Brush

Abstract

A brush is described that includes a plurality of bristles secured to a carrier. Each bristle includes a through-hole into which the carrier projects.

1 . A brush comprising a plurality of bristles secured to a carrier, wherein each bristle comprises a through-hole into which the carrier projects. 
     
     
         2 . The brush as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is moulded to the bristles. 
     
     
         3 . The brush as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 each bristle comprises a root and a shaft that extends upwardly from the root;   the root comprises a base and a stem that extends upwardly from the base;   the base extends outwardly beyond the stem; and   the through-hole is formed in the stem.   
     
     
         4 . The brush as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the stem comprises an undercut in which the through-hole is formed. 
     
     
         5 . The brush as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is formed of silicone rubber. 
     
     
         6 . The brush as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is formed of a material having a Shore A durometer of less than 50. 
     
     
         7 . The brush as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each bristle comprises a root and a shaft that extends upwardly from the root, and the shaft has a diameter of at least 1.2 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The brush as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein each bristle comprises a tip formed as a rounded end of the shaft. 
     
     
         9 . The brush as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each bristle comprises a root and a shaft that extends upwardly from the root, the carrier surrounds the root, and the shaft has a length of at least 15 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The brush as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each bristle has a flexural modulus of at least 1 GPa or a flexural stiffness of at least 500 N/m. 
     
     
         11 . The brush as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bristles are formed of metal. 
     
     
         12 . The brush as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the brush comprises a frame comprising a plurality of holes, and each bristle extends through a respective hole in the frame. 
     
     
         13 . The brush as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the frame is hyperbolic paraboloidic in shape. 
     
     
         14 . The brush as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the carrier is moulded to the frame. 
     
     
         15 . The brush as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the brush comprises a body and the carrier is held between the frame and the body at each bristle.