BRISTLE PROCESSING DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a bristle processing device for grinding the ends of bristles, comprising a bristle magazine in which bristles are arranged standing next to one another.

[0002] A generic bristle processing device is known from EP 1 535 534 A2. Here, tufts of bristles are removed from a bristle magazine by a disc moving with its circumference along an output opening of the bristle magazine. The disc has recesses on its circumference into which the bristles in the bristle magazine are inserted. The disc rotates and then transfers the tufts of bristles to another disc, which in turn has chambers on its outer circumference. This second disc represents an intermediate magazine, which has various openings on its outer circumference, which are filled, for example, with differently colored tufts of bristles. A so-called tuft remover, which pivots back and forth, then removes a smaller tuft of bristles from this intermediate magazine, the size required for the subsequent stuffing process.Depending on the tuft of bristles to be processed, the second disc is indexed to the tuft picker, which removes a single tuft from the corresponding supply, e.g., blue bristles or white bristles. A grinding disc is located above the aforementioned first disc. One after the other, tufts of bristles are indexed under the grinding disc and then moved axially toward the grinding disc so that the ends of the tufts press against the grinding disc and can be rounded off by rotating the grinding disc. After grinding, the grinding disc and tuft of bristles are then moved axially away from each other, and the just-ground tuft of bristles is indexed further.

[0003] In the past, there have been numerous ideas for optimizing mechanical grinding devices to sharpen bristles rather than round them. However, these grinding devices did not produce thin, truly tapered bristles, so the traditional method, known as chemical sharpening, remains the best way to produce bristles tapered to a point, ideally with a small cone angle. However, the environmental impact of this method is high.

[0004] The object of the invention is to further improve a bristle processing device of the type mentioned at the outset so that the bristles can be sharpened mechanically with small cone angles while producing high quality.

[0005] This object is achieved by a bristle processing device for grinding the ends of bristles, comprising a bristle magazine in which bristles are arranged upright next to one another, a plurality of intermediate magazines in which recesses are provided into which tufts of bristles are pushed from the bristle magazine and thereby separated, the ends of the tufts of bristles project axially relative to the respectively assigned intermediate magazine, a receiving unit to which a plurality of intermediate magazines are attached simultaneously and can be moved, a grinding device and at least one drive for the intermediate magazines and / or the receiving unit, the tufts of bristles sitting in the intermediate magazines being able to be moved relative to the grinding device by the drive and during this movement the bristle ends on at least one side of the intermediate magazines are ground. The intermediate magazines are filled with tufts of bristles outside the receiving unit.For this purpose, a filling station for the intermediate magazines is provided outside the receiving unit, where bristle tufts are inserted into the recesses in the intermediate magazines. Furthermore, a transport device is provided for transferring the filled intermediate magazines to the receiving unit.

[0006] The bristle processing device according to the invention provides for several intermediate magazines to be housed in one receiving unit, thus accommodating a large number of bristle tufts and positioning them for the subsequent grinding process. Relative movement between the bristles and the grinding device, by moving either the bristles and / or the grinding device, ensures simultaneous processing of the bristles in the numerous intermediate magazines.

[0007] A movement of the bristle tufts during the grinding process relative to the grinding device ensures that the individual bristles are worked on from all sides, so that a tip is created that is as close to the central axis of the bristles as possible and the bristles are given a conical end.

[0008] The relative movement between the bristle tufts and the grinding device is preferably designed so that the individual bristles are ground evenly from all sides, making it possible to position the bristle tip in the central axis of the cylindrical bristles. This gives the bristle ends a conical shape.

[0009] The intermediate magazines are preferably automatically detachable elements from the receiving unit, which can be coupled to and detached from the receiving unit by a transport device. For example, a quick-release mechanical coupling device is provided.

[0010] For example, the intermediate magazines can be discs or have discs placed on top of each other.

[0011] The recesses can be located on the outer circumference of the intermediate magazines so that the bristle tufts can be pushed into the intermediate magazines from the outside.

[0012] One option of the invention provides that each intermediate magazine is surrounded on its outer circumference by a frame-like limiting device, which is open at one side. The limiting device holds the tufts laterally in the respective recess. The laterally open section serves to allow the bristle tufts to be pushed laterally from the bristle magazine into the recesses via this open section. The intermediate magazine is rotatable relative to the limiting device, so that the recesses can be successively cycled into the open section, thus exposing them laterally and allowing the insertion of the bristle tufts.

[0013] To ensure that the bristle tufts are held in the intermediate part even during transfer from the filling station to the receiving unit, the limiting device together with the associated intermediate part can optionally be inserted from the filling station into the receiving unit.

[0014] The at least one drive can be a drive for the intermediate magazines and / or the receiving device. A common drive can be provided for the intermediate magazines and additionally for the receiving device, or one or more drives can be provided for each of the intermediate magazines and one or more separate drives for the receiving device.

[0015] The pickup unit itself can also be a rotatably mounted disc mounted on a base, which can be driven in rotation. However, this is only one option.

[0016] In principle, there are several ways to enable the movement of the bristle tufts relative to the grinding device. One possibility is to rotate the intermediate magazines relative to the stationary holding unit.

[0017] Another possibility is that only the recording unit with the intermediate magazines fixed therein is rotated, and a third possibility is that the intermediate magazines are rotated relative to the recording unit and, in addition, the recording unit is also rotated relative to the fixed environment, so that two superimposed rotational movements are present here.

[0018] Optionally, the opposite ends of the bristle tufts can be ground simultaneously, e.g., by providing two grinding devices, each dedicated to a tuft end. This means that the tufts of an intermediate magazine are processed simultaneously at both ends.

[0019] Another variant, however, stipulates that only the ends of the bristle tufts protruding on the same side of the intermediate magazines are ground simultaneously. To subsequently grind the other ends, a turning device for the intermediate magazines is provided, which turns the intermediate magazines relative to the grinding device after one end of the bristle tufts has been ground.

[0020] This turning device can, for example, be a tiltable holder that can hold the intermediate magazines, remove them from the receiving unit, and tilt them into a second receiving unit. This turning device has, for example, a horizontal pivot axis—this is not intended to be limiting.

[0021] The turning device can comprise a type of XY holder or XYZ holder, which can be freely programmably moved in at least one plane or in all spatial directions to remove the intermediate magazines from the receiving unit one after the other. This holder is then pivoted 180° and deposits the intermediate magazines at a different location, namely in the additional receiving unit. Of course, several holders can also be present, operating simultaneously and sharing a common pivot axis.

[0022] As previously explained, it is advantageous, but not essential, to have a grinding device for simultaneously grinding all the tufts of bristles contained in the receiving unit.

[0023] However, the grinding device can also be designed in such a way that, if several receiving units are provided, all bristle tufts of the several receiving units are ground simultaneously.

[0024] In particular, the grinding device is a grinding belt, i.e. a ring-shaped, closed, circulating grinding belt.

[0025] As already mentioned above, a drive for rotating the intermediate magazine relative to the receiving unit during grinding can be provided and / or at least one drive for rotating the receiving unit with the attached intermediate magazines during grinding.

[0026] The grinding device is optionally designed so that it can be moved in several directions. For example, in the case of a rotating grinding belt, this rotating grinding belt can also be rotated with an additional drive, for example around an axis that is perpendicular to a grinding plane or, more generally, grinding surface.

[0027] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, to which reference is made. In the drawings: Figure 1 a perspective top view of a variant of the bristle processing device according to the invention, Figure 2 a perspective top view of the bristle processing device according to Figure 1 with lowered grinding device, Figure 3 an enlarged perspective view of an intermediate magazine used in the bristle processing device according to the invention, Figure 4 the intermediate magazine to Figure 3 in partially dismantled condition, and Figure 5 a perspective view of a further embodiment of the bristle processing device according to the invention, in which only the intermediate magazines and the grinding device are shown symbolically.

[0028] In Figure 1a bristle processing device 10 is shown, with which the tips of the bristles, which have been separated into tufts of bristles, are mechanically sharpened.

[0029] The bristle processing device 10 comprises one or more bristle magazines 12, in which bristles are arranged vertically next to one another and pre-tensioned, i.e., with lateral pressure. Furthermore, the bristle processing device 10 comprises one or more receiving units 14, which in the present example, which is not to be understood as limiting, are disc-shaped.

[0030] Here, on the outer circumference of the receiving units 14, numerous intermediate magazines 16 are accommodated in correspondingly complementary shaped recesses, which are inserted into the Figure 3 and 4 are shown in more detail. Individual tufts of bristles are housed in the intermediate magazines 16, as will be explained in more detail later.

[0031] Functionally, a filling station 17 is provided in front of the right receiving unit 14, in which the individual intermediate magazines 16 are filled with individual bristle tufts 42.

[0032] The recording units 14 are mounted on a base 18, e.g. on a table.

[0033] Furthermore, a so-called turning device 20 is provided, to which one or more tiltable holders 22 are attached, with which intermediate magazines 16 can be removed from one receiving unit 14 and tilted by 180°, ie with the other flat side upwards, and inserted into the other receiving unit 14.

[0034] One or more grinding devices 24, here two grinding devices next to each other, are provided vertically movable above the base 18, as in Figure 2 shown.

[0035] The grinding devices 24 comprise endless belts 26 which are driven.

[0036] The bristle processing device 10 is described in more detail below.

[0037] Figure 3 shows one of the numerous intermediate magazines 16, each of which has several discs arranged one above the other. Figure 3 The intermediate magazine 16 has an upper cover 28, which is Figure 4 has been removed.

[0038] Beneath this cover 28 sits at least one receiving disc 30, which has a plurality of radial recesses 32 on its outer circumference. Radially inward of the recesses 32, a separate pressure piece 34 is provided for each recess 32, which is arranged radially displaceably in a corresponding slot in the receiving disc 30 and is preloaded radially outward by its own spring device 36.

[0039] The receiving disc 30 and thus the intermediate magazine 16 are surrounded on the outer circumference by a U-shaped limiting device 38, which on the inside may have a circumferential slot on the outer circumference of the receiving disc 30, which slot is smaller than the diameter of a bristle. This means that with regard to the movement of the bristles, the limiting device 38 ensures that the bristles remain in the recess 32. As an alternative to the slot, the limiting device 38 optionally has an upper and a lower plate, which are located axially above and below the receiving disc 30 and end radially inward of the outer circumference of the receiving disc 30, so to speak, encompassing the edge of the receiving disc 30, so that no slot is created between the outer circumference of the receiving disc 30 and the limiting device 38, viewed in the axial direction.

[0040] The receiving disc 30, or more precisely the entire intermediate magazine 16, is rotatable about the central axis X relative to the limiting device 38.

[0041] The limiting device 38 is, as mentioned, U-shaped and has a receiving gap 40 through which the intermediate magazine 16 can be filled with tufts of bristles. Figure 3 and 4 two tufts of bristles 42 are shown.

[0042] The recesses 32 are arranged relatively close to one another, but on the outer circumference of the intermediate magazine 16 there is a so-called closure section 44 in which no recess 32 is provided. If the closure section 44, as shown in the Figure 3 and 4As shown, aligned with the receiving gap 40, all recesses 32 are closed by the limiting device 38, and the pressure pieces 34 are pressed radially outward to press the associated bristle tufts 42 against the inside of the limiting device 38, whereby the bristle tufts 42 are firmly held in the unit consisting of the intermediate magazine 16 and the limiting device 38. Consequently, no bristle can fall out.

[0043] To fill the individual recesses 32, the bristle magazine and an intermediate magazine 16 to be filled, including the limiting device 38, are brought close to each other in the filling station 17.

[0044] This can be done in various ways. For example, the bristle magazine 12 can be Figure 1be displaceable along its longitudinal axis A and moved to an unfilled intermediate magazine 16. However, conversely, the intermediate magazine 16 together with the limiting device 38 can also be moved to the bristle magazine 12.

[0045] In any case, as in Figure 1 As shown, the intermediate magazine 16 to be filled is filled outside the receiving unit 14. The so-called dispensing opening of the front end of the bristle magazine 12 is moved into the receiving gap 40 until it reaches the outer circumference of the receiving disc 30.

[0046] The intermediate magazine 16 is then rotated around its rotation axis X by means of a rotary drive 46, which is Figure 4is symbolically shown, rotated so that the recesses 32 are filled with bristles one after the other. For filling, the pressure pieces 34 can be pressed radially inwards via protruding projections 48, here for example via pins on the top side, or generally via a mechanical coupling. This can be done for example via a wedge-shaped, stationary guide, which is a rigid part that bridges the receiving gap 40 and is designed such that while the receiving disk 30 is rotating, the projections 48 move along this guide and are moved radially inwards in the process, so that when they have moved out of the receiving gap 40 again, they can move outwards again. In this way, filling is achieved without resistance from the pressure pieces 34.

[0047] If all recesses 32 are filled, the corresponding intermediate magazine 16 together with the limiting device 38 is transported by a transport device 50 (see Figure 1) into the receiving unit 14. The receiving unit 14 has a coupling geometry for the limiting devices 38, e.g., complementary recesses, so that the unit comprising the limiting device 38 and the intermediate magazine 16 is firmly inserted into the receiving unit 14.

[0048] The transport device 50 can, for example, be a holder that sits on a linear drive or an XY or XYZ slide including a holder.

[0049] Any other transport device 50 is of course also conceivable.

[0050] Each receiving unit 14 can be arranged rotatably on the base 18, for example, via a corresponding drive 52, although this is only an option. The rotatable drive 52 can, for example, continuously cycle the receiving unit 14 when an intermediate magazine 16 is filled and transferred to the receiving unit 14.

[0051] Alternatively, the receiving unit 14 is non-rotatably mounted on the base 18 so that the transport device 50 can rotate the filled intermediate magazine 16 in any orientation and insert it correctly into the corresponding gap in the receiving unit 14.

[0052] As in the Figure 3 and 4 As can be seen, the bristle tufts 42 project axially relative to the intermediate magazine 16 and also relative to the limiting device 38 with both axial tuft ends.

[0053] The grinding device 24 can therefore, if it is according to Figure 2 is lowered, contact the upper ends of the bristle tufts and grind them.

[0054] During the grinding process, the bristle tufts are moved relative to the base 18.

[0055] This movement can occur in different ways.

[0056] A first variant consists in the drive 52 rotating the receiving unit 14 during the grinding process. Since the intermediate magazines 16 are coupled to the receiving unit 14, they are also rotated.

[0057] Another variant consists in that the drive 52 or one or more drives that do not include the drive 52 move the intermediate magazines 16 in the receiving unit 14 about their own respective rotational axis X during the grinding process.

[0058] For this purpose, for example, drives are provided below the base 18 to which the intermediate magazines 16 are coupled when they are inserted.

[0059] Alternatively, there may of course be a central drive, for example the drive 52, which drives the individual intermediate magazines 16 via a gear similar to a planetary gear, so to speak as a central drive.

[0060] A third variant provides that during the grinding process, both the receiving unit 14 and each intermediate magazine 16 rotate about its rotational axis X. This ensures a superimposed rotational movement, as in a planetary gear with a rotating sun gear and a simultaneously rotating planet carrier.

[0061] The grinding device 24 is so large that all bristles accommodated in a receiving unit 14 are ground simultaneously.

[0062] The relative movement between the grinding device 24 and the individual bristles is selected so that the bristles are ground evenly from all sides. The resulting tip of each bristle then lies relatively precisely on the center axis of the cylindrical bristles, giving them a tapered end.

[0063] After sharpening by grinding the ends of all bristle tufts 42 on one side of the receiving unit 14, the intermediate magazines 16 together with the limiting device 38 of the Figure 1 right-hand receiving unit 14 via the turning device 20.

[0064] The holder 22 holds one of the intermediate magazines 16 together with the limiting device 38. The turning device 20 comprises a rotary motor 54, which is rotated about a horizontal axis Y according to Figure 1 causes a rotation of the holder 22. The holder 22 is adjustable in the plane of the base 18 and also vertically to grasp and deposit the individual intermediate magazines 16. The corresponding XY or XYZ slides can be designed in various ways. For example, the corresponding slide can be mounted on a pivot lever 56 between the holder 22 and the pivot lever 56.

[0065] Alternatively, the rotary motor 54 can also be mounted on a carriage, at least on a carriage that can be moved along an axis.

[0066] In any case, the turning device 20 inserts each intermediate magazine 16 together with the limiting device 38 with the other flat side upwards into the adjacent receiving unit 14 so that the unprocessed ends of the bristle tufts are upwards.

[0067] At the same time or after this transfer of the intermediate magazines 16, intermediate magazines 16 which have just been filled with tufts of bristles can be inserted into the then free spaces in the right-hand receiving unit 14.

[0068] When at least the left receiving unit 14 is filled, preferably also the right receiving unit 14 is completely filled again, the grinding devices 24 are lowered again so that all bristles of at least the left receiving unit 14, preferably both receiving units 14, are ground again and receive pointed bristle ends.

[0069] In the variant according to Figure 1 There are several holders 22 so that the replacement, insertion and removal of the intermediate magazines 16 can be carried out more quickly.

[0070] The two grinding devices 24, which are Figure 2can also be considered a single grinding device 24, as they are mounted on a common vertical adjustment mechanism. The grinding devices 24 can optionally also be moved by a common drive. Alternatively, a continuous grinding belt can be provided, with which all bristles of the two receiving units 14 can be ground simultaneously.

[0071] Yet another embodiment provides that the holder(s) 22 do not remove the intermediate magazines 16 from the receiving units 14, but rather that the receiving units 14 with the intermediate magazines 16 and limiting devices 38 located therein are grasped, decoupled from the corresponding drive 52, and turned 180°, with the unsharpened bristle ends then facing the grinding device, and set down again. The bristle tufts are then sharpened at the other end.

[0072] Figure 5shows a variant of the grinding device 24. Here, too, a circulating grinding belt 26 is provided, which is guided over several deflection rollers 72, of which at least one deflection roller 72 is driven.

[0073] In the illustrated example, for example, there are three deflection rollers 72, which is not intended to be limiting, so that the sanding belt 70 has a triangular shape in side view. Between the two lower deflection rollers 72, a sanding plane 74 is formed on the underside of the sanding belt 26, or, more generally, a sanding surface that is moved linearly and also rotates. The sanding device 24 is also rotated by a drive 76 about a rotation axis C, which is preferably perpendicular to the sanding plane 74. The intermediate magazines 16, with their rotation axes X, are shown symbolically.

Claims

1. A bristle machining device for grinding the ends of bristles, comprising a bristle magazine (12), in which bristles are arranged upright side by side, a plurality of intermediate magazines (16), in which recesses (32) are provided into which bristle tufts (42) are inserted from the bristle magazine (12) and thereby individualized, wherein the bristle tufts (42) project axially by their ends in relation to the respectively associated intermediate magazines (16), a receiving unit (14) to which a plurality of intermediate magazines (16) are simultaneously attached and can be moved, a grinding device (24) and at least one drive (52) for the intermediate magazines (16) and / or the receiving unit (14), wherein the bristle tufts (42) seated in the intermediate magazines (16) can be moved by the drive (52) relative to the grinding device (24) and, during this movement, the bristle ends are ground at least on one side of the intermediate magazines (16), wherein a filling station (17) for the intermediate magazines (16) is provided outside the receiving unit (14), in which bristle tufts (42) are inserted into the intermediate magazines (16), and a transport means (50) is provided for transferring the filled intermediate magazines (16) into the receiving unit (14).

2. The bristle machining device according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate magazines (16) are disks or comprise disks placed on top of each other.

3. The bristle machining device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recesses (32) are provided on the outer circumference of the intermediate magazines (16).

4. The bristle machining device according to claim 3, characterized in that each intermediate magazine (16) is surrounded on its outer circumference by a frame-like limiting means (38), the limiting means (38) being laterally open at one portion and the limiting means (38) holding the bristle tufts (42) laterally in the respective recess (32).

5. The bristle machining device according to claim 4, characterized in that the limiting means (38) can be inserted into the receiving unit (14) along with the intermediate magazine (16).

6. The bristle machining device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one drive (52) is a drive for the intermediate magazines (16) and / or the receiving unit (14).

7. The bristle machining device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving unit (14) is a disk that is attached to a base (18) and mounted for rotation.

8. The bristle machining device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a turning device (20) for the intermediate magazines (16) is provided, which turns intermediate magazines (16) over relative to the grinding device (24) after one end of the bristle tufts (42) has been ground.

9. The bristle machining device according to claim 8, characterized in that the turning device (20) comprises a tiltable holder (22) which is adapted to receive the intermediate magazines (16), remove them from the receiving unit (14) and insert them into a second receiving unit (14) in a tilted state, the turning device (20) having in particular a horizontal swivel axis (Y).

10. The bristle machining device according to claim 8, characterized in that the turning device is adapted to receive the receiving unit (14) along with intermediate magazines (16) attached thereto with bristle tufts (42) arranged therein and to deposit it again tilted through 180 degrees.

11. The bristle machining device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grinding device (24) is designed for simultaneous grinding of all bristle tufts (42) contained in the receiving unit (14).

12. The bristle machining device according to claim 11, characterized in that a plurality of receiving units (14) are provided and the grinding device (24) is configured to be able to simultaneously grind all bristle tufts (42) of all receiving units (14).

13. The bristle machining device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grinding device (24) is configured such that the grinding surface makes a movement about a plurality of axes.

14. The bristle machining device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grinding device includes at least one revolving grinding belt (26), which in particular additionally rotates about an axis, so that the grinding surface is moved linearly and additionally rotates.

15. The bristle machining device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one drive (52) is provided for rotating the intermediate magazines (16) relative to the receiving unit (14) during the grinding process and / or at least one drive (52) is provided for rotating the receiving unit (14) with the attached intermediate magazines (16) during the grinding process.