Machine for making metal bristle brushes

Abstract

A machine (1) for making metal bristle brushes (200) comprises a rolling station (2) for rolling least one metal wire (100), in particular having a circular cross-section, moved along an feeding direction A so as to obtain a flat wire (101) with a quadrangular section; a cutting station (3) for cutting the flat wire (101) so as to make flat wire sections (102) of a set length; an assembly station (4) for fixing a plurality of flat wire sections (102) to respective base elements (201) for making corresponding brushes (200) equipped with metal bristles (202); the rolling station (2) comprises a first laminating roller (21) and a second laminating roller (22), that are parallel and opposite, configured and cooperating to roll at least two circular cross section metal wires (100) moved parallel and along the feeding direction (A) in order to make two respective quadrangular section flat wires (101) to be conveyed to said cutting station (3).

Description

[0001] Machine for making metal bristle brushes

[0002] The present invention concerns machines for making brushes with metal bristles, in particular with metal bristles having a quadrangular cross section.

[0003] Brushes equipped with metal bristles are known, such as for example cup brushes, disc brushes, ring brushes and the like, typically used in cleaning and / or sweeping machines for cleaning roads and public and industrial premises.

[0004] Such brushes comprise a disc-shaped or ring-shaped base, to which are fixed bristles composed of sections or pieces of metal wire obtained by cutting to size a metal wire unwound from a coil. Generally, the wire sections are bent into a "V" shape and fixed to openings provided on the base at their bent end, individually or in bundles.

[0005] The machines known to make this type of brushes generally comprise a cutting station, in which the wire unwound from a coil is cut into sections of a predefined length, an accumulation station, in which the wire sections obtained from the cut are collected, a bending station fed from the accumulation station and in which each wire section is bent into a "V" shape, and a punching or assembly station in which the bent wire sections that form the bristles are fixed to the base to make the brush.

[0006] Generally, the cross section of the metal wires is circular or round, meaning thereby that the cross section of the wire is a section of the wire according to a plane orthogonal to a direction of longitudinal extension of the wire.

[0007] In some applications, typically in the case of large-sized cup brushes intended for use on sweeping machines, it is required that the metal bristles have a quadrangular cross section, in particular rectangular, to ensure better operational efficiency. For this purpose, the machines for making these brushes are fed with flat metal profiles called ribbons.

[0008] However, the cost of the ribbons is considerably higher than that of the wires with a circular cross section and it is also more complex and laborious to supply them.

[0009] To overcome this disadvantage, brush machines are known which comprise, before the metallic wire cutting station, a station provided with an apparatus capable of cold rolling the metallic wire with a circular cross section, so as to change it into a quadrangular, typically rectangular cross section shape, to obtain a flat wire or ribbon. In this way, starting from round metal wires of standard diameter, commercially and widely available on the market, such rolling apparatuses make it possible to make flat wires of quadrangular section having the required dimensions, in particular chosen according to the dimensions and / or characteristics of the brushes to be made.

[0010] A disadvantage of such known brush machines lies in the fact that the optimum rolling speed of the metal wire, i.e. the speed with which the wire must be moved in order to undergo an optimum cold rolling process, is linked to the dimensions and characteristics of the metal alloy of which the wire is composed. Therefore, in the event that it is necessary to increase the production speed of the machine, it is necessary to provide two or more side-by-side rolling stations capable of feeding two respective successive cutting stations of the flat wire. However, in this way the machine becomes more complex, expensive and bulky.

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to improve the known machines for making brushes with metal bristles, in particular with metal bristles of quadrangular cross section.

[0012] Another object is to make a machine for making brushes with metal bristles provided with a rolling station suitable for making a flat wire with a quadrangular section starting from a metal wire with a circular section and a cutting station for cutting sections of the flat wire to form metal bristles, which allow operating at high speeds or operating rates, greater than those typical of known machines.

[0013] A further object is to provide a machine for making brushes with metal bristles with quadrangular cross section having compact dimensions and limited dimensions.

[0014] These and other objects are achieved by a machine for making metal bristle brushes according to one or more of the claims set forth below.

[0015] The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached drawings which illustrate an exemplifying and non-limiting embodiment thereof, in which: figure l is a schematic front view of the machine for making metal bristle brushes of the invention; figure 2 is a schematic top plan view of the machine of figure 1; figure 3 is a partial, enlarged and partially sectioned view of the machine in figure 1, illustrating in particular a rolling station of the metal wire; figure 4 is a partial enlarged view of the machine in figure 2, illustrating in particular the rolling station; figure 5 is an enlarged section according to the plane V-V of figure 1, illustrating in particular the rolling station; figure 6 is an enlarged section according to the plane VI- VI of figure 1, illustrating in particular a wire cutting station; figures 7-9 are respectively front, plan and perspective views of a metal bristle brushes made by the machine of the invention.

[0016] With reference to figures 1 to 6, the machine 1 of the invention for making metal bristle brushes 200 is illustrated. In particular, a metal bristle brush 200 of known type that can be made by the machine 1 of the invention is illustrated in figures 7 to 9 and comprises a discshaped base element 201, provided with a plurality of openings 203, radially and angularly aligned around a central axis, suitable for receiving the bristles 202.

[0017] The machine 1 comprises a rolling station 2 arranged to roll at least one metal wire 100, in particular having a circular cross section, moved along a feeding direction A so as to obtain at least one flat wire 101 with a quadrangular section, in particular a rectangular section, and a cutting station 3 arranged to cut the flat wire 101 so as to make flat wire sections 102 of a predefined length, in particular intended to form the metal bristles 202 of the brush 200.

[0018] The machine 1 also comprises an assembly station 4, of known type and not illustrated and described in detail, arranged to fix a plurality of flat wire sections 102 forming the bristles 202 to respective base elements 201 so as to make corresponding brushes 200.

[0019] With particular reference to figures 3 to 5, the rolling station 2 comprises a first laminating roller 21 and a second laminating roller 22, parallel and opposite, in particular superimposed, configured and cooperating to roll at least two metal wires 100, in particular having circular cross section, moved parallel to and along the feeding direction A in order to make two respective flat wires 101 with a quadrangular cross section to be conveyed, in particular along the feeding direction A, to the cutting station 3. More precisely, the first laminating roller 21 and the second laminating roller 22 make it possible to obtain two flat wires 101 with a rectangular section, so-called ribbons.

[0020] The two metal wires 100 are unwound from respective coils from the same laminating rollers 21, 22 that drag the wires 100 parallel to each other and to the feeding direction A.

[0021] The first laminating roller 21 and the second laminating roller 22 are rotatable about respective rotation axes Rl, R2, parallel to each other and transverse, in particular almost orthogonal, to the feeding direction A. The rotation axes Rl, R2 of the laminating rollers 21, 22 are for example almost horizontal and vertically aligned in such a way that the first laminating roller 21 and the second laminating roller 22 are superimposed, the first laminating roller 21 for example arranged below the second laminating roller 22.

[0022] Each laminating roller 21 , 22 comprises at least two laminating tracks 21a, 22a each of which is suitable for abutting and rolling a respective wire 100, in particular in cooperation with the corresponding laminating track 21a, 22a, of the opposite laminating roller.

[0023] The laminating tracks 21a, 22a comprise, for example, respective high-hardness steel alloy rings fixed to the outer walls of the respective laminating rollers 21, 22.

[0024] Alternatively, in a variant of the machine 1 not shown in the figures, each laminating roller 21, 22 comprises a single respective laminating track suitable for abutting and rolling the at least two wires 100, in particular in cooperation with a corresponding laminating track of the opposite laminating roller.

[0025] The laminating rollers 21, 22 are rotatably supported by a first support structure 20 of the rolling station 2 and are adjustable in position with respect to each other, in particular along an adjustment direction T almost orthogonal to the rotation axes Rl, R2 of the aforementioned laminating rollers 21, 22 and to the feeding direction A, in particular almost vertical, based on the required dimensions of the quadrangular cross section of the flat wires 101.

[0026] The rolling station 2 comprises a first driving unit 51 and a second driving unit 52 suitable for rotating around the respective rotation axes Rl, R2 separately and independently, respectively the first laminating roller 21 and the second laminating roller 22. The first driving unit 51 and the second driving unit 52 comprise, for example, a first and a second electric motor connected to, and driving in rotation, the respective laminating rollers 21, 22 by means of a first and a second drive shaft 53, 54.

[0027] The rolling station 2 also comprises an inlet adjustment unit 10 configured to guide, parallel to each other and to the feeding direction A, the two wires 100 that enter the laminating rollers 21, 22 and to adjust an entry position of the two wires 100 with reference to a first adjustment axis X and a second adjustment axis Y orthogonal to each other and to the feeding direction A.

[0028] The inlet adjustment unit 10 allows the wires 100 at the inlet of the rolling station 2 to be precisely and accurately inserted between the laminating tracks 21a, 22a of the laminating rollers 21, 22.

[0029] The inlet adjustment unit 10 comprises, in particular, a first support table 13 supporting a first plurality of inlet rollers 23 and a second plurality of inlet rollers 24 suitable for slidably guiding the respective wires 100 parallel to each other and to the feeding direction A, a first slide 14 supporting the first support table 13 and movable along the second adjustment axis Y and a second slide 15 slidably supporting the first slide 14 and movable along the first adjustment axis X.

[0030] The second slide 15 is slidably fixed to the first support structure 20 of the rolling station 2. The rolling station 2 also comprises at least a first output adjustment unit 11 and a second output adjustment unit 12 configured to guide parallel to each other and to the feeding direction A the two flat wires 101 coming out from the two laminating rollers 21, 22 and to independently and separately adjust respective exit positions of the two flat wires with reference to the first adjustment axis X and the second adjustment axis Y. The two output adjustment units 11, 12 allow the two flat wires 101, which could come out of the laminating rollers 21, 22 with different deformations and / or residual stresses, to be transferred precisely to the next cutting station 3.

[0031] In particular, each output adjustment unit 11, 12 comprises a respective second support table 16 supporting a corresponding plurality of output rollers 25 suitable for slidably guiding a flat wire 101 parallel to and along the feeding direction A, a third slide 17 supporting the second support table 16 and movable along the second adjustment axis Y and a fourth slide 18 slidably supporting the third slide 17 and movable along the first adjustment axis X. The fourth slide 18 is slidably fixed to the first support structure 20 of the rolling station 2. With particular reference to figure 6, the cutting station 3 comprises at least one pair of cutting elements 31, 32, that are adjacent and opposite, each cutting element is configured to cut a respective flat wire 101 coming out of the rolling station 2 in order to make flat wire sections 102 of a set length. In particular, the cutting station 3 comprises a first cutting element 31 and a second cutting element 32, for example of the rotating type, which rotate about respective rotation axes R3, R4 parallel to each other, in particular parallel to the feeding direction A.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, each cutting element 31, 32 comprises, for example, a respective support ring 31a, 32a rotatably driven around its own rotation axis R3, R4 and provided on its peripheral edge with one or more cutting edges 3 lb, 32b suitable for precisely abutting and shearing the flat wire 101.

[0033] The machine 1 comprises, in particular at the cutting station 3, collecting means 6 suitable for receiving the flat wire sections 102 made in the cutting station 3 and conveying means 7 for transferring groups of flat wire sections 102 to the next assembly station 4.

[0034] The collecting means 6 are positioned below the cutting station 3. The latter comprises a pair of first ducts 33, 34 each of which is arranged at and below a respective cutting element 31, 32 and configured to convey the flat wire sections 102 generated by the cutting of the flat wire 101 towards the underlying collecting means 6.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the collecting means 6 comprise a storage chamber 30 and at least one pair of first transfer rotors 41, 42 arranged side by side inside the storage chamber 30 and rotatable around respective rotation axes R5, R6. Each transfer rotor 41, 42 comprising a plurality of operating walls, 41a, 42a, for example four, suitable for forming one at a time, during the rotation of the transfer rotor 41, 42, with an inner wall of the storage chamber 30 a respective receiving compartment 43, 44 suitable for receiving a plurality of flat wire sections 102. Each transfer rotor 41, 42 when rotated about the respective rotation axis R5, R6 transfers and releases the flat wire sections 102 collected in the receiving compartment 43, 44 (which is formed by it with the inner wall of the storage chamber 30) into an underlying collecting wheel 36, rotatable about a respective rotation axis R7 and suitable for transferring the flat wire sections 102 to the conveying means 7, in particular arranged below the collecting wheel 36.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the collecting means 6 comprise a first transfer rotor 41, arranged under the first cutting element 31 and suitable for receiving flat wire sections 101 conveyed by a first duct 33, and a second transfer rotor 42, arranged under the second cutting element 32 and suitable for receiving flat wire sections 101 conveyed by a further first duct 34.

[0037] The collecting wheel 36 comprises at least two collecting seats 37, 38 configured to receive the flat wire sections 102.

[0038] The collecting wheel 36 is rotatable between a collecting position P, in which the collecting seats 37, 38 are connected to the storage chamber 30, in particular via respective second ducts 46, 47, so as to receive from the respective accumulation rotors 41, 42 the flat wire sections 102, and respective release positions in which each collecting seat 37, 38 releases the flat wire sections 102 to the underlying conveying means 7, in particular by means of a third duct 48.

[0039] More precisely, the opposite second ducts 46, 47 connect the storage chamber 30 to the collecting wheel 36. Each second duct 46, 47 receives the flat wire sections 102 released by the respective and overlying transfer rotor 41, 42 when rotated about the respective rotation axis R5, R6 and conveys them by gravity into a collecting seat 37, 38 of the collecting wheel 36.

[0040] The conveying means 7, of known type, for example comprise a chain conveyor provided with a plurality of housings 19 suitable for receiving the sections of flat wire 102 descending by gravity along the third duct 48 and transfer them to the next assembly station 4.

[0041] In the embodiment illustrated and with particular reference to figure 1, the machine 1 of the invention also comprises a bending station 5, of a known type and not illustrated and described in detail, interposed between the cutting station 3 and the assembly station 4 and configured to bend the flat wire sections 102, in particular almost in the shape of a "V", to create bent flat wire sections, i.e. metal bristles 202 to be fixed to the base elements 201. More precisely, the bending station 5 receives the flat wire sections 102 to be bent by the conveying means 7. The operation of the machine 1 of the invention for making metal bristle brushes 200 provides for feeding with a pair of metal wires 100, for example with a circular cross section, the rolling station 2 in which the two laminating rollers 21, 22 simultaneously roll the two wires 100 so as to make two respective flat wires 101 with a quadrangular, in particular rectangular, cross section.

[0042] More precisely, the two laminating tracks 21a, 22a of the laminating rollers 21, 22 make it possible to roll at the same time the two wires 100 that are moved parallel and along the feeding direction A, in particular dragged into the rolling station 2 by the same laminating rollers 21, 22 driven in rotation in opposite directions by the respective driving units 51, 52. The inlet adjustment unit 10 makes it possible to guide parallel to each other and to the feeding direction A the two wires 100 that enter the laminating rollers 21, 22 and to adjust an inlet position of the aforementioned wires 100 with reference to the first and second adjustment axes X, Y, in particular to allow the wires 100 to be precisely and accurately inserted between the laminating tracks 21a, 22a of the laminating rollers 21, 22.

[0043] The first output adjustment unit 11 and the second output adjustment unit 12 make it possible to guide parallel to each other and to the feeding direction A the two flat wires 101 coming out of the two laminating rollers 21, 22 and to independently and separately adjust the output positions of the aforementioned flat wires 101 with reference to the first and second adjustment axes X, Y. In particular, the output adjustment units 11, 12 allow the two flat wires 101 to be precisely transferred to the next cutting station 3 even if they have different deformations and / or residual stresses.

[0044] The two flat wires 101 coming out of the two laminating rollers 21, 22 are then continuously conveyed to the next cutting station 3 where the two adjacent and opposite cutting elements 31, 32 cut the respective flat wires 101 in order to create the flat wire sections 102 of a set length.

[0045] More precisely, while the flat wires 101 are fed with a fixed feeding speed, the first cutting element 31 and the second cutting element 32 are driven in rotation around the respective rotation axes R3, R4 with a defined rotation speed so that the respective cutting edges 31b, 32b precisely abut and shear the flat wires 101 obtaining the flat wire sections 102 of desired length.

[0046] The flat wire sections 102 fall by gravity after cutting through the first ducts 33, 34 into the underlying collecting means 6. More precisely, the first ducts 33, 34 convey the flat wire sections 102 inside the receiving compartments 43, 44 formed inside the storage chamber 30 by the operating walls 41a, 42a of the transfer rotors 41 , 42 with the inner wall of the storage chamber 30.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, each transfer rotor 41, 42 comprises, for example, four operating walls 41a, 42a and rotates with 90° intermittent motion around the respective rotation axis R5, R6 between four working positions.

[0048] At each working position of the transfer rotor 41, 42 a corresponding operating wall 41a, 42a thereof forms with the inner wall of the storage chamber 30 a relative receiving compartment 43, 44. When the latter receives and contains a predetermined number of flat wire sections 102, the transfer rotor 41, 42 is rotated by 90° to transfer and release the flat wire sections 102 collected in the aforementioned receiving compartment 43, 44 into the underlying collecting wheel 36 and at the same time to form with another operating wall 41a, 42a another receiving compartment 43, 44 arranged at the first duct 33, 34.

[0049] With the collecting wheel 36 arranged in the collecting position P, the flat wire sections 101 released by the first transfer rotor 41 are conveyed by gravity via a second duct 46 to a first collecting seat 37 of the collecting wheel 36, while the flat wire sections 101 released by the second transfer rotor 41 are conveyed by gravity via a further second duct 47 to a second collecting seat 38 of the collecting wheel 36.

[0050] When the first collecting seat 37 contains a predetermined number of flat wire sections 102, the collecting wheel 36 is rotated to a first release position (not illustrated) to release the flat wire sections 102 to the underlying conveying means 7. More precisely, in the first release position the first collecting seat 37 overlooks and in connection with the third duct 48 along which the flat wire sections 102 can descend by gravity inside a housing 19 of the conveying means 7.

[0051] Similarly, when the second collecting seat 38 contains a predetermined number of flat wire sections 102, the collecting wheel 36 is rotated to a second release position (not illustrated) to release the flat wire sections 102 to the underlying conveying means 7. More precisely, in the second release position the second collecting seat 38 is facing and in connection with the third duct 48 along which the flat wire sections 102 can descend by gravity inside a housing 19 of the conveying means 7.

[0052] In the bending station 5, the flat wire sections 102 are taken from the housings 19 of the conveying means and individually bent, in particular almost in the shape of a "V", to make the flat wire bent sections that form the metal bristles 202 which are then fixed to the base elements 201 in the next assembly station 4.

[0053] The machine 1 for making brushes 200 with metal bristles of quadrangular cross section of the invention therefore makes it possible to operate at high speeds or operating rates, higher than those typical of known machines, thanks to the rolling station 2 which is able to roll at the same time two metal wires 100, for example of circular cross section, to make two flat wires 101 of quadrangular section with which to feed the subsequent cutting 3 and assembly 4 stations. In particular, with a pair of laminating rollers 21, 22 suitably provided with pairs of laminating tracks 21a, 22a the two metal wires 100 entering the rolling station can be precisely and accurately rolled to obtain two flat wires 101 of quadrangular, e.g. rectangular, section which are both cut at the same time in the cutting station 3 to obtain the flat wire sections 102 which will form the metal bristles 202 of the brushes 200. The cutting station 3 comprises in fact a pair of adjacent cutting elements 31, 32 capable of each cutting a respective flat wire 101 coming out of the rolling station 2 to create the flat wire sections 102 of a set length.

[0054] It should be noted that the rolling station 2 and the cutting station 3, which comprise pairs of laminating rollers 21, 22 and cutting elements 31, 32 respectively, are particularly compact, allowing the overall dimensions of the machine 1 to be reduced while considerably increasing its production speed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Machine (1) for making metal bristle brushes (200) comprising: a rolling station (2) for rolling at least one metal wire (100), in particular having a circular cross-section, moved along a feeding direction (A) so as to obtain at least one flat wire (101) with a quadrangular cross-section; a cutting station (3) for cutting said at least one flat wire (101) so as to create flat wire sections (102) of a set length; an assembly station (4) for fixing a plurality of flat wire sections (102) to respective base elements (201) to make corresponding brushes (200) provided with metal bristles (202); characterized in that said rolling station (2) comprises a first laminating roller (21) and a second laminating roller (22), parallel and opposite, configured and cooperating to roll at least two metal wires (100), in particular having circular cross section, moved parallel to and along said feeding direction (A) in order to make at least two respective flat wires (101) having quadrangular cross section to be conveyed towards said cutting station (3).

2. Machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first laminating roller (21) and said second laminating roller (22) are superimposed and rotatable about respective rotation axes (Rl, R2) that are parallel and transversal, in particular substantially orthogonal, to said feeding direction (A), in particular said rotation axes (Rl, R2) being substantially horizontal.

3. Machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each laminating roller (21, 22) includes at least two laminating tracks (21a, 22a), each of which suitable for abutting and rolling a respective wire (100) in cooperation with a respective laminating track (21a, 22a) of the opposite laminating roller (22, 21).

4. Machine (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said rolling station (2) comprises a first driving unit (51) and a second driving unit (52) suitable to rotate about the respective rotation axes (Rl, R2), separately and independently, respectively said first laminating roller (21) and said second laminating roller (22).

5. Machine (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said rolling station (2) includes an inlet adjustment unit (10) configured to guide parallel to the feeding direction (A) said wires (100) that enter said laminating rollers (21, 22) and to adjust an entry position of said wires (100) with reference to a first adjustment axis (X) and a second adjustment axis (Y) orthogonal to each other and to said feeding direction (A).

6. Machine (1) according to claim 5, wherein said inlet adjustment unit (10) comprises afirst support table (13) supporting a first plurality of inlet rollers (23) and a second plurality of inlet rollers (24) suitable for slidably guiding the respective wires (100) along the feeding direction (A), a first slide (14) supporting said first support table (13) and movable along said second adjustment axis (Y) and a second slide (15) slidably supporting said first slide (14) and movable along said first adjustment axis (X).

7. Machine (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said rolling station (2) comprises at least a first output adjustment unit (11) and a second output adjustment unit (12) configured to guide parallel to the feeding direction (A) the two flat wires (101) coming out from said laminating rollers (21, 22) and to independently and separately adjust respective exit positions of the two flat wires (101) with reference to a first adjustment axis (X) and a second adjustment axis (Y) orthogonal to each other and to said feeding direction (A).

8. Machine (1) according to claim 7, wherein each output adjustment unit (11, 12) includes a respective second support table (16) supporting a corresponding plurality of output rollers (25) suitable for slidably guiding a respective flat wire (101) parallel to and along the feeding direction (A), a third slide (17) supporting said second support table (16) and movable along said second adjustment axis (Y) and a fourth slide (18) slidably supporting said third slide (17) and movable along said first adjustment axis (X).

9. Machine (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said cutting station (3) includes at least one pair of cutting elements (31, 32) that are adjacent and opposite, each cutting element (31, 32) being configured to cut a respective flat wire (101) coming out from the rolling station (2) in order to make said flat wire sections (102) of a set length.

10. Machine (1) according to claim 9, wherein said cutting elements (31, 32) are rotatable about respective rotation axes (R3, R4) parallel to each other, in particular parallel to said feeding direction (A).

11. Machine (1) according to any preceding claim, comprising collecting means (6) suitable for receiving flat wire sections (102) made in the cutting station (3) and conveying means (7) for transferring groups of flat wire sections (102) to the assembly station (4).

12. Machine (1) according to claim 11, wherein said collecting means (6) are positioned below said cutting station (3), the latter comprising a pair of first ducts (33, 34) each of which arranged at a respective cutting element (31, 32) and configured to convey said flat wire sections (102) towards said collecting means (6).

13. Machine (1) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said collecting means (6) comprise a storage chamber (30) and at least a pair of first transfer rotors (41, 42) arranged side byside inside said storage chamber (30) and rotatable about respective rotation axis (R5, R6), each transfer rotor (41, 42) comprising a plurality of operating walls (41a, 42a) designed to form one at a time, during rotation of transfer rotor (41, 42), with an internal wall of said storage chamber (30) a respective receiving compartment (43, 44) suitable for receiving said flat wire sections (102), wherein each transfer rotor (41, 42) by rotating transfers and releases the flat wire sections (102) collected in the respective receiving compartment (43, 44) into an underlying collecting wheel (36), which rotates about a respective rotation axis (R7) and is suitable for transferring said flat wire sections (102) to said conveying means (7).

14. Machine (1) according to claim 13, wherein said collecting wheel (36) comprises at least two collecting seats (37, 38) suitable for receiving said flat wire sections (102), said collecting wheel (36) being rotatable between a collecting position (P) in which said collecting seats (37, 38) are connected to said storage chamber (30), in particular via respective second ducts (46, 47), so as to receive from respective transfer rotors (41, 42) the flat wire sections (102), and respective release positions in which each collecting seat (37, 38) releases the flat wire sections (102) to the conveying means (7 ).

15. Machine (1) according to any preceding claim, comprising a bending station (5) interposed between said cutting station (3) and said assembly station (4) and configured to bend on themselves, in particular substantially with a “V” shape, the flat wire sections (102) so as to create bent flat wire sections to be fixed to base elements (201) so as to make the metal bristles (202).

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