US2012227202A1PendingUtilityA1

Knot brush with polymer-encapsulated knots

35
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Mar 7, 2011Filed: Mar 7, 2011Published: Sep 13, 2012
Est. expiryMar 7, 2031(~4.6 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Larry Mell
A46D 1/0207A46B 13/001A46D 9/06
35
PatentIndex Score
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Claims

Abstract

A rotary brush having a hub having a central bore, a plurality of wire knots extending radially outward from the hub and spaced apart from each other around an outer circumference of the hub, a thermosetting polymer encapsulating each wire knot, and substantially polymer-free spaces located between each adjacent pair of wire knots.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A rotary brush comprising:
 a hub having a central bore;   a plurality of wire knots extending radially outward from the hub and spaced apart from each other around an outer circumference of the hub;   a thermosetting polymer encapsulating each wire knot; and   substantially polymer-free spaces located between each adjacent pair of wire knots.   
     
     
         2 . The rotary brush of  claim 1 , wherein each wire knot comprises a plurality of wire strands twisted together about a radially-oriented axis; 
     
     
         3 . The rotary brush of  claim 2 , wherein each wire knot further comprises gaps between the wire strands, and wherein the polymer fills at least a portion of the gaps to help support the wire strands. 
     
     
         4 . The rotary brush of  claim 1 , wherein the thermosetting polymer includes an epoxy. 
     
     
         5 . The rotary brush of  claim 4 , wherein the epoxy includes a synthetic elastomer. 
     
     
         6 . A rotary brush comprising:
 a hub having a central bore;   an annular working portion extending radially outward from the hub, the annular working portion including a plurality of wire knots each encapsulated in a thermosetting polymer alternating with a plurality of substantially polymer-free spaces.   
     
     
         7 . The rotary brush of  claim 6 , wherein the thermosetting polymer includes an epoxy. 
     
     
         8 . A method of making a rotary brush having alternating polymer-encapsulated wire knots and substantially polymer-free spaces around its circumference, the method comprising:
 mounting a plurality of wire knots to extend radially outward from a hub having a central bore, the wire knots being spaced apart from each other around a circumference of the hub; and   exposing a portion of each of the wire knots to a liquid thermosetting polymer while slowly rotating the hub about the central bore, thereby allowing the polymer to wick into gaps between individual wire stands in each wire knot.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein exposing a portion of each of the wire knots to a liquid thermosetting polymer includes dipping an outer portion of each of the wire knots in a bath of the polymer. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein exposing a portion of each of the wire knots to a liquid thermosetting polymer includes dripping the polymer onto an outer portion of each of the wire knots. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein exposing a portion of each of the wire knots to a liquid thermosetting polymer includes spraying the polymer onto an outer portion of each of the wire knots. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 ceasing exposing the portion of each of the wire knots to the polymer after each wire knot has been exposed to the polymer.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 continuing to slowly rotate the hub until the polymer is at least partially solidified.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 curing the polymer while continuing to slowly rotate the hub.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the thermosetting polymer includes an epoxy. 
     
     
         16 . A method of making a rotary brush having alternating polymer-encapsulated wire knots and substantially polymer-free spaces around its circumference, the method comprising:
 mounting a plurality of wire knots to extend radially outward from a hub having a central bore, the wire knots being spaced apart from each other around a circumference of the hub;   exposing a portion of each of the wire knots to a liquid thermosetting polymer while slowly rotating the hub about the central bore, thereby allowing the polymer to wick into gaps between individual wire stands in each wire knot;   ceasing exposing the portion of each of the wire knots in the bath after each wire knot has been exposed to the polymer;   continuing to slowly rotate the hub until the polymer is at least partially solidified; and   curing the polymer while continuing to slowly rotate the hub.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein exposing a portion of each of the wire knots to a liquid thermosetting polymer includes at least one of dipping an outer portion of each of the wire knots in a bath of the polymer, dripping the polymer onto an outer portion of each of the wire knots, and spraying the polymer onto an outer portion of each of the wire knots. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 exposing a portion of each of the wire knots to an enhancement material prior to exposing a portion of each of the wire knots to the polymer.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the enhancement material is selected from the group consisting of a lubricant, a coolant, an encapsulant, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the thermosetting polymer includes an epoxy.

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