DE102015111312C5 - Method and device for making a brush - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for producing a brush which has a bristle carrier (10) made of thermoplastic material with at least one anchoring opening (12) into which at least one bristle made of thermoplastic material is inserted and anchored therein without anchors, characterized by the following steps: the at least one bristle received in a receiving opening (26) of a tool part, the at least one bristle is pushed with its fastening end, while it is still seated in the receiving opening (26), into an anchoring opening (12) formed in the bristle carrier (10) when the bristle carrier (10) is manufactured Without being fastened therein, the tool part is heated so that the end face (22) of the tool part opposite the bristle carrier (10) is brought to a temperature which is below the melting temperature of the bristle material and / or the bristle carrier material, in particular at most 85% in ° C of the respective melting temperature of the bristle and / or of the bristle carrier material, the tool part is moved relative to the bristle carrier (10) so that the tool part contacts the bristle carrier (10) and heats it up, the tool part exerts a compressive force on the bristle carrier (10) and deforms the bristle carrier (10) at least in the area of the edge surrounding the anchoring opening (12) while reducing the cross section of the anchoring opening (12) such that the at least one bristle is embedded and anchored in the anchoring opening (12), and the tool part is moved away relative to the bristle carrier (10) so that the at least one a bristle is pulled out of the receiving opening (26).

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for producing a brush which has a bristle carrier made of thermoplastic material with at least one anchoring opening, into which at least one bristle is inserted and anchored therein.

In the manufacture of brushes, in particular toothbrushes, but also household brushes, two methods have become established in practice, namely the attachment of the bristle tufts by means of an anchor (metal plate or wire loop) or without anchors. In contrast to the use of an anchor, the anchorless method provides that the tufts of bristles are not folded and fastened at their fold point in the bristle holder, but are locked at one end to the bristle holder by gluing or thermally. A common method that is established in practice provides that the bristle carrier has openings through which the tufts of bristles are inserted. The bristle tufts then protrude from the openings with their rear end and are heated on the back of the bristle carrier. The thermoplastic material of the bristles melts with it, as a result of which the bristles merge into one another and there is a thickening by means of which it is impossible to pull out the individual bristles to the front. Usually, the numerous bristle tufts are liquefied on the back by means of hot air or a hot stamp, so that the material of the individual bristle tufts merges into one another and a kind of layer of liquefied bristle ends results on the back. This back is then covered, in particular overmolded.

The disadvantage of this solution is that due to this necessary cover on the rear side, a considerable additional procedural and device-related effort has to be carried out. It should be noted that the transition surfaces between adjacent layers, particularly in the case of toothbrushes, should be made as gap-free as possible to avoid hygiene problems.

The term “bristle carrier” is to be understood as the part of the finished brush which carries the bristle or the bristle tufts. The bristle carrier can be the entire brush body, in the case of a toothbrush it can be the one-piece injection molded part of the handle, neck and head, or just a prefabricated component of the brush body. In the latter case, the bristle carrier is usually a thin plate made of thermoplastic material, which is provided with one or more openings for filling with one or more bristles or tufts of bristles. After the bristles have been filled and fastened, the plate-like bristle carrier is then either inserted into a prefabricated brush body which, for example, has a corresponding recess for the plate-like bristle carrier. As an alternative to this, this is the usual case, the platelet-like bristle carrier is extrusion-coated, and this results in a brush body consisting of the prefabricated bristle carrier and the remainder molded on.

The CH 672 579 A5 proposes a method for fastening tufts of bristles in a bristle carrier by means of an anchor plate. This means that the tufts of bristles are folded, and in the fold area is the anchor plate, which presses into the wall of the anchoring opening and thus finally fixes the tufts of bristles on the bristle carrier. However, so that the opening on the front side of the bristle holder is closed more optimally, so that no bacteria and spores can settle and multiply here, a bead on the bristle holder, which runs around the anchoring opening and protrudes from the front side, should be pressed inwards. However, the bristle tuft itself is not fastened by this reshaping of the bead, but rather by the anchor itself. The individual bristle tufts are hammered into the bristle carrier in succession using a stuffing tool which pushes the folded bristle tuft through a tube. The tube itself then has a heater on its end face, which rests exclusively on the bead and melts or plasticizes it and then presses it radially inwards.

In addition to the above-mentioned options for anchoring the bristle or the bristle tufts to the bristle holder without anchors, another method has emerged in theory which, however, has never been successful in practice, namely the pushing in of bristle tufts into a bristle holder which has openings and the like is preheated. After the bristle tufts are pushed into the soft bristle carrier, the front of the bristle carrier, from which the bristle tufts protrude, is pressurized by means of a press, so that the soft material is compressed around the edge of the openings and the openings are reduced in cross-section. Some concepts are presented below.

The DE 198 53 030 A1 provides that bristle tufts have bristles fused together on their back to form a thickening. The bristle carrier has openings into which cylindrical extensions of a heater are introduced before the bristle tufts are pushed in, without touching the edge of the opening. This radiant heat heats the inside edge of the openings locally. The bristle carrier is brought to a structure-changing temperature in the region of the edge, for example the softening temperature. The increase in temperature is intended to reduce the cross section of the hole, so that the tufts of bristles have to penetrate the wall when they are pushed in. After removing the heater, the bristle tufts are then pushed into the openings with the thickened end, the thickening in cross section being greater than the opening cross section, so that the thickening in the soft area of the edge defining and surrounding the opening, i.e. in the corresponding wall penetrates. Then the front of the bristle holder is deformed with a stamp so that the material of the bristle holder is pressed against the bristle tufts and anchors them.

From the US 5,224,763 a similar method is known in which the bristle carrier has a bead-like projecting opening edge. Here too, the edge of the opening is heated by a peg-shaped heating element protruding into the opening or by working with hot air. The opening itself is smaller in cross section than the thickened end of the bristle tuft, so that it is fixed in it after it has been pushed into the wall of the soft opening. The holder for the tufts of bristles then compresses the heated circumferential bead, so that additional material is available to close the opening at the transition to the end face of the bristle carrier.

From the EP 0 355 412 A1 A method is known in which the thickened end of the bristle tuft and / or the edge of the opening in the bristle carrier is heated, the dimensions and the temperatures being selected such that after the thickened end is pushed in, the edge of the opening urges inwards and so, Similar to a snap connection, which includes the thickened end and receives it in a form-fitting manner.

The EP 0 472 857 B1 suggests using a heated stamp that has pins to penetrate a plate-shaped plastic bristle holder so that the pins form the openings for receiving the tufts of bristles. The tufts of bristles are then pressed into the embossed, still hot openings and the melt rises around the thickening of the tufts of bristles. A mold plate can also be pressed against the top of the bristle carrier to still shape the melt. It is particularly preferred that projections or ridges protrude from the top of the bristle carrier which has not yet been formed and which form material which is available as material which is pressed in the direction of the opening.

When proceeding according to the DE 34 22 623 A1 a bristle carrier, which is plate-shaped and without openings, is welded to tufts of bristles which are made of the same plastic as the bristle carrier. A heating tool is inserted between the sides of the bristle holder and the tufts of bristles that have not yet been welded together, so that both are melted. The tufts of bristles are then pressed into the melted material of the bristle holder.

The object of the invention is to provide a much simpler method for producing a brush which, above all, also requires less effort on the device side, but at the same time ensures that the bristle or tufts of bristles are securely anchored in the anchoring opening.

This object is achieved by a method for producing a brush which has a bristle carrier made of thermoplastic material with at least one anchoring opening, into which at least one bristle is inserted and anchored therein. The bristle carrier with its anchoring opening is a prefabricated injection molded part, so that it is very easy to manufacture and requires no processing. The method according to the invention is characterized by the following steps: the at least one bristle is received in a receiving opening of a tool part, the at least one bristle is fastened with its fastening end, while it is still seated in the receiving opening, into an anchoring opening formed during the manufacture (eg injection molding) of the bristle carrier of the bristle carrier without being fastened therein, the tool part is heated so that the end face of the tool part opposite the bristle carrier is brought to a temperature which is below the melting temperature of the bristle material and / or the bristle carrier material, in particular below 85% in degrees Celsius the respective melting temperature of the bristle and / or bristle carrier material, the tool part is moved relative to the bristle carrier, so that the tool part contacts the bristle carrier and heats it up, the tool part exerts a compressive force on the bristle carrier and deforms it With the bristle carrier at least in the area of the edge surrounding the anchoring opening while reducing the cross section of the anchoring opening in such a way that the at least one bristle is embedded and anchored in the anchoring opening, and the tool part is moved relative to the bristle carrier so that the at least one bristle comes out of the receiving opening is pulled.

• die wenigstens eine Borste wird in eine Aufnahmeöffnung eines Werkzeugteils aufgenommen;
• die wenigstens eine Borste wird mit ihrem Befestigungsende, während sie noch in der Aufnahmeöffnung sitzt, in eine beim Herstellen (z.B. Spritzgießen) des Borstenträgers gebildete Verankerungsöffnung des Borstenträgers geschoben, ohne darin befestigt zu sein,
• eine dem Borstenträger gegenüberliegende Stirnseite des Werkzeugteils wird auf eine vorbestimmte Temperatur gebracht, die in einem Bereich von zwischen Umgebungstemperatur und 210 °C, insbesondere 150 °C, liegt,
• das Werkzeugteil wird relativ zum Borstenträger bewegt, sodass das Werkzeugteil den Borstenträger kontaktiert und ihn auf die vorbestimmte Temperatur bringt, jedoch ohne den Borstenträger und die wenigstens eine Borste zu schmelzen,
• der Borstenträger wird über das Werkzeugteil mit einem Druck beaufschlagt und zumindest im Bereich des die Verankerungsöffnung umgebenden Randes unter Reduzierung des Querschnittes der Verankerungsöffnung derart verformt, dass die zumindest eine Borste in die Verankerungsöffnung eingebettet und verankert ist, und
• das Werkzeugteil wird relativ zum Borstenträger weg bewegt, sodass die zumindest eine Borste aus der Aufnahmeöffnung gezogen wird.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing a brush which has a bristle carrier with at least one anchoring opening and at least one bristle inserted into the anchoring opening and anchored therein without anchors, the bristle carrier and the at least one bristle being formed from a thermoplastic material, which can be the same or different, which is characterized by the following steps:

• the at least one bristle is received in a receiving opening of a tool part;
• the at least one bristle is pushed with its fastening end, while it is still seated in the receiving opening, into an anchoring opening of the bristle carrier formed during manufacture (eg injection molding) of the bristle carrier without being fastened therein,
• an end face of the tool part opposite the bristle carrier is brought to a predetermined temperature which is in a range from between ambient temperature and 210 ° C., in particular 150 ° C.,
• the tool part is moved relative to the bristle carrier, so that the tool part contacts the bristle carrier and brings it to the predetermined temperature, but without melting the bristle carrier and the at least one bristle,
• pressure is applied to the bristle carrier via the tool part and, at least in the region of the edge surrounding the anchoring opening, deformed in such a way that the cross section of the anchoring opening is reduced such that the at least one bristle is embedded and anchored in the anchoring opening, and
• the tool part is moved away relative to the bristle carrier, so that the at least one bristle is pulled out of the receiving opening.

In all embodiments, the thermoplastic is preferably made of polyester, in particular polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyamide (PA), polyvinyl acetate (PVA), polyethylene (PE), acrylonitrile -Butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) and styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) selected existing group. Both homopolymers and copolymers with the thermoplastic materials mentioned can be used.

According to the invention, the bristle carrier and the at least one bristle inserted into the tool part should not melt when the tool part contacts the bristle carrier. For this purpose, the predetermined temperature is preferably at most 85 percent of the melting temperature of the thermoplastic. This can reliably prevent damage to the bristles and / or the bristle holder.

The back of the bristle carrier should not be heated by the tool part during anchoring, so that in fact only the front side facing the tool part is heated and reshaped, whereas the back forms a plate-like, stable structure that could be called the base of the bristle carrier . This part of the bristle carrier is consequently not reshaped or changed in its shape during the pressurization.

The tool part can also heat up the bristle carrier at the end at least during the entire time in which it exerts pressure on the bristle carrier. The invention is therefore not a matter of briefly preheating the bristle carrier and then moving the bristle tufts quickly into the heated material sections of the bristle carrier, as is the case in the prior art with the preheated bristle carriers into which bristle tufts are then pushed .

The plastics used in the present invention are, for example, copolyesters, in particular Eastar ™ BR003 (with a melting temperature range from 230 to 280 ° C.), polypropylenes, in particular a homopolymer such as PPHS042 with a melting temperature of 165 ° C., polycarbonate, polyamide, polyvinyl acetate or polyethylene . If these materials have a glass transition temperature above the ambient temperature, here 300 ° Kelvin, energy should be introduced into the brush body via the tool part. This is also advantageous for materials whose glass transition temperature is below the ambient temperature,

Bristle carrier materials are advantageously heated to the following temperatures in the process according to the invention and by the device according to the invention, which will be explained below: Bristle carrier material Melting temperature [° C] Glass transition temperature [° C] Process temperature [° C] Polypropylene 160 ° -170 ° -10 ° -0 ° <136 ° PET 260 ° 70 ° <120 ° PBT 220 ° 47 ° <95 ° PA 200 ° -260 ° 50-60 ° <98 ° SECTION 220 ° -250 ° 95 ° <150 ° PC 220 ° -230 ° 148 ° <210 ° SAN 200 ° 108 ° <165 °

In the preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention not only provides for a bristle which is inserted overall into a receiving opening, but rather a plurality of anchoring openings and a plurality of receiving openings in the bristle carrier or in the tool part. The receiving openings are each aligned with the assigned anchoring openings. Tufts of bristles are inserted into the receiving openings, which are then inserted into the anchoring openings, preferably inserted at the same time. The tool part simultaneously heats up at least the edges of the anchoring openings, preferably the entire contact surface, so that the entire area between the anchoring openings is heated. By exerting pressure on the end face of the bristle carrier, the anchoring openings are closed at the same time and the tufts of bristles are thereby anchored at the same time.

The contact area on the tool part is preferably flat, as is the end face of the bristle carrier, which faces the tool part.

The infeed movement of the tool part relative to the bristle carrier can be carried out under pressure and time control and / or under pressure and displacement control. The term “infeed movement of the tool part relative to the bristle carrier” means that one of the two parts or both parts are moved relative to one another.

Another variant of the invention provides that the tool part exerts a preferably constant compressive force on the bristle carrier over a predetermined time from the time the bristle carrier contacts. This optional method is particularly easy to implement, because a compressive force is simply applied and exerted on the bristle carrier for a period of time, so to speak as a contact time, in order to be heated to its predetermined maximum operating temperature before it contacts the bristle carrier.

The invention provides, inter alia, in one embodiment of the invention that the melting temperature of the plastic of the bristle carrier is below the melting temperature of the bristle or bristles. In addition, there are also brushes in which the bristle carrier material is the same as the bristle material, for example polypropylene and PA.

As already explained, the bristle carrier should only be heated by the tool part after the at least one bristle has been introduced, and preferably only by contacting. Of course, if a bristle carrier comes close to a warm or hot tool part, a minimal temperature increase can take place, but this temperature increase is absolutely negligible and only takes place on the immediate surface.

However, should the infeed movement take a very long time, it is alternatively conceivable that the tool part brings the bristle carrier in the area of the contact surface with the tool to the temperature during the infeed movement of the tool part, which is below the melting temperature of the bristle carrier material and, preferably, greater than or equal to the glass transition temperature of the bristle carrier material. Alternatively or additionally, the bristle carrier can also be brought to the aforementioned temperature when the bristle carrier contacts the tool part.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the bristle holder should be heated to the predetermined temperature 0.25 to 0.5 mm below the surface of the bristle holder facing the tool part. Since the tool part presses against the bristle holder over a longer period of time and heats it up, the thermal energy also migrates deeper into the interior of the bristle holder. This means that when the bristle carrier is first contacted by the tool part, it does not have to be heated to depth it is sufficient to achieve this heating during the infeed movement and the exposure time (contact time).

In particular, a magazine is used as the tool part, which is equipped with the at least one bristle or the at least one bristle tuft. If several bristles or several tufts of bristles are to be attached to the bristle carrier, all the bristles or tufts of bristles are accommodated in the same magazine and are inserted at the same time after they have been loaded.

The one or more fastening ends of the bristles or tufts of bristles protrude from the magazine with their fastening end and are heated at this fastening end without having to leave the magazine. The thickening then forms at the fastening end protruding freely from the magazine. The magazine is therefore not a pure stamping tool, but also a transport tool, which is moved laterally to the bristle holder from an assembly station and is then pressed against the bristle holder.

As already mentioned, the tool part has, for example, a flat end face facing the bristle carrier and / or a geometry which cannot protrude into the anchoring opening, that is to say without pin-like projections or the like, as was proposed in the prior art.

By applying pressure and heat, the overall thickness of the bristle carrier is permanently reduced, that is, not only partially, but overall. The end face of the tool part opposite the bristle carrier is in particular brought to a temperature which is a maximum of 140 ° C., in particular a maximum of 130 ° C. For example, polypropylene, PET, ABS or SAN is used as the material for the bristle carrier.

The advantageous variants mentioned above can also be expressly combined with one another as desired.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a device for producing a brush having at least one bristle or at least one bristle tuft, preferably a plurality of bristle tufts, which has a bristle carrier with at least one anchoring opening for the at least one bristle or the at least one bristle tuft, in particular for carrying out the Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device has a holder for the bristle carrier and a tool part designed as a press ram with at least one receiving opening for the at least one bristle or the at least one tuft of bristles, the receiving opening opening on the end face of the tool part facing the bristle carrier, and wherein the tool part has a heating element which heats at least sections of the end face and is designed and regulated in such a way that the end face is heated to a temperature of at most 140 ° C., in particular at most 130 ° C. In particular, polypropylene, PET, ABS or SAN is used here as the material for the bristle carrier.

In the device according to the invention, a tool part, which acts as a temporary carrier for the bristle or the bristle tufts or bristles, is used as a press stamp and at the same time as a means of transport. A heater on the end face of the tool part is designed and controlled via a control system such that the end face is heated to a temperature of a maximum of 140 ° C., in particular a maximum of 130 ° C., when it is moved against the bristle holder. A device that can theoretically drive higher temperatures, but whose control or regulation limits the temperature accordingly, naturally also falls under the device according to the definition.

As previously explained in connection with the method, the infeed movement of the tool part relative to a holder of the bristle carrier can be realized by movement of the holder and / or the tool part, the infeed movement being pressure and time controlled and / or pressure and path controlled.

The device according to the invention can apply a pressure of at least 200 bar, in particular at least 400 bar, to the bristle carrier, that is to say in the direction of the holder.

The heatability of the tool part should be carried out in the entire contact area with the bristle holder or even in the entire area of the end face of the tool part, which is opposite the holder and thus the bristle holder inserted into the holder.

As further explained in connection with the method according to the invention, the tool part is, for example, a magazine which is equipped with the at least one bristle or the at least one bristle tuft in a loading station of the device. The at least one bristle or a glass transition temperature greater than or equal to 300 ° Kelvin, PET, PBT, PA, ABS, SAN and PC), or which corresponds to the ambient temperature when working with a bristle carrier material whose glass transition temperature is less than 300 ° Kelvin, that is especially polypropylene variants with such low glass transition temperatures. The edge of the anchoring opening is at least the outer edge on the end face of the bristle carrier.

Another variant of the invention provides that the at least one bristle or the bristle tuft is first pushed into the receiving opening before the edge of the anchoring opening is heated to a temperature which is at least 30 ° C. above the ambient temperature, in particular before the edge of the anchoring opening inside the anchoring opening is heated above the ambient temperature by the tool part. This means that the edge within the opening is not noticeably heated in the latter variant, in contrast to the prior art, where heatable pins should penetrate the opening around the inside edge of the opening, that is to say the wall defining the opening, to the bottom of the hole to warm up.

The deformation should be such that the edge of the bristle carrier at the transition to the end face of the bristle carrier presses against the outer bristles of the attached bristle tufts over the entire circumference.

The lack of heating of the opening wall preferably also relates to the other embodiments. This means that the edge is brought to the specified limit temperatures or temperatures only in the area of the end face, i.e. at the transition from the end face to the anchoring opening, but the ambient temperature remains essentially in the opening itself as long as the tool part does not contact the bristle holder .

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the tool part is also heated in the entire contact area in which the tool part contacts the bristle carrier and not only in the punctiform area or linear area around the edge of the anchoring opening. This has the advantage that the tool part has the entire contact area and thus the entire adjacent material area of the tool part available in order to move and reshape this material area due to the high pressure applied. It is also advantageous if the tool part even contacts the entire end face of the bristle carrier facing the tool part, but at least contacts at least 70% of the end face and pressurizes it. In the prior art, a protruding collar on the bristle carrier produced created a type of collar, which was the only heated and reshaped material. However, the present invention clearly sets itself apart from this by heating and reshaping the portions of the bristle carrier that are distant from the front edge of the anchoring openings.

The back of the bristle carrier should not be heated by the tool part during anchoring, so that in fact only the front side facing the tool part is heated and reshaped, whereas the back forms a plate-like, stable structure that could be called the base of the bristle carrier . This part of the bristle carrier is consequently not reshaped or changed in its shape during the pressurization.

The tool part can also heat up the bristle carrier at the end at least during the entire time in which it exerts pressure on the bristle carrier. The invention is therefore not a matter of briefly preheating the bristle carrier and then moving the bristle tufts quickly into the heated material sections of the bristle carrier, as is the case in the prior art with the preheated bristle carriers into which bristle tufts are then pushed .

The plastics used in the present invention are, for example, copolyesters, in particular Eastar ™ BR003 (with a melting temperature range from 230 to 280 ° C.), polypropylenes, in particular a homopolymer such as PPH5042 with a melting temperature of 165 ° C., polycarbonate, polyamide, polyvinyl acetate or polyethylene . If these materials have a glass transition temperature above the ambient temperature, here 300 ° Kelvin, energy should be introduced into the brush body via the tool part. This is also advantageous for materials whose glass transition temperature is below the ambient temperature. However, it is according to a variant of the invention with such materials of the brush body is also possible without heating the brush body by the tool part. Then, at the ambient temperature, the deformation is achieved only by the pressure of the tool part on the bristle carrier.

Bristle carrier materials are advantageously heated to the following temperatures in the process according to the invention and by the device according to the invention, which will be explained below: Bristle holder - material Melting temperature [° C] Glass transition temperature [° C] Process temperature [° C] Polypropylene 160 ° -170 ° -10 ° - 0 ° <136 ° PET 260 ° 70 ° <120 ° PBT 220 ° 47 ° <95 ° PA 200 ° - 260 ° 50 - 60 ° <98 ° SECTION 220 ° - 250 ° 95 ° <150 ° PC 220 ° - 230 ° 148 ° <210 ° SAN 200 ° 108 ° <165 °

In the preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention not only provides for a bristle which is inserted overall into a receiving opening, but rather a plurality of anchoring openings and a plurality of receiving openings in the bristle carrier or in the tool part. The receiving openings are each aligned with the assigned anchoring openings. Tufts of bristles are inserted into the receiving openings, which are then inserted into the anchoring openings, preferably inserted at the same time. The tool part simultaneously heats up at least the edges of the anchoring openings, preferably the entire contact surface, so that the entire area between the anchoring openings is heated. By exerting pressure on the end face of the bristle carrier, the anchoring openings are closed at the same time and the tufts of bristles are thereby anchored at the same time.

The contact area on the tool part is preferably flat, as is the end face of the bristle carrier, which faces the tool part.

The infeed movement of the tool part relative to the bristle carrier can be carried out under pressure and time control and / or under pressure and displacement control. The term “infeed movement of the tool part relative to the bristle carrier” means that one of the two parts or both parts are moved relative to one another.

Another variant of the invention provides that the tool part exerts a preferably constant compressive force on the bristle carrier over a predetermined time from the time the bristle carrier contacts. This optional method is particularly easy to implement, since a compressive force is simply applied and exerted on the bristle holder for a period of time, so to speak as a contact time, in order to subsequently remove the tool part and bristle holder from one another again. As in the other variants of the invention, further method steps are not necessary here either in order to anchor the bristle or the bristle tufts or bristles in the bristle carrier.

The infeed movement and / or the pressure applied from the tool part relative to or onto the bristle carrier can run non-linearly over time from the contacting of the bristle carrier through the tool part until the maximum delivery path has been reached. In this way, for example, a longer or shorter initial exposure time to the temperature can be achieved, and then a different pressure is then exerted in order to further and permanently deform the bristle carrier material.

In contrast to the aforementioned prior art, the fastening end of the at least one bristle or the whole or all of the bristle tufts when inserted into the associated anchoring opening (s) should be smaller than the cross section of the anchoring opening, of course before it is deformed and before the bristle carrier is heated , be. This means that the tufts of bristles are not pressed into the side wall of the anchoring opening, as has been proposed in the prior art. The fastening end is also not pressed into the bottom of the anchoring opening, because this is not or not sufficiently heated to be soft. Furthermore, no axial force is exerted on the bristles that exceeds the force required to push the bristles out of the receiving opening.

Similar to the case in anchorless fastening used in practice, the at least one bristle or the entire bristle tuft can get a thickened fastening end by thermally deforming the bristle material by heating it above the melting temperature. When using a bristle tuft, the bristles of the bristle tuft are combined with one another by thermal shaping. However, adjacent bristle tufts are not also combined with one another, but each bristle tuft has a thickened fastening end for itself, with which it is inserted into the anchoring opening beforehand.

What is important for the present method and a major difference from the prior art is the relatively long action time of the tool part on the bristle carrier, while the pressure is exerted on the bristle carrier and the latter is additionally heated. The exposure time is at least 5 seconds, in particular at least 6 seconds and a maximum of 15 seconds, in particular a maximum of 10 seconds. Over this long exposure time, the pressure can be constant and / or the bristle carrier can be permanently heated. Consistent pressure is relatively easy to achieve.

The anchoring opening can be a blind hole, in particular with a maximum depth of 4 mm, further particularly a maximum of 2.7 mm.

The anchoring opening is only deformed and narrowed to a maximum depth of 85%, in particular a maximum of 70% of its total depth, that is to say it is not narrowed in the region of the bottom of the blind hole.

Another significant difference from the prior art is the pressure exerted, which is considerably higher than that in the previously proposed methods. This is because the tool part applies a pressure of at least 200 bar, in particular at least 400 bar, to the bristle carrier.

The at least one anchoring opening, preferably all anchoring openings, have no protruding collar in the region of the mouth of the anchoring opening before the bristle carrier is acted upon by the tool part; rather, these bristle carriers are flat on their end face facing the tool part, at least in the contact area with the tool part. The enormous pressure of 200 and more bar ensures that the entire area of the surface or contact surface is reshaped and, with the exception of an inclined anchoring opening, which is explained below, no protruding collar is necessary as a material accumulation.

If the anchoring opening has an edge section running obliquely to its end face opposite the tool part, an additional material accumulation may be necessary in this area. Then, before the bristle carrier is acted upon by the tool part, the bristle carrier has an extension protruding from the end in the direction of the tool part in the region of the obliquely extending fire section. Otherwise, however, the end face of the bristle carrier can and is advantageously completely flat.

In particular, a magazine is used as the tool part, which is equipped with the at least one bristle or the at least one bristle tuft. If several bristles or several tufts of bristles are to be attached to the bristle carrier, all the bristles or tufts of bristles are accommodated in the same magazine and are inserted at the same time after they have been loaded.

The one or more fastening ends of the bristles or tufts of bristles protrude from the magazine with their fastening end and are heated at this fastening end without having to leave the magazine. The thickening then forms at the fastening end protruding freely from the magazine. The magazine is therefore not a pure stamping tool, but also a transport tool, which is moved laterally to the bristle holder from an assembly station and is then pressed against the bristle holder.

As already mentioned, the tool part has, for example, a flat end face facing the bristle carrier and / or a geometry which cannot protrude into the anchoring opening, that is to say without pin-like projections or the like, as was proposed in the prior art.

By applying pressure and heat or only pressure, the overall thickness of the bristle carrier is permanently reduced, that is, not only partially, but overall. The end face of the tool part opposite the bristle carrier is in particular brought to a temperature which is at most 140 ° C. in particular is a maximum of 130 ° C. For example, polypropylene, PET, ABS or SAN is used as the material for the bristle carrier.

The advantageous variants mentioned above can also be expressly combined with one another as desired.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a device for producing a brush having at least one bristle or at least one bristle tuft, preferably a plurality of bristle tufts, which has a bristle carrier with at least one anchoring opening for the at least one bristle or the at least one bristle tuft, in particular for carrying out the Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device has a holder for the bristle carrier and a tool part designed as a press ram with at least one receiving opening for the at least one bristle or the at least one tuft of bristles, the receiving opening opening on the end face of the tool part facing the bristle carrier, and wherein the tool part has a heating element which heats at least sections of the end face and is designed and regulated in such a way that the end face is heated to a temperature of at most 140 ° C., in particular at most 130 ° C. In particular, polypropylene, PET, ABS or SAN is used here as the material for the bristle carrier.

In the device according to the invention, a tool part, which acts as a temporary carrier for the bristle or the bristle tufts or bristles, is used as a press stamp and at the same time as a means of transport. A heater on the end face of the tool part is designed and controlled via a control system such that the end face is heated to a temperature of a maximum of 140 ° C., in particular a maximum of 130 ° C., when it is moved against the bristle holder. A device that can theoretically drive higher temperatures, but whose control or regulation limits the temperature accordingly, naturally also falls under the device according to the definition.

As previously explained in connection with the method, the infeed movement of the tool part relative to a holder of the bristle carrier can be realized by movement of the holder and / or the tool part, the infeed movement being pressure and time controlled and / or pressure and path controlled.

The device according to the invention can apply a pressure of at least 200 bar, in particular at least 400 bar, to the bristle carrier, that is to say in the direction of the holder.

The heatability of the tool part should be carried out in the entire contact area with the bristle holder or even in the entire area of the end face of the tool part, which is opposite the holder and thus the bristle holder inserted into the holder.

As further explained in connection with the method according to the invention, the tool part is, for example, a magazine which is equipped with the at least one bristle or the at least one bristle tuft in a loading station of the device. The at least one bristle or the at least one bristle tuft (which generally includes for the entire present description and the claims also a plurality of bristle tufts) protrudes from the magazine with its fastening end after it has been fitted. In a melting station, which is located after the loading station, the or the fastening ends are heated, whereby a thickening is formed in each case. When using one or more tufts of bristles, the bristles of the corresponding tufts of bristles are combined with one another by thermal shaping. In particular, a type of mushroom, spherical or spherical thickening is formed.

In general, in the device according to the invention, either the magazine can be moved and the stations can be stationary, or the magazine remains stationary and stuffing tools or heating devices or holders are moved to the magazine. These tools or holders can, for example, be arranged on a rotating carousel that successively travels magazines that are stationed. The device according to the invention has a control that controls the infeed movement of the tool part relative to the bristle holder and the heating process of the tool part so that the tool part is heated up before it contacts the bristle holder. This means that the tool part is already warm before the infeed movement of the tool part in the direction of the holder. In this phase, the maximum operating temperature may or may not be present. The bristle carrier is heated by the tool part only after the at least one bristle has been introduced, which is achieved by the protrusion of the thickened end relative to the magazine and the distance from the front side of the magazine to the corresponding contact surface on the bristle carrier.

The controller can heat the tool part to such a temperature and control the infeed of the tool part to the bristle holder such that the tool part brings the bristle holder to a temperature in the region of the contact area with the tool part during the infeed movement of the tool part to the bristle holder and / or when the bristle holder contacts , which is below the melting temperature of the material of the bristle carrier and, preferably, greater than or equal to the glass transition temperature of the material of the bristle carrier, in particular wherein the control is designed such that it is the temperature of the tool part in the case of a bristle carrier material with a glass transition temperature of greater than or equal to 300 ° Kelvin a maximum of 15% above the glass transition temperature, calculated in degrees Kelvin, and a maximum of 50% above the glass transition temperature in degrees Kelvin for a bristle carrier material with a glass transition temperature of less than 300 ° Kelvin.

Furthermore, it is expressly pointed out that the advantages and features mentioned above in connection with the method according to the invention can also be applied to the device according to the invention, individually or in combination, in accordance with the method according to the invention.

Further features and advantages of the invention result from the following description and from the following drawings, to which reference is made.

• - 1a bis 1g verschiedene aufeinanderfolgende Schritte des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens in perspektivischer Draufsicht und perspektivischer Unteransicht, die auch die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zeigt,
• - 2 eine vergrößerte Ansicht der perspektivischen Unteransicht der Verankerungsstation in 1e,
• - 3 eine Querschnittsansicht durch die in 1e und 1f dargestellte Verankerungsstation vor dem Aufeinanderzubewegen von Magazin und Borstenträger,
• - 4 eine entsprechende Ansicht der Station nach 3 bei erster Kontaktierung des Magazins und des Borstenträgers,
• - 5 eine entsprechende Ansicht der Verankerungsstation nach 3 nach dem Ende der Zustellbewegung und nach dem Ende der Einwirkzeit, unmittelbar vor Auseinanderfahren und Öffnen der Station,
• - 6 eine Schnittansicht durch eine alternative Bestückungsstation,
• - 7 eine Schnittansicht durch die Verankerungsstation gemäß 3, bei der schräg gerichtete Borstenbüschel verarbeitet werden, und
• - 8 eine schnelle Ansicht durch einen bei der Erfindung eingesetzten, alternativen Borstenträger.

The drawings show:

• - 1a to 1g different successive steps of the method according to the invention in perspective top view and perspective bottom view, which also shows the device according to the invention,
• - 2nd an enlarged view of the perspective bottom view of the anchoring station in 1e ,
• - 3rd a cross-sectional view through the in 1e and 1f shown anchoring station before moving the magazine and bristle carrier together,
• - 4th a corresponding view of the station 3rd when first contacting the magazine and the bristle holder,
• - 5 a corresponding view of the anchoring station 3rd after the end of the infeed movement and after the end of the contact time, immediately before moving apart and opening the station,
• - 6 3 shows a sectional view through an alternative assembly station,
• - 7 a sectional view through the anchoring station 3rd , in which oblique tufts of bristles are processed, and
• - 8th a quick view of an alternative bristle carrier used in the invention.

In 1 shows a device for producing brushes, for example toothbrushes. Such a toothbrush is known to have a brush head with tufts of bristles projecting from the front, a neck and a handle. These three sections can merge into one another, they form the so-called brush body. The brush head can either be plugged directly, or it can be made in two parts, with a plate-like bristle carrier, which has pre-made blind hole-like anchoring openings after injection molding, this plate-like bristle carrier then being brought together with the rest of the head, either by welding, gluing or by Encapsulation. An alternative to this is that the brush head is made in one piece so that it forms the bristle holder itself.

Such an execution is in 1 shown, the brush head also forms the bristle carrier 10 . in this illustration is the bristle holder 10 the brush body at the same time, because it encompasses the style, neck and head of the brush. The bristle carrier 10 is a prefabricated, injection molded part. 2nd shows that the bristle holder 10 numerous prefabricated openings created by injection molding on its underside 12th owns, inserted into the bristle tufts and anchored therein. The following description is however identical on plate-like bristle carriers 10 transferable and readable.

In the 1 The device shown comprises several stations, namely an assembly station 14 that in the 1a and 1b is shown, a melting station 16 , in the 1c is shown, as well as an anchoring station 18th for the tufts of bristles in the 1e and 1f is shown.

All stations are from a magazine 20 , also called a tool part, which tufts of bristles transport through the individual stations. The magazine 20 is a plate-shaped part with constant thickness, which according to 1 upper, flat face 22 owns.

Since the magazine passes through several stations and is then used for the production of further brushes, a magazine circulation operation is present in the device, with numerous magazines of identical design 20 sequentially through the individual stations. The magazine 20 is therefore a means of transport for tufts of bristles 24th through the device. Alternatively, the magazine can be stationary and the individual stations are clocked around the magazine, for example on a carousel. Several stationary magazines can be processed simultaneously, more precisely the tufts of bristles arranged in the magazines.

The magazine 20 has numerous intake openings 26 that have a hole pattern that matches the hole pattern of the bristle holder 10 corresponds.

Each tuft of bristles 24th consists of several bristles, isolated from a stock of bristles and how 1a shows in the magazine 20 be inserted.

The bristles are made of a thermoplastic material, in particular PA, PBT, polyester, copolyester or polypropylene.

The tufts of bristles 24th have opposite ends and protrude with their rear ends 28 something from the magazine 20 out, so they are opposite the front 22 something before. This is in 1b shown.

The magazine 20 which is complete with the tufts of bristles 24th is loaded into the melting station 16 transported as in 1c shown. There is a heater in this station 30th available, which can be, for example, a plate heater or a hot air heater. The rear ends become contactless 30th the bristle tuft heats so that the individual bristles exceed their melting temperature and the bristles of a tuft flow together to form a thickened fastening end. The bristles of a tuft 24th are connected to each other in one piece. The thickening 32 do not pass into adjacent thickenings, but remain spherical or lenticular thickenings. Also, preferably no stamp is pressed against the thickening or the still liquid material of the melted bristle ends.

The magazine 20 transports the tufts of bristles 24th further into the subsequent anchorage station 18th . This anchoring station ensures that the tufts of bristles 24th in the anchoring openings 12th of the bristle carrier 10 only be locked without anchors.

The station 18th includes a bracket 34 that at their the front 22 opposite end face 36 (please refer 2nd ) a recess 38 has, which is complementary to the corresponding shape of the bristle carrier 10 is formed so that it is flat with its back on the bracket 36 lies on.

The bracket itself has a flat face 36 against which, however, the bristle carrier 10 something protrudes like 2nd shows.

The magazine 20 is heated, for example, either by a plate heater supplied from the outside, which is in the station 18th to the side of the magazine 20 is brought up and this because the magazine 20 made of metal, can heat up quickly.

Alternatively, in the magazine 20 a heater, especially an electrical resistance heater 39 trained in 2nd is shown. The heating coils are indicated symbolically, they are close to the front 22 .

Electrical connection contacts 41 , for example sliding contacts on a side surface of the magazine 20 , make it possible to drive in the magazine 20 to the station 18th the magazine 20 electrically connect to the heater 39 to activate. Of course, it is also conceivable that the end face 22 itself represents an electrical resistance heating layer, so that here the end face is heated directly.

If the magazine 20 is fixed, the electrical connection for the heater is very easy to implement, it can be permanent.

The heating system 39 ensures that preferably the entire face 22 is heated, which also means the sections between the thickenings 32 .

The temperature at which the face 22 is brought is below the melting temperature of the bristle and / or the bristle carrier material, preferably both materials. In particular, it is at most 85% calculated in degrees Celsius of the respective melting temperature of these materials. For example, if both materials have a melting temperature of 100 ° C, then the temperature of the magazine that has been finally heated will be 20 at the front 22 at a maximum of 85 ° C.

3rd shows a sectional view through the station 18th in 1e before the magazine 20 and the bristle carrier 10 to be driven towards each other.

The thickening 32 has such a dimension, seen in the longitudinal direction A, that it is smaller than the corresponding cross section of the anchoring opening 12th is so that it is without going to the inside edge 40 the anchoring opening 12th bump or the edge 40 to contact in the mooring opening 12th can be inserted.

The heated magazine 20 and / or the bracket 34 are moved towards each other relative to each other, in the present case the bracket 34 with the bristle holder 10 moved so that the thickening first 32 into the anchoring opening 12th arrives before the face 22 the flat end face facing her 42 of the bristle carrier 10 contacted. The bristle carrier becomes during the infeed movement 10 almost not heated at all, since the infeed movement takes place very quickly and there is no dwell time in the 3rd shown open position of the station 18th is available.

A base plate 44 (please refer 3rd ), on which all tufts of bristles 24th with their front ends resting on them can serve the tufts of bristles 24th Align at their front end and at the same time, if desired, a distance between the thickening 32 and the front 22 to accomplish.

In 4th is shown that the front 22 the front 42 of the bristle carrier 10 contacted and thus the bristle holder 10 heated on the entire contact surface between the two parts.

The bristle carrier 10 is made of thermoplastic material, especially from the previously mentioned plastics, such as polypropylene, ABS, PA, PBT, PET or PC.

The movement of the bracket 34 does not, however, remain in the position of the first contact made in 4th is shown, because of the bracket 34 and the magazine 20 there is a very high pressure on the bristle carrier 10 upset.

For example, when moving towards one another, a pressure of at least 200, preferably at least 400 bar is exerted on the bristle carrier 10 exercised. This pressure is applied from the first contact of the bristle holder 10 and magazine 20 applied and remains the same over the exposure time (is contact time).

This pressure is at the same time heating the bristle carrier 10 maintained over an exposure time of at least 5 seconds, in particular at least 6 seconds and a maximum of 15 seconds, in particular a maximum of 10 seconds.

During this time the magazine 20 preferably still heated, possibly the large mass of the magazine 20 it would also allow stopping the heating after the first heating to the operating temperature. Nevertheless, the bristle carrier would continue to heat up during the exposure time 10 occur.

In the example mentioned, the entire flat end face, at least where there is contact with the magazine 20 is present, heated.

The temperature at which the bristle holder in the area of the end face 42 is heated during the exposure time, is below the melting temperature of the bristle and / or bristle carrier material, in particular at or lower than 85% of the respective melting temperature, calculated in degrees Celsius. This temperature essentially corresponds to the previously mentioned maximum operating temperature of the magazine 20 in the area of the front 22 .

Alternatively, at least the edge 50 the anchoring opening 12th in the area of the front 42 be heated.

The temperature at which the bristle holder reaches 10 at least in the area of the edge 50 , preferably brought in the entire contact area with the magazine, should not only be below or significantly below the melting temperature of the materials, but in a range of the glass transition temperature of the bristle carrier material. With extremely high pressure, which is, for example, over 600 bar, it would be possible for the bristle carrier to be in the region of the end face 42 , at least in the area of the edge 50 to heat only to a temperature which is above a limit temperature which is 60% in degrees Celsius, in particular 80% in degrees Celsius, of the glass transition temperature of the bristle carrier material if the bristle carrier material has a glass transition temperature of greater than or equal to 300 ° Kelvin. However, this limit temperature is preferably at or slightly above the glass transition temperature. In the case of a bristle carrier material with a glass transition temperature of less than 300 ° Kelvin, the heating temperature is a maximum of 50% above the glass transition temperature in degrees Kelvin.

Another variant provides that the heating at least of the edge 50 the front 42 , in particular the entire contact surface of the bristle carrier 10 is heated to a temperature which is at least 30 ° C above the ambient temperature, especially before the edge 40 inside the anchoring opening above the ambient temperature through the magazine 20 is heated.

As can be seen in the figures, the magazine has 20 no extensions or the like with which it is in the anchoring opening 12th would protrude since it was a flat face 22 owns.

Since the front 42 is flat and not in the area of the mouth of the anchoring opening 12th , that is in the area of the edge 50 If there is no collar or the like, as was the case in the prior art, the bristle carrier material becomes in the region of the end face during the application of pressure and temperature 42 deformed all over. The material wants to dodge and moves into the anchoring openings 12th in the area of the mouth.

By applying heat and pressure, the entire thickness D and thus the maximum thickness of the bristle carrier 10 permanently reduced.

All anchorage openings 12th are simultaneously closed by the device shown and the corresponding method and thus all tufts of bristles at the same time 24th in the bristle holder 10 anchored.

As further in 4th is not seen, the entire anchoring opening in the area of the edge 40 reshaped, but only to a certain depth t, the maximum 85%, in particular 70% of the total depth T of the anchoring opening 12th corresponds.

The depth T is a maximum of 4 mm, in particular a maximum of 2.7 mm.

All anchorage openings 12th are blind holes so the bristle holder 10 does not have to be covered on the back since no parts of the bristle tufts are visible or protrude on this side.

The anchoring created in this way is the only anchoring for the bristle carriers, no metal anchor or metal wire is necessary.

It should be emphasized in general, this does not only refer to the illustrated embodiments that the bristle carrier 10 should not be brought close to its melting temperature, but far from it, close to the glass transition temperature. In particular, the heating temperature and thus the temperature on the magazine should be 20 in the area of the front 22 and the bristle holder 10 on the face side are not higher than 15% above the glass transition temperature of the bristle carrier material and / or the bristle material.

An embodiment of the invention provides that the end face 22 and thus the bristle carrier 10 to a temperature of a maximum of 140 ° C, in particular a maximum of 130 ° C, preferably in Range from 100 to 115 ° C. In particular, polypropylene, PET, ABS and SAN are used as materials for the bristle carrier.

After the specified exposure time, holder 34 and magazine 20 collided again so that the bristle tufts 24th from their receiving openings 26 be pulled out. Post-processing in the form of a different shape for the bristle carrier 10 not necessary.

In order to precisely control the corresponding movements and temperatures, the device has a control 51 , which are used to control not only the heating temperature, but also the pressure applied and the movement sequences. The heating system too 30th can use the same control 51 can be controlled.

If the bristle carrier material is a material such as certain types of polypropylene in which the glass transition temperature is not above the ambient temperature, the bristle carrier may not be heated, but this is not absolutely necessary. A minimal heating just above the glass transition temperature can also be advantageous here, but again clearly below the melting temperature. If such bristle carrier materials do not have to or need to be heated, the anchoring openings become 12th closed exclusively by applying the aforementioned pressure over the aforementioned exposure time. It is possible to have magazines 20 without using heating or the same magazines with heating, but the heating is simply not activated.

Regardless of the bristle carrier material, the following applies: during the feed movement from the magazine 20 relative to the bracket 34 and thus to the bristle carrier 10 a pressure-controlled and time-controlled feed movement and / or a pressure-controlled and displacement-controlled feed movement can be advantageous. It is particularly advantageous if, in a first phase of the infeed movement, the edge 50 or the entire face 42 is heated to a temperature which is above a limit temperature. This limit temperature is 60%, in particular 80% below the glass transition temperature of the bristle carrier material, determined in degrees Celsius if the bristle carrier material has a glass transition temperature of over 300 ° Kelvin. However, the limit temperature is preferably at a glass transition temperature, at most up to 20% above the glass transition temperature in degrees Celsius. In a subsequent second phase of the infeed movement, the edge then becomes 50 deformed and the edge 50 pressed against the bristles.

Also in the in the 5 Embodiment shown presses the material in the region of the edge in the closed state 50 against the bristles, so that there is no gap between the bristles and the edge 50 is available.

The magazine assembly 20 can either, as in 1a done directly via a bristle separator, or via another variant, which in 6 is shown. Here is a cassette first 60 filled with tufts of bristles with numerous openings. The isolated tufts of bristles can then also be stored via this cassette until they finally, for example, via movable pins 62 into the magazine 20 be pressed in directly.

Alternatively, between the cassette 60 and the magazine 20 also a baffle 64 be present, the sloping transport openings 66 for tufts of bristles moving through them 24th owns. It is also possible to use converging transport openings 66 , as in 6 shown on the left, several tufts of bristles 24th to form a larger tuft of bristles, for example if the brush is to contain tufts of different thicknesses. Furthermore, the magazine can of course also have inclined receiving openings 26 own, because there are brushes in which the tufts of bristles are not perpendicular to the end face 42 run, but are arranged obliquely to it. However, here too the anchoring is as shown in the figures. Alternatively, the anchoring openings can of course also be used 12th for such obliquely directed tufts of bristles 24th be slightly inclined or conical or conical only in the area of the side of the tufts of bristles inclined towards them 24th how this in 7 is shown.

In 8th an anchoring opening is shown, which has an oblique to its end face opposite the tool part 42 trending edge section 80 has inside. Before the bristle holder is acted upon by the tool part, the bristle holder has at the front edge 50 in the area of the sloping edge section 80 one opposite the front 42 projection projecting towards the tool part 82 and otherwise a flat face 42 .

It should be emphasized that the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention can be used not only with several bristle tufts, but also only with one bristle tuft, for example for producing a brush, and for fastening only one or only individual bristles in a bristle carrier.

Claims (34)

Method for producing a brush which has a bristle carrier (10) made of thermoplastic material with at least one anchoring opening (12) into which at least one bristle made of thermoplastic material is inserted and anchored therein without anchors, characterized by the following steps: the at least one bristle received in a receiving opening (26) of a tool part, the at least one bristle is pushed with its fastening end, while it is still seated in the receiving opening (26), into an anchoring opening (12) formed in the bristle carrier (10) when the bristle carrier (10) is manufactured Without being fastened therein, the tool part is heated so that the end face (22) of the tool part opposite the bristle carrier (10) is brought to a temperature which is below the melting temperature of the bristle material and / or the bristle carrier material, in particular at most 85% in ° C of the respective melting temperature of the bristle and / or that of the bristle carrier material, the tool part is moved relative to the bristle carrier (10), so that the tool part contacts the bristle carrier (10) and heats it up, the tool part exerts a compressive force on the bristle carrier (10) and deforms the bristle carrier (10) at least in Area of the edge surrounding the anchoring opening (12) while reducing the cross section of the anchoring opening (12) such that the at least one bristle is embedded and anchored in the anchoring opening (12), and the tool part is moved away relative to the bristle carrier (10) so that the at least one bristle is pulled out of the receiving opening (26). Method for producing a brush which has a bristle carrier (10) with at least one anchoring opening (12) and at least one bristle inserted into the anchoring opening (12) and anchored therein without anchors, the bristle carrier (10) and the at least one bristle made of a thermoplastic Plastic are formed, which can be the same or different, characterized by the following steps: the at least one bristle is received in a receiving opening (26) of a tool part, the at least one bristle with its fastening end while it is still seated in the receiving opening (26) , in an anchoring opening (12) of the bristle carrier (10) formed during the manufacture of the bristle carrier (10), without being fastened therein, an end face (22) of the tool part opposite the bristle carrier (10) is brought to a predetermined temperature, which in a range of between ambient temperature and 210 ° C, preferably 150 ° C, the W Tool part is moved relative to the bristle carrier (10), so that the tool part contacts the bristle carrier (10) and heats it up, but without melting the bristle carrier (10) and the at least one bristle, the bristle carrier (10) is pressed over the tool part with a pressure acted upon and deformed at least in the region of the edge (50) surrounding the anchoring opening (12) while reducing the cross section of the anchoring opening (12) such that the at least one bristle is embedded and anchored in the anchoring opening (12), and the tool part becomes relative to the Bristle carrier (10) moves away, so that the at least one bristle is pulled out of the receiving opening (26). Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2nd , characterized in that the thermoplastic is selected from that of polyester, in particular polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polybutylene terephthalate, polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyamide (PA), polyvinyl acetate (PVA), polyethylene (PE), acrylonitrile Butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) and styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) existing group. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool part, before it contacts the bristle holder (10), is heated, in particular to its predetermined maximum operating temperature and / or characterized in that the bristle holder (10) only after the at least a bristle is heated by the tool part. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool part brings the bristle carrier (10) to a temperature in the region of the contact surface with the tool part during the infeed movement of the tool part to the bristle carrier (10) and / or when the bristle carrier (10) makes contact. which is below the melting temperature of the bristle carrier material and, preferably, greater than or equal to the glass transition temperature of the material of the bristle carrier (10), in particular one Bristle carrier material with a glass transition temperature greater than or equal to 300 ° Kelvin is a maximum of 15% above the glass transition temperature in degrees Kelvin and with a bristle carrier material with a glass transition temperature of less than 300 ° Kelvin is a maximum of 50% above the glass transition temperature in degrees Kelvin. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool part heats the bristle carrier (10) to a temperature at least in the region of the edge (50) surrounding the anchoring opening (12) in a first phase of the infeed movement relative to the bristle carrier (10), which is above a limit temperature which, in the case of a bristle carrier material with a glass transition temperature greater than or equal to 300 ° Kelvin, is 40% in degrees Celsius, in particular 20% in degrees Celsius, below the glass transition temperature of the bristle carrier material, or which, in the case of a bristle carrier material with a glass transition temperature of less 300 ° Kelvin, which corresponds to the ambient temperature, before the tool part deforms the edge (50) in a second phase of the infeed movement and the edge (50) presses against the at least one bristle. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one bristle is first pushed into the receiving opening (26) before the tool part has contacted the bristle carrier (10), in particular before the bristle carrier (10) at least in the region of the anchoring opening ( 12) surrounding edge (50) was heated to a temperature which is above a limit temperature which, in the case of a bristle carrier material with a glass transition temperature greater than or equal to 300 ° Kelvin, 60% in degrees Celsius, in particular 80% in degrees Celsius, of the glass transition temperature of the bristle carrier material corresponds to or which, in the case of a bristle carrier material with a glass transition temperature of less than 300 ° Kelvin, corresponds to the ambient temperature. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one bristle is first pushed into the receiving opening (26) before at least the edge (50) of the anchoring opening (12) is heated to a temperature which is at least 30 ° C. above the Ambient temperature, in particular before the edge (50) of the anchoring opening (12) inside the anchoring opening (12) is heated above the ambient temperature by the tool part. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool part is heated in the entire contact area in which the tool part contacts the bristle carrier (10), the tool part contacting the entire end face facing the tool part, but at least 70% of the end face and pressurized. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristle carrier (10) has a rear side which is not heated by the tool part during anchoring. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool part heats up the bristle carrier (10) on the end face at least during the entire time in which it exerts pressure on the bristle carrier (10). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristle carrier (10) has a plurality of anchoring openings (12) and the tool part has a plurality of receiving openings (26), each of which is aligned with associated anchoring openings (12), and in that a plurality, in their receiving openings ( 26) inserted tufts of bristles (24) are inserted into their associated anchoring openings (12), preferably simultaneously, and the tool part simultaneously heats up at least the edges of the anchoring openings (12) and simultaneously closes by exerting pressure on the end face (42) of the bristle carrier (10) and thereby anchoring the tufts of bristles (24). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the infeed movement of the tool part relative to the bristle carrier (10) is pressure and time controlled and / or pressure and path controlled. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool part exerts a preferably constant compressive force on the bristle carrier (10) for a predetermined time from the time the bristle carrier (10) comes into contact. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed movement and / or the applied pressure of the tool part relative to or on the bristle carrier (10) from the contacting of the bristle carrier (10) by the tool part until reaching the maximum feed path is non-linear over time, whereby a 1st phase of the infeed movement is slower or faster than a later 2nd phase or the pressure is smaller or larger than in a later 2nd phase. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening end of the at least one bristle or an entire bristle tuft (24) when inserted into the anchoring opening (12) is smaller than the cross section of the anchoring opening (12). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one bristle or an entire bristle tuft (24) has a fastening end thickened by thermal shaping of the bristle material, the bristles of the bristle tuft (24) being thermally deformed when using a bristle tuft (24) be united with each other. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool part contacts the bristle carrier (10) over an exposure time of at least 5 seconds, in particular at least 6 seconds, and a maximum of 15 seconds, in particular a maximum of 10 seconds, in particular with constant pressure and / or at permanent heating of the bristle carrier (10). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one anchoring opening (12) is a blind hole, in particular with a depth of at most 4 mm, furthermore in particular at most 2.7 mm and / or characterized in that the anchoring opening (12) is only deformed and narrowed to a maximum depth of 85%, in particular a maximum of 70% of its total depth. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool part applies a pressure of at least 200 bar, in particular at least 400 bar, to the bristle carrier (10). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one anchoring opening (12) is formed before the bristle carrier (10) is acted upon by the tool part in the region of the mouth of the anchoring opening (12) without a projecting collar, preferably flat. Procedure according to one of the Claims 1 to 20 , characterized in that the at least one anchoring opening (12) has an edge section running obliquely to its end face (42) opposite the tool part, the bristle carrier (10) before the bristle carrier (10) is acted upon by the tool part at the front edge (50) in the region of the obliquely running edge section has an extension projecting opposite the end face (42) in the direction of the tool part and, preferably, otherwise has a flat end face (42). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool part is a magazine (20) which is equipped with the at least one bristle or the at least one bristle tuft (24), the at least one bristle or the at least one bristle tuft (24) after being fitted with the fastening end, it protrudes from the magazine (20) and the fastening end is heated, thereby forming a thickening (32). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of bristle tufts (34) are received in their respective associated receiving openings (26) in the tool part and anchored in associated anchoring openings (12), preferably simultaneously. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool part has a flat end face facing the bristle carrier (10) and / or has a geometry which cannot protrude into the anchoring opening (12). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thickness of the bristle carrier (10) is reduced overall by the application of heat and pressure. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tool part is heated so that the end face (22) of the tool part opposite the bristle carrier (10) is brought to a temperature which is a maximum of 140 ° C, in particular a maximum of 130 ° C. Device for producing a brush having at least one bristle or at least one bristle tuft, which has a bristle carrier (10) with at least one anchoring opening (12) for the at least one bristle or the at least one bristle tuft (24), for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the device has a holder for the bristle carrier (10) and a tool part designed as a press stamp with at least one receiving opening (26) for the at least one bristle or the at least one bristle tuft, the receiving opening (26) on the Bristle carrier (10) facing end face (22) of the tool part opens, and wherein the tool part has at least sections of the end face (22) heating, which is designed and controlled so that the end face (22) to a temperature of maximum 140 ° C, in particular a maximum of 130 ° C is heated. Device after Claim 28 , characterized in that the tool part can be moved towards and away from the holder relative to the holder, in particular wherein this feed movement is pressure and time controlled and / or pressure and path controlled. Device after Claim 28 or 29 , characterized in that the device is designed such that the tool part can apply a pressure of at least 200 bar, in particular at least 400 bar, to the bristle carrier (10). Device according to one of the Claims 28 to 30th , characterized in that the tool part is heatable in the entire contact area with the bristle carrier (10). Device according to one of the Claims 27 to 31 , characterized in that the tool part is a magazine (20) which is equipped in a loading station (14) of the device with the at least one bristle or the at least one bristle tuft (24), the at least one bristle or the at least one bristle tuft (24 ) protrudes from the magazine (20) after being fitted with the fastening end, a melting station (16) being present after the fitting station (14), in which the fastening end is heated and thereby forming a thickening (32), with the use of a tuft of bristles (24) the bristles of the bristle tuft (24) are combined with one another by thermal shaping. Device according to one of the Claims 28 to 32 , characterized in that a controller (51) is provided which controls the infeed movement of the tool part relative to the bristle carrier (10) and the heating process of the tool part such that the tool part is heated, in particular before it contacts the bristle carrier (10) controls its predetermined maximum operating temperature and / or such that the bristle carrier (10) is heated by the tool part only after the at least one bristle has been introduced. Device after Claim 33 , wherein the control is programmed so that the tool part can be heated to such a temperature and the tool part is delivered to the bristle carrier (10) in such a way that the tool part moves the bristle carrier (10) in the region of the contact area with the tool part during the infeed movement of the tool part Bristle carrier (10) and / or when contacting the bristle carrier (10) to a temperature which is below the melting temperature of the material of the bristle carrier (10) and, preferably, greater than or equal to the glass transition temperature of the material of the bristle carrier (10), in particular wherein the The control is programmed in such a way that it sets the temperature of the tool part a maximum of 15% above the glass transition temperature in degrees Kelvin for a bristle carrier material with a glass transition temperature of greater than or equal to 300 ° Kelvin and a maximum of 50% for a bristle carrier material with a glass transition temperature of less than 300 ° Kelvin the glass transition boy temperature in degrees Kelvin.

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