CN1105198C

CN1105198C - Monofil for prodcing bristles or interdental cleaning elements, and bristle products with bristles of this type and interdental cleaning elements

Info

Publication number: CN1105198C
Application number: CN98810857A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 乔治·维劳奇
Original assignee: Pedex GmbH
Current assignee: Peidekesi company
Priority date: 1997-11-05
Filing date: 1998-11-03
Publication date: 2003-04-09
Anticipated expiration: 2018-11-03
Also published as: ZA9810077B; CA2308848A1; AU749645B2; KR100568958B1; PL340384A1; ES2219925T3; EP1030937A1; CN1278309A; EG21972A; BR9813195A; DE19748733A1; RU2197572C2; UA57814C2; WO1999024649A1; KR20010031691A; PL194178B1; AR010957A1; AU1753399A; TR200001242T2; EP1030937B1

Abstract

A method is described for producing a monofilament with reduced secondary binding forces of at least two commonly extruded polymers for the production of bristles or interdental cleaners which are slittable substantially axially through the action of mechanical forces, wherein for generation of defined slits of flags, the at least two polymers of the monofilament are disposed in a regular geometrical arrangement with substantially axially extending boundary layers in which the reduced secondary binding forces prevail.

Description

Be used for and be used for making the monofilament of mane or interdental cleaner and bristle goods and the interdental cleaner of making by this mane

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of be used for making mane or interdental cleaner, at least by two kinds of polymer monofilament that forms, that have the secondary adhesion that reduces that have the boundary face that distributes vertically basically of extruding jointly by the geometrical arrangements of rule, it can pass through the effect of mechanical force and cut along axis direction basically.Next the present invention relates to mane or the manufacture method of interdental cleaner and bristle goods and the interdental cleaner with this mane be made up of this monofilament.

Background technology

The bristle goods that is used for any kind, for example take good care of one's health and the mane of brush of using of tooth, family expenses brush, industrial brushes, hairbrush or the like is mainly made by polymer at present, as long as molten polymer is extruded into monofilament for no reason, with filament stretch with carry out stabilized treatment where necessary.Obtain mane by this monofilament by the length that is cut to hope then.Usually monofilament has circle (post) shape cross section as mane.Also know for example mane of ellipse, polygon cross section with other for special application purpose.Then with corresponding profile extruded monofilament.

Wish in many cases, the terminal mane that uses adopt a kind of fiber, the structure of fine fibre particularly.For example this is suitable for the sort of regulation and is used for medium is coated in the bristle goods that go up or the like on the surface, for example hairbrush.If pursue velvet-like structure, mane must be a fine fibre so.Recently popular such view aspect dental medicine, common toothbrush mane is being weak aspect its cleaning action, because it does not enter in the dental surface slight gap, but slips on it.For the cleaning effect in the between cog too.

In order to obtain strong fibre structure, the someone advises, by the polymeric blends extruded monofilament.Here utilize following effect, when the stretching that monofilament is extruded and followed polymer molecule towards monofilament vertically.Elementary adhesion longitudinally provides high TENSILE STRENGTH.Secondly molecule is towards vertically bringing the desirable elasticity of flexure.In the monofilament that has only a kind of polymer to form so-called secondary adhesion, just the power perpendicular to the molecule bearing of trend is also very big, is enough to prevent that monofilament or mane are dispersed into fiber or rive.Form sliding area between the polymer molecular chain when stretching in monofilament different by two kinds, that mixed polymer is formed on the contrary, secondary adhesion reduces in this zone.This monofilament or the mane made by it can be by mechanical force effect be dispersed into fiber by means of the instrument of cutter shape.The so-called flag shape part of Xing Chenging (" flags ") has very irregular shape thus, irregular cross section with loose into wisps of shell surface.Though this mane of bigger bundle reaches the structure of long wool and good absorption, flag shape part has the strength character that can not grasp.It pull apart easily, drop or lodge (umlegen).Therefore this mane that is dispersed into fiber can not be satisfactory, for many application scenarios even useless.It is admissible being used in the toothbrush owing to the reason of health aspect.

The known structure of a kind of mane (WO 97/14830) has same shortcoming, and it has a core and a shell, and they are made by two kinds of compound extruding of different polymer.On the use end of mane, core material is removed, so that form the intensification pit that can hold tooth maintaining agent or pigment with machinery or chemical method.Next has described the formation of flag shape part (" flag "), it by the shell surface dispersion of materials is become fibrous-in general it protrudes in core-obtain.This fiber that is dispersed into carries out by means of knife with method commonly used, therefore causes same irregular structure.

Therefore particularly for toothbrush also the someone recommend a kind of mane, it forms (DE 9408268 U1) by many fine fibre and outer shells that surround fiber that are similar to textile fabric.Same outer shell and fiber can be used as that long filament is compound to be extruded.The outer shell at mane use side place is removed by machining or cutting after cutting into mane length, makes fiber expose the length of one section weak point.Except this mane manufacturing cost height, its application also is limited.Very big shortcoming is particularly in the change of the junction flexural property generation jumping characteristic from the fiber to the outer shell.If this mane is used for the brushing instrument, it can be because hard handing-over position causes damaged surfaces.It also is the same at tooth with effect on the gums in the application aspect the toothbrush for this mane.In addition, fiber is actually crooked lax (biegeschlaff), makes it can not or can not fully enter darker depression, between cog or the like.Fiber at long-time stressed situation lower casing layer edge also breaks easily.

Next known a kind of interdental cleaner (WO 96/391117), it is by forming by the compound monofilament of extruding of certain geometrical arrangements.Every monofilament is made up of two kinds of component of polymer at least, causes the secondary adhesion that reduces in their boundary faces between adjacent monofilament.Eliminate secondary adhesion and form (dental floss) the multi-fibre long wool structure that is similar to dental floss by pulling force vertically.

Known aspect textile fabric (US-A 1): the structure that has the sharp edges of silk gloss by such method manufacturing, the compound different polymer that have suitable cross-sectional shape respectively of extruding, they are mutually attached on its boundary face, and the solvent by adding a kind of polymer of dissolving separately.

Summary of the invention

The objective of the invention is, recommend a kind of monofilament of forming by two kinds of polymer of extruding jointly at least, it be suitable for being used for making have the strength character that can reappear and the flag shape part that can determine according to quantity, shape and size or an otch otch mane or interdental cleaner arranged.Secondly the present invention should recommend a kind of be used for the making mane be made up of this monofilament or the method for interdental cleaner.

For achieving the above object, the invention provides a kind of be used for making mane or interdental cleaner, at least form by the polymer that has the boundary face that distributes vertically basically of the common extrusion molding of geometrical arrangements of rule by two kinds, monofilament with the secondary adhesion that reduces, this monofilament can be cut open along axis direction basically by the effect of mechanical force, it is characterized in that: described monofilament has the polymer of the substrate forms of at least a physics that can determine mane or interdental cleaner and chemical property, at least the another kind of polymer of inserting the thin layer form of one deck at least in the described matrix, compare with the secondary adhesion of polymeric matrix, the described thin layer of one deck at least has the secondary adhesion that has reduced.

Geometry by the boundary layer can pre-determine, and for example is used for the monofilament of interdental cleaner or the mane made by cut-out by the single line effect otch by mechanical force or rive how.Just in time form otch or flag shape part with profile of determining by the geometry of extrudate.Because the boundary layer is along the longitudinal extension of monofilament, each flag shape part is of similar shape and same cross section on its whole length.Therefore all flag shape parts also have identical strength character, particularly identical flexural property and TENSILE STRENGTH.But also can produce flag shape part by design geometries correspondingly with varying cross-section.Because monofilament or mane only and just in time form otch or rive on the boundary layer under mechanical force, flag shape part can be formed with the rib that is beneficial to cleaning effect on mutual aspectant surface when corresponding shape of cross section.Therefore the mane of riving like this is also effective than common mane on its shell surface.Because the shape mane that equates can not rived egregiously fully.Every mane occupies the same shape of monofilament again in a branch of this mane of tightening, and flag shape part has only by axial or radial pressure and just can play one's part to the full.Can hold medium well thus, and when brushing, discharge by pushing again.

Can make such mane in this way, its flag shape part has the advantageous property of common mane.When riving, do not form fine particle on the other hand, perhaps only form a spot of, make mane needn't stand large-scale cleaning procedure.Be divided into the mane of flag shape part or the monofilament that is used for interdental cleaner of otch definitely definitely, wherein can avoid further riving or otch.

Matrix, to also have the thin layer polymer can be a kind of copolymer or polymeric blends.If thin layer contains the composition of matrix polymer, just reach above-mentioned advantage so best.In this case polymer or mane under the effect of power at the weakest position, just roughly rip at the center of thin layer, but since enough big at the adjacent flag shape part place that forms corresponding to the adhesive ability of the composition rest layers of the polymer of matrix, be enough to avoid forming fine particle.

Thin layer preferably has the thickness of several μ m.Actual extrusion test shows that this thin layer can be extruded with matrix polymer is compound.

Two kinds of polymer can exist by roughly the same deal in thin layer.

The performance that concrete geometry is wished by mane or interdental cleaner is determined.For example thin layer can be stretched over monofilament periphery place always in matrix, makes monofilament cut or to split branch with less action force.

Also can be not like this, but thin layer is ended in matrix from monofilament periphery a distance.Need more bigger active force in this case, but such advantage is arranged here,, that is to say to have the ABRASION RESISTANCE identical with the shell surface of mane or flag shape part even also form by matrix material at the formed flag shape part in seamed edge zone.

The matrix of monofilament can have the third, insert the polymer of matrix where necessary, and it is mainly used to influence the strength character of formed flag shape part.

As mane generally, monofilament can be circular, is different from circular cross section but also can have.Here need mention the polygon cross section especially, it is more effective than circular cross section aspect its cleaning effect.

Thin layer can end at the angle of polygon cross section in this case, make to form the sharper keen seamed edge that has less than 90 ° corner angle.

Thin layer also can stop the plane of polygon cross section in addition, at this moment can realize having the seamed edge of the corner angle in 90 ° of scopes.

Matrix is made up of polyamide in preferred construction, and thin layer is made up of polyolefin, particularly polypropylene or polyethylene.The pairing of this material has enough big secondary adhesion on boundary face, to prevent in mane processing and to tear in early days between the operating period or separate.But polymer is in conjunction with being torn under the effect of stronger and predetermined power.

By the method that is used for making the mane of forming by monofilament recited above of the present invention, it is characterized in that: at least two kinds of compound monofilament that are extruded as of polymer, monofilament stretch and necessary situation under stabilized treatment, monofilament cuts into desirable mane length, and mane is rived to limited length perpendicular to the mane axis by the effect of mechanical force along thin layer at its use side.No matter be that the manufacturing mane or the another kind of method of interdental cleaner can be carried out like this, with at least two kinds of compound monofilament that are extruded into of polymer, after extruding with filament stretch, carry out stabilized treatment where necessary, and arrive limited length perpendicular to the monofilament axis at local opening along thin layer by the effect of mechanical force.By can forming the otch of crack shape on the monofilament shell surface by method of the present invention, it can be used for holding medium.Under the situation of toothbrush or interdental cleaner, consider to hold particularly tooth maintaining agent or tooth medicine or antibiotic preparation with it.The monofilament interdental cleaner obtains the roughness that strengthens on shell surface by otch in addition.

Can make the interdental cleaner of random length by above-mentioned monofilament.Certainly same measure also can be carried out at the mane under cutting off from monofilament.Here the spread length of incision site and otch can be complementary with the length of mane, so that be not to avoid the terminal cracking of mane, is exactly to impel on demand to rive.For example can only rive by the mane end.Next be made on the shell surface otch flag shape part with can be used for after useless mane continue rive.Use the terminal flag shape part that forms respective numbers of going up according to the type of the layer of inserting and the mane that do not coexist of quantity.

Under the situation of the interdental cleaner that monofilament is processed into any length according to a kind of scheme imagination of this method, during mechanical force or later on monofilament jumping-up vertically.Longitudinal cut zone or be that little muscle on the monofilament shell surface on border outwards bulges with the otch thus.

Mechanical force preferably acts on most of circumference of monofilament or mane, so that guarantee that whole boundary layers of polymer are stressed.

Monofilament otch or mane are rived and are preferably undertaken by impulsive force.But also can act on rubbing power or twisting resistance.These power can or act on later on the mane that cuts before mane is fixed on the mane carrier of brush, perhaps also can act on simultaneously on one group of mane, for example mane bundle.

Mane uses the best rounding in end at it.This can carry out before or after riving.The many ends that form after riving in the another kind of preferred scheme of this method are provided with the mark that optics shows that it can use length.Thereby make the user obtain information, use up after mark at mane, after this serviceability meeting flip-flop because the much higher effect of whole mane cross sectional curve intensity can occur.The end of riving becomes shorter and shorter, also can cause mechanical damage thus easilier.If involve toothbrush, health maintenance brush or the like, should provide this mark so especially.

Description of drawings

By means of embodiment represented in the accompanying drawing the present invention is illustrated below.Represent among the figure:

The varying cross-section of Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 monofilament;

Fig. 6 has the view of the mane of the use end of riving;

Fig. 7 has the mane of the shell surface that otch is arranged or the view of interdental cleaner;

The another kind of scheme of Fig. 8 monofilament cross section; With

The view of the interdental cleaner of a kind of structure that changes slightly of Fig. 9.

The embodiment explanation

Monofilament 1 by Fig. 1 has circular cross section, and is made by compound extruding by at least two kinds of polymer.It by a kind of matrix of forming by the polymer of determining the mane performance 2 and insert with certain geometrical shape (being cross in this case), by another kind of polymer or contain the thin layer 3 that the mixture of polymers of matrix 2 forms and form.Thin layer 3 or with the zone of the boundary face of matrix 2 in secondary adhesion, just perpendicular to monofilament longitudinally adhesion reduce greatly.Thin layer 3 ends at the case surface 4 of monofilament in the embodiment shown.But it also can end at from the very little distance of shell surface.

Particularly consider the polymer of polyamide (PA), and thin layer 3 for example is made up of PA/PP or PA/PE polymeric blends as matrix 2.

Thin layer 3 is inserted matrix 2 with the star of three arms in by the embodiment of Fig. 2, and Fig. 3 represents to have polygon, that is to say the monofilament 1 of triangular cross section.Inserting in this embodiment, also is that therefrom the outward extending thin layer of the heart ends at polygonal angle here.Certainly it also can not be to end on the angle but on the plane between the angle.

Can also be by this way in by the embodiment of Fig. 4 extrude another kind of polymer in many possible polymer, it is imbedded in the matrix fully with the matrix 2 of monofilament 1.For example can involve a kind of long filament shape structure 5, it produce mane and mane is rived or otch after the bending property and the intensity of the formed flag shape part of influence.

Fig. 5 represents a kind of flat rectangle monofilament 1, and thin layer 3 grid shape laies wherein make the flag shape part that can be produced many substantial rectangular by monofilament.Last Fig. 8 represents a kind of monofilament cross section, and wherein matrix 2 has the identical periphery of fan shaped cross section by four and the core of a centre is formed, and they separate by the thin layer 3 of correspondingly distribution.

Schematically illustrate a mane 6 among Fig. 6, it is made by cut-out by for example monofilament by Fig. 2, and rives by its use side that acts on of mechanical force, makes to form single flag shape part 7, and its shape is equivalent to the shape that monofilament constitutes the zone of matrix 2.Form and matrix 2 is separated the as many flag shape part of formed number of partitions by thin layer 3.The use length of flag shape part for example can be made visual indicia by the horizontal line shown in Fig. 6.

In pressing the embodiment of Fig. 7 on the shell surface of monofilament by uniformly at interval, perhaps when the mane that cuts from use side a distance action mechanical power.Can reach by the thickness of thin layer and the frequency/frequency big or small and/or that its uses of power, the shell surface of monofilament or mane 6 only splits on the length of local finite, and forms opening 8,9 and 10.These otch are substantially flush, that is to say in by thin layer 3 formed zones.When this structure, under the situation that forms flag shape part, tear otch at the mane end.When progressively wearing and tearing, mane constantly forms flag shape part again.

The monofilament of pressing Fig. 7 can be with random length as interdental cleaner (dental floss " floss "), and wherein otch can hold tooth maintaining agent, antiseptic or bactericide.Secondly for the interdental cleaner suggestion, axial jumping-up monofilament as shown in Figure 9, makes with the otch to be that the little muscle on border outwards arches upward from matrix polymer.

Matrix 2 or the polymer that constitutes it are that the cross section part on border can be a different colours with the thin layer at each.

Claims

1. one kind is used for making mane or interdental cleaner, at least form by the polymer that has the boundary face that distributes vertically basically of the common extrusion molding of geometrical arrangements of rule by two kinds, monofilament with the secondary adhesion that reduces, this monofilament can be cut open along axis direction basically by the effect of mechanical force, it is characterized in that: described monofilament has the polymer of the substrate forms of at least a physics that can determine mane or interdental cleaner and chemical property, at least the another kind of polymer of inserting the thin layer form of one deck at least in the described matrix, compare with the secondary adhesion of polymeric matrix, the described thin layer of one deck at least has the secondary adhesion that has reduced.

2. by the monofilament of claim 1, it is characterized in that: matrix polymer is a kind of copolymer or polymeric blends.

3. by the monofilament of claim 1 or 2, it is characterized in that: the polymer of thin layer is a kind of copolymer or polymeric blends.

4. by the monofilament of claim 1 or 2, it is characterized in that: thin layer contains the composition of matrix polymer.

5. by the monofilament of claim 4, it is characterized in that: two kinds of polymer exist by roughly the same deal in thin layer.

6. by the monofilament of claim 1 or 2, it is characterized in that: thin layer has the thickness of several μ m.

7. by the monofilament of claim 1 or 2, it is characterized in that: thin layer is stretched over the edge of monofilament always in matrix.

8. by the monofilament of claim 1 or 2, it is characterized in that: thin layer ends in matrix from a distance, monofilament edge.

9. by the monofilament of claim 1 or 2, it is characterized in that: the matrix of monofilament has the third and inserts the interior polymer of matrix.

10. by the monofilament of claim 1 or 2, it is characterized in that: the polymer of matrix and thin layer is not homochromy.

11. the monofilament by claim 1 or 2 is characterized in that: monofilament has the cross section that is different from circle.

12. by the monofilament of claim 11, it is characterized in that: monofilament has the polygon cross section.

13. by the monofilament of claim 12, it is characterized in that: thin layer ends at the angle of polygon cross section.

14. by the monofilament of claim 12, it is characterized in that: thin layer ends at the face of polygon cross section.

15. by the monofilament of claim 1 or 2, it is characterized in that: matrix is made up of polyamide, thin layer contains polyolefin.

16. method that is used for making by the mane of forming by each monofilament of claim 1 to 15, it is characterized in that: at least two kinds of compound monofilament that are extruded into of polymer, with filament stretch, carry out stabilized treatment under the necessary situation, then cut into desirable mane length, mane is rived to limited length perpendicular to the mane axis by the effect of mechanical force along thin layer at its use side.

17. be used for making by the mane of forming by each monofilament of claim 1 to 15 or the method for interdental cleaner, it is characterized in that: at least two kinds of compound monofilament that are extruded into of polymer, with filament stretch, carry out stabilized treatment under the necessary situation, and the effect by mechanical force along thin layer perpendicular to the monofilament axis direction in partial cut-out to limited length.

18. by the method for claim 17, it is characterized in that: monofilament is during being subjected to mechanical force or later on along the axis direction jumping-up.

19. by each method of claim 16 to 18, it is characterized in that: mechanical force acts on most of circumference of monofilament or mane at least.

20. each the method by claim 16 to 18 is characterized in that: monofilament or mane are by the impulsive force otch or rive.

21. each the method by claim 16 to 18 is characterized in that: monofilament or mane are by rubbing power otch or rive.

22. each the method by claim 16 to 18 is characterized in that: monofilament or mane are by the twisting resistance otch or rive.

23. each the method by claim 16 to 18 is characterized in that: mane before riving at its use side place rounding.

24. each the method by claim 16 to 18 is characterized in that: mane after riving at its use side place rounding.

25. by each method of claim 16 to 18, it is characterized in that: mane is provided with the mark of the length used of visual demonstration mane resulting many flag shape parts after riving.

26., it is characterized in that: make according to each method of claim 16 to 25 by each monofilament to the small part mane by claim 1 to 15 by mane carrier and be fixed on the bristle goods that the mane above it is formed.

27. the bristle goods by claim 26 is characterized in that: many ends of the mane of riving have demonstration, and it can use the mark of length.

28. the bristle goods by the interdental cleaner form of making according to the method for claim 17 or 18 by each monofilament of claim 1 to 15 is characterized in that: interdental cleaner on its circumference by uniform spacing otch.

29. by the bristle goods of claim 28, it is characterized in that: interdental cleaner bulges by jumping-up in incision tract.