Brush, and a method of manufacturing of a brush

Abstract

A brush that includes an intertwisted wire core defining a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of bristles secured within the intertwisted wire core, each of the plurality of bristles having opposed ends that extend radially away from the core, and at least some of the opposed ends of the plurality of bristles being split into a plurality of fragments.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A brush, comprising:
 an intertwisted wire core defining a longitudinal axis; and   a plurality of bristles secured within the intertwisted wire core, each of the plurality of bristles having opposed ends that extend radially away from the core, and at least some of the opposed ends of the plurality of bristles being split into a plurality of fragments.   
     
     
         2 . The brush of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of bristles has a cross sectional snowflake shape. 
     
     
         3 . The brush of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bristles form a cylindrical envelope along the longitudinal axis of the intertwisted wire core. 
     
     
         4 . The brush of  claim 1 , wherein a length of the bristles decrease toward a distal end of the core so as to form a conical shape. 
     
     
         5 . The brush of  claim 1 , further comprising a rod attached to an end of the intertwisted wire core. 
     
     
         6 . A method of manufacturing a brush, the method comprising:
 mounting a bush adjacent a splitting tool having a plurality of blades, the brush having an intertwisted wire core defining a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of bristles secured within the intertwisted wire core, each of the plurality of bristles having opposed ends that extend radially away from the core;   rotating the brush relative to the splitting tool;   contacting at least some of the opposed ends of the plurality of bristles with the plurality of blades of the splitting tool so as to split the at least some of the opposed ends of the plurality of bristles into a plurality of fragments.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of blades has a claw shape with a curved portion and a pointed tip. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the brush is rotated along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising rotating the splitting tool along a longitudinal axis thereof parallel to the longitudinal axis of the brush. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein all of the opposed ends of the plurality of bristles are split into the plurality of fragments. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 mounting the bush adjacent a spreading tool having an abrasive surface;   rotating the brush relative to the spreading tool;   contacting the abrasive surface of the spreading tool with the plurality of fragments at the at least some of the opposed ends of the plurality of bristles such that the plurality of fragments are spread apart.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a surface area corresponding to of each of the plurality of fragments is increased when the plurality of fragments are spread apart. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising moving the spreading tool linearly along the longitudinal axis of the spreading tool while the plurality of fragments are spread apart.