Brush flocking device and method for flocking brush

Abstract

A brush bristle planting device (10) comprises a bristle planting tool (16) capable of reversibly reciprocating motion for planting bristle bundles (40) into a bristle carrier (14). The bristle carrier (14) has a plurality of receiving openings for bristle bundles (40). The brush bristle implanting device works with a plurality of bundle shifters (20, 22, 122) that displace the bristles that have been implanted from the receiving openings in which the bristles are subsequently to be disposed. Furthermore, a corresponding method for flocking of a brush is described.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a brush hair transplanting device and a brush hair transplanting method. Background Art

[0002] The brush implanting device works with an implanting tool that moves in a reciprocating motion and is provided with a bristle bundle in a retracted position, which is then moved to a receiving opening in the bristle carrier and is thus pushed in with the aid of an implanting tongue that can additionally move in the implanting tool. If one or more receiving openings are already implanted, the bristle bundles of the implanting tool or the individual bristles of these bristle bundles interfere with the implanting tool when implanting adjacent receiving openings.

[0003] For this reason, so-called bundle shifters are used in such brush implanting devices. Such bundle shifters are driven elements which synchronously with the reciprocating implanting tool move the bristle bundle or the previously implanted bristle bundle in the next implanting cycle away so that the receiving opening to be implanted next is freely accessible for the implanting process.

[0004] In order to increase the beat frequency of such a brush implanting device, it is advantageous to make the implanting stroke as small as possible. The implanting stroke is the distance that the tip of the implanting tool moves between the implanting position and the maximum retracted position. However, if the length of the bristle bundle is longer than the implanting stroke, the free end of the existing bristle bundle may still be inserted in the implanting tool when the bristle bundle has been completely anchored in the receiving opening. The bundle shifter can then be moved laterally to the receiving opening being implanted and bend the implanted bristle bundle laterally, thereby pulling the end of the implanted bristle bundle out of the implanting tool. In this case, the bundle shifter therefore has two functions. The bundle shifter pulls the implanted bristle bundle out of the implanting tool and keeps the bristle bundle away from the adjacent receiving opening to be implanted by the next bristle bundle. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to further increase the beat frequency of such a brush implanting device.

[0006] This object is achieved by a brush transplanting device, which comprises: a transplanting tool that reversibly reciprocates for transplanting bristle bundles into a bristle carrier, the bristle carrier having a plurality of receiving openings for the bristle bundles; and a plurality of bundle shifters that move successively toward the bristle carrier to be transplanted, the plurality of bundle shifters being composed of one or more mechanical components, the plurality of bundle shifters directly contacting the already transplanted bristles to displace them from the receiving openings where the bristles are subsequently to be set.

[0007] The brush implanting device according to the invention does not work with a single bundle shifter but with a plurality of bundle shifters, which therefore have to travel a shorter distance from one beat to the next compared to previous brush implanting devices in which only one bundle shifter is assigned to the implanting tool. The view so far has been that only one bundle shifter is sufficient when the implanting tool is reciprocating and the movements of the two tools can simply be synchronized. However, it has been found that the beat frequency can be significantly increased by providing a plurality of bundle shifters. In addition, the quality of the produced brushes can also be improved because the reliability is improved, that is, during the implantation, the area in front of the receiving opening to be implanted remains free of individual bristles. When the bundle shifter that exposes the receiving opening to be implanted is moved to one side, the next bundle shifter can already be in place and the next receiving opening is kept free of bristles that have rebounded from the surrounding already implanted bristle bundles. In a plurality of bundle shifters, the individual movement distances between the beats are small, so that the beat frequency can be increased.

[0008] The bundle shifters can be mechanically connected to each other and supported so that they move successively towards and away from the bristle carrier in a fixed sequence. Therefore, in the present invention, the bundle shifters not only move laterally to the bristle carrier, but also move towards and away from the bristle carrier. The mechanical coupling provides a high degree of positional security and reduces electricity costs and also reduces control costs.

[0009] A variant is preferred that the beam shifter can be moved along a closed annular trajectory, which can be an ellipse, a polygon with rounded corners or preferably forms a circular trajectory. Such a trajectory movement has advantages in terms of load bearing and allows high-speed movement of the beam shifter.

[0010] The bundle shifter is supported movably around an axis which is positioned at an angle of at most 35° to a radial plane, or at an angle of 60° to 90° to the radial plane, in particular at an angle of 60° to 80° to the radial plane, which is a radial plane with respect to the direction of the hair transplanting movement of the hair transplanting tool at the end point of the hair transplanting movement. This means that the bundle shifter does not only move in a plane parallel to the front side of the bristle carrier, but the bundle shifter moves towards the hair transplanting tool, shielding the receiving opening to be transplanted, and then moves further away from the front side and the associated receiving opening again.

[0011] The bundle shifter can have a so-called shielding segment, with the aid of which the bundle shifter displaces the bristles and with the aid of which it contacts the bristles. The shielding segments of all bundle shifters are movable, for example, can be moved along a closed annular trajectory. The annular trajectory extends obliquely with respect to the direction of the bristle transplanting movement of the bristle transplanting tool at the end point of the bristle transplanting movement, so that at least a part of the shielding segment of the bundle shifter shielding the receiving opening currently to be transplanted is closer to the plane defined by the front side of the bristle carrier than all other shielding segments. The shielding segment opposite the receiving opening currently to be transplanted is the segment closest to this plane. The term "direction of the bristle transplanting movement at the end point of the bristle transplanting movement" means that what is considered here is the movement trajectory of the tip of the bristle transplanting tool, which exists shortly before the bristle bundle enters the receiving opening and during the penetration.

[0012] By this variant, it is also achieved that the shielding section which is keeping the receiving opening currently being implanted free is always the shielding section which is closest to the plane passing through the front side of the bristle carrier. Therefore, when the shielding section is moved in the direction of the receiving opening currently to be implanted, the bristle bundles which are located at a considerable distance and have already been implanted are not contacted or are only contacted at their ends and are not moved, for example, in the direction of the exposed receiving opening, which movement would be disadvantageous.

[0013] A variant of the invention provides that the beam displacers are each rod-shaped. However, these beam displacers can have a contoured, for example bent, free end forming the shielding segment, and these rod-shaped beam displacers can be fastened on a common rotation axis.

[0014] Preferably, the rod-shaped beam displacers extend parallel to each other or they lie in one plane. As long as the beam displacers lie in one plane, the beam displacers can extend outward in a star shape from a shaft rotating around an axis, like spokes of a wheel.

[0015] As described above, the bundle displacers can each have a shielding section, by means of which the bundle displacer contacts the bristles to be displaced. The shielding section can surround a channel for the bristle implanting tool and the bristle bundles to be implanted and delimit the channel from at least two sides.

[0016] In this case, the beam displacer in the shielding section may be, for example, in the form of a U-shaped, L-shaped closed ring or a circular ring in order to define the channel.

[0017] The beam shifters can be mechanically coupled to one another via radially outer stabilization rings in order to connect the free ends of the beam shifters to one another in the vicinity of or in the region of the shielding segments and thus stabilize the beam shifters relative to one another. Alternatively or additionally, the shielding segments can be connected to one another in order to achieve a direct coupling of the shielding segments and thus also a stabilization.

[0018] An alternative of the invention provides that the beam displacer is formed by an opening in the rotatable disk and by an edge delimiting the opening.

[0019] The invention proposes that at least two bundle displacers, but preferably at least three bundle displacers are provided in order to hold the bristle bundle being implanted over a plurality of implantation cycles and not just keep the receiving opening to be implanted free.

[0020] In other words, not every tuft of bristles is contacted by the same tuft displacer as is the case in the prior art.

[0021] The drive device for the beam shifter is a drive device that is mechanically or electronically synchronized with the hair implantation tool. For example, in electronic synchronization, a servomotor can be used, which can be coupled to the hair implantation tool or its drive device via a so-called electronic "cam system".

[0022] The mechanical coupling can take place via a transmission, in which case the use of a drive belt or a toothed belt is also conceivable.

[0023] In order to ensure that the bundle shifter maintains its bristle bundle after multiple cycles of implantation, i.e., implantation strokes, according to a variant, the spacing of the bundle shifters from one another and their movement trajectories relative to the implantation stroke are selected so that the bundle shifter that keeps the currently implanted receiving opening free (during the period until the subsequently activated bundle shifter sweeps over the subsequently kept free receiving opening) moves its receiving opening only within the range of the implantation stroke. Therefore, the range of movement for its subsequent cycles in the side view is limited. This range of movement of the bundle shifter relates to the side view, i.e., a view parallel to the plane defined by the front side of the bristle carrier.

[0024] Advantageously, the drive of the bundle shifter is designed so that the bundle shifter can be moved further with adjustable step distances of different widths starting from the implanted position in which the bundle shifter keeps the currently implanted receiving opening free. This means that the step distance is variable and can be adapted to the bristle length. Longer bristles allow for a higher step distance and accordingly the bristles can be bent further than shorter bristles.

[0025] The above object can also be achieved by a method for implanting hair on a brush by means of a brush implanting device according to the present invention, characterized by the following steps:

[0026] a) moving the first bundle displacer transversely to the receiving opening in the bristle carrier into which the bristles are to be implanted next, so as to bend the previously implanted bristles away from the receiving opening into which the bristles are to be implanted next,

[0027] b) The bristle implanting tool implants the bristle bundle into the receiving opening to be implanted,

[0028] c) retract the hair implantation tool,

[0029] d) moving the first beam shifter away from the receiving opening,

[0030] e) Another bunch of shifters is moved laterally to the receiving opening where the bristles are to be implanted next to it, so as to bend away the previously implanted bristles.

[0031] In particular, the method according to the invention provides that at least three beam shifters are provided.

[0032] In step d), the first bundle shifter should still hold the bristle bundle being implanted at least until the other bundle shifter has moved in front of the receiving opening into which the next bristle bundle is to be implanted. In this case, it can be even more advantageous if the first bristle bundle is still held in the next beat so that its bristles cannot bounce onto the receiving opening into which the bristles are being implanted.

[0033] If a long bristle bundle which is longer than the implanting stroke is implanted, then in step d) this bristle bundle should be pulled out of the implanting tool by the first bundle shifter, preferably also before the next bristle bundle is inserted into the implanting tool.

[0034] When the bundle shifter moves in a clockwise manner along an annular trajectory and shifts the successively implanted bristle bundles, the annular trajectory defines a surface. The surface is preferably oriented obliquely relative to the front side facing the bristle implanting tool. The orientation can be carried out at an angle of less than 30°. This has the previously mentioned advantages: the bundle shifter is moved successively in a manner close to the plane in front of the bristle carrier and is closest to this plane when the bundle shifter is directly in front of the receiving opening to be implanted with bristles associated therewith. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and from reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0036] - Figure 1 A first variant of the brush implanting device according to the invention is shown, here with two bundle shifters,

[0037] - Figure 2 A second variant of the brush implanting device according to the invention is shown, here with three bundle shifters,

[0038] - Figure 3 A third variant of the brush implanting device according to the invention is shown, here with two bundle shifters,

[0039] - Figure 4 A fourth variant of the brush implanting device according to the invention is shown, here with three bundle shifters,

[0040] - Figure 5 A fifth variant of the brush implanting device according to the invention is shown, which has a bundle shifter which is complementary to a circular shape,

[0041] - Figure 6 Shows Figure 5 A stereoscopic view of the brush implanting device in the later stage of implanting the brush body,

[0042] - Figure 7 Shows Figure 5 A bottom tilted stereoscopic view of the brush implanting device,

[0043] - Figure 8 The figure shows Figure 5 Another three-dimensional view of the brush implantation device,

[0044] - Fig. 9 shows a variation of a bundle shifter that can be used in a brush implanting device according to the invention,

[0045] - Fig.10 Shown in Figure 5 The beam shifter used in the embodiment,

[0046] - Fig.11 Another variation of the beam shifter moving along an elliptical trajectory is shown,

[0047] - Fig.12 A sixth variant of the brush implanting device according to the invention is shown, here with beam shifters arranged in the shape of rods and stars,

[0048] - Fig.13 A seventh variation of the brush implanting device according to the present invention is shown. Fig.12 The brush implantation device is similar to the one in the , but with an angled brush shifter,

[0049] - Fig.14 An eighth variation of the brush implanting device according to the present invention is shown,

[0050] - Fig.15 A ninth variation of the brush implanting device according to the present invention is shown, and

[0051] - Fig.16 A tenth variant of the brush bristle implanting device according to the invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Figure 1 A brush tufting device 10 is shown, which is provided for tufting a receiving opening 12 in a bristle carrier 14 .

[0053] like Figure 1As shown, the bristle carrier 14 can be designed in the form of a plate or can also form the head of the brush or the entire carrier of the brush.

[0054] The brush implanting device 10 comprises a reciprocating implanting tool 16, which can be reciprocated linearly or on a curved trajectory. The implanting tool 16 comprises a tip 18, which is the front end of the implanting tool 16 and moves directly toward the receiving opening 12 to be implanted. A channel is formed in the tip 18, in which the bristle bundle is held and pushed into the associated receiving opening 12 by the implanting tongue.

[0055] The brush implanting device 10 can work with so-called anchors or rings, with the help of which the bristle bundles are permanently embedded in the bristle carrier 14, or the brush implanting device 10 can work without any anchors, so that the bristle bundles are merely pushed into the bristle carrier 14 in order to be subsequently fastened, for example, with the help of other means, such as by ultrasonic technology through the impact pulses of an ultrasonic oscillation unit or a tool acting on a partial circumference or the entire circumference of the opening edge of the receiving opening 12.

[0056] Another alternative provides that the bristle carrier 14 is not part of the subsequent brush, but is a filled magazine, and its bristle bundles are subsequently pushed together into the receiving opening of the bristles.

[0057] During implantation, the receiving opening 12 currently being implanted remains free for the pushing movement of the tip 18 by means of the bundle shifters 20 , 22 , even if the adjacent receiving opening already contains a bundle of bristles with bristles that are to protrude into the movement path of the tip 18 .

[0058] In the embodiment shown, two beam displacers 20, 22 are provided. The two beam displacers are designed, for example, in annular form, in this case even in circular form.

[0059] Both beam displacers 20 , 22 are connected via associated holders 24 , 26 to a shaft, represented by its axis 28 , which is rotated by means of a drive device 30 .

[0060] In this embodiment, the axis 28 is oriented obliquely relative to a plane defined by the front side 32 of the bristle carrier 14 and preferably forms an angle of 60° to 90° with this plane, in particular in the range of 60° to 80°.

[0061] The method for implanting bristle bundles to produce a brush described below also relates to other embodiments.

[0062] In the initial position of the hair implanting tool, the hair implanting tool is in a position at a maximum distance from the front side 32. In this position, the bristle bundle to be implanted is inserted into the corresponding channel in the hair implanting tool 16.

[0063] Before or during the forward movement, the bundle shifter 22 has been moved by the drive device 30 to the front of the receiving opening 12 where the hair is currently to be implanted. The direction of movement is preferably from the side where no bristle bundles have yet been implanted. This means that, starting from this side, the surrounding bristle bundles that have already been implanted are moved away from the receiving opening 12 where the hair is currently to be implanted and bent. This is particularly necessary because the bristle bundles after the hair implantation do not all extend completely parallel, but are spread out in a manner similar to a bouquet of flowers.

[0064] Since the bundle shifter 20 leaves the area around the receiving opening 12 to be currently implanted free, there are no bristles to interfere with the movement of the tip 18, allowing the tip 18 to move through the bundle shifter 20 to the receiving opening 12, and the implanting tongue pushes the bristle bundle into the receiving opening 12 with or without an anchor. Then, the tip 18 is retracted.

[0065] After the tip 18 has passed the bundle displacer 20 in the reverse direction, the bundle displacer 20 is moved away by the drive device 30 and the next bundle displacer 22 is moved in front of the receiving opening to be implanted next.

[0066] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment of the invention, three beam shifters 20, 22, 122 are provided, which are all moved along a circular path by a drive device 30 (not shown here). In this variant, the axis 28 surrounded by the circular path is oriented at right angles to the plane defined by the front side 32. In this variant, the so-called clocking distance is less than the clocking distance according to Figure 1 The beat distance in a variation of . The beat distance is the distance covered by the beam shifter from one beat to the next beat, ie, here as an example, the distance between the beam shifter 22 and the beam shifter 20 .

[0067] Figure 3 The variant is Figure 1 A modification of a variant, but in Figure 3 In the variation of Figure 2 As in the variant in FIG. 2 , the axis 28 is oriented at a right angle relative to the plane defined by the front side 32 .

[0068] On the contrary, Figure 4 In the variation of Figure 2 The axis 28 about which the beam shifter 20, 22, 122 rotates is oriented obliquely relative to the plane defined by the front side 32. Figure 1 As in the variant of FIG. 2 , the angle of the axis 28 relative to the plane is in the range of 60° to 90°, in particular in the range of 60° to 80°.

[0069] The above-mentioned plane can also be replaced by a so-called radial plane, and the radial plane is a radial plane with respect to the direction of the hair transplanting movement of the hair transplanting tool, more precisely a radial plane of the tip 18 at the end point of the hair transplanting movement. This end point of the hair transplanting movement starts shortly before reaching the front dead point, that is, close to the front side 32, and extends until close to the dead point. However, since this end point of the hair transplanting movement is preferably perpendicular to the front side 32, the plane with the front side 32 is usually also a radial plane. However, the bristle bundle can extend obliquely to the front side 32, that is, in the case of an obliquely arranged bristle bundle, so that a directional deviation of the axis 28 relative to the front side 32 is produced. In this case, the above-mentioned angle indication relates to the radial plane, rather than the plane defined by the front side 32.

[0070] Figure 5 Another variant is shown, in which not only three beam shifters are provided, but a considerable number of beam shifters are provided. Here, beam shifters 20, 22, 122 arranged one after the other are provided with reference numerals merely by way of example.

[0071] All beam shifters are arranged along a closed loop, here along a circular trajectory. Preferably, adjacent beam shifters touch each other, as in Fig.10 Here, adjacent beam shifters can also be fastened directly to one another.

[0072] For example, a disk may be used as a holder 24 for all beam shifters, or as in the example according to Fig. 9 As shown in the variant of , the beam displacer can have its own holder 24 , 26 , by means of which it is fastened on the common drive shaft.

[0073] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The difference between the variants is that Fig.10 In a variant of , the bundle displacers are additionally coupled to one another via a radially outer stabilizing ring 36 , wherein the stabilizing ring 36 also contributes to the displacement of the already implanted bristle bundles.

[0074] One variant provides that teeth 38 project outside the stabilization ring 36 , which are intended to additionally retain the bristles during displacement.

[0075] Figure 5 A bristle bundle 40 is shown symbolically, which is extremely long and which remains in its bundle shifter 20, even though the bundle shifter 20 has been turned away and the bundle shifter 22 or the bundle shifter 122 is to be used next. This means that even after the individual bristle bundles have been implanted, the individual bristle bundles remain in their associated bundle shifter for at least one cycle. The next bundle shifter or bundle shifters then shield the next receiving opening from the other already implanted bristle bundles.

[0076] exist Figure 5 It can also be seen how the drive for the movement of the beam shifter 20 , 22 , 122 is realized, namely here for example via a drive belt 42 which is set in motion by the drive device 30 .

[0077] The drive device 30 can therefore be positioned significantly away from the hair implantation tool 16 .

[0078] Furthermore, and this applies to all embodiments, the movement of the bundle shifter and the movement of the hair implanting tool 16 are coupled to one another mechanically or electronically, in the case of an electronic coupling in particular via a so-called “cam system”.

[0079] The drive device 30 is an electric servomotor.

[0080] The drive 30 for the movement of the hair implanting tool 16 is realized in this case mechanically via a cam drive, but alternatively also via a servomotor or a combination of both.

[0081] Figure 6 Show that two rows of receiving openings have been implanted, and the third row starting from the bottom is now implanted from right to left. It can also be seen that each bristle bundle 40 is slightly conically expanded and will therefore hinder the movement of the tip 18 during implantation.

[0082] The bundle displacers, some of which are omitted here purely for the sake of clarity, together with the stabilizing ring 36 displace the already implanted bristle bundles 40 in the vicinity of the receiving opening currently to be implanted.

[0083] Figure 7 and Figure 8 The bristle bundle 40 is shown from different angles, still being held one or more times by the bundle shifter 20 associated therewith. The bristle bundle 40 used here is extremely long and is even longer than the so-called implantation stroke, i.e. the movement distance of the tip 18 between its two dead points. In this case, the bristle bundle 40 is still inserted in the tip 18 when the bristle bundle is currently implanted and the tip 18 has been shifted to its rear dead point. The bundle shifter 20 then pulls the bristle bundle 40 out of the tip 18 by its movement to one side.

[0084] As especially Figure 8 As can be clearly seen in the figure, in this embodiment, the axis 28 about which the beam shifter 20, 22, 122 moves along its circular path is also not perpendicular to the radial plane, but is inclined relative to the radial plane. Similarly, the radial plane relates to the movement trajectory of the hair implanting tool 16, more precisely to the movement trajectory of the tip 18 at the end point of the hair implanting movement. As explained, depending on the orientation of the receiving opening relative to the front side 32, this radial plane can also coincide with the plane defined by the front side 32.

[0085] Here too, the angle of the radial plane relative to the axis 28 is between 60° and 90°, in particular between 60° and 80°.

[0086] Here, the bundle shifters 20, 22, 122 are able to move along a closed annular trajectory, here a circular annular trajectory. Since at the end point of the hair transplanting movement itself, the annular trajectory is oriented obliquely relative to the hair transplanting movement direction of the hair transplanting tool, the currently activated bundle shifter 20 is closer to the front side than all other bundle shifters when viewed in the side view. It can be seen in the side view that the bundle shifter is therefore moved in a rhythmic manner closer to the receiving opening and therefore closer to the plane defined by the front side of the bristle carrier until the bundle shifter is located in front of the receiving opening associated with it and shields the receiving opening. The bundle shifter then gradually moves away from the plane again.

[0087] The beam displacer can be constructed so that it contacts the bristles only via one section. In the variants explained so far, the entire beam displacer 20, 22, 122 contacts the beam, so that its so-called shielding section is formed by the entire beam displacer itself. Figures 12 to 16 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , a bundle displacer 22 , 22 , 122 is provided which is in contact with the bristles only over a partial region, wherein this partial region is then referred to as the so-called shielding section 50 .

[0088] It then applies to the shielding segments 50 that they can optionally continue to be moved in a clocked manner on their closed circular path and, as just described, Figures 5 to 8 As illustrated in the example of , the annular trajectory moves towards the front side of the bristle carrier 14 and the plane defined by the front side, and then moves away from the plane again.

[0089] In reference to Figures 12 to 16 Before the implementation method of Fig.11 A variation of the invention in which the bundle shifters 20, 22, 122 do not move around along a circular trajectory, but rather move around on another closed annular trajectory in the form of an ellipse. Here, the bundle shifters are, for example, located on holders 24, 26, which in turn are fastened to a chain 52 or a driven and circulating belt. The chain or belt not only moves around, but also moves laterally relative to the hair implantation tool 16.

[0090] In accordance with Fig.12 In the variant shown, the beam displacer 20, 22, 122 is of rod-shaped design and extends outward in a star-shaped manner from a shaft through which the axis 28 passes. In this variant, not all beam displacers are also shielding sections 50 at the same time, but the shielding sections 50 are defined by the front end region.

[0091] exist Fig.13 In the variant, the shielding section 50 is defined by the U-shaped bent end of the other rod-shaped beam shifter 20, 22, 122. Thus, the shielding section extends in a U-shape here, wherein other geometries are also possible, such as an L-shape or similar geometries. In these bent or curved variants, the shielding section can shield the bristles from at least two sides and expose the channel for the hair implanting tool 16 from these two sides.

[0092] exist Fig.14 In a variant of , the axis 28 is parallel to the radial plane and thus to the plane defined by the front side 32 , or is at an acute angle to this plane, here at most 25°. Here, the rod-shaped beam displacers 20 , 22 extend parallel to the axis 28 .

[0093] exist Fig.15 The only difference is that it is no longer Fig.14 The variant shown in FIG. 1 does not have two beam shifters as before, but rather three beam shifters 20 , 22 , 122 are provided.

[0094] Fig.16 A slightly different orientation of the axis 28 relative to the front side 32 is shown.

[0095] Not shown is a variant in which the beam displacer is formed by an opening in a rotatable disk and an edge delimiting the opening. Fig.10 Imagine that the edge of the disk is formed by the stabilization ring 36 and the opening is symbolized by the beam shifter 20 , 22 , 122 .

[0096] The orientation of the annular trajectory of the individual beam shifters relative to the front side 32 can also be defined such that the annular trajectory along which the beam shifters are moved defines a surface, in particular a flat surface, extending obliquely relative to the front side 32. The angles of the planes to one another are preferably less than 30°, wherein this is not to be understood in a restrictive manner.

[0097] The distances between the bundle shifters and the relationship of their movement trajectories to the bristle implantation stroke are selected so that the bundle shifter 20 that keeps the currently implanted receiving opening 12 free only moves away from the receiving opening 12 within the scope of the bristle implantation stroke until the subsequently activated bundle shifter 22 sweeps over the receiving opening that is subsequently to be kept free. This relates to the side view. This means that the currently active bundle shifter 20 does not move away from the front side 32 until the next bundle shifter, which is here a bundle shifter 22, starts to move, so that the bundle shifter 20 also still holds its bristle bundle in the subsequent beat.

[0098] In all embodiments, the pulse distance can be implemented in a variable manner, that is, the distance covered by the bundle shifter after the hair implantation process of its receiving opening until the subsequent hair implantation process can be different. Figures 1 to 4 In a variation of this, the pivot angle can change from one beat to the next, or in accordance with Figure 5 In a variant, for example, one beam shifter can be skipped, so that for example after the tip 18 has been moved by the beam shifter 20, the beam shifter 122 is then activated, while the beam shifter 22 has no function. Thus, it is possible to react variably to different bristle lengths.

[0099] It is also possible to use different attachments with bundle shifters in the same brush tufting device. Fig.12 and Fig.13 , the attachment is plugged onto a given shaft, or generally mounted at the shaft, wherein more than five or six beam shifters are shown extending outward in a star shape. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 In the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to assemble a beam shifter in the form of a ring with different circle diameters or other circular rings (e.g. elliptical rings) or polygonal (e.g. triangular, square, ...) rings. It is thus also possible to vary the beat distance and adapt the beam length. Thus, a modular system can be provided in a simple manner, with the help of which other brushes and other beam lengths can be reacted to with minimal modifications. If the drive device 30 is electronically controlled, the adjustment of the beat distance is also not a problem on the drive side.

Claims

1. A brush bristle transplanting device, comprising: a reversibly reciprocating bristle transplanting tool (16), the bristle transplanting tool being used to transplant bristle bundles (40) into a bristle carrier (14), the bristle carrier (14) having a plurality of receiving openings for the bristle bundles (40); and a plurality of bundle shifters (20, 22, 122) moving successively toward the bristle carrier (14) to be transplanted, the bundle shifters being composed of one or more mechanical parts, the bundle shifters directly contacting the already transplanted bristles to displace them from the receiving openings (12) where the bristles are to be subsequently arranged.

2. The brush implanting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bundle displacers (20, 22, 122) are mechanically connected to one another and supported so that they are moved successively toward and away from the bristle carrier (14) in a fixed sequence.

3. The brush hair implanting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The beam shifter (20, 22, 122) is movable on a closed annular trajectory, in particular a circular trajectory.

4. The brush hair implanting device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The beam shifter (20, 22, 122) is supported so as to be movably supported around an axis, wherein the axis (28) forms an angle of at most 35° with a radial plane or an angle of 60° to 90°, in particular 60° to 80°, with the radial plane being a radial plane with respect to the direction of the hair transplanting movement of the hair transplanting tool (16) at the end point of the hair transplanting movement.

5. The brush implanting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The bundle shifters (20, 22, 122) each have a shielding segment (50), and the bundle shifters displace the bristles with the aid of the shielding segment (50), wherein the shielding segments (50) of all bundle shifters (20, 22, 122) are capable of moving along a closed circular trajectory, and the circular trajectory extends obliquely relative to the hair transplanting movement direction of the hair transplanting tool (16) at the end point of the hair transplanting movement, so that at least a portion of the shielding segment (50) of the bundle shifter (20, 22, 122) that shields the receiving opening (12) currently being transplanted is closer to the plane defined by the front side (32) of the bristle carrier (14) than all other shielding segments (50).

6. A brush implanting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The beam shifters (20, 22, 122) are each rod-shaped, in particular having a bent free end forming a shielding segment (50), the shielding segment having bristles to be shifted, wherein the rod-shaped beam shifters (20, 22, 122) are fastened on a common rotation axis, preferably wherein the beam shifters (20, 22, 122) extend parallel to each other or are located in a plane, in particular extending outward in a star shape from a common axis rotating around an axis (28).

7. A brush implanting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The bundle displacers (20, 22, 122) each have a shielding section (50), by means of which the bundle displacers contact the bristles to be displaced, wherein the shielding section (50) surrounds a channel for the bristle implanting tool (16) and the bristle bundle (40) to be implanted and delimits the channel from at least two sides.

8. The brush implanting device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The beam shifter (20, 22, 122) is in the shape of a U-shaped, L-shaped closed ring or annular ring in the shielding section (50) so as to define the channel.

9. The brush implanting device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The beam displacers (20, 22, 122) are mechanically coupled to one another via a radially outer stabilization ring (36) and / or are connected to one another in the shielding section (50).

10. The brush hair implanting device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The beam displacer (20, 22, 122) is formed by an opening in a rotatable disk and an edge delimiting the opening.

11. A brush implanting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: At least two, preferably at least three beam shifters (20, 22, 122) are provided.

12. A brush implanting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The movement of the beam displacer (20, 22, 122) is clocked and coupled, in particular electronically coupled, to the movement of the hair implantation tool (16).

13. A brush hair transplanting device according to any one of the above claims, wherein the spacing between the bundle shifters (20, 22, 122) and their movement trajectories relative to the hair transplanting stroke are selected so that the bundle shifter (20, 22, 122) that keeps the currently hair-implanted receiving opening (12) free moves away from the receiving opening (12) only within the range of the hair transplanting stroke when viewed in a side view until the subsequently activated bundle shifter (20, 22, 122) sweeps over the receiving opening (12) that is subsequently to be kept free.

14. A brush implanting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The drive device (30) of the bundle displacer (20, 22, 122) is designed so that the bundle displacer (20, 22, 122) can continue to move at adjustable intervals of different widths starting from a hair implantation position in which the bundle displacer keeps the currently hair implanted receiving opening (12) free.

15. A method for implanting hair on a brush by means of a brush implanting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the following steps: a) moving the first bundle shifter (20, 22, 122) laterally to the receiving opening (12) in the bristle carrier (14) where the bristles are to be implanted next, so as to bend the previously implanted bristles away from the receiving opening (12) where the bristles are to be implanted next, b) the hair transplanting tool (16) implants the bristle bundle (40) into the receiving opening to be transplanted, c) retracting the hair implanting tool (16), d) moving the first beam shifter (20, 22, 122) away from the receiving opening (12), and e) another bunch of shifters (20, 22, 122) is moved laterally to the receiving opening (12) where the bristles are to be implanted next to it, so as to bend away the previously implanted bristles.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that In step d), the first bundle displacer (20, 22, 122) holds the bristle bundle (40) being implanted at least until the further bundle displacer (20, 22, 122) has moved in front of the receiving opening (12) to be implanted by the next bristle bundle (40).

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that A bristle bundle (40) longer than the bristle implanting stroke is implanted, and in step d), the first bundle shifter (20, 22, 122) pulls the implanted bristle bundle (40) out of the bristle implanting tool (16).

18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that The bundle shifter (20, 22, 122) runs in a clocked manner along a circular trajectory and shifts successively implanted bristle bundles (40), wherein the circular trajectory defines a surface that points toward the front side (32) of the bristle carrier (14) facing the bristle implanting tool (16), and is particularly oriented obliquely to the front side (32).

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