DE202016102996U1 - Device for producing a brush - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for producing a brush having at least one bristle or at least one bristle tuft and having a bristle carrier with at least one anchoring opening for the at least one bristle or the at least one bristle tufts, characterized in that the device comprises 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 bristle tufts, wherein the receiving opening opens on the bristle carrier facing end side of the tool part, and wherein the tool part has at least a portion of the front side heating heating, which is designed and regulated so that the end face is heated to a maximum temperature of 140 ° C, in particular a maximum of 130 ° C.

Description

The invention relates to 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 fixing of the bristle tufts by means of an anchor (metal plate or wire loop) or anchorless. The anchorless method, in contrast to the use of an anchor before that the bristle tufts is not folded and fastened at its fold in the bristle carrier, but at one end to the bristle carrier by gluing or thermally locked. A common, enforced in practice method provides that the bristle carrier has openings through which the bristle tufts are inserted. With their back end, the bristle tufts protrude from the openings and are heated on the back of the bristle carrier. The thermoplastic material of the bristles melts with it, whereby the bristles materially merge into each other and a thickening results, by means of which pulling out of the individual bristles forward impossible. 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 at the back results in a kind of layer of liquefied bristle ends. Subsequently, this back is covered, in particular overmolded.

A disadvantage of this solution is that a considerable procedural and device-related overhead must be operated due to this back-side necessary cover. It should be noted that especially in the case of toothbrushes, the transition surfaces between adjacent layers are made as gap-free as possible in order to avoid hygiene problems.

The term "bristle carrier" is to be understood that part of the finished brush which carries the bristle or bristle tufts. The bristle carrier can be the entire brush body, so in a toothbrush so the integrally molded part of stem, neck and head, or even a prefabricated part of the future 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 bristle tufts. After filling and fastening of the bristles, the plate-like bristle carrier is then either inserted into a prefabricated brush body which, for example, has a corresponding recess for the platelet-like bristle carrier. Alternatively, this is the usual case, the plate-like bristle carrier is encapsulated and thus results in a brush body of prefabricated bristle carrier and molded remainder.

The CH 672 579 A5 proposes a method of attaching bristle tufts in a bristle carrier by means of an anchor plate. This means that the bristle tufts are folded, and in the folding area is the anchor plate, which presses into the wall of the anchoring opening and thus permanently fixes the bristle tufts on the bristle carrier. However, in order that the opening on the end face of the bristle carrier is closed optimally, so that no bacteria and spores can colonize and multiply here, a bead on the bristle carrier which revolves around the anchoring opening and projects from the front side should be pressed inwards. The bristle tuft itself, however, is not secured by this reshaping of the bead, but by the anchor itself. The individual bristle tufts are successively hammered into the bristle carrier via a tamping tool which pushes the folded bristle tuft through a tube. The tube itself then has on its front side a heater that rests exclusively on the bead and this brings to melting or plasticized and then pushes radially inward.

In addition to the above-mentioned possibilities for anchorless attachment of the bristle or bristle tufts on the bristle carrier in theory, yet another method has been found, but could never prevail in practice, namely the collision of bristle tufts in a bristle carrier, the openings and the is preheated. After the bristle tufts have been pushed into the soft bristle carrier, the bristle carrier is pressurized on its front side, from which the tufts protrude, 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. In the following some concepts are presented.

The DE 198 53 030 A1 provides that bristle tufts on their back have fused bristles to a thickening. The bristle carrier has openings into which cylindrical projections of a heater are inserted before the tufts of bristles are tapped, without touching the edge of the opening. Due to this radiant heat, the inside edge of the openings is heated locally. The bristle carrier is brought in the region of the edge to a joint-changing temperature, for example, the softening temperature. Due to the increase in temperature, the hole should be reduced in its cross-section, so that the bristle tufts must penetrate into the wall upon impact. After removing the heater, the bristle tufts are then pushed with the thickened end into the openings, wherein the thickening in cross-section is greater than the opening cross-section, so that the thickening in the soft region of the opening defining and surrounding edge, ie in the corresponding wall penetrates. Subsequently, the front of the bristle carrier is deformed with a stamp, so that the material of the bristle carrier is pressed against the bristle tufts and anchor them.

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

From the EP 0 355 412 A1 a method is known in which the thickened end of the bristle tufts and / or the edge of the opening in the bristle carrier are heated, wherein the dimensions and the temperatures are selected so that after the penetration of the thickened end of the edge of the opening inwardly urges and so, similar to a snap connection, which includes thickened end and receives it form-fitting.

The EP 0 472 557 B1 proposes to penetrate with a heated stamp, which has pins, in a plastic plate-shaped bristle carrier, so that the pins form the openings for receiving the bristle tufts. The bristle tufts are then pressed into the embossed, still hot openings and the melt rises around the thickening of the bristle tufts around. A mold plate may also be pressed against the top of the bristle carrier to still form the melt. In this case, it is particularly preferred that projections or beads protrude on the upper side of the not yet formed bristle carrier, which form material which is available as material which is pressed in the direction of the opening.

In the method of the DE 34 22 623 A1 a bristle carrier, which is designed plate-shaped and without openings, welded to bristle tufts, which consist of the same plastic as the bristle carrier. A heating tool is moved between the not yet welded together sides of the bristle carrier and the tufts of bristles, so that both are melted. Subsequently, the bristle tufts are pressed into the molten material of the bristle carrier.

The object of the invention is to provide a device with which a significantly simpler method for producing a brush is made possible, which also requires less effort especially on the device side, but at the same time ensures a secure anchoring of the bristle or bristle tufts in the anchoring opening.

The object according to the invention is 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, wherein the device is a holder for the bristle carrier and a tool part formed as a press die with at least one receiving opening for the at least one bristle or at least one bristle tufts, wherein the receiving opening opens on the bristle carrier facing end side of the tool part, and wherein the tool part has at least a portion of the front side heating heating , which is designed and regulated so 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 material for the bristle carrier.

In the device according to the invention, a tool part, which acts as a temporary support for the bristle or the bristle tufts or used as a press die and at the same time as a means of transport. A heater on the front side of the tool part is designed and is controlled by a controller that the front side is heated to a temperature of 140 ° C maximum, in particular at most 130 ° C when it is moved against the bristle carrier. A device that can theoretically drive higher temperatures, but whose control or regulation limits the temperature accordingly predetermined, of course, also falls under the device defined by definition.

The feed movement of the tool part can be realized relative to a holder of the bristle carrier by movement of the holder and / or the tool part, wherein the feed movement pressure and time-controlled and / or pressure and can be controlled away.

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 performed in the entire contact area with the bristle carrier or even in the entire region of the end face of the tool part, which is opposite to the holder and thus the bristle carrier used in the holder.

The tool part is, for example, a magazine which is equipped in a loading station of the device with the at least one bristle or the at least one bristle tuft. The at least one bristle or the at least one bristle tufts (including generally, for the entire present description and the claims also several tufts of bristles) protrude after loading with their attachment end from the magazine. In a melting station, which is located after the loading station, the or the attachment ends is heated, whereby each forms a thickening. When using one or more bristle tufts, the bristles of the corresponding bristle tufts are combined by thermal forming. It forms in particular a kind of mushroom, dome or spherical thickening.

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 stances may, for example, be arranged on a revolving carousel that successively leaves magazines which are stationed. The device according to the invention has a controller which controls the feed movement of the tool part relative to the bristle carrier and the heating process of the tool part in such a way that the tool part is heated before it makes contact with the bristle carrier. This means that before the feed movement of the tool part in the direction of the holder, the tool part is already warm. At this stage, but not necessarily, the maximum operating temperature may be present. The bristle carrier is heated only after the introduction of the at least one bristle through the tool part, which is realized by the projection of the thickened end relative to the magazine and the distance of the end face 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 delivery of the tool part to the bristle carrier so that the tool part brings the bristle carrier in the region of the contact surface with the tool part during the feed movement of the tool part to the bristle carrier and / or upon contacting the bristle carrier to a temperature 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 controller is programmed programmed to the temperature of the tool part in a bristle carrier material having a glass transition temperature greater than or equal to 300 ° Kelvin a maximum of 15% above the glass transition temperature calculated in degrees Kelvin and a bristle carrier material having a glass transition temperature of less than 300 ° Kelvin maximum 50% above the glass transition temperature in degrees Kelvin n.

The one brush has, as I said, a bristle carrier made of thermoplastic material with at least one anchoring opening, in 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 device according to the invention is designed so that it carries out the following steps: the at least one bristle is received in a receiving opening of a tool part, the at least one bristle with its attachment end, while still sitting in the receiving opening, in a during manufacture (eg injection molding) pushed the bristle carrier anchoring opening formed without the bristle carrier, the tool part is heated so that the bristle carrier opposite end face of the tool part 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 of the respective melting temperature of the bristle and / or the 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, the tool part exerts a compressive force on de n bristle carrier and deforms the bristle carrier at least in the region of the edge surrounding the anchoring opening while reducing the cross section of the anchoring opening such that the at least one bristle in the Anchoring opening is embedded and anchored, and the tool part is moved relative to the bristle carrier away, so that at least one bristle is pulled out of the receiving opening.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a device 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 in an anchorless manner, wherein the bristle carrier and the at least one bristle are formed from a thermoplastic plastic, which can be the same or different. The device is designed to perform 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 attachment end, while still sitting in the receiving opening, in an anchoring opening of the bristle carrier formed during the 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 lies in a range of 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,
the bristle carrier is acted upon by the tool part with a pressure and deformed at least in the region surrounding the anchoring opening edge while reducing the cross section of the anchoring opening 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.

The thermoplastic material in all embodiments 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) existing group selected. Both homopolymers and copolymers with said thermoplastics 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. The predetermined temperature is for this purpose preferably at most 85 percent of the melting temperature of the thermoplastic material. Thus, damage to the bristles and / or the bristle carrier can be reliably prevented.

Particularly preferably, the predetermined temperature is in a range between 30 ° C and 150 ° C, most preferably between 60 ° C and 140 ° C, preferably between 90 and 130 ° C or 100 and 115 ° C.

The predetermined temperature is more preferably above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic. This provides adequate deformability of the thermoplastic material.

The device according to the invention differs fundamentally from the prior art, because on the one hand it provides exclusively a anchorless attachment of the bristle, the bristle tufts or the bristle tufts. The anchoring opening itself is prefabricated, that is, holes are not pressed into the bristle carrier here with heated punches, but rather the receiving openings already result during the injection molding of the bristle carrier. Furthermore, the receiving opening is not heated on the inside first and thus softens the inside edge of the opening, so that the bristle or bristle tufts is pressed into the soft wall of the receiving opening. Rather, the bristle or bristle tufts or preferably is first inserted into the receiving opening, and only then is the bristle carrier heated on its opposite side of the tool part, but without melting. It is carried out below the melting temperature of the bristle material and / or the bristle carrier material, wherein the heating by the tool part in which the bristle or bristle tufts sat, takes place and not by its own pure heating tool, which then has to be moved away again when the bristle or the bristle tufts is supplied. Such heating up by the tool part itself, in which the bristle or bristle tufts sit, is therefore neither envisaged in the prior art nor suggested by him, because the bristle tufts in the prior art should penetrate into the soft, heated wall of the bristle carrier and therefore a had to have high intrinsic stability in order to forward the pressing force exerted on the bristle tufts. Only by the pressing force exerted on the bristle tufts on the back and by the inherent rigidity of the cold bristle tuft, it was possible to press the anchoring end into the softened wall of the bristle carrier. In addition, the heating takes place by contacting the bristle carrier by the heating tool part itself and not, as in the prior art mainly usual, by contactless heating. Thus, the energy transitions are on the one hand faster attainable and on the other hand, the device with fewer parts executable.

The heating of the bristle carrier during the entire forming process is carried out to a temperature below the melting temperature, preferably to a temperature which is well below the melting temperature, for example at least 15% below the respective melting temperature calculated in degrees Celsius and preferably at most 15% above the glass transition temperature, calculated in degrees Kelvin and a bristle carrier material with a glass transition temperature greater than or equal to 300 ° Kelvin. For a bristle material with a glass transition temperature of less than 300 ° Kelvin, the temperature to which the bristle carrier is heated during the entire forming process, calculated at a maximum of 50% above the glass transition temperature in degrees Kelvin. Preferably, the bristle carrier is heated to a temperature above the glass transition temperature.

The invention and its preferred and previously described advantageous variants provide in particular for the use of polypropylene, of which some groups have a glass transition temperature of less than 300 ° Kelvin, have a glass transition temperature above 300 ° K, as a bristle carrier material. Other preferred bristle carrier materials are PET, PBT, PA, ABS, SAN and PC. These bristle carrier materials all have glass transition temperatures of over 300 ° Kelvin.

The glass transition temperature can be determined, for example, by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). The melting point of semicrystalline thermoplastics is considered to be the upper end of the melting range. A determination of the melting temperature can be carried out, for example, by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). For amorphous thermoplastics, the transition to the flow or processing range is considered to be the melting temperature.

In order for the clocking in the manufacture of bristle carriers to be relatively short, an embodiment of the invention provides that the tool part, before contacting the bristle carrier, is heated up. Of course, this has the disadvantage that the bristle or bristle tuft itself is already heated with what was not desired in the prior art, because the bristle tufts should indeed press into the soft wall. According to the invention, the tool part can already 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. However, there are also brushes in which the bristle carrier material is equal to the bristle material, for example polypropylene and PA.

As already explained, the bristle carrier should be heated only after the introduction of the at least one bristle through the tool part, preferably exclusively by contacting. Of course, if a bristle carrier comes close to a hot or hot tool part, a minimal increase in temperature will occur, but this increase in temperature is absolutely negligible and occurs only on the immediate surface.

However, should the feed movement take a very long time, it is alternatively conceivable for the tool part to bring the bristle carrier in the area of the contact surface with the tool during the feed movement of the tool part to the temperature below the melting temperature of the bristle carrier material and, preferably, greater than or equal to the glass transition temperature the material of the bristle carrier is. Alternatively or additionally, the bristle carrier can be brought to the aforementioned temperature even when the bristle carrier is contacted by the tool part.

The heating of the bristle carrier to the predetermined temperature should be achieved according to an embodiment of the invention 0.25 to 0.5 mm below the mold part facing surface of the bristle carrier. Since the tool part presses against the bristle carrier over a longer period of time and heats it, the heat energy also migrates deeper into the interior of the bristle carrier. As a result, when the bristle carrier is first contacted by the tool part, it does not already have to be heated to depth, it is sufficient to achieve this heating during the feed movement and the contact time (contact time).

In a first phase of the feed movement relative to the bristle carrier, the tool part can heat, at least in the region of the edge surrounding the anchoring opening, but preferably in the entire contact region, to a temperature which is above a limit temperature which is 60% in degrees Celsius, especially 80 ° % of the glass transition temperature of the bristle carrier material, when working with a bristle carrier material having a glass transition temperature greater than or equal to 300 ° Kelvin. This applies in particular to bristle carrier materials such as polypropylene variants with a glass transition temperature greater than or equal to 300 ° Kelvin, PET, PBT, PA, ABS, SAN and PC. Alternatively, the limit temperature is the ambient temperature when working with a bristle carrier material whose glass transition temperature is less than 300 ° Kelvin, which is the case in particular when using polypropylene variants with such low glass transition temperatures. The heating takes place before the tool part deforms the edge in a second phase of the feed movement and the edge presses against the at least one bristle.

In particular, the bristle carrier material may be heated to a temperature which is in a range between the glass transition temperature and below about 85 percent of the melting temperature of the thermoplastic in degrees Celsius. Depending on the thermoplastic material used, this temperature is preferably in a range of between 30 ° C and 210 ° C, more preferably between 60 and 140 ° C, preferably between 90 and 130 ° C or 100 and 115 ° C.

As has been found in experiments, the bristle or bristle tufts should first be pushed into the receiving opening before the tool part contacts the bristle carrier, in particular before the bristle carrier has been heated to a temperature at least in the region of the edge surrounding the anchoring opening (preferably in the entire contact area) which is above a limit temperature which is 40% in degrees Celsius, in particular 20% in degrees Celsius below the glass transition temperature of the bristle carrier material when working with a bristle carrier material having a glass transition temperature of greater than or equal to 300 ° Kelvin (this applies in particular bristle carrier materials such as polypropylene variants with a glass transition temperature of 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 ° Kelvi n, ie in particular polypropylene variants with such low glass transition temperatures. The edge of the anchoring opening is at least the outer edge on the front side of the bristle carrier.

Another variant of the invention provides that the at least one bristle or bristle tufts 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 is heated in the interior of the anchoring opening over the ambient temperature by the tool part. This means that the edge inside the opening is not appreciably heated in the latter variant, in contrast to the prior art, where heated pins should penetrate into the opening to the inside edge of the opening, that is, the wall defining the opening, to the hole bottom to warm up.

The deformation should be such that the edge of the bristle carrier presses at the transition to the front side of the bristle carrier on the entire circumference against the outer bristles of the attached bristle tufts.

Preferably, the lack of heating of the opening wall also relates to the other embodiments. This means that optionally only in the region of the end face, ie at the transition of the end face to the anchoring opening, the edge is brought to the predetermined limit temperatures or temperatures, in the opening itself, however, the ambient temperature is substantially maintained as long as the tool part does not contact the bristle carrier ,

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the tool part is also heated in the entire contact region, in which the tool part contacts the bristle carrier, and not only in the punctiform region or linear region 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 to move this material area by the high pressure applied and reshape. It is also advantageous if the tool part even contacted the entire end of the bristle carrier facing the tool part, but at least contacted at least 70% of the end face and pressurized. In the prior art, a kind of collar was created by projecting beads on the bristle carrier produced, which represented the only heated and formed material. The present invention, however, sets this clearly from just by the Heated portions of the bristle carrier and are transformed, which lie away from the front edge of the anchoring openings.

The back side 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 side forms a plate-like, stable structure which could be called the base of the bristle carrier , Consequently, this part of the bristle carrier is not reshaped or changed in shape during the pressurization.

The tool part can, at least during the entire time in which it exerts pressure on the bristle carrier, also heat the bristle carrier on the front side. It is therefore not in the invention to a short-term pre-heating of the bristle carrier and a subsequent rapid movement of the bristle tufts in the heated material sections of the bristle carrier, as is the case in the prior art with the previously heated bristle carriers into which then bristle tufts are pushed ,

The plastics used in the present invention are, for example, copolyesters, especially Eastar ^™ BR003 (having a melting temperature range of 230 to 280 ° C), polypropylenes, especially a homopolymer such as PPH5042 having a melting temperature of 165 ° C, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyvinyl acetate or polyethylene , If these materials have a glass transition temperature above the ambient temperature, in this case 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 ambient temperature. However, according to a variant of the invention, it is also possible with such materials of the brush body to manage without heating up of the brush body by the tool part. Then, at the ambient temperature, the deformation is achieved exclusively via the pressure of the tool part on the bristle carrier.

Advantageously, bristle carrier materials are heated to the following temperatures by the device according to the invention which will be explained below: Bristle carrier 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 °

The device according to the invention is designed such that a plurality of anchoring openings and a plurality of receiving openings are present in the bristle carrier or in the tool part. The receiving openings are aligned in each case to the associated anchoring openings. In the receiving openings bristle tufts are used, which are then inserted into the anchoring openings, preferably inserted simultaneously. 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 front side of the bristle carrier, the anchoring openings are closed at the same time, thereby anchoring the bristle tufts at the same time.

Preferably, the contact area on the tool part is flat, as well as the front side of the bristle carrier, which faces the tool part.

The feed movement of the tool part relative to the bristle carrier can be performed pressure and time-controlled and / or pressure and path controlled. The term "feed movement of the tool part relative to the bristle carrier" means that one of the two parts or both parts are moved relative to each other.

A further variant of the invention provides that the tool part from the time of contacting the bristle carrier a preferably constant compressive force over a predetermined time on the Borstenträger exerts. This optional method is particularly easy to implement, because it is simply applied a compressive force and exercised for a while on the bristle carrier, so to speak as a contact time, then to remove the tool part and bristle carrier again from each other. Further steps are not required here, as in the other variants of the invention, in order to anchor the bristle or the bristle tufts in the bristle carrier.

The feed movement and / or the applied pressure from the tool part relative to or on the bristle carrier can extend from the contact of the bristle carrier through the tool part to reach the maximum feed path non-linear over time. As a result, for example, a longer or shorter initial exposure time of the temperature can be realized, and then another pressure is then applied to further and permanently deform the bristle carrier material.

In contrast to the prior art mentioned above, the attachment end of the at least one bristle or bristle tuft should be smaller than the cross-section of the anchoring opening when inserted into the associated anchoring opening (s), of course prior to its deformation and prior to heating of the bristle carrier , be. This means that the bristle tufts are not pressed into the lateral wall of the anchoring opening, as has been proposed in the prior art. The attachment 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, which goes beyond the necessary force for pushing out the bristles from the receiving opening.

Similar to the anchorless attachment used in practice, the at least one bristle or tuft may be given a thickened attachment end by thermally forming the bristle material by heating above the melt temperature. When using a tuft of bristles, the bristles of the bristle tufts are combined together by thermal forming. In this case, but not adjacent bristle tufts are united with each other, but each bristle tuft has a thickened attachment end, with the advance it is introduced into the anchoring opening.

Important and a great difference from the prior art is the relatively long exposure time of the tool part on the bristle carrier, while the pressure is exerted on the bristle carrier and this 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 consistent and / or a permanent heating of the bristle carrier take place. Constant pressure is relatively easy to implement.

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

The anchoring opening is reshaped and narrowed only to a depth of at most 85%, in particular not more than 70% of its total depth, that is, it is not narrowed in the region of the bottom of the blind hole.

A significant further difference from the prior art also exists in the applied pressure, which is considerably higher than in the previously proposed devices. The tool part brings namely a pressure of at least 200 bar, in particular at least 400 bar on the bristle carrier.

The at least one anchoring opening, preferably all anchoring openings have before the application of the bristle carrier through the tool part in the region of the mouth of the anchoring opening no protruding collar, but these bristle carrier on its side facing the tool part face, at least in the contact area with the tool part. The enormous pressure of 200 and more bar ensures that it is reshaped entire area of the surface or contact surface and, with the exception of an oblique anchoring opening explained below, no protruding collar is required as material accumulation.

If the anchoring opening in its interior have an edge portion extending obliquely to its end opposite the tool part, an additional accumulation of material may be necessary at this area. Then the bristle carrier has before the application of the bristle carrier by the tool part at the front edge in the region of the inclined fire section one opposite the end face in the direction of the tool part projecting extension. Otherwise, however, and is advantageously the front side of the bristle carrier completely flat.

As a tool part in particular a magazine is used, which is equipped with the at least one bristle or at least one bristle tufts. If several bristles or more bristle tufts to be attached to the bristle carrier, then all bristles or tufts are housed in the same magazine and are inserted after loading simultaneously.

The or the attachment ends of the bristles or bristle tufts protrude after loading with its attachment end of the magazine and are heated at this attachment end, without having to leave the magazine. The thickening is then formed at the free end protruding from the magazine attachment end. The magazine is therefore not a pure stamping tool, but also a transport tool, which is moved laterally to the bristle carrier coming from a Bestückungsstation and is then pressed against the bristle carrier.

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

By applying pressure and heat or only by pressure, the total thickness of the bristle carrier is permanently reduced, that is, not only partially, but in total. The bristle carrier opposite end face of the tool part is brought in particular 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 here as material for the bristle carrier.

The aforementioned advantageous variants can also be combined with each other expressly.

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

In the drawings show:

1a to 1g in a perspective top view and a perspective bottom view of the device according to the invention in various successive steps,

2 an enlarged view of the bottom perspective view of the anchoring station in 1e .

3 a cross-sectional view through the in 1e and 1f illustrated anchoring station before moving towards each other of magazine and bristle carrier,

4 a corresponding view of the station 3 at the first contact of the magazine and the bristle carrier,

5 a corresponding view of the anchoring station after 3 after the end of the infeed movement and after the end of the exposure time, immediately before moving apart and opening the station,

6 a sectional view through an alternative placement station,

7 a sectional view through the anchoring station according to 3 in which obliquely tufts of bristles are processed, and

8th a quick view of an alternative bristle carrier used in the invention.

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

Such an embodiment is in 1 shown, the brush head forms at the same time the bristle carrier 10 , in this illustration is the bristle carrier 10 at the same time the brush body, because it includes style, neck and head of the brush. The bristle carrier 10 is a prefabricated, injection molded part. 2 shows that the bristle carrier 10 on its underside numerous prefabricated, produced during injection molding openings 12 has, inserted into the bristle tufts and anchored therein. The following description is identical to plate-like bristle carrier 10 transferable and readable.

In the 1 The device shown comprises several stations, namely a loading 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 18 for the bristle tufts that are in the 1e and 1f is shown.

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

Since the magazine passes through several stations and is subsequently used for the production of further brushes, a magazine circulation operation is present in the device, wherein a plurality of identically formed magazines 20 be clocked in succession by the individual stations. The magazine 20 is thus a means of transport for bristle tufts 24 through the device. Alternatively, the magazine may be stationary and the individual stations are clocked around the magazine, for example on a carousel. At the same time several stationary magazines can be processed, more precisely the bristle tufts arranged in the magazines.

The magazine 20 has numerous receiving openings 26 , which have a hole pattern, which is the hole pattern of the bristle carrier 10 equivalent.

Each bristle tuft 24 consists of several bristles, which are separated from a bristle supply and how 1a shows in the magazine 20 be inserted.

The bristles 24 are made of a thermoplastic material, in particular PA, PBT, polyester, copolyester or polypropylene.

The bristle tufts 24 have opposite ends and protrude with their back ends 28 something from the magazine 20 out, so they face the front 22 something before. This is in 1b shown.

The magazine 20 , which complete with the bristle tufts 24 is loaded laterally in the melting station 16 transported as in 1c shown. In this station is a heater 30 present, which may be, for example, a plate heater or a hot air heater. The back ends become contactless 30 heated the bristle tufts, so that the individual bristles exceed their melting temperature and the bristles of a tuft together flow together to form a thickened attachment end. The bristles of a tuft 24 are thus integrally connected with each other. The thickenings 32 do not go into adjacent thickening, but remain spherical or lenticular thickening. Also preferably no stamp is pressed against the thickening or the still liquid material of the molten bristle ends.

The magazine 20 transports the bristle tufts 24 further into the subsequent anchoring station 18 , This anchoring station ensures that the bristle tufts 24 in the anchoring openings 12 of the bristle carrier 10 only be locked arresting anchorless.

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

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

The magazine 20 is heated, for example, either by an externally supplied plate heating, in the station 18 on the side of the magazine 20 is approached and this, since the magazine 20 made of metal, can heat up quickly.

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

Electrical connection contacts 41 For example, sliding contacts on a side surface of the magazine 20 , allow it when entering the magazine 20 in the station 18 the magazine 20 electrically connect to the heater 39 to activate. Of course, it is also conceivable that the front side 22 itself represents an electrical resistance heating layer, so that here directly the front side is heated.

If the magazine 20 is fixed, the electrical connection for heating is very easy to implement, it can be permanently formed.

The heating system 39 ensures that preferably the entire front page 22 is heated, that is, the sections between the thickening 32 ,

The temperature to which the front side 22 is brought 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, so is the temperature of the final heated magazine 20 at the front 22 at most 85 ° C.

3 shows a sectional view through the station 18 in 1e before the magazine 20 and the bristle carrier 10 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 12 is so that they are without the inside edge 40 the anchoring opening 12 to push or the edge 40 to contact, in the anchorage opening 12 can be inserted.

The heated magazine 20 and / or the holder 34 are moved relative to each other towards each other, in the present case, the holder 34 with the bristle carrier 10 moved, so first the thickening 32 into the anchoring opening 12 passes before the front side 22 the flat front side facing her 42 of the bristle carrier 10 contacted. During the delivery movement, the bristle carrier becomes 10 almost never heated, because the feed movement is very fast and no dwell time in the 3 illustrated open position of the station 18 is available.

A base plate 44 (please refer 3 ), on which all bristle tufts 24 rest with their front ends, can serve, the bristle tufts 24 at their front end to each other and at the same time a distance, if desired, between the thickening 32 and the front side 22 to accomplish.

In 4 is shown that the front side 22 the front side 42 of the bristle carrier 10 contacted and thus the bristle carrier 10 heats up at the entire contact surface between the two parts.

The bristle carrier 10 is made of thermoplastic material, in particular of the plastics already mentioned above, such as polypropylene, ABS, PA, PBT, PET or PC.

The movement of the owner 34 However, does not remain in the position of the first contact in 4 is shown, because over the bracket 34 and the magazine 20 will put a very high pressure on the bristle carrier 10 applied.

For example, with the juxtaposition a pressure of at least 200, preferably at least 400 bar on the bristle carrier 10 exercised. This pressure is already from the first contact of bristle carrier 10 and magazine 20 applied and remains over the contact time (contact time) is the same.

This pressure is accompanied by simultaneous heating of the bristle carrier 10 over a contact 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 maintained.

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

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

The temperature to which the bristle carrier in the area of the front side 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 corresponds essentially to the aforementioned maximum operating temperature of the magazine 20 in the area of the front side 22 ,

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

The temperature to which the bristle carrier 10 at least in the area of the edge 50 , is preferably brought into the entire contact area with the magazine should not only be below or well below the melting temperature of the materials, but in a range of glass transition temperature of the bristle carrier material. With extremely high pressure, for example, above 600 bar, it would be possible to use the bristle carrier in the region of the front side 42 , at least in the area of the edge 50 to heat only to a temperature which is above a threshold temperature which is 60% in degrees Celsius, especially 80% in degrees Celsius, of the glass transition temperature of the bristle carrier material when the bristle carrier material has a glass transition temperature greater than or equal to 300 ° Kelvin. However, this limit temperature is preferably at or minimally above the glass transition temperature. For 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 calculated.

Another variant provides that heating at least the edge 50 the front side 42 , in particular the entire contact surface of the bristle carrier 10 is heated to a temperature which is at least 30 ° C above 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 projections or the like with which it enters the anchoring opening 20 would protrude, since it is a flat face 22 has.

As well as the face 42 even and not at the mouth of the anchoring opening 12 that is in the area of the edge 50 no collar or the like, as was the case in the prior art, becomes the bristle carrier material during the application of pressure and temperature 10 in the area of the face 42 deformed over the entire surface. The material wants to dodge and thus migrates into the anchoring openings 22 in the area of the estuary.

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

All anchoring openings 12 are simultaneously closed by the illustrated device and the corresponding method and thus at the same time all bristle tufts 24 in the bristle carrier 10 anchored.

As further in 4 can not be seen, the entire anchoring opening in the area of the edge 40 deformed, but only up to a certain depth t, the maximum of 85%, in particular 70% of the total depth T of the anchoring opening 12 equivalent.

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

All anchoring openings 12 are blind holes, so the bristle carrier 10 does not need to be covered on the back because no parts of the bristle tufts are visible or protruding on this side.

The anchoring thus created is the only anchorage for the bristle carrier, 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 from this clearly removed close to the glass transition temperature. In particular, the heating temperature and thus the temperature at the magazine should 10 in the area of the front side 20 and the bristle carrier 10 not more 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 be heated to a temperature of at most 140 ° C, in particular at most 130 ° C, preferably in the range of 100 to 115 ° C are heated. In particular, polypropylene, PET, ABS and SAN are used as materials for the bristle carrier.

After the given exposure time become holder 34 and magazine 20 again drove together, so the bristle tufts 24 from their receiving openings 26 be pulled out. A post-processing in the form of a different shape for the bristle carrier 10 not necessary.

In order to accurately control the corresponding movements and temperatures, the device has a control 50 which controls not only the heating temperature but also the applied pressure and movement. Also the heating 30 can have the same control 50 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, heating of the bristle carrier may be omitted, but this need not necessarily be the case. Here, too, a minimum heating may be advantageous just above the glass transition temperature, but again well below the melting temperature. If it is not necessary to heat up such bristle carrier materials, the anchoring openings will become 12 closed exclusively by applying the aforementioned pressure over the aforementioned exposure time. It is possible, magazines 20 to use without heating or the same magazines with heating, the heater is simply not activated.

Regardless of the bristle carrier material applies: During the delivery movement from the magazine 20 relative to the bracket 34 and thus to the bristle carrier 10 a pressure- and time-controlled feed movement and / or a pressure and travel-controlled feed movement can be advantageous. In particular, it is advantageous if in a first phase of the delivery movement of the edge 50 or the entire front 42 is heated to a temperature which is above a threshold temperature. This limit temperature is 60%, in particular 80% below the glass transition temperature of the bristle carrier material, determined in degrees Celsius, when the bristle carrier material has a glass transition temperature of about 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 delivery movement then becomes the edge 50 deformed and the edge 50 pressed against the bristles.

Also in the in the 5 illustrated embodiment presses in the closed state, the material in the region of the edge 50 against the bristles, so no gap between bristles and edge 50 is available.

The equipment of the magazine 20 can either, as in 1a take place directly over a bristle singular, or over another variant, which in 6 is shown. Here is a cassette first 60 filled with numerous receiving openings with bristle tufts. About this cassette, the isolated bristle tufts can then be stored, until finally, for example, via movable pins 62 in the magazine 20 be pressed directly.

Alternatively, between the cassette 60 and the magazine 20 also a baffle plate 64 be present, the oblique transport openings 66 for bristle tufts moving through them 24 has. It is also possible over converging transport openings 66 , as in 6 shown on the left, several bristle tufts 24 to unite to a larger bristle tufts, for example, if the brush should contain different thickness bristle tufts. Furthermore, of course, the magazine oblique receiving openings 26 own, because there are brushes where the bristle tufts are not perpendicular to the face 42 run, but are arranged obliquely to her. Again, however, the anchorage is as shown in the figures. Alternatively, of course, the anchoring openings 12 for such obliquely tufts of bristles 24 be performed slightly oblique or conical or conical only in the area of them inclined to the side of the bristle tufts 24 like this in 7 is shown.

In 8th An anchoring opening is shown which has an oblique to its the tool part opposite end 42 extending edge portion 80 in its interior. The bristle carrier has before the application of the bristle carrier by the tool part at the front edge 50 in the region of the oblique edge section 80 one opposite the front 42 in the direction of the tool part protruding extension 82 and otherwise a flat front 42 ,

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

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• CH 672579 A5 [0005]
• DE 19853030 A1 [0007]
• US 5224763 [0008]
• EP 0355412 A1 [0009]
• EP 0472557 B1 [0010]
• DE 3422623 A1 [0011]

Claims (27)

Apparatus for producing a brush having at least one bristle or at least one bristle tuft and having a bristle carrier with at least one anchoring opening for the at least one bristle or the at least one bristle tufts, characterized in that the device comprises 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 bristle tufts, wherein the receiving opening opens on the bristle carrier facing end side of the tool part, and wherein the tool part has at least a portion of the front side heating heating, which is designed and regulated so that the end face is heated to a maximum temperature of 140 ° C, in particular a maximum of 130 ° C. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the tool part is relative to the support on it and can be delivered away from it, in particular wherein said feed motion is pressure and time controlled and / or pressure and path controlled. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device is designed so that the tool part can apply a pressure of at least 200 bar, in particular at least 400 bar on the bristle carrier. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool part is designed to be heatable in the entire contact area with the bristle carrier. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool part is a magazine which is equipped in a loading station of the device with the at least one bristle or the at least one bristle tufts, wherein the at least one bristle or the at least one bristle tufts after loading with the Fastening end protrudes from the magazine, wherein a melting station is present after the loading station, in which the attachment end is heated and thereby forms a thickening, wherein when using a bristle tufts, the bristles of the bristle tufts are combined by thermal forming together. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a control is provided which controls the feed movement of the tool part relative to the bristle carrier and the heating process of the tool part so that the tool part before it contacts the bristle carrier is heated, in particular to its predetermined maximum Operating temperature and / or controls so that the bristle carrier is heated only after the introduction of the at least one bristle through the tool part. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the controller is programmed so that the tool part can be heated to such a temperature and supplies the tool part to the bristle carrier that the tool part the bristle carrier in the region of the contact surface with the tool part during the feed movement of the tool part to the bristle carrier and or upon contacting the bristle carrier to a temperature 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 controller is programmed programmed to act on a bristle carrier material having a glass transition temperature of greater than or equal to 300 ° Kelvin the temperature of the tool part sets a maximum of 15% above the glass transition temperature in degrees Kelvin and a bristle carrier material with a glass transition temperature of less than 300 ° Kelvin a maximum of 50% the glass transition temperature in degrees Kelvin. Device according to one of the preceding claims, as far as dependent on claim 6, characterized in that the control is formed so that the tool part is heated to bring the bristle carrier opposite end face of the tool part to a temperature below the melting temperature of the bristle material and / or of the bristle carrier material is, in particular at most 85% in ° C of the respective melting temperature of the bristle and / or bristle carrier material, and that the holder is movable so that the tool part is moved relative to the bristle carrier, so that the tool part contacted the bristle carrier and heats it up, and then moved away relative to the bristle carrier, so that at least one bristle is pulled out of the receiving opening. Device according to one of the preceding claims, as far as dependent on claim 6, characterized in that the control is formed so that a bristle carrier opposite end face of the tool part is brought to a predetermined temperature, which in a range of between ambient temperature and 210 ° C, preferably 150 ° C, and that the holder is movable to move the tool part relative to the bristle carrier, wherein the tool part contacts the bristle carrier and heats it, and then moved away relative to the bristle carrier so that the at least one bristle is pulled out of the receiving opening. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool part brings the bristle carrier in the region of the contact surface with the tool part during the feed movement of the tool part to the bristle carrier and / or upon contacting the bristle carrier to a temperature below the melting temperature of the bristle carrier material and, preferably , is greater than or equal to the glass transition temperature of the material of the bristle carrier, in particular for a bristle carrier material having a glass transition temperature greater than or equal to 300 ° Kelvin at most 15% above the glass transition temperature in degrees Kelvin and a bristle carrier material having a glass transition temperature of less than 300 ° Kelvin a maximum of 50% the glass transition temperature is in degrees Kelvin. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool part in a first phase of the feed movement relative to the bristle carrier, the bristle carrier at least in the region surrounding the anchoring opening edge heated to a temperature which is above a limit temperature, which, in a bristle carrier material a glass transition temperature greater than or equal to 300 ° Kelvin, 40% in degrees Celsius, in particular 20% in degrees Celsius below the glass transition temperature of the bristle carrier material or, in a bristle carrier material having a glass transition temperature of less than 300 ° Kelvin corresponds to the ambient temperature, before the tool part in a second phase of the feed movement deforms the edge and the edge presses against the at least one bristle. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is designed so that the at least one bristle is first pushed into the receiving opening before the tool part has contacted the bristle carrier, in particular before the bristle carrier at least in the region surrounding the anchoring opening edge a temperature was exceeded which is above a limit temperature, which, in a bristle carrier material having a glass transition temperature of greater than or equal to 300 ° Kelvin, 60% in degrees Celsius, especially 80% in degrees Celsius, the glass transition temperature of the bristle carrier material or the, in a bristle carrier material with a glass transition temperature of less than 300 ° Kelvin, which corresponds to ambient temperature. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is designed so that the at least one bristle is first pushed into the receiving opening before at least 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 in the interior of the anchoring opening is heated above the ambient temperature by the tool part. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is designed so that the tool part in the entire contact area, in which the tool part contacted the bristle carrier is heated, wherein the tool part, the entire the tool part facing end face, but at least 70% the face, contacted and pressurized. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is formed so that the bristle carrier has a back, which is not heated by the tool part during anchoring. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is designed so that the tool part, at least during the entire time in which it exerts pressure on the bristle carrier, the bristle carrier heats the front side. Apparatus for producing a brush having at least one bristle or at least one bristle tuft, which has a bristle carrier of thermoplastic whose glass transition temperature is below 300 ° Kelvin, with at least one anchoring opening for the at least one bristle or the at least one bristle tufts, characterized in that the Device for a movable to and away from the bristle carrier holder for the bristle carrier and formed as a press die, unheated tool part having at least one receiving opening for the at least one bristle or at least one bristle tufts, wherein the receiving opening opens on the bristle carrier facing the front side of the tool part, wherein the at least one bristle over a device in a tool part, the for the at least one bristle has a receiving opening made during injection molding of the bristle carrier is moved, the at least one bristle with its mounting end, while still sitting in the receiving opening is pushed into the anchoring opening of the bristle carrier without being fixed therein, the tool part, without to be heated, is moved relative to the bristle carrier, so that the tool part contacts the bristle carrier at ambient temperature, the tool part is formed so that it exerts a compressive force on the bristle carrier and the bristle carrier at least in the region surrounding the anchoring opening edge, reducing the cross section of the anchoring opening deformed 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. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristle carrier has a plurality of anchoring openings and the tool part a plurality of receiving openings, each aligned with associated anchoring openings, and that the device is designed so that a plurality of introduced into their receiving openings bristle tufts in their associated anchoring openings , preferably simultaneously, are inserted and the tool part at the same time at least heats the edges of the anchoring openings and simultaneously closes by applying pressure to the front side of the bristle carrier and thereby anchored the bristle tufts. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed movement of the tool part relative to the bristle carrier pressure and time-controlled and / or pressure and path controlled. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool part is moved so controlled that it exerts a preferably constant pressure force over a predetermined time on the bristle carrier from the time of contacting the bristle carrier. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a control of the device is designed such that the feed movement and / or the applied pressure of the tool part relative to or on the bristle carrier from the contacting of the bristle carrier by the tool part until reaching the maximum feed path non-linear over time, with a 1st phase of the feed movement being slower or faster than a later 2nd phase or the pressure being less or greater than in a later 2nd phase. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a heating device is provided which unites the bristles of the bristle tufts by thermal deformation. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control of the device is formed so that the tool part over a contact 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 contacted the bristle carrier, in particular at constant pressure and / or permanent heating of the bristle carrier. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool part can apply a pressure of at least 200 bar, in particular at least 400 bar to the bristle carrier. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool part is a magazine which is equipped with the at least one bristle or the at least one bristle tufts, wherein the at least one bristle or at least one bristle tufts after loading with the attachment end of the magazine protrudes and the attachment end is heated and thereby forms a thickening. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool part is formed so that in the tool part a plurality of bristle tufts are received in their respective associated receiving openings and anchored in associated anchoring, preferably at the same time. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool part has a flat, the bristle carrier facing end face and / or has a geometry that can not protrude into the anchoring opening.

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