Abstract: A brush head (10) and a method for manufacturing a welded tuft assembly (20) for a brush head (10). The method includes inserting a bristle tuft (21) into an opening (51) in a retention element (52). A proximal end of the bristle tuft (23) and a proximal side (53) of the retention element are laser welded to at least partially melt the bristle tuft and at least a portion of the proximal side of the retention element together to create a merged proximal end head portion (26) that holds the welded tuft assembly together.

Abstract: Described herein is an oral care implement comprising a body having a head portion, a gripping portion, and a neck portion located between the head and gripping portions, a plurality of tooth engaging elements extending from the head portion, the body comprising a first component formed of a first hard plastic having a first ductility; and a second component formed of a second hard plastic having a second ductility that is greater than the first ductility.

Abstract: An automatic handle assembly system for a paint brush, including a feeding device, a conveying device, a handle pushing device, a pneumatic system, and a control system. The feeding device is used for transporting a glue-filled paint brush head to an entrance of the conveying device. The conveying device is used for realizing transportation, pressing and precise positioning of the paint brush head. The handle pushing device is used for pushing a paint brush handle to precisely insert into the paint brush head. The feeding device, the conveying device, and the handle pushing device are all connected to the pneumatic system and the control system.

Abstract: A component, in particular for a gas turbine, is disclosed. The component has at least two component segments which are arranged relative to one another leaving a gap and are sealed against each other by a sealing device. The sealing device includes at least one brush seal. Also disclosed is a gas turbine, in particular an aircraft engine, having such a component.

Abstract: An antenna power coupler having a variable coupling factor is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a coupler configured to generate a power detection signal based on transmit signal power associated with a plurality of transmission technologies and a variable attenuator configured to apply a selected attenuation factor to the power detection signal to generate an adjusted power detection signal, the selected attenuation factor associated with a selected transmission technology.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing round brushes, which have bristles twisted in between two portions of a folded wire. The apparatus has a bristle feeding device and a rotary gripper for twisting two portions of wire with bristles located therebetween, a deflecting device with two deflecting rollers spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the wire. The rotary gripper is linearly displaceable transversely in relation to the longitudinal direction of the wire, for gripping the folded region of the wire that is formed by force being applied by an application element that is adjustable between the deflecting rollers transversely in relation to the longitudinal direction of the wire. A bristle feeding device, for feeding bristles to the bent-around portions of wire, is provided in the region of the deflecting rollers. In the region of the unfolded portions of wire there is provided a device for slowing the advancement of the wire.

Abstract: Non-bussed amplifier diagnostics are implemented for a vehicle. The vehicle includes an amplifier that includes a computer processor and a memory unit communicatively coupled to the amplifier. The memory unit stores audio test tones, each of which corresponds to a respective diagnostic test result. The vehicle also includes an input device communicatively coupled to the amplifier via wiring. The input device provides an analog signal indicative of a diagnostic test trigger to the amplifier. The computer processor of the amplifier receives the analog signal and executes a diagnostic test defined by the diagnostic test trigger, selects one of the audio test tones based on results of the diagnostic test, and outputs the selected audio test tone via speakers of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a brush, particularly in the form of a mascara applicator, with bristles injection molded out of different injection molding compounds, using an injection mold that has a main cavity, which forms the bristle support, and secondary cavities branching off from this, with each secondary cavity forming a single bristle and with at least one first injection molding compound being injected into the main cavity, followed by a second injection molding compound in successive steps; at least one slider is inserted into the main cavity and closes part of the secondary cavities so that the first injection molding compound only travels into another part of the secondary cavities after which the slider is withdrawn and the second injection molding compound is injected so that it travels into the secondary cavities previously closed by the slider.

Abstract: A brush manufacturing machine (1) has a first injection-molding machine (18) for the region-by-region injection molding of material around the bristle bundles (7) held in cartridges (9) and for forming a bristle carrier (19) connecting the bristle bundles (7) and also a second injection-molding machine (24) in which the bristle carrier (19) can be inserted and material can be injection molded around this carrier for forming a brush body (25) or partial brush body. The first injection-molding machine (18) is constructed for forming a thin-walled plate as a bristle carrier (19) and has a shorter cycle time than the second injection-molding machine (24). At least the second injection-molding machine (24) is constructed as a multi-compartment injection-molding machine and has a multiple of the number of mold cavities of the first injection-molding machine (18).

Abstract: The tips of pointed bristles are mechanically processed in order to remove any corroded threads or residual threads from the tip. Mechanically processed pointed bristles are fed to a receptacle recess of a tool in bundles, and aligned by means of a pin guided in the receptacle recess. The pointed bristles are pushed through the passage of the bristle carrier plate, and the end section are subsequently melted by means of a heating die in order to attach the pointed bristles to the bristle carrier plate. The mechanical processing of the tips of the bristles enables an error-free further processing of the pointed bristles utilizing the bristling method, particularly the AFT method.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for producing bristle arrangements for brushes, in particular toothbrushes, having a bristle supply (2) and an apparatus (3) for extracting individual bundles (4) of bristles from the bristle supply (2), and also having a transporting apparatus for transporting the bundles (4) of bristles by way of at least one hollow line (8) by means of a stream of gas or air in perforations in a bundle-retaining plate, is characterized in that the apparatus (3) for extracting the bundles (4) of bristles from the bristle supply (2) has at least one bundle holder (6), and in that the bundle holder(s) (6) of the extraction means (3), the inner contour (10) of the hollow line(s) (8) and the perforations in the bundle-retaining plate are each contoured in a manner corresponding to the bundle contour which is desired in the bristle arrangement.

Abstract: The device for fixedly holding the head of a toothbrush in a processing machine comprises holding parts with a support surface that is formed on a holding flange. The holding flange is inserted between the bristle carrier and the holding plate of the head of the toothbrush and supports the bristle carrier with the support surface thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing round brushes, which have bristles twisted in between two portions of a folded wire. The apparatus has a bristle feeding device and a rotary gripper for twisting two portions of wire with bristles located therebetween, a deflecting device with two deflecting rollers spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the wire. The rotary gripper is linearly displaceable transversely in relation to the longitudinal direction of the wire, for gripping the folded region of the wire that is formed by force being applied by an application element that is adjustable between the deflecting rollers transversely in relation to the longitudinal direction of the wire. A bristle feeding device, for feeding bristles to the bent-around portions of wire, is provided in the region of the deflecting rollers. In the region of the unfolded portions of wire there is provided a device for slowing the advancement of the wire.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a toothbrush having needle-shaped bristles and a toothbrush manufactured using the method. The method of the present invention includes the step of grinding bristles, which have been set in a head part of a toothbrush, using a grinder provided with protrusions (11) having heights ranging from 1.5 mm to 7 mm. According to the manufacturing method of the present invention, a toothbrush having needle-shaped bristles can be manufactured without a separate chemical immersion process such that the thicknesses of the end points of the needle-shaped bristles range from 0.01 mm to 0.03 mm and the lengths of the tapered portions thereof range from 3 mm to 9 mm. Furthermore, because the process is simplified, the time required for production and the defective proportion is markedly reduced. As well, in the present invention, materials other than polyester can be used as the material for the bristles, unlike the conventional arts, in which this is impossible.

Abstract: A tuft picker device for a brush making machine has a bristle magazine for holding a supply of loose bristles and a tuft picker having a tuft picking notch being movable past an open side of the bristle magazine in a working stroke. A shield member is adapted to be shifted across the tuft picker notch to change the effective depth thereof. The shield member can be adjusted by an adjusting device in each working stroke in order to vary the effective depth of the tuft picking notch from one working stroke to the next to change the size of a tuft engaged in the notch.

Abstract: A process for the production of a segment brush a half finished product is first produced, having a bristle fill bent at 90° arranged in a ring like form with a radially outwards pointing angular offset supported on a ring shoulder of a transfer device, seated with the second angular offset on a central arbor, axially moveable in the ring and axially protruding. A holding ring holds the first angular offset axially against the ring shoulder and the second angular offset radially against the arbor. Pressing of the bristle fill is made on the transfer device in a press against the holding ring. A pressing arbor firstly spreads the second angular offset of the bristle fill with an attachment, ejects the center arbor and presses the angular offsets against the ring shoulder of the ring.

Abstract: The device for fixedly holding the head of a toothbrush in a processing machine comprises holding parts with a support surface that is formed on a holding flange. The holding flange is inserted between the bristle carrier and the holding plate of the head of the toothbrush and supports the bristle carrier with the support surface thereof.

Abstract: A device (17) for the production of brushes (1, 1a) that have a twisted carrier part (3) made from wire sections (2) with a set of bristles (4) and a handle-side and/or a head-side overmolding (5, 6) has an injection molding tool for holding and for the overmolding of the head-side or handle-side end region of a brush pre-form (32). The tool has a mold part (33) with a passage (13) for the end region. In this way, a mechanism (20) for the attachment or introduction of a sealing element (7) is provided on the carrier part (3), wherein this sealing element (7) is arranged in the region of the passage (13) for the overmolding and seals this passage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a toothbrush having needle-shaped bristles, and a toothbrush manufactured by the method. The toothbrush manufacturing method of the present invention includes the step of partially tapering ends of bristles, which are made of polyester and are set in a toothbrush body, through a physical grinding process, and the step of completing of a process of tapering the partially tapered bristles by immersing the partially tapered bristles in a chemical. The present invention makes it possible for toothbrush bristles to be tapered through a simple process. Furthermore, the present invention solves conventional difficulties occurring in tapering bristles after setting them in toothbrush bodies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for producing a toothbrush or part thereof by the two-component or multi-component injection-molding process. To produce in the brush body segments that are isolated from the rest of the brush body, a mold which comprises three hollow regions is used. Two of these hollow regions that are separate from one another serve for producing the segments and the other regions of the toothbrush from a first component. A third hollow region serves for distributing material to the segments that are isolated from one another and from the other regions, or the corresponding hollow region. The material remaining behind there is removed and sent for disposal. In a further step, connecting elements between the segments and/or the other regions are injection-molded from a second component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brush bar for a surface treating appliance, including a supporting body, at least one retaining member welded to the supporting body and at least one bristle tuft clamped in place on the supporting body by the retaining member. The use of welding to attach the retaining member to the supporting body allows for a reduction in the wall thickness of the supporting body, which is advantageous for locating a motor inside the brush bar.

Abstract: A bristle magazine for a broom or brush stuffing machine includes a receiving space for a multitude of bristles, a bending edge and a bracket opposite the bending edge for maintaining the bristles in a curved condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a toothbrush with needle-shaped bristles. The method includes the step of setting needle-shaped bristles, partially tapered by being immersed in a chemical, in a head part of a toothbrush body. The method further includes the step of grinding the needle-shape bristles using a drum grinder having protrusions (10) such that end points of the bristles range from 0.01 to 0.03 mm in thickness and tapered portions of the bristles range from 3.5 to 8 mm in length. A toothbrush, in which needle-shaped bristles having end points of 0.03 to 0.05 mm in thickness and tapered portions of 3.5 to 10 mm in length are set, can be manufactured using the method of the present invention. In the present invention, because a manufacturing process is simplified, the required production time and a defective proportion are markedly reduced.

Abstract: In order to apply mascara and comb they eyelashes, the invention proposes carrying out a selective, clean and adaptable cutting of the bristles twisted along a core by selecting some of the bristles located, along the wire, in angular sectors of adjustable amplitude and by continuously cutting the bristles thus selected at a predetermined height. The implementing guiding module has a guiding inlet head (69a) and a cylindrical tube body (69c), the head being for bristles remain curved. The cutting (70) and guiding (45) groove formed by an end piece with a conical outline extended by a hollow tube having a central channel (31) of the same diameter, cutting (70) and guiding (45) grooves being formed in the channel.

Abstract: A brush for use on sensitive surfaces comprising twisted a wire core having a handle end and a bristle end, a plurality of bristles extending radially outward from a portion of the wire core, the plurality of bristles defining a bristle block, and a protective tip integrally formed on the wire core at the bristle end for preventing the brush from damaging sensitive surfaces, wherein the wire core and the protective tip are formed from the same material.

Abstract: A method for making toothbrushes includes the steps of, providing a toothbrush, and providing an end-rounder secured to a support. The support is substantially fixed against movement. The toothbrush is moved towards the end-rounder such that free ends of bristles secured to a head of the toothbrush are rounded by the end-rounder.

Abstract: An instrument for applying a composition to hair or nails includes a core made as a single piece that extends longitudinally along a mean longitudinal axis, and includes a plurality of applicator projections for applying said composition to hair or nails, said applicator projections being carried by the core and being spread out helically along said core, said helical spreading of the projections being obtained by twisting the core, said projections being disposed on the core, prior to twisting said core, along at least three distinct radial directions about said mean longitudinal axis, said instrument further including twister means to which said core is attached such that the twisted nature of the core is imparted by said twister means. The invention also relates to applicator instruments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously making a brush mat for brush manufacture integrates a continuous source of extruded and cut filaments with forming an extrusion of thermoplastic material on an end of the filaments to form the brush mat. The brush mat can then be cut and used in its straight configuration or shaped in a ring or other form as part of a subsequent brush making step.

Abstract: A tuft picker device for a brush making machine has a bristle magazine for holding a supply of loose bristles, a tuft picker having a tuft picking notch being movable past an open side of the bristle magazine in a working stroke. A shield member is adapted to be shifted across the tuft picker notch to change the effective depth thereof. The shield member can be adjusted by an adjusting device in each working stroke in order to vary the effective depth of the tuft picking notch from one working stroke to the next to change the size of a tuft engaged in the notch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toothbrush with a neck piece and a brush body, comprising a head piece connected thereto, conventional bristles and at least one soft elastic cleaning element. According to the invention, the conventional bristles are mounted on a support element made from hard plastic. The above is connected to the brush body by means of a recess on the head piece which matches the support element. The at least one cleaning element is arranged on the head piece and directly connected to the brush body. The invention further relates to a method for production of such a toothbrush.

Abstract: Device for compensating the vibrations caused by the movements of a tool of a brush manufacturing machine, more particularly of a tool (1) having at least one slide (2) which is provided in a first guide (3) such that is can move to and fro and which is provided with driving device (4) for this slide, wherein the device includes a compensating mass (16) and of a moving device (17) to move this compensating mass (16) in the opposite sense of the movement of the slide (2).

Abstract: Device for manufacturing brushes, which mainly consists of a number of tools along which is provided a transport means (7), onto which transport means (7) is fixed at least one brush holder (12), characterized in that the device (1) is provided with coupling means which make it possible to couple and uncouple the brush holder (12) concerned to and from the transport means (7), and in that, opposite to at least one tool, a drive (35) is provided to position and move the uncoupled brush holder (12) in relation to said tool (2-6), whereby this drive (35) is provided with locking means which make it possible to fix an uncoupled brush holder (12) to this drive (35).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a toothbrush with needle-shaped bristles. The method includes the step of setting needle-shaped bristles, partially tapered by being immersed in a chemical, in a head part of a toothbrush body. The method further includes the step of grinding the needle-shape bristles using a drum grinder having protrusions such that end points of the bristles range from 0.01 to 0.03 mm in thickness and tapered portions of the bristles range from 3.5 to 8 mm in length. A toothbrush, in which needle-shaped bristles having end points of 0.03 to 0.05 mm in thickness and tapered portions of 3.5 to 10 mm in length are set, can be manufactured using the method of the present invention. In the present invention, because a manufacturing process is simplified, the required production time and the proportion of defective bristles are markedly reduced.

Abstract: Device for manufacturing brushes by means of successive operations, which mainly consists of a number of brush holders (9-11) which are provided on a means of transport and which can be moved between different posts (5-8) which are provided along the means of transport, more particularly working posts (6-8) where a processing can take place and/or waiting posts (5) where the brush holders (9-11) can be put in a wait position, characterized in that the means of transport is provided with means which make it possible to move the brush holders (9-11) independently from one another.

Abstract: A method and a device for manufacturing a rotary brush for roll tooth brush capable of easily removing plaque, providing an excellent massage effect on gums, capable of being mass-produced, and capable of reducing a cost by uniformizing the density of the bristles of the rotary brush (11), the method for manufacturing the rotary brush comprising the steps of projecting, by a specified amount, a wire group (1) formed of a large number of resin wires (1a) assembled together in a bundle to the outside through an insert hole (2a) provided in a pedestal (2), inserting a cone (4) to the projected tip center of the wire group (1) to push open the wire group (1) in radial directions, welding the center portion of the wire group (1) in an annular shape with the push-opened wire group (1) fixed onto the pedestal (2), cutting the inside of the welded part to form a sheet-like brush unit (8) having a hub (81) at the center thereof and having a large number of bristles (wires) (82) projected from the hub toward the radial

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a brush includes inserting bristles into bristles insertion holes, and implanting the bristles in a resin material. The inserting further includes preparing sleeves corresponding to cross sectional shapes and cross sectional areas of the bristles insertion holes; introducing the bristles into the sleeves; and independently inserting the bristles within each of the sleeves to the corresponding bristles insertion holes.

Abstract: In order to apply mascara and comb they eyelashes, the invention proposes carrying out a selective, clean and adaptable cutting of the bristles twisted along a core by selecting some of the bristles located, along the wire, in angular sectors of adjustable amplitude and by continuously cutting the bristles thus selected at a predetermined height. The implementing guiding module has a guiding inlet head (69a) and a cylindrical tube body (69c), the head being for bristles remain curved. The cutting (70) and guiding (45) groove formed by an end piece with a conical outline extended by a hollow tube having a central channel (31) of the same diameter, cutting (70) and guiding (45) grooves being formed in the channel.

Abstract: A method and a device are described for manufacturing of a toothbrush from a starting-material which comprises a handle that runs into a neck part which divides into two equal and diverging arms/head parts, in which the bristle-carrying surface (bottom surfaces) of the head parts is approximately in a plane which runs parallel to the main axis of the toothbrush and head, and in which bristle which extend approximately vertically out from the surface is inserted and is of approximately equal of different lengths.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for automatically mounting a helix on a radial bristle cosmetic brush, and in particular, a mascara brush. The brush has a twisted wire core and may be mounted to a plastic stem or rod that extends back to a cap/handle combination. The helix comprises a spiral series of adjacent coils. The helix is adapted to be mounted about the core of the brush such that the radially extending bristles of the brush project out between adjacent coils of the helix. The apparatus for mounting the helix on the brush comprises a base supporting a cradle. The cradle receives and aligns a helix and a brush. A pusher mounted next to the cradle slides the brush toward the helix such that the tip of the brush comes to rest against one end of the helix. A gripper holds the other end of the helix so that the helix is stationary relative to rotation of the brush. A rotator has a pair of jaws supporting wheels that grasp the stem of the brush. At least one of the wheels is driven to rotate the brush.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing brush products, in particular toothbrushes, with a bristle magazine having a feed chute for receiving filaments of precut length arranged in a dense array transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bristle magazine. The feed chute has a discharge opening which is bounded by a bristle picker closing the discharge opening from outside, and serves to feed filaments to a recess provided on the bristle picker. The recess receives only a predetermined quantity of filaments, combining them into tufts which are then transferred to further stations for further processing. According to the invention, the feed chute has a magazine bottom on which the discharge opening is formed. The magazine bottom is further shaped in an arcuate configuration tapering essentially in the direction of the discharge opening. This produces a steady filament flow in which dead zones are not allowed to develop.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing brushes whereby brush bodies are provided with brush fibers and these brush fibers are then cut off by means of a device comprising at least a rotating cutting knife and a counter knife, wherein the brush fibers are cut off by making the cutting knife as well as the counter knife carry out a rotational movement, mainly along one and the same axis of rotation.

Abstract: A brush for applying a substance to keratinous fibers may include a twisted core defining turns and bristles extending from the twisted core. The bristles may be clamped between the turns of the twisted core, and the bristles may include at least two deformed bristles clamped between two adjacent turns of the twisted core. Each of the at least two deformed bristles may have a length wherein at at least one point along the length each of the at least two deformed bristles includes either removal of material at the at least one point, stretching of material at the at least one point, or flattening at the at least one point. Each of the at least two deformed bristles may extend outward from the at least one point in a non-radial manner with respect to the twisted core.

Abstract: A clamping device for restraining filament tufts in a bristle cluster includes fixed and movable clamping plates. The clamping plates have apertures that are aligned in the unloaded position and that are offset relative to each other in the loaded position. The movable clamping plates can be displaced relative to the fixed clamping plates, and each movable clamping plate secures a specific portion of the bristle cluster.

Abstract: A brush for applying a substance onto keratinous fibers includes a core and bristles that are supported by the core and made other than by being injection molded together with the core. In embodiments, the brush has at least a portion that carries bristles that are curved and extend from the core in oriented manner.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of securing filaments to a toothbrush handle that is foldable along a longitudinal axis to acquire a functional configuration, the method includes providing a mold device for the toothbrush handle, the mold device comprising an upper member and a lower member positionable to define a mold cavity therebetween and a corresponding parting line therebetween, positioning filaments partially within the mold cavity, the filaments arranged linearly within the mold cavity in a plane that is parallel to the parting line, injecting a flowable plastic material into the mold cavity, and allowing the plastic material to cool and at least partially solidify within the mold cavity.

Abstract: In a method for the production of brushes consisting of a bristle support and bristles mounted thereon and combined to at least one group having a defined cross-section with at least two different types of bristles, the bristles of a bristle type are combined into a partial group and the partial groups forming a bristle group are combined into said bristle group and subsequently, the bristle group is mounted to the bristle support. The bristles of each partial group are formed in a surrounding guide of a shaping device into a cross-section corresponding to their partial cross-sections in the bristle group, and the partial groups are then combined while maintaining their partial cross-section in the guides to form the cross-section of the bristle group. A device for carrying out this method and brushes produced in this fashion are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing brushes. The bristle bundles are loaded into a magazine which includes part of a cavity for an injection mold. The magazine is mated with the remainder of the injection mold and the brush handle injection molded around the bristles. The bristles may be profiled, trimmed, end-rounded, fused, or otherwise processed before the handle is injection molded. In addition, the handle of the brush may be formed in two injection molding steps of two different materials. An apparatus is taught which enables the brush to be produced, optionally ornamented, and packaged on a single machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system of manufacturing a cosmetic applicator in which a predetermined pattern of flocking bristles are dispensed toward the applicator and are adhered to the applicator by an adhesive. The flocking bristles can be dispensed using a flocking dispenser. The flocking dispenser is moveable in a longitudinal direction forward and backward along the sides and tip of the applicator. During or after movement of the flocking dispenser, the applicator can be rotated around its longitudinal axis. The movement of the flocking dispenser and rotation of the applicator can be controlled to provide the desired pattern of flocking bristles. The density of distribution of the flocking bristles can be controlled by varying the speed of movement and rotation of the applicator and the amount of flocking bristles which are dispensed from the flocking dispenser. For example, a high density of flocking bristles can be applied to extend radially from the tip.

Abstract: A brush manufacturing machine having an injection mold is used to manufacture multi-component brush elements made of plastic, in particular for toothbrushes. The injection mold has a nozzle-side mold plate and an ejector-side mold plate, in which mutually allocated mold cavities (8) are provided, the injection mold being formed as a turning tool, having a turning part (index plate) that can be rotated about an axis of rotation and that is allocated to the ejector-side mold plate (3), said turning part having partial cavities (8b) of the mold cavities of the ejector-side mold plate (3). The turning part, formed as an index plate (4), has at least three carrier arms (11) that have the partial cavities (8b) and that are situated approximately radially in relation to the axis of rotation (14) of the rotatable turning part. The mold cavities (8) are situated with their longitudinal extension approximately tangential to the axis of rotation (14).

Abstract: A bristle arrangement for use in a brush seal, comprising: a plurality of bristles arranged in a length; and a joint along the length securing the bristles together. The fixture for making the bristle arrangement, comprises: a base having a surface with an arrangement of guides thereon, the guides adapted to orient the tufts on the surface; and a cover having a surface for receiving the tufts. The cover removably mounts to the base to sandwich the tufts between the cover and the base. Making a brush seal with multiple stages comprises the steps of: providing plates and bristle arrangements; creating a stack of plates and bristle arrangements; and joining the stack.