EP2130454A1 - Method to produce anchorless bristled tooth brushes - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves inserting a bristle bundle (22) into a retaining recess (64) of a tool (60) of a bristling machine. The bristle bundle is adjusted at ends of tapered bristles (40) by a pin (66) guided into the retaining recess. Tip (42) of each of the bristles are mechanically processed before inserting into the retaining recess, where each bristle has a tapered section pointing at the tip of the bristles and a cylindrical section (50) with an obtuse end (46). The cylindrical section is attached to the tapered section. An independent claim is also included for a bristling machine i.e. anchor free tufting machine, for manufacturing an anchorless bristled toothbrush.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for producing anchorless brushed toothbrushes in which a bristle bundle is inserted into an exception recess of a tool of a bristle machine and acted upon by a guided in the receiving recess pin on the pin facing the end of the bristles of the bristle bundle to their orientation.

Brushing machines which operate according to this method are well known and are manufactured and sold, for example, by the company GB Boucherie NV, Izegem, Belgium, as so-called AFT machines (Anchor Free Tufting Machines). A device for fixing bristle tufts provided with bristle tufts to brush bodies is for example in document DE 200 06 311 U1 disclosed.

Another type of bristle machine for making anchorless bristles is off EP 0 346 646 known. In contrast to the already mentioned AFT technology, in which the bristles are fixed by melting, here the bristles in an injection molding machine for anchoring by means of plastic (In Mold Tufting IMT).

Another type of bristle machine for making anchorless toothbrushes is off DE 10 2006 026 712 known. This combines the methods already mentioned above. A bristle carrying plate provided with bristle tufts (analogous to a bristled bristle carrying plate from the AFT process) is inserted into a cavity of an injection mold into which plastic is then injected (IMT) for anchoring and forming the remaining part of the brush head.

Although the bristle anchorage of the described methods is implemented differently, however, the preparation, processing and feeding of bristles can be the same or similar.

The known methods and the abovementioned known boron machines on which these methods are carried out are designed for the machining of cylindrical conventional bristles, ie bristles which have a constant circular-cylindrical cross-section over their length. The edges resulting from the cutting of the conventional bristles from the thread-like starting material are rounded on the later user side of the bristles by mechanical processing in the bristle machine in order to prevent the injury, in particular of the gums, during the use of the toothbrush. Due to the mechanical processing, the corresponding end of the conventional bristles assumes an approximately hemispherical shape. These processed conventional bristles are fed in bundles to a tool, a movable so-called pallet, which has a cylindrical receiving recess for each bundle of conventional bristles in which a pin is guided in sliding fit. The bundles of conventional bristles are inserted into the receiving recess with the machined end in advance so that the machined ends abut the pin. By lifting the pin, the conventional bristles will go through first a funnel plate and then pierced directly through a passage of a bristle carrying plate until an end region of the conventional bristles facing away from the rounded end of the conventional bristles projects beyond the underside of the bristle carrying plate which is uppermost in this arrangement. This end portion of the conventional bristles is then melted to secure the bundle of bristles to the bristle support plate. This will then, for example, as in the document DE 200 06 311 U1 disclosed attached to the head of a toothbrush body.

In the IMT procedure according to EP 0 346 646 can be proceeded immediately. However, the bristles are not pushed through a bristle support plate, but are free in a cavity of an injection mold into which subsequently plastic for anchoring the bristles and the formation of the brush head is injected.

The known methods and the known boron machines are intended and designed for the processing of cylindrical conventional bristles. Recently, the need for toothbrushes with sharpened bristles has risen, because such bristles are suitable for a good cleaning effect of the teeth, especially for the cleaning of the interdental area, and protect the gums.

However, in the art, it is believed that the known methods for anchorless bristle brushing and the associated known bristle machines for processing such sharpened bristles technically very difficult. The applicant has first method experiments with pointed bristles in anchorless Beborstungsverfahren in the Scriptures WO 2004/093718 for manual and electric toothbrushes.

In particular, the mechanical processing of the tips of the already sharpened bristles does not make sense, since just these tips are desired. An example of the production of such chemically sharpened bristles is the text at this point EP 1 234 525 specified.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method which allows anchorless bristling of toothbrushes with sharpened bristles.

Another object of this invention is to provide a toothbrush with chemically sharpened bristles, the ends of which have a special taper.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bristle machine for carrying out the method according to the invention.

In overcoming the prejudice, the non-feasible processability of pointed bristles on AFT machines, according to the invention chemically sharpened bristles having a tapered to a tip portion and a subsequent, having a blunt end cylindrical portion, bundle manner in the receiving recess a tool or a pallet introduced that the pointed Bristles are in their full length in the receiving recess. By means of a pin is acted on the tips; Preferably, the sharpened bristles are thereby pushed through a funnel plate; so that a desired height profile of the bristle field can be achieved. In order to make this possible, the tips of the sharpened bristles are additionally mechanically processed prior to insertion into the receiving recess.

It should be expressly understood that, without departing from the scope of the invention, as an alternative to 'chemically' pointed and bristled with other methods pointed bristles according to the invention of the Beborstungsmaschine can be supplied. Possible alternative methods for sharpening the bristles include, for example, a special extrusion of the bristles which permits tapered segments, various mechanical processes, thermal processes or combinations thereof.

Trial tests using the previously known AFT method with chemically sharpened bristles have shown that the prejudice was justified. Chemically sharpened bristles, in particular in the edge region of the respective bristle bundle, were clamped between the tool, ie the pallet, and the pin, which on the one hand caused interference and on the other hand led to unusable bristles, as the sharpened bristles were damaged by the clamping on the surface were. In the course of the extensive search for the cause, it was found that chemically sharpened bristles at the tip can have an extremely thin etching thread or residual thread according to generally known methods. Experiments on pointed bristles then have have shown that these etching threads or residual threads can be eliminated by means of the known mechanical processing of the bristle ends. Surprisingly, then experiments have shown with such mechanically machined sharpened bristles that by removing the etch threads or residual threads and pinching of the bristles between the tool and the pin can be prevented. The mechanical processing thus leads to a defined conclusion at the tip of the chemically sharpened bristles, which allows easy further processing.

Preferably, the tips of the sharpened bristles are mechanically machined directly in the bristle machine to remove the etch threads. This allows the use of chemically sharpened bristles as they are available in the market. It would also be possible to perform the mechanical processing of chemically sharpened bristles outside the bristle machine, and then to supply these prepared sharpened bristles to the bristle process without further processing.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the tips of the bristles, in particular by means of a grinding wheel, are ground during the mechanical processing. Of course, other methods known to those skilled in the art may preferably be used. For example, lasers, chemical, other mechanical or thermal processes or combinations thereof are possible.

Preferably, bristles are used whose pointed portion has at least a length of 5 mm. Preferably, however, the sharpened portion is longer and measures between 7 and 12 mm, in particular between 8 and 11 mm. Such sharpened bristles ensure, with a good cleaning effect, a particularly gentle treatment of the gums and a good cleaning of the interdental spaces.

In a particularly preferred manner, the sharpened bristles, in contrast to the consistently cylindrical conventional bristles, are held or clamped at least approximately in the transition region from the cylindrical to the pointed section during the mechanical machining of the tips. As a result, on the one hand, the risk of displacement of sharpened bristles due to a force acting on the bristles in the direction of the blunt end is reduced and, on the other hand, the sharpened bristles are stabilized during mechanical processing. If an improved Beborstungsmaschine used to carry out this preferred embodiment of the inventive method, this holding the tapered bristles is preferably carried out by means of a rounding disc, or by means of the rounding plate associated elements of the Beborstungsmaschine and a cooperating pressure element.

On a bristle machine according to the invention pointed bristles according to the method according to the invention and cylindrical conventional bristles can be simultaneously processed and anchored in the same brush head. In this case, however, the bristles are in separate feed channels for the sharpened Bristles and separate feed channels for the conventional bristles introduced into the machine.

More preferably, the pointed bristles are held aligned in the machining of the tips by means of a cooperating with the blunt end of the pointed bristles stop plate. This ensures that the tips of all sharpened bristles are mechanically processed and can not escape.

Preferably, the sliding fit between the tool and the pin is configured such that the tips of the mechanically processed sharpened bristles have a larger diameter than the tolerance range of the sliding fit.

More preferably, the pin on its overhead, located in the tool end face on a concave area. This gives the bundle of bristles a convex topography in which are the tips of the machined sharpened bristles.

The bristle bundle preferably produces a topography only after the mechanical processing of the bristles.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the inventive method, the pointed bristles are placed before the mechanical processing of the tips, directed with the tip down, in a feed channel of the bristle machine and pressed in the feed channel by means of a pusher in the direction against an outlet of the feed channel, wherein the Pusher acts on the cylindrical portion of the sharpened bristles.

As a result, a particularly simple handling of the sharpened bristles is achieved, wherein the generation of a force by the action of the pusher in the direction of the blunt end of the sharpened bristles is avoided. The pointed bristles remain with their tip at the bottom of the feed channel adjacent or at least approximately fitting and moving bristles away from the bottom of the feed channel is avoided.

When carrying out the method according to the invention on an adapted bristling machine, the adapted material channel serves as a feed channel. The bristle machine can simultaneously have fabric channels for consistently cylindrical conventional bristles and adapted feed channels for sharpened bristles.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the sharpened bristles are held in the feed channel by means of a limiting plate cooperating with the blunt end of the bristles. This, together with the mated arrangement of the pusher acting on the cylindrical portion of the pointed bristles, prevents lifting of the pointed bristles away from the bottom of the feed channel. When using a known Beborstungsmaschine is used as a limiting plate in a preferred manner, the knock plate, but this is shut down. The usual knocking motion during the processing of cylindrical conventional bristles thus remains.

Preferably, a bristle carrying plate having at least one passage is arranged on the tool, and the sharpened bristles of the bristle bundle are so moved through the pin by means of the pin Passage pushed that the pointed bristles project with a blunt end end portion of the cylindrical portion on the upper side of the underside of the Bristestentragplättchens. These end portions of the bristles are then fused to secure the sharpened bristles to the bristle support plate. Optionally, a funnel plate can be arranged directly on the tool, on which the bristle carrier plate is arranged. The funnel plate has at least one guide passage for the sharpened bristles, wherein this, seen from the tool, can be formed like a funnel-like tapered. Alternatively, and less preferably, this step is omitted if no bristle support plate is integrated in the process (eg, IMT).

More preferably, previously machined, over their length otherwise cylindrical, conventional bristles are introduced into a further receiving recess of the tool previously. By means of a guided in this receiving recess further pin is acted on the processed ends of the conventional bristles to their orientation. With a correspondingly shaped end face, the bundle of conventional bristles can be given a topography.

By topography is meant, in the context of the present invention, a surface defined by the tips of the pointed bristles or the respective ends of the conventional bristles, which is three-dimensionally shaped or may be flat, but then does not run at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the bristle bundle concerned.

Preferably, with the same tools, the tips of the sharpened bristles are less mechanically machined than the ends of the conventional bristles.

If (only) pointed bristles are arranged in closely spaced receiving recesses and conventional bristles are arranged in closely spaced further receiving recesses, a particularly secure hold on a bristle carrying plate can be achieved by melting the end portions of the bristles even if the conventional and the sharpened Bristles are made of non-affine plastics.

The method according to the invention also makes it possible to produce anchorless bristled toothbrushes in which a bristle tuft has both pointed bristles and conventional bristles. For this purpose, the sharpened bristles can be inserted into a receiving recess and the conventional bristles in a further receiving recess of the tool. Preferably, these receiving recesses lie directly next to each other. When these bundles of bristles are pushed by means of the pins, the bristles can be conducted, preferably by means of a funnel plate, to a common passage of the bristle carrying plate.

The bristle carrier plate is subsequently attached to the head of a toothbrush body, as is known.

By means of the method according to the invention, bundles of sharpened bristles can also be fastened directly to the head of the toothbrush body by forming corresponding passages on the latter.

For carrying out the method according to the invention, a known boron machine is preferably used, whereby, as indicated in the respective claims, it is designed or operated differently for the processing of sharpened bristles.

The inventive method is used in particular for the production of electric and manual toothbrushes. Of course, the method can generally be used for brushed products with pointed filaments, in particular for brushware in the cosmetics, personal care and medical industries.

In addition to the sharpened bristles machined in accordance with the invention, the toothbrush may also have continuous cylindrical conventional bristles and / or rubber-elastic cleaning elements made of soft material.

Fig. 1

in perspektivischer Sicht ein Borstentragplättchen;

Fig. 2

ebenfalls in perspektivischer Sicht das Borstentragplättchen, versehen mit einem Borstenfeld aus mindestens teilweise zugespitzten Borsten;

Fig. 3

auch in perspektivischer Sicht einen Kopfbereich und einen Teil eines Halsbereichs eines Zahnbürstenkörpers mit einer Ausnehmung im Kopfbereich;

Fig. 4

in perspektivischer Sicht den Zahnbürstenkörper gemäss Figur 3 mit in die Ausnehmung eingesetztem beborstetem Borstentragplättchen gemäss Figur 2;

Fig. 5

in Ansicht ein Bündel von chemisch zugespitzten Borsten mit Ätzfäden beziehungsweise Restfäden an der Spitze;

Fig. 6

ebenfalls in Ansicht ein Bündel chemisch zugespitzter Borsten, wobei die Spitzen mechanisch bearbeitet sind;

Fig. 7

ein schematisch dargestelltes Bündel zugespitzter Borsten bei der mechanischen Bearbeitung der Spitzen;

Fig. 8

einen Schnitt durch ein Werkzeug mit einer Aufnahmeausnehmung für die zugespitzten Borsten und einer weiteren Aufnahmeausnehmung für konventionelle Borsten, einem in der Aufnahmeausnehmung geführten Stift und einem in der weiteren Aufnahmeausnehmung geführten weiteren Stift für das Bewegen und Ausrichten der Borsten, einem auf einer Trichterplatte angeordneten Borstentragplättchen und einem Heizstempel;

Fig. 9

in gleicher Darstellung wie Figur 8 das Werkzeug mit den Aufnahmeausnehmungen und den Stiften, dem auf der Trichterplatte angeordneten Borstentragplättchen und dem Heizstempel, wobei die Trichterplatte die zugespitzten und die konventionellen Borsten zu einem gemeinsamen Durchlass des Borstenträgerplättchens leitet.

Fig.10

in Draufsicht einen Zuführkanal einer Beborstungsmaschine mit darin angeordneten zugespitzten oder konventionellen Borsten und einem auf die Borsten einwirkenden Drücker;

Fig. 11

einen Längsschnitt durch einen Abschnitt eines Stoffkanals einer Beborstungsmaschine mit im Stoffkanal angeordneten zylinderförmigen konventionellen Borsten und dem Drücker;

Fig. 12

in gleicher Darstellung wie Figur 11 den Abschnitt des Zuführkanals mit darin angeordneten zugespitzten Borsten und dem vom Boden weiter weg versetzten Drücker;

Fig. 13

in Draufsicht eine für die Durchführung des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens angepasste AFT-Maschine; und

Fig. 14

ein Ablaufdiagramm mit Schritten des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens.

The invention will be described with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. It shows purely schematically:

Fig. 1

in perspective view, a bristle carrying plate;

Fig. 2

also in a perspective view of the bristle carrying plate, provided with a bristle field of at least partially sharpened bristles;

Fig. 3

also in a perspective view, a head region and a part of a neck region of a toothbrush body with a recess in the head region;

Fig. 4

in a perspective view according to the toothbrush body FIG. 3 with bristle tufts inserted into the recess according to FIG. 2 ;

Fig. 5

in view a bundle of chemically sharpened bristles with etch threads or residual filaments at the tip;

Fig. 6

also in view a bundle of chemically sharpened bristles with the tips machined;

Fig. 7

a schematically illustrated bundle of pointed bristles in the machining of the tips;

Fig. 8

a section through a tool having a receiving recess for the sharpened bristles and a further receiving recess for conventional bristles, a guided in the receiving recess pin and a guided in the other receiving recess further pin for moving and aligning the bristles, arranged on a funnel plate bristle support plates and a heating stamp;

Fig. 9

in the same representation as FIG. 8 the tool having the receiving recesses and the pins, the bristle supporting plates arranged on the funnel plate and the heating punch, wherein the funnel plate directs the sharpened and the conventional bristles to a common passage of the bristle carrier plate.

Figure 10

a top view of a feed channel of a bristle machine with pointed or conventional bristles disposed therein and a pusher acting on the bristles;

Fig. 11

a longitudinal section through a portion of a material channel of a Beborstungsmaschine arranged in the fabric channel cylindrical conventional bristles and the pusher;

Fig. 12

in the same representation as FIG. 11 the portion of the feed channel with pointed bristles disposed therein and the pusher offset further away from the bottom;

Fig. 13

in plan view adapted for the implementation of the inventive method AFT machine; and

Fig. 14

a flowchart with steps of the inventive method.

In FIG. 1 is a possible bristle carrier plate 10 shown in a perspective view obliquely from above. From its top 12 to the bottom 14 extend a number of passages 16. These have in the example shown a kidney-shaped or oval cross-section. The passages may also have a circular or any other cross section. From the bottom 14 is in the direction towards below a ring-shaped Zentrierungswulst 18, which extends at a small distance from the side edge of the bristle carrier plate 10 along this and is preferably formed wedge-shaped tapering towards the free end. Directly adjacent to the centering bead 18, on the underside 14 of the bristle carrier plate 10, a circumferential and along the side edge extending welding edge 19 is attached. This serves in the process of connecting bristle carrier plate 10 and toothbrush body 28. The welding edge 19 can of course also be provided at any other location laterally or on the underside of the bristle carrier plate 10. In particular, it is also possible to attach the welding edge to the centering bead 18.

FIG. 2 shows in the same representation as FIG. 1 the bristle support plate 10, which is provided by means of an AFT method with a schematically indicated bristle facing 20. The bristle facing 20 has a bristle bundle 22 per passage 16. Each of the bristle bundles 22 consists of a plurality of bristles; These are described in detail below.

FIG. 3 shows a head portion 24 and a portion of a subsequent neck portion 26 of a toothbrush body 28. At the neck portion 26 closes on the side facing away from the head portion 24 in general known manner the grip area. The head area 24 is of his in the FIG. 3 upper side 30 ago provided with a recess 32 which corresponds to the shape of the bristle carrying plate 10 and is limited by a bottom 34 substantially. The side wall of this recess 32 has a circumferential shoulder, which forms a welding shoulder 35. The back 36 of the toothbrush body 28 is located on the opposite side of the front 30 and is lying in the view shown below.

FIG. 4 shows the bristle carrier plate 10 provided with the bristle stock 20 inserted into the recess 32. The insertion is facilitated by the Zentrierungswulst 18. The upper side 12 of the bristle carrier plate 10 is preferably aligned with the front side 30 of the toothbrush body 28. The bristle carrier plate 10 is firmly connected to the toothbrush body 28, preferably by means of ultrasonic welding. In this case, a weld is performed in the region of the welding edge 19 and the welding paragraph 35. The bristle facing 20 projects beyond the top 12. FIG. 4 thus shows the head area and part of the neck area of a toothbrush 28 '. Of course, other methods of bristle or bristle anchor anchoring can be used at this point (see, for example, method described further above).

The bristle carrier plate 10 is preferably made of a hard plastic, for example polypropylene PP), polyamide (PA), polyester (PET), polycyclohexanedimethanoltherastalate (PCT / PCT-A (acid-modified) / PCT-G (glycol-modified)), Polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic buthadiene styrene (ABS), polyoxymethylene (POM), etc. Polypropylene (PP) is preferably used with an E-modulus of 1000-2400 N / mm ² , preferably 1300-1800 N / mm ² _.

In the example shown, the head portion 24 and the neck portion 26 of the toothbrush body 28 is made of one of these hard plastics. Preferably, for the bristle carrier plate 10 and the toothbrush body 28 of the same hard plastic, at least in the contact region of the two parts used.

However, for the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned here that both the bristle carrier plate 10 and the toothbrush body 28 can be produced in a multi-component injection molding process. In this case, both the bristle carrying plate 10 and the toothbrush body 28 can each be constructed from one or more hard plastics and / or one or more soft plastics. Low-density polyethylene (PE-LD), high-density polyethylene (PE-HD), polyethylene (PE), rubber-elastic material such as polyurethane (PUR), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), etc. are particularly suitable as soft plastics. Preferably, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) used. The Shore A hardness of the soft plastic is preferably below 90. If the bristle carrier plate 10 consists of one or more hard plastics and one or more soft plastics, the passages 16 are preferably arranged in hard plastic. The soft plastics can be used both for the shaping of additional soft elastic cleaning elements on the bristle carrier plate 10 or on the head portion 24 are used or attached to the toothbrush body for functional or decorative purposes.

Chemically sharpened bristles 40, as in FIG. 5 are generally known and available on the market. They are preferably made of polyester, possible subgroups are polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT). Polyamide (PA) is preferably used if the bristles are sharpened in another way, for example mechanically or thermally. In particular by chemical means, by etching, pointed bristles 40 may have at their tip 42 an extremely thin etching thread or residual thread 44, the mass of at least in one dimension less than 0.04 mm, often smaller 0.025 mm and usually less than 0.015 mm. The length of the pointed bristles 40 for use in a bristle machine is preferably between 14 mm and 20 mm, preferably 16-18 mm, more preferably 17 mm, with the bristles 40 tapered on one side and a blunt end on the side remote from the tip 42 46 have. The in the FIG. 5 A recognizable relatively large variation in the length of the sharpened bristles results from the production process of the bristles.

It is also possible to use bilaterally sharpened bristles which are twice the length of the one-sided sharpened bristles described, but only before they can be processed in the bristle machine, they must be cut centrally on the aforementioned composition for unilaterally tapered bristles.

The sharpened bristles 40 have a pointed portion 48 with the tip 42 and a cylindrical portion 50 with the blunt end 46. The diameter of the cylindrical portion 50 is 0.10 mm to 0.25 mm, preferably 0.15 mm to 0.20 mm. The length of the pointed portion 48 measured from the tip 42 is at least 5 mm, preferably between 7 and 12 mm, in particular between 8 mm and 11 mm. The taper has at the free end, at the tip 42 in the region before the beginning of the etching, after the chemical sharpening usually has a diameter of 0.015 mm to 0.025 mm, preferably 0.016 mm to 0.018 mm.

Of course, both pointed bristles 40 as well as continuously cylindrical conventional bristles 86 may have cross-sectional areas deviating from a circular area. For example, they may have triangular, rectangular, square, rhomboidal, elliptical, polygonal, star-shaped, regular n-shaped, or irregularly shaped cross-sectional areas.

In order to remove any etching threads or residual threads 44 present at the pointed end 42 of the bristles 40, all sharpened bristles 34 are mechanically processed in bundles. After machining, the taper at the tip 42 has a diameter of about 0.016 mm to 0.035 mm, preferably 0.019 mm to 0.029 mm. FIG. 6 shows that already in FIG. 5 shown bristle bundles 22, but after the additional inventive mechanical processing of the tips 42. The etch threads or residual threads 44 are removed and the tips 42 slightly rounded. The following table gives the diameter of the pointed Bristles 40 in the tapered portion 48, the cited distance is measured from the tip 42 forth and the diameter is indicated as a percentage of the diameter of the cylindrical portion of the tapered bristle 40. Distance (mm) % of the nominal diameter Average tolerance 0.1 8th% 5-16% 1 25% 15-45% 2 45% 30-75% 3 60% 50-85% 4 75% 60-90% 5 80% 70-95% 6 85% ≥ 75% 7 90% ≥ 80%

The tips 42 of the sharpened bristles 40 are preferably machined by means of a mechanical processing device, in particular a grinding wheel 52; see FIG. 7 , In this case, the pointed bristles 40 are held at least approximately in the transition region from the cylindrical portion 50 in the tapered portion 48. A holding element 54 may for this purpose have an approximately U-shaped cutout into which the sharpened bristles 42 are inserted and in which the bristles 40 are retained by means of a spring-loaded pressing element 56, for example, during the mechanical processing. In a preferred embodiment variant of a bristle machine (for example in an AFT machine), the holding element 54 used is preferably an element integrated in the so-called rounding disk, which is supported by a clamping mechanism mounted outside the disk. The tips 42 of the bristles 40 are directed downwardly and the overhead blunt ends 46 of the bristles 40 abut against a stop plate 58. This prevents the escape of tapered bristles 40 in the direction away from the grinding wheel 52 due to the pressure exerted by the grinding wheel 52 on the tips 42 of the bristles 40. While such abrasive wheels 52 are for removing the cutting edges and rounding off the blunt ends of full length cylindrical conventional bristles 86 - see FIG. 11 - act on the bristles 86 for up to 13 seconds, according to the present method, the tips 42 of the pointed bristles 40 between 3 seconds to 8 seconds, preferably 3.5 seconds to 6.5 seconds, especially between 4 to 6 seconds by means of the grinding wheel 52 processed, depending on Abrasiveness of the grinding wheel 52, process parameters and obtained result. The processing time of the sharpened bristles 40 is thus shorter than the processing time of the continuous cylindrical conventional bristles 86. Both types of bristles can be used in the same brush head and thus simultaneously processed with different process parameters.

The grinding wheel 52 is driven in an eccentric shape, so that when viewed in the plane, it executes a stroke of 20 to 50 mm, preferably between 30 and 40 mm, in the two directions perpendicular to each other. The stroke of the grinding wheel 52, measured in the longitudinal direction of the bristles 40, is between 0 and 1.5 mm, preferably between 0.2 to 0.6 mm. Preferably, the grinding wheel 52 is brought to the middle position of the tips 42 of the bristle bundle 22, after which it processes the tips between 0.3 and 3 seconds, preferably 0.5 to 1.5 seconds. Subsequently, the position of the grinding wheel 52 is adjusted by 0.1 to 1 mm, preferably 0.2 to 0.6 mm, in the direction of the pointed bristles 40, after which the driven grinding wheel 52 for another 2 to 6 seconds, preferably 3 to 5 Seconds acting on the pointed bristles 40. It has been found that reliably any possible etching threads or residual threads 44 are removed, even at bristle tips 42, which are set back as a result of the variation of the total length of the bristles 40. Since the sharpened bristles 40 are extremely flexible in the region of their taper due to their tapering and the arrangement of the holding device consisting of the holding element 54 and the spring-loaded pressure element 56, There is also no danger that they will be cut too much, so that no "peaks" would be available.

Preferably, the mechanically processed pointed bristles 40 are fed to an intermediate storage in which they are brought together with already previously machined sharpened bristles 40 together. This intermediate storage then bristles 40 for the formation of the bristle bundles 22, compare FIG. 2 taken in groups. In this case, the pointed bristles 40 of the respective bundle 22 need not coincide with the aforementioned bundle for the mechanical processing of the tips 42.

Likewise, the bristle bundles 22 can be assembled from a plurality of removed groups. In particular, it is also possible to mix continuous cylindrical conventional bristles 86 with pointed bristles 40 in a bundle.

FIG. 8 shows a part of a tool 60, consisting of a block-like base body 62, also called pallet, and a funnel plate 63 of the bristle machine. Through the block-like base body 62 of the tool 60 extends, in the present case in the vertical direction, a receiving recess 64. The cross section of this receiving recess 64 is constant over the entire length of the rectilinear receiving recess 64 in the block-like base body 62. In the receiving recess 64, a pin 66 is guided in sliding fit.

In the course of the process, the block-like basic body 62 with associated pins 66 is compared with one circular arc 98 FIG. 13 - filled with bundles of pointed bristles 40. After filling will be in another station the Beborstungsmaschine the funnel plate 63 placed on the base 62, as it is in FIG. 8 is recognizable.

The sliding fit between the base body 62 and the pin 66 is configured such that the tips 42 of the mechanically machined sharpened bristles 40 have a larger diameter than the tolerance range of the sliding fit. This substantial improvement step prevents jamming of the pointed bristles 40 between the pin 66 and the receiving recess 64. The movement of the pin 66 in the slip fit is restricted so that it is movable only in the block-like base body 62.

At its upper, located in the base 62 end face 68, against which the tips 42 of the pointed bristles 40, the pin 66 is, for example, concave shaped to give the respective bundles of bristles 22, in the final form, a convex topography. The final shape of the bundles of bristles 22 is significantly influenced by the shape of the end face 68 of the pin 66. A concave portion of the end face 68 of the pin 66 allows the sharpened bristles 40 to bundle specifically and thereby additionally avoids jamming. Instead of a concave configuration, however, other arbitrary topographies of the end face 68 of the pin 66 are possible.

A bristle bundle 22 taken from a number of previously mechanically treated pointed bristles 40 is inserted from above with the tips 42 below into the receiving recess 64 of the block-like base body 62, at least to the extent that all bristles 40 are completely in the Receiving recess 64 are located and the bristles 40 abut with its tip 42 on the end face 68 of the pin 66. The topography or the profile of the bristle bundles 22 with sharpened bristles 40 is thus produced only after the mechanical processing of the tips 42.

Subsequently, the funnel plate 63 is placed on the block-like base body 62 and thereon, if provided in the process, a bristle carrier plate 10 such that the bristle bundle 22 associated with this passage 16 of the bristle carrier plate 10 is aligned with the corresponding guide passage 69 in the funnel plate 63. In this case, the upper side 12 of the bristle carrying plate 10 comes to rest on the funnel plate 63, so that the underside 14 of the bristle carrying plate 10 is exposed upwards. For the sake of completeness, it mentions that this guide passage 69 of the funnel plate 63, on the other hand, also corresponds to the receiving recess 64. By moving the pin 66 in an upward direction on the bristle carrier plate 10, the pointed bristles 40 are moved upwards and pushed with their blunt end 46 through the funnel plate 63 and the passage 16 until an end portion 70 adjoining the blunt end 46 protrudes in the cylindrical portion 50 of the bristles 40 on the bottom 14 of the bristle plate 10. Subsequently, a heating punch 72 (or other thermal means) is lowered onto or near the bristles 40 so that the end portions 70 of the bristles 40 melt and form on the underside 14 a bristle melt coating at least partially covering the bottom 14 and thereby the bristles 40 anchored to the bristle plate 10.

In the same way as described above, the base body 62 of the tool 60 may have a further receiving recess 64 'with further pin 66' guided therein. In this, as described in connection with pointed bristles 40, cylindrical conventional bristles 86 are inserted along their length; These come with their previously mechanically machined ends 86 'on the end face 68 of the other pin 66' to the plant, which also a topography - as described above - can be formed. The funnel plate 63 has a further guide passage 69 'which is aligned with the further receiving recess 64' and, on the other hand, is aligned with a passage 16 'of the bristle carrying plate 10 for conventional bristles 86.

Simultaneously with the pin 66, the further pin 66 'is displaced to push the bundle of conventional bristles 86 through the further passage 16' of the bristle support plate 10 until the bundle of conventional bristles 86 with an end portion 70 'on the underside 14 of the bristle carrying plate 10th protrudes. The melting of this end portion 70 'is carried out as described above.

If various plastics were used for the production of the bristles 40, 86, consequently, a bristle melt coating of the corresponding plastics is formed. In particular, this bristle enamel coating may consist of polyester (pointed bristles 40) and polyamide (conventional bristles 86). Since these non-affine materials do not combine in the bristle melt, it is preferable to ensure that groups of bristle bundles are formed with the individual materials where the bristle melt can combine within a group. The similar bristle bundles are placed in this regard preferably in groups with immediate proximity. In this case, therefore, preferably the bristle bundles 22 are introduced from tapered bristles 40 or conventional bristles 86 in receiving recesses 64 or further receiving recesses 64 'which are adjacent - forming a group - arranged.

FIG. 9 shows a way to equip a bristle carrier plate 10 with a bristle tuft having both pointed bristles 40 and conventional bristles 86. The base body 62 has a receiving recess 64, in which, as described above, pointed bristles 40, and close to a further receiving recess 64 ', in which conventional bristles 86 are introduced or become, compares FIG. 8 , The guide passages 69 and 69 'of the funnel plate 63 associated with these receiving recesses 64 and 64' converge toward each other in the direction of the bristle carrying platelets 10 arranged on the funnel plate 63 so that they form a single common outlet for the bristles 40 and 86 at this end. It is also possible that the two passages 69 and 69 'still form separate outlets, but which lie directly next to each other. The outlet (s) are aligned with a bristle 40 and 86 common passage 16 of the bristle support plate 10. When simultaneously moving the pins 66, 66 'toward the funnel plate 63, the bundle 22 becomes sharpened and the bundle 22 of conventional bristles 40, 86 pushed through the common passage 10 therethrough, to the end portions thereof 70, 70 'protrude beyond the underside 14 of the bristle plate 10. By subsequently melting the end sections 70, for example by means of the heating punch 72, the bristles 40, 86 are fastened to the bristle carrying plate 10.

In a corresponding manner, it is possible to combine a plurality of individual bundles 22 of bristles 80, 86 from different receiving recesses 64 by means of the funnel plate 63 and thus together to form a bristle tufts in a common passage 16. In the same way it is also possible to supply bundles 22 of bristles 40 or 86 of the same kind to a common passage 16.

The provided with the bristle facing 20 bristle carrier plate 10 is, as in connection with the FIG. 4 explained, taken from the tool 60 and brought together with the toothbrush body 28 in accordance with the prior art known manner and fastened there.

In bristle processes without bristle platelets 10, as already described, the bristles 40, 86 are guided into a mold cavity instead of through the bristle platelet 10. Plastic is then injected into this mold cavity to form the brush head and to anchor the bristles 40, 86.

FIG. 10 shows a plan view of a portion of a feed channel 74 of a bristle 76. This is bounded below by a feed tray 78 and on both sides of mutually parallel feed walls 80. The pointed in the feed channel 74 or optionally cylindrical bristles 40, 86 are by means of a bar-like pusher 82 is pressed in the direction of arrow A against an outlet 84 of the feed channel 74.

FIG. 11 shows a vertical longitudinal section through a portion of a material channel 74 'of a known AFT machine. In this are over their entire length cylindrical conventional bristles 86. They stand with their end, which will later form the free end of the bristle stock 20, on the material channel bottom 78 ', this corresponds to the Zuführboden 78. The continuously constant diameter of the conventional bristles 86th is 0.15 mm to 0.25 mm. They usually have a length of 14 mm to 18 mm, preferably 16 mm. In the known AFT machines, the distance between the cloth channel bottom 78 'and the upper edge of the profile-shaped, rectangular in cross-section pusher 82 9 mm.

If pointed bristles 40 are used according to the present invention, the distance between the feed channel bottom 78 and the upper edge of the pusher 82 should be greater, for example between 11 mm and 17 mm, preferably between 13 mm and 16 mm, in particular 14 mm, as in FIG FIG. 12 is indicated. There, the position of the pusher 82 in the material channel 74 'of a known Beborstungsmaschine is indicated by dashed lines. Thus, the sharpened bristles 40 are pressed and held in the exclusively cylindrical portion 50, so that a break in the direction of the blunt end 46 of the bristles is avoided.

Surprisingly, according to the present invention, known AFT machines for making toothbrushes with pointed bristles 40 can be used. An adaptation to be made is further up in the Related to the mechanical processing of the tips 42 of the pointed bristles 40 described. Another is in how, in connection with the FIGS. 10 to 12 explains to arrange the pusher 82 at a greater distance to the material channel bottom 78.

As previously described, cylindrical conventional bristles 86 and pointed bristles 40 may be simultaneously processed on a single bristle machine 86. The bristle machine 76 in this case has both types of the above-described feed channels 74 and cloth channels 74 'and associated pushers 82.

Another measure for the processing of pointed bristles 40 is that a knock plate 88 'of the bristle machine is shut down and thus forms only a still-standing boundary plate 88. In addition, the limiting plate 88 may be made larger, from the surface, so that it covers a larger part of the feed channel 74 than the known knock plate 88 'and thus substantially covers the entire feed channel 74 together with a cover plate 90 in the end region of the feed channel 74 , see also FIG. 13 , The knock plate 88 'is disposed parallel to the cloth channel bottom 78' at a minimum distance corresponding to at least approximately the length of the conventional bristles 86 and provided with a vertical reciprocating motion to act on the upper ends of the conventional bristles 86 to move against the cloth channel bottom 78 ', to abut against it and thus to align the bristles 86.

Elaborate tests have shown that this is no longer possible with the use of pointed bristles 40, since the sharpened portion 48 would buckle with the adjacent tip 42 at too high pressure in the longitudinal direction of the pointed bristles 40. However, in order to prevent breakage of pointed bristles 40 in the direction of the blunt end 46 of the bristle 40, the stationary limiting plate 88 is arranged at a distance above the feed channel bottom 78, which is slightly, for example 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, preferably 0 , 2 mm to 0.3 mm greater than the length of the pointed bristles 40. These stand with their not yet machined tip 42 on the Zuführkanalboden 78 and by means of the pusher 82, which approximately in the longitudinal center of the cylindrical portion 50 of pointed bristles 40 acts, with a pressure between 4 bar to 7 bar, preferably 4 bar to 6 bar, pressed in the direction against the outlet 84.

FIG. 13 shows by way of example in plan view a bristle 76 - in the present case, a known AFT machine - which, as described above, adapted for the processing of tapered bristles 40. In this context is also on FIG. 14 referenced where described below method steps in the manner of a flowchart are given. In the example shown, the bristle machine 76 has two feed channels 74 or material channels 74 ', which are intended for pointed bristles 40 of different colors, for example. However, it is also possible that only a single or more than two feed channels 74 or material channels 74 'are provided. Likewise, it is possible for a bristle machine 76 to have both feed channels 74 and material channels 74 '. for pointed bristles 40 as well as for conventional bristles 86 has. The ratio of the number of feed channels is determined by the configuration of the bristle facing 20 of the toothbrush to be produced, or the respective bristle configuration.

The feed channels 74 or material channels 74 'are formed as in the FIGS. 10 to 12 shown and described above. The boundary plate 88 extends from the outlet 84 opposite to the direction of the arrow A seen over about 2/3 of the total length of the feed channel 74 and Stoffkanals 74 '. At the upstream end of the cover plate 88 is hinged to the cover plate 90, which is folded up to insert bristle supply bundles. The sharpened bristles 40 are delivered in bristle delivery bundles with the tip 42 of all the bristles 40 pointing in the same direction and the bristle delivery bundles having a diameter of, for example, 3 to 5 cm. The shape of the bristle delivery bundles is preferably configured elliptical to rectangular, due to their transport medium, an elongated cardboard packaging. The length of the bristle delivery bundles is from 40 mm to 60 mm, preferably from 45 mm to 55 mm with a width of 25 mm to 40 mm, preferably from 30 mm to 35 mm. In this configuration / delivery form, the width of the bristle delivery bundle substantially corresponds to the width of the feed channel 74. This allows a simpler insertion of the bristle delivery bundles into the feed channel 74 without having to over-deform the fragile bristle delivery bundles. Furthermore, the bristle delivery bundles can be transported in this form easier and space-saving in an elongated cardboard packaging. Next, the bristle delivery bundles laterally around the bundle a holding strip of defined length, which holds the large number of pointed bristles 40 together. Due to the defined length of the holding strip, virtually no pressure is exerted on the sharpened bristles in the bristle delivery bundle.

The bristle delivery bundles are inserted with the tips 42 of the bristles 40 down into the feed channel 74 and cloth channel 74 ', manually advanced toward the already existing therein bristles 40, clamped by means of a manually operable carriage in the direction against the pusher 82 and then manually , preferably freed from the holding strip in the vertical direction. The pusher 82 is then automatically, after manual release, laterally out of the feed channel 74 and material channel 74 'extended, brought by the pressed carriage the newly inserted pointed bristles 40 in abutment with the already present in the feed channel 74 and material channel 74' pointed bristles 40 become. The pusher 82 is moved back to the carriage and in turn applied behind the introduced bristles 40, in order to continue to press and guide all pointed bristles 40 present in the supply channel 74 or substance channel 74 'against the outlet 84.

While according to the known AFT method, the conventional bristles 86 in the cloth channel 74 'knocked by the knock plate 88' and thus aligned in height, takes place according to the present method only a rough alignment in their altitude and preventing the breaking up through the Restricting plate 88 and the stationary Klopflatte 88 '.

At the outlet 84 of the feed channels 74 or material channels 74 ', a group of sharpened bristles 40 is separated from the supply. This can be done using a known boron machine in a known manner by means of a rounding disc 54 ', which may correspond to the holding element 54, see FIG. 7 , This has dashed lines indicated recesses into which the group of bristles 40 is pushed under the action of the pusher 82 into it. The rounding disc 54 'is then rotated about its axis at an angle to the mechanical working station of the tips 42 of the bristles 40. In FIG. 13 If the stop plate 58 is shown, below which the pressure element 56 cooperating with the rounding disk 54 'and the driven grinding wheel 52 are located, compare this FIG. 7 , In this mechanical processing of the tips 42 of the sharpened bristles 40, the possibly present etch threads or residual threads 44 are abraded and possibly the tips 42 minimally rounded or broken.

The rounding disks 54 'adjoin the movement path 94 of so-called segments 96. In the present case, two groups of segments 96 are shown, which are independently movable along the trajectory 94. The segments 96 form an intermediate bearing for the bristles 40 with machined tips 42. After machining the tips 42, the rounding disk 54 'is further rotated in the same direction of rotation and, as soon as a recess with bristles 40 reaches the movement path 94, these bristles 40 become pushed into a corresponding segment 96 inside. This process, as well as the control and the structure of the segments 96 and the delivery of bundles 22 of bristles 40 of the Segments 96 on the so-called circular arc 98 is commonly known from boron machines and in particular from AFT machines.

The circular arc 98 takes over from the relevant segment 96 a bundle 22 of bristles 40 and brings them to the tool 60 and the corresponding receiving recess 64 in the block-like base body 62, the pallet or the tool 60 of a Beborstungsmaschine; see also FIG. 8 , There, as known from Beborstungsmaschinen, in particular AFT machines, the tapered bristles 40 inserted into the receiving recess 64, the funnel plate 63 is placed, thereon the bristle support plate 10 designed, the bundle 22 is affected by bristles from the receiving recess 64 through the Guide passage 69 of the funnel plate 63 and the respective passage 16 pushed therethrough and aligned according to the end face 68 of the pin 66. The same process is used for equipping the remaining passages 16 of the bristle carrying plate 10 with pointed bristles 40 or conventional bristles 86 in exactly the same manner, wherein the poking of all the bundles 22 preferably takes place simultaneously. Once the assembly with bristle bundles 22 is completed, the end portions 70, for example by means of the Heizstempels 72, melted to secure the bristles 40 to the bristle carrier plate 10. Subsequently, the bristle plate 10 provided with the bristle facing 20 is removed from the tool 60 or the pallet, inserted into the recess 32 of the toothbrush body 28 and fixed therein, for example by means of ultrasonic welding.

In bristle processes without bristle platelets 10, as already described, the bristles are guided instead of through the bristle platelet 10 into a mold cavity of an injection molding tool. Plastic is then injected into this mold cavity to form the brush head and anchor the bristles.

The geometric specifications that are made by the AFT process to the design of the bristle carrier plate 10 and the recess 32, also apply to the present slightly modified process.

It is also conceivable to populate one or more of the fabric channels 74 'with conventional bristles 86 to form on the finished toothbrush a bristle stock 20 having bristle bundles 22 with pointed bristles 40 and other bristle bundles with conventional bristles 86. The conventional bristles 86 are processed and treated according to the previously known method.

For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that the bristle platelets 10 can be provided with soft-elastic cleaning elements, for example made of a soft plastic, which have been injection-molded in two or more component processes on the bristle carrier platelet 10.

Further, the present invention allows bristle stockings 20 to be formed in which a single bristle tuft has both pointed bristles 40 and conventional bristles 86. In this case, the pointed bristles 40 are processed according to the method according to the invention while the conventional bristles are processed according to the previously known method, However, by means of the control of the segments 96 and the corresponding formation of the circular arc 98, care is taken that the respective bristle bundles 22 have a mixture of sharpened bristles 40 and conventional bristles 86. In this context, the alternative possibility should also be considered FIG. 9 and the description directed to this.

The invention can be used for bristle fields of various products. For example, manual toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes with oscillating, pivoting or translational motion, vibration / sonic toothbrushes or toothbrushes with combined movements can be provided with pointed bristles. Also on toothbrushes arranged tongue cleaning brushes or tongue-only cleaners.

In general, it is also possible to design combined bristle fields. These can be conventionally integrated with anchor plates stuffed bristle bundles and also anchorless attached bundles.

The present invention can also be seen at DE 200 06311 U1 . EP 0 346 646 . DE 10 2006 026 712 A1 and WO 2004/093718 A1 known methods and corresponding devices or Beborstungsmaschinen be applied. It is therefore expressly made to the disclosure of these publications and incorporated by reference.

Claims (20)

A method for making anchorless bristled toothbrushes wherein a bristle bundle (22) is inserted into a receiving recess (64) of a tool (60) of a bristle machine (76) and onto the pin by means of a pin (66) guided in the female recess (64) (66) facing end of the bristles (40) of the bristle bundle (22) is acted on their orientation, characterized in that chemically tapered on one side posts (40) having a tip (42) tapered pointed portion (48) and a thereto then, having a blunt end (46), cylindrical portion (50) are inserted into the receiving recess (64) such that the pointed bristles (40) are in the receiving recess (64), by means of the pin (66) the tips (42) are acted upon and the tips (42) of the pointed bristles (40) are additionally machined prior to insertion into the receiving recess (64). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the tips (42) of the pointed bristles (40) are machined in the bristling machine (76). A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that during machining the tips (42) of the sharpened bristles (40), preferably by means of a grinding wheel (52), are ground. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that pointed bristles (40) are used, the pointed portion (48) has at least a length of 5 mm, preferably between 7 mm and 12 mm, in particular between 8 mm and 11 mm , Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the pointed bristles (40) are held at least approximately in the transition region from the cylindrical to the sharpened section (50, 48) during machining of the tips (42), preferably by means of a rounding disc (54 ') of the bristle machine, in particular an AFT machine, and a cooperating pressure element (56). A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the pointed bristles (40) are held in alignment with the mechanical processing of the tips (42) by means of a stop plate (58) cooperating with the blunt end (46) of the bristles (40). Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the tips (42) of the pointed bristles (40) are machined such that the tips (42) have a larger diameter than the tolerance range of the sliding fit between the tool (60). and the pin (66). Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the bristle bundle (22) conveys a convex topography, in which on the Tips (20) of the pointed bristles (40) with a concave shaped end face (68) of the pin (66) is acted upon. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that on the bristle bundle (22) with pointed bristles (40) only after the mechanical processing of the tips (42) a topography is generated. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the sharpened bristles (40), before the mechanical processing of the tips (42), with the tip (42) directed downward in a feed channel (74), in particular a material channel ( 74) of the Beborstungsmaschine (76), in particular an AFT machine, and in the feed channel (74) by means of a pusher (82) in the direction (A) against an outlet (84) of the feed channel (74) are pressed, wherein the pusher ( 82) acts on the cylindrical portion (50) of the bristles (40). A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the sharpened bristles (42) by means of a with the blunt end (46) of the bristles (40) cooperating boundary plate (88), in particular a stationary knock plate (88 ') of the bristle machine, in particular an AFT Machine, in the feed channel (74) are held. Method according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that arranged on the tool (60), in particular on a funnel plate (63) arranged on the tool, a bristle carrying plate (10) having a passage (16) the pointed bristles (40) of the bristle bundle (22) are pushed by the pin (66) through the passage (16) such that the pointed bristles (40) are joined to the end portion (70) of the blunt end (46) cylindrical portion (50) over the upper underside (14) of the bristle support plate (10) protrude and the end portions (70) of the bristles (40) are melted to secure the pointed bristles (40) on the bristle carrier plate (10). Method according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that continuously cylindrical, conventional bristles (86) are inserted into a further receiving recess (64 ') of the tool (60) such that the conventional bristles (86) in the further receiving recess (86). 64 '), by means of a in the further receiving recess (64') guided further pin (66 ') on the end facing him the conventional bristles (86) is acted on their orientation and this end of the conventional bristles (86) prior to insertion in the further receiving recess (64 '), preferably in the bristle machine (76) is mechanically processed. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the sharpened bristles (40) are machined for a shorter processing time than the conventional bristles (86). A method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that in several close together arranged receiving recesses (64) of the tool (60) each have a bristle bundle (22) of tapered bristles (40) and in a plurality of closely spaced further recesses (64 ') of the tool (60) each a bristle bundle (22) of conventional bristles (86 ) is introduced. Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that a bristle carrying plate (10) having a passage (16) is arranged on the tool (60), in particular on a funnel plate (63) arranged on the tool, the sharpened bristles (40). by means of the pin (66) and the conventional bristles (86) by means of the further pin (66 ') together through the passage (16) are pushed so that the pointed bristles (40) having a blunt end (46) end portion (46) ( 70) of the cylindrical portion (50) and the conventional bristles (86) also project with an end portion (70 ') over the upper underside (14) of the bristle carrier plate (10) and the end portions (70, 70') of the bristles (40, 86) are melted to secure the bristles (40, 86) to the bristle carrier plate (10). Method according to claim 12 or 16, characterized in that the bristle carrying plate (10) provided with a bristle facing (20) is fastened to the head area (24) of a toothbrush body (28). Toothbrush produced by the method according to one of claims 1 to 17. Use of a bristle machine, in particular an AFT machine, for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 17, wherein a grinding wheel (52) mechanically processes the tips (42) of the pointed bristles (40) held by a rounding disc (54 ') and a pusher (82) in a feed channel (74), in particular a fabric channel (74 ') of the AFT machine, at a distance above a channel bottom (78') is arranged so that it on the cylindrical portion (50) with their Tip (42) against the channel bottom (78 ') acting pointed bristles (40) acts. Use according to claim 19, characterized in that a knock plate (88 ') of the bristle machine, in particular the AFT machine, is kept stationary.

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