Bundle segmenting device and method for segmenting bristle bundles, and bristle product manufacturing machine

Abstract

A bundle segmenting device (1) for segmenting bristle bundles (2) from a supply (3) of loose bristle filaments (4). The bundle segmenting device (10 has a bundle segmenter (5), which has at least one segmenting notch (6), and a bundle forming device (7), which is configured to shape a bristle bundle (2) situated in the at least one segmenting notch (5).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a 371 National Phase of International Application PCT / EP 2024 / 052809, filed Feb. 5, 2024, which claims priority from German Patent Application No. 10 2023 111 040.3, filed Apr. 28, 2023, both of which are incorporate herein by reference as if fully set forth.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The invention relates to a bundle segmenting device for segmenting bristle bundles from a supply of loose bristle filaments, to a bristle product manufacturing machine having such a bundle segmenting device, and to a method for segmenting bristle bundles from a supply of loose bristle filaments.BACKGROUND

[0003] During the manufacture of bristle products, such as brushes, especially toothbrushes, brooms and paintbrushes, bristle bundles are secured as a set of bristles on a bristle carrier.

[0004] In the machine manufacture of bristle products, bundle segmenting devices of the type stated at the outset are used to prepare the bristle bundles. These are configured to segment bristle bundles from a supply of loose bristle filaments. For this purpose, a bundle segmenter which has at least one segmenting notch moves past the supply of loose bristle filaments in a segmenting movement. During this process, bristle filaments enter the at least one segmenting notch and form a bristle bundle there. If bristle products are fitted with bristle bundles which have a cross-sectional shape that deviates from a circular form, the bristle bundles can be shaped before being fastened on the bristle carrier of the respective bristle product.SUMMARY

[0005] It is the object of the invention to provide a bundle segmenting device and a method for segmenting bristle bundles which make it possible to prepare bristle bundles that have a cross-sectional shape that deviates from a circular form.

[0006] To achieve the object, the proposal is in the first instance for a bundle segmenting device having one or more of the features disclosed herein directed to a bundle segmenting device of this kind. To achieve the object, the proposal is thus specifically for a bundle segmenting device for segmenting bristle bundles from a supply of loose bristle filaments, comprising a bundle segmenter, which has at least one segmenting notch and can be moved past the supply of loose bristle filaments in a segmenting movement, wherein the bundle segmenting device has a bundle forming device, which is configured to shape a bristle bundle situated in the at least one segmenting notch.

[0007] The bundle forming device can be configured to shape the bristle bundle while it is still within the segmenting notch.

[0008] In this case, the shaping of the bristle bundle can preferably take place while still in the segmenting notch or adjacent to the segmenting notch but still on the bundle segmenter.

[0009] In one embodiment of the bundle segmenting device, the bundle forming device can have at least two mutually associated forming tools, by means of which a bristle bundle arranged in the at least one segmenting notch can be shaped.

[0010] In this case, at least one of the forming tools can be moved in a forming movement relative to the bundle segmenter and / or to the forming tool associated with it.

[0011] The at least two forming tools can each have a forming region for each segmenting notch of the bundle segmenter. The forming regions of the forming tools are associated with one another and together form a negative shape of the target shape into which the cross section of the bristle bundle is to be shaped. The mutually associated forming regions of the at least two forming tools of the bundle forming device are then designed to correspond to the bundle cross-sectional shape of the bristle bundles that is to be achieved.

[0012] At least one forming tool can have at least one projection, in particular on a flat side, for supporting a bristle bundle situated in the forming region, preferably wherein each forming region is assigned a projection of this kind.

[0013] A forming tool can have a guide surface for the other forming tool associated with it. This enables precise feeding of the forming tools for shaping the bristle bundles. The guide surface can preferably be arranged in a plane which is positioned between a plane of movement of the bundle segmenter and the other forming tool.

[0014] The bundle forming device can be configured, in particular by means of its forming tools, to shape a bristle bundle to be shaped in a fastening-side bundle portion with which the bristle bundle projects from the at least one segmenting notch of the bundle segmenter. Thus, the bundle forming device can already act on the bristle bundle still situated in the segmenting notch in order to shape it.

[0015] In one embodiment of the bundle segmenting device, the forming tools are designed as clamps. This enables the forming tools not only to shape but also to firmly hold the at least one bristle bundle arranged in the segmenting notch. This can assist the further handling of the bristle bundle and increase the efficiency of the bundle segmenting device since the bundle segmenter can be moved away from the bristle bundle in order to segment at least one further bristle bundle as soon as the bristle bundle is gripped and held by the forming tools.

[0016] The bundle forming device, in particular by virtue of its at least two forming tools, can be configured to remove a bristle bundle situated in the at least one segmenting notch.

[0017] For this purpose, the at least two forming tools of the bundle forming device can be configured to carry out a removal movement relative to the bundle segmenter. In this case, the removal movement can preferably be aligned transversely to a pivoting axis or a rotation axis of the bundle segmenter and / or can be brought about by a drive, in particular by a linear drive, of the bundle forming device.

[0018] With the aid of the forming tools of the bundle forming device, it is thus possible to remove from the segmenting notch a bristle bundle arranged in the segmenting notch. Removal can take place before, after or even during the shaping of the bristle bundle. After the removal of the bristle bundle by means of the forming tools of the bundle forming device, the bundle segmenter can be moved back in the direction of the supply of loose bristle filaments in order to segment further bristle bundles by means of its at least one segregating notch.

[0019] In one embodiment of the bundle segregating device, said device has a melting station with at least one heating element for fusing fastening-side ends of bristle bundles. By fusing the fastening-side ends of the bristle bundles, it is possible to join together the respective bristle filaments contained in the bristle bundles. By means of the fusion process, it is furthermore also possible to produce a fastening head on the fastening-side end of the bristle bundle, and this can simplify fastening the bristle bundle on a bristle carrier of a bristle product.

[0020] The melting station can preferably be arranged in the vicinity of the bundle forming device. The melting station can have at least one heating element, which can be moved out of an initial position into a position of use and by means of which the fastening-side ends of bristle bundles can be melted.

[0021] In order to protect the bundle segmenter and / or portions of the bristle bundles that are not to be melted during the fusion of fastening-side ends of bristle bundles from the effect of heat, it may be advantageous if the bundle forming device, in particular the at least two forming tools thereof, is / are designed as a heat shield. For example, the forming tools can shield the bundle segmenter and / or portions of the bristle bundles that are not to be melted from the heating element of the melting station during the use of the melting station, and can thus act as a heat shield. For this purpose, the at least two forming tools of the bundle forming device can be designed at least partially as a flat structure. When they circumferentially enclose at least one bristle bundle for the purpose of shaping, the forming tools can then shield the elements arranged on the far side of the forming tools, starting from the melting station, that is to say, in particular, the portions of a bristle bundle that are not to be melted and / or the bundle segmenter, from the at least one heating element of the melting station.

[0022] The bundle segmenting device can have a push-out device, which is configured to push bristle bundles out of the at least one segmenting notch.

[0023] The push-out device can simplify the removal of the bristle bundles from the at least one segmenting notch of the bundle segmenter. Particularly if a bristle bundle sticks in the at least one segmenting notch, the push-out device allows removal of the bristle bundle from the segmenting notch in a reliable process. The push-out device can preferably be used when a bristle bundle is held by means of the bundle forming device, in particular by means of its at least two forming tools. Through interaction between the bundle forming device and the push-out device, the bristle bundle can then be removed from the at least one segmenting notch in a particularly reliable and gentle manner. The bundle segmenter can be arranged in a plane between the push-out device and the bundle forming device. In this way, the push-out device and the bundle forming device can act on a bristle bundle to be removed from the at least one segmenting notch in two bundle portions projecting from the segmenting notch on different flat sides of the bundle segmenter in order to remove the bristle bundle from the segmenting notch.

[0024] The bundle segmenting device can have a suction device for sucking out and carrying away bristle bundles, by means of which the bristle bundles can be transported from the bundle forming device into a target position. Bristle bundles shaped by means of the bundle forming device can then be transported directly from the bundle forming device into a desired target position. For this purpose, the suction device can comprise a vacuum source.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment of the bundle segmenting device, it is envisaged that the suction device has a plurality of transport lines. For example, the suction device can have a number of transport lines corresponding to the number of segmenting notches. In this way, a plurality of bristle bundles prepared by means of the bundle segmenter can then be transported away via the transport lines in a suction process.

[0026] If use is made of a bundle segmenter which has only a single segmenting notch, it is possible to use a suction device with just one transport line. If the bundle segmenter has a plurality of segmenting notches, it is advantageous for simultaneous transporting away of the bristle bundles if the suction device has a corresponding number of transport lines.

[0027] In this context, it may be mentioned that the bundle forming device of the bundle segmenting device may also be configured for simultaneous shaping and preferably for the simultaneous removal and / or holding of a number of bristle bundles which corresponds to the number of segmenting notches of the bundle segmenter. In this way, all the bristle bundles prepared by means of the bundle segmenter in a segmenting process can be shaped in one work step by means of the bundle forming device and then, in a subsequent step, can simultaneously be sucked out of the bundle forming device and transported into their respective target position by means of the suction device.

[0028] In one embodiment of the bundle segmenting device, it is envisaged that the at least one transport line, in particular a plurality of transport lines, of the suction device can be moved out of an initial position into a suction position on the bundle forming device. In this way, the one or more transport lines can be moved into their suction position when the bristle bundles are ready to be transported away. If the one or more transport lines are not required, they can remain in their initial position outside the working region of the bundle forming device.

[0029] At least one transport line of the suction device can be configured to rotate bristle bundles through a defined angle about their longitudinal axis on their way toward the target position and thereby to bring them into a defined target alignment. In this way, the transport line can be used for targeted orientation of the bristle bundles.

[0030] The at least one transport line can have an inner transport lumen, through which the bristle bundles can be transported into their target position and which is twisted through a defined angle on its way to the target position. A bristle bundle transported through the transport line is then automatically rotated by the angle owing to the twist of the transport lumen and can thus be appropriately oriented by its passage through the transport line.

[0031] At least one transport line can have an internal cross section which corresponds to the cross section of a shaped bristle bundle. The transport line is then matched to the cross section of the bristle bundle to be transported. By virtue of the fact that the shape of the internal cross section of the transport line is matched to the cross section of the bristle bundle, the bristle bundle can rest as well as possible against an inner side of the transport line within the transport line. A vacuum applied to transport the bristle bundles through the transport line can then be transmitted particularly well and largely without losses to the bristle bundle.

[0032] The bundle segmenting device described above can be part of a bristle product manufacturing machine.

[0033] To achieve the object, the proposal is thus for a bristle product manufacturing machine having at least one bundle segmenting device having one or more of the features disclosed herein directed to such a device.

[0034] To achieve the object, the proposal is also for a method for segmenting bristle bundles from a supply of loose bristle filaments which has one or more of the means and features disclosed herein directed to such a method. To achieve the object, the proposal is thus for a method for segmenting bristle bundles from a supply of loose bristle filaments in which a bundle segmenter having at least one segmenting notch moves past the supply of loose bristle filaments in a segmenting movement, wherein bristle filaments enter the at least one segmenting notch and there form a bristle bundle. The bristle bundle situated in the segmenting notch is then shaped into a target cross-sectional shape by means of a bundle forming device. In carrying out the method, it is possible to use a bundle segmenting device with one or more of the features disclosed herein.

[0035] The shaping of the bristle bundle can begin while the bristle bundle is still in the segmenting notch. The bristle bundle can be shaped in the segmenting notch. The bundle forming device can shape the bristle bundle, in particular by acting on a fastening-side portion of the bristle bundle, which projects from the segmenting notch transversely to a plane of movement of the bundle segmenter.

[0036] In one embodiment of the method, the bristle bundle can be removed from the segmenting notch by means of the bundle forming device and can be shaped before, during or after this.

[0037] A fastening-side end of the bristle bundle can be fused by means of a heating element of a melting station. By fusing the fastening-side ends of the bristle bundles, it is possible to connect the bristle filaments gathered together in the bristle bundles to one another and / or to produce a fastening head on the fastening-side end of the bristle bundle.

[0038] The bundle forming device, in particular by virtue of its forming tools, can be used as a heat shield during the fusing of the fastening-side end of the at least one bristle bundle. During this process, the forming tools can be arranged between the at least one heating element of the melting station and the bundle segmenter. By means of the forming tools in their function as a heat shield, it is thus possible to protect elements on the far side of the forming tools, that is to say, in particular, the bundle segmenter and also portions of the bristle bundle which are not to be melted, from the effect of the heat of the heating element of the melting station.

[0039] The bristle bundle can be removed from the bundle forming device by means of a suction device and can be transported, in particular by means of a vacuum, through a transport line of the suction device into a target position.

[0040] The bristle bundle can be rotated through a defined angle about its longitudinal axis while it is being transported into the target position in order to align the bristle bundle. Here, the angle can be specified by a twist of an inner transport lumen of the transport line.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment but is not restricted to this exemplary embodiment. Further exemplary embodiments can be obtained by combining the features of one or more claims and / or by combining one or more features of the exemplary embodiment. In the drawings:

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a bundle segmenting device, which, as a bundle segmenter, has a rotatably driven segmenting disk having a plurality of segmenting notches and a bundle forming device, which is configured to shape the bristle bundles situated in the segmenting notches, wherein the bundle forming device and its forming tools are shown in an open position,

[0043] FIG. 2 shows the detail indicated by the circle in FIG. 1 on an enlarged scale, wherein the bristle bundles can be seen in the segmenting notches between the forming tools of the bundle forming device,

[0044] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the bundle segmenting device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the forming tools of the bundle forming device brought closer together,

[0045] FIGS. 5 and 6 show the bundle segmenting device illustrated in the previous figures with the forming tools of the bundle forming device closed and the bristle bundles, arranged in between and held in a shaped form, in the segmenting notches,

[0046] FIGS. 7 and 8 show the bundle segmenting device illustrated in the previous figures, wherein the bristle bundles have been pushed out of their positions shown in the two figures by a corresponding removal movement, which is carried out transversely to the rotation axis of the bundle segmenter by means of the forming tools of the bundle forming device, with the additional action of a push-out device arranged below the bundle segmenter, out of the segmenting notches of the bundle segmenter, thus enabling the bundle segmenter to be rotated further in order to segment other, new bristle bundles,

[0047] FIGS. 9 and 10 show the bundle segmenting device shown in the previous figures, wherein a heating element of a melting station of the bundle segmenting device for melting fastening-side bundle ends is shown positioned in its position of use on the forming tools of the bundle forming device, and wherein here the forming tools act as a heat shield by means of which the elements situated on the far side of the forming tools, that is to say, in particular, the bundle segmenter and portions of the bristle bundles that are not to be melted are shielded and thereby protected from the effect of heat of the heating element,

[0048] FIGS. 11 and 12 show the bundle segmenting device illustrated in the previous figures, wherein the two forming tools of the bundle forming device with the bristle bundles arranged in between are arranged in a transfer position on a suction device at a distance from the bundle segmenter in order to suck the bristle bundles fused on the fastening side away by means of a vacuum and to transport them into a target position,

[0049] FIGS. 13 and 14 show the bundle segmenting device shown in the previous figures with transport lines of the suction device, which are situated in the suction position, such that mouth openings of the transport lines are placed over the fused fastening-side ends of the bristle bundles which are to be transported away and which are situated between the forming tools, wherein the forming tools of the bundle forming device are still holding the bristle bundles clamped,

[0050] FIGS. 15 and 16 show the bundle segmenting device shown in the previous figures with the forming tools slightly open, thus enabling the bristle bundles arranged between the forming tools to be sucked away by means of the suction device, and

[0051] FIGS. 17 and 18 show the bundle segmenting device shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, wherein in this case the bristle bundles have already been sucked out of the forming tools.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] All the figures show a bundle segmenting device, denoted overall by 1, which is part of a bristle product manufacturing machine denoted overall by 100.

[0053] The bundle segmenting device 1 is used to segment bristle bundles 2 from a supply 3 of loose bristle filaments 4 and, for this purpose, has a bundle segmenter 5. In the exemplary embodiment of the bundle segmenting device 1 which is shown, the bundle segmenter 5 is designed as a rotatably driven segmenting disk, which can be moved about a rotation axis between a bristle magazine 23 of the bundle segmenting device 1 containing the supply 3 of loose bristle filaments 4 and a removal position.

[0054] The bundle segmenter 5 has a plurality of segmenting notches 6, which are formed in the edge of the bundle segmenter 5. The bundle segmenting device 1 has a bundle forming device 7, which is arranged in the removal position on the bundle segmenter 5 and is configured to shape the bristle bundles 2 situated in the segmenting notches 5, in particular while the bristle bundles 2 are still arranged in the segmenting notches 5.

[0055] For this purpose, the bundle forming device 7 has two mutually associated forming tools 8 and 9 of corresponding design, by means of which the bristle bundles 2 situated in the segmenting notches 6 can be shaped by action on their fastening-side portions. The forming tools 8 and 9 can be moved in a forming movement relative to the bundle segmenter 5 and also relative to one another. In the exemplary embodiment of the bundle segmenting device 1 which is shown in the figures, the upper forming tool, which is denoted by 8, is moved closer to the lower forming tool, denoted by 9, to shape the bristle bundles 2.

[0056] The forming tools 8 and 9 have a forming region 10 for each segmenting notch 6 of the bundle segmenter 5. By means of the forming regions 10 of the forming tools 8 and 9, the bristle bundles 2 situated in the segmenting notches 6 can be shaped. The lower forming tool 9 of the two forming tools 8 and 9 furthermore has a guide surface 11 for the upper forming tool 8 associated with it. The upper forming tool 8 can be moved in a targeted manner along the guide surface 11 into its forming position on the lower forming tool 9. During this process, the forming movement carried out by means of the forming tools 8 and 9 takes place transversely, namely at right angles to a rotation axis of the bundle segmenter 5. The two forming tools 8 and 9 are arranged in planes above the plane of movement of the bundle segmenter 5.

[0057] On its upper flat side 12, at the edge of the guide surface 11, the lower forming tool 9 has projections 13, which serve to support the bristle bundles 2 situated in the forming regions 10 of the forming tool 9. In this case, a projection 13 of this kind is assigned to each forming region 10 of the forming tool 9.

[0058] By virtue of its forming tools 8 and 9, the bundle forming device is configured to shape the bundles 2 to be shaped in a fastening-side bundle portion 14, which projects upward from the respective segmenting notch 6 of the bundle segmenter 5. Moreover, the forming tools 8 and 9 are designed as clamps. This means that the forming tools 8 and 9 can not only shape but also hold the bristle bundles 2. In this way, the bundle segmenter 5 can be turned further in order to segment additional bristle bundles 2 as soon as the forming tools 8 and 9 hold the bristle bundles 2 clamped.

[0059] By virtue of the forming tools 8 and 9, the bundle forming device 7 is furthermore configured for removal of the bristle bundles 2 situated in the segmenting notches 6. For this purpose, the forming tools 8 and 9 can perform a removal movement, which is brought about by a linear drive 22 and takes place relative to the bundle segmenter 5 and is aligned transversely to the rotation axis of the bundle segmenter 5. The removal of the bristle bundles 2 from the segmenting notches 6 of the bundle segmenter 5 by means of the forming tools 8 and 9 will become clear from a comparison of FIGS. 5-14.

[0060] The figures furthermore show that the bundle segmenting device 1 has a melting station 15 with a heating element 16 for fusing fastening-side ends 17 of bristle bundles 2. FIGS. 9 and 10 show the use of the melting station 15 and of the heating element 16 thereof. The heating element 16 can be moved out of the initial position shown in FIGS. 1-8 into the position of use shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. For this purpose, the melting station 15 has a guide 18, along which the heating element 16 can be moved between the initial position and the position of use. While the heating element 16 is arranged in the position of use, the two forming tools 8 and 9 serve as a heat shield, which shield the bundle segmenter 5 and portions of the bristle bundle 2 that are not to be melted and are arranged behind the forming tools 8 and 9 from the heating element 16 of the melting station 15.

[0061] The bundle segmenting device 1 furthermore has a push-out device 19, which is configured to push bristle bundles 2 out of the segmenting notches 6 of the bundle segmenter 5. The push-out device 19 is arranged below the bundle segmenter 5, which is designed as a segmenting disk.

[0062] The bundle segmenting device 1 furthermore has a suction device 20, which is configured to suck and transport bristle bundles 2 out of the bundle forming device 7 into a target position. The suction device 20 has a number of transport lines 21 which corresponds to the number of segmenting notches 6. The transport lines 21 are connected to a vacuum source (not illustrated in detail), which enables the bristle bundles 2 to be transported away through the transport lines 21 by means of a vacuum. The transport lines 21 can be moved out of an initial position into a suction position on the bundle forming device 7. The transport lines 21 are shown in their initial position in FIGS. 1-10, for example, and occupy their suction position on the bundle forming device 7 and the forming tools 8 and 9 thereof in FIGS. 13-18.

[0063] At least one of the transport lines 20 can be configured to rotate bristle bundles 2 through a defined angle about their longitudinal axis on their way into the target position and thereby to bring them into a defined target alignment.

[0064] For this purpose, at least one of the transport lines 21 can have an inner transport lumen, which is twisted through a defined angle on its way to the target position.

[0065] The transport lines 21 furthermore each have internal cross sections which correspond to the cross section of the respective shaped bristle bundle 2 that is to be sucked out of the bundle forming device 7 via the respective transport line 21.

[0066] The bundle segmenting device 1 shown in the figures is configured to carry out the subsequent method for segmenting and shaping bristle bundles 2. During this process, the segmenting notches 6 of the bundle segmenter 5 are moved past the bristle magazine 23 with the supply 3 of loose bristle filaments 4 situated therein in a segmenting movement. During this process, bristle filaments 4 enter the segmenting notches 6 and form bristle bundles 2 there. The bristle bundles situated in the segmenting notches 6 are then shaped into a target cross-sectional shape by means of the bundle forming device 7.

[0067] The bristle bundles 2 can be shaped while they are still arranged in the segmenting notches 6. The bundle forming device 7 shapes the bristle bundles 2 by acting on the fastening-side bundle portions 14 of the bristle bundles 2, which project from the segmenting notches 6 transversely to a plane of movement of the bundle segmenter 5 and thus in the direction of the rotation axis of the bundle segmenter 5.

[0068] The bristle bundles 2 are then removed with the bundle forming device 7 from the segmenting notches 6. The fastening-side ends 17 of the bristle bundles 2 are fused by means of the heating element 16, already explained above, of the melting station 15 of the bundle segmenting device 1. As a result, the cross-sectional shape of the bristle bundles 2 predetermined by the bundle forming device 7 is fixed, and the bristle filaments 4 contained in each of the bristle bundles 2 are connected to one another.

[0069] During the fusion of the fastening-side ends 17 of the bristle bundles 2, the forming tools 8 and 9 act as a heat shield. During the fusion of the fastening-side ends 17 of the bristle bundles 2, the forming tools 8 and 9 of the bundle forming device 7 firmly hold the bristle bundles 2 and are furthermore arranged between the heating element 16 of the melting station 15 and the bundle segmenter 5. As a result, the forming tools 8 and 9 shield the elements arranged below the forming tools 8 and 9, that is to say, for example, the bundle segmenter 5 and also the portions of the bristle bundles 2 that are not supposed to be melted from the heating element 16 of the melting station 15. After the melting of the fastening-side ends 17 of the bristle bundles 2, the heating element 16 of the melting station 15 is moved back into its initial position along the guide 18.

[0070] After the melting of the fastening-side ends 17, the bristle bundles 2 are removed from the bundle forming device 7 by means of the suction device 20 already explained above and are transported by means of a vacuum, through transport lines 21 of the suction device 20, into their respective target position at a downstream processing station (not shown in the figures) of the bristle product manufacturing machine 100.

[0071] If required, the bristle bundles 2 can be rotated through a defined angle about their longitudinal axis while being transported into the target position in order to align the bristle bundles 2. Here, the angle through which the bristle bundles 2 are rotated can be specified by a twist of an inner transport lumen of the transport lines 21.LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS1 bundle segmenting device

[0073] 2 bristle bundle

[0074] 3 supply of bristle filaments

[0075] 4 bristle filaments

[0076] 5 bundle segmenter

[0077] 6 segmenting notch

[0078] 7 bundle forming device

[0079] 8 upper forming tool

[0080] 9 lower forming tool

[0081] 10 forming region

[0082] 11 guide surface on 9

[0083] 12 upper flat side of 9

[0084] 13 projection on 11

[0085] 14 fastening-side bundle portion

[0086] 15 melting station

[0087] 16 heating element

[0088] 17 fastening-side end of 2

[0089] 18 guide

[0090] 19 push-out device

[0091] 20 suction device

[0092] 21 transport line

[0093] 22 linear drive for 8 and 9

[0094] 23 bristle magazine

[0095] 100 bristle product manufacturing machine

Claims

1. A bundle segmenting device (1) for segmenting bristle bundles (2) from a supply (3) of loose bristle filaments (4), the bundle segmenting device (1) comprising:a bundle segmenter (5), which has at least one segmenting notch (6);a bundle forming device (7), which is configured to shape a bristle bundle (2) situated in the at least one segmenting notch (5) into a target cross-sectional shape.

2. The bundle segmenting device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bundle forming device (7) is configured to shape the bristle bundle (2) while the bristle bundle (2) is still arranged within the segmenting notch (6), and / or the bundle forming device (7) has at least two mutually associated forming tools (8, 9), by which one of the bristle bundles (2) situated in the at least one segmenting notch (6) is adapted to be shaped.

3. The bundle segmenting device (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of the forming tools (8, 9) is moveable in a forming movement relative to the bundle segmenter (5) and / or to another one of the forming tools (8, 9).

4. The bundle segmenting device (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least two forming tools (8, 9) each have a forming region (10) for each said segmenting notch (6) of the bundle segmenter (5), and / or wherein at least one of the forming tools (8, 9) has a guide surface (11) for the forming tool (8, 9) associated with it.

5. The bundle segmenting device (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one of the forming tools (8, 9) has at least one projection (13) for supporting one of the bristle bundles (2) situated in the forming region (10).

6. The bundle segmenting device (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bundle forming device (7) is configured via the forming tools (8, 9), to shape a bristle bundle (2) to be shaped in a fastening-side bundle portion (14) with which the bristle bundle (2) projects from the at least one segmenting notch (6) of the bundle segmenter (5).

7. The bundle segmenting device (1) as claimed in claim 2 wherein the forming tools (8, 9) are formed as clamps.

8. The bundle segmenting device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bundle forming device (7) is configured to remove one of the bristle bundles (2) situated in the at least one segmenting notch (6) by carrying out a removal movement of at least two forming tools (8, 9) relative to the bundle segmenter (5), and the removal movement is aligned transversely to a pivoting axis or a rotation axis of the bundle segmenter (5).

9. The bundle segmenting device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bundle segmenting device (1) has a melting station (15) with at least one heating element (16) configured for fusing fastening-side ends (17) of the bristle bundles (2).

10. The bundle segmenting device (1) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the bundle forming device (7) comprises a heat shield which shields the bundle segmenter (5) and / or portions of the bristle bundles (2) that are not to be melted from the heating element (16) of the melting station (15).

11. The bundle segmenting device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bundle segmenting device (2) has a push-out device (19), which is configured to push bristle bundles (2) out of the at least one segmenting notch (6).

12. The bundle segmenting device (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a suction device (20) for sucking out and carrying away the bristle bundles (2) from the bundle forming device (7) into a target position.

13. The bundle segmenting device (1) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the suction device (20) has at least one transport line (21) and the at least one transport line (21) can be moved out of an initial position into a suction position on the bundle forming device (7).

14. The bundle segmenting device (1) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the at least one transport line (21) of the suction device (20) is configured to rotate bristle bundles (2) through a defined angle about their longitudinal axis during transport toward the target position and thereby to bring the bristle bundles (2) into a defined target alignment.

15. The bundle segmenting device (1) as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one transport line (21) of the suction device (20) has an inner transport lumen, which is twisted through a defined angle along a path defined thereby to the target position, and / or wherein the at least one transport line (21) of the suction device (20) has an internal cross section which corresponds to a cross section of a shaped one of the bristle bundles (2).

16. A bristle product manufacturing machine (100), comprising the bundle segmenting device (1) as claimed in claim 1.

17. A method for segmenting bristle bundles (2) from a supply of loose bristle filaments, the method comprising: moving a bundle segmenter (5) having at least one segmenting notch (6) past the supply (3) of loose bristle filaments (4) in a segmenting movement and, during said moving at least some of the bristle filaments (4) entering the at least one segmenting notch (6) and there forming a bristle bundle (2); and,then shaping the bristle bundle (2) situated in the segmenting notch (6) into a target cross-sectional shape by a bundle forming device (7).

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the bristle bundle (2) is shaped in the segmenting notch (5) and / or wherein the bundle forming device (7) shapes the bristle bundle (2) by acting on a fastening-side portion of the bristle bundle (2), which projects from the segmenting notch (6) transversely to a plane of movement of the bundle segmenter (5).

19. The method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising removing the bristle bundle (2) from the segmenting notch (6) by the bundle forming device (7).

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising fusing a fastening-side end (1) of the bristle bundle (2) by a heating element (16) of a melting station (15).

21. The method as claimed in claim 20, further comprising using the bundle forming device (7) as a heat shield during the fusing of the fastening-side end (17) of the at least one bristle bundle (2).

22. The method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising removing the bristle bundle (2) from the bundle forming device (7) by a suction device (20) and transporting the bristle bundle (2) through a transport line (21) into a target position.

23. The method as claimed in claim 22, further comprising rotating at least one of the bristle bundles (2) through a defined angle about a longitudinal axis thereof during the transporting into the target position in order to align the bristle bundle (2).

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