Abstract: A tuft picker for a brush-making machine for automated production of brushes, toothbrushes adapted to remove filaments from a filament container. The tuft picker includes two cover tools spaced by a picking part. The picking part has at least one picker eye for taking up a predefined number of loose filaments from the filament container. This picker eye has an opening that can be opened and closed by moving the cover tools from a first position to a second position during one working stroke.

Abstract: A feeding device for feeding batches of bristle filaments to a bristle filament cassette includes a vertical magazine and at least one batch of bristle filaments arranged therein. In order to prevent individual bristle filaments from being pressed out of the batch of bristle filaments and to provide an ecologically optimized device, the batch of bristle filaments is held in a reusable and circumferentially enclosed batch carrier. A tufting device with the feeding device of a bristle filament cassette and a transfer device between the bristle filament cassette and the feeding device are provided. A corresponding method for fitting a brush is also provided.

Abstract: A tuft picker for a tuft-picking device has a working surface having a tuft-picking notch with a depth, a width, and an opening. First and second projections reduce the opening of the notch versus an inner width. At least one top of the first and/or second projection is located off-site the working surface of the tuft picker and inside of the notch. A distance from the at least one top to the working surface of the tuft picker is in the range of from 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm, and an angle between the working surface of the tuft picker and a line of reflection symmetry crossing the at least one top is from 1° to 45°.

Abstract: A tuft-picking device for a brush-making machine includes a container for holding loose filaments with circumferences having at least one recess; and a tuft picker having a working surface having a notch. The notch has a depth, a width, and an opening. A contour of the working surface is movable during a working stroke past an open side of the container so that the opening passes the loose filaments. First and second projections reduce the opening versus an inner width. The first projection's top is located in the working surface of the tuft picker and the second projection's top is located off-site the working surface and inside the notch. The second projection passes the open side of the filament container last during a working stroke. A distance from the top of the second projection to the working surface is from 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm, and an angle between the working surface and a line of reflection symmetry crossing the top of the second projection is from 0° to 45°.

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: 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 brush stuffing machine comprising a bristle magazine and a stuffing tool which is movable between a bundle take-over position and a stuffing position, the stuffing tool is pivotally mounted about an axis for movement on a circular arc between the take-over position and the stuffing position.

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 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: Method for manufacturing brushes, whereby bundles of fibers (2) are provided in openings (3) in a brush body (4) by a filling tool (5) of the type which at least consists of a bundle remover (7) for separating bundles of fibers (2) from a fiber magazine (8), a mechanism (9) for supplying fastening material (10) in order to fix the bundles of fibers (2) in the openings (3), a filling tool slide (11) moving to and fro to guide the bundles of fibers (2) to the brush body (4) and a needle (13) to put every bundle of fibers (2) concerned in the corresponding opening (3) together with a fastening element (14) formed of the fastening material (10), wherein at least the filling tool slide (11) is controlled by an individual electric drive element (27).

Abstract: Method for manufacturing brushes, whereby, on one hand, fibers (3) are supplied to at least one filling tool (4) by means of at least one auxiliary device (15) comprising at least two fiber loading chambers (16-20) and, on the other hand, said fiber loading chambers (16-20) are replenished by taking up fibers (3) from at least two respective fiber supply channels (8-12), whereby, by means of the filling tool (4), the fibers (3) are inserted into brush bodies (6), wherein, on one hand, the supply of the fibers (3) from the fiber loading chambers (16-20) to the filling tool (4) and, on the other hand, the replenishing of the fiber loading chambers (16-20) with fibers (3) from the fiber supply channels (8-12) is realized by means of working cycles which as such are independent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automated brush assembly are disclosed. A method of end-rounding bristle ends with an abrasive surface in random orbital motion relative to bristle tufts held in a movable gripper is described. A novel tuft carrier adapted to hold a plurality of bristle tufts in an arrangement suitable for direct mechanical insertion into the tuft chambers of a brush mold is also described. The tuft carrier has a plurality of tuft insertion cavities and a plurality of movable clamps, each clamp adapted to at least partially occlude one of the cavities when closed. Individual bristle tufts, having a fused end and a rounded or non-rounded bristle end, are transferred from a movable gripper to the tuft carrier by direct mechanical insertion. In addition, an apparatus for direct mechanical insertion of bristle tufts from a tuft carrier into the tuft chambers of a brush mold is described.

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: The invention is directed to a device for the manufacture of bristle products, in particular toothbrushes, with a feed unit for precut lengths of upstanding bristles arranged loosely in a supply duct, the bristles being routed directly to a picker segment picking up the bristles. The device includes a driven conveyor at the end of the supply duct close to the picker segment, or a further processing station.

Abstract: A method of exerting a uniform force on bristle bundles in a clamp. Holes in a locking plate in a clamp are adjusted such that when the clamp is engaged, a specific force is exerted on the bristle bundles. The adjustment allows the holes to be displaced by different amounts for a given displacement of the locking plate.

Abstract: Provided is a production process of a brush, comprising a consecutive combination of: (a) a step of bundling a prescribed number of fibers to form a long-size fiber bundle in which the whole is temporarily bound, (b) a step of cutting the long-size fiber bundle to a prescribed size, (c) a step of completely binding the tail end part of the cut fiber bundle by a thermally fusing means, (d) a step of dipping the fiber bundle in which the tail end part is completely bound in a solvent to remove the resin adhered to unbind the fibers other than those in the tail end part of the fiber bundle.

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: In order to manufacture brushes, in particular toothbrushes, bundles (3) of bristles, enclosed at first by a covering (2) or the like, are first cut open in a bristle magazine (4), so that the covering (2) can be removed. The covering is cut through at two points that are spaced apart from one another, in particular situated opposite one another, and the resulting two parts (2a and 2b) of the covering (2) are removed from the bristle magazine towards two opposite sides thereof.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for the manufacture of bristle products, in particular toothbrushes, with a feed unit for precut lengths of upstanding bristles arranged loosely in a supply duct, the bristles being routed directly to a picker segment picking up the bristles. The device includes a driven conveyor at the end of the supply duct close to the picker segment, or a further processing station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding bristle bundle material into a magazine. The magazine is used in the production of brushes in which not all the bristle bundles extend in the same direction from the face of the brush. The feed apparatus for guiding the bristle bundle material from a supply to the magazine includes a number of transition plates having channels machined at an oblique angle to the surface of the plate. The plates each guide the bristle bundle material through a small angle; the assembled plates can guide the material through a large total angle so that the angle at which the bristle bundles enter the magazine is the same as the angle the bristles will have with respect to the brush.

Abstract: A gripper includes a) a first element that includes a plurality of male components; and b) a second element that includes a plurality of female components dimensioned to receive the male components. The first element and the second element are moveable from an open position to a closed position and the male components engage the female components when the elements are in a closed position. The individual male components and the individual female components are capable of maintaining a plurality of bristles in fixed relation to each other when the elements are in a closed position.

Abstract: A method and device for forming fiber packs for manufacturing brushes from a fiber strand. The fiber packs (2) are formed from a fiber strand (1) which is provided with a cover (4) by cutting off parts (5) of this fiber strand (1), wherein, before such a part (5) is cut off, the cover (4) is entirely removed from said part (5).

Abstract: A picking device used for separating a fill material. The picking device includes a magazine for holding the fill material. The magazine has a width defined by two movable lateral walls and a depth defined by a two-piece stationary bottom which has an upper surface for sustaining the fill material. The two pieces of the bottom are spaced apart so as to form a discharge slot for releasing the fill material from the magazine. The lateral walls are movable so that they swing relative to the stationary bottom within a swing range to facilitate discharge of the fill material through the slot.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing brushes, whereby, on one hand, fibers (3) are supplied to at least one filling tool (4) by means of at least one auxiliary device (15) comprising at least two fiber loading chambers (16-20) and, on the other hand, said fiber loading chambers (16-20) are replenished by taking up fibers (3) from at least two respective fiber supply channels (8-12), whereby, by means of the filling tool (4), the fibers (3) are inserted into brush bodies (6), characterized in that, on one hand, the supply of the fibers (3) from the fiber loading chambers (16-20) to the filling tool (4) and, on the other hand, the replenishing of the fiber loading chambers (16-20) with fibers (3) from the fiber supply channels (8-12) is realized by means of working cycles which as such are independent.

Abstract: A device for supplying fibers to a filling instrument of a brush manufacturing machine which contains a fiber cartridge with at least two fiber supply ducts. The device is provided with a drawer with loading spaces which are used to move the fibers coming from the fiber cartridge to a bundle remover and work in conjunction with the filling instrument. Between each fiber supply duct in association with the fiber cartridge and the drawer, the device is provided with a loading device which makes is possible for certain loading spaces to work exclusively with certain fiber supply ducts.

Abstract: A device for removing individual fiber tufts from a plurality of fiber bins of a brush making machine comprises a tuft remover, a counterpart matching the tuft remover and a movable slide arranged between the counterpart and the fiber bins. The slide has a plurality of through-passages each of which is associated with one of the fiber bins. The outer passages of the slide are inclined at an angle to the central passage. Between the central fiber bin and each of the outer fiber bins an associated ram is arranged. Each ram has an end face which faces the slide and either bears on one side surface area of the slide or applies pressure to the opposite end of one of the outer through-passages, depending on the respective position of the slide. The device allows the tuft remover to selectively pick up tufts of three different types of fiber.

Abstract: Automatic filling device for fiber cartridges (3) and fiber cassettes of brush manufacturing machines wherein each fiber duct (2-3) is provided with a pair of fiber gripping tongs (23) which can be moved between two positions, namely a position at the level of a take-up point (A) for bundles of fibers and a position which forms a supply point (B) in the respective fiber duct.

Abstract: A brush making machine with a mold for injection molding of brush bodies is disclosed. The mold includes a stationary mold part, a movable mold part and a pair of complementary mold parts fitting into a recess of the movable mold part. The complementary mold parts have tuft insertion holes. While one of the complementary mold parts fills the recess of the movable mold part and a brush body is injection molded with tufts of bristles embedded in the molding material, the other complementary mold part is in front of a tuft feeder for introducing tufts of bristles into the tuft insertion holes. The tuft feeder includes a plurality of tuft picking and transfer tubes which are movable to pick out tufts of bristles from a bristle container and to transfer each of these tufts to a position adjacent one of the tuft insertion holes. Plunger members penetrate into respective tubes to push out the tufts of bristles contained therein and to force them into and through the tuft insertion holes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gathering a plurality of brush bristles into a bundle and forming the bristle bundle into a tuft. The apparatus comprises a housing and a centerpiece. The housing comprises a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end, a bore formed in the interior of the housing and extending generally along the housing longitudinal axis, and a slot formed in the exterior of the housing. The housing slot communicates with the housing exterior and extends generally diagonally toward the housing second end from the housing exterior to the housing interior such that the housing slot communicates with the housing bore. The centerpiece is adapted to be slidably received within the housing bore and comprises a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end, and a slot formed in the exterior of the centerpiece.

Abstract: A brush making machine with a mold for injection molding of brush bodies is disclosed. The mold comprises a stationary mold part, a movable mold part and a pair of insert parts fitting into a recess of the movable mold part. The insert parts have tuft insertion holes therein. While one of the complementary mold parts fills the recess of the movable mold part and brush bodies are injection molded with tufts of bristles embedded in the molding material, the other insert part is in a tuft loading station for introducing tufts of bristles into the tuft insertion holes. The tuft feeder comprises movable tuft carriers which carry sets of tufts from the bristle containers to the mold. A robot is provided for moving the carriers between the mold and the bristle containers.

Abstract: A method for supplying fibres to a filling tool in brush manufacturing machines, includes, per operating cycle, taking a bundle of fibres (7) from a selected fibre supply duct (4,5) to the filling tool (3) by means of a bundle take-up device (6) which cooperates with at least two fibre ducts (4,5), and using, for the selective supply of the fibres (2-2A), moveable closing devices (19,20) which cooperate with the supply ends (11,12) of the fibre ducts (4,5) and which ensure, by their movement that fibres (2-2A) can only be taken from one fibre duct (4,5) at a time by the bundle take-up device. The closing devices (19,20) are mounted on a common support for simultaneous movement each cycle.

Abstract: A swab having an absorbent end comprising a material strip of tubular knit fabric wrapped with a first blind end, helically to a tip and reverse helically to a termination point distal from the tip provides low contamination for use in clean room processes. Lost fibers or lint are precluded by the trapped fiber edges of the material strip forming the absorbent tip of the swab while burying of the first end of the material strip in the blind wrap and combined sealing, severing, and adhering of the second end of the material strip to complete the swab distal from the tip, further precludes fiber contamination.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing bristle bundles has a shaft-like magazine for cut-to-length bristles and at least one tubular bundle gripper, which can be introduced into the magazine and separates a bristle bundle from the bristle supply and which is internally widened from the opening over a short axial length in a continuous curve and then has over most of its axial length an axially parallel wall, accompanied by the formation of a larger internal cross-section than the said opening. The magazine has a vibrating bottom, which "fluidizes" the bristles and vibrating wall portion pushing flush the said bristles.

Abstract: An end brush for use in a dental unit or the like includes a base formed of solified fiber material. The base includes an outwardly projecting portion, which is adapted to be received within a mounting structure provided on the dental unit. An apparatus and method for forming the end brush are disclosed.

Abstract: Improved device for the supply of fibers to a filling machine of a brush manufacturing machine of the type which mainly consists in a drawer (4) movable between a fixed multiple fiber container (1) and a pick-up device (5), in which this drawer (4) consists in a number of relatively small loading spaces (2,3), which act as locks for the moving of the fibers (6, 7, 14, 15) out of the fiber channels (8, 9) of aforementioned fiber container (1) to the cluster pick-up device (5), characterized in that the loading spaces (2, 3) are of such shape that regardless of their position a connection remains with the subject fiber channel (8), respectively (9).

Abstract: Operating procedure for the supply of fibres to a brush manufacturing machine, more particularly to fibre containers of such machines, where one assumes wreathed or wrapped bundles, characterized in that it mainly consists in the grasping of the wreathing or wrapping (2) of a fibre bundle (1); at least separating a fibre bundle (1) into two parts (A-B); the cutting through of aforementioned wreathing or wrapping (2); the removal of the wreathing or wrapping (2) and the subsequent successive transport of the separated parts (A-B) to a fibre container (9) of a brush manufacturing machine.

Abstract: Supplies of loose bristles which are confined in cardboard boxes are removed stepwise in the form of batches by a vertically movable combined separating and withdrawing tool which can enter a box from above or from below and can be used to deliver successively formed batches of loose bristles to a vehicle for transport to the magazine of a brush making or other bristle processing machine or additionally serves as a vehicle for transport of successive batches to one and the same machine or to two or more discrete processing machines. A holding device is provided to prevent the partially depleted supply of bristles in a box from collapsing as a result of removal of one or more batches of bristles, and an aligning device is provided to align the bristles in the box in regions where successive batches are separated from the supply of bristles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and useful apparatus and method of manufacture of an end brush, comprised of thermoplastic bristles. The apparatus comprises a fiber feed guide eye for fiber skein, a fiber bundle adjustable aperture plate, electric induction heater coil surrounding a tapered splined male pin and a source of cold air blast, and the tapered splined male pin activated by a compression spring to force the heated tapered splined pin into the fiber bundle held in the adjustable aperture plate. The movement of the tapered splined male pin is limited by stops. The subsequent cooling of the tapered splined pin withdraws the fused end brush from the open adjustable aperture plate and the bristles of the end brush are severed from the skein of fibers, and the end brush attached to the tapered splined pin is subsequently knocked off of the pin by means of a hammer.

Abstract: A brush head for cleaning and massaging the teeth and gums is disclosed having a bundle of fibers welded together to form a bottom plate, with a central axial tunnel expending part way into the fiber bundle, similarly made up of welded fibers. The brush head is produced by partially melting one end of the fiber bundle to form the bottom plate, with the bundle moved into contact with a heated mandrel, while the fibers remain substantially parallel.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying fibers to a filling tool of a brush-making machine is provided. The apparatus includes a slide positioned between a stationary multiple fiber magazine and a bundle remover. The slide has a number of loading spaces for the purpose of moving fibers from the channels of the fiber magazine to the bundle remover. The removal of the fibers from the fiber magazine to the bundle remover is accomplished by first pushing a number of fibers from the magazine into one of the loading spaces on the slide and then moving the filled loading space to a position adjacent the bundle remover. The fibers in the loading space are then pushed into the bundle remover by a separate pusher attachment.

Abstract: This invention relates to new and useful brush and broom manufacturing apparatus which allows the manufacture of a wide variety of different type constructions having pretrimmed synthetic brush tufts fused onto a thermo plastic or foreign substrate whereby the tufted construction is comprised of at least two different types of thermo plastic monofilament, said different tufts being fused simultaneously onto the said substrate. A different stock box is provided for each type of filament. A picking unit with individual pickers for each tuft is also provided. Picker receiving apertures corresponding to the unit are provided in each box, but cut-to-length filament are blocked from the area behind predetermined apertures so that the unit picks tufts only from unblocked apertures.

Abstract: A filament stock box having choke means mounted therein for controlling the flow of cut-to-length monofilament during the picking process is disclosed. The choke means provides a less dense downstream mass of filament to insure a smooth entry of pickers into the filament to form tufts without bending or crimping the filament to be picked.This invention relates to new and useful apparatus for dispensing cut-to-length monofilaments during the tufting and fusing of synthetic brush and broom products.

Abstract: An arrangement for automatically feeding fibres to the cassette of a brush-making machine, the arrangement including a bundle magazine for storing cylindrical bundles of wrapped fibres, a bundle chamber for sequentially receiving the wrapped fibre bundles wherein a knife disposed within the chamber serves to cut through each bundle wrapper, a mechanism for completely removing each cut wrapper from the loose fibres, a pair of tongs for gripping the loose fibres and maintaining them in a parallel disposition, and a conveyor for moving the gripped fibres to the fibre cassette of the brush-making machine.

Abstract: The magazine of a brush making machine receives batches of parallel bristles from an opening station where the batches are relieved of their envelopes. The upper end of the envelope for a batch which is delivered to the opening station in upright position is engaged by a clamping device, and the batch is thereupon lifted so that its upper end becomes exposed and is ready to be engaged by a tongs which lifts the batch to thus complete its separation from the envelope prior to transfer into the magazine.

Abstract: A method and machine for manufacturing brushes, in which bristle bunches are manufactured before being transported to a brush member, the individual bristles being connected to one another. Bristle bunches which are prepared in this manner are distributed by a distributor block to plural tubular conduits leading to a bristle bunch holder which holds the bristle bunches in a desired orientation relative to the brush member. The bristle bunches and the brush member are welded together by pressing them against one another, both the bristle bunches and the brush member having previously been softened at the welding regions. The tubular conduits can be of any desired length and can be routed in any desired direction to the brush member, which permits the manufacture of all brush shapes.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing and manipulating bundles of partially wrapped batches of bristles in a brush making machine has a single plate-like support or two or more stationary or mobile supports for temporary storage of bundles. The support or supports can admit bundles into the range of a singularizing device which delivers discrete bundles to an opening station where the bundles are relieved of their wrappers prior to introduction of the thus exposed batches of bristles into the magazine or magazines of the brush making machine. Mobile supports can constitute pallets which are transported by a conveyor into the range of a chute serving to advance bundles from successive loaded pallets into the range of the singularizing device. The apparatus can store a supply of bundled bristles which suffices to satisfy the requirements of the machine during an entire shift. The supports can be stored side by side or one above the other, depending upon the availability of space in the brush making plant.

Abstract: The device according to the invention is of a concept whereby means are provided per brush-manufacturing machine, that can contain a series of cassettes, that are placed above or beside each other and that, under control, can be brought opposite the fibre magazine of the machine one by one to be emptied into this fibre magazine.

Abstract: Arrangement for filling cassettes with fibres, characterized thereby that it consists of the combination of a supply magazine, in this supply magazine a displaceable pressing member on the one hand and second pressing members on the other hand, means that can command the pressing member or the second pressing means, separating means that can separate a well-determined amount of fibres, second separating means able to further free the fibres from each other, means able to remove the separated fibres from the supply magazine and a cassette that can receive this small amount of fibres.

Abstract: A method for continuously making a brush-like material includes winding an adhering filament onto the outer surface of a flexible tubular member. The strands of wound filament and the tubular member are severed about the length of the tubular member to form a planar strip with filament segments adhering and extending across the width arranged in a spaced manner about the length of the planar strip. A portion of the planar strip is removed to expose the ends of the filament segments. The strips holding the filament segments are gathered and stacked in side by side relationship. The strips of filament segments and the exposed tips of segmented filament are immersed in a liquid anchoring material which is cured to secure the filament segments therein. The remaining strips of the tubular member are removed to form a finished strip of brush-like material.

Abstract: Apparatus for making flared, tufted, brush constructions is disclosed. A plurality of synthetic filament tufts are picked, and the ends fused. Simultaneously, the fused ends are mounted parallel on a heat softened, thermoplastic support. Before the support cools, it is deformed to a convex configuration so that when the support cools, a flared, tufted construction is formed, suitable for mounting on a handle. The support may also be deformed to a concave configuration so that the tufts converge.