of the bristles. Process comprises providing at least one elongated stem having a proximal end and a distal end, providing the at least one bristled component, and attaching the at least one bristled component to the at least first stem.

Abstract: A bristled component for a cosmetic applicator comprising: an elongated carrier having a longitudinal axis; and at least a first plurality of bristles including at least one array of bristles ultrasonically welded to the carrier and outwardly extending therefrom according to a first pre-determined pattern, wherein the carrier and the bristles comprise ultrasonically compatible materials, and wherein the bristles are ultrasonically bonded to the carrier through a direct ultrasonic bond between a surface of the carrier and a lengthwise portion of each of the bristles. A process comprises wrapping a yarn around a moving endless band, juxtaposing a support strip with the band's edge, ultrasonically welding the yarn to the first support strip, removing the welded yarn and support strip from the band, and cutting the strip into a plurality of bristled components.

Abstract: A personal-care applicator comprising at least one stem having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end including a handle, and a distal end opposite to the proximal end, and at least a first plurality of bristles ultrasonically welded to the stem and outwardly extending therefrom according to a first pre-determined pattern, wherein the elongated stem and the at least first plurality of bristles comprise ultrasonically compatible materials, and wherein the bristles are ultrasonically bonded to the stem through a direct ultrasonic bond between a surface of the stem and a lengthwise portion of each of the bristles.

Abstract: Pile articles (20,22), especially pile weatherstripping, and a method and apparatus (10) for making such articles where the backing (24) and the pile (26) are of unlike material, especially nylon yarn for the pile (26) and polypropylene containing material for the backing (24), wherein prior to the welding of the pile (26) to the backing (24) the pile is first pre-heated using ultrasonic energy to melt the pile in a region (65) thereof where the pile is ultrasonically welded to the backing and before the weld is made. The ultrasonic melting occurs upstream of the location where the pile (26) is welded to the backing (24) so that the ultrasonically pre-heated melted region (65) of the pile (26) can cool and become at least partially solidified. Then pile (26) at the pre-heated melted region (65) is welded to the backing (24) and causes a reactive or chemical weld to occur, thereby attaching the pile (26) to the backing (24).

Abstract: Pile weatherstripping has a pile of yarn segments (20) which are attached to a flexible plastic backing strip (1) by ultrasonic welding (21) of the pile thereto. Loops of the yarn (20) are captured in a channel (16) on one side of the backing strip. This channel is formed by extracting flanges (15) from the backing strip by a cutting tool (FIG. 8) having a pair of chiseled cutting surfaces (2a, 2b) tapering inwardly and spaced from each other. The backing strip is preferably wound on a capstan (9) in a plurality of turns so as to feed the strip past the cutting tool. The cutting tool leaves notches along the channel on the outside of the flanges. The base of the channel is unaffected by the cutting tool and presents a stress-free surface at which the yarn is welded. The notches improve thc bending strip flexibility of the backing so as to facilitate insertion of the weatherstrip into a T-slot (22).