| 摘要 |
<p>An improved method for fastening thermoplastic bristle tufts (40) to a thermoplastic bristle carrier (4). The bristle carrier (4) includes premolded holes (5) with outwardly extending generally concentric collars (6) to receive the bristle tufts (40). The bristles (41) in each of the tufts (40) to be secured to the carrier (4) have their fastening ends melted and fused together to form a thickened fastening end portion (42). The thickened fastening end portion (42) of each tuft (40) has a cross-section which is no greater than the corresponding cross-section of the premolded hole (5) and outwardly extending collar (6) on the carrier (4). The premolded collars (6) and the adjacent side wall portions (8) of the premolded holes (5) in the carrier (4) are softened by non-contact heating means, the thickened fastening end portions (42) of the bristle tufts (40) are inserted into the premolded holes (5) and their associated collars (6) substantially without interference therebetween, and the softened collars (6) are swaged about the thickened fastening end portions (42) of the bristle tufts (40), thereby securing the bristle tufts (40) to the carrier (4) when the swaged collars (6) cool and harden. Because the collars (6) comprise only a small amount of thermoplastic material, heating and cooling requirements to effect joinder are minimized, thereby reducing the overall cycle time for the present process. In addition, the small amount of logicalized heating in the collars (6) avoids unsightly damage to or distortion of the carrier (4).</p> |
