EP2196107B1 - Method for manufacturing bristle fields or bristle bundles - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing bristle fields for brushes or bristle bundles for brushes, wherein bristle tufts are filled into holes of molds, wherein initially the bristle tufts are formed from single bristles by a bristle supply is separated into bristle tufts, after which the bristles of the form in tufts with Help of a gas or air stream via individual, each receiving a bristle tufts supply lines and introduced into the perforations of the mold or a preform, wherein the gas or air flow is generated by means of negative pressure, the bristle tufts during their promotion at least temporarily additionally be acted upon in the conveying direction pressurized gas or compressed air.

Such a method is known from DE 39 20 769 C2 known. It is known from this document to promote the bristle tufts by means of compressed air and to reinforce this by negative pressure and complete. In the embodiment of FIG. 14 of DE 39 20 769 C2 It is envisaged that the bristle tufts with the help of compressed air in the Supply lines are blown in and according to the pressure source with the channels 36 is in the conveying direction in front of the insertion openings 19 in these supply lines. There is a risk that the bristle tufts are pushed apart by the overpressing pressure and / or the individual bristles are deflected from their original orientation direction, so that faults can occur and not all bristles of a bristle tuft can reach the respective supply line.

From the EP 0 405 204 a comparable method is known, in which the transport of the bristle tufts takes place exclusively by means of negative pressure. The conveying speed is correspondingly low.

There is therefore the object of further developing a method and a device of the type mentioned above in that the time for producing bristle fields can be kept low and that any jams or jamming of individual bristles can be prevented, wherein the delivery of the bristles should be accelerated.

The solution of this object is achieved with the means and features of claim 1.

Thus, for a method defined at the outset, the invention provides for the bristle tufts to be exposed exclusively to a negative pressure prevailing in the supply lines at the beginning of the delivery and when they enter the supply lines, and for an overpressure to be generated or applied to the supply lines at their entry region after the Bristle tufts have passed a section or an entry point for the overpressure, wherein an overpressure is applied, which is opposite to the atmospheric normal pressure has a greater difference than the negative pressure.

Thus, the promotion of bristle tufts is supported only during a part of the conveying path in addition with compressed gas or compressed air, so that a flow is caused by a combination of negative pressure and pressure, but the pressure only delayed and thus avoiding any congestion at the entrance to the Supply lines is made effective. This results in a higher flow velocity, which leads to a higher transport speed of the bristle tufts and thereby to a reduction in the production time of the bristle fields. Nevertheless, the bristle tufts in the already by the arrangement according to EP 0 405 204 B1 known manner transported very accurately and safely through the supply lines, because the combination of the bristle tufts "pulling" negative pressure and the "pushing" overpressure due to the delayed application of this overpressure can prevent any jams or jamming individual bristles in the supply lines.

The bristle tufts are thus first drawn into the supply line by means of negative pressure, without being able to be deflected by an additional overpressure with regard to their introduction movement. The certainty that the individual bristles can enter into the respective supply lines as bristle tufts is improved by this measure.

This is supported by the fact that an overpressure is created or applied to the supply lines at the inlet region after the bristle tufts have passed a partial section or an entry point for the overpressure.

Thus, the bristle tufts can then be additionally exposed to the positive pressure after a targeted transport into the supply lines and accelerated in terms of their further conveying movement, which is reinforced by the greater pressure difference of the overpressure relative to the atmospheric pressure relative to the negative pressure.

A further embodiment of the method according to the invention can provide that after filling the bristle tufts into the mold or a preform, the mouths of the supply lines are moved away from the mold or preform and the vacuum is switched off, in particular, and the overpressure is maintained completely or reduced for a remaining time obtained and the supply lines are blown.

It can thereby be achieved that the supply lines are at least from time to time freed and cleaned by the compressed gas or compressed air flow of abrasion or of possibly remaining therein individual bristles. Correspondingly, bristles can be moved through the correspondingly clean and smooth supply lines during a next working cycle.

Furthermore, it is possible that the overpressure used to assist the promotion of the bristle tufts may be changed during conveyance and the bristle tufts may be moved through the supply lines with an intermittent and / or pulsating flow of gas or air. Thereby, the flow rate and thus the transport speed of the bristle tufts can be changed during transport through the supply lines to avoid or possibly solve any jams or jamming in the supply lines.

It may be expedient if an overpressure is used during the delivery, which is about twice as high to ten times as high as the negative pressure. The promotion of bristle tufts is supported accordingly well and accelerated compared to a promotion only with the help of negative pressure.

It may also be provided that the bristle tufts are moved by means of a gas mixture, for example a mixture of air and another gas through the supply lines. It can therefore be used to support the promotion of a gas or gas mixture, which has better flow characteristics than air and, for example, at the same pressure difference has a higher flow velocity.

The above-described method can be carried out with a device in which a pressure source for supplying compressed gas or compressed air to the supply lines and provided between the pressure source and the supply lines blocking means which are open or obvious during the conveying operation, and that the control of Pressure source, the shut-off means controls such that compressed gas or compressed air enters the supply lines only when bristle tufts passed the supply point for the compressed gas or compressed air or have covered a partial distance.

Thus, it can be preferably provided in an automated manner that the bristle tufts are sucked in relatively slowly by means of negative pressure in the supply lines or delivery lines and then subjected to higher pressure in order to increase their conveying speed, wherein the device targeted supply of compressed gas and compressed air permissible to the effect that the corresponding shut-off means are opened at a desired time and by means of a Control are controlled.

The device for carrying out the method can be configured in that a holder or insertion plate is provided for the feeders of the supply lines and that this holder has leading to the feed ends of the feed line leading channels for the overpressure, which interact with shut-off valves and / or valves together. In particular, these channels leading to the feed lines for the overpressure can be arranged laterally from the entry points for the bristle tufts, so that with closed shut-off valves and / or valves, the bristle tufts can first be sucked past these mouths of the channels before they are opened by opening the shut-off elements Valves take effect.

Especially when combining one or more of the prescribed features and measures, there is the possibility to make bristle fields for brushes or bristle bundles for brushes with the advantages as they are from the EP 0 405 204 B1 are known, but to increase the production speed considerably. A correspondingly large output of brushes, in particular toothbrushes, or brushes per unit time is possible. It is conceivable that the for the previous production according to the EP 0 405 204 B1 possibly already existing facilities widely used and, where appropriate can be subsequently provided with an additional pressure source and an adapted control. The supply lines or delivery lines can also be largely used in this case.

Figur 1:

Eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung, mit welcher aus einem Borstenvorrat oder Borstenfüllkasten zu Borstenbüscheln zusammengefasste Borsten mittels Leitungen einer an einen Unterdruck angeschlossenen Form zugeführt werden, wobei diese Leitungen zusätzlich mit Überdruck beaufschlagt werden können, wobei die Borstenbüschel sich noch vor dem Eintritt in die Zuführ- oder Förderleitungen befinden,

Figur 2:

Eine der Figur 1 entsprechende Darstellung nach dem Eintritt der Borstenbüschel in die Zuführleitungen und dem Verschieben eines Absperrorgans für die Druckluft, die dadurch Zugang zu den Zuführleitungen an einer Stelle erhält, die von dem Borstenbüscheln bereits passiert ist,

Figur 3:

Eine der Figur 2 entsprechende Darstellung eines bezüglich der Zufuhr des Druckgases oder der Druckluft und der dabei vorgesehenen Absperrventile im Eintrittsbereich der Zuführleitungen abgewandelte Ausführungsform,

Figur 4:

Eine der Darstellung gemäß Figur 2 und 3 entsprechende, hinsichtlich der Zufuhr des Überdrucks wiederum abgewandelte Ausführungsform, bei welcher im Eintrittsbereich für die Borstenbüschel eine anschließbare Druckkammer für den Überdruck vorgesehen ist.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings are described in more detail. It shows in a schematic representation:

FIG. 1:

A device according to the invention, with which from a bristle supply or bristle filling box bristles tufts combined bristles are fed by lines connected to a negative pressure form, these lines can be additionally acted upon with pressure, the bristle tufts even before entering the supply or delivery lines are located,

FIG. 2:

One of the FIG. 1 corresponding representation after the entry of the bristle tufts in the supply lines and the displacement of a shut-off device for the compressed air, which thereby receives access to the supply lines at a location that has already passed from the bristle tufts,

FIG. 3:

One of the FIG. 2 corresponding representation of an embodiment modified with regard to the supply of the compressed gas or compressed air and the shut-off valves provided in the inlet region of the supply lines,

FIG. 4:

One of the representation according to FIG. 2 and 3 corresponding, in terms of the supply of pressure again modified embodiment in which a connectable pressure chamber is provided for the overpressure in the inlet region for the bristle tufts.

In the following description of the various embodiments obtained in their function matching parts even with a modified shape matching reference numerals, so that in this respect the description of a figure applies in an analogous manner for another figure with another embodiment.

A whole with 1 designated, in the FIGS. 1 to 4 each with some modifications recognizable device is used to make bristle pads for brushes, as it is known from EP 0 405 204 B1 is known.

In this case, the ends of bristles 2 made of plastic, in particular, of individual bristle tufts 3 can be connected to one another and / or with those of a neighboring tuft, in particular fused.

Accordingly, the device 1 has a perforation 4 for each tuft 3 provided form 5, wherein supply lines 6 to the form 5 - or a preform - are provided and leads to each hole to be filled 4 such a supply line 6.

On the supply lines 6 can in a manner not shown, the arrangement according to EP 0 405 204 B1 corresponding means for generating a gas or air flow to the mold 5 be connectable, wherein the mouths 7 of the supply lines 6 and the mold 5 according to the double arrow Pf 1 in all figures are movable relative to each other. The mold 5 has in a manner not shown a connection for applying the negative pressure to the individual perforations 4, which is indicated by the arrows Pf 5. Preferably, the mold 5 remains in their position and the mouths 7 can be moved with their holder 7 a.

In addition, in all embodiments in the inlet region 8 of the supply lines or delivery lines 6, a pressure source is provided which is connected to the supply lines 6 or connectable.

According to the FIGS. 1 to 4 belongs to the device 1 and at least one bristle magazine 9, but also analogous to that in the EP 0 405 204 B1 described embodiment, two such bristle magazines 9 may be provided with facing each other withdrawal points.

Furthermore, in the FIGS. 1 to 4 a removal slide 10 is shown, which limits the bristle supply in the bristle magazine 9 in each case and is movable transversely to a removal point. This removal slide 10 may be arranged at a distance from each other, the bristle supply in the bristle magazine 9 respectively facing and open to this edge open, not shown in the drawing recesses or recesses for forming the bristle tufts 3 have. The distance between these recesses is to be recognized in the figures by the distance already removed and the device 1 supplied bristle tufts 3.

In FIG. 1 a displacement position of the removal slide 10 is shown, in which this removal slide 10 with the recesses or recesses and bristles tufts 3 received therein below the insertion openings 11 of the supply lines 6 is shifted, so that the formed bristle tufts 3 are arranged shortly before entering the supply lines 6 and the insertion openings 11. In an analogous manner, in the embodiments according to FIG. 3 and 4 also with the help of the removal slide 10 for a separation and formation of bristle tufts 3 and their transport to the inlet region 8 of the supply lines 6 provided to the bristle tufts 3 then as shown in FIG FIG. 2 . 3 and 4 with the help of negative pressure in the inlet regions 8 of the supply lines 6 move.

The double arrow Pf 2 indicates that the inlet region 8 of the supply lines 6 can also be movable relative to the bristle tufts 3 in order to facilitate a first introduction of at least one portion of these tufts 3 into the supply lines 6.

The actual pressure source is not shown in the figures, but it can be seen that between this pressure source and the supply lines 6 and their inlet region 8 according to the FIGS. 1 to 3 differently designed shut-off means are provided, which are open during the delivery process, ie during the supply of compressed gas or compressed air and thus openable, wherein a control of the pressure source controls this shut-off such that compressed gas or compressed air enters the supply lines 6, when the bristle tufts. 3 according to the FIGS. 2 to 4 a feed point 12 for the compressed gas or the compressed air or a certain partial distance in the inlet region 8 of the supply lines 6 have happened.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 4 the supply of compressed gas or compressed air via a pressure chamber 13, the compressed air or the compressed gas via channels 14 the insertion 11 of the feed lines 6 feeds directly and which can be moved according to the double arrow Pf 3 for this supply of positive pressure relative to the inlet region 8 in a sealed position. In the embodiments according to Figure 1 to 3 a holder or insertion plate 15 is provided for the inlet end 8 located in the inlet ends 16 of the supply lines 6 and this holder 15 includes the leading to the introduction ends 16 of these supply lines 6 channels for the overpressure, which interact with shut-off valves or valves together.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 1 and 2 a slider 17 is provided, which is displaceable relative to the holder 15 transversely or at right angles to the course of the insertion ends 16 of the supply lines 6 according to the double arrow Pf 4, as the comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2 clarified. In FIG. 1 are passage openings 18 on this slide in accordance with the insertion ends 16 of the supply lines 6, so that the bristle tufts 3 by means of negative pressure, which can be applied to the opposite of the supply lines 6, can be sucked until they are in FIG. 2 have reached the position shown. Thereafter, the slider 17 by a sliding movement in the in FIG. 2 shown closing position are brought, in which the passage openings 18 are moved from the machined into the holder 15 region of the supply lines 6 and the slider 17 now closes the passage through the insertion ends 16.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which 16 schematically indicated pipe valves 19 are provided on the holder or insertion plate 15 respectively in the region of the incorporated therein insertion ends, which also initially prevents a passage to the feed lines 6 and can be opened after the insertion of the bristle tufts 3. figure 3 shows this open position in which the promotion of the bristle tufts 3 is supported in addition to acting on them negative pressure with an overpressure.

With the differently designed device 1 bristle fields for brushes or possibly also bristle bundles for brush can be produced, the bristle tufts 3 are filled in holes 4 of 5 forms or preforms. The bristle tufts 3 are initially formed from single bristles 2 by a bristle supply located in a bristle magazine 9 is separated into such bristle tufts 3. Thereafter, these bristles of the mold 5 or a preform tufts are supplied via individual supply lines 6 by means of a gas or air flow. The gas or air flow is initially generated by negative pressure. In addition, the bristle tufts 3 are at least temporarily, in particular after their sucking in the insertion ends 16 of the supply lines 6 at least temporarily additionally acted upon by a compressed gas or compressed air acting in the conveying direction, so exposed to an overpressure of the pumped medium to increase the conveying speed and thereby shortening the time for the production of bristle fields.

The bristle tufts 3 are doing at the beginning of the promotion, that is, for example, until it is sucked into the delivery lines 6 according to FIG. 2 from her in FIG. 1 shown position exclusively exposed to the pressure prevailing in the supply lines 6 negative pressure, that is, the pressure source is still shut off from the supply lines 6. After the bristle tufts 3 according to the FIGS. 2 to 4 a partial section or the inlet or feed point 12 have passed for the overpressure, then the overpressure can be applied to these supply lines 6 at the inlet region 8, so that This overpressure in the conveying direction is also effective and can act on the bristle tufts 3 located in the supply lines 6 at their ends opposite the conveying direction.

After filling the bristle tufts 3, not shown in the figures, into the mold 5, the orifices 7 of the supply pipes 6 are moved away from the mold 5 or lifted off according to the double arrow Pf 1 and the negative pressure is switched off. The overpressure can be maintained for a residual time completely or reduced to blow through the supply lines 6 for their purification.

It should be noted that the overpressure used to aid the conveyance of the bristle tufts 3 during their conveyance is changed by the supply lines 6 during the movement of the bristle bushes 3 and the bristle tufts 3 with an intermittent and / or pulsating gas or air flow through the supply lines 6 can be moved.

To produce bristle fields for brushes or bristle bundles for brush bristle tufts 3 are filled into holes 4 of 5 forms, first the bristle tufts 3 are formed from single bristles 2 by a befindlicher in a bristle magazine 9 bristle supply using a removal slide 10 to the bristle tufts. 3 is isolated. Thereafter, the bristles of the mold 5 are supplied in tufts by means of a gas or air stream via individual, each a bristle tufts 3 receiving supply lines 6 and introduced into the perforations 4 of the mold 5. The gas or air flow is generated above all at the beginning of the promotion of the bristle tufts 4 by means of negative pressure. In addition, the bristle tufts 3 during their promotion at least temporarily additionally acting with a conveying direction Compressed gas or pressurized air, especially after they have passed a first short section or an entry point 12 for the overpressure.

Claims (5)

1. Method for the manufacture of bristle fields for brushes or of bristle bundles for paint brushes, wherein clusters of bristles (3) are filled into perforations (4) of moulds (5), wherein initially the clusters of bristles (3) are formed from individual bristles (2) in that a bristle supply is separated to form clusters of bristles (3), whereupon the bristles are infed to the mould (5) in clusters by means of a gas stream or an air stream via individual infeed lines (6), which in each case accommodate one cluster of bristles (3), and introduced into the perforations (4) of the mould (5) or of a preform, wherein the gas stream or air stream is generated by means of negative pressure, wherein, during conveying thereof, the clusters of bristles (3) are at least temporarily additionally impinged with a compressed gas, or with compressed air, acting in the conveying direction, characterized in that, at the beginning of conveying and upon entry into the infeed lines, the clusters of bristles (3) are exclusively subjected to a negative pressure prevalent in the infeed lines (6) and in that, after the clusters of bristles (3) have passed a stage or an entry point (12) for the positive pressure, a positive pressure is generated or applied to the infeed lines (6) at their entry region (8), wherein a positive pressure, which has a greater differential in relation to the atmospheric standard pressure than the negative pressure has, is applied.
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that, after inserting the clusters of bristles (3) into the mould (5), the ports of the infeed lines (6) are moved away or raised from the mould (5) or preform and that the negative pressure is, in particular, switched off and in that, for a remaining time, the positive pressure is sustained completely or in a reduced manner and that the infeed lines (6) are being blown out.
3. Method according to either Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the positive pressure serving for the support of the conveying of the clusters of bristles (3) is modified during conveying so that the clusters of bristles (3) are being moved through the infeed lines (6) with an intermittent and/or pulsating gas or air stream.
4. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a positive pressure, which is about double to ten times as high as the negative pressure, is being used during conveying.
5. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the clusters of bristles are being moved through the infeed lines by means of a gas mixture, for example a mixture of air and another gas.

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