EP0895454B1 - Method for the production of bristle goods - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing Bristle goods with a bristle holder and bristle trim from individually standing bristles made of plastic.

In the present context, bristle goods are Brushes of all kinds, floor cleaning devices with bristles, Brushes of all kinds, as well as tapes, plates, mats or the like, which are covered with bristles, understood. It can in particular concern body care brushes, such as toothbrushes, Massage brushes, hair brushes or the like. or to Brush for applying coating agents, cosmetics, Drugs or the like or around floor mats, brush tapes, Trade polishing tapes or the like.

The bristles are usually in such bristle products combined into bundles or larger packages and in this shape attached to the bristle holder. The attachment bundles used to be done mechanically, by looping a bristle collar and using an anchor was attached in the bristle holder. This type of attachment is complex and leads in some applications, especially with hygiene brushes, to undesirable side effects, because the necessary holes in the bristle holder for the accumulation of dirt and bacteria to lead. With bundles of larger diameters or bristle packs, like they are necessary for brushes, the bundles or packages were in a putty or glue bed attached. Due to the advent of plastic bristles have other attachment options opened, namely the welding of the bundle with the Carrier or pouring the ends of the bundle into the molten Backing material.

All procedures in which the bristle bundle or bundle embedded in a more or less liquid mass and attached by curing them, have the decisive disadvantage that the bristles are insufficient are anchored. It is therefore necessary to have the bundles or packages after curing the mass to be combed out to loose Eliminate bristles. Loosen even when used still individual bristles, their pull-out strength is not big enough. In many use cases, especially with brushes, application brushes or the like unpleasant consequences because the loosened bristles in the find the applied medium and only use it there Difficulties can be eliminated without leaving no traces leave. With toothbrushes, this can be too extraordinary inconvenient consequences, since such are solved Bristles frequently jam in the interdental space and only are difficult to eliminate.

So far bristle carriers and bristles - as they are today usual- consist of plastics and by welding interconnected, they must be from the same Plastic or such material combinations consist of are cohesively welded to one another to the extent that there is sufficient joining strength. This Only a few material combinations and especially not those that are very different Have properties. But this is precisely the case with brushes often the case. This is how the bristle holder, usually also forms the handle or handle of the brush in the Usually be rigid and made of an inexpensive plastic consist while the bristles are made of a high quality Plastic with comparatively high wear resistance, good bendability and high fatigue strength must exist. Therefore come for the bristle holder primarily polyolefins, for the bristles themselves in contrast, polyamides in question. This as well as other suitable ones Plastic pairings can not or only weld poorly. The same applies to pouring of the bristles, because here mainly surface adhesive forces have to provide the necessary pull-out strength, while a material closure occurs only to a limited extent. The bundles must therefore be closed at their ends Thickenings are melted to an additional To generate adhesion in the carrier.

In addition, bristle products are known in which the bristle stock in addition to bundles of bristles, stand-alone bristles has or completely from such individual bristles consists. EP 0 165 546 A1 describes a toothbrush, their trimmings partly from bundles of bristles, partly from Single bristles exist. The individual bristles are nationwide arranged and - like the bundle by welding attached to the plastic bristle holder. This , as already indicated, sets certain material combinations advance and usually requires for the wearer in Adaptation to the bristles a much too expensive plastic. Add to that bristles their stability and their Bending ability, like above all their permanent elasticity obtained by the fact that the extruded monofilaments stretched or stretched and then usually also be thermally stabilized to a molecular Maintain longitudinal orientation. This molecular Orientation is lost as soon as the bristle is raised Temperature is applied. When welding consequently the attachment-side ends of the bristle are damaged. The bristle loses its bending elasticity and so that their realignment ability. The same applies to that Inject the bristle bundle into the molten liquid Plastic mass of the bristle body, also here same plastics recommended for the carrier and the bristles be (DE 895 140, 900 809).

In another known toothbrush according to US 4,592 594 the individual bristles become the entire bristle stock forming package and combined into one frame-like carrier used. The bristles are along their circumferential contact surfaces with each other welded. In addition to the possible damage to the In this version, bristles are the pull-out strength the bristles are inadequate because the contact surface at circular bristle cross section practically only linear and consequently the bristles are only more linear along four such Contact surfaces are connected to each other.

In the case of brushes, it is also known (DE 1 050 304 A, US 2 664 316), the entire bristle pack on the fastening side Melt the end and form a plate Form thickening to hold the bristle pack serves in the carrier. Furthermore, it is known (DE 812 304 B) the bristle pack into the liquid plastic mass of the Pour carrier. Especially with the former Execution leads to the damage already described on the bristle foot. These procedures are available for brushes but unsuitable for technical reasons, because the bristles are tightly packed and the brush too little Has storage space for the order media. Such storage spaces are common with brushes realized by deposits or the like (DE 92 06 072 U1, DE 30 25 010 A1), which is within the attachment zone are provided and the bristles in this area laterally oust to immediately following the Insert to create chamber-like free spaces that the Pick up the application medium and when pressing the brush and Release the bristles. These chambers are essential Prerequisite for an even order, such as also sufficient for a brush stroke large area can be covered. This is with plastic bristles especially important because they are against natural bristles poorer holding power for the application medium have. It should also be borne in mind that with all brushes and brushes with which media on one Surface to be transferred, this order media have very different viscosities. this applies even with toothbrushes with which both pasty, as well as gel-like dentifrices and must be distributed. This has the consequence that application-technical view brushes or brushes only for application media with a certain viscosity range deliver optimal results with other order media however, work poorly. This compels especially with brushes to keep a large assortment and for this the manufacturing requirements create.

There has been no shortage of attempts to bristle in Attach the solitary arrangement to the bristle holder. Next from the material technology But unsuitable welding (EP 0 165 546) it is known (DE 44 10 236) to loop bristle monofilaments and in the area of the loops by weft and warp threads to be pre-fixed in rows and then in the area of Shed fixation with plastic material. This Process is extremely complex and always leads to a relatively open structure of the bristle trim. Furthermore, it is with special bristles of larger diameter known (EP 0 292 693), the bristles with the carrier weld or loop again and mechanically to be fixed in the bristle holder by means of an anchor. The Disadvantages of both types of fastening have already been explained. Finally, it is known (GB 2 035 076 A) To inject bristles in the form of pins and to the carrier attach or together with the carrier in one Manufacture injection mold (US 3,583,019, CH 661 851 A5). In these cases it is not bristles in the proper sense, but about pen - like structures of relatively large diameter, which is inevitably a completely insufficient retention capacity for order media own and therefore only for brushing, e.g. for hairbrushes or the like. are suitable.

The invention has for its object a method propose with the bristle goods with single standing Bristles can be made of plastic at which the bristles have defined and predeterminable distances adapting to the respective order medium and the Show the intended use of the bristle goods.

• die einzelnen Borsten mit ihren befestigungsseitigen Enden voraus in je ein Loch einer Lochschablone, deren Lochdurchmesser wenig größer als der einer einzelnen Borste ist und deren Lochmuster der Positionierung der Borsten innerhalb des Borstenbesatzes oder eines Teils desselben entspricht, soweit eingeführt werden, daß
• ihre befestigungsseitigen Enden an der gegenüberliegenden Seite der Lochschablone etwa gleich weit überstehen,
• die Borsten anschließend gegen axiale und radiale Verlagerung in der Lochschablone eingespannt werden,
• zumindest an der befestigungsseitigen Oberfläche des Borstenträgers ein Bett aus einem flüssigen, aushärtbaren Werkstoff vorbereitet wird,
• die Borsten mit ihren in das Bett eingetauchten befestigungsseitigen Enden von dem flüssigen Werkstoff umflossen werden,
• abschließend das Bett ausgehärtet wird.

This object is achieved in that

• the individual bristles with their attachment-side ends ahead in a hole of a hole template, the hole diameter is slightly larger than that of a single bristle and the hole pattern corresponds to the positioning of the bristles within the bristle stock or a part thereof, insofar as are introduced that
• their fastening-side ends protrude approximately the same distance on the opposite side of the perforated template,
• the bristles are then clamped against axial and radial displacement in the hole template,
• a bed made of a liquid, curable material is prepared at least on the fastening-side surface of the bristle carrier,
• the liquid material flows around the bristles with their attachment-side ends immersed in the bed,
• finally the bed is cured.

In the method according to the invention, the bristles individually supplied to the manufacturing process, in one such an arrangement to each other that their later positioning within the framework of the bristle trim. This succeeds with the perforated template, the holes of which are congruent with the position of the individual bristles within of the trimmings are arranged and thus the bristles in front position after fastening. In this preposition the bristles are clamped so that they come out of the Can not shift position radially or axially. At the same time or before, at least on the fastening side Surface of the bristle carrier a bed from a prepared liquid, curable material. The the Hole template protruding and immersed in the bed attachment-side ends of the bristles are individually and completely surrounded by the liquid bed material and firmly integrated after the bed has hardened.

In this way, the individual bristles can be defined Distance from each other and in a predetermined arrangement connect to the bristle holder. It is possible any desired distance of the bristles within the Bristle trim, as well as any desired assignment of Bristles to each other through appropriate perforated templates realize. This ensures that the bristles not tightly packed, but rather defined capillaries created. Each can any capillary shape by assigning the bristles and any capillary cross-section by distance of the bristles. This is an optimal adjustment to the intended use of the thus manufactured Bristle goods possible, in particular the aforementioned geometry also to the respective viscosity adapt the order medium to be processed. For low-viscosity application media, the distance becomes narrower choose than for more viscous media.

Because of the defined spacing of the bristles is above all ensure that the mounting end of each single bristle fully encircled in the bed and into the curing bed material is embedded. Every bristle is properly anchored and all bristles of the trim have the same pull-out strength. A dressing up the bristle trim is no longer necessary to loosen single bristles impossible. In addition, the defined distance in terms of application technology too proper cleaning of the bristle trim Rinse. This is especially true with hygiene brushes, Toothbrushes and brushes matter. Furthermore, the Quickly dry out bristle trimmings after use to prevent bacterial nesting. Furthermore better use of the properties of each bristle than in a bundle or package arrangement, where the inner bristles supported by the outer bristles are consequently not capable of bending at all can be exploited. On the other hand, they are outside lying bristles more stressed with the result that it also deforms more quickly or is otherwise unusable be off while with a bristle trim individually standing, spaced bristles each bristle their Effect can develop and all bristles essentially are claimed in the same way, so that the life can be increased because it is not early for Failure of individual bristles comes.

The bristles are preferably made using the perforated template even immersed in the bed of the liquid material. Instead, of course, the bed can also be used the fixed hole template can be moved.

In a further preferred embodiment, that the immersion depth of the attachment-side ends of the Bristles is predetermined by the hole template with the clamped bristles in an adjustable way is proceeded.

In this way, the desired or necessary Embedding length of the bristles and thus their pull-out strength can be predetermined precisely and reproducibly.

The individual bristles can be used as endless monofilaments Hole template fed and drawn into this. After fixing the endless monofilament in the hole template the bristles on the feed side of the hole template can be cut to length from the endless monofilament if desired. The cutting to length can of course only take place after curing of the bed.

The endless monofilaments can be used individually or in groups stored on a spool and subtracted from it become. Provided that several monofilaments are stored on one spool they will be fed to the punch template before feeding isolated. Instead, the bristles can also be from longer monofilament sections or also to length processed cut.

The invention thus also gives the possibility of bristles made of different material, with different Diameters and / or cross sections (circular, polygonal od. Like.), As well as different surface structure (smooth, roughened, flocked, etc.) easy to process. In particular structured or polygonal bristles bundles are very difficult to process or lead to uncontrolled capillary spaces in the bundle. Here too, the invention defines Conditions created.

The invention also gives the possibility that within the bristle trimmings bristeless free spaces generated that bristles only in those holes of the Hole template are introduced, which are congruent with Bristle positions in the bristle are.

In this way, inside the bristle trim Capillaries of larger cross-section or even chamber-like Free space can be obtained to any storage space To create cross-section. It is still possible bristle trim with a single hole template with different bristle distances, as long as they in the spacing grid in the hole pattern of the template, to manufacture.

Instead, the hole template in the areas in which have larger gaps in the bristle trim, too be closed.

The invention also gives the possibility of a Bristle trimmings made of individually standing bristles and in bundles Arrange arranged bristles by the individual Bristles and the bristles combined into bundles at the same time in a perforated template, the perforated pattern of which Positioning the individual bristles and the bristle bundles within the bristle trim, if introduced be that the attachment-side ends of the Single bristles and the bundle on the opposite Extend the side of the hole template. Then it will be the Single bristles and the bundles at the same time in the bed immersed and otherwise proceed as before. To this Bristle goods can be defined differently create effective brush surfaces.

The bed on the bristle holder can be a liquid adhesive, a cold or polymerizing at moderate temperature Plastic or from the melted bristle carrier itself or its melted surface formed become. Depending on the material combination of bristle and bed there is a non-positive and / or material bond.

The pull-out strength of the individual bristles can still be increased by the fact that the individual bristles after Insertion into the hole template at its protruding, attachment-side ends structured or thermally or mechanically deformed and then in the bed can be immersed, so that in addition a kind Form closure is given.

In a further embodiment of the method, that the bristles after insertion into the hole template or in an upstream, similar one Hole template clamped and on its the fastening side Cut ends opposite ends flat and then these ends into one of theirs flat cut surface processed different shape, e.g. be rounded. Only then do the bristles come with the attachment-side ends using the hole template immersed in the bed.

Due to the perfect distanced arrangement, the Machining the ends of the bristles on the usage side optimally, mechanically, for example by grinding, by chemical treatment or by thermal treatment e.g. using laser beams. Just come with the latter method the advantages of the spaced arrangement of the individual bristles in a special way. Laser processing the bristle ends for the purpose of rounding is true known. However, the method fails with bundles arranged bristles because the bristle ends within the Bundles have different distances and therefore cannot be controlled exactly with the result that part of the bristles welded together. By the perfectly spaced and reproducible arrangement the bristle ends in the method according to the invention is the control of the bristle ends with the laser source exactly possible.

In a further embodiment of the method, that the bristles after machining the ends from the Clamping released and by different axial Move their machined ends into one of the Cutting plane deviating, curved envelope surface shifted, then flat on the fastening-side ends cut and then immersed in the bed.

With this process variant, it is possible to Use ends of the bristles within the bristle stock to be arranged in any topography. At Brushing has the advantage that for brushes a tapered shape can be obtained. Similar Advantages arise with toothbrushes by being conical Profiles can be created so that the longest Effectively engage bristles in the interdental spaces can, while the shorter bristles cover the tooth surface clean.

Figur 1

eine schematische Ansicht einer Anlage zur Durchführung des Verfahrens in einer ersten Verfahrensstufe;

Figur 1a

eine Draufsicht auf eine Ausführungsform der Lochschablone;

Figur 2

die Anlage gemäß Figur 1 in einer weiteren Verfahrensstufe;

Figur 2a

eine Draufsicht auf die fertige Borstenware;

Figur 3a-c

eine Ausführungsform einer pinselartigen Borstenware im Längsschnitt, Querschnitt und in Seitenansicht;

Figur 4a-c

eine gegenüber Figur 4 abgewandelte Ausführung in den gleichen drei Ansichten,

Figur 5a, b

eine Ausführungsform in Gestalt einer Zahnbürste in Seitenansicht und Draufsicht und

Figur 6

eine Draufsicht auf eine andere Ausführungsform der Lochschablone mit eingeführten Borsten.

The invention is described below with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows:

Figure 1

a schematic view of a plant for performing the method in a first process stage;

Figure 1a

a plan view of an embodiment of the hole template;

Figure 2

the system of Figure 1 in a further process stage;

Figure 2a

a plan view of the finished bristle goods;

Figure 3a-c

an embodiment of a brush-like bristle product in longitudinal section, cross section and in side view;

Figure 4a-c

an embodiment modified compared to FIG. 4 in the same three views,

Figure 5a, b

an embodiment in the form of a toothbrush in side view and plan view and

Figure 6

a plan view of another embodiment of the hole template with inserted bristles.

Based on the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 Production of a brush described. The brush points a handle 1 on his head with a so-called Brush clamp 2 is provided, which is a kind of sleeve forms and the outer outline of the bristle trim of the Brushes determined. Inside the brush clamp 2 is-a Bed 3 made of a liquid or liquefiable material locked in. The handle 1, the brush clamp 2 and that Bed 3 together form the bristle carrier.

The handle 1 of the brush is in the manufacturing plant in positioned in a manner not shown.

The bristles 4 stand individually on the bristle carrier to fix. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 are the bristles as endless monofilaments 5 from fed to a coil 6. The leading end of the endless monofilament 5 is referred to a total of 7 Hole template inserted and drawn into this. To For this purpose, the perforated template is made in several parts. It consists of three congruent template parts 8, 9 and 10 and clamping plates 11, 12 arranged between them which are movable according to the horizontal directional arrows are. The hole template 7 points in all of them Components holes 13, the diameter of which is slightly larger is as the cross section of the individual bristles 4. Furthermore the perforated template 7 has a perforated pattern that is congruent with the positioning and arrangement of the individual bristles 4 is inside the brush bristle trim. This can also be seen in Figure la, where the template part 8 shown broken off and the one below Clamping plate 11 can be seen.

The endless monofilaments 5 are with their leading end retracted or inserted into the hole template 7 until the leading ends of the hole template 7 on the opposite Tower over the side. They then form the fastening side Ends 14 of the individual bristles 4. In this position, the clamping plate 11 and the clamping plate 12 in the clamping position (in the drawing right) moved so that the bristles axially and radially are clamped. Then the hole template 9 with the clamped bristles towards the bristle carrier moves until the fastening-side ends 14 Immerse in the liquid bed 3. At the same time diving the front template part 10 and one of the clamping plates into the brush clamp 2 so that it is centering acts while the template part 9 on the free end face the brush clamp 2 is seated and thus the immersion depth the attachment-side ends 14 in bed 3 predetermined.

Then the bristles 11 on the back or Top of the hole template 7 by a transverse Knife cut from the endless monofilament 5.

The hole template 7 can of course also on another Position filled with the bristles and with the complete prepared bristle trim in the position according to FIG. 2 be transported. Instead of the perforated template, too the bristle holder against the stationary template be moved.

After pre-curing or curing the bed 3, the Retracted hole template so that the finished brush removed according to Figure 20 and the next bristle carrier in brought the manufacturing position and the monofilament 5 in turn can be retightened by a bristle length.

As can be seen from the lower illustration in FIGS. 2 and 2a, are the single bristles 4 in one defined distance from each other, for the sake of Enlarged better overview in the upper part of the illustration is reproduced. It is easy to see that when loading not all holes 13 the Hole template 7 also larger within the bristle trim Gaps that can be created as storage space for can serve an order medium.

In Figure 3 is an embodiment of a brush-like Bristleware shown. 4a shows the bristle carrier 15 recognizable by its surface on the fastening side has the hardening bedding material. The single bristles 16 are arranged and embedded equidistantly, but have, as Figure 3c shows, different lengths so that the bristles also move towards their free ends show different bending behavior and also between the shorter and longer bristle ends Storage spaces are created, like this in particular can be seen from Figure 1c. The bristle ends are therefore in a curved envelope.

The production takes place in such a way that in the Hole template 7 clamped bristles on their the fastening side Ends 14 opposite ends first cut flat and then to this Ends are machined so that they are spherical, for example curved, rounded tips 17 obtained. Subsequently the bristles are made according to the desired Topography after loosening the clamping plates 11, 12 axially postponed to different degrees. The one on the opposite Projecting side of unequal length Bristles are then cut flat. After that the individual bristles 16 with their over the hole template 7 protruding ends immersed in the bed 3 (Figure 1) and attached.

Figure 4 shows a modified embodiment in which in the longitudinal median plane of the bristle trimmings Holes of the hole template are not loaded or the hole template is closed there, so that inside the bristle trimmings create chamber-like free spaces 18, which can serve as storage space for the order medium.

Figure 5 shows a toothbrush with a bristle holder forming brush head 19. The entire bristle trim is formed from individually standing bristles 20 with the same Distance from each other and the surface of the brush head 19 attached to the brush head 19 largely filling are. The ends 21 of the individual bristles 20 are again rounded like a cathedral. In addition, the bristle ends are 21 on an envelope surface with a kind of wave profile, being continuous in the transverse direction (perpendicular to the plane of the drawing) Wave valleys and wave peaks emerge.

It is readily apparent that the invention Process of making any bristle arrangement within a bristle stock and thus one Adaptation of bristle goods to the respective application allowed in an optimal way. Figure 6 only shows a pinhole 7, for example, with which it is possible next to individually standing bristles 4, the corresponding Holes are guided and clamped, bundle 21 with close to dense bristles accordingly to lead larger holes.

Claims (10)

1. Method for the manufacture of brushware with a bristle carrier and a bristle configuration of individual, standing plastic bristles, characterized in that the individual bristles are introduced with their fastening-side ends at the front into in each case one hole of a hole template, whose hole diameter is slightly larger than that of an individual bristle and whose hole pattern corresponds to the positioning of the bristles within the bristle facing or part thereof, to such an extent that their fastening-side ends project to roughly the same extent on the opposite side of the hole template, that the bristles are subsequently clamped against axial and radial displacement in the hole template, that at least at the fastening-side surface of the bristle carrier is prepared a bed of a liquid, curable material and that the liquid material flows round the bristles with their fastening-side ends immersed in the bed and subsequently the bed is cured.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the bristles, with their fastening-side ends, are immersed by means of the hole template in the bed of liquid material.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the immersion depth of the fastening-side ends of the bristles is predetermined in that the hole template with the clamped bristles is moved over an adjustable path.
4. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the individual bristles are supplied as continuous monofilaments to the hole template and are drawn into the latter and that following the fixing of the continuous monofilaments in the hole template, the bristles are cut to the desired length from the continuous monofilaments on the supply side of the hole template.
5. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, following the curing of the bed, the bristles are cut to length from the continuous monofilaments.
6. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that within the bristle facing bristle-free spaces are produced in that the bristles are only introduced into the holes of the hole template which are congruent with the bristle positions in the bristle facing.
7. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 6 for the manufacture of brushware, whose bristle facing additionally comprises bristles arranged in bundles, characterized in that the individual bristles and the bristles combined into bundles are simultaneously introduced into a hole template, whose hole pattern corresponds to the positioning of the individual bristles and bristle bundles within the bristle facing to such an extent that the fastening-side ends of the individual bristles and the bundles project at the opposite side of the hole template and that the individual bristles and the bundles are simultaneously immersed in the bed.
8. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that following insertion into the hole template, the individual bristles undergo surface structuring on their projecting, fastening-side ends or are thermally or mechanically deformed and subsequently immersed in the bed.
9. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that following the insertion into the hole template or an identical hole template upstream thereof, the bristles are locked and are cut flat on their ends facing the fastening-side ends and that these ends of the bristles are subsequently worked with a contour diverging from their planar cut face and then the bristles with the fastening-side ends are immersed by means of the hole template in the bed.
10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that, following the working of the ends, the bristles are released from the clamping position and by a differing axial movement are displaced with the worked ends into a curved envelope diverging from the cutting plane and are subsequently cut flat at the fastening-side ends and then immersed in the bed.

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