JP2003245139A - Manufacturing method of brush - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a manufacturing method of a brush enabling to manufacture a brush with excellent orientation of bristle bundles, and in which bristles are orderly aligned. <P>SOLUTION: The manufacturing method of the brush comprises an introduction process for introducing a prescribed number of bristles to an introduction part having an air passage, a transfer process for transferring the bristles introduced to the introduction part while holding the bristle by suction force effected through the air passage, and a delivery process delivering the bristles out from the introduction part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a brush manufacturing method and apparatus, and more particularly to a brush manufacturing method and apparatus suitable for manufacturing a toothbrush.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional technique for manufacturing a brush by transferring bristles using negative pressure suction, for example, a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-21521 is known. Has been.

In this technique, a porous body having a shaping hole at the tip of a bristle is arranged in a mold having a through hole, and a fixing plate is fixed to the mold by aligning the hair-implanting holes so as to communicate with the through hole. Then, while the hair bundle of a predetermined length is transferred using the air flow through the supply conduit, the hair transferred through the porous body in the mold is sucked to orient the hair in a predetermined direction. It is the one.

However, according to this method, the hair inside the hair bundle easily advances due to the resistance of the peripheral wall portion of the supply conduit, so that the hair inside the hair bundle and the outer peripheral portion are displaced back and forth during transfer. Is likely to occur. In particular, when the supply conduit of the hair bundle forms a bent portion, a part of the hair of the hair bundle collides with the inner wall of the supply conduit, and the hair bundle is displaced back and forth between the inside and the outer peripheral portion. It tends to occur. Therefore, it has been difficult to manufacture a brush in which the bristles are neatly arranged by this method.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a brush manufacturing method and apparatus capable of manufacturing a brush in which the bristles are excellent in orientation and the bristles are aligned neatly. Here, the excellent orientation of the hair bundle means that the individual hairs forming the hair bundle extend in the length direction of the hair bundle without being twisted or bent and are neatly gathered as a bundle. , The state that the hairs are neatly aligned means that the tips of the individual hairs are arranged in a predetermined alignment form so that the tips of the hair bundles have a desired shape in accordance with the orientation of the hair bundles. It means that they are neatly arranged.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a step of introducing hairs for introducing a predetermined number of hairs into an introduction portion having an air passage, and the hairs introduced into the introduction portion are provided with the air passages. A method for manufacturing a brush, comprising a step of transferring bristles held and transferred in the introduction section by suction force through the bristles, and a step of feeding bristles that feeds the bristles transferred to a predetermined position from the introduction section. By providing the above, the above-mentioned object is achieved.

Further, according to the present invention, a step of introducing a predetermined number of hairs into an introduction portion having an air passage, and a step in which the tips of the hairs introduced into the introduction portion are aligned in a predetermined manner. A method of manufacturing a brush, comprising a step of delivering the bristles aligned in a shape and delivering the bristles from the introducing part, wherein the bristles are aligned at the opening of the ventilation path. In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a brush is provided in a shape corresponding to the above, and the tip of the bristles is aligned in a predetermined alignment form by suction through the ventilation passage and is delivered from the introduction part. It has been achieved.

Further, the present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing a brush, which comprises a hair introducing portion for introducing a predetermined number of hairs and an extruding member for delivering the hairs introduced into the introducing portion. The above-described object is achieved by providing a brush manufacturing apparatus in which the introduction section has a ventilation path for sucking and holding the introduced bristles in the introduction section.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below as a preferred embodiment based on an embodiment applied to manufacturing a toothbrush with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a toothbrush manufacturing method using the toothbrush manufacturing apparatus (hereinafter, also referred to as a manufacturing apparatus) illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described based on the method.

1 to 4 schematically show a manufacturing apparatus used in this embodiment. In these drawings, reference numeral 1 is a manufacturing apparatus, 11 is a toothbrush body, 12 is a flocked base, and 12a is a flocked hole provided in the flocked base 12.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the manufacturing apparatus 1
Is a hair-collecting means 2 for accumulating a large number of hairs 13 cut into a predetermined length, and a predetermined number of hairs 13 are separated from a set of the hairs 13 accumulated by the hair-collecting means 2 at a predetermined position. Separation and transfer means 3 for transferring and bristles 13 that have been separated and transferred are aligned section 4
The first aligning means 4 for aligning in the lengthwise direction or the radial direction without restraining in 0, and the aligning portion 4 for the separated and transferred bristles 13.
0 for the hair introducing means 5, second aligning means 6 for further aligning the aligned hairs 13 in the lengthwise or radial direction without restraining them in the aligning part (introducing part) 60, and the aligning part. Hair introduction means 7 for guiding the hair 13 aligned by 40 to the alignment section 60.
A hair feeding means 8 for feeding the bristle 13 aligned by the aligning section 60 to the outside of the aligning section 60, and an orienting means 9 for orienting the bristle 13 fed by the delivering means 8 in a predetermined direction. ing.

The hair collecting means 2 arranges the bristles 13 in a standing state in a groove-shaped accumulating portion 21 provided on the base table 20 from the rear to the front (hereinafter, this direction will be referred to as x).
Also called direction. ) A device that presses and collects the bristles 13 at a predetermined density.

The separating and transferring means 3 is arranged in front of the hair collecting means 2 along a direction orthogonal to the x direction (hereinafter, this direction is also referred to as y direction), and the sheath portion 30.
And a picking blade 31 arranged therein is reciprocally moved in the y direction at a predetermined timing to sandwich and separate a predetermined number of hairs 13 from the set of hairs 13 accumulated in the accumulating portion 21, It is a device for transferring to a predetermined position.

The first aligning means 4 is introduced into the aligning portion 40 of the aligning sleeve 41 mounted on the rotor 42 while the rotor 42 intermittently rotates horizontally around the main shaft 42a by the index unit 43a. Hair 1
3 is sucked and held in the alignment portion 40 through the air passage 41a provided in the alignment sleeve 41, while the upper end portion of the bristle 13 is tapped with the tap pins 44, 45, 46 and air is blown with the air blower 48. And the tip of the bristle 13 is aligned with the bottom plate 42d, and the bristle 13 is aligned in the length direction and the radial direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the aligning portion 40 has a tapered shape in which the upper end opening is widened upward, and the bristles 13 separated by the separating and transferring means 3 are concerned. It can be surely introduced into the alignment section 40.

The length of the arranging portion 40 prevents the end portions of the bristle 13 from spreading and also allows the bristle 13 to be effectively aligned by using the air flow in the arranging portion 40. The length L1 of the straight part excluding the part is 100 of the length of the hair 13.
It is preferably about 200%.

The cross-sectional shape of the straight portion of the alignment portion 40 orthogonal to the axial direction thereof is larger than the cross-sectional shape of the flocked holes (straight portion) 12a of the flocked base 12 orthogonal to the axial direction. In addition, the cross-sectional area of the straight portion of the alignment portion 40 orthogonal to the axial direction thereof is such that the hair is aligned in the length direction or the radial direction without restraining the hair by the air flow flowing between the hair. It is preferable that the porosity when introduced is 40 to 55%. Here, the porosity is (the cross-sectional area of the straight portion of the alignment portion 40 orthogonal to the axial direction thereof- (the total cross-sectional area of the hair to be introduced that is orthogonal to the axial direction)) / (the alignment portion 40 described above. It is the percentage of the cross-sectional area of the straight line portion orthogonal to the axial direction). When the thickness of the hairs to be introduced is the same, the total cross-sectional area orthogonal to the axial direction of the hairs to be introduced is (total number of hairs to be introduced) x (axis of one hair Cross-sectional area perpendicular to the direction).

It is preferable that the alignment portion 40 has a shape having the above-mentioned porosity and has a similar shape to a cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the axial direction (insertion depth direction) of the hair-implanting hole 12a. A flocked hole with various cross-sectional shapes 1
2A and the insertion hole 90 allow hair to be inserted, and when the alignment sleeve 41 has general versatility, a circular shape having a larger cross section than the expected cross section orthogonal to the axial direction (insertion depth direction) of the hair transplant hole 12a. Alternatively, the shape is preferably elliptical or the like.

At the lower part of the peripheral wall of the alignment sleeve 41,
A plurality of ventilation paths 41a communicating from the inside to the outside are provided radially at equal intervals. And these ventilation paths 41a
By sucking a negative pressure inside the aligning section 40 through, it is possible to prevent the bristles 13 from rebounding due to free fall at the time of introduction. In addition, the alignment portion 4 is provided through the air passage 41a.
By sucking the inside of 0, a part of the bristles 13 moves to the outside of the alignment portion 40, that is, the inner surface side of the alignment sleeve 41, and the alignment portion 4
The spaces between the hairs 13 in 0 are easily made to facilitate the alignment of the hairs 13.
Further, by continuing to suck the inside of the aligning portion 40 through the air passage 41a, the bristle 13 is sucked and held inside the aligning portion 40, and the bristle 13 can be stably transferred even while the rotor 42 is rotating. It is like this.

The ventilation path 41a is held by negative pressure suction at the insertion tip of the alignment section 40, and when the hairs 13 are transferred to the alignment section 60, the bristles 13 are reliably held until the transfer is completed. It is preferably provided at a position of 3 to 10 mm from the lower end. By providing the hair bundle at this position, it is possible to suck and hold the hair bundle until near the completion of transfer, and thus it is possible to further suppress the disturbance of the hair bundle due to free fall or the like. The cross-sectional area of one ventilation passage 41a is 7 × 10 ^{−3 to} 3 from the point that the hair 13 can be prevented from being caught and a sufficient negative pressure suction force can be applied to the alignment portion 40 to hold the hair 13. ×
It is preferably 10 ⁻² mm ² . Air passage 41a
It is preferable to form 4 to 16 radially substantially evenly. The air passage 41a is in the introduction direction (downward) of the hair 13 from the point of preventing the hair from being caught when the hair is introduced into the introduction portion 40.
It is preferable to be provided obliquely toward.

In this embodiment, when the 9 o'clock position of the rotor 42 in plan view is 0 degree, hair is introduced into the alignment sleeve 41 at the 0 degree position, and the hair is rotated counterclockwise from 0 degree. The upper ends of the bristles are tapped by the tap pins 44, 45, and 46 at positions of 45 degrees, 90 degrees, and 135 degrees, respectively.
The transfer to is done. The same 315
At the degree position, the inside of the alignment sleeve 41 is cleaned with an air blower (not shown) for cleaning.

The hair introducing means 5 has a suction conduit 5 arranged below the aligning sleeve 41 at the 0 degree position.
The device is a device for introducing the bristles 13 transferred to a predetermined position by the separating and transferring means 3 into the alignment section 40 by suction by downward airflow in the alignment section 40 through 0 and forced tapping by the pressing rod 51. .

The second aligning means 6 inserts the bristle 13 introduced into the aligning portion 60 while the eight inserting sleeves 61 having the aligning portion 60 therein are transferred in a predetermined orbit. 61 is sucked and held through an air passage 61a provided on the upper part 61, while the upper end of the bristles 13 is tapped by a tap pin 6
This is a device for tapping with 4, 65, 66 and blowing air with an air blower 68 to align the tip ends of the bristles 13 with the bottom plate 62d and to align the bristles 13 in the length direction and the radial direction.

The length of the aligning portion 60 is the length of the straight portion excluding the widened upper end opening from the point that the end face of the bristle 13 can be reliably caught and inserted by the insertion pin 81. It is preferable that L2 is 100 to 150% of the length of the bristle 13.

Further, the area of the cross section of the straight portion of the aligning portion 60 which is orthogonal to the axial direction of the aligning portion 60 is aligned in the longitudinal direction or the radial direction without restraining the bristle by the air flow flowing between the bristle, and is aligned. Porosity lower than that of the part 40
From the viewpoint of stable introduction into a, it is preferable to provide the cross-sectional area such that the porosity when the hair is introduced is 32% to 40%.

As shown in FIG. 3, the insertion sleeve 61 is
It has a sleeve body 61b and a nozzle portion 61c protruding from the lower end of the sleeve body 61b. Sleeve 61
The aligning portion 60 is provided inside the casing so as to vertically penetrate from the sleeve body 61b to the nozzle portion 61c. The introduction port of the alignment section 60 is gradually expanded in diameter so that an insertion pin (extrusion means) 81 of the delivery means 8 described later can be easily inserted.

A pair of ventilation passages 61a are formed on the peripheral wall portion of the insertion sleeve 61 so as to communicate with the alignment portion 60 from the outside. The ventilation path 61a is provided obliquely in the delivery direction (downward) of the bristle 13 so that the bristle 13 can be prevented from being caught when being introduced into the alignment section 60. Then, by sucking the negative pressure inside the alignment portion 60 through these ventilation passages 61a, it is possible to prevent the bristles 13 from falling from inside the insertion sleeve 61, like the ventilation passages 41a in the alignment portion 40. ing.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the opening of the ventilation path 61a has a form in which the tip 81a of the insertion pin 81 is exposed. By setting the shape of the opening of the ventilation path 61a in such a manner, when the hair 13 is pushed out by the insertion pin 81 and sent out as will be described later, the tip 81a of the insertion pin 81 causes the opening 81a of the ventilation path 61a. After passing through, the upper end of the bristle 13 is quickly aligned with the shape of the tip 81a of the insertion pin 81. As a result, the tip portion of the bristle 13 can be easily inserted in conformity with the shape of the tip portion of the insertion hole 90, and the tip end can be inserted in a more aligned manner. In addition, this ventilation path 61a
It is also possible to use only those for the purpose of holding bristles, as in the air passage 41a in the alignment sleeve 41.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the manufacturing apparatus 1, if the position of 9 o'clock when the rotor 62 is viewed in plan is 0 degree,
The bristles are transferred from the alignment sleeve 41 to the insertion sleeve 61 at the 0 degree position, and the upper ends of the bristles are rotated clockwise from 0 degree by the tap pins 64, 65 and 66 at the 45 degree, 90 degree and 135 degree positions, respectively. Is tapped, and the hairs 13 are inserted into the insertion holes 90 of the hair bundle holding jig 91 fixed to the xy stage unit 92 described later at a position of 180 degrees. At the 270 degree position, the inside of the insertion sleeve 61 is cleaned by an air blower (not shown) for cleaning.

The ratio (As / Ai) of the cross-sectional area As orthogonal to the delivery direction of the nozzle portion 61c and the cross-sectional area Ai orthogonal to the insertion depth direction of the hair-implanting hole 12a and the insertion portion is as follows. It is preferably 1.0 to 1.3 from the viewpoints of holding and preventing leakage of the resin into the flocked holes 12a when the back surface of the flocked base is filled with the molten resin.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hair introducing means 7
Generates a downward airflow in the alignment portion 60 through the suction conduit 70 disposed below the insertion sleeve 61 at the 0 degree position and sucks the air, while the push pin 73
Is a device that pushes the hairs 13 aligned in the aligning section 40 downward and introduces them into the aligning section 60, and aligns the tips of the receiving pins 71 at their upper ends.

The push-in pin 73 also has a function of blocking suction through the ventilation passage 41a in the process of pushing in the bristles 13 aligned in the aligning section 40. The push-in pin 73 prevents the push-in pin 73 from being caught in the alignment portion 40 and the bristles 13 from being caught between the push-in pin 73 and the alignment portion 40, while the air passage 41a for pushing in the bristles. Hair 1 as long as it does not interfere with the blocking of suction by
Predetermined clearance narrower than diameter 3 (push pin 7
It is preferable to provide a maximum gap between the outer circumference of No. 3 and the inner circumference of the alignment section 40. The clearance is 0.03 to 0.
It is preferably 15 mm.

The bristle feeding means 8 moves the insertion sleeve 61 up and down by a vertically moving mechanism (not shown) so that the bristle 13 aligned in the alignment portion 60 is inserted into the insertion pin (extruding means). ) 81 and inserts it into the insertion hole 90 of the hair bundle holding jig 91 described later.

The insertion pin 81 also has a function of blocking suction through the ventilation passage 61a in the process of pushing the bristles 13 aligned in the alignment portion 60. The insertion pin 81 is
While preventing the insertion pin 81 from biting into the alignment portion 60 and the bristle 13 from being caught between the insertion pin 81 and the alignment portion 60, blocking the suction blocking property by the ventilation passage 61a when pushing out the bristle. It is preferable to provide a predetermined clearance (maximum gap between the outer circumference of the insertion pin 81 and the inner circumference of the alignment portion 60) that is narrower than the diameter of the bristles 13 within a range that does not exist. The clearance is preferably 0.03 to 0.15 mm. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the tip 81a of the insertion pin 81 is provided in a stepped shape with a shape substantially corresponding to the tip of the insertion hole 90 of the hair bundle holding jig 91 described later. Preferably.

As shown in FIG. 3, the bristle bundle holding jig 91 for the orienting means 9 is provided with an upper plate portion 91b having a concave portion 91a corresponding to the bristle implantation base portion 12 of the toothbrush main body 11 and below the upper plate portion 91b. It has an intermediate plate portion 91c and a lower plate portion 91d fixed therebelow. The insertion hole 90 is formed in a predetermined direction so as to communicate with the lower plate portion 91d from the upper plate portion 91b. The middle plate portion 91c is arranged so as to be movable back and forth, and when the bristles 13 are inserted into the insertion holes 90, the bristles 13 are slid so that a force in the shearing direction acts on the bristles 13. After the orientation of the hair bundle holding jig 9
When 1 is moved, the orientation of the bristle 13 inserted into the insertion hole 90 is prevented from being displaced. Also,
By simply replacing the lower plate portion 91d, it is possible to manufacture various toothbrushes in which the orientation directions of the bristles are the same and only the alignment form of the tips is changed.

The xy stage unit 92 is a device for moving the bristle bundle holding jig 91 two-dimensionally along a horizontal plane, and is a substrate portion of the toothbrush body 11 fixed on the bristle bundle holding jig 91. The hair bundle holding jig 91 is moved so that the 12 tufted holes 12a are positioned at the ascending / descending position of the insertion pin 81.

A part of the flocked hole 12a of the flocked portion 12 is
As shown in FIG. 3, a part of the insertion depth direction is provided at a predetermined angle θ with respect to the pushing direction (z direction) of the bristle. This range is preferably −20 to 20 ° from the viewpoint of ensuring the inter-tooth reach speed and the effect of removing plaque. Further, the insertion port of the hair-implanted hole 12a is provided in a taper shape so as to gradually expand outward. The angle α absorbs the positional deviation between the insertion sleeve 61 and the flocked holes 12a to ensure that the bristles are inserted into the flocked holes 12a, or when the flocked density of the flocked holes 12a is increased, the bristles are smooth. Or to prevent the resin from leaking to the flocked holes 12a when the molten resin is filled into the back side of the flocked base after the insertion of the bristles,
Alternatively, when the molten resin at the base end of the hair 13 is solidified in the expanded portion, the hair transplant strength (pull-out strength of the hair bundle)
The angle is preferably 30 to 50 ° from the viewpoint of increasing If the angle is too wide, when the bristles hit the taper part during insertion, bending stress is applied in the length direction of the bristles, which may cause hair breakage and subsequent insertion errors or irregular fuzzing, as well as hair transplant holes. The intervals between the 12a may become too wide.

The manufacturing apparatus 1 has a control section (not shown) equipped with a sequencer which operates the above-mentioned means in synchronization in accordance with a predetermined sequence, and a series of operations from the separation of the hair 13 to the insertion thereof. Is configured to be automatic.

Next, the method of manufacturing the toothbrush of this embodiment will be described based on the method of manufacturing a brush using the manufacturing apparatus 1.

In this embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 1, the hairs 13 having a predetermined length are vertically aligned in the accumulating portion 21 of the hair collecting means 2 and accumulated at a predetermined accumulation density.
The accumulation density of the hairs 13 depends on the thickness of the hairs 13, the material of the hairs,
Although it can be appropriately set according to the length of the bristle, it is preferably 50 to 75%, and more preferably 55 to 70% from the viewpoint of easily separating the bristle 13.
Here, the accumulated density of hairs is the ratio (percentage) of the total cross-sectional area of the accumulated hairs per unit area.

The bristle 13 may be made of any of the usual materials and forms conventionally used for toothbrush bristle without particular limitation. Examples of the material of the bristles 13 include polyamide such as nylon, polyester such as polybutylene terephthalate and polytrimethylene terephthalate. The length of the bristles 13 is preferably 5 to 20 mm, more preferably 8 to 18 mm. The thickness of the bristle 13 is 6 to 10 mil (127 to 254 μm)
Is preferable, and 7 to 9 mil (178 to 22)
9 μm) is more preferable.

Next, in the hair separating step, a predetermined number of hairs 13 are separated from the set of hairs 13 cut into a predetermined length. In this embodiment, the separation and transfer means 3 is used to collect the accumulation portion 21.
A predetermined number of bristles 13 are separated from the set of bristles 13 accumulated in. Then, the bristles 13 are moved in the y-direction, and the rotor 42 is positioned above the alignment sleeve 41 at the 0 degree position when viewed in plan and substantially coaxially therewith.

Next, in the step of aligning the bristle, the separated bristle 13 is guided to the aligning portion 40 of the aligning sleeve 41 of the first aligning means 4 and is restrained in its length direction or diameter. Align in the direction. Here, “without restraint” means a state in which the bristles 13 easily fall freely in the alignment portion 40 without support (holding).

In the step of aligning the bristle, the bristle 13 introduced into the aligning section 40 is held by the airflow by negative pressure suction through the ventilation passage 41a of the aligning sleeve 41. This holding by the airflow prevents the bristles 13 from dropping from the inside of the alignment sleeve 41 in the portion where the bottom plate 42c is not present. In this state, the rotor 42 moves counterclockwise to approximately 4
Rotate 180 degrees in 5 degree increments. During this time, the tap pins 44 to 46 tap the upper ends of the bristle 13 in the aligning portion 40 to align the bristle 13 in the length direction and the radial direction. In addition, the air blower 48 blows air into the aligning section 40 so that all the hairs 13 are stored in the aligning section 40.
The tips of the hairs 13 are aligned with the bottom plate 42c.

Next, in the step of introducing the bristle, the length of the bristle 13 aligned by the first aligning means 4 is guided to the aligning portion (introducing portion) 60 in the insertion sleeve 61 without being restrained. Orientationally and radially. Here, “without restraint” means a state in which the bristles 13 easily fall freely in the alignment portion 60 without support (holding).

In this embodiment, when the rotor 42 is rotated 180 degrees from the 0 degree position, the alignment sleeve 41 is rotated.
A negative pressure is sucked by the negative pressure source through the intake pipe line 70 of the bristle introducing means 7 inside the alignment portion 60 of the insertion sleeve 61 located coaxially therebelow. On the other hand, the push pin 73 of the bristle introducing means 7 descends, pushes the bristle 13 aligned in the aligning section 40 downward from the aligning section 40, and the upper end of the bristle 13 aligns with the aligning sleeve 41.
The bristle 13 is pushed in until it passes through the air passage 41a, and the negative pressure is released. Then, the hair 13 is inserted into the insertion sleeve 61 by the downward airflow due to the negative pressure suction through the intake pipe line 70.
It is quickly guided into the alignment section 60 of. The bristle 13 is stopped at the upper end surface of the receiving pin 71.

Then, the ventilation passage 6 of the insertion sleeve 61.
The bristles 13 formed in the alignment portion 60 are held by the air flow by negative pressure suction through the la 1a. This holding by the airflow prevents the bristles 13 from dropping from the inside of the insertion sleeve 61 in the portion without the bottom plate 62d. In this state, the rotor 62 is rotated clockwise in steps of about 45 degrees.
Rotate 0 degrees. During this time, the tap pins 64 to 66 tap the upper end portion of the bristle 13 to align the bristle 13 in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the air blower 48 blows air into the aligning portion 60 so that all the hairs 13 are housed in the aligning portion 60, and the tips of the hairs 13 are aligned with the bottom plate 62d. As for the density of the bristle in the aligning portion 60, the bristle is aligned in the length direction and the radial direction without being restrained by the airflow flowing between the bristle, and the aligned bristle is made to have a higher density than that in the fierce portion 60. Pore 1
60-68 from the point that it can be stably inserted in 2a
% Is preferable.

Next, in the step of inserting the hairs (inserting step), the aligned hairs 13 are inserted into the insertion holes 90 of the hair bundle holding jig 91 and oriented in a predetermined direction. In the present embodiment, the brush main body 11 having the flocked base 12 having the flocked holes 12a at the tip is preliminarily molded, and the brush main body 11 is formed.
Is fixed on the bristle bundle holding jig 91 in such a manner that the tufted holes 12a are aligned with the insertion holes 90. And the insertion sleeve 6
In step 1, the hair 13 is inserted into the insertion hole 90 by the insertion pin 81 via the hair transplant hole 12a.

In this embodiment, the timing of raising and lowering the insertion sleeve 61 and the insertion pin 81 at the 3 o'clock position of the rotor 62 is set as follows.

First, as shown in FIG. 5A, the insertion sleeve 61 has a predetermined gap with respect to the upper surface of the bristle implant base 12 of the toothbrush main body whose tip is fixed to the bristle bundle holding jig 91. Descend to have G. The range of the gap G is preferably 0.1 to 5 mm from the viewpoint of stably inserting the bristles 13 and preventing contact between the tip of the insertion sleeve 61 and the bristle base 12.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 5 (b) and 5 (c), the insertion pin 81 descends from above the bristle 13 in the alignment portion 60 to the lowest point, and pushes the bristle 13 downward. At this time, all the bristles 13 are inserted into the insertion hole 91 in a state where they are substantially straight in the axial direction. Further, since the tip of the insertion pin 81 is provided in a stepped shape corresponding to the tip of the insertion hole 90 of the hair bundle holding jig 91, the shape of the tip of the hair 13 becomes the insertion hole 90. The hairs 13 are prepared before being inserted, and it is possible to insert the hair 13 corresponding to the shape of the tip of the insertion hole 90, which is the final shape of the hair transplant. Figure 5
As shown in (c), the tip end portion of the insertion pin 81 is set so as to be positioned inside the insertion sleeve 61 even when it is lowered to the lowest point.

The length of the bristle protruding from the upper surface of the flocked base is preferably 0.3 to 1.5 mm. If the protruding length is too long, it may take a long time to form a molten mass that is in close contact with the insertion port of the hair-implanting hole 12a, and if it is too short, the hair-implanting strength (hair bundle pull-out strength) may be weak.

When the insertion pin 81 reaches the lowest point, the hair 13
When the insertion into the insertion hole 90 is completed, the insertion sleeve 61 starts to rise earlier than the insertion pin 81 as shown in FIG. The tip of the insertion sleeve 61 is the upper end of all the hairs 13 (the end on the insertion pin 81 side).
After being further raised to expose the upper end of the bristle 13 from inside the alignment portion 60, the insertion pin 81 is raised to a predetermined position and separated from the bristle 13 as shown in FIG. 5 (e). . Then, the operation of inserting the hair 13 into the insertion hole 90 is completed.

The tip of the insert pin 81 and the insert sleeve 6 when the tip of the insert pin 81 is lowered to the lowest point
The distance from the tip portion of 1 is that the bristle 13 fed from the tip of the insertion sleeve 61 can be prevented from spreading until the bristle 13 is inserted into the tuft hole 12a. It is preferably 0.5 to 5 mm from the viewpoint of enabling stable insertion of all the end portions of the.

After the insertion operation for one insertion hole 90 is completed, the insertion hole 90 for inserting the bristle 13 next has the above-mentioned 3
After the xy stage unit 92 is operated so as to be positioned at the current position, the hair 13 is oriented by the above procedure.

Next, the brush main body 11 is transferred together with the bristle bundle holding jig 91 to a melting station (not shown) at the projecting end of the bristle 13, and the bristle protruding toward the back side of the bristle bristle base 12 is transferred. Laser beam, heater,
It is melted by various melting means (not shown) such as ultrasonic waves to form a molten mass having a larger cross section than the hair-implanted hole 12a, and the molten masses of the adjacent bristles 13 are connected to each other.

In this embodiment, since the bristle bristle base 12 is disposed on the bristle bundle holder 9, and the protruding end portion of the bristle 13 is melted to form a molten mass, the molten resin resin is temporarily planted. Even if it leaks to the side of the pores 12a, the appearance is not damaged. Further, since the hair 13 is inserted through the hair-implanting holes 12a and restrained before the molten mass is formed, the hair is disturbed even when pressure is applied by a press heater or the like when the molten mass is formed. Can be suppressed. Further, in the present embodiment, the hair transplant base 12 is positioned and fixed to the hair bundle holding jig 91, and the hair bundle 13 is fixed.
Is fixed in the insertion hole 90 while being aligned with the hair-implanting holes 12a, the hair-implanting base portion on which the hairs are planted is orientated while being positioned and fixed to the hair-bundle holding jig as described later. It is possible to shift to the process after the process. Therefore,
Disturbance in the orientation of the bristle (bristing) in the subsequent steps can be suppressed.

After forming the molten mass, the brush main body 11 is transferred as it is together with the bristle bundle holding jig 91 to a molding station (not shown) on the back surface of the bristle bristle base 12, where injection molding and back plate forming are performed. The toothbrush 1 is completed by adhering, covering with an adhesive resin or a covering substrate to form a flocked portion.

As described above, according to the manufacturing apparatus 1 of this embodiment and the method of manufacturing a toothbrush using the manufacturing apparatus 1, the bristles 13 are introduced into the alignment portions 40 and 60, and the ventilation passage 41 is formed.
Since the bristles 13 are held and transferred by the negative pressure suction through the a and 61a in the alignment parts 40 and 60, the bristles 13 are aligned in the width direction and the lateral direction without being restrained, and then inserted into the flock holes 12a. Since the bristles are transplanted by using such a method, it is possible to manufacture a toothbrush excellent in the orientation of the bristle bundle and in which the tips of the bristle 13 are not neatly spread and are neatly aligned at high speed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, in the manufacturing apparatus 1 of the above embodiment,
Aligning part 40 and second of first arranging means 4 for arranging hair
Although the aligning section 60 of the aligning means 6 is moved independently of each other by the rotor 42 and the rotor 62, an embodiment in which they are integrally moved coaxially may be adopted.

The present invention is as in the above embodiment,
At the time of introducing the bristle 13 into the aligning unit 40 or the aligning unit 60, it is preferable that the bristle 13 is transferred by an air flow accompanying negative pressure suction by the negative pressure source of the introducing means 5, 7. ,
Instead of these negative pressure sources, the bristles can be transferred by an air flow such as pressurized air generated by a pressure source such as a compressor.

The present invention is as in the above embodiment,
As the separating and transferring means 3, it is preferable to include a separating and transferring means in a form in which the sheath portion 30 and the picker 31 are reciprocated to separate and transfer a predetermined number of hairs.
The present invention is not limited to this, and another form, for example, a separation and transfer means provided with a rotary type picker can be used.

Further, the number of alignment sleeves and insertion sleeves, and the allocation angle of the index unit can be appropriately set according to the toothbrush to be manufactured.

Further, according to the present invention, as in the above-mentioned embodiment, the flocked base having the flocked holes is fixed on the hair bundle holding jig having the insertion holes, and the bristles are inserted into the insertion holes through the flocked holes. It is particularly suitable for a method of manufacturing a brush having a step of inserting and orienting, but a brush using a mold having an insertion hole for orienting the bristles in a predetermined direction, without using a flocking base and a bristles holding jig for the bristles. Can also be applied to the manufacturing method. In this case, various manufacturing conditions relating to the bristle-implanting base portion and the hair-implanting hole in the above-mentioned embodiment can be applied by substituting the conditions relating to the mold and the insertion hole.

Further, according to the present invention, when the hairs are aligned without being restrained as in the above embodiment, the hairs in the alignment portion are removed by negative pressure suction through the air passages of the alignment sleeve and the insertion sleeve. It is preferable to hold it, but instead of this, a shutter for preventing hair fall may be provided on each sleeve, and the sleeve may be opened and closed according to the moving position of the sleeve.

Further, according to the present invention, as in the above-described embodiment, in addition to aligning the hair by gradually narrowing the alignment space of the alignment portion between the alignment sleeve and the insertion sleeve, the hair in the alignment portion can be aligned. As a method of aligning the hairs, it is preferable to use a method of aligning the hairs by negative pressure suction through each air passage of the alignment sleeve and the insertion sleeve, tapping with each tap pin, and air blow with an air blower. These negative pressure suction, tapping, and air blow can be used alone or in combination of two. Further, as a method of aligning the bristles in the aligning section, a method of vibrating each sleeve with a predetermined vibration can be used, and the method can be used alone or in combination with each method.

Further, in the above embodiment, the hair bundle holding jig 9 for hair is bundled one by one through the hair transplant holes 12a of the hair transplant base 12.
Although the hairs are arranged to be inserted into the first insertion hole 90, the aligned hairs are once transferred to an insertion jig (carrier) having a plurality of insertion holes, and then the hair insertion holes of the hair transplant base or It is also possible to insert them collectively or individually into the insertion holes of the mold.

The present invention is as in the above embodiment,
Particularly suitable for manufacturing toothbrushes, but for manufacturing brushes other than toothbrushes, such as hairbrushes, massage brushes,
It can also be applied to the production of cleaning brushes and various other brushes.

[0070]

According to the present invention, it is possible to manufacture a brush in which the bristles are excellent in orientation and the bristles are arranged in a neat manner.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a procedure in one embodiment in which a method for manufacturing a brush of the present invention is applied to manufacturing a toothbrush.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an embodiment in which the brush manufacturing apparatus of the present invention is applied to a toothbrush manufacturing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part schematically showing a state in which hairs are pushed out by an insertion pin and inserted into a hair transplant hole.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an opening shape of a ventilation path of an insertion sleeve.

5A and 5B are diagrams schematically showing a hair bundle inserting step in the manufacturing apparatus, wherein FIG. 5A is a view showing a state where the insertion sleeve has reached the lowest point, and FIG. 5B is a hair bundle with an insertion pin. Showing a state in which the insertion of the hair bundle is completed by the insertion pin, (d) showing a state in which only the insertion sleeve is elevated, (e) raising the insertion pin It is a figure which shows the state which is doing.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Toothbrush manufacturing equipment (brush manufacturing equipment) 2 Hair collection means 3 Separation and transfer means 4 First alignment means 40 Alignment section 41 Alignment sleeve 5 Hair introduction means 6 Second aligning means 60 Alignment section 61 Insert sleeve 7 Hair introduction means 8 Hair delivery means 9 Hair orientation means 90 Insertion hole (insertion part) Hair bundle holding jig for 91 10 toothbrush 11 Toothbrush body 12 Flocked base 12a hair transplant pores 13 hair 14 hair bundles

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Shinji Hamamoto             Kao Stock Exchange 2606, Akabane, Kai-cho, Haga-gun, Tochigi Prefecture             Company research institute F term (reference) 3B202 AA06 AB19 HA03 JA03

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A step of introducing hairs for introducing a predetermined number of hairs into an introduction portion having an air passage, and the hairs introduced into the introduction portion are introduced into the introduction portion by a suction force through the air passage. A method for manufacturing a brush, comprising: a step of transferring bristles that is held and transferred to a bristles; and a step of delivering bristles that are fed to a predetermined position from the introduction part. 2. The method of manufacturing a brush according to claim 1, further comprising the step of preparing a plurality of the introducing portions and transferring the bristle between the introducing portions. 3. An opening of the ventilation path is provided in a shape corresponding to the alignment form of the tip of the bristle fed in the feeding step, and the tip of the bristle is suctioned through the ventilation path. 3. The method for manufacturing a brush according to claim 1, wherein the parts are aligned in a predetermined alignment form and delivered from the introducing part. 4. The brush according to claim 1, wherein the bristles in the introducing portion are pressed and delivered by a pressing member while being held in the introducing portion by a suction force through the ventilation passage. Production method. 5. A step of introducing a predetermined number of hairs into an introduction part having an air passage, and a step of aligning the tip of the hairs introduced into the introduction part in a predetermined alignment form. And a step of delivering the bristles to be delivered from the introducing part, wherein the opening of the ventilation passage has a shape corresponding to the alignment form of the bristles delivered in the delivering step. The method of manufacturing a brush, wherein the tip of the bristles is aligned in a predetermined alignment pattern by suction through the ventilation passage and is delivered from the introduction part. 6. The brush according to claim 1, wherein the bristle in the introduction portion is pressed and delivered by a pressing member having a tip shape corresponding to the alignment form of the tip of the bristle. Production method. 7. The method for manufacturing a brush according to claim 6, wherein when the pressing member delivers the bristle, suction through the ventilation passage is blocked. 8. A brush manufacturing apparatus comprising: a hair introducing part for introducing a predetermined number of hairs; and an extruding member for delivering the hairs introduced into the introducing part. An apparatus for manufacturing a brush, wherein the portion has an air passage for sucking and holding the introduced bristles in the introducing portion. 9. The brush manufacturing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the ventilation passage is provided obliquely in a delivery direction of the bristles. 10. The brush manufacturing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the push-out member has a tip shape for aligning the tip portion of the bristles to be delivered in a predetermined alignment form. 11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the opening of the air passage has a shape corresponding to the tip shape of the extruding member.
11. The brush manufacturing apparatus according to any one of 10. 12. The brush manufacturing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein when the push-out member delivers the bristle, the opening is closed to block suction through the air passage. 13. The brush manufacturing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the ventilation passage is provided in a lower portion of the introduction portion.