Method and apparatus for cleaning brushes, in particular toothbrushes, and brush manufacturing machine

Abstract

Method for cleaning a brush (3), in particular a toothbrush, comprising the following steps: - Generating a laminar fluid flow between at least one pressure source (4) and at least one pressure sink (5), - Deflection of free bristle ends (10) of bristles (8) of a bristle field (2) of a brush (3) arranged between the at least one pressure source (4) and the at least one pressure sink (5) against the direction of flow of the fluid flow, - Releasing the deflected bristle ends (10), causing them to jerk back into their starting position due to the elasticity of the bristles (8) and releasing particles adhering to the bristles (8), as well as - Discharge of the detached particles in the direction of at least one pressure sink (5) by means of the fluid flow.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a device for cleaning a brush, in particular a toothbrush, and a brush manufacturing machine.

[0002] To create different geometries and profiles in brushes, especially toothbrushes, the brushes undergo post-processing during manufacturing. Milling processes are used to produce the desired geometries and profiles. During milling, sharp burrs, corners, and edges are created on the machined surfaces, which are subsequently rounded or removed through several grinding processes. The chips produced during milling can be effectively extracted during the process itself. The grinding dust generated during the subsequent grinding of the brush is finer than the chips produced during milling and must be thoroughly cleaned to remove it completely.

[0003] Prior art methods and devices for cleaning brushes employ, for example, rotary or pulse nozzles. These nozzles generate air currents intended to abruptly detach particles adhering to the brush, particularly grinding dust particles. However, extracting such a pulsed air current is difficult due to its inertia. This can negatively impact the cleaning result. Furthermore, it is possible that stirred-up dirt particles, which are difficult for an extraction device to capture, will settle back onto the brush. It has also been observed that extracting the turbulence generated by rotary or pulse nozzles requires a comparatively large amount of energy.

[0004] German patent application DE 195 38 621 A1 discloses a method for manufacturing brushes and a brush manufacturing machine for carrying out the method. In this process, bundles of bristles are held, melted at their bristle bundle anchoring ends, and processed in a manner in which the vapor, gas, dust, smoke, and mist emissions generated during the melting of the bristle bundles are extracted directly at the point of emission.

[0005] German patent application DE 10 2005 029 371 A1 discloses a method and a device for removing grinding dust or similar contaminants adhering to brushes, particularly after manufacturing. In this process, the area of ​​the brush to be cleaned is subjected to a rotating brush roller and / or cleaned with compressed air. After this preliminary cleaning, a cleaning fluid is applied to the area of ​​the brush to be cleaned, and the moistened brush area is then subjected to at least one rotating cleaning and / or drying roller.

[0006] When cleaning parts of the brush body, such as the handle, the use of rotary or pulse nozzles has proven very effective. However, a problem can arise: dirt particles stirred up by the rotary or pulse nozzles can settle on or even within the bristles of the brush being cleaned. This can make cleaning the bristles more difficult.

[0007] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a method and a device of the type mentioned above for cleaning a brush, with which the cleaning of a brush can be simplified.

[0008] To solve this problem, a method for cleaning a brush, in particular a bristle field of a brush, is proposed using the means and features of claim 1. In particular, a method for cleaning a brush, in particular a toothbrush, comprising the following steps is proposed: - Generating a laminar fluid flow between at least one pressure source and at least one pressure sink, - Deflection of free bristle ends of a bristle field of a brush arranged between the at least one pressure source and the at least one pressure sink against the direction of flow of the fluid flow, - Releasing the deflected bristle ends, causing them to jerk back into their original position due to the elasticity of the bristles, and removing particles adhering to the bristles, as well as - Discharge of the detached particles towards at least one pressure sink by means of the fluid flow.

[0009] By using a laminar fluid flow, particularly a laminar air flow, the turbulence and associated disadvantages that occur when using a rotary or impulse nozzle are avoided. The combination of blowing off the bristles, mechanically deflecting them, and mechanically removing particles adhering to them by releasing and then abruptly returning the deflected bristle ends to their original, un-deflected position allows for a more controlled removal of particles, especially dirt particles, and the laminar fluid flow also facilitates a more controlled removal of these particles from the brush being cleaned.The distribution or turbulence of already detached particles or dirt particles from the brush body or bristle field, and the unwanted deposition of these particles onto other areas of the brush, can be largely prevented by using a laminar fluid flow that is essentially directed in only one direction. Furthermore, it has been found that the use of a laminar fluid flow, which, in combination with the mechanical cleaning of the bristles of the brush being cleaned, leads to good cleaning results, is more energy-efficient than the impulse or rotary nozzles used previously. This is also due to the ease of extraction of such a laminar fluid flow.

[0010] For optimal cleaning results, it can be advantageous if the laminar fluid flow is directed onto or against the bristle field of the brush. This ensures that the free bristle ends extend into or at least border the laminar fluid flow. In this way, loosened particles can be reliably captured by the fluid flow.

[0011] The laminar fluid flow will typically be a laminar air flow. However, the use of other laminar fluid flows, such as laminar gas or liquid flows, is not excluded. It can be particularly advantageous if the fluid flow is directed along the handle of the brush towards the brush head, where the bristle field is formed. In this way, the bristle field, which is cleaned by means of the laminar fluid flow, is arranged adjacent to the pressure sink, for example, a suction device, so that dirt particles loosened from the bristle field by means of the method according to the invention can be conveyed to the pressure sink via the shortest possible path and thus removed from the brush to be cleaned.

[0012] The bristle ends can be deflected by means of a displacement device. This displacement device is preferably a mechanical one. It is particularly preferred that the displacement device is guided past the bristle field against the direction of fluid flow in order to deflect the bristle ends in the opposite direction. Once the displacement device has passed the bristles to be deflected, i.e., when the displacement device is no longer in contact with the bristles, they spring back to their undisplaced initial position due to their elasticity. A whiplash effect can occur, which, due to the bristles' inertia and relatively loose connection to them, also causes particles or dirt particles adhering to them to detach from the bristles.Since this occurs in the area of ​​laminar fluid flow, the detached particles can be directly captured by the laminar fluid flow and guided away from the bristle field and the brush in the direction of at least one pressure sink.

[0013] In this context, it can be advantageous if at least one pressure source, particularly if it is a separate pressure source not located on the displacement device, moves in the same direction as it. To maintain a constant distance between the movable pressure source and a contact point where the displacement device or an element of the displacement device contacts the bristle ends to deflect them, it can be useful for the movement of the pressure source to be synchronized with the movement of the displacement device.

[0014] Particularly good cleaning results can be achieved if, in addition to the previously mentioned laminar fluid flow, a further fluid flow, preferably originating from a displacement device or the previously mentioned one, is supplied to the bristle field. This further fluid flow can preferably be another laminar air flow. This additional fluid flow can be directed towards the pressure sink, either onto or against the bristle field, originating from a displacement device, such as the previously mentioned one, which is guided past the bristle field to deflect the bristle ends. In this way, it is possible to transport the particles or dirt particles that detach from the bristles as they deflect and rebound to their initial position towards the pressure sink with the aid of this additional fluid flow.It is also possible that the laminar fluid flow is fed to the bristle field from a pressure source arranged on a displacement device, for example the one already mentioned.

[0015] It should be mentioned here that the inventive method may also include, prior to the cleaning of the bristle field of the brush as described in the independent claim, a cleaning of the remaining parts of the brush, for example, a brush body or a handle area or grip of the brush, using at least one impulse or rotary nozzle, also employing turbulent fluid flows. After this preliminary cleaning, the cleaning method described above can be applied to finally clean the bristle field of the brush to be cleaned reliably and energy-efficiently.

[0016] The aforementioned problem is also solved by a device of the type mentioned at the outset, which has the means and features of the independent claim directed to the device. In particular, to solve the problem, a device for cleaning a brush, especially a toothbrush, is proposed, comprising at least one pressure source and at least one pressure sink for generating a laminar fluid flow between them, at least one brush holder arranged in the direction of the fluid flow between the at least one pressure source and the at least one pressure sink for receiving a brush to be cleaned, and at least one displacement device movable past the brush holder between the at least one pressure sink and the at least one pressure source for deflecting free bristle ends of a bristle field of a brush arranged on the brush holder.

[0017] It is also conceivable to arrange two or three or more brush holders on the device between the at least one pressure sink and the at least one pressure source.

[0018] The device can be configured to carry out the method according to the invention and described in detail above. It can be advantageous if the brush holder is arranged between the at least one pressure source and the at least one pressure sink such that at least the free bristle ends of the bristles of the bristle field of a brush arranged on the brush holder can be exposed to the fluid flow.

[0019] It can be particularly advantageous if the displacement device can be moved past the brush holder against the direction of flow and / or in the direction of at least one pressure source of the fluid flow.

[0020] In order to adapt the device according to the invention to brushes of different sizes and to be able to change the distance between the at least one pressure source and the at least one pressure sink, the at least one pressure source and / or the at least one pressure sink can be movable and / or adjustable relative to the brush holder.

[0021] For a good cleaning result, it can be advantageous to maintain a constant distance between the at least one pressure source and a contact point where the displacement device, in particular a displacement element of the displacement device, contacts the bristle ends to deflect them. To keep this distance constant, it can be expedient if the at least one pressure source is movable together with the displacement device and preferably synchronously with it.

[0022] The displacement device can be positioned at such a distance to a plane in which the brush holder and a brush to be cleaned arranged on it are located that free bristle ends of a bristle field of the brush to be cleaned can be captured by the displacement device and deflected and released again in the manner already described in detail above.

[0023] The device can have a frame with a guide. The displacement device can be mounted on this guide by means of a holder that is movable along the guide. This is done to guide the displacement device past the brush holder and any brush mounted on it, at least against the direction of flow of the generated fluid, and to deflect the free ends of the bristles in the brush's bristle field. It is also possible to mount a pressure source of the device, preferably movable synchronously with the displacement device, on a separate or the same holder and to move it along the guide together with the displacement device. Thus, each of the displacement device and the movable pressure source can have its own separate holder.However, it is also conceivable that the pressure source and the displacement device are spaced apart from each other and arranged on a common holder that can be moved along the guide.

[0024] The device can have at least one pressure source: a stationary, adjustable, and / or, preferably synchronously movable flat nozzle (movable with the displacement device) to generate a laminar airflow. A suction device can be provided as a pressure sink. The suction device then removes the detached particles from a working chamber of the device in which the brush holder is located. The suction device can be equipped with a suction port that opens into a suction funnel. This suction funnel can widen towards the brush holder, on which the brush to be cleaned, particularly with its brush head (which has the bristle field), can be arranged, and / or optionally at least partially surround the brush holder of the device and thus the brush head of the brush to be cleaned.This allows particles or dirt particles detached from the bristle field to be reliably captured and vacuumed up.

[0025] The displacement device can have at least one displacement element that makes at least temporary contact with the bristles. With the aid of this displacement element, individual bristles or several bristles can be acted upon and deflected simultaneously in order to mechanically assist the cleaning of the bristles of the brush's bristle field by means of the laminar fluid flow.

[0026] The displacement device and / or a displacement element of the displacement device, such as the one mentioned above, may be pivotably or rotatably mounted, particularly when the displacement device is arranged on a holder, such as the one mentioned above. This is advantageous for moving the displacement device back to its initial position after the bristles of a brush to be cleaned have deflected, from which it can be moved towards an end position against the direction of fluid flow on the brush holder.

[0027] The displacement device can include a displacement nozzle, serving as at least one or even an additional pressure source for generating a laminar fluid flow and simultaneously as a displacement element for deflecting free bristle ends. This displacement nozzle can thus have a dual function: firstly, it serves as a displacement element that deflects the free bristle ends as the displacement device moves past the brush mounted on the brush holder; and secondly, it serves as a movable, preferably additional, pressure source from which a further or the laminar fluid flow can emerge. In this way, a fluid flow can be applied to the bristle field in close proximity to the bristles to be cleaned.

[0028] It should be mentioned that combining at least one pressure source with a displacement device and another pressure source in the form of such a displacement nozzle can also lead to good cleaning results. In this configuration, the two laminar fluid flows originating from the at least two different pressure sources can merge and flow together into the at least one pressure sink, in order to remove detached particles or dirt particles particularly thoroughly from the brush being cleaned.

[0029] The displacement device for deflecting free bristle ends can have at least one displacement finger as a displacement element. This at least one displacement finger can have a round, square, polygonal, or even star-shaped cross-section. It is also possible for the displacement device to have at least one helical displacement finger as a displacement element, with which the free bristle ends of the bristles of a brush to be cleaned can be deflected as the displacement device passes the brush holder of the device.

[0030] It is also possible that the displacer device comprises a displacer element that includes several displacer plates, each with a rectangular cross-section, arranged one above the other, particularly along an axis or axis of rotation. The displacer plates can most preferably be arranged at an angular offset from one another, particularly by 45°, along an axis or axis of rotation. In this way, the displacer plates together form a comb-like or round brush-like structure with which the bristles of the bristle field can be reliably deflected when the displacer device moves past the bristle field.

[0031] It can be particularly advantageous if one of the displacement elements of the displacement device, for example the at least one mentioned above, is rotatable about an axis of rotation oriented transversely or perpendicular to the direction of movement of the displacement device and the fluid flow. Preferably, the rotational speed of the at least one displacement element at its circumference can be greater than the speed of movement of the displacement device relative to the brush holder. It can also be advantageous if the direction of rotation of the rotatable displacement element is opposite to the direction of movement of the displacement device and the fluid flow.

[0032] The fluid flow and the direction of movement of the displacement device relative to the brush holder can be aligned parallel to each other. It is also possible for the fluid flow and a guide, such as the previously mentioned holder for the displacement device, to be aligned parallel to each other. To prevent the unwanted escape of grinding dust or other dirt particles from a working area of ​​the device, it can be advantageous for the device to have a housing in which at least one pressure source, at least one pressure sink, and the brush holder are arranged. The housing can be designed such that the aforementioned elements are dust-tightly encapsulated within it.

[0033] To avoid a collision of the displacement device with the bristle field of a brush to be cleaned when the displacement device is moved back to its initial position in the direction of the fluid flow before the deflection of individual bristles of a bristle field of a brush to be cleaned, it may be advantageous if a distance between the displacement device and a plane in which the brush holder is arranged can be changed.

[0034] The aforementioned problem can also be solved with a brush manufacturing machine comprising the means and features of the independent claim directed to the brush manufacturing machine. Specifically, a brush manufacturing machine for solving the aforementioned problem is proposed, which includes a device according to the invention for cleaning brushes.

[0035] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. These are shown in a partially highly schematic representation: Fig. 1 a perspective side view of a device according to the invention for cleaning a brush with a frame on which a brush holder, a stationary pressure source in the form of a laminar nozzle, a pressure sink in the form of a suction nozzle with a suction funnel and a displacement device movable between the pressure sink and the pressure source against a fluid flow forming between these two can be seen, Fig. 2 a partially cut-away, perspective side view of a displacement element designed as a displacement nozzle, which is in Fig. 1 displacement device shown, as well as Fig. 3 to Fig. 7 different embodiments with the in Fig. 1 Displacement device of combinable displacement elements for deflecting free bristle ends of a brush to be cleaned.

[0036] In the following description of various embodiments of the invention, elements that are functionally identical are given the same reference numerals even if their shape differs.

[0037] Fig. Figure 1 shows a device, designated as a whole by 1, for cleaning a bristle field 2 of a brush 3, which is in the Fig. The embodiment shown in Figure 1 is a toothbrush. The device 1 has a first pressure source 4 and a pressure sink 5. A laminar fluid flow can be generated between the first pressure source 4 and the pressure sink 5. A brush holder 6 is arranged between the pressure source 4 and the pressure sink 5. This holder is fixed to a frame 7 of the device 1 and serves to fix a brush for cleaning by means of the laminar fluid flow. The brush holder 6 is arranged on the frame 7 such that at least bristles 8 of the bristle field 2 of the brush 3 arranged on the brush holder 6 can be exposed to the fluid flow, i.e., project into the fluid flow or at least border it.

[0038] The device 1 also includes a displacement device 9. This displacement device 9 can be moved past the brush holder 6 between the pressure sink 5 and the pressure source 4. This is done to deflect the free bristle ends 10 of the brush 3 arranged on the brush holder 6. For cleaning purposes, particularly of the bristle field 2, the displacement device 9 can be moved past the brush holder 6 against the direction of fluid flow, i.e., from the pressure sink 5 towards the pressure source 4.

[0039] The device 1 has the previously mentioned frame 7. A guide 11 is formed on this frame 7, on which the displacement device 9 is arranged by means of a holder 12 that is movable along the guide 11. The device 1 has a stationary flat nozzle 13 as its first pressure source 4 for generating a laminar airflow, which is arranged on its own holder 12 on the guide 11. In order to adapt the device 1 to brushes 3 of different sizes, the pressure source 4 with its holder 12 can be moved along the guide 11. In this way, the distance between the pressure source 4 and the pressure sink 5 can also be adjusted. The two holders 12 can be adjusted independently of each other along the guide 11 if necessary.

[0040] A suction device 14 is provided as a pressure sink 5 on a region of the frame 7 of the device 1 opposite the pressure source 4. This suction device 14 comprises a suction nozzle 15 and a suction funnel 16. The suction funnel 16 opens against the direction of flow of the laminar fluid flow and faces the brush holder 6 and a brush head 17 of the brush 3 arranged on the brush holder 6, on which the bristle field 2 is formed.

[0041] Fig. Figure 1 shows that the dimensions of the suction funnel 16 are chosen such that it can at least partially surround the brush holder 6 and the brush head 17. This facilitates the reliable collection and removal of loose particles or dirt particles.

[0042] The displacement device 9 is pivotably or rotatably mounted on the holder 12. In this way, it is possible to pivot the displacement device 9 upwards relative to the brush holder 6 in such a way that a collision of the displacement device 9 with a brush 3 arranged on the brush holder 6 is not to be feared when the displacement device 9 is to be moved back to its initial position adjacent to the pressure sink 5 against the direction of flow of the fluid.

[0043] The displacement device 9 also has a displacement element 18 that contacts the bristles 8. The pivotability or rotatability of the displacement device 9 can be used, in particular, to align one of the displacement elements 18 of the displacement device 9, which will be described in detail below, relative to the brush holder 6 and a brush 3 arranged thereon, in such a way that it can contact the bristle ends 10 of the bristle field 2 of a brush 3 to be cleaned in order to deflect them.

[0044] If required, the pressure source 4 can be moved together with and synchronously to the displacement device 9. This is done to maintain a constant distance between the pressure source 4 and a contact point where the displacement device 9 contacts and deflects the bristle ends 10 with their respective displacement element 18. This synchronous movement of the pressure source 4 with the displacement device 9 is particularly advantageous when the device 1 has only a single pressure source 4.

[0045] The Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. Figure 7 shows different embodiments of such displacement elements 18, which can be arranged on the holder 12 of the device 1. According to the Fig. 1 and Fig. In Figure 2, the displacement element 18 shown is a displacement nozzle 19, with which a further laminar fluid flow can be generated. Thus, in addition to the first pressure source 4, the device 1 has a further pressure source in the form of this displacement nozzle 19. At the same time, the displacement nozzle 19 also serves as a displacement element 18 for deflecting the free bristle ends 10 of the bristle field 2 of the brush 3 arranged on the brush holder 6. The displacement nozzle 19, together with the holder 12, can therefore be moved along the guide 11 from the pressure sink 5 towards the first pressure source 4, which is designed as a flat nozzle 13, in order to deflect the free bristle ends 10 of the bristle field 2 and to direct a laminar fluid flow directly into the area of ​​the free bristle ends 10 onto the bristle field 2. The directions of movement of the holder 12 on the guide 11 are related to the one in Fig. 1 illustrated by the double arrow shown.

[0046] The displacement nozzle 19 is supplied with an airflow via a supply air hose 20, which is converted into a laminar airflow via a channel system 21 formed inside the displacement nozzle 19. The first pressure source 4, designed as a flat nozzle 13, is also supplied with an airflow via a comparable supply air hose 20.

[0047] Fig. Figure 3 shows a displacement element 18, which is designed as a displacement finger 22. This displacement finger 22 has a circular cross-section and can be moved along the bristle field 2 to deflect the free bristle ends 10 of the brush 3.

[0048] Fig. Figure 4 shows a displacement element 18 having a helical displacement finger 23 arranged at a base 24 of the displacement element 18. The in Fig. The displacement element 18 shown in Figure 5 consists of several helical displacement fingers 23 which are arranged on a base 24 of this displacement element 18.

[0049] Fig. Figure 6 shows a displacement finger 22, which has a square or polygonal cross-section. This cross-section could also be approximately described as star-shaped.

[0050] The displacement element 18 according to Fig. 7 comprises several superimposed displacement plates 25. Each of the displacement plates 25 has a square or polygonal cross-section, and is similar in its cross-sectional shape to that in Fig. The 6 shown angular or polygonal displacer fingers 22. The several displacer plates 25 are arranged with an angular offset to each other, which here is approximately 45°, along a rotation axis R of the displacer element 18. Thus, the in Fig. The displacement element 18 shown is a type of round comb or round brush with which the free bristle ends 10 of the bristle field 2 can be deflected particularly well.

[0051] At least those in the Fig. 1 and Fig. The displacement elements 18 of the displacement device 9, as shown in Figures 2 and 4 to 7, can be pivoted or rotated about the axis of rotation R, which is oriented transversely or perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the displacement device 9 relative to the brush holder 6 and the fluid flow. The direction of rotation of the displacement elements 18, as shown in the Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. 7 are shown, oriented in the opposite direction to the main direction of movement of the displacement device 9 in the direction of the first pressure source 4, in the present example in a clockwise direction.

[0052] A rotational speed of the displacement elements 18 measured at the circumference of the respective displacement element 18, as described in the Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. The speed of movement of the displacement device 9 relative to the brush holder 6 is shown in figures 7.

[0053] The fluid flow, the direction of movement of the displacement device 9 relative to the brush holder 6 and the guide 11 for the holder 12 of the displacement device 9 are each aligned parallel to each other.

[0054] The device 1 also has a housing, not shown separately in the figures, in which at least the pressure source 4, the pressure sink 5, the displacement device 9 and the brush holder 6 are arranged in a dust-tight encapsulation.

[0055] The distance between the displacement device 9 and a plane in which the brush holder 6 is arranged on the frame 7 can be changed. This is to prevent a collision between the displacement device 9 and the bristle field 2 of the brush 3 to be cleaned when the displacement device 9 is to be moved back to its initial position at the head end of the brush 3 to be cleaned.

[0056] The device 1 is configured to carry out the method described below for cleaning a brush 3, in particular a toothbrush. This method comprises the following steps: First, a laminar fluid flow is generated between the pressure source 4 and the pressure sink 5. The brush 3 is positioned, at least with its bristle field 2, between the pressure source 4 and the pressure sink 5. The arrangement of the brush 3 between the pressure source 4 and the pressure sink 5 is such that free bristle ends 10 of bristles 8 of the bristle field 2 can be exposed to the generated fluid flow, for example, by the free bristle ends 10 projecting into the fluid flow or at least being arranged adjacent to it. The free bristle ends 10 are deflected against the direction of the fluid flow. Subsequently, the deflected bristle ends 10 are released, causing them to snap back to their original position due to the elasticity of the bristles 8, almost like a whip crack, and any dirt particles adhering to the bristles 8 are detached.

[0057] Afterwards, the particles detached from the bristles 8 of the bristle field 2 are conveyed towards the pressure sink 5 by means of the fluid flow.

[0058] The laminar fluid flow is a laminar air flow. The fluid flow is guided along a handle 26 of the brush 3 towards the brush head 17 of the brush 3, on which the bristle field 2 is formed. The bristle ends 10 are deflected by means of the displacement device 9, which has already been described in detail. The displacement device 9 is itself guided past the bristle field 2 against the direction of flow of the fluid flow in order to deflect the bristle ends 10 of the bristles 8.

[0059] In addition to the first pressure source 4, a further pressure source in the form of the displacement nozzle 19 is provided, from which a laminar fluid flow also originates and can be supplied to the bristle field 2. This further laminar fluid flow originating from the displacement nozzle 19 merges with the first fluid flow originating from the first pressure source 4 and, together with it, is directed towards the pressure sink 5 onto or against, or at least into, a region of the bristle field 2.

[0060] The device 1 described above for cleaning a brush 3 can be part of a brush manufacturing machine not shown separately in the figures.

[0061] To reliably clean a bristle field 2 of a brush 3 after grinding, the device 1 according to the invention and a corresponding cleaning method are proposed. It is provided that a laminar fluid flow is generated between at least one pressure source 4 and at least one pressure sink 5. A bristle field 2 of a brush 3 to be cleaned is exposed to this fluid flow. The laminar fluid flow can be directed past the bristle field 2 or against it. The displacement device 9 deflects free bristle ends 10 of the bristles 8 of the bristle field 2 against the direction of flow of the laminar fluid flow. When the deflected bristle ends 10 are freed as the displacement device 9 is moved further towards the pressure source 4, they spring back to their initial position due to the elasticity of the bristles 8.During this process, particles or dirt particles adhering to the bristles are detached. The particles are captured by the laminar fluid flow and discharged towards the pressure sink 5. Reference symbol list 1 Device 2 Bristle field 3 brushes 4 Pressure source 5 pressure sink 6 brush holders 7 frame 8 bristles 9 Displacement device 10 free bristle ends 11 Leadership 12 holders 13 Flat nozzle 14 Extraction device 15 extraction ports 16 extraction funnels 17 brush heads 18 Displacement element 19 Displacement nozzle 20 Air intake hose 21-channel system 22 displacement fingers 23 helical displacement fingers 24 base of 18 25 displacement plates 26 handles out of 3 R axis of rotation

Claims

[1] Method for cleaning a brush (3), in particular a toothbrush, comprising the following steps: - Generating a laminar fluid flow between at least one pressure source (4) and at least one pressure sink (5), - Deflection of free bristle ends (10) of bristles (8) of a bristle field (2) of a brush (3) arranged between the at least one pressure source (4) and the at least one pressure sink (5) against the direction of flow of the fluid flow, - Releasing the deflected bristle ends (10), causing them to jerk back into their starting position due to the elasticity of the bristles (8) and releasing particles adhering to the bristles (8), as well as - Discharge of the detached particles in the direction of at least one pressure sink (5) by means of the fluid flow. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by, that the laminar fluid flow is directed onto or against the bristle field (2) of the brush (3) and / or that the fluid flow is directed along a handle (26) of the brush (3) in the direction of a brush head (17) of the brush (3) on which the bristle field (2) is formed. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that laminar fluid flow is laminar air flow. [4] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that the bristle ends (10) are deflected by means of a displacement device (9), in particular wherein the displacement device (9) is guided past the bristle field (2) against the direction of flow of the fluid flow in order to deflect the bristle ends (10) of the bristles (8), preferably wherein the at least one pressure source (4) is moved synchronously with the displacement device (9) in the same direction in order to keep a constant distance between the moving pressure source (4) and a contact point at which the displacement device (9) or an element of the displacement device (9) contacts the bristle ends (10). [5] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, that the laminar fluid flow originating from a pressure source (4) arranged on one or the displacement device (9) is supplied to the bristle field (2) or that a further fluid flow, in particular a further laminar air flow, is supplied to the bristle field (2), preferably wherein the further fluid flow originating from one or the displacement device (9) which can be passed by the bristle field (2) is directed towards the pressure sink (5) on or against the bristle field (2). [6] Device (1) for cleaning a brush (3), in particular a toothbrush, comprising at least one pressure source (4) and at least one pressure sink (5) for generating a laminar fluid flow between them, comprising at least one brush holder (6) arranged between the at least one pressure source (4) and the at least one pressure sink (5) for receiving a brush (3) to be cleaned, and comprising at least one displacement device (9) movable past the brush holder (6) between the at least one pressure sink (5) and the at least one pressure source (4) for deflecting free bristle ends (10) of a bristle field (2) of a brush (3) arranged on the brush holder (6). [7] Device (1) according to claim 6, characterized by, that the displacement device (9) is movable past the at least one brush holder (6) and against the direction of flow of the fluid flow and / or in the direction of the at least one pressure source (4) and / or that the at least one pressure source (4) and / or the at least one pressure sink (5) is / are movable or adjustable relative to the brush holder (6), and / or that the at least one pressure source (4) is movable with the displacement device (9), preferably synchronously with it. [8] Device (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by , that the device (1) has a frame (7) with a guide (11) on which the displacement device (9) and / or the at least one pressure source (4) are each arranged by means of a holder (12) that can be moved along the guide (11) or that a common holder (12) that can be moved along the guide (11) is provided for the displacement device (9) and the at least one pressure source (4). [9] Device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by , that the device (1) has as at least one pressure source (4) a stationary, adjustable and / or movable flat nozzle (13) for generating a laminar airflow and / or that the device (1) has as a pressure sink (5) a suction device (14), preferably with a suction nozzle (15) and / or with a suction funnel (16). [10] Device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized by , that the displacement device (9) has at least one displacement element (18) that at least temporarily contacts the bristles (8) and / or that the displacement device (9) and / or one or the displacement element (18) of the displacement device (9), in particular on a or the holder (12), is / are pivotably or rotatably mounted. [11] Device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized by, that the displacement device (9) as the at least one pressure source (4) or as a further pressure source (4) for generating a laminar fluid flow and as a displacement element (18) for deflecting free bristle ends (10) comprises a displacement nozzle (19), and / or that the displacement device (9) for deflecting free bristle ends (10) as a displacement element (18) comprises at least one displacement finger (22), in particular with a round or angular or polygonal or star-shaped cross-section, and / or at least one helical displacement finger (23), and / or a displacement element (18) comprising several superimposed displacement plates (25) with an angular cross-section, preferably wherein the displacement plates (25) are arranged offset from each other at an angular offset, in particular of 45 degrees, along an axis or axis of rotation (R). [12] Device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 11, characterized by, that one or at least one displacement element (18) of the displacement device (9) is rotatable about an axis of rotation (R) oriented transversely or perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the displacement device (9) and the fluid flow, preferably wherein a rotational speed of the at least one displacement element (18) measured at its circumference is greater than a speed of movement of the displacement device (9) relative to the brush holder (6) and / or wherein a direction of rotation of the displacement element (18) is oriented opposite to the direction of movement of the displacement device (9) relative to the brush holder (6). [13] Device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 12, characterized by , that the fluid flow and the direction of movement of the displacement device (9) relative to the brush holder (6) and / or the fluid flow and a guide (11) for a holder (12) are aligned parallel to each other. [14] Device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 13, characterized by , that the device (1) has a housing in which at least the at least one pressure source (4), the at least one pressure sink (5), the displacement device (9) and the brush holder (6) are arranged in a dustproof manner. [15] Device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 14, characterized by , that a distance between the displacement device (9) and a plane in which the brush holder (6) is arranged is variable. [16] Device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 15, characterized by , that the device (1) is set up to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 5. [17] Brush manufacturing machine with a device (1) for cleaning brushes (3) according to any one of claims 6 to 16.

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