EP3599933B1 - Procédé, dispositif et élément de demi-moule pour moulage par injection servant à fabriquer une brosse - Google Patents

Procédé, dispositif et élément de demi-moule pour moulage par injection servant à fabriquer une brosse Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3599933B1
EP3599933B1 EP18718102.9A EP18718102A EP3599933B1 EP 3599933 B1 EP3599933 B1 EP 3599933B1 EP 18718102 A EP18718102 A EP 18718102A EP 3599933 B1 EP3599933 B1 EP 3599933B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bristle
bristle carrier
bristles
anchoring
opening
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP18718102.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP3599933A1 (fr
Inventor
Bart Gerard Boucherie
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GB Boucherie NV
Original Assignee
GB Boucherie NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by GB Boucherie NV filed Critical GB Boucherie NV
Publication of EP3599933A1 publication Critical patent/EP3599933A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3599933B1 publication Critical patent/EP3599933B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46D—MANUFACTURE OF BRUSHES
    • A46D3/00—Preparing, i.e. Manufacturing brush bodies
    • A46D3/04—Machines for inserting or fixing bristles in bodies
    • A46D3/045—Machines for inserting or fixing bristles in bodies for fixing bristles by fusing or gluing to a body
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46D—MANUFACTURE OF BRUSHES
    • A46D3/00—Preparing, i.e. Manufacturing brush bodies
    • A46D3/04—Machines for inserting or fixing bristles in bodies
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
    • A46B2200/10—For human or animal care
    • A46B2200/1066—Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method and a device as well as an injection mold half part for producing a brush which has a bristle carrier made of thermoplastic material with at least one anchoring opening into which at least one bristle is inserted and anchored therein.
  • thermoplastic material of the bristles thus melts, as a result of which the bristles merge into one another in terms of material and a thickening results, by means of which it is impossible to pull out the individual bristles forwards.
  • the numerous tufts of bristles are liquefied on the back by means of hot air or a hot stamp, so that the material of the individual tufts of bristles merges into one another and a kind of layer of liquefied bristle ends results on the back. This back is then covered, in particular overmolded.
  • the term "bristle carrier” means that part of the finished brush which carries the bristle or the tufts of bristles.
  • the bristle carrier can be the entire brush body, ie, in the case of a toothbrush, the one-piece molded part made up of handle, neck and head, or just a prefabricated component of the future brush body.
  • the bristle carrier is usually a thin plate made of thermoplastic material, which is provided with one or more openings for filling with one or more bristles or tufts of bristles.
  • the plate-like bristle carrier is then either inserted into a prefabricated brush body which, for example, has a corresponding recess for the plate-like bristle carrier.
  • the platelet-like bristle base is overmoulded, resulting in a brush body made of a prefabricated bristle base and the remainder that is injection-molded on.
  • the CH 672 579 A5 proposes a method for attaching tufts of bristles in a bristle carrier by means of an anchor plate.
  • a bead on the bristle holder which runs around the anchoring opening and protrudes from the front side, should be pressed inwards.
  • the tuft of bristles itself is not fastened by this reshaping of the bead, but by the anchor itself.
  • the individual tufts of bristles are successively driven into the bristle carrier by a tamping tool that pushes the folded tuft of bristles through a tube.
  • the pipe itself then has a heater on its end face, which rests exclusively on the bead and melts or plasticizes it and then presses it radially inward.
  • the DE 198 53 030 A1 provides that tufts of bristles have bristles fused together to form a thickening on their rear side.
  • the bristle carrier has openings into which, before the tufts of bristles are pushed in, cylindrical extensions of a heater are inserted without touching the edge of the opening. The inside edge of the openings heats up locally as a result of this radiant heat. In the area of the edge, the bristle carrier is brought to a structurally changing temperature, for example the softening point. The increase in temperature is intended to reduce the cross-section of the hole, so that the tuft of bristles has to penetrate the wall when it is pushed in.
  • the tufts of bristles are pushed into the openings with the thickened end, with the thickening in cross-section being larger than the cross-section of the opening, so that the thickening extends into the soft area of the edge that defines and surrounds the opening, i.e. into the corresponding wall penetrates.
  • the front side of the bristle carrier is then deformed with a stamp so that the material of the bristle carrier is pressed against the tufts of bristles and anchor them.
  • the bristle carrier has a bead-like protruding opening edge.
  • the edge of the opening is heated by protruding a cone-shaped heating element into the opening or by using hot air.
  • the opening itself is smaller in cross-section than the thickened end of the tuft of bristles, so that after it has been pushed into the wall of the soft opening, it is fixed therein.
  • the holder for the tufts of bristles then compresses the heated circumferential bead so that additional material is available to close the opening at the transition to the face of the bristle carrier.
  • the EP 0 472 857 B1 proposes penetrating a plate-shaped plastic bristle carrier with a heated stamp having pins, so that the pins form the openings for receiving the tufts of bristles.
  • the tufts of bristles are then pressed into the embossed, still hot openings and the melt rises around the thickening of the tufts of bristles.
  • a mold plate can also be pressed against the top of the bristle base to further mold the melt. It is particularly preferred that on the upper side of the not yet shaped bristle carrier, projections or beads protrude, which form material that is available as material that is pressed in the direction of the opening.
  • a bristle carrier which is plate-shaped and designed without openings, is welded to tufts of bristles made of the same plastic as the bristle carrier.
  • a heating tool is moved between the sides of the bristle carrier and the tufts of bristles that have not yet been welded together, so that both are melted.
  • the tufts of bristles are then pressed into the melted material of the bristle carrier.
  • the present invention relates to another method which in the DE 10 2015 111 312 A1 and the DE 20 2016 102996 U1 is described.
  • the bristle or the tuft of bristles is pushed into the anchoring opening with a usually thickened attachment end in front.
  • the bristle carrier is then shaped and narrowed at the edge of the anchoring opening by applying pressure and heat.
  • the bristle carrier is only heated in the area of the front side, specifically to a relatively low temperature, without reaching the melting point.
  • the material that migrates as a result of temperature and pressure only closes the anchoring opening at the front, so that it is no longer possible to pull out the bristle or the tuft of bristles is.
  • the object of the invention is to improve the known method and accordingly to specify a device for carrying out this method, by which such collars are avoided.
  • the heating of the bristle base can take place before or during the reduction of the distance between the tool part and the bristle base or after the first contact of the tool with the bristle base.
  • steps d) and e) is not necessarily sequential.
  • the invention is based on the idea that the material, which closes the anchoring opening to the front and secures the bristle or tuft of bristles against being pulled out, is provided exclusively by the brush body between the front and rear and thus without a molded extension, the bevel provides a kind of buffer space at the transition edge into which the material can penetrate without protruding as a collar compared to the closing surface formed by the front side. Less material is therefore available in the area of the bevel to be pushed inwards, so that material could be pushed axially outwards from an area deeper in the anchoring opening.
  • the present invention provides for a deliberate reduction in material at the transition edge. Although this means that the bristle carrier must be pressed together exactly, the reduction in material and the resulting space at the mouth of the anchoring opening mean that greater tolerances are possible when the tool is moved together than without these bevels.
  • the bevel can extend along the entire perimeter of the transition edge and optionally run along the entire perimeter of the transition edge with the same cross-section, ie have the same shape and the same dimensions, which is optimal for the production of the injection molding tool.
  • the bevel can also have different cross-sections along the circumference of the transition edge, which can be optimized such that the material is pressed inwards to different extents in different sections and therefore requires more or less buffer space.
  • the bevel can have different cross sections along the circumference of the transition edge, but these start at the same axial depth of the anchoring opening.
  • the axial depth is measured from the face of the bristle base adjacent the bevel.
  • the front side has a flat, convex or concave shape.
  • the depth is measured from the front envelope.
  • bevels that start in the anchoring opening at a depth of at least 0.1 mm and at most 0.5 mm, in particular at most 0.35 mm, from the front side of the bristle head adjacent to the bevel are sufficient .
  • the bevels only need a radial width of at least 0.1 mm and at most 0.5 mm, in particular at most 0.35 mm.
  • the bevel can be formed in sections by a chamfer and/or an arc, in particular a radius.
  • the front side of the carrier can be a flat, a convex or a concave surface.
  • a plurality of anchoring openings are provided, with at least some anchoring openings each having a bevel and the bevels of anchoring openings being different. This procedure also ensures that the anchoring openings are considered individually and are tailor-made in order to achieve a high extraction force on the one hand and an optimal appearance of the brush on the other.
  • the at least one anchoring opening of the bristle carrier is not completely compressed, but only in the area of the mouth, ie in the area of the front edge that surrounds the anchoring opening.
  • the at least one anchoring opening of the bristle carrier is reduced in cross section only up to a maximum of the start of the thickened attachment end of the bristle or bristle tuft, in particular only to a maximum depth of 1 mm. The remainder of the anchor hole remains in its original shape.
  • the bristle base is compressed so that material of the bristle base in the area of the edge and the inside of the anchoring opening laterally in the Anchoring opening is pressed in and in the region of the transition edge without protruding beyond the envelope formed by the front of the bristle carrier to the outside.
  • the bevel also does not form an insertion bevel, because an insertion bevel is completely unnecessary at this point.
  • this is the case when the thickened attachment end has a rounded or beveled underside with which the bristle or tuft of bristles is introduced into the anchoring opening in advance. This rounded or beveled underside is usually produced when the bristles of a bristle tuft fuse together.
  • a tuft of bristles is pushed into the anchoring opening with its thickened fastening end first, such that the thickened fastening end does not contact the bevel of the anchoring opening.
  • the lateral dimensions of the thickened fastening end are in particular smaller than the lateral dimensions of the respectively associated anchoring opening in the area of the bottom of the anchoring opening. There is thus lateral play, which allows the bristle or tuft of bristles to be quickly pushed into the anchoring opening. Furthermore, the shape of the bristle or bristle tuft is not affected, which could be the case if the bristle is the bristle tuft were to be compressed and compressed at its "root", ie at the thickened attachment end. Due to the special feature mentioned, the alignment of the bristle or the parallel alignment of the bristles of a tuft of bristles is safer.
  • the brush body is injection molded together with the at least one anchoring opening, ie the anchoring opening is not produced by pressing in a hot die.
  • the inside of the anchoring opening is provided with a so-called draft angle, which can be a maximum of 2°, for example. Because of this draft angle, demoulding of the bristle body from the injection mold is facilitated and in some cases even made possible in the first place. However, this draft angle is not part of and does not belong to the chamfer.
  • Individual bristle tufts or all bristle tufts can be deployed perpendicular to the adjacent face and embedded in its anchoring aperture.
  • the bevel on the transition edge is formed larger on the side inclined towards the bristle or the tuft of bristles than on the remaining circumference of the transition edge.
  • the back of the bristle base should be actively cooled while the compressive force is being exerted on the bristle base in order to keep the back stable and not allow any deformation in the area of the back while the bristle base is being compressed.
  • the bristle carrier usually has several anchoring openings.
  • An embodiment of the invention provides that none of the edges of the anchoring opening is provided with a projection that protrudes from the front of the bristle carrier.
  • projections could be provided in sections, particularly where anchoring openings adjoin one another particularly closely and only a thin web is present.
  • the front side of the bristle carrier is heated.
  • the front side is brought to a temperature below the melting temperature of the bristle material and/or the bristle base material, in particular at most 85% in °C of the respective melting point of the bristle and/or the bristle base material.
  • the tool part exerts a compressive force on the heated bristle base and deforms the correspondingly heated bristle base in accordance with feature e).
  • the bristle carrier is preferably heated on the front side by the tool part, which is heated up. If, as is the case in the preferred variant, the face of the tool part contacts the front side for a few seconds, the temperature of the face side of the tool part also corresponds to the temperature on the front side of the bristle carrier, so that the temperatures correspond. This means that the end face of the tool part is brought to a temperature that is below the melting temperature of the bristle material and/or the bristle base material, in particular at most 85% in °C of the respective melting point of the bristle and/or the bristle base material.
  • the above method steps preferably take place in the above order, this is not absolutely necessary.
  • the front side of the bristle base could also be heated first and then the distance between the tool part and the bristle base could be reduced, or both steps can take place simultaneously or partially simultaneously.
  • the distance is changed by a relative movement of the tool part to the holding part, i.e. the tool part can be moved, the holding part is stationary for this purpose, or vice versa, or the tool part and holding part both move.
  • the invention can generally be used for a bristle carrier with one or more individual bristles and for a bristle carrier with one or more bristle tufts or combinations thereof. This also applies to both the method claims and the material claims.
  • a holder which accommodates the bristle carrier may be heated during operation, for example by radiation. Furthermore, the time during which compressive force is exerted on the bristle base can be so long that the bristle base is heated too much deeper and further away from the front side and is thus also deformed in these deeper areas, as extensive tests have shown.
  • the rear side of the bristle carrier is actively cooled while the compressive force is being exerted on the bristle carrier.
  • a separate cooling device is therefore provided, for example by means of liquid cooling.
  • the volume range of the bristle carrier, in which there is a sufficiently high temperature for reshaping during the application of pressure, can thus be adjusted within narrower limits.
  • the cooling device creates a safety zone within the bristle carrier in which no deformation takes place.
  • the back of the bristle head is actively cooled while the compressive force is being applied. In this case, it is preferably ensured that the bristle carrier heats up to a maximum of 25° C. during the process.
  • the holder already mentioned via which a counterforce is exerted on the rear of the bristle carrier and against which the bristle carrier rests, is actively cooled, in particular via liquid cooling.
  • the cooling can take place not only on the rear side of the bristle base, but optionally also on sections of the so-called side surface of the bristle base.
  • the side surface is that surface which connects the front and the back of the bristle base.
  • the cooling prevents the lateral surface from being plastically deformed laterally outwards when the bristle carrier is squeezed between the front and rear.
  • the holder Have a receiving recess for the bristle carrier, which is designed to complement the bristle carrier and ensures that the back and the side surface are in contact with the holder.
  • the bristle carrier is preferably only heated by the heatable tool part after the at least one bristle has been introduced.
  • the tool part can be heated by an integrated electrical resistance heater or by a heated neighboring part which temporarily contacts the tool part outside of the contact surface touching the bristle carrier and transfers the heat to the tool part during this contact.
  • the controlled heating of the tool part to a predetermined temperature does not take place by means of "accidental" heating of adjacent, more or less hot parts, but by heating that is only assigned to the tool part.
  • the compressive force is applied in a device when the bristle carrier is contacted at the front by a tool part and at the rear by a holder while the compressive force is being exerted on the bristle carrier. In particular, the device for applying the compressive force is brought to a standstill. This means that there is no distance between the holder and the tool part, because they make contact at the front.
  • This contact preferably takes place over the entire surface and around the enclosed bristle carrier in a parting plane between the holder and the tool part. This seals the cavity formed between the holder and the tool part for receiving the bristle carrier in the parting plane.
  • no material of the bristle base can migrate into a gap and then form a burr on the finished bristle base.
  • the stability and accuracy of the bristle base and the alignment of the at least one bristle, in particular the bristles of a tuft of bristles can be increased if, after the so-called exposure time (time during which the pressure on the bristle base between the front and Back is exercised) the device is not immediately moved apart and the bristle carrier is removed.
  • exposure time time during which the pressure on the bristle base between the front and Back is exercised
  • a ventilation gap is created between the front side and the tool part after the exposure time. This means that the tool part and holder are slightly removed from each other. In doing so the device is not fully extended nor placed in a position where the bristle carrier is or could be removed.
  • a resting phase is interposed for the bristle carrier together with its at least one bristle, preferably one or more tufts of bristles, in which the ventilation gap in the device acts to cool the front side.
  • the rear side may also continue to make contact with the holder, which has the effect of stabilizing the shape.
  • the specified rest phase should last at least 1 second, in particular at least 1.5 seconds. During this time, there is preferably no further movement between the holder and the tool part. Alternatively, a slow opening movement can take place.
  • the at least one bristle in particular the bristle tuft or tufts, remains/remain in their assigned receiving opening during this entire rest phase.
  • the receiving opening keeps the bristle or bristles of one or more tufts of bristles in shape during the rest phase. This stabilizes the area around the anchoring hole. Internal tensions are obviously reduced.
  • the ventilation gap should have a height of at least 1 mm, which is measured in the direction of movement of the device (direction of movement between holder and tool part when opening and closing the device).
  • the ventilation gap can preferably be kept constant during the idle phase.
  • cooling air can be blown to the front of the bristle carrier via the ventilation gap. This allows the rest phase to be shortened.
  • Another special feature of the invention is that after an infeed movement of tool part and bristle holder relative to one another, which ends when the device reaches a closed position, the compressive force is exerted on the bristle holder for a predetermined holding time in the closed position.
  • This special feature of the invention so the device is not closed and immediately opened again, as is usually the case when pressing, forming or punching objects.
  • the pressure force does not have to be constant during the holding time because it depends on the resistance of the bristle head. With increasing deformation of the bristle carrier, the compressive force will decrease.
  • the holding time should be at least 1 second, preferably at least 1.5 seconds.
  • a maximum holding time of 3 seconds, in particular a maximum of 2.5 seconds, has proven to be optimal. None more is required.
  • the bristle carrier can be heated during the holding time, in particular during the entire holding time, but optionally also during the infeed movement on the front side. Cycle time can be saved if heating is already carried out during the infeed movement. This is because even during the infeed movement, the front side is already heated, for example due to radiation. As soon as the front side then contacts the heated tool part, the front side and the bristle carrier are heated and brought to temperature during the subsequent closing of the device.
  • the exposure time to pressure on the bristle head is determined by the sum of the holding time plus the time segment during the infeed movement in which the front is in contact with the tool part for the first time and the rear is in contact with the holder at the same time and is compressed until the completely retracted position is reached.
  • This exposure time should be at least 4 seconds, in particular at least 5 seconds.
  • the maximum exposure time has been found to be 15 seconds, in particular a maximum of 10 seconds as the limit.
  • the holding time is preferably shorter than the above time period when moving together, in which the bristle carrier is pressed together. This moving together and compressing takes place at a very slow infeed speed of the holder relative to the tool part. In particular, this period is at least 3, in particular at least 4 seconds.
  • the holding time is a maximum of 50%, in particular a maximum of 40%, of the above period when the bristle carrier is compressed when it is moved together.
  • the bristle carrier can be preheated. For example, when the bristle carrier is already seated in the holder, hot air can be blown on its front side or it can be briefly exposed to a heat source (e.g. radiant heat) that does not form the tool part. This can take place during the infeed movement from the tool part to the holder or also in time before this infeed movement.
  • a heat source e.g. radiant heat
  • the bristle holder could be heated during an adjustment movement of the holder/the tool part or before the tool part is moved up against the holder from the side. The subsequent heating-up time due to contact with the tool part can be reduced as a result.
  • a further special feature of the invention is that the free end of the at least one bristle is supported on the face side in the device.
  • This support is intended to fix the axial position of the bristle or bristles of one or more bristle tufts within the same bristle tuft or bristle tufts relative to one another. If there are several tufts of bristles, the brush should have a sawtooth shape at the ends of the tufts of bristles, for example when viewed from the side. Other options are for a tuft of bristles to be sawtooth, pointed, or tapered.
  • this support which serves as a stop or shaping means, should also act during the application of the compressive force to the bristle carrier, so as not to allow the bristle, bristles or bristle tufts to shift during this time.
  • the minimal pressure that is introduced into the bristles by the support, at least in the last phase or even the entire phase of the deformation process, can lead to deformation of the bristles or to the fact that the bristles are crooked or not aligned parallel to one another, even not internally a tuft of bristles.
  • the cross section of the at least one bristle and the cross section of the associated receiving opening in the tool part can be matched to one another in such a way that the at least one bristle/the at least one tuft of bristles is clamped in the receiving opening and can be positioned axially by the clamping . So if the bristles or bristles of a tuft of bristles are aligned axially, they are clamped in the receiving opening and thus positioned axially. Of course, this clamping is only a minimal clamping that generally allows displacement in the previously occurring axial prospecting process. However, due to the weight of the bristle/tuft of bristles or also due to the inertia during the movements of the device, there is no automatic, unwanted displacement of the bristle/tuft of bristles in the receiving opening.
  • the at least one bristle or the entire tuft of bristles can be given a thickened fastening end by thermally forming the bristle material by heating it above the melting temperature.
  • the bristles of the tuft of bristles are combined with one another by thermal forming.
  • adjacent tufts of bristles are not also combined with one another, but instead each tuft of bristles has a thickened attachment end with which it is introduced into the anchoring opening first.
  • the forming takes place outside of an anchoring station in which at least steps c) to f) are carried out.
  • the material of the thickened attachment end is therefore preferably already solidified when the respective attachment end is inserted into the anchoring opening.
  • the invention not only allows tufts of bristles to be fastened in the anchoring opening by reshaping the edge of the opening, but also prefabricated so-called elastomeric cleaning elements (e.g. made of thermoplastics) which are several times thicker than normal filaments of tufts of bristles. These cleaning elements serve to improve cleaning and, in the case of a toothbrush, to massage the gums. Furthermore, these cleaning elements do not necessarily have to be pin-shaped, but can have any desired cross-sections, in particular elongated, arcuate, cruciform or round (circular or oval) shapes and corresponding annular shapes with central openings.
  • the at least one anchoring opening can be filled with a single, prefabricated bristle made from an elastomer material, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). This singular bristle is anchored in the anchoring opening by deforming the bristle carrier.
  • TPE thermoplastic elastomer
  • the single, prefabricated bristle preferably has a maximum wall thickness, measured in cross section, of greater than 0.6 mm, in particular greater than 0.9 mm.
  • a maximum wall thickness measured in cross section, of greater than 0.6 mm, in particular greater than 0.9 mm.
  • the greatest wall thickness is measured in the longitudinal direction.
  • the singular, prefabricated bristle has a thickened fastening end, with which it is pushed into the anchoring opening and which is encompassed by the shaped edge of the anchoring opening of the bristle carrier.
  • the thickened fastening end is produced during the production of the single bristle and not by pressing in and elastically deforming the bristle by reshaping the edge of the anchoring opening.
  • the thickened fastening end has, for example, the shape of a flat cylinder and/or the singular, prefabricated bristle is a multi-component injection molded part.
  • the thickened fastening end can be made of a different, preferably harder material, for example polypropylene, than at least the outer surface of the singular, prefabricated bristle be outside the anchor hole.
  • the attachment end is even harder than the entire remainder of the singular, preformed bristle. Due to the harder fastening end, the bristle sits better in the anchoring opening.
  • anchoring openings are provided in the bristle carrier, with at least one, preferably several, anchoring openings being provided only with the singular, prefabricated bristles. At least one other anchoring opening, preferably the remaining anchoring openings, are provided with prefabricated tufts of bristles, so that the brush has a mixed form of conventional tufts of bristles and thicker, elastomeric cleaning elements.
  • the free end of the single bristle protrudes, for example, at least to the free end of the tuft of bristles, ie it is not shorter than the tuft of bristles. It can be advantageous if the elastomeric cleaning elements, i.e. the individual bristles, are even longer than tufts of bristles and protrude beyond their ends at the front. Of course, the elastomeric cleaning elements can also be shorter than the tufts of bristles.
  • a further special feature of the invention is that the wall which defines the anchoring opening in the bristle carrier is only deformed after the deformation, starting from the front and above the thickened end.
  • the fastening end can also be a thickened end, for example, or the thickened fastening end of a tuft of bristles in which the bristles merge into one another in one piece. It would be expected that the entire anchoring opening rests as tautly and gap-free as possible on the attachment end, in order to prevent any movement of the bristle or the tuft of bristles in any direction.
  • the invention takes a different approach.
  • the attachment end is not fully compressed but has some clearance within the anchor hole.
  • the position of the at least one bristle, but in particular of the bristles within a bristle tuft, can be adjusted more precisely. For example, if the thick end of a tuft of bristles is fully compressed, the bristles will attempt to spread apart and no longer be in parallel alignment.
  • the deformation should only take place in the area of the edge of the anchoring opening, i.e. in the area of that wall section which lies in the area of the mouth of the anchoring opening.
  • the wall of the anchoring opening does not clamp the attachment end of the bristle or the at least one entire tuft of bristles over a depth of at least 1 mm, in particular at least 0.8 mm, and/or does not deform the attachment end.
  • This area in which there is no clamping and/or no deformation of the fastening end, begins with the bottom of the anchoring opening and extends further over at least 0.8 mm towards the front side of the bristle carrier.
  • the at least one bristle or the at least one entire tuft of bristles can have a thickened fastening end.
  • the edge of the anchorage opening is deformed, ie the area of the wall that lies in the area of the mouth to the front. In this area, the edge is narrowed in such a way that the anchoring opening widens towards the ground and the thickened fastening end is gripped behind by the deformed edge in the pull-out direction, so that the edge acting as a stop prevents the bristle/tuft of bristles from being pulled out.
  • the narrowed "neck" of the anchoring opening formed by the deformation near the mouth i.e. the deformed edge of the anchoring opening reaching behind the thickened fastening end
  • the brushes produced by the invention can have a very small thickness in the area of the bristle base due to the invention. While previously toothbrushes in the area of the head a Having a thickness of more than 4 mm, the invention allows a thickness of less than 4 mm, with better holding forces for the bristles or tufts of bristles than in the prior art. Furthermore, the invention makes it possible to position tufts of bristles, including larger tufts of bristles, very close to the edge of the front side, which was previously not possible.
  • Bristle tufts can also be narrowed in cross-section by deforming the edge of the anchoring opening. That is, a tuft of bristles is secured in the anchoring hole, and the rim of the anchoring hole is deformed such that the rim compresses the tuft of bristles in an area where the bristles are adjacent.
  • the area where the bristles are adjacent is preferably immediately adjacent to the attachment end formed by the fused bristles.
  • the tuft of bristles thus has a smaller cross-section after the deformation and narrowing of the anchoring opening than it had previously after the tuft of bristles was inserted into the anchoring opening.
  • This compression is defined by the difference in cross-section, more precisely the difference in cross-sectional area, of the receiving opening in the tool part to the cross-section of the deformed anchoring opening in the region of the edge, i.e. the mouth of the anchoring opening towards the front.
  • the cross-section is only reduced by a maximum of 0.4 mm.
  • the anchoring opening is preferably only laterally oversized by less than 0.2 mm compared to the largest cross-section of the fastening end of the tuft/bristle, in order to enable the fastening end to be pushed into the anchoring opening without exerting any force.
  • a form fit results from the narrowed edge of the anchorage opening, where the edge can only be 0.1-0.3 mm narrower in cross-section than the largest cross-section of the fastening end. This minimal overhang is sufficient to achieve excellent pull-out values.
  • the invention also makes it possible to process bristle carriers with elastomers that have already been sprayed on to the back.
  • the elastomer is therefore already sprayed onto the back of the bristle carrier when the bristle/tuft of bristles is inserted into the anchoring opening at the front.
  • the holder in which the bristle carrier is accommodated when the compressive force is applied, has a recess.
  • This recess is designed in such a way that it accommodates the rear of the bristle carrier together with the elastomer.
  • the recess can in particular be designed to complement the shape of the bristle carrier provided with the encapsulation. Since the elastomer in toothbrushes is usually designed as a tongue cleaner with protruding nubs, the holder has correspondingly complementary depressions for these nubs.
  • the depth of the recess is preferably designed such that its volume for accommodating the elastomer is smaller than the uncompressed volume of the elastomer. This matches the volume in the socket to the actual volume of the compressed elastomer when the compressive force is applied to deform the edge of the anchoring hole. Since the elastomer is softer than the bristle carrier, it is necessary to prevent the compressive force from becoming too low due to the interposed elastomer.
  • the counterforce applied by the holder during deformation can be introduced completely via the elastomer into the front part of the bristle carrier. It is therefore not absolutely necessary for the rear side of the bristle carrier to be in direct contact with the holder without the interposition of elastomer in order to introduce counteracting forces into the bristle carrier.
  • the various options of the method according to the invention mentioned above can have the following optimized steps:
  • the tool part is heated so that the end face of the tool part opposite the bristle base is brought to a temperature which is below the melting temperature of the bristle material and/or the bristle base material, in particular below 85% in °C of the respective melting temperature of the bristle and/or the bristle base bristle base material.
  • the tool part is moved relative to the bristle carrier so that the tool part contacts the bristle carrier and heats it up.
  • the thermoplastic is preferably made from polyester, in particular polyethylene terephthalate (PET), preferably BR003, and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyamide (PA), polyvinyl acetate (PVA), polyethylene ( PE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS) and styrene acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN). Both homopolymers and copolymers with the thermoplastics mentioned can be used.
  • PET polyethylene terephthalate
  • PBT polybutylene terephthalate
  • PP polypropylene
  • PC polycarbonate
  • PA polyamide
  • PVA polyvinyl acetate
  • PE polyethylene
  • ABS acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer
  • SAN styrene acrylonitrile copolymer
  • the bristle carrier and the at least one bristle inserted into the tool part should not melt when the tool part contacts the bristle carrier.
  • the predetermined temperature is preferably at most 85% of the melting temperature of the thermoplastic material. In this way, damage to the bristles and/or the bristle carrier can be reliably prevented.
  • the predetermined temperature is preferably in a range between 30.degree. C. and 150.degree. C., particularly preferably between 60.degree. C. and 140.degree. C., in particular between 90 and 130.degree. C. or 100 and 115.degree.
  • the predetermined temperature is more preferably above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic. This provides sufficient deformability of the thermoplastic material.
  • the method according to the invention differs fundamentally from the prior art because, on the one hand, it exclusively provides anchorless attachment of the bristle, the bristle tuft or the bristle tufts.
  • the anchoring opening itself is prefabricated, which means that holes are not pressed into the bristle base with heated dies, rather the receiving openings are created during the injection molding of the bristle base. Furthermore, the receiving opening is not first heated on the inside and the inside edge of the opening is thus softened, so that the bristle or the tuft of bristles is pressed into the soft wall of the receiving opening.
  • the bristle or the tuft or tufts of bristles is preferably pushed into the receiving opening first and only then is the bristle carrier heated on its front side opposite the tool part, but without melting. Work is carried out below the melting temperature of the bristle material and/or the bristle carrier material, with the heating being carried out by the tool part in which the bristle or tuft of bristles was seated and not by a separate pure heating tool, which then has to be moved away again when the bristle or the tuft of bristles is fed.
  • the heating of the bristle carrier during the entire forming process takes place at a temperature below the melting temperature, preferably at a temperature that is significantly below the melting temperature, for example at least 15% below the respective melting temperature calculated in ° C and preferably at most 15% above the glass transition temperature in ° K and with a bristle base material with a glass transition temperature of greater than or equal to 300° K.
  • a bristle base material with a glass transition temperature of less than 300° K the temperature to which the bristle base is heated during the entire forming process is a maximum of 50% above the glass transition temperature in ° K calculated.
  • the bristle carrier is preferably heated to a temperature above the glass transition temperature.
  • the invention and its advantageous variants described above and below provide in particular for the use of polypropylene, some groups of which have a glass transition temperature of less than 300° K, others have a glass transition temperature of more than 300° K, as the bristle carrier material.
  • Other preferred bristle base materials are PET, PBT, PA, ABS, SAN and PC. These bristle base materials all have glass transition temperatures of over 300° K.
  • the glass transition temperature can be determined, for example, by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). In the case of partially crystalline thermoplastics, the upper end of the melting range is regarded as the melting temperature. The melting temperature can be determined, for example, by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In the case of amorphous thermoplastics, the transition to the flow or processing range is considered to be the melting temperature.
  • DMTA dynamic mechanical thermal analysis
  • DSC differential scanning calorimetry
  • one embodiment of the invention provides that the tool part is heated before it comes into contact with the bristle carrier.
  • the bristle or the bristle tuft itself is also heated up at the same time, which was not desired in the prior art, because the bristle tuft was supposed to press into the soft wall.
  • the tool part can already be heated to its predetermined maximum operating temperature before it comes into contact with the bristle carrier.
  • the invention provides, inter alia, that the melting temperature of the plastic of the bristle carrier is below the melting temperature of the bristle or bristles.
  • the bristle base material is the same as the bristle material, such as polypropylene and PA.
  • the bristle carrier should only be heated by the tool part after the at least one bristle has been introduced, preferably exclusively by contacting.
  • a bristle carrier comes close to a warm or hot tool part, a minimal increase in temperature can take place, but this temperature increase is absolutely negligible and only takes place at the immediate surface.
  • the tool part to bring the bristle carrier in the area of the contact surface with the tool to a temperature during the infeed movement of the tool part that is below the melting temperature of the bristle carrier material and, preferably, greater than or equal to the glass transition temperature of the material of the bristle base.
  • the bristle carrier can also be brought to the aforementioned temperature when the tool part makes contact with the bristle carrier.
  • the heating of the bristle base to the predetermined and previously mentioned temperature or temperature ranges should reach 0.25 to 0.5 mm below the surface of the bristle base (front side) facing the tool part until the deformation process is complete. Since the tool part presses against the bristle holder over a longer period of time and heats it up in the process, the thermal energy also migrates deeper into the interior of the bristle holder. This means that when the tool part makes contact with the bristle carrier for the first time, it does not have to be heated in depth; it is sufficient to achieve this heating during the infeed movement and the exposure time (contact time).
  • the tool part can heat the bristle carrier to a temperature above a limit temperature, at least in the area of the edge surrounding the anchoring opening, but preferably in the entire contact area is which corresponds to 60% in ° C, in particular 80% of the glass transition temperature of the bristle base material when working with a bristle base material with a glass transition temperature of greater than or equal to 300° K.
  • a limit temperature at least in the area of the edge surrounding the anchoring opening, but preferably in the entire contact area is which corresponds to 60% in ° C, in particular 80% of the glass transition temperature of the bristle base material when working with a bristle base material with a glass transition temperature of greater than or equal to 300° K.
  • bristle carrier materials such as polypropylene variants with a glass transition temperature of greater than or equal to 300° K, PET, PBT, PA, ABS, SAN and PC.
  • the limit temperature is the ambient temperature when working with a bristle carrier material whose glass transition temperature is less than 300° K, which is the case in particular when using polypropylene variants with such low glass transition temperatures.
  • the heating takes place before the tool part deforms the edge in a second phase of the infeed movement and the edge presses against the at least one bristle.
  • the bristle carrier material can in particular be heated to a temperature which is in a range between the glass transition temperature and below approximately 85% of the melting temperature of the thermoplastic in °C. Depending on the thermoplastic material used, this temperature is preferably in a range of between 30°C and 210°C, particularly preferably between 60 and 140°C, preferably between 90 and 130°C or 100 and 115°C.
  • the bristle or the tuft of bristles should first be pushed into the receiving opening before the tool part contacts the bristle carrier, in particular before the bristle carrier has been heated to a temperature at least in the area of the edge surrounding the anchoring opening (preferably in the entire contact area).
  • the edge the anchoring opening is at least the outer edge on the front side of the bristle carrier.
  • Another variant of the invention provides that the at least one bristle or the tuft of bristles is first pushed into the receiving opening before the edge of the anchoring opening is heated to a temperature which is at least 30° C. above the ambient temperature, in particular before the edge of the anchoring opening inside the anchoring opening is heated above the ambient temperature by the tool part.
  • a temperature which is at least 30° C. above the ambient temperature in particular before the edge of the anchoring opening inside the anchoring opening is heated above the ambient temperature by the tool part.
  • the deformation should be such that the edge of the bristle carrier at the transition to the front or end face of the bristle carrier presses against the outer bristles of the attached bristle tuft over the entire circumference, so that the bristle tuft is compressed.
  • the nature or extent of compaction will depend on the cross-section of the tuft of bristles.
  • the cross section of the anchoring opening is reduced, for example, by a maximum of 0.3 mm, preferably by a maximum of 0.15 mm.
  • the lack of heating of the opening wall preferably also relates to the other embodiments.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the tool part is also heated in the entire contact area in which the tool part contacts the bristle carrier and not just in the punctiform area or linear area around the edge of the anchoring opening.
  • This has the advantage that the tool part has the entire contact area and thus the entire adjoining material area of the tool part available for this material area due to the high pressure applied to move and transform. It is also advantageous if the tool part even contacts the entire end face of the bristle carrier facing the tool part, i.e. its front side, but at least contacts at least 70% of the area of the front side and applies pressure.
  • a kind of collar was created by protruding beads on the manufactured bristle carrier, which represented the only heated and shaped material.
  • the present invention clearly differs from this in that precisely those sections of the bristle carrier which are remote from the front edge of the anchoring openings are heated and also shaped.
  • the rear of the bristle base should not be heated by the tool part during anchoring, so that in fact only the front side facing the tool part is heated and deformed, while the rear forms a plate-like, stable structure that could be referred to as the base of the bristle base . Consequently, this part of the bristle carrier is not deformed or changed in shape during the pressure application.
  • the tool part can also heat up the front side of the bristle holder at least during the entire time that it is exerting pressure on the bristle holder.
  • the invention is therefore not about briefly preheating the bristle base and then quickly moving the bristle tufts into the heated material sections of the bristle base, as is the case in the prior art with the preheated bristle bases into which bristle tufts are then pushed .
  • the plastics used in the present invention are, for example, copolyesters, in particular EastarTM BR003 (with a melting temperature range of 230 to 280 °C), polypropylenes, in particular a homopolymer such as PPH5042 with a melting temperature of 165 °C, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyvinyl acetate or polyethylene. If these materials have a glass transition temperature above the ambient temperature, here 300° K, energy should be introduced into the bristle carrier via the tool part. This is also advantageous for materials whose glass transition temperature is below ambient temperature. However, it is according to a variant of the invention with such materials of the bristle base also possible to do without the bristle carrier being heated by the tool part. Then, at the ambient temperature, the forming is achieved exclusively via the pressure of the tool part on the bristle carrier.
  • copolyesters in particular EastarTM BR003 (with a melting temperature range of 230 to 280 °C)
  • polypropylenes in particular
  • Bristle carrier materials are advantageously heated to the following temperatures in the method according to the invention and by the device according to the invention explained below: Bristle carrier material Melting temperature [°C] Glass transition temperature [°C] Process temperature [°C] polypropylene 160°-170° -10° - 0° ⁇ 136° PET 260° 70° ⁇ 120° PBT 220° 47° ⁇ 95 degrees PA 200° - 260° 50 - 60 degrees ⁇ 98 degrees SECTION 220° - 250° 95° ⁇ 150° personal computer 220° - 230° 148° ⁇ 210° SAN 200° 108° ⁇ 165°
  • the invention provides for heating of the front side of the bristle carrier in a range of 75-95° C., in particular 80-90° C., and in the case of PP from 115 to 125° C., in particular 110-120° C.
  • melt flow index 6-35, preferably 10-15, is used.
  • the method according to the invention provides not only one bristle, which is inserted in its entirety into one receiving opening, but rather several anchoring openings and several receiving openings in the bristle carrier or in the tool part.
  • the receiving openings are aligned with the associated anchoring openings. Tufts of bristles are inserted into the receiving openings and are then pushed into the anchoring openings, preferably pushed in at the same time.
  • the tool part heats up at least the edges of the anchoring openings, preferably the entire contact surface, so that the entire area between the anchoring openings is heated.
  • the anchoring openings are closed at the same time and the tufts of bristles are thereby anchored at the same time.
  • the contact area between the tool part and the bristle carrier on the tool part is preferably flat, as is the front side of the bristle carrier which faces the tool part.
  • bristle carriers that have a convex or concave front side.
  • the tool part has an end face that is complementary thereto.
  • the infeed movement of the tool part relative to the bristle carrier can be pressure- and time-controlled and/or pressure- and path-controlled.
  • the device is simply driven to the block, for example by providing an electric motor (e.g. via a spindle drive), with the current consumption or power consumption of the electric motor being detected and, once a predetermined limit has been reached, it being assumed that the device is in the closed position , In which preferably the holder and the tool part touch each other. From this point in time, the so-called holding time could run.
  • an electric motor e.g. via a spindle drive
  • movement or infeed movement of the tool part relative to the bristle carrier means that one of the two parts or both parts are moved relative to one another.
  • a further variant of the invention provides that the tool part exerts a preferably constant compressive force on the bristle carrier for a predetermined time from the point in time at which it comes into contact with the bristle carrier.
  • This optional method is particularly easy to implement because a compressive force is simply applied and exerted on the bristle carrier for a while, so to speak as an exposure time, in order to then remove the tool part and bristle carrier from one another again.
  • further process steps are not required here either in order to anchor the bristle or the bristle tuft or tufts in the bristle carrier.
  • the infeed movement and/or the pressure applied by the tool part relative to or on the bristle carrier can run non-linearly over time from the time the tool part makes contact with the bristle carrier until the maximum infeed path is reached.
  • a longer or shorter initial exposure time to the temperature can be implemented, and then a different pressure is then applied in order to further and permanently deform the bristle carrier material.
  • the fastening end of the at least one bristle or of the or the entire tuft of bristles can be smaller than the cross section of the anchoring opening when it is pushed into the associated anchoring opening(s), of course before it is deformed and before the bristle carrier is heated , be.
  • This means that the tuft of bristles is not pressed into the lateral wall of the anchoring opening, as has been suggested in the prior art.
  • the fastening end is also not pressed into the bottom of the anchoring opening, because this is not heated enough or not at all to be soft. Furthermore, no axial force is exerted on the bristles that exceeds the force necessary to push the bristles out of the receiving opening.
  • the exposure time is at least 4 seconds, in particular at least 5 seconds and a maximum of 15 seconds, in particular a maximum of 10 seconds.
  • the pressure can remain constant over this long exposure time and/or the bristle carrier can be permanently heated occur.
  • the anchoring opening can be a blind hole, in particular with a maximum depth of 4 mm, further in particular a maximum of 2.7 mm.
  • the thickness of the bristle base is reduced by the method according to the invention.
  • the anchoring opening is only reshaped and narrowed to a maximum depth of 85%, in particular a maximum of 70%, preferably even a maximum of 60% of its total depth, ie it is not narrowed in the area of the bottom of the blind hole.
  • the invention also makes it possible to produce brushes with tufts of bristles that run obliquely to the front side. This is surprising because due to the oblique orientation of the tufts of bristles, the mouth edge of the anchoring opening lies in sections, so to speak, below the obliquely running tuft and is therefore more difficult to reach for the tool for forming on the one hand and on the other hand the forming of the material in this area is actually used to straighten the obliquely running Büschels should lead. However, as tests have shown, this is not the case.
  • the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention also allow tufts of bristles to be installed at an angle in the bristle carrier.
  • a magazine is used as the tool part, which is equipped with the at least one bristle or the at least one tuft of bristles. If several bristles or several tufts of bristles are to be attached to the bristle carrier, then all the bristles or tufts of bristles are accommodated in the same magazine and are pushed in at the same time after loading.
  • the fastening end or ends of the bristles or tufts of bristles protrude from the magazine with their fastening end after loading and are heated at this fastening end without having to leave the magazine.
  • the thickening then forms on the attachment end protruding freely from the magazine.
  • the magazine is therefore not purely a stamping tool, but also a transport tool, which is moved up to the side of the bristle carrier coming from a loading station and is then pressed against the bristle carrier.
  • the thickening i.e. the thickened fastening end
  • Active cooling does not mean that the thickened fastening end in the device is cooled by the ambient temperature prevailing there. Rather, a cooling device is provided, for example an active air flow that is generated by a fan. This air flow can either transport ambient air, for example, from further away from the heated parts, or also transport cooled air, which originates from an air conditioning system.
  • a further possibility is to provide a cold chamber through which the attachment end with the bristles or bristles is transported.
  • the tool part has, for example, a flat front side facing the bristle holder (at least in the contact area with the bristle holder) and/or a geometry that cannot protrude into the anchoring opening, i.e. without pin-like projections or the like, as is the case in the prior art technique was proposed.
  • the position of the so-called parting plane between the holder and the tool part, in which both rest against each other, relative to the bristle carrier is important. It is advantageous if the cavity formed to accommodate the bristle carrier is formed not only in the holder but also partially in the tool part. In relation to the thickness of the bristle carrier, however, the majority of the cavity is formed by a depression in the holder.
  • the parting plane should preferably be close to or immediately adjacent to a rounded transition between the side surface and the front of the bristle base, ie outside of the rounded transition. Thus, this rounded transition is by no means with provided with any shoulder or burr created by extruded material from the bristle base.
  • the overall thickness of the bristle base is permanently reduced, ie not only partially but overall.
  • the end face of the tool part opposite the bristle carrier is in particular brought to a temperature which is a maximum of 140° C., in particular a maximum of 130° C.
  • polypropylene, PET, ABS or SAN is used here as the material for the bristle carrier.
  • the front side of the bristle base heats up to 75-95 °C, in particular 80-90 °C, and when using PP (for example with a melt flow index (MFI)) should be brought from 6-35, preferably 10-15, to 105-125°C, especially 110-120°C.
  • MFI melt flow index
  • At least one elastic cleaning element made of an elastomer, in particular TPE, protruding at the front can be molded onto the bristle base and attached to the bristle base, with the cleaning element being attached to the edge of the bristle base and /or is arranged inwards of the edge between bristles or tufts of bristles. Consequently, mixed forms of cleaning elements in the same brush are conceivable.
  • Molded cleaning elements tufts of bristles, which are attached to the bristle base by reshaping the edge of the anchoring opening, and individual bristles in the form of elastomeric, prefabricated cleaning elements, which are also attached to the bristle base by reshaping the edge of the anchoring opening, can be attached to the bristle base in any combination .
  • the brush body can be designed as a multi-component injection molded part
  • the bristles can also be already pre-sharpened, specifically chemically or mechanically pre-sharpened, or they can be pre-rounded.
  • tufts of bristles can be anchored in the same bristle carrier, with at least one tuft of bristles made of bristles made of a different material with a different melting point than the bristles of at least one other tufts of bristles.
  • the tufts of bristles made of different bristle materials are heated to different degrees in order to fuse the bristles of a tuft together to form a thickened attachment end. This can be implemented in various ways: The distance between the end of the tuft of bristles facing a heating device and the heating device is set differently depending on the bristle material and/or the heating device is heated to different temperatures depending on the bristle material and/or different, to different temperatures heated heaters matched to the associated bristle material are used.
  • the tufts of bristles are pushed out of the magazine to different extents. Those bristle tufts made of material that melts more easily remain, for example, closer to the magazine than the others, so that the bristle tufts that are moved out farther reach the heating device than the others and are therefore heated more strongly.
  • the tufts of bristles can also be processed one after the other, in that the bristle tufts, which have different bristle materials, are pushed out of the magazine one after the other with their attachment end, in order then to get closer to the heating device. Either the heating device is then heated to two suitable, different temperatures, or heating devices of different temperatures are used for their associated tufts of bristles.
  • the nylon bristles are heated first and then the PBT bristles.
  • the invention also relates to a device for producing a brush which has at least one bristle or at least one tuft of bristles, which has a bristle carrier with at least one anchoring opening for the at least one bristle or the at least one tuft of bristles, for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the device has several stations, including an injection station for producing the bristle base and a later Anchoring station for fastening the at least one bristle in the bristle carrier, wherein the injection station contains an injection mold half with at least one pin that protrudes into an injection cavity, which forms a section of the injection mold half and creates the anchoring opening designed as a blind hole, the pin projecting from a bottom surface of the Injection mold half part protrudes and wherein a bevel is formed at the transition from the bottom surface to the pin to form the complementary bevel on the bristle carrier in the region of the transition edge, and that the device has a tool part with at least one receiving opening for the at
  • injection mold half part is used below to mean a one-piece part that completely forms the inside of the cavity in the injection mold half, or a part or an assembly of several parts of a multi-piece injection mold half, in which several parts together form the inside of the cavity in the form the injection mold half.
  • the bottom portion of the cavity in the injection mold half is a separate part which is slidably inserted into an opening of a second part which in turn defines the edge of the cavity.
  • the device according to the invention does not necessarily have to have stations that are housed in the same production hall or at the same production site. Rather, the individual stations can of course also be spatially separated from one another at different locations. Due to the bevel on the pin to the bottom surface, the desired bevel on the transition edge is produced during injection molding, which then provides the advantages when compressing the bristle carrier and anchoring the bristle tufts.
  • the tool part exerts a pressure of at least 200 bar, in particular at least 400 bar, on the bristle carrier.
  • the complementary chamfer on the injection mold half part at the transition between the pin and the bottom surface has an axial length of at least 0.1 mm to a maximum of 0.5 mm, in particular a maximum of 0.35 mm , and a radial width of at least 0.1 mm to a maximum of 0.35 mm.
  • the invention also relates to an injection mold half part which is used in the aforementioned injection station.
  • the half-injection mold part has at least one pin that protrudes into an injection cavity, which forms a section of the half-injection mold part and which creates the anchoring opening designed as a blind hole, the pin protruding from a bottom surface of the half-injection mold part and where at the transition from the bottom surface to the pin there is a bevel to form the complementary bevel is formed on the bristle carrier in the area of the transition edge.
  • the chamfer on the injection mold half has an axial length of at least 0.1 mm and a maximum of 0.5 mm, in particular a maximum of 0.35 mm, and a radial width of at least 0.1 mm and a maximum of 0.35 mm.
  • the injection mold part may have an insert, manufactured as a separate component, which projects into a hole in the rest of the injection mold part and has a free end projecting opposite the front side, thus forming the pin.
  • This can significantly simplify the production of the injection mold half part overall, because depressions do not have to be milled out or eroded from the bottom surface. Rather, holes are to be made into which an insert is then inserted, which has the pin.
  • the insert itself can also be formed to have a socket which seats in the hole and the free end which forms the pin has a reduced width relative to the socket.
  • the chamfer is completely formed on the insert, because the base forms the transition between the pin and the rest of the floor surface.
  • the base can also define part of the floor area itself.
  • polypropylene, PET, ABS or SAN is used here as the material for the bristle carrier.
  • a tool part that acts as a temporary carrier for the bristle or the bristle tuft or tufts is used as a pressing stamp and at the same time as a means of transport.
  • a heater on the end face of the tool part is designed and controlled via a controller such that the end face is heated to a maximum temperature of 140° C., in particular a maximum of 130° C., when it is moved against the bristle carrier.
  • the infeed movement of the tool part relative to a holder of the bristle head can be implemented by moving the holder and/or the tool part, with the infeed movement being controlled by pressure and time and/or by pressure and displacement or only by time or can only be path-controlled.
  • the device according to the invention can apply a pressure of at least 200 bar, in particular at least 400 bar, to the bristle carrier, ie in the direction of the holder.
  • the tool part should be able to be heated in the entire contact area with the bristle holder or even in the entire area of the end face of the tool part, which is opposite the holder and thus the bristle holder inserted in the holder.
  • the tool part is, for example, a magazine which is loaded with the at least one bristle or the at least one tuft of bristles in a loading station of the device.
  • the at least one bristle or at least one tuft of bristles (“at least one bristle” generally includes, for the entire present description and the claims also one or more tufts of bristles) protrudes from the magazine with its fastening end after loading.
  • a melting station which is located after the assembly station, the fastening end or ends is/are heated, as a result of which a thickening is formed in each case.
  • the bristles of the corresponding Bristle tufts combined by thermal forming. In particular, a kind of mushroom-, dome- or spherical thickening is formed.
  • either the magazine can be moved and the stations can be stationary, or the magazine can remain stationary and tamping tools or heating devices or holders are moved to the magazine.
  • These tools or fixtures can be arranged, for example, on a rotating carousel that successively moves from magazines that are stationed.
  • the device according to the invention has a controller that controls the infeed movement of the tool part relative to the bristle carrier and the heating process of the tool part in such a way that the tool part is heated before it makes contact with the bristle carrier. This means that the tool part is already warm before the infeed movement of the tool part in the direction of the holder. In this phase, the maximum operating temperature can, but does not have to be present.
  • the bristle holder is only heated by the tool part after the at least one bristle has been inserted, which is achieved by the overhang of the thickened end relative to the magazine and the distance between the end face of the magazine and the corresponding contact surface on the bristle holder.
  • the device according to the invention is designed in particular in such a way that the tool part is permanently heated to the desired temperature, which is necessary for heating the front side of the bristle carrier for the deformation process.
  • the tool part is already warm and at this desired temperature when the at least one bristle or the tuft or tufts of bristles are inserted into the receiving opening or openings. If the tool part receives the at least one bristle/tuft of bristles even when the bristle ends melt to form the thickened attachment end, care must be taken to ensure that the temperature of the tool part and/or the dwell time of the at least one bristle/tuft of bristles in the receiving opening does not increase deformation of the bristle or bristles of a tuft of bristles.
  • the controller can heat the tool part to such a temperature and control the delivery of the tool part to the bristle carrier so that the tool part with the bristle carrier in the region of the contact surface tool part during the infeed movement of the tool part to the bristle carrier and/or when contacting the bristle carrier to a temperature which is below the melting point of the material of the bristle carrier and, preferably, greater than or equal to the glass transition temperature of the material of the bristle carrier, in particular with the controller being programmed in this way that, in the case of a bristle carrier material with a glass transition temperature of greater than or equal to 300° K, the temperature of the tool part is set at a maximum of 15% above the glass transition temperature calculated in ° K and with a bristle carrier material with a glass transition temperature of less than 300° K at a maximum of 50% above the glass transition temperature in ° K sets.
  • brush bodies or bristle carriers can be supplied which are produced in the standard single-component or multi-component injection molding process.
  • handles, or more generally, brush bodies or bristle carriers can be used, which are used in toothbrushes that are actually traditionally stuffed with the (metal) anchor technology.
  • these handles/brush bodies/bristle holders usually have deeper anchoring openings than is necessary in the method according to the invention.
  • these elastomeric structures are attached to the front or rear before the bristles are applied. Only in exceptional cases is the elastomeric structure attached after the bristles have been applied, but this is not usual. These elastomeric structures are usually injected onto a more rigid support structure in a multi-component injection molding tool. Such multi-component tools for toothbrush bodies are very common.
  • the handles, brush bodies/bristle carriers that are supplied in the method according to the invention and/or the device according to the invention can be injected without any problems using all brush body injection molding techniques and tools known today.
  • the anchoring openings are pre-injected using mold pins, which can be round or have any desired cross-sectional shape and which protrude into the injection cavity. These pins can then be pulled out of the cavities after sufficient cooling and/or hardening of the injected plastic, e.g. B. by means of sliders before a complete demolding of the injection molded part takes place.
  • the so-called mold pins can be attached parallel and/or at an angle to one another in order to consequently produce parallel and/or angled anchoring openings in the injection-molded part.
  • pins when spraying such parts, pins can typically dip somewhat less deeply into the spraying cavities than when spraying brush bodies or bristle carriers that are to be stuffed with the anchor technique.
  • the anchoring holes in the spray lengths are slightly shallower. Since these openings are less deep, the overall head thickness of the brushes that are produced using the method and the device according to the invention can be made significantly smaller than in the case of brush heads that are stuffed using the anchor technique. This results in a clinical advantage in the manufacture of toothbrushes.
  • the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention have particular advantages when using clear, i.e. transparent materials for the bristle carrier or the brush body.
  • Such materials are usually PET, copolyester, SAN, ABS, etc.
  • these materials can also have pre-injected anchoring openings and/or be provided with elastomers (e.g. TPE, TPU) in a multi-component process.
  • elastomers e.g. TPE, TPU
  • an injection station can be provided for producing the tuft carrier, with the injection station having an injection mold half with at least one pin that projects into an injection cavity and is immovably attached to the injection mold half or is part, possibly an integral part, of the same.
  • the active slides previously used with injection mold halves are partially or even completely superfluous. This is because each pin creates an anchoring opening in the form of a blind hole. Sliders are not only expensive to manufacture, but also expensive in terms of maintenance and repair.
  • the spraying station does not necessarily have to be placed next to the station with the holder. Rather, the spraying station can be local in another production hall or in a distant production site, for example in another city, so that the bristle carriers can be produced for example in stock and then transported to another hall or to another production site in order to be provided with the tufts of bristles to become.
  • the injection mold half part can be formed by a first part and/or an insert accommodated in the first part.
  • the insert has the pins protruding from the front of the insert.
  • the insert is slidable relative to the first part in a corresponding opening in the first part which is closed by the insert.
  • the device according to the invention has at least one electric motor, preferably a servo motor, for applying the compressive force to the bristle carrier.
  • Electric motors have the advantage that the compressive force can be adjusted very easily and that they can be adjusted again reliably and easily.
  • an electric motor can be provided for applying the compressive force. Furthermore, an electric motor can also apply pressure to several bristle carriers simultaneously by delimiting several cavities between a tool part and a holder. To the expulsion rate of To increase the device, several electric motors are provided in particular, each of which applies pressure to several bristle carriers.
  • turntables or the like is useful. For example, several units can be provided, depending on which stations require a longer cycle time.
  • the device according to the invention should have a control which is programmed in such a way that the tool part is permanently heated during operation to the temperature desired when the pressure is applied to the bristle carrier. There are therefore no desired temperature fluctuations during operation, so that there is no heating-up time for the tool part that would have a negative impact on the clock rate.
  • the method and device according to the invention can be used with any brush, not just toothbrushes.
  • the method and device can also be used for household brushes, scrubbers, household brooms or brooms of any kind, dishwashing brushes, toilet brushes, hair brushes, vacuum cleaner brushes, hand washing brushes and brushes of any kind, for example for painting, painting or nail polish brushes, face brushes (as well as toothbrushes, manual or electric brushes ) deploy.
  • the details and variants described in the following drawings can consequently also be used for all of these brushes.
  • a device for producing brushes for example toothbrushes.
  • a toothbrush is known to have a brush head with tufts of bristles protruding at the front, a neck and a handle. These three sections can merge into one another in one piece, they form the so-called brush body.
  • the brush head can either be stuffed directly, or it can be made in two parts, with a plate-like bristle carrier, which after injection molding already has prefabricated blind hole-like anchoring openings, with this plate-like bristle carrier then being brought together with the rest of the head, either by welding, gluing or by overmoulding
  • An alternative to this is that the brush head is made in one piece, so that it itself forms the bristle carrier.
  • the brush head also forms the bristle holder 10.
  • the bristle holder 10 is also the brush body, since it comprises the handle, neck and head of the brush.
  • the bristle carrier 10 is a prefabricated, injection molded part.
  • figure 2 shows that the bristle carrier 10 on its underside numerous prefabricated, when Has injection molded openings 12 are inserted into the bristle tufts and anchored therein.
  • the following description can be transferred and read identically to platelet-like bristle carriers 10 .
  • FIG. 1 Device shown comprises several stations, namely a loading station 14, which is in the Figures 1a and 1b is shown, a melting station 16, which is shown in Figure 1c is shown, and an anchoring station 18 for the bristle tufts, which is shown in FIGS Figures 1e and 1f is shown.
  • a loading station 14 which is in the Figures 1a and 1b is shown
  • a melting station 16 which is shown in Figure 1c is shown
  • an anchoring station 18 for the bristle tufts which is shown in FIGS Figures 1e and 1f is shown.
  • All stations are run through by a magazine 20, also called a tool part, which transports tufts of bristles through the individual stations.
  • a magazine 20 is shown with receiving openings for a brush, which will be explained in more detail later, the magazines 20 are preferably so large in practice that several adjacent groups of receiving openings for several brushes are formed in the magazine 20. There can also be several rows of groups of receiving openings for several brushes.
  • the magazine 20 is, for example, a plate-shaped part with a constant thickness, which according to figure 1 upper, flat end face 22 has.
  • the magazine which is essentially plate-shaped, has a recess 200 on its flat end face 22 with a base 202, which can also be flat, as is shown in figure 14 is shown to form part of a cavity for receiving the bristle base 10 .
  • the magazine runs through several stations and is then used for the production of further brushes, there is a magazine circulation mode in the device, with numerous identically designed magazines 20 being cycled through the individual stations one after the other.
  • the magazine 20 is thus a transport means for bristle tufts 24 through the device.
  • the magazine may be stationary and the individual stations are indexed around the magazine, for example on a carousel.
  • Several fixed magazines can be processed at the same time, more precisely the tufts of bristles arranged in the magazines.
  • the magazine 20 has numerous receiving openings 26 which have a hole pattern which corresponds to the hole pattern of the bristle holder 10 .
  • Each tuft of bristles 24 consists of several bristles, isolated from a supply of bristles and how Figure 1a shows, are inserted into the magazine 20, for example via pins, as will be explained later.
  • the individual bristle tufts 24 can be transported via pipes with compressed air or vacuum.
  • the bristles are made of a thermoplastic material, in particular PA, PBT, polyester, copolyester or polypropylene, but they can also be made of elastomers. It is also possible to use coextruded bristles, for example with a core made of PA with an elastomer coating. As later based on the Figures 11 and 12 will be explained below, it is also not absolutely necessary that only tufts of bristles 24 are used and embedded in the anchoring opening, but only a single, prefabricated bristle in the form of an elastomeric cleaning element, for example, can be placed in its anchoring opening according to the method described above and below be used and fixed. Such cleaning elements are sprayed or foamed separately and are softer than the bristle carrier 10.
  • the tufts of bristles 24 have opposite ends and protrude slightly from the magazine 20 with their rear ends 28 , called attachment ends, ie they protrude slightly from the end face 22 . This is in Figure 1b shown.
  • the magazine 20, which is fully equipped with the tufts of bristles 24, is transported laterally into the melting station 16, as shown in Figure 1c shown.
  • a heating device 30 which can be, for example, a plate heater or a hot air heater.
  • the rear ends 28 of the bristle tufts 24 are heated without contact, so that the individual bristles exceed their melting point and the bristles of a tuft flow together to form a thickened attachment end.
  • the bristles of a tuft of bristles 24 are thus connected to one another in one piece.
  • the thickening 32 of a tuft of bristles 24 does not merge into adjacent thickenings of the adjacent tufts of bristles 24, but remain spherical or lenticular swellings. Also preferably no stamp is pressed against the thickenings or the still liquid material of the melted bristle ends.
  • bristle tufts 24 can be anchored in the same bristle carrier 10, at least one bristle tuft 24 consisting of bristles made of a different material with a different melting point than the bristles of at least one other bristle tuft 24.
  • the tufts of bristles 24 made of different bristle materials are heated to different degrees in order to fuse the bristles of a tuft together to form a thickened attachment end.
  • the distance between the end of the tuft of bristles 24 facing a heating device 30 and the heating device 30 is set differently depending on the bristle material and/or the heating device 30 is heated to different temperatures and/or different temperatures depending on the bristle material , Heating devices 30 heated to different temperatures, matched to the associated bristle material, are used.
  • the tufts of bristles are pushed out of the magazine 20 to different extents, depending on the bristle material.
  • Those tufts of bristles 24 made of material that melts more easily remain closer to the magazine 20 than the others, for example, so that the tufts of bristles 24 that are moved out farther reach the heating device 30 than the others and are therefore heated more intensely.
  • the bristle tufts 24 can also be processed one after the other in that the bristle tufts 24 having different bristle materials are pushed out of the magazine one after the other with their attachment end, in order then to get closer to the heating device 30 . Either the heating device 30 is then heated to two suitable, different temperatures, or heating devices 30 of different temperatures are used for their associated tufts of bristles.
  • the thickenings 32 can optionally be actively cooled while still in the melting station 16 or on the way to the subsequent anchoring station 18 or in the anchoring station 18 . This is done, for example, by a flow of cold air 214 brought in by a fan (see Figure 1d ) or in that the station 1d is designed as a cold chamber, through which the magazine 20 with the thickenings 32, which are still soft on the back, is guided.
  • the cycle time can be increased by cooling the thickenings 32 .
  • the magazine 20 transports the tufts of bristles 24 further into the subsequent anchoring station 18.
  • This anchoring station ensures that the tufts of bristles 24 are locked in the anchoring openings 12 of the bristle carrier 10 exclusively without being anchored.
  • the anchoring station 18 comprises at least one holder 34 (preferably several holders 34) which, on its end face 36 opposite the end face 22 (see FIG figure 2 ) has a recess 38 (several recesses if there are several bristle carriers 10 to be accommodated), which is designed to complement the corresponding shape of the bristle carrier 10, so that its rear side rests flat on the holder 34 (see also figure 14 ).
  • the holder 34 itself has a flat end face 36, compared to which, however, the bristle carrier 10 protrudes somewhat, such as figure 2 shows, in order to protrude into the depression 200 in the magazine 20, which is complementary to the area of the front side of the bristle carrier 10, as is the case, for example, in FIG figure 14 is shown.
  • the magazine 20 can be heated, for example either by means of a plate heater supplied from the outside, which is moved up to the side of the magazine 20 in the anchoring station 18 and, since the magazine 20 is made of metal, can heat it up quickly.
  • a heater in particular an electrical resistance heater 39, is configured in the magazine 20, which figure 2 and in figure 14 is shown.
  • the heating windings are indicated symbolically, they are close to the end face 22 or, in the case of a depression 200, close to the bottom 202 of the depression 200, which represents a part of the end face 22.
  • Electrical connection contacts 41 for example sliding contacts on a side surface of the magazine 20 , make it possible to electrically couple the magazine 20 when the magazine 20 is moved into the anchoring station 18 in order to activate the heater 39 .
  • the end face 22 including the base 202 of the depression 200 itself constitutes an electrical resistance heating layer, so that the end face is heated directly here.
  • the electrical connection for the heating can be implemented very easily; it can be made permanent.
  • the heater 39 ensures that preferably the entire end face 22 that comes into contact with the bristle carrier 10 is heated, i.e. also the sections between the thickenings 32.
  • the temperature to which the end face 22 (in the area of contact with the bristle base 10) is brought is below the melting temperature of the bristle and/or the bristle base material, preferably both materials. In particular, it is at most 85% calculated in ° C of the respective melting point of these materials. If, for example, both materials have a melting temperature of 100° C., the temperature of the finally heated magazine 20 at the end face 22 is at most 85° C.
  • figure 3 shows a sectional view through the anchoring station 18 in Figure 1e , before the magazine 20 and the bristle carrier 10 are moved towards one another.
  • the thickening 32 has such a dimension, viewed in the longitudinal direction A (also called the axial direction or infeed direction), that it is smaller than the corresponding cross section of the anchoring opening 12, so that it is also inside 40 of the anchoring opening without touching the inside edge of the anchoring opening 12 called delimiting wall, to abut or to contact the inside 40, can be inserted into the anchoring opening 12.
  • the cylindrical anchoring opening 12 is only oversized by a maximum of 0.2 mm, in particular a maximum of 0.15 mm compared to the largest cross section of the thickened portion 32 (attachment end).
  • the lateral dimensions of the thickened attachment end are smaller than the lateral dimensions of the Anchoring opening 12 itself in the area of the bottom 208 of the anchoring opening.
  • the underside of the thickened fastening end 32 with which the tuft of bristles 24 is guided into the anchoring opening 11 is rounded or bevelled.
  • the at least one anchoring opening is injected. It has an inside 40 with a draft angle, that is, the inside still runs slightly inward towards the base 208 .
  • the magazine 20, which is permanently heated to the desired temperature throughout operation, and/or the holder 34 are moved towards one another relative to one another.
  • only the holder 34 with the bristle carrier 10 is moved, so that the thickening 32 first enters the anchoring opening 12 arrives before the end face 22 contacts the planar end face and front face 42 of the bristle carrier 10 facing it.
  • the bristle carrier 10 is hardly heated at all as long as the bristle carrier 10 is not in contact with the magazine 20, since the infeed movement takes place very quickly and there is no dwell time in the in figure 3 illustrated open position of the anchoring station 18 is present.
  • a base plate 44 (see figure 3 ), on which all tufts of bristles 24 rest with their front, frontal, free ends and which forms a support, can serve to align the tufts of bristles 24 to one another at their front end and at the same time create a distance, if desired, between the thickened portion 32 and to create the end face 22.
  • the base plate 44 serves as a support for the individual bristles and for the tufts of bristles 24.
  • figure 4 1 shows that the end face 22 contacts the front face 42 of the bristle base 10 and thus heats up the bristle base 10 over the entire contact surface between the two parts.
  • the bristle carrier 10 is made of thermoplastic material, in particular of the plastics already mentioned above, such as polypropylene, ABS, PA, PBT, PET or PC.
  • a pressure of at least 200 bar, preferably at least 400 bar, is exerted on the bristle carrier 10 when they are moved towards one another. This pressure is applied as soon as the bristle carrier 10 and magazine 20 come into contact and remains the same over the exposure time (contact time).
  • This pressure is maintained with simultaneous heating of the bristle carrier 10 for an exposure time of at least 4 seconds, in particular at least 5 seconds and a maximum of 15 seconds, in particular a maximum of 10 seconds.
  • the exposure time is made up of a holding time and a period of time (called compression time) during the infeed movement, which begins when the front side 42 is contacted by the magazine 20 and at the same time the back side of the bristle carrier 10 is contacted by the holder 34 .
  • the compression time ends when the maximum closed position is reached and the distance between the holder and the tool part is kept constant for the holding time.
  • the holding time is the time in which the infeed movement is completed, i.e. the device is completely closed and the bristle carrier 10 is received in the closed cavity.
  • This holding time is preferably at least 1 second, preferably at least 1.5 seconds and/or a maximum of 3 seconds, in particular a maximum of 2.5 seconds.
  • the distance between the fixture and the tool part is reduced extremely slowly and at a constant rate. For example, a total compression distance of 0.3 mm is covered in no more than 3 seconds.
  • the magazine 20 preferably continues to be heated, with the large mass of the magazine 20 possibly also allowing the additional heating to be stopped after the first heating to the operating temperature. Despite this, the bristle carrier 10 would continue to be heated during the exposure time.
  • the device is moved to a block, ie the holder 34 makes contact outside of the cavity formed by the recess 38 and the indentation 200 with an end face 36 (see FIG figure 14 ) the section of the end face 22 outside of the depression 200.
  • this contact area there is no gap into which material from the cavity could penetrate; rather, the cavity is sealed by a ring-shaped peripheral contact area.
  • the parting plane between the holder 34 and the tool part (here the magazine 20), which is defined by the end face 36, is preferably closer to the front side 42 than the rear side of the bristle carrier 10. To be precise, the parting plane is just about or directly adjacent to a rounded transition between the side surface 212 connecting the front side 42 and the back side.
  • the support in the form of the base plate 44 is removed at least during the last phase of the application of the compressive force, ie at the end of the exposure time, and no longer makes contact with the bristles. This improves the alignment accuracy of the bristles both to each other and relative to the bristle carrier 10.
  • the base plate 44 is preferably removed before the start of the holding time or even before the exposure time, as is shown in FIGS Figures 3-5 is shown symbolically with the arrow Y.
  • the base plate 44 is only in the station c) and optionally d) according to figure 1 deployed.
  • the cross section of the receiving opening 26 and the cross section of the bristle tuft 24 inserted therein are matched to one another such that the bristle tuft 24 is clamped in the receiving opening 26 and thus axially is securely positioned.
  • the bristle tuft 24 is not displaced by its own weight or by inertia during movement within the stations and from station to station.
  • the entire flat front side at least where there is contact with the magazine 20 on the front side 42 of the bristle carrier 10, is heated. If the magazine 20 has a recess 200, it is sufficient and advantageous if the heater is only attached in the area of the bottom 202 of the recess 200. However, since the magazine 20 is usually made of steel, the entire magazine 20 is heated. The temperatures that are set, however, are about bringing the front side 42 of the bristle carrier 10 to the desired temperature.
  • the temperature to which the bristle base is heated in the area of the front side 42 during the exposure time is below the melting temperature of the bristle and/or bristle base material, in particular at or below 85% of the respective melting temperature, calculated in ° C. This corresponds to this temperature the aforementioned maximum operating temperature of the magazine 20 in the area of the end face 22 or the base 202.
  • At least the edge 50 of the anchoring opening 12 in the area of the front side 42 can be heated, which forms the area of the wall of the anchoring opening 12 which adjoins the opening to the front side 42 .
  • the temperature to which the bristle base 10 is brought, at least in the area of the edge 50, preferably in the entire contact area with the magazine, should not only be below or significantly below the melting temperature of the materials, but in a range of the glass transition temperature of the bristle base material.
  • a limit temperature which is 60% in ° C, in particular 80% in ° C of the glass transition temperature of the bristle base material if the bristle base material has a glass transition temperature of greater than or equal to 300° K.
  • this limit temperature is preferably at or slightly above the glass transition temperature.
  • the heating temperature is a maximum of 50% above the glass transition temperature calculated in °K.
  • a further variant provides that at least the edge 50 of the front side 42, in particular the entire contact surface of the bristle carrier, is heated 10 is heated in the area of the front side 42 to a temperature which is at least 30° C. above the ambient temperature, in particular before the inside 40 inside the anchoring opening 12 is heated above the ambient temperature by the magazine 20.
  • the magazine 20 has no extensions or the like with which it would protrude into the anchoring opening 12 since it has a flat end face 22 or a flat base 202 in the area of the front side 42 .
  • the bristle carrier material becomes weak when pressure and temperature are applied in the area of the front side 42 optionally even deformed over the entire surface. The material would like to give way and thus migrates into the anchoring openings 12 in the region of the muzzle and constricts it.
  • the reshaping of the edge does not have to be extreme. It has been found that, for example in the case of toothbrushes, it is sufficient to match the cross section of the anchoring opening 12 with the original width or the original diameter D3 in the area of the edge 218 (see Figure 5A ) to be reduced to a width or an inner diameter D1 only to the extent that the difference between the width or the diameter D2 of the thickest point of the thickening 32 (relative to the respective cross-sectional plane) and the width or the diameter D1 in the area of the edge 218 is only about 0, is 1-0.5 mm.
  • the thickening 32 is undersized compared to the still undeformed anchoring opening 12 when it is pushed in (i.e. D2 is less than D3).
  • the wall is reshaped only in the area of the edge 218 and in a section 220 immediately adjacent thereto which widens outwards towards the base 208 and only rests against the bristles or the thickening 32 in these areas and exerts pressure on them out.
  • the thickening should contact the bottom 208 in order to precisely define the axial position of the bristle tuft.
  • the tuft of bristles 24 is compressed by at least 3%, in particular at least 5%, compared to its state in the magazine 20 due to the narrowing and constriction of the edge 218.
  • the cross-sectional area of the receiving opening in the magazine is compared with the cross-sectional area of the rim 218 at its narrowest point.
  • All anchoring openings 12 are closed simultaneously by the device shown and the corresponding method, and all tufts of bristles 24 are thereby anchored in the bristle carrier 10 at the same time.
  • the entire anchoring opening is not formed, but only up to a certain depth t, which corresponds to a maximum of 85%, in particular 70%, of the total depth T of the anchoring opening 12 and/or an axial extent of 0.5-1.3 mm, in particular 0.6-1.0 mm.
  • the depth t is measured from the front 42 . If the front side 42 is flat, the plane resting on the front side 42 is used as the reference surface. If the front side 42 is concavely or convexly curved, an envelope of the front side 42 is formed, from which the depth t is measured.
  • the thickening 32 itself is preferably only clamped in the axial direction over a maximum of 50% of its overall axial length in the anchoring opening. The rest of the clamping takes place in the area of the bristles extending from the thickening 32 .
  • the wall of the anchoring opening 12 is extended over a depth Z (see Figure 5A ) of at least 0.8 mm, starting from the bottom 208, is not deformed and/or does not jam the thickening 32 and also the bristles in this area.
  • the depth T of the anchoring opening after the manufacture of the brush is a maximum of 4 mm, in particular a maximum of 2.7 mm.
  • All anchoring openings 12 are blind holes, so that the rear of the bristle carrier 10 does not have to be covered, since no parts of the tufts of bristles are visible or protrude on this side.
  • the anchor created in this way is the only anchor for the bristle carrier, no metal anchor or metal wire is necessary.
  • the bristle carrier 10 should not be brought close to its melting temperature, but rather at a significant distance from it, close to the glass transition temperature.
  • the heating temperature and thus also the temperature on the magazine 20 in the area of the end face 22 and the bristle base 10 must not be more than 15% above the glass transition temperature of the bristle base material and/or the bristle material on the face side.
  • the front side 42 is heated to a temperature of 75-95° C., in particular 80-90° C., in the case of PP to a temperature of 105-125° C., in particular 110-120 °C
  • the PP is selected such that it has a melt flow index (MFI) of 6-35, preferably 10-15, in the initial state.
  • One embodiment of the invention provides that the end face 22 and thus the bristle carrier 10 are heated to a maximum temperature of 140° C., in particular a maximum of 130° C., preferably in the range from 100 to 115° C.
  • a maximum temperature of 140° C. in particular a maximum of 130° C., preferably in the range from 100 to 115° C.
  • polypropylene, PET, ABS, copolyester and SAN are used as materials for the bristle carrier.
  • the back 206 of the bristle base 10 and the area extending from the back 206 to at least the bottom 208 of the anchoring openings 12 (preferably even further towards the front 42) should not be deformed.
  • the holder 34 can be provided with active cooling.
  • cooling channels 210 through which the cooling liquid flows.
  • the cooling channels 210 are connected to a cooling water circuit, which pumps cold water, preferably at below 20° C., in particular even below 10° C., through the holder 34 .
  • the rear side 206 thus heats up to a maximum of 25° C. during the application of the compressive force.
  • the side surface of the bristle carrier 10 connecting the front side 42 and the rear side 206 can also be sufficiently cooled in the holder 34 in order not to be deformed and to remain below the corresponding temperature above which deformation and deformation would take place.
  • the holder 34 and the magazine 20 are moved apart again so that the tufts of bristles 24 are out of their Receiving openings 26 are pulled out. Post-processing in the form of a different shape for the bristle carrier 10 is not necessary.
  • the process of moving apart preferably does not take place in one piece, but rather a rest phase is built into the process of moving apart.
  • the tool part, i.e. magazine 20, and holder 34 are minimally spaced apart, so that there is a small ventilation gap 228 between the front side 42 and the upper side of the tool part, i.e. magazine 20 (see FIG Figure 5A ) greater than or equal to 0.5 mm.
  • the interval for the rest phase which is at least 1 second, in particular at least 1.5 seconds, preferably remains constant.
  • cooling air can also be blown to the front side of the bristle carrier 10 via the ventilation gap 228 in order to cool the front side.
  • the bristles remain in the receiving opening 26, like this Figure 5A indicates.
  • the deformed area of the anchoring opening stabilizes so that the bristles of a tuft run parallel to one another and are evenly aligned.
  • the device After the rest phase, the device is moved apart so that the finished bristle carrier can be removed.
  • the device has a controller 51, via which not only the heating temperature but also the pressure applied and the movement sequences are controlled.
  • the heater 30 can also be controlled via the same controller 51 .
  • the bristle carrier material is a material such as certain types of polypropylene, in which the glass transition temperature is not above the ambient temperature, the bristle carrier does not need to be heated, but this does not necessarily have to be the case.
  • minimal heating just above the glass transition temperature can be advantageous, but again well below the melting point.
  • the anchoring openings 12 are exclusively made by applying the aforementioned Pressure closed over the previously mentioned exposure time. It is possible to use magazines 20 without heating or to use the same magazines with heating, with the heating simply not being activated.
  • the edge 50 or the entire front side 42 is heated to a temperature that is above a limit temperature.
  • This limit temperature is 60%, in particular 80%, below the glass transition temperature of the bristle base material, determined in °C, if the bristle base material has a glass transition temperature of over 300°K.
  • the limit temperature is preferably at a glass transition temperature, at most up to 20% above the glass transition temperature in ° C.
  • the infeed movement takes place at a constant, low speed when the bristle carrier makes contact at the front and rear and is thus axially compressed, and the magazine 20 and the holder 34 are moved onto one another in a block.
  • the embodiment shown presses the material in the region of the edge 50 against the bristles, so that there is no gap between the bristles and the edge 50 .
  • Magazine 20 can be loaded either, as in Figure 1a take place directly via a bristle separator, or via another variant that is figure 6 is shown.
  • a cassette 60 with numerous receiving openings is first filled with tufts of bristles.
  • the isolated tufts of bristles can then also be stored in this cassette until they finally for example, be pressed directly into the magazine 20 via movable pins 62.
  • deflection plate 64 between the cassette 60 and the magazine 20, which deflection plate has inclined transport openings 66 for tufts of bristles 24 moved through them. It is also possible via converging transport openings 66, as in figure 6 shown on the left to unite several tufts of bristles 24 to form a larger tuft of bristles if, for example, the brush is to contain tufts of bristles of different thicknesses.
  • the magazine can also have obliquely running receiving openings 26, because there are brushes in which the tufts of bristles do not run perpendicularly to the front side 42 and are therefore cylindrical, but are arranged obliquely to it.
  • the anchoring is as shown in the figures.
  • the anchoring openings 12 for such obliquely directed tufts of bristles 24 can of course also be made slightly oblique or conical or conical only in the area of the side of the tuft of bristles 24 inclined towards them, as is shown in figure 7 is shown. This means that the receiving opening 26 can have differently inclined edge sections.
  • an edge section 80 of the anchoring opening 12 running obliquely, in particular parallel to the oblique receiving openings 26, is provided, as well as an edge section 81 lying opposite this , possibly at a different slope than the edge portion 80, as shown in broken lines.
  • the bristle carrier 10 is in an injection station belonging to the device according to the invention in an injection mold, as is shown in two variants in FIGS figures 8 and 10 is shown, made with injection mold halves 100 and 102.
  • This spraying station is upstream of the previously described station for stuffing the bristle carrier 10 in terms of time and/or space, as already described above.
  • the injection station forms a bristle carrier injection device.
  • the injection mold halves 100 and 102 form a cavity 104 between them, into which liquid plastic is injected in order to produce the bristle carrier 10 .
  • figure 10 can be seen on the right pin 106 that this for the production of inclined openings 12 as in the figures 7 and 8th shown can be used
  • the injection mold half In the case of a one-piece injection mold half (see figure 10 ) where one part defines the entire inside of the cavity, the injection mold half is referred to as an injection mold part. 8) on which the extensions sit pins 106, to which they are attached, for example, in one piece.
  • the insert 107 preferably has all the pins 106 that are necessary to create anchoring openings 12 . After injection, the insert 107 is pulled down into a recess in the injection mold half for easier demoulding, so that the pins 106 are pulled out of the injection-moulded anchoring openings 12, whereby the subsequent ejection or removal of the bristle carrier 10 is simplified.
  • the injection mold half 100 comprises a first injection mold half part 101, which defines the entire lower mold half 100 except for the area of the insert. Furthermore, the injection mold half 100 comprises the insert 107 which is received in an opening in the first part 101 which is complementary to the insert 107 and which forms a second injection mold half part. The insert 107 is mounted for movement relative to the first portion 101 of the injection mold half 100 toward and away from the tuft support. There is preferably no gap between the first part 101 and the insert 107 into which the liquid plastic can penetrate.
  • figure 10 can be seen on the right-hand extension 106 that this is used to produce sloping openings 12 like the one in figure 7 shown can be used.
  • the pin 106 can be positioned at least at an angle to the adjustment direction of the insert 107 (see double arrow in figure 10 ) running edge section.
  • the insert 107 preferably defines the entire area of the front of the brush head. Using the insert 107, brushes can be produced without great effort which have the same bristle carrier 10 but have a different hole pattern and a different pattern of the tufts of bristles.
  • pins 106 are integrally formed on insert 107 which defines an injection mold half portion.
  • the injection mold half part is designed in several pieces, because this includes a base part 300 with a plurality of holes 302 and inserts 304 inserted into the holes 302. These inserts 304 have a base 306 with which they close the respective hole in the base part 300. The respective pin 106 protrudes from the base 306 .
  • This variant is simpler in terms of manufacturing technology.
  • transition edges 320 (see figure 14 ) between the front face 42 and the inside face 40 of the anchor opening 12 are beveled.
  • the bevels 322 are shown partially enlarged.
  • the hatched areas K represent the material that the transition edge 320 no longer has due to the bevel 322 .
  • the continuation of the front side 42, also referred to as the envelope 323, and a line 324, which represents the linear continuation of the inside 40 up to the envelope, are provided as comparison lines.
  • the chamfers 322 can have a different cross-section from anchoring opening 12 to anchoring opening 12, which can be seen, for example, in the enlarged representation in figure 15 shown. Alternatively, this is in figure 18 shown, the chamfer 322 along the perimeter of the Transition edge 320 have different cross sections. For example, here is in figure 18 a portion 330 slopes more steeply than a portion 332 of the same slope 322.
  • the chamfers 322 can extend along the entire circumference of the transition edge or only over a partial area. For example, based on the anchoring opening 12 'in figure 15 It can be seen that the left side of the transition edge 320 has a bevel 322, while the right side has no bevel, so in this area the inner face 40 is perpendicular to and meets the front face 42 to form a sharp transition edge.
  • the bevels 322 can be rounded, in particular a radius or a chamfer, as shown in the two middle enlargements in figure 15 shown,
  • the chamfer 322 is only present at the mouth of the anchoring opening 12, i.e. in the region of the transition edge 320 and hardly extends into the anchoring opening 12.
  • the bevel 322 extends, measured from the front side 42 adjacent to the bevel 322, just a maximum of 0.5 mm, in particular a maximum of 0.35 mm and at least 0.1 mm into the anchoring opening 12.
  • the radial width of the bevel 322 is in particular at least 0.1 mm and at most 0.5 mm, in particular at most 0.35 mm.
  • this web 340 extends to the front side 42 of the bristle carrier 10 and forms a portion thereof. That is, the web protrudes to the envelope of the front 42 (if this is convex or concave) or if this Face 42 is level, up to the level of face 42 without overhanging.
  • the associated mold half part has a chamfer 342 complementary to the associated chamfer 322 at the interface between pin 106 and the bottom surface (face) of the mold half part.
  • the preferred dimensions above for bevel 322 also correspond to the corresponding dimensions for bevel 342.
  • the bottom (front side) is also formed in sections by the insert, more precisely in the base 306.
  • the chamfer 342 is completely formed in the insert 304 .
  • the chamfers 322 When deformed, the chamfers 322 form additional buffer spaces or accommodation spaces for material which is pressed in and narrows the anchoring opening 12 at its mouth.
  • bristle tufts 24 are inserted at right angles or, like bristle tuft 24', at an angle to front face 42.
  • the bevel 322 on the side of the transition edge close to the bristle tuft 24' is designed to be larger than on the remaining circumference of the transition edge. In the present case there is no bevel even on the (right) side remote from the bristle tuft 24 and there is a bevel 322 on the transition edge 320 in the remaining part of the circumference.
  • the corresponding magazine 20 has in figure 17 the material of the bristle base 10 in the area of the front side 42 is already deformed, so that the overall thickness of the bristle base 10 is reduced.
  • the material partially closes the anchoring opening 12, like the neck of a bottle, and can thereby press against the outer tufts of bristles 24 (see left half of Fig figure 17 ) or (see right half of figure 17 ) still slightly away from it. However, the material that migrates inwards does not get into the gap 350 between the receiving opening in the magazine 20 and the outside of the tuft 24 of bristles.
  • FIG 9 shows different variants of how the bristle carrier 10 can be designed.
  • circular or oval anchoring openings 12 can be provided, but any shapes can be designed.
  • oblong openings can be realized, X-shaped, C-shaped or any other anchoring openings.
  • These large anchoring openings are equipped with tufts of bristles, which are composed of several individual tufts of bristles, which are connected by melting their ends to form a large tuft of bristles. Such large tufts of bristles result in a corresponding wall-shaped bristle structure.
  • the device and the method according to the invention can be used not only with several tufts of bristles, but also with just one tuft of bristles, for example to produce a brush and to attach only one bristle or only individual bristles in a bristle carrier.
  • the anchoring openings 12 generally do not necessarily have to serve only to receive and fix tufts of bristles, rather prefabricated singular bristles of any shape made of any desired elastomeric plastics can be received and fixed exactly as described above in connection with tufts of bristles.
  • These bristles can be plate-shaped Have shape and can be introduced, for example, into the elongated anchoring openings 12 and embedded therein by reshaping the edge of the anchoring openings 12 .
  • a C-shaped in cross-section previously injected cleaning element is used as a single bristle.
  • tufts of bristles 24 consisting of numerous bristles 24' can also be inserted into the bristle carrier 10.
  • the singular bristles 24 ′ can, for example, also be positioned in the middle of a field of bristle tufts 24 or, conversely, can surround individual bristle tufts 24 or a plurality of bristle tufts 24 .
  • a plate-shaped bristle which runs obliquely to the bristle carrier 10 and which is inserted into the oblique anchoring opening 12 in the figure 7 used and anchored in it.
  • the singular bristle may also have an anchoring end 32 from which the elongate remainder projects at an angle so that it fits into a cylindrical anchoring opening 12 according to FIG figure 4 can be inserted, but the bristle runs obliquely outside of the anchoring opening 12 .
  • the singular, separately produced bristle 24' or bristles 24' is or are preferably fixed at the same time as the bristle tufts 24 by reshaping the corresponding edges of the anchoring openings 12 in the bristle carrier 10.
  • elastomeric cleaning elements 108 can be molded onto the edge of the bristle carrier 10, for example. These cleaning elements 108 are not prefabricated, but they also protrude from the front of the bristle carrier 10 and are used to massage the gums.
  • the bristle carrier 10 can, for example, have holes at the edge or only peripheral recesses into which the cleaning elements 108 are injected. Furthermore, as is becoming more and more common with brushes, the rear side of the bristle carrier 10 can be overmoulded with a softer plastic.
  • this rear layer made of softer plastic can also form a kind of frame around the harder plastic of the bristle carrier 10 in order to act as a damper, for example.
  • a further variant is that the bristle carrier 10, here the head of the toothbrush, is coupled to the neck of the brush body via a hinge 110 made of softer plastic.
  • the bristle carrier can be a small plate as part of the later brush body or the entire brush body.
  • the bristle carrier can also be a multi-component injection molded part, which already forms the finished brush body when the bristles are finally embedded.
  • the spraying station can also be designed as a multi-component spraying station, or several spraying stations can be provided, between which then lies the station in which the bristles are anchored.
  • the cleaning elements 108 and/or the individual, prefabricated bristles made of elastomeric material and having any cross-sectional shape preferably extend forwards at least as far as the tufts of bristles, but they can also protrude beyond them or be shorter than them.
  • FIG 11 shows that not only, as already explained above, tufts of bristles 24 with their thickening 32 at the attachment end are inserted into the anchoring opening 12 and anchored therein by reshaping the edge, but also that singular, prefabricated bristles 24' (any Form seen both in side view and in cross section) can be embedded anchorless by the aforementioned method and the aforementioned device in the bristle carrier.
  • the bristles 24' are injection molded from an elastomeric material, in particular TPE.
  • the bristles 24' have a maximum wall thickness d (measured in cross section) in their section protruding from the bristle carrier 10, which is greater than 0.6 mm, in particular greater than 0.9 mm.
  • the prefabricated bristles 24' can or should have a thickened fastening end 32', the height of which is less than the depth of the associated anchoring openings 12, so that the inwardly shaped edge encompasses the fastening ends 32' in order to achieve a form-fitting fastening.
  • the fastening ends 32' are, for example, flat cylinders whose shape is adapted to the shape of the anchoring opening 12.
  • the external dimensions of the respective fastening end 32' are matched to the cross section of the anchoring opening 12 such that there is a lateral gap between the fastening end 32' and the wall of the anchoring opening 12 during insertion before the deformation takes place.
  • the attachment end 32' can be made of a different material, in particular a harder material than the rest of the bristle 24'.
  • a harder material in particular a polypropylene attachment end 32'.
  • a disk of harder material forming all or a core of the attachment end 32' would be conceivable.
  • the disc 112 forming the core may have an integrally formed extension 114 which projects into that part of the bristle 24' which will lie outside the bristle carrier 10.
  • FIG 13 a complete device with different stations is shown. It should be emphasized that the device according to the invention does not have to have all the stations that are explained below.
  • bristles or tufts of bristles are separated and transported further.
  • the image on the left shows a so-called fiber box 120 from which finished bristles, which can be mechanically or chemically sharpened, are removed in tufts by a tuft separator 122 .
  • tufts of bristles 24 are transported via a transport device to a station B, in which the tufts of bristles 24 are then optionally converted into the final tuft geometry and into the hole pattern of the future brush.
  • the tufts of bristles 24 are pushed into a first intermediate magazine 124, in particular in the form of a plate. Via the intermediate magazine 124, the bristle tufts 24 are then possibly pushed by means of a ram 126 into a further plate 128, in which shaping or deflection openings 130 or openings 132 for bringing together several bristle tufts 24 to form a common, larger bristle tuft or for obliquely aligning bristle tufts 24 are present are.
  • the tufts of bristles 24 are then pushed even further into the magazine 20 .
  • the hole geometry of the future brush is then preferably implemented in the magazine 20, which, however, does not necessarily have to be the case, as will be explained later.
  • the plate 128 and/or the intermediate magazine 124 can also be omitted, so that the tufts of bristles 24 are transported directly into the magazine 20 . This all depends on the desired final tuft position or tuft geometry and the hole pattern of the finished brush.
  • the transport of the tufts of bristles 24 after separation can be done mechanically via slides or the in figure 2 shown plunger 126 in the first intermediate magazine 124 and / or the magazine 20 in station B take place.
  • the second image from the left shows that the isolated tufts of bristles are conveyed into the intermediate magazine 124 or the magazine 20 via tubes or hoses 134 in which an overpressure or a vacuum is applied.
  • a third alternative in Station A shows a wound strand 136 of parallel filaments.
  • the strand 136 is wound onto a roll 138 and is continuously unwound from it.
  • the end of the strand 136 is inserted into openings in an intermediate magazine 124 or the magazine 20 and then cut off. After the ends of the strand have been cut off, tufts of bristles 24 are cut to length.
  • the coil or the end of the strand received in a movable guide is then moved relative to the magazine 20 or intermediate magazine 124 on the one hand, or the magazine 20/intermediate magazine 124 on the other hand shifted to the end of the line, so that all openings in the magazine 20 or intermediate magazine 124 are filled in succession.
  • coils and strands can also be moved relative to the magazine 20/intermediate magazine 124.
  • the completely filled magazine 20 or intermediate magazine 124 is then moved out of this station and transported to station B or directly to station C.
  • the rams 126 push the bristle tufts 24 into the magazine 20.
  • strands can also be transported simultaneously by several rollers 138 into the individual openings in the magazine 20 or the intermediate magazine 124 and then cut off.
  • Station C is a so-called profiling station.
  • the tufts of bristles 24 are displaced axially so that the later ends of the tufts, which are used for brushing, lie in one plane or, speaking more generally, end in a predetermined arbitrary area.
  • a waveform is specified, and therefore a stop plate 140 is spaced from the magazine 20 with a complementary waveform.
  • the bristle tufts 24 are then pressed downwards by a pressure plate 142, which preferably has a shape complementary to the surface of the stop plate 140, until all the tuft ends rest against the stop plate 140.
  • station C can also be omitted if the desired profile can already be achieved in station B by suitable rams 126 of different lengths or of the same length.
  • the two variants can also be mixed with one another, in that a so-called pre-profiling takes place in station B using rams 126 of different lengths and then fine profiling takes place in station C using the stop plate 140 .
  • Station D is a cutting station where the rear ends of the tufts of bristles are cut off in order to achieve optimal melting of the tuft ends in the following station.
  • the tufts of bristles 24 that may protrude at different distances from the rear of the magazine 20 are cut off relatively close to the magazine 20 mechanically by means of a knife 144 or thermally with a hot wire 146 . If necessary, when using a mechanical knife 144, the magazine 20 can also act as a counter-knife. In this case, after the tufts of bristles 24 have been cut off, they are pushed out of the magazine 20 from the back a little so that they project somewhat beyond the latter.
  • station D can be omitted if the ends of the tufts already protrude evenly far behind the magazine 20 after station B or C. This is particularly the case when the front tuft ends are to end in one plane.
  • the protruding portion of the bristle tufts 24 is then melted in station E so that all the filaments of a tuft are bonded together, namely via the resulting mushroom-shaped, thickened end of the tuft.
  • the thickness of the tuft ends is controlled by the amount of material on filaments protruding from the rear of magazine 20. This also allows the geometry of the end of the tuft to be adjusted.
  • the fusing can be accomplished by a heated punch 148 which can contact the tuft ends or be spaced from them so that radiant heat (particularly via infrared light) melts the filaments. Alternatively, fusion can also be achieved with hot air. It is important that for the formed tufts of bristles only a single, assigned thickening is produced, because only those filaments are to be connected to one another by fusing, which are also to be fixed later in the same anchoring opening. If necessary, the thickenings 32 can be cooled here, as explained above.
  • the tufts of bristles are pushed with their thickened fastening ends first into the anchoring openings 12 of the bristle carrier 10 and pressed therein, as already explained in detail above.
  • This insertion can be done simultaneously, sequentially, or in groups sequentially.
  • a further alternative is that a deflection plate with corresponding channels is provided, into which the tufts of bristles 24 are pushed with their thickened fastening ends first, in order to then be pushed further into the anchoring openings of the bristle carrier.
  • This variant is useful when the later hole pattern of the brush or the alignment of the tufts of bristles 24 has not yet been completely realized in the magazine.
  • the compressive force is applied, for example, via at least one drive, for example an electric motor 240 (see Figure 1f ) is preferably applied to the holder 34, optionally with the interposition of a gear such as a spindle nut 242. This of course applies to all embodiments.
  • the electric motor is in particular a servomotor.
  • bristle carriers 10 can also be deformed simultaneously with one drive in order to hold the at least one bristle or the at least one tuft of bristles 24 in the anchoring opening.
  • the holder 34 has a plurality of recesses 38 shaped to complement the bristle carrier.
  • a number of drives are provided next to one another, which in turn drive a number of holders 34 which in turn accommodate a number of bristle carriers 10 .
  • the controller 51 is programmed accordingly so that the aforementioned method is carried out in the device.
  • tufts of bristles which are extremely long and thin can be anchored in the bristle carrier.
  • the invention creates bristle carriers with tufts of bristles with a length of more than 8 mm and a width of less than 2 mm, in particular less than 1 mm.
  • the corresponding edges of the anchoring openings do not necessarily have to be shaped inwards by the same distance. It has been found that it is sufficient to provide a few overhanging edge sections deformed further inwards towards the anchoring opening, which alternate with edge sections deformed less far inwards.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Brushes (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Procédé de fabrication d'une brosse comprenant un support de poils (10) en matière thermoplastique qui présente une face avant (42) et une face arrière (206) et au moins une orifice d'ancrage (12) dans lequel au moins un poil (24') en matière thermoplastique présentant une extrémité de fixation renflée (32) est inséré et est ancré sans ancrage de manière à faire saillie de la face avant (42) du support de poils (10), ledit au moins un orifice d'ancrage (12) étant défini par une face intérieure (40) et présentant sur la face avant (42) un bord (50) côté face frontale qui entoure l'orifice d'ancrage (12), caractérisé par les étapes suivantes :
    a) le support de poils (10) est fourni, lequel présente, dans la zone du bord (50) côté face frontale, une arête de transition (320) vers la face intérieure (40) qui est chanfreinée, au moins par tronçons, sur la périphérie de l'arête de transition (320), l'orifice d'ancrage (12) et l'arête de transition (23) étant produits lors du moulage par injection du support de poils (10),
    b) ledit au moins un poil (24') est reçu dans l'orifice de réception (26) d'une pièce d'outil,
    c) ledit au moins un poil (24'), alors qu'il est encore logé dans l'orifice de réception (226), est inséré par son extrémité de fixation renflée (32) dans l'orifice d'ancrage (12) dans le support de poils (10) produit lors de la fabrication du support de poils (10),
    d) la distance entre la pièce d'outil et le support de poils (10) est réduite de sorte que la pièce d'outil contacte le support de poils (10),
    e) la face avant du support de poils (10) est amenée à une température inférieure à la température de fusion de la matière des poils et/ou de la matière du support de poils, en particulier égale au maximum à 85% en °C de la température de fusion respective de la matière des poils et/ou du support de poils,
    f) la pièce d'outil exerce une force de pression sur le support de poils (10) chauffé et déforme le support de poils (10) au moins dans la zone du bord (50) côté face frontale entourant l'orifice d'ancrage (12) en réduisant la section transversale de l'orifice d'ancrage (12) de sorte que ledit au moins un poil (24') est noyé et ancré dans l'orifice d'ancrage (12), la matière du support de poils (10), dans la zone du bord et de la face intérieure (40), étant pressée latéralement dans l'orifice d'ancrage (12) et dans la zone de l'arête de transition (320) et poussant contre ledit au moins un poil (24'), et
    g) la distance entre la pièce d'outil et le support de poils (10) est augmentée de sorte que ledit au moins un poil (24') est tiré hors de l'orifice de réception (26).
  2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le chanfrein (322) de l'arête de transition (320) s'étend le long de l'entière périphérie de l'arête de transition (320) et/ou en ce que le chanfrein présente la même section transversale le long de l'entière périphérie de l'arête de transition (320).
  3. Procédé selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que le chanfrein (322) de l'arête de transition (320) présente différentes sections transversales le long de la périphérie de l'arête de transition (320), en particulier en ce que le chanfrein (322) de l'arête de transition (320) présente différentes sections transversales le long de la périphérie de l'arête de transition (320), lesquelles commencent à la même profondeur axiale de l'orifice d'ancrage (12) telle que mesurée à partir de la face avant (42) du support de poils (10) adjacente au chanfrein de l'arête de transition (320).
  4. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le chanfrein (322) de l'arête de transition (320) commence dans l'orifice d'ancrage (12) à une profondeur de 0,1 mm au minimum et de 0,5 mm au maximum, en particulier de 0,35 mm au maximum, en éloignement de la face avant (42) du support de poils (10) adjacente au chanfrein (322) de l'arête de transition (320).
  5. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le chanfrein (322) de l'arête de transition (320) présente une largeur radiale de 0,1 mm au minimum et de 0,5 mm au maximum, en particulier de 0,35 mm au maximum.
  6. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le chanfrein (322) de l'arête de transition (320) est réalisé en section transversale au moins par tronçons par un biseau et/ou un arc, en particulier un rayon.
  7. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que des orifices d'ancrage (12) adjacents sont séparés les uns des autres par une barrette (340) qui est pourvue du chanfrein (322) de l'arête de transition (320), au moins vers l'un des orifices d'ancrage (12), la barrette (340) faisant saillie jusqu'à la face avant (42) du support de poils (10) et formant un tronçon de celle-ci.
  8. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il est prévu une pluralité d'orifices d'ancrage (12), au moins certains orifices d'ancrage (12) présentant chacun un chanfrein (322) sur l'arête de transition (320), et les chanfreins (322) d'orifices d'ancrage (12) étant différents.
  9. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé ce que ledit au moins orifice d'ancrage (12) du support de poils (10), dans la zone du bord (50) côté face frontale entourant l'orifice d'ancrage (12), est réduit en section transversale uniquement, au maximum, jusqu'au début de l'extrémité de fixation renflée (32), en particulier jusqu'à une profondeur de 1 mm au maximum.
  10. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le support de poils (10) est comprimé de telle sorte que de la matière du support de poils (10), dans la zone du bord (50) et de la face intérieure, est poussée latéralement dans l'orifice d'ancrage (12) et dans la zone de l'arête de transition (320), sans faire saillie vers l'extérieur au-delà de l'enveloppe (323) formée par la face avant (42) du support de poils (10).
  11. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ladite au moins une touffe de poils (24) est insérée dans l'orifice d'ancrage (12) avec son extrémité de fixation renflée (32) en avant, de sorte que l'extrémité de fixation renflée (32) ne contacte pas le chanfrein (322) de l'orifice d'ancrage (12).
  12. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le corps de brosse (10) est moulé par injection ensemble avec ledit au moins un orifice d'ancrage (12), et en ce que ledit au moins un orifice d'ancrage (12) comprend une face avant (40) présentant un chanfrein de démoulage pour le démoulage après le moulage par injection.
  13. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le support de poils (10) présente une pluralité d'orifices d'ancrage (12) et en ce qu'aucun des bords (50) de l'orifice d'ancrage (12) est pourvu d'une saillie en projection par rapport à la face avant (42) du support de poils (10).
  14. Dispositif de fabrication d'une brosse présentant au moins un poil (24') ou au moins une touffe de poils (24) et qui comprend un support de poils (10) présentant au moins un orifice d'ancrage (12) pour ledit au moins un poil (24') ou ladite au moins une touffe de poils (24), pour la mise en œuvre du procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif comprend une pluralité de stations, dont une station d'injection pour la réalisation du support de poils (10) et une station d'ancrage ultérieure pour la fixation dudit au moins un poil (24') dans le support de poils (10), une pièce de demi-moule de moulage par injection (101) étant présente dans la station d'injection, laquelle présente au moins un pion (106) en saillie dans une cavité d'injection qui forme un tronçon de la pièce de demi-moule de moulage par injection (101) et qui produit l'orifice d'ancrage (12) réalisé sous forme de trou borgne, le pion (106) faisant saillie d'une surface de fond de la pièce de demi-moule de moulage par injection (101), et un chanfrein (342) étant formé à la transition de la surface de fond vers le pion (106) pour la réalisation du chanfrein complémentaire (322) sur le support de poils (10) dans la zone de l'arête de transition (320), et en ce que le dispositif présente une pièce d'outil comprenant au moins un orifice de réception (26) pour ledit au moins poil (24') ou ladite au moins une touffe de poils (24), l'orifice de réception (26) débouchant sur la face frontale (22) de la pièce d'outil tournée vers le support de poils (10), et la pièce d'outil présentant un moyen de chauffe (30) qui chauffe au moins des parties de la face frontale (22) et est réalisé et réglé de telle sorte que la face frontale (22) est chauffée à une température de 140°C au maximum, en particulier de 130°C au maximum.
  15. Pièce de demi-moule de moulage par injection pour le dispositif selon la revendication 14 pour la réalisation d'un support de poils (10) pour la mise en œuvre du procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 13, caractérisée en ce que la pièce de demi-moule de moulage par injection (101) présente au moins un pion (106) en saillie dans une cavité d'injection qui forme un tronçon du demi-moule de moulage par injection et qui produit l'orifice d'ancrage (12) réalisé sous forme de trou borgne, le pion (106) faisant saillie d'une surface de fond de la pièce de demi-moule de moulage par injection (101), et un chanfrein (342) étant formé à la transition de la surface de fond vers le pion (106) pour la réalisation du chanfrein complémentaire (322) sur le support de poils (10) dans la zone de l'arête de transition (320), le chanfrein (342) sur la pièce de demi-moule de moulage par injection (101) présentant à la transition entre le pion (106) et la surface de fond une longueur axiale de 0,1 mm au minimum à 0,5 mm au maximum, en particulier de 0,35 mm au maximum, et une largeur radiale de 0,1 mm au minimum à 0,35 mm au maximum.
EP18718102.9A 2017-03-27 2018-03-27 Procédé, dispositif et élément de demi-moule pour moulage par injection servant à fabriquer une brosse Active EP3599933B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BE2017/5204A BE1024476B1 (de) 2017-03-27 2017-03-27 Verfahren und Vorrichtung sowie Spritzgussformhälftenteil zum Herstellen einer Bürste
PCT/EP2018/000124 WO2018177592A1 (fr) 2017-03-27 2018-03-27 Procédé, dispositif et élément de demi-moule pour moulage par injection servant à fabriquer une brosse

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3599933A1 EP3599933A1 (fr) 2020-02-05
EP3599933B1 true EP3599933B1 (fr) 2022-09-14

Family

ID=58464114

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18718102.9A Active EP3599933B1 (fr) 2017-03-27 2018-03-27 Procédé, dispositif et élément de demi-moule pour moulage par injection servant à fabriquer une brosse

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3599933B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN110545694B (fr)
BE (1) BE1024476B1 (fr)
TW (1) TWI751315B (fr)
WO (1) WO2018177592A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102019105305A1 (de) * 2019-03-01 2020-09-03 Gb Boucherie Nv Verfahren zum Herstellen einer Bürste sowie Borstenträger und Magazin zur Durchführung des Verfahrens
CN112315183A (zh) * 2020-09-24 2021-02-05 安徽瑞洁刷业有限公司 一种直线型扫路刷生产用压合装置

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3422623A1 (de) * 1984-06-19 1985-12-19 Coronet - Werke Heinrich Schlerf Gmbh, 6948 Wald-Michelbach Zahnbuerste
CH672579A5 (en) 1986-11-05 1989-12-15 Schiffer Fa M & C Hygienic brush-making equipment - uses shaped heated tool to deform sealing rib round edge of hole holding bristles
DE3828571A1 (de) * 1988-08-23 1990-03-01 Schlerf Coronet Werke Verfahren zur herstellung von borstenwaren
DE4027108A1 (de) * 1990-08-28 1992-03-05 Schlerf Coronet Werke Verfahren zum verbinden von borstenbuendeln mit einem borstentraeger aus kunststoff und vorrichtung hierfuer
US5224763A (en) 1991-12-30 1993-07-06 The Procter & Gamble Company Method of fastening bristle tufts to bristle carrier
DE19853030A1 (de) * 1998-11-18 2000-05-25 Coronet Werke Gmbh Verfahren zur Herstellung von Borstenwaren und Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens
CA2865007A1 (fr) * 2012-03-09 2013-09-12 Robert Moskovich Procede de formation d'une plaque de tete et formation d'instrument de soins dentaires l'utilisant
BE1022487B1 (de) * 2014-12-23 2016-05-04 Gb Boucherie Nv Verfahren zum Herstellen einer Bürste oder eines Pinsels sowie Vorrichtung hierfür
DE102015111312C5 (de) * 2015-07-13 2020-06-25 Gb Boucherie Nv Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Herstellen einer Bürste

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BE1024476B1 (de) 2018-04-24
WO2018177592A1 (fr) 2018-10-04
TWI751315B (zh) 2022-01-01
TW201838545A (zh) 2018-11-01
EP3599933A1 (fr) 2020-02-05
CN110545694A (zh) 2019-12-06
CN110545694B (zh) 2021-07-13

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP3552517B1 (fr) Procédé et dispositif de fabrication d'une brosse
EP3448201B1 (fr) Procédé et dispositif de fabrication d'une brosse
EP3599934B1 (fr) Unité de plaques d'impression pour un dispositif de fabrication de brosses et dispositif de fabrication de brosses
EP1130984B1 (fr) Procede pour produire des articles de brosserie
EP2587959B1 (fr) Procédé et dispositif de production de brosses
DE102013100194A1 (de) Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Herstellen von Bürsten, insbesondere Zahnbürsten
BE1023624B1 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Herstellen einer Bürste oder eines Pinsels sowie Träger für eine Bürste oder einen Pinsel
DE102015111312B4 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Herstellen einer Bürste
EP3599933B1 (fr) Procédé, dispositif et élément de demi-moule pour moulage par injection servant à fabriquer une brosse
EP2377424B1 (fr) Dispositif et procédé de fabrication de brosses
EP3791751B1 (fr) Procédé de fixation d'une brosse dans un porte-brosse ainsi que dispositif correspondant
WO2018177593A1 (fr) Procédé, dispositif et élément de demi-moule pour moulage par injection servant à fabriquer une brosse
DE102005029366A1 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Herstellen von Bürsten sowie danach hergestellte Bürste
BE1023625B1 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Herstellen einer Bürste
BE1023452B1 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Herstellen einer Bürste
DE102012021429B4 (de) Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Herstellen von Bürsten, insbesondere Zahnbürsten
EP2763567B1 (fr) Procédé et dispositif pour la fabrication de brosses et brosse

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: UNKNOWN

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20191028

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20220421

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 502018010629

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1518185

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20221015

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG9D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20220914

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220914

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220914

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20221214

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220914

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220914

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220914

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220914

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20221215

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220914

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220914

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230116

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220914

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220914

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220914

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220914

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230114

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220914

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 502018010629

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220914

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220914

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220914

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20230615

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220914

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220914

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20230327

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230327

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230327

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230331

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230327

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230327

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230331

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230331

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20240318

Year of fee payment: 7

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MM01

Ref document number: 1518185

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20230327

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20240329

Year of fee payment: 7

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20240320

Year of fee payment: 7