GB2420737A

GB2420737A - Manufacturing a cylindrical brush

Info

Publication number: GB2420737A
Application number: GB0426532A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Brian Turner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-12-03
Filing date: 2004-12-03
Publication date: 2006-06-07
Also published as: GB0426532D0

Abstract

This invention describes a method of manufacturing a cylindrical brush for grooming entirely by moulding, using the same raw material to manufacture both the brush body and the bristles and spikes of the brush. The material may be plastics or rubber. The method employs the principle of segmentation to enable segments 9 to be moulded simply without distortion of the spikes of the brush during withdrawal from the mould. The segments 9 then are assembled simply with interlocking devices 3 into the cylindrical shape. The segmented design with radial clearance between adjacent segments over the centre section of the segment permits the deflection of the segment and spikes in contact with the animal or person being groomed, to be best shaped to the convex surface of the animal or person. This method of manufacture permits either a cylindrical hand held brush to be made or a cylindrical brush for rotating applications.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Cylindrical Brush - Design and Method of manufacture This invention relates to a design to create a cylindrical brush manufactured typically from a plastic or rubber material, using a moulding method and bristles and body being the same material.

It also relates to an improvement in performance of the brush by enabling deflection to take place to better fit the normal convex surfaces being groomed. The brush can be used in grooming, both human and animal.

The issue in manufacturing a cylindrical brush, entirely in plastic or rubber is that traditional methods are not very practical. With this method the angle of taper on the brush spike is such that whilst radial in direction, the taper angle permits the splitting of the injection moulding tool, without deformation of the spikes. (See Figure 6.) This design uses the segmentation principle, to manufacture the cylindrical brush shapes using juxtaposed interlocking segments. These are arranged, such that the minimum number of identical and symmetrical segments, (See Figure 1, #9.) are used to provide the body of the cylinder, together with the brush spikes, which are arranged radially outwards from the body section of the cylinder segment. (See Figure 2, #10 for end section partial assembly) This enables a simple injection moulding tool design, so that the bristles or spikes of the brush are manufactured from the same material as the brush body.

The ends of the segments can form a small cylinder in the shape of an axle and these can be simply constrained at that point by a bearing housing, so that rotation is possible (See Figure 1, #1) or by a fixed ring or hollow cylinder. (See Figure 2, #5) Alternatively an inner cylinder can restrain assembly (See Figure 4, #7) at outer axle location and at the other end, by a socket in a handle or similar device, to form a hand held brush. It is also possible to form the complete handle as a segmented extension of the above. (See Figure 5, #11).

To assemble the unit, each segment has a plurality of interlocking plugs and sockets for ease of assembly. (See Figure 1, #2, Figure 2, #3 and Figure 5, #12.) The concept is also arranged such, that whilst being a cylinder in basic shape, when assembled, most surfaces being groomed by such a device are typically convex. The segments are flexible in the middle, deflecting under pressure to best fit the surface being groomed, making the grooming process better, in terms of minimising point of contact pressure and maximising the effectiveness at the outer rows of the spikes. (See Figure 1, #4) To enable this to happen, there is a gap between the sides of the juxtaposed segments. (See Figure 3, #6.) FIGURE 1 illustrates the length wise cross-section showing how the segment, #9, in contact with the surface being groomed can simply deflect under pressure and when relieved, spring back to its normal position. See #4 for deflection direction. The "softness" of this can easily be governed by the flexibility due to sectional area and material properties of the main segment of the cylindrical body, #9. It is desirable that the plastic or rubber has memory to return to its design position. # 18 illustrates where the section is relieved on the side of the segment, such as to permit deflection radially inwards. Without this cut out relief section, also illustrated in Figure 3, #6, the deflection would not be permitted by the adjacent segments. The plug and socket arrangement for assembly is shown as # 2.

FIGURE 2 shows a partial assembly in an end view, in this case 2 juxtaposed segments, out of a 6-segment unit. It illustrates the formation of the axle or location of binding ring on the ends #2, and shows a typical plug and socket arrangement #3, to facilitate assembly. These plugs and sockets can have differing geometry's. (See Figure 1, #2 and Figure 2, #3) It illustrates the spikes of the brush in relation to the cylinder segment, #10.

FIGURE 3 shows a top view of a segment with sides' cut away for relief, permitting radial inward deflection, to enable best fit, to a convex surface, reducing point of contact pressure for increased comfort and engaging outer spikes in the grooming process. See #6.

FIGURE 4 shows an internal rather than external securing ring. See # 7 FIGURE 5 shows a complete brush section with handle also segmented. The assembly in this instance as held together with two hollow cylinders, #8, one at each end. Also an elastic 0-Ring or band of metal or plastic, #13, can reinforce the assembly at start of handle portion.

FIGURE 6 shows the impact of the angle of the brush spike (Cone) to the angle of the segment and the splitting of the mould after moulding. Line indicated by #16 is the centre line of the segment. Line #14 indicates the notional split line of the segment moulding tool. Line #15 is perpendicular to line # 14. For optimal solution to determine minimal number of segments for a given spike angle, lines #15 and #17 should be parallel.

Claims

Cylindrical Brush 1. This invention is a design and method to manufacture a cylindrical brush for grooming, completely by a moulding process, employing the principal of segmentation, such that the main brush body and or handle and the spikes are made from the same material.

2. As in Claim #1, the brush spikes' length and angle of the spike conical shape determine the number of juxtaposed segments, such that withdrawal from the moulding tool does not create problems by deforming the material.

3. As in Claims I & 2, the segments are flexible over the central portion to deform to the convex shape of the human or animal being groomed, decreasing the point of contact pressure for reasons of comfort and engaging the outer rows of spikes in the grooming process.

4. As in Claims 1, 2 & 3, the segments are arranged with interlocking plug and sockets, which can be formed in multiple shapes, for ease of assembly.

5. As in Claims 1, 2, 3 & 4, the ends of the segments form either an axle for rotation or for fitting an assembly ring, either external or internal, dependant on whether the application requires rotation or is fixed as in a hand held brush, for grooming.

6. As in Claims 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5, both ends can be arranged in an axle format for rotating applications or one outer end with a recessed assembly ring and then other axle end inserted into a handle to make for a brush and handle assembly.

7. As in Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6, the handle and spikes can each form a part of the segment and thus handle is created at the same time, creating segmented handle and cylindrical spike assembly or a complete hand held cylindrical brush.

8. A brush as substantially described as herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. This invention is a design for a grooming or cylindrical brush, composed of suitable plastic based materials, whereby the brush is comprised of a number of juxtaposed segments with integral moulded spikes, either of the same or alternate material, making the brushing action, forming together in a cylindrical assembly, utilising interlocking plugs and sockets on each segment, which in turn are designed in such a way as to flex, permitted by a gap between each segment central section, whereby the centre of in contact segment or segments can flex radially inwards over the central portion and deform under grooming contact pressure to the convex shape of the human or animal being groomed, decreasing the point of contact pressure for reasons of comfort and engaging the outer rows of spikes in the grooming process, forming a concave surface only on the segments in contact, matching the contour of the convex shape of the human or animal being groomed and the materials of manufacture are such that the memory and elasticity of the material, returns the shape back to forming a uniform spiked cylinder upon release of grooming pressure.
2. As in Claim 1 the use of segments to form the brush enables the flexing of each individual segment in pressure contact to deform to shape to the contour of the human or animal being groomed.
3. As in Claim 1, this invention utilises a gap between each juxtaposed segment portion to permit flexing radially inwards to form a concave shape in the contact segment or segments.
4. As in claim 1, this invention is a design and method to manufacture a cylindrical brush completely by an injection moulding or other moulding process, with or without handle, employing the principal of segmentation, such that the main brush body and or handle and the spikes are made from the same material or the spikes could be formed from alternate materials placed in the mould prior to the manufacturing process.
5. As in Claim 4, this design can be used to form any cylindrical brush, with or without handle, with or without flexible segments, for use in other applications other than grooming, as in Claim 1.
6. As in Claim 1, the integral brush spikes' length and draft angle of the spike shape determines the number of juxtaposed segments, such that withdrawal from the moulding tool does not create problems by deforming the material.
7. As in Claim I the length and profile of the integral spikes are determined not only by the design, but also by the type of application and the type of hair being groomed.
8. As in Claims 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5, the segments are arranged with interlocking plug and sockets, which can be designed in multiple shapes, for ease of assembly.
9. As in Claims 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5, the ends of the segments form either an axle br rotation or for fitting an assembly ring, either external or internal, dependant on whether the application requires rotation or is fixed as in a hand held brush, for grooming.
10. As in Claims 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5, both ends can be arranged in an axle format for rotating applications or one outer end with a recessed assembly ring and then other axle end inserted into a handle to make for a brush and handle assembly.

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11. As in Claims 8 & 9 the segmented assembly can be held together with an elastomer 0-Ring in place of an assembly ring.
12. As in Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 the handle and spikes can each form a part of the segment and thus handle is created at the same time, creating segmented handle and cylindrical spike assembly or a complete hand held cylindrical brush.
13. A brush as substantially described as herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.