Brush manufacturing device

Abstract

The utility model relates to a brush manufacturing device used for manufacturing a brush, the brush is provided with a brush hair carrier and a brush hair group formed by brush hair filaments, the brush manufacturing device is provided with a heating device, the heating device is configured to heat the fixed end of the bristle filaments of the bristle group and the bristle carrier to be connected to the bristle filaments of the bristle group, and to melt the fixed end of the bristle filaments, instead of melting the bristle carrier. By means of the brush manufacturing device, the end of the fixed side of the bristle filaments can be melted by heating, while the bristle carrier is only heated but not melted, and thus the dimensionally stable state is maintained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a brush manufacturing device for manufacturing brushes. Background Art

[0002] In the manufacture of brushes, different methods are known from practice for connecting the bristle carrier of a brush to a group consisting of bristle filaments. Thus, for example, it is known from the prior art that the bristle filaments of a bristle group are fixed in the receiving holes of a bristle carrier with the aid of so-called anchor elements in the case of combining them into bristle bundles. Here, the bristle bundle together with the anchor element is punched into the receiving hole. However, in order to fix the bristle bundle in the receiving hole with the aid of the anchor element, the bristle carrier must have a certain material thickness, and this material thickness should not be less than this value. If the material thickness of the bristle carrier is too small, the anchoring technique for fixing the bristle bundle can no longer be applied reliably and reasonably, because there is too little material in which the anchor element can be fixed at this time.

[0003] Alternatively, methods for fixing bristle filaments and bristle bundles consisting of bristle filaments to a bristle carrier without an anchor are also known from the prior art. Here, the bristle filaments and the bristle carrier can be connected to each other, for example, by material locking. Here, the bristle filaments and the bristle carrier are at least partially melted and then connected to each other. However, this approach also has its limitations in the case of thin-walled bristle carriers, because it is difficult to ensure the dimensional stability of the thin-walled bristle carrier in the case of this method. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] The object of the utility model is to provide a brush manufacturing device in which the processing of a thin-walled bristle carrier can also be realized reliably.

[0005] To solve the above object, a brush manufacturing device for manufacturing brushes, in particular toothbrushes, is proposed, the brush having a bristle carrier and a bristle group consisting of bristle filaments, wherein the brush manufacturing device has a heating device, and the heating device is configured to heat the end portions of the fixing sides of the bristle filaments of the bristle group and the bristle carrier to be connected to the bristle filaments of the bristle group, and to melt the end portions of the fixing sides of the bristle filaments, and conversely not to melt the bristle carrier.

[0006] With the aid of this brush manufacturing device, the end portions of the fixing sides of the bristle filaments can be melted by heating, while the bristle carrier is only heated but not melted, and thus remains dimensionally stable.

[0007] The present utility model is based on the following understanding: For a reliable and preferably material-locked connection between the bristles of the bristle group and the bristle carrier of the brush, it is not necessary to melt the bristle carrier. On the contrary, it is sufficient to heat only the end portions of the fixed sides of the bristles of the bristle group until the bristles are melted. It is sufficient to only heat the bristle carrier and thereby prepare it for connection with the bristles of the bristle group. Here, it is not even necessary to locally melt the bristle carrier.

[0008] Preferably, the bristle carrier and the end portions of the fixed sides of the bristles of the bristle group are heated to different temperatures here.

[0009] The bristle carrier and the bristles of the bristle group can be connected to each other in a material-locked manner. In this way, the bristles of the bristle group are fixed particularly reliably and load-carryingly at the bristle carrier for the bristle group. In addition, in this fixing method, no structure is required at the bristle carrier for, for example, connecting the bristle carrier to the bristle group in a material-locked manner. This can simplify the manufacture of the bristle carrier.

[0010] Advantageously, the bristle carrier and the bristles are made of a plurality of materials that are compatible with each other for material-locked connection or are made of the same material that is compatible with each other for material-locked connection.

[0011] For manufacturing a particularly environmentally friendly brush, it can be advantageous that the bristle carrier and the bristles, preferably all parts of the brush, are made of biodegradable materials, especially made of biodegradable plastics, such as made of polyamides, preferably made of PA10.10 or PA 12. Using such materials for manufacturing the bristle carrier and the bristles is beneficial for the environmentally friendly disposal of the brush or for the simplest possible recycling of the brush.

[0012] Especially when the bristles and the bristle carrier are made of different materials, for simplifying and / or improving the connection between the bristles and the bristle carrier, it can be meaningful to use bristles and / or a bristle carrier containing at least one of the following additives, and the additives act as adhesion promoters.

[0013] Especially when the bristles and the bristle carrier are made of different materials, for simplifying and / or improving the connection between the bristles and the bristle carrier, it can be meaningful to apply a primer as an adhesion promoter to the bristles and / or the bristle carrier before connecting the bristles and the bristle carrier. The primer can be used as an adhesion promoter and simplifies the establishment of a reliable connection between the bristles and the bristle carrier. Paint can be applied as the primer.

[0014] For example, adhesion promoters for plastics, especially for polypropylene, can be used as primer coatings and / or additives. For example, adhesion promoters of the PP-g-MAH type can be used as primer coatings and / or additives. For example, Priex 20097, Polybond 3200, Exxelor PO 1020, Scona TPPP 8012, Scona TPPP 9012, Scona TPPP 9112, Licocene PP MA 6252 and / or Licocene PP MA 7452 can be used as additives and / or primer coatings.

[0015] For the joining of bristle filaments and / or bristle carriers made of different plastics (for example, bristle filaments made of polyamide (PA) or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and bristle carriers made of polypropylene (PP)), it can be advantageous to use such additives and / or primer coatings that increase the graft ratio (Pfropfanteil) of the connection (especially the plastic connection) between the bristle filaments and the bristle carriers. Preferably, the joining partner made of polypropylene (i.e., the bristle carrier or the bristle filament) is modified by the additive and / or primer coating. This can preferably be the bristle carrier, since the bristle carrier is often made of polypropylene.

[0016] By means of the above-mentioned primer coatings and / or additives, it is possible to join a bristle carrier made of, for example, polypropylene to bristle filaments made of another material (for example, polyamide or polybutylene terephthalate) without having to melt the bristle carrier for this purpose.

[0017] It can be particularly advantageous to use additives as adhesion promoters. The additives can be added to the raw material from which the bristle carrier and / or the bristle filaments are made. Thereby, the bristle carrier and / or the bristle filaments can be directly manufactured, for example, extruded and / or injection-molded from the raw material modified with the additive.

[0018] In one embodiment of the brush to be manufactured, the bristle carrier and / or the bristle filaments can be made of, for example, polypropylene (PP), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and / or polyamide (PA). By using the above-mentioned adhesion promoters, i.e., additives and / or primer coatings, the bristle carrier and the bristle filaments can be joined in a material-locking manner even if the materials of the bristle carrier and the bristle filaments are not actually very suitable for a material-locking connection with each other, especially a welding connection or an adhesive connection.

[0019] A material-locking connection in the sense of the present utility model can in particular be a welding connection.

[0020] By melting the ends of the fixing sides of the bristle filaments, at least one carrier plate can be produced, which is composed of the molten filament material of the ends of the fixing sides of the bristle filaments. The at least one carrier plate can connect the bristle filaments of one or more bristle bundles to each other. One carrier plate can also connect multiple or all bristle bundles of a bristle group to each other. Thus, by melting the ends of the fixing sides, the bristle filaments of one or more or all bristle bundles of a bristle group can be connected to each other before their connection to the bristle carrier. This can simplify the manufacture of the brush and especially the connection of the bristle group to the bristle carrier.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the bristle carrier is heated to a temperature below its melting temperature. In this way, it is ensured that no partial melting of the bristle carrier occurs in any area.

[0022] Especially when the bristle filaments and the bristle carrier are made of the same material, the bristle carrier can be heated to a lower temperature than the ends of the fixing sides of the bristle filaments. Thereby, the ends of the fixing sides of the bristle filaments can be melted, while the bristle carrier is only heated but not melted. This approach is particularly energy-efficient.

[0023] To connect the bristle filaments to the bristle carrier, it may be appropriate to place the bristle carrier into a mold. The mold can have a mold wall that laterally surrounds the bristle carrier at least in some sections, especially the receiving recess for the ends of the fixing sides of the bristle filaments of the bristle carrier. When connecting the bristle filaments of a bristle group to the bristle carrier, the mold wall of the mold can guide the molten filament material of the ends of the fixing sides of the bristle filaments so as to prevent the molten filament material from overflowing beyond the outer periphery of the bristle carrier. This approach is conducive to maintaining the smoothest possible and non-offset outer contour of the bristle carrier. In addition, this variant can be particularly well-suited for manufacturing brushes with particularly thin-walled bristle carriers. For the connection of bristle filaments to a thin-walled bristle carrier, using a mold when connecting the bristle filaments to the bristle carrier can be advantageous in order to support the bristle carrier. In addition, when connecting the bristle filaments to the bristle carrier, the mold can contribute to the dimensional stability of the bristle carrier.

[0024] If the bristle carrier has a receiving recess in which the bristle filaments are fixed to the bristle carrier with their ends of the fixing sides, the receiving recess can be filled with the molten filament material of the ends of the fixing sides of the bristle filaments and thereby the bristle carrier can be strengthened and made complete.

[0025] Here, the edges of the bristle carrier that laterally delimit the above-mentioned receiving recess can be supported by the mold, and especially by its mold wall.

[0026] The bristle filaments can be pressed with the end of the melted fixed side of the bristle filaments against the heated bristle carrier for connection to the bristle carrier, or the heated bristle carrier can be pressed against the end of the melted fixed side of the bristle filaments. Here, a presser of the brush manufacturing device can be used. Here, the end of the melted fixed side is still hot and preferably still in a molten liquid state, but at least still soft and plastic, so that a good connection can be established between the bristle carrier and the bristle filaments.

[0027] In order to cure the connection formed between the bristle carrier and the bristle filaments as quickly as possible after the connection, the bristle carrier can be cooled after the connection to the bristle filaments. This can be accomplished by means of a cooling device of the brush manufacturing device, which will be explained in detail below, and / or via the die mentioned above.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the brush manufacturing device, the heating device comprises two heating surfaces. Among the two heating surfaces, the first heating surface is provided for heating the end of the fixed side of the bristle filaments of the bristle tuft of the brush to be manufactured, while the second heating surface is provided for heating the bristle carrier to be connected to the bristle filaments of the bristle tuft of the brush to be manufactured. In this embodiment of the brush manufacturing device, the heating device is configured by its two heating surfaces to heat the end of the fixed side of the bristle filaments and the bristle carrier, and to melt the end of the fixed side of the bristle filaments, without melting the bristle carrier, on the contrary.

[0029] Preferably, the heating device - in particular by means of its two heating surfaces - is configured to heat the end of the fixed side of the bristle filaments and the bristle carrier to different temperatures. This is advantageous in the case where the bristle filaments and the bristle carrier have the same melting temperature and only the end of the fixed side of the bristle filaments needs to be melted.

[0030] The heating device can, for example, be configured to heat the heating surfaces to different temperatures. In this way, on the one hand, the end of the fixed side of the bristle filaments and, on the other hand, the bristle carrier of the brush to be manufactured can be heated to different temperatures, and thus the method explained in detail above can be carried out.

[0031] In particular, the heating device can be configured to heat the first heating surface to a temperature sufficient to melt the end of the fixed side of the bristle filaments. The heating device can furthermore be configured to heat the second heating surface to a temperature that is sufficient to heat the bristle carrier to a temperature below its melting temperature. In this way, it is ensured that when using the brush manufacturing device, the end of the fixed side of the bristle filaments is melted, while the bristle carrier is heated but not melted and thus remains dimensionally stable and shape-stable.

[0032] In one embodiment of the brush manufacturing device, it is stipulated that the distance between the first heating surface and the position where the end of the fixed side of the bristle filaments, which is preset by the brush manufacturing device and is ready for heating and melting, is greater than the distance between the second heating surface and the position where the bristle carrier, which is preset by the brush manufacturing device and is ready for heating. In this variant of the brush manufacturing device, it is thus feasible to heat the two heating surfaces of the heating device to the same temperature. By virtue of the different distances between the position where, on the one hand, the end of the fixed side of the bristle filaments and, on the other hand, the bristle carrier are preset by the brush manufacturing device and the corresponding heating surfaces, the desired, possibly different heating of the end of the fixed side of the bristle filaments and the bristle carrier can be ensured.

[0033] In a particularly compact embodiment of the brush manufacturing device, it is stipulated that the two heating surfaces are arranged at a common heating element, in particular on different sides of the common heating element, preferably on sides of the heating element facing away from each other. In this way, the heating element can be positioned between the bristle carrier that is ready on the one hand and the end of the fixed side of the bristle filaments that is ready on the other hand.

[0034] In order to carry out the method mentioned above, it may be appropriate that the heating device is set up to preferably independently adjust the temperatures of the two heating surfaces. Here, the heating device may have a control unit and at least one temperature sensor for detecting and adjusting the temperature of at least one of the two heating surfaces. Preferably, at least one temperature sensor is assigned to each heating surface. In this way, the temperatures of the two heating surfaces of the heating device can be detected and monitored separately from each other, and if a deviation is found between the actual temperature and the set temperature of the heating surface, it can be adapted, if possible, with the aid of the control unit of the brush manufacturing device.

[0035] The brush manufacturing device may have a mold for receiving and supporting the bristle carrier when connecting the bristle filaments of the bristle group. The advantages of such a mold have been explained in the context of the method. The use of such a mold is particularly suitable for processing thin-walled bristle carriers.

[0036] The brush manufacturing device may have an output device (Abgabevorrichtung) for outputting a base coat onto the bristle filaments and / or the bristle carrier. In this way, the base coat can be output onto the bristle filaments and / or the bristle carrier before connecting the bristle filaments to the bristle carrier. The base coat can facilitate the establishment of a reliable connection between the bristle filaments and the bristle carrier.

[0037] The brush manufacturing device may also have a wire holder for holding the filaments of the bristle tuft, in particular in a clamping manner. With the aid of the wire holder, the filaments of the bristle tuft can be held at the position mentioned above on the first heating surface of the heating device at their fixed-side ends, in order to heat and ultimately melt the fixed-side ends of the bristle filaments. The wire holder can also be used to guide the filaments of the bristle tuft when connecting the bristle filaments to the bristle tuft. Here, the bristle filaments can be axially loaded relative to their longitudinal axis, in particular via the cleaning side of the bristle tuft, and the bristle filaments can be pressed against the heated bristle carrier. For this purpose, the brush manufacturing device can have a presser which is set up to press the filaments of the bristle tuft against the heated bristle carrier with their melted fixed-side ends, in order to thereby connect the bristle filaments to the bristle carrier. The presser can also be set up to press the heated bristle carrier against the melted ends of the bristle filaments, in order to interconnect the bristle carrier and the bristle filaments.

[0038] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the wire holder has a hole pattern of receiving holes for the bristle filaments and / or the bristle bundles of the bristle tuft formed by the bristle filaments, and the receiving holes are preferably configured as through-holes.

[0039] If the receiving holes of the wire holder are configured as through-holes, the bristle filaments and / or the bristle bundles located in the receiving holes can be pushed out of the receiving holes in an axial movement relative to their longitudinal axis, in order to press the melted fixed-side ends of the bristle filaments against the heated bristle carrier and connect the bristle filaments to the bristle carrier.

[0040] The wire holder can for example be configured as a cartridge and / or can be transported between a plurality of individual stations of the brush manufacturing device.

[0041] The wire holder can also have a clamping part by means of which the filaments of the bristle tuft can be fixed in the receiving holes of the wire holder. During the heating and melting of the fixed-side ends of the bristle filaments, the clamping part can be closed, so that the bristle filaments can be held reliably and accurately positioned in the wire holder.

[0042] Once the fixed-side ends of the bristle filaments have been melted and the bristle carrier has been heated, the clamping part of the wire holder can be opened. When the clamping part of the wire holder is opened, the filaments of the bristle tuft can be pressed against the heated bristle carrier with their melted fixed-side ends, for example by means of the presser mentioned above of the brush manufacturing device, in order to connect the bristle filaments to the bristle carrier.

[0043] In order to reduce the process time required to establish and in particular solidify the connection between the bristle filaments and the bristle group, it is advantageous for the brush manufacturing device to have a cooling device. The cooling device can be configured to cool the bristle carrier after the bristle filaments are connected to the bristle carrier. The cooling device can act, for example, via the die of the brush manufacturing device mentioned above on the bristle carrier placed in the die.

[0044] The brush manufacturing device can also have a magazine for receiving a reserve of loose bristle filaments. Downstream of the magazine, the brush manufacturing device can include a tuft dividing device configured to remove a tuft of bristle filaments from the reserve of loose bristle filaments contained in the magazine and provide it for forming a bristle group.

[0045] The brush manufacturing device can also have a tuft shaping unit (Bündelumformeinheit) configured to transform the tuft of bristle filaments removed from the brush tuft magazine into the target shape desired for the manufacture of the brush.

[0046] The tuft of bristle filaments can be transferred from the tuft shaping unit to the filament holder mentioned above. Then, the tufts of bristle filaments can be held in the filament holder relative to each other in an arrangement structure that the tufts of bristle filaments will also occupy in the bristle group of the brush to be manufactured. Description of the Drawings

[0047] The present utility model will be explained in detail below with the aid of an embodiment. The present utility model is not limited to the embodiments shown in the figures. Other embodiments of the present utility model are obtained by combining features and / or by combining the features of the embodiments shown. In the drawings:

[0048] Figures 1 to 4 show different views of a brush configured as a toothbrush, in which it can be seen that the bristle carrier of the brush has a receiving recess for receiving the fixed-side ends of the bristle filaments of the bristle group of the brush, and the receiving recess is filled with molten filament material after the bristle filaments are fixed to the bristle carrier,

[0049] Figure 5 Shows Figures 1 to 4 a perspective view of the bristle group of the brush shown in

[0050] Figures 6 to 9 after the fixed-side ends of its bristle filaments are melted,

[0051] Figure 10 Shows Figures 6 to 9 a perspective view of the bristle group of the brush shown in

[0052] Figure 11 A schematic view showing some parts of a brush manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the brush shown in the previous figure, and

[0053] Figures 12 to 14 showing other parts of the brush manufacturing apparatus. Detailed Description

[0054] Figures 1 to 5 and Figures 6 to 10 respectively showing at least some parts of a brush globally labeled 1, the brush being configured as a toothbrush. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, the following description relates to two embodiments of the brush 1 shown in the figures.

[0055] The brush 1 has a bristle carrier 2, i.e., a brush head, and a bristle group 3 composed of bristle filaments 4 is fixed to the bristle carrier.

[0056] For example Figure 1 and Figure 6 show that the brush 1 has a receiving recess 5 at its bristle carrier 2. The bristle filaments 4 are fixed at their fixed-side ends 6 in the receiving recess 5. The receiving recess 5 is filled with a filament material melted for fixing the bristle filaments 4 at the fixed-side end 6 of the brush 1. The bristle carrier 2, i.e., the brush head, is connected to the handle 8 of the brush 1 via a neck section 7 of the brush 1. For example Figure 1 and Figure 4 show that, before the bristle filaments 4 are fixed, the bristle carrier 2 has its minimum material thickness measurable in the normal direction of the receiving recess 5 in the region of the receiving recess 5. In the adjacent regions, the bristle carrier 2 is constructed thicker. This is shown, for example, in Figure 4 and Figure 9 in which figures, the material thickness E in the region of the receiving recess 5 and the material thickness D in the adjacent section of the bristle carrier 2 are shown by dimensioning.

[0057] After the bristle filaments 4 are fixed to the bristle carrier 2, the bristle carrier 2 is strengthened by the melted filament material of the bristle filaments 4 in the region of its filled receiving recess 5.

[0058] In the embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 10 of the brush 1, a reinforcing rib 9 is constructed in the receiving recess 5, and although the material thickness E of the bristle carrier in the region of the receiving recess 5 is relatively small, the reinforcing rib imparts good stability to the bristle carrier 2. This can simplify the manipulation of the bristle carrier 2 during the manufacture of the brush 1.

[0059] The receiving recess 5 is segmented due to the reinforcing ribs 9 present within the receiving recess 5. The arrangement structure of the reinforcing ribs 9 produces a pattern consisting of a plurality of individual receiving portions, which correspond in shape and arrangement structure to the cross-sectional shape and arrangement structure of the tufts 10 of bristle filaments 4 of the bristle group 3.

[0060] Figure 5 and Figure 10 It is shown that the molten filament material of the correspondingly shown bristle group 3 forms at least one carrier plate 11, which fills the receiving recess 5 of the respective brush 1 after the bristle filaments 4 are fixed to the bristle carrier 2.

[0061] The bristle filaments 4 or the tufts 10 formed by the bristle filaments 4 can be interconnected by the carrier plate 11. This is especially the case for the carrier plate 11 shown in Figure 5 .

[0062] In Figure 10 the bristle group 3 shown, the bristle filaments 4 within one tuft 10 are connected by the carrier plate 11. Thus, each of the total of eight tufts 10 has a carrier plate 11.

[0063] The carrier plate 11 fills the receiving recess 5 such that the surface 12 of the carrier plate 11 is flush with the brush surface 13 of the brush 1 adjacent to the receiving recess 5 and the bristle group 3. Figure 10 The multiple carrier plates 11 of the bristle group 3 shown in Figures 6 to 9 also fill the portions of the receiving recess 5 of the bristle carrier 2 segmented by the reinforcing ribs 9 shown in

[0064] in a similar manner. There, the surface 12 of the carrier plate 11 is also flush with the brush surface 13 of the brush 1 surrounding the receiving recess 5.

[0065] The bristle filaments 4 and the bristle carrier 2, as well as the neck section 7 and the handle 8 of the brush 1, are made of the same material, which moreover allows a material-locking connection between the bristle filaments 4 and the bristle carrier 2.

[0066] The bristle filaments 4 fixed in the receiving recess 5 and the bristle carrier 2 form a materially homogeneous integral unit and are connected to each other in a material-locking manner after their connection.

[0067] The bristle carrier 2 has an edge 14 that laterally delimits a receiving recess 5. The edge 14 serves to guide the molten filament material when the bristle filaments 4 are connected to the bristle carrier 2 such that the receiving recess 5 is filled with the molten filament material at the end 6 of the fixed side of the bristle filaments 4.

[0068] In the edge 14, a plurality of voids 15 are respectively formed, and the voids are preferably filled flush with the adjacent edge sections by the molten filament material at the end 6 of the fixed side of the bristle filaments 4. For example Figure 3 This is shown in a top view of the bristle carrier 2 configured as the brush head of a brush 1.

[0069] It can be seen from this illustration that the voids 15 in the edge 14 are almost completely filled with the molten filament material at the end 6 of the fixed side of the bristle filaments 4.

[0070] Figure 3 and Figure 8 It is shown that, at the manufactured toothbrush, in the region where the bristle tuft 3 is arranged adjacent to the edge 14 of the receiving recess 5 of the bristle carrier 2, the distance A of the bristle tuft 3 from the circumference of the bristle carrier 2 can be, for example, 0.5 mm to 3 mm. In this case, the distance A also defines the distance of the bristle bundle 10 from the circumference of the bristle carrier 2.

[0071] Figure 3 and Figure 8 It is also shown that, where the molten filament material and the carrier plate are surrounded by the edge 14 of the bristle carrier 2, the distance B of the molten filament material and thus the carrier plate 11 from the circumference of the bristle carrier 2 can be, for example, 0.3 mm to 2 mm. In this case, the distance B also defines the edge thickness of the edge 14 of the bristle carrier 2, which delimits the receiving recess 5 and abuts against the carrier plate 11.

[0072] Figure 3 and Figure 8 It is further shown that, in the region of the voids 15 in the edge 14 of the bristle carrier 2 that surrounds the receiving recess 5, the distance C of the molten filament material and thus the carrier plate 11 from the circumference of the bristle carrier 2 can be, for example, 0 mm to 2 mm. Thereby, the molten filament material forming the carrier plate 11 can extend completely outwards in the region of the voids 15 in the edge 14, fill the voids 15 and form a section flush with the adjacent edge sections.

[0073] Figure 4 and Figure 9 It is shown that, after the bristle filaments 4 are fixed to the bristle carrier 6, the bristle carrier 2 can have a material thickness D of 2 mm to 6 mm at the edge. Here, the material thickness D defines the head thickness of the bristle carrier.

[0074] Figure 4 and Figure 9 Furthermore, it is shown that, in the case of a toothbrush, the material thickness E in the region of the receiving recess 5 before the bristle filaments 4 are fixed to the bristle carrier 2 can be, for example, from 1 mm to 4 mm. Here, the difference between the dimensions D and E defines the height of the edge 14 above the receiving recess 5.

[0075] Figures 11 to 14 There is shown a brush manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a brush 1 as at least partially shown in Figures 1 to 9 . Figure 12 It is shown that first the end 6 of the fixing side of the bristle filaments 4 and the bristle carrier 2 are heated to connect the bristle filaments 4 to the prepared bristle carrier 2. Here, the end 6 of the fixing side of the bristle filaments 4 melts, while conversely the bristle carrier 2 does not melt. Then the bristle carrier 2 and the bristle filaments 4 of the bristle tuft 3 are connected to each other.

[0076] When the bristle filaments 4 are fixed to the bristle carrier 2, the above-mentioned receiving recess 5 of the bristle carrier 2 is filled with the molten filament material of the end 6 of the fixing side of the bristle filaments 4. Figure 12 Furthermore, it is shown that here not only the end 6 of the fixing side of the bristle filaments 4 but also the bristle carrier 2 in the region of its receiving recess 5 are heated in a non-contact manner by means of thermal radiation.

[0077] The end 6 of the fixing side of the bristle filaments 4 and the bristle carrier 2 are heated to different temperatures and are connected in a material-locking manner. Specifically, the end 6 of the fixing side of the bristle filaments 4 is heated to a higher temperature than the bristle carrier 2. The end 6 of the fixing side of the bristle filaments 4 is heated so highly that the bristle filaments melt, while the temperature to which the bristle carrier 2 is heated in the region of its receiving recess 5 is chosen to be lower so that the bristle carrier 2 does not melt. Here, the temperature to which the bristle carrier 2 is heated is below its melting temperature. After the bristle filaments are fixed to the bristle carrier 2, the bristle filaments 4 and the bristle carrier 2 are connected to each other in a material-locking manner and form the above-mentioned materially homogeneous integral unit. This is possible because the bristle carrier 2 and the bristle filaments 4 are made of the same material that is compatible with each other for material-locking connection.

[0078] To simplify and / or improve the connection between the bristle filaments 4 and the bristle carrier 2, the bristle filaments 4 and / or the bristle carrier 2 contain at least one additive acting as an adhesion promoter. Furthermore, a primer can be applied as an adhesion promoter to the bristle filaments 4 and / or the bristle carrier 2 before connecting the bristle filaments 4 to the bristle carrier 3.

[0079] The primer and / or additive applied to the bristle carrier 2 and / or the bristle filaments 4, for example, an additive that can be mixed in the material constituting the bristle carrier 2 and / or the bristle filaments 4, can facilitate the establishment of a reliable connection between the bristle filaments 4 and the bristle carrier 2.

[0080] Advantageously, such an additive and / or an undercoat is used, which increases the grafting ratio of the connection, in particular the plastic connection between the bristle filaments 4 and the bristle carrier 2. In this way, the bristle carrier 2 and the bristle filaments 4, even if made of different materials, can be reliably connected. Thus, with the aid of the additive and / or the undercoat, a bristle carrier 2 made of, for example, polypropylene can be connected to bristle filaments 4 made of, for example, polyamide or polybutylene terephthalate.

[0081] At least one carrier plate 11 is produced by melting the end 6 of the fixing side of the bristle filaments 4, which connects the bristle filaments 4 of one or more bristle bundles 10 to one another and / or connects the multiple bristle bundles 10 or all bristle bundles 10 of the bristle group 3 to one another.

[0082] When fixing the bristle filaments 4 to the bristle carrier 2, the void 15 present in the edge 14 of the laterally bounding receiving recess 5 of the bristle carrier 2 is filled with the filament material of the end 6 of the fixing side of the bristle filaments 4 to be preferably flush with the adjacent edge section.

[0083] To fix the bristle filaments 4 in the receiving recess 5, the bristle carrier 2 is placed into a mold 16. The mold 16 has a mold wall 17, which laterally surrounds the receiving recess 5 of the bristle carrier 2 in such a way that the edge 14 of the laterally bounding receiving recess 5 of the bristle carrier 2 is laterally supported.

[0084] According to Figure 13 , after heating the end 6 of the fixing side of the bristle filaments 4 and the bristle carrier 2, the bristle carrier 2 is placed into the mold 16. The placement of the bristle carrier 2 is carried out by means of a lifting device 36 of a brush manufacturing device 18, which will be explained in detail below.

[0085] After fixing the bristle filaments 4 to the bristle carrier 2 and after filling the receiving recess 5 with the filament material of the end 6 of the fixing side of the bristle filaments 4, the bristle carrier 2 is cooled via the mold 16. Here, the connection between the bristle filaments 4 and the bristle carrier 2 solidifies.

[0086] The brush manufacturing device 18 has a heating device 19. The heating device 19 includes two heating surfaces 20 and 21. Of the two heating surfaces, the first heating surface 20 is arranged for heating and for melting the end 6 of the fixing side of the bristle filaments 4, while the second heating surface 21 is arranged for heating the bristle carrier 2. Here, the heating surfaces 20 and 21 output heat to the bristle filaments 4 or the bristle carrier 2 via thermal radiation.

[0087] The heating device 19 - - via its two heating surfaces 20 and 21 - - is provided for heating the fixed-side end 6 of the bristle filaments 4 and the bristle carrier 2, and hereby melts the fixed-side end 6, and conversely does not melt the bristle carrier 2. The bristle carrier 2 remains dimensionally stable because the bristle carrier is not heated to the extent that it melts.

[0088] The heating device 19 is provided for heating the two heating surfaces 20 and 21 to different temperatures, and heating the fixed-side end 6 of the bristle filaments and the bristle carrier 2 in the region of the receiving recess 5 of the bristle carrier to different temperatures via the heating surfaces. Here, the heating surface 20 can be heated to a temperature sufficient to melt the fixed-side end 6 of the bristle filaments 3 by means of thermal radiation.

[0089] The two heating surfaces 20 and 21 are arranged at a common heating element 22 and are hereby arranged at different (i.e., facing away from each other) sides of the heating element 22.

[0090] In this way, the heating element 22 can be positioned in the position shown in Figure 12 between the prepared bristle carrier 2 and the prepared bristle filaments 4, so as to heat the fixed-side end 6 of the bristle filaments 4 via the heating surface 20 and heat the bristle carrier 2 via the heating surface 21.

[0091] The heating device 19 is provided for independently adjusting the temperatures of the two heating surfaces 20 and 21. The heating device 19 includes at least one temperature sensor 23 for each of the heating surfaces 20 and 21 to detect and adjust the temperatures of the two heating surfaces 20 and 21.

[0092] With the aid of the temperature sensors 23, the temperatures of the heating surfaces 20 and 21 can be detected and hereby the temperatures of the two heating surfaces 20 and 21 can be adjusted to a target temperature. To perform the temperature adjustment of the heating surfaces 20 and 21, the heating device 19 is equipped with a corresponding control unit 24. The control unit 24 is connected to the temperature sensors 23 and can adapt the temperatures of the heating surfaces 20 and 21 according to the deviation of the respective actual temperatures of the heating surfaces 20, 21 detected by means of the temperature sensors 23 from the target temperature.

[0093] The above-mentioned mold 16 mentioned above is part of the brush manufacturing device 18. The mold 16 is used to receive and support the bristle carrier 2 when fixing the bristle filaments 4 to the bristle carrier 2. After heating and melting the fixed-side end 6 of the bristle filaments 4 and heating the bristle carrier 2 without melting the bristle carrier, the bristle carrier 2 is lowered into the mold 16 by means of the lifting device 36 of the brush manufacturing device 18, so as to fix the bristle filaments 4 in the receiving recess 5.

[0094] The brush manufacturing device 18 also includes a profiling device 25. The profiling device 25 is inFigure 11 is shown and partly in Figure 12 and Figure 13 is shown. The profiling device 25 serves to profile the tuft 3 of bristles of the brush 1 to be manufactured.

[0095] The profiling device 25 has a profiling tool 26 for profiling the cleaning side 27 of the tuft 3 of bristles and a mating profiling tool 28 for supporting and profiling the fixed side 29 of the tuft 3 of bristles.

[0096] For example, from Figure 11 the principle of operation of the profiling device 25 can be seen. Accordingly, the profiling tool 26 moves with its convexly shaped surface that serves for shaping towards the cleaning side 27 of the tuft 3 of bristles. Thereby, the bristle filaments 4 are axially displaced relative to their longitudinal axes according to the shape of the profiling tool 26. The bristle filaments 4 are supported by the mating profiling tool 28 that bears against the fixed side 29 of the tuft 3 of bristles and are brought into shape, the profile of the surface of the mating profiling tool corresponding to the target profile of the tuft 3 of bristles at its cleaning side 27 and being concavely shaped.

[0097] When fixing the end 6 of the bristle filaments 4 on the fixed side by melting it to the bristle carrier 2 of the brush 1 to be manufactured, the different overhangs of the bristle filaments 4 at the fixed side 29 of the tuft 3 of bristles are levelled.

[0098] Figure 11 It is shown that the brush manufacturing device 18 furthermore has a filament holder 30, which has a clamping part 39 for clamping and holding the bristle filaments 4 of the tuft 3 of bristles. The filament holder 30 is constructed as a cassette and can move between the stations of the brush manufacturing device 18 and can hold the bristle filaments 4 during the profiling of the tuft 3 of bristles and during heating and melting of their ends 6 on the fixed side at the heating device 19. The filament holder 30 has a hole pattern 37 of receiving holes 38 for the bristle bundles 10 composed of bristle filaments 4, which hole pattern corresponds to the bundle arrangement of the bristle bundles 10 in the tuft 3 of bristles.

[0099] When the end 6 on the fixed side of the bristle filaments 4 is pressed into the receiving recess 5 of the prepared bristle carrier 2, the filament holder 30 is also used. However, the clamping part 39 of the filament holder is open here. Thereby, the bristle filaments 4 can be pressed with their end 6 on the fixed side into the receiving recess 5 by means of the profiling tool 26 which axially loads the bristle filaments 4 on the fixed side 27 of the bristle tuft 3 and is pressed against the heated bristle carrier 2 here. Here, the bristle filaments 4 are guided by the filament holder 30 and its through-going receiving holes 38. The profiling tool 26 then acts as a presser of the brush manufacturing device 18 and enables the bristle carrier 2 to be connected to the bristle filaments 4. In order to be connected to the bristle carrier 2, the bristle filaments 4 are pressed with their melted end 6 on the fixed side against the heated bristle carrier 2 by means of the presser 26 of the brush manufacturing device 18 and are thus fixed at the bristle carrier 2.

[0100] In order to cool the bristle carrier 2 after the bristle filaments 4 are fixed to the bristle carrier 2, the brush manufacturing device 18 furthermore has a cooling device 31. The cooling device 31 is provided for cooling the bristle carrier 2 arranged in the mold 16.

[0101] According to Figure 11 , the brush manufacturing device 18 furthermore has a magazine 32 in which a reserve of loose bristle filaments 33 is arranged.

[0102] By means of the dividing device 34 of the brush manufacturing device 18, bristle tufts 10 can be divided from the reserve of loose bristle filaments 33 in the magazine 32. The bristle tufts 10 can be brought into their desired target shape in the bristle tuft 3 of the brush 1 to be manufactured by means of the tuft forming unit 35.

[0103] The bristle tufts 10 are transferred from the tuft forming unit 35 to the filament holder 30 and are fixed in the through-hole-shaped receiving holes 38 by means of the clamping part 39.

[0104] The brush manufacturing device 18 has an output device 40 for outputting a primer onto the bristle filaments 4 and / or the bristle carrier 2. Before the bristle filaments 4 are connected to the bristle carrier 2, the primer can be output onto the bristle filaments 4 and / or the bristle carrier 2 in this way. The primer can facilitate the establishment of a reliable connection between the bristle filaments 4 and the bristle carrier 2.

[0105] Furthermore, bristle carriers 2 and bristle filaments 4 containing at least one additive can be used, which improves the connection between the bristle carrier 2 and the bristle filaments 4. Additives and primers that increase the graft ratio of the plastic connection part between the bristle carrier 2 and the bristle filaments 4 are advantageous.

[0106] Figure 14Shows how the finished brush 1 is lifted out of the mold 16 by means of the lifting device 36 after the bristle carrier 2 has cooled. The bristle tufts 3 are now connected to the bristle carrier 2 of the brush 1.

[0107] The present utility model is dedicated to improvements in the field of brush manufacturing technology and particularly relates to a brush 1 having a bristle carrier 2 with receiving recesses 5, which are filled with molten filament material of the ends 6 of the fixing sides of the bristle filaments 4 of the brush 1 to be manufactured when the bristle filaments 4 are fixed to the bristle carrier 2.

[0108] List of reference numerals

[0109] 1 Brush

[0110] 2 Bristle carrier, brush head

[0111] 3 Bristle tufts

[0112] 4 Bristle filaments

[0113] 5 Receiving recesses

[0114] 6 Fixing side end of 4

[0115] 7 Neck section

[0116] 8 Handle

[0117] 9 Reinforcing ribs

[0118] 10 Bristle bundles

[0119] 11 Carrier plate

[0120] 12 Surface of 11

[0121] 13 Brush surface

[0122] 14 Edge

[0123] 15 Void in 15

[0124] 16 Mold

[0125] 17 Mold wall

[0126] 18 Brush manufacturing device

[0127] 19 Heating device

[0128] 20 Heating surface for 6

[0129] 21 Heating surface for 2

[0130] 22 Heating element

[0131] 23 Temperature sensor

[0132] 24 Control unit

[0133] 25 Profile forming device

[0134] 26 Presser, profile forming tool

[0135] 27 Cleaning side

[0136] 28 Pairing profile forming tool

[0137] 29 Fixed side

[0138] 30 Wire holder

[0139] 31 Cooling device

[0140] 32 Magazine

[0141] 33 Loose bristle wire reserve part

[0142] 34 Dividing device

[0143] 35 Tuft forming unit

[0144] 36 Lifting device

[0145] 37 Hole pattern of 30

[0146] 38 Receiving hole in 30

[0147] 39 Clamping part of 30

[0148] 40 Output device for base coat

Claims

1. A brush manufacturing device for manufacturing a brush, the brush having a bristle carrier (2) and a bristle group (3) composed of bristle filaments (4), wherein, The brush manufacturing device (18) has a heating device (19), wherein the heating device (19) is configured to heat the end portion (6) of the fixed side of the bristle filaments (4) of the bristle group (3) and the bristle carrier (2) to be connected to the bristle filaments (4) of the bristle group (3), and to melt the end portion (6) of the fixed side of the bristle filaments (4), and conversely not to melt the bristle carrier (2).

2. The brush manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a brush according to claim 1, wherein, The heating device (19) includes two heating surfaces. Among the two heating surfaces, the first heating surface (20) is arranged to heat the end portion (6) of the fixed side of the bristle filaments (4) of the bristle group (3) of the brush (1) to be manufactured, and the second heating surface (21) is arranged to heat the bristle carrier (2) to be connected to the bristle filaments (4) of the bristle group (3) of the brush (1) to be manufactured, wherein the heating device (19) is configured to heat the end portion (6) of the fixed side of the bristle filaments (4) and the bristle carrier (2), and to melt the end portion (6) of the fixed side of the bristle filaments (4), and conversely not to melt the bristle carrier (2).

3. The brush manufacturing device for manufacturing a brush according to claim 1, wherein, The heating device (19) is configured to heat the end portion (6) of the fixed side of the bristle filaments (4) and the bristle carrier (2) to different temperatures.

4. The brush manufacturing device for manufacturing a brush according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The heating device (19) is configured to heat the two heating surfaces to different temperatures.

5. The brush manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a brush according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The heating device (19) is configured to heat the first heating surface (20) to a temperature sufficient to melt the end portion (6) of the fixed side of the bristle filaments (4), and / or the heating device (19) is configured to heat the second heating surface (21) to a temperature sufficient to heat the bristle carrier (2) to a temperature below its melting temperature.

6. The brush manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a brush according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The distance between the first heating surface (20) and the position where the end portion (6) of the fixed side of the bristle filaments (4) is prepared for heating as preset by the brush manufacturing device (18) is greater than the distance between the second heating surface (21) and the position where the bristle carrier (2) is prepared for heating as preset by the brush manufacturing device (18).

7. The brush manufacturing device for manufacturing a brush according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The two heating surfaces are arranged at a common heating element (22).

8. The brush manufacturing device for manufacturing a brush according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The heating device (19) is configured to adjust the temperatures of the two heating surfaces.

9. The brush manufacturing device for manufacturing a brush according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The brush manufacturing device (18) has a mold (16) for receiving and supporting the bristle carrier (2) when connecting the bristle carrier (2) to the bristle filaments (4) of the bristle group (3), and / or the brush manufacturing device (18) has an output device (40) for outputting an undercoat onto the bristle filaments (4) and / or the bristle carrier (2).

10. The brush manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a brush according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The brush manufacturing device (18) has a filament holder (30) for holding the filaments (4) of the tuft (3), and / or the brush manufacturing device has a cooling device (31) for cooling the brush carrier (2), and / or a presser (26), which is configured to press the filaments (4) of the tuft (3) against the heated brush carrier (2) with the molten end (6) of the fixed side of the filaments or to press the heated brush carrier (2) against the molten end of the filaments (4).

11. The brush manufacturing device for manufacturing a brush according to claim 6, wherein, The distance between the first heating surface (20) and the position preset by the brush manufacturing device (18) where the end (6) of the fixed side of the filaments (4) is ready for melting is greater than the distance between the second heating surface (21) and the position preset by the brush manufacturing device (18) where the brush carrier (2) is ready for heating.

12. The brush manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a brush according to claim 7, wherein, The two heating surfaces are arranged on different sides of the heating element (22).

13. The brush manufacturing device for manufacturing a brush according to claim 7, wherein, The two heating surfaces are arranged on sides of the heating element (22) facing away from each other.

14. The brush manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a brush according to claim 8, wherein, The heating device (19) is configured to independently adjust the temperatures of the two heating surfaces.

15. The brush manufacturing device for manufacturing a brush according to claim 8, wherein, The heating device (19) has a control unit (24) and at least one temperature sensor (23) for detecting and adjusting the temperature of at least one of the two heating surfaces.

16. The brush manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a brush according to claim 15, wherein, At least one temperature sensor (23) is assigned to each heating surface.

17. The brush manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a brush according to claim 10, wherein, The filament holder (30) is configured to hold the filaments (4) of the tuft (3) in a clamped manner.

Images