Brush-tufting tool and method for tufting a brush

Abstract

The invention relates to a brush tufting tool for feeding and anchoring bristle bundles (66), said tool having a tool head (34) which is moved back and forth between the brush body (10) and a rear dead point and has a tufting tip (72), and a guide assembly (36) which runs to the tufting tip (72), in which guide assembly a channel (38) extending to the tufting tip (72) is provided, into which a tufting tongue (18) protrudes and along which the tufting tongue (18) can be moved from a retracted position to the tufting tip (72) and back. An insertion opening (54) for bristle bundles (66) can be closed by a closure part which is guided in the channel direction along a path and can be moved linearly back and forth. The invention also relates to a method for tufting a brush.

Description

[0001] Brush stuffing tool and method for stuffing a brush

[0002] The invention relates to a brush stuffing tool for feeding and anchoring bristle bundles in holes of a brush body and to a method for stuffing brushes.

[0003] A brush tucking tool typically has a tool head that moves back and forth between the brush body and a rear dead center, with a tucking tip, a guide assembly extending to the tucking tip, and a channel extending to the tucking tip. A tucking tongue projects into this channel and along which the tucking tongue can be moved from a retracted position to the tucking tip and back. The guide assembly has a feed opening for an anchoring part leading into the channel and an insertion opening for bristle bundles located in front of the feed opening toward the tucking tip. These bristle bundles are moved by the tucking tongue with the anchoring part along the channel to the tucking tip and into an adjacent hole in the brush body.

[0004] Usually, the bristle bundles are folded and the anchoring part is located in the folded section, which is moved from the stuffing tongue to the stuffing tip and drives the folded bristle bundle in the channel to the stuffing tip.

[0005] After the anchoring part is inserted into the channel behind the feed opening, it then moves past the feed opening during the stuffing process.

[0006] To prevent the anchoring part from coming out of the canal near the feed opening, the anchoring parts have a width (measured lengthwise along the canal) which is greater than the width of the insertion opening measured in the same direction. Toothbrushes usually have holes with a diameter of around 1.7 mm and the anchoring parts have a length of around 2.2 mm so that they cut into the wall of the hole. This length of the anchoring part is measured perpendicular to the canal's length. A width of 1.4 mm for the anchoring part has become the industry standard. This width is also more than sufficient for guiding the anchoring part near the insertion opening, which is usually only 0.9 mm wide. Increasingly, however, bristle bundles with a larger number of filaments are being used, which then require a larger insertion opening.This automatically increases the width of the anchoring part to allow for guidance in the channel even beyond the enlarged insertion opening. However, as the width of the anchoring part increases, the thickness of the brush body must also increase. Alternatively, the holes must extend deeper into the brush body, which is not always desirable, both structurally and visually.

[0007] Although there are solutions that temporarily open and close the insertion opening, these solutions are sometimes very complex in design and include many individual parts.

[0008] The object of the invention is to improve a brush stuffing tool so that very narrow anchoring parts can be installed despite a large insertion opening.

[0009] This is achieved in a brush stuffing tool of the type mentioned at the outset in that a closure part which is guided in the channel direction along a path and can be moved linearly back and forth is provided adjacent to the insertion opening, which closure part is coupled to a drive in such a way that it at least partially closes the insertion opening after the insertion of a bundle of bristles, and which forms a lateral guide for the anchoring part in the region of the insertion opening.

[0010] In the brush tamping tool according to the invention, the locking part is very simply integrated into the guide assembly, namely via a linear movement path. The locking part simultaneously forms a lateral guide for the anchoring part.

[0011] For example, a longitudinal groove can be incorporated into the closure part, in which the anchoring part runs. Preferably, a spring is provided that moves the closure part in one direction and thus also preloads it in one direction, so that the spring acts as the drive.

[0012] The spring can move the locking part into a closed position, in which the insertion opening is at least partially closed by the locking part. The movement in the opposite direction must then be carried out by a drive.

[0013] The movement of the closure part can be carried out by its own drive, for example an electric drive such as a servo motor.

[0014] Alternatively, there is a main drive for the reciprocating movement of the guide assembly including the stuffing tip. During the movement of the guide assembly, the closure part is moved relative to the guide assembly via a mechanical coupling.

[0015] This mechanical coupling can be implemented in various ways. For example, the main drive can be responsible for the movement of the tamping tip including the guide assembly, and the movement of the closure part is derived via cam controls. Hybrid solutions are also available, i.e., solutions in which some movements or partial movements are controlled by separate motors, while other movements are controlled by the main drive and a mechanical coupling to it.

[0016] For example, a mechanical stop can be provided for the closure part, which is reached before the rear dead center when the tamping tip and guide assembly move back. This stop holds the closure part in position while the guide assembly continues to move to the rear dead center, opening the insertion opening. This is a particularly simple mechanical solution for creating the relative movement between the closure part and guide assembly. During the movement from the rear dead center, the insertion opening is then automatically partially or completely closed before the anchoring part has reached the insertion opening. At the rear dead center, the anchoring part and bristle bundle are inserted laterally into the channel.If the closure part is spring-loaded in the direction of the insertion opening, when the guide assembly moves in the direction of the brush body after leaving the stop, the closure part can at least partially close the insertion opening without its own motor drive by moving the guide assembly relative to the closure part and the closure part remaining spatially fixed.

[0017] The stop can also be designed to be movable and, before contact with the locking part, move in the same direction as the locking part, but more slowly than the latter, in order to achieve a gentle impulse by means of which the component load, but also the acoustic emission, is reduced.

[0018] Alternatively, the stop can also be dampened.

[0019] The locking part is mounted on the guide assembly and is therefore moved back and forth with it.

[0020] The guide assembly may include a cover in the area of ​​the tool head, and the closure part may then be mounted on or in the cover and / or on or in the guide assembly. The cover forms part of the mounting for the closure part.

[0021] A particularly simple embodiment of the invention is achieved in that the tool head has two lateral tamping jaws that come into contact with the brush body, with one of the tamping jaws forming the closure part. This tamping jaw is thus movable relative to the guide assembly and mounted on it. The movable tamping jaw therefore not only provides a guide in the area of ​​the insertion opening, but also a lateral guide up to the tamping tip, as it itself forms part of the tool head.

[0022] The travel distance of the closure part can be adjusted to change the maximum extent by which the insertion opening is reduced by the closure part. This allows the cross-section of the insertion opening to be adjusted in the fully open position, allowing a different number of filaments per bristle bundle to be processed with the same stuffing tool. This can be achieved, for example, by an adjustable stop, variable drives, or even by changing the rear dead center.

[0023] The invention further provides a simplified method for stuffing a brush with a brush stuffing tool for feeding and anchoring bristle bundles in holes of a brush body, in particular with a brush stuffing tool according to the invention. The method is characterized by the following steps: a) the stuffing tip is moved together with the guide assembly from the brush body toward the rear dead center; b) before reaching the rear dead center, a linear relative movement is performed between the closure part and the guide assembly, so that the closure part releases the insertion opening; c) at the rear dead center, a bristle bundle is inserted laterally through the insertion opening into the guide assembly, and an anchoring part is inserted into the channel through the feed opening; d) the stuffing tongue is moved toward the stuffing tip and guides the anchoring part to the bristle bundle.e) before the stuffing tongue reaches the insertion opening, the closure part is moved into the insertion opening by a linear relative movement between the closure part and the guide assembly, and f) the stuffing tongue is then moved along the closure part in the area of ​​the insertion opening to the stuffing tip and pushes the anchoring part together with the bundle of bristles into the hole in the brush body.

[0024] Preferably, a stuffing jaw is used as the closure part, which is mounted in the guide assembly. In step b), the closure part can be stopped and the guide assembly is moved further toward the rear dead center, thus releasing the insertion opening.

[0025] In step e), the guide assembly is moved towards the brush body, whereas the closure part remains fixed in position, so that it reduces the cross-section of the insertion opening.

[0026] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following descriptions and the accompanying drawings, to which reference is made. In the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a variant of the brush stuffing tool according to the invention,

[0028] Figure 2 is a plan view of a tool head and the front part of the guide assembly of a brush stuffing tool according to the invention with the insertion opening completely open,

[0029] Figure 3 is a plan view of the tool head with the front part of the guide assembly with the insertion opening completely closed,

[0030] Figure 4 is a sectional view through the stuffing tip according to Figures 2 and 3, and

[0031] Figures 5 to 8 show successive steps of the movement of the brush stuffing tool according to the invention and of the method for stuffing a brush according to the invention, starting from the position at the rear dead center up to the stuffing process.

[0032] Figure 1 shows a brush-tucking machine that inserts bristle bundles into a brush body 10 with holes and secures them therein using an anchoring element (e.g., anchor plate, wire, or wire loop). A round wire is usually used for loops, and a flat wire is usually used for anchor plates.

[0033] The brush body 10 can be the entire brush body or just a part of the brush body, e.g., a plate or the like. However, this does not change the brush tucking machine and its design. The brush tucking machine comprises a tucking tool 12, a bristle magazine 14, a bundle collector 16 pivotable about an axis X, and a tucking tongue 18 for tucking. A so-called anchor feed 20 feeds anchoring parts to the tucking tool 12 laterally in the direction of arrow A and, in plan view, at right angles to the tucking direction.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the anchoring part is a wire 22 which is unwound from a roll and fed via an electric drive 24, in particular a servo drive.

[0035] The stuffing tool 12 is mounted on a shaft 26 driven directly or indirectly by an electric main drive 25, for example a servo drive, and can be pivoted back and forth about an axis, here a horizontal axis D, from a stuffing position shown in Figure 1 (frontmost dead center) to an opposite so-called bundle receiving position, which represents the rear dead center.

[0036] During this reciprocating movement, the tamping tool 12 moves along a curved, non-linear path, in this case along a circular path segment. Alternatively, a different curved path can be used, e.g., via a parallelogram or slotted guide. This means that not only is a shaft 26 with a connecting arm 28 mounted thereon provided, but the tamping tool 12 is also supported by a second, spaced-apart shaft and a connecting arm.

[0037] However, the stuffing tool 12 can also be moved linearly along a straight path.

[0038] The stuffing tongue 18 is hinged at its rear end to a connecting arm 30, which is also pivotable about the axis D.

[0039] Cam rollers 32 allow the control of the connecting arms 28, 30, for example via a common camshaft, as shown in WO 2016 / 102223 A1.

[0040] The movement of the stuffing tongue 18 is not identical to the movement of the rest of the stuffing tool; rather, the stuffing tongue 18 precedes the movement of the rest of the stuffing tool 12 when moving between the stuffing position and the bundle receiving position.

[0041] In addition to the stuffing tongue 18, the stuffing tool 12 also comprises a tool head 34 which can contact the brush body 10 or can move very close to its surface when the bristle bundle and anchoring part are pushed in by the stuffing tongue 18 which is then moved further towards the brush body 10.

[0042] The tool head 34 is attached at its rear end to a so-called guide assembly 36 and can also be integrally formed therein and be part of it.

[0043] The tool head and guide assembly 36 have a channel 38 for the stuffing tongue 18 inside them.

[0044] A feed opening 42 extends from the upper side 40 and extends to the lower channel 38, but ends there, so that a bottom is present.

[0045] In the embodiment shown, a processing unit 46 is also provided for supplied anchoring parts, here for cutting these anchoring parts from the wire 22. The processing unit 46 is fixed in position and does not move back and forth with the rest of the stuffing machine.

[0046] The processing unit 46 has a through opening for wire 22, which runs in the feed direction A.

[0047] In the stuffing position according to Figure 1, the stuffing tongue 18 has just reached its frontmost position and has stuffed a fed bundle of bristles, including the anchoring part, into the corresponding hole in the brush body 10. In this position or shortly after this position, i.e., before, during, or after the stuffing tool 12 returns in the previous cycle for the previously processed anchoring part, wire 22 is pushed via the drive 24 through the feed opening 42 of the processing unit 46 just above the upper side 40. During the return movement of the stuffing tool 12, the stuffing tongue 18 leads the tool head 34.

[0048] As an alternative to positioning the feed opening 42 from the top, the feed opening 42 can also be located on one side of the channel 38 and thus of the guide assembly 36, see Figure 2.

[0049] On the side facing the bristle magazine 14 and the bundle collector 16, the guide assembly 36 has a lateral insertion opening 54 for the separated bristle bundle 66, which is pushed laterally into the channel 38 and then, when the anchoring part is moved in direction B, is folded in the channel 38 and driven into the tool head 34 to the brush body 10.

[0050] Figure 2 shows the tool head 34 from above. It comprises a cover 60 of the guide assembly 36, beneath which are two stuffing jaws 62, 64, between which the channel 38 is defined laterally in the area of ​​the tool head 34. In Figure 2, the reference numeral 38 is used twice: on the left for the section of the channel 38 in the area of ​​the tool head 34, and on the right in a rear section, with the lateral insertion opening 54 located between the two sections. The bristle bundles 66 are fed individually through the lateral insertion opening 54.

[0051] The guide assembly 36 comprises, among other things, a single-part or multi-part, elongated component which is attached to the connecting arm 28 and carries or forms the tool head 34.

[0052] In Figure 2, the feed opening 42 for the anchoring part 70 can be seen, wherein the channel 38 in the right-hand section is covered at the top, so that the anchoring part 70 is shown with broken lines, as is the front end of the stuffing tongue 18, which is also located in the channel 38 covered at the top.

[0053] The stuffing jaw 64 is mounted in the tool head 34 in a path 77, more precisely between the cover 60 and the underlying guide assembly 36, for linear displacement in the direction of movement B, which corresponds to the channel direction of the channel 38. The stuffing jaw 64 extends from the stuffing tip 72, which contacts the brush body during stuffing, into a conically tapered insertion channel for the bristle bundle 66, which ends in the insertion opening 54.

[0054] The rear end 74 of the stuffing jaw 64 borders on the insertion opening 54 in the open state, but can move rearward transversely to the insertion opening 54 in order to narrow it or even close it completely, see Figure 3. The stuffing jaw 64 thus forms a movable closure part for the insertion opening 54, which can be completely opened and partially or even completely closed by the closure part.

[0055] Like the stuffing jaw 62, the stuffing jaw 64 can have a longitudinal groove in which the anchoring part 70 can be additionally guided, for example, if it is designed as a plate. However, this is not absolutely necessary.

[0056] The stuffing jaw 62 also extends from the stuffing tip 72 to the rear, namely to the feed opening 42. This means that the stuffing jaw 62 represents the right-hand boundary for the channel 38 in the direction of movement B, whereas the stuffing jaw 64 defines the left-hand boundary.

[0057] After the insertion opening 54, the channel 38 is formed by the guide assembly 36. Only in the area of ​​the insertion opening 54 is there no floor or upper wall provided to define the channel 38.

[0058] As can be seen in Figure 4, the stuffing jaw 64 is biased rearward, i.e., away from the stuffing tip 72, by a spring 76. This spring 76 is mounted in the cover 60 and, in the illustrated embodiment, which is not to be understood as limiting, presses against a pin 80 that is received in the stuffing jaw 64 and projects downwardly from the guide assembly 36.

[0059] The spring 76 is shown in a shortened form for illustrative purposes; in reality, it contacts the pin 80 and biases it away from the stuffing tip 72.

[0060] In the path of movement of the pin 80 outside the guide assembly 36, a stop 82 is provided against which the pin 80 strikes shortly before the rear dead center is reached, so that the guide assembly 36 is moved further rearward and the stuffing jaw 64 stops, so that the rear end 74 is moved out of the area of ​​the insertion opening 54 and the insertion opening 54 is opened.

[0061] The position of the stop 82 is important for the function of the stuffing jaw 64 in that its function as a closure part is temporarily fulfilled in a certain time period or functional phase of the brush stuffing tool.

[0062] Furthermore, the position of the stop 82 relative to the rear dead center can determine whether the closure part exposes the insertion opening 54 completely or only partially.

[0063] If the rear position of the closure part is also adjustable, for example via a screw inserted in the cover 60, which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the channel with respect to Figure 4 from the right against the stop 82 and serves to position the rightmost position of the closure part, it can also be adjusted whether the closure part closes the insertion opening 54 completely or partially.

[0064] The individual process steps that take place during a stuffing process are described below using Figures 5-8.

[0065] In Figure 5, the rear dead center has been reached, with the stop 82 preventing the tamping jaw 64 from moving further rearward before reaching this dead center, so that the guide assembly 36 has been moved further to the left, thus completely exposing the insertion opening 54. In this position, the bristle bundle 66 is guided through the insertion opening 54 to the channel 38.

[0066] The anchoring part 70 is also inserted into the channel 38 from the opposite side or from above, and the stuffing tongue 18 is located in the channel 38 at a distance behind the anchoring part 70.

[0067] Still at the rear dead center, the stuffing tongue 18 is then moved forward according to Figure 6 and contacts the anchoring part.

[0068] Subsequently, during the movement of the stuffing tongue 18 and the anchoring part 70, the guide assembly 36 is moved forward, see Figure 7. Before the anchoring part 70 has reached the insertion opening 54, the guide assembly 36 has already moved forward so far that the insertion opening 54 has reached the stationary anchoring part 70, and this has completely closed the insertion opening 54. The stuffing jaw 64 can thus laterally close the channel 38 in the area of ​​the previously open insertion opening 54 and forms a guide for the anchoring part 70, which subsequently reaches the area of ​​the insertion opening 54.

[0069] Without the movement of the stuffing jaw 64, there is a risk that the anchoring part 70 will come out of the channel 38 in the area of ​​the insertion opening 54 because the width of the anchoring part 70, measured in the direction of movement B, is smaller than the dimension of the insertion opening 54.

[0070] The guide assembly 36 is now moved further to the front dead center, which is symbolized by the right-hand vertical line, and during this movement the stuffing tongue 18 is also moved further forward in order to finally push the bristle bundle 66, which has been moved folded through the channel 38, together with the anchoring part 70, into the associated hole in the brush body at the front dead center.

[0071] Subsequently, the stuffing tongue 18 is retracted in the channel 38 and the guide assembly 36 is also moved towards the rear dead center.

[0072] Before reaching the dead center, the stuffing jaw 64 strikes the stop 82.

[0073] To make this mechanical shock as gentle as possible, the stop 82 can also be slightly movable, ie, it moves at a lower speed than the stuffing jaw 64 toward the rear dead center while the stuffing jaw 64 reaches the stop 82. Then, the stop 82 is stopped, while the guide assembly 36 continues to move until it actually reaches the rear dead center.

[0074] The movements of the individual parts mentioned, which may be at different speeds or start or tamper at different times, can be achieved by mechanical couplings, i.e., mechanical couplings to the main drive 25 via, for example, levers or cams. Alternatively, the individual parts can also be moved by their own drives; for example, a separate servo drive could be provided for the movement of the tamping jaw 64.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Brush stuffing tool for feeding and anchoring bundles of bristles (66) in holes of a brush body (10), with a tool head (34) which is moved back and forth between the brush body (10) and a rear dead center and has a stuffing tip (72), a guide assembly (36) running to the stuffing tip (72), in which a channel (38) running to the stuffing tip (72) is provided, into which channel a stuffing tongue (18) projects and along which the stuffing tongue (18) can be moved from a retracted position to the stuffing tip (72) and back, a feed opening (42) leading into the channel (38) for an anchoring part and an insertion opening (54) for bundles of bristles (66) located in front of the feed opening (42) in the direction of the stuffing tip (72), wherein the bundle of bristles (66) inserted into the channel (38) is the stuffing tongue (18) with the anchoring part can be moved along the channel (38) to the stuffing tip (72) and into an adjacent hole in the brush body (10),characterized in that a closure part, which is guided in the channel direction along a path and can be moved linearly back and forth, is provided adjacent to the insertion opening (54), which closure part is coupled to a drive in such a way that it at least partially closes the insertion opening (54) after the insertion of a bristle bundle (66), and which forms a lateral guide for the anchoring part in the region of the insertion opening (54).

2. Brush stuffing tool according to claim 1, characterized in that a spring (76) is provided which moves the closure part in one direction.

3. Brush stuffing tool according to claim 2, characterized in that the spring (76) moves the closure part into a closure position in which the insertion opening (54) is at least partially closed by the closure part.

4. Brush stuffing tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a separate drive, in particular an electric drive, is provided for the closure part.

5. Brush stuffing tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a main drive (25) is provided for the back and forth movement of the guide assembly (36) together with the stuffing tip (72), wherein during the movement of the guide assembly (36) the closure part is moved relative to the guide assembly (36) via a mechanical coupling.

6. Brush stuffing tool according to claim 5, characterized in that a mechanical stop (82) is provided for the closure part, which is reached before the rear dead center during the return movement of the stuffing tip (72) together with the guide assembly (36) and which holds the closure part in position, while the guide assembly (36) is moved further to the rear dead center, so that the insertion opening (54) is opened.

7. Brush stuffing tool according to claim 6, characterized in that the closure part is spring-loaded in the direction of the insertion opening (54), so that when moving in the direction of the brush body (10) after leaving the stop (82), the closure part at least partially closes the insertion opening (54).

8. Brush stuffing tool according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the stop (82) is designed to be movable and moves in the same direction as the closure part before contact with the closure part.

9. Brush stuffing tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure part is mounted on or in the guide assembly (36).

10. Brush stuffing tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide assembly (36) has a cover (60) in the region of the tool head (34) and the closure part is mounted on or in the cover (60).

11. Brush stuffing tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool head (34) has two lateral stuffing jaws (62, 64) which come into contact with the brush body (10), and one of the stuffing jaws (64) forms the closure part.

12. Brush stuffing tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement distance of the closure part is adjustable in order to change the maximum extent by which the insertion opening (54) is covered by the closure part.

13. A method for stuffing a brush with a brush stuffing tool for feeding and anchoring bundles of bristles (66) in holes in a brush body (10), with a tool head (34) which is moved back and forth between the brush body (10) and a rear dead center and has a stuffing tip (72), a guide assembly (36) extending to the stuffing tip (72), in which a channel (38) extending to the stuffing tip (72) is provided, into which channel a stuffing tongue (18) projects and along which the stuffing tongue (18) can be moved from a retracted position to the stuffing tip (72) and back, a feed opening (42) projecting into the channel (38) for an anchoring part and an insertion opening (54) for bundles of bristles (66) located in front of the feed opening (42) in the direction of the stuffing tip,wherein the bristle bundle (66) inserted into the channel (38) is movable from the stuffing tongue (18) with the anchoring part along the channel (38) to the stuffing tip (72) and into an adjacent hole of a brush body (10), wherein a closure part guided in the channel direction along a path (77) and movable linearly back and forth is provided adjacent to the insertion opening (54), characterized by the following steps: a) the stuffing tip (72) is moved together with the guide assembly (36) from the brush body (10) in the direction of the rear dead center, b) before reaching the rear dead center, a linear relative movement is carried out between the closure part and the guide assembly (36), so that the closure part releases the insertion opening (54), c) at the rear dead center, a bristle bundle (66) is inserted laterally via the insertion opening (54) into the guide assembly (36) and via the An anchoring part is introduced into the channel (38) through the feed opening (42), d) the stuffing tongue (18) is moved in the direction of the stuffing tip (72) and guides the anchoring part to the bristle bundle, e) before the stuffing tongue (18) reaches the insertion opening (54), the closure part is moved into the insertion opening (54) by a linear relative movement between the closure part and the guide assembly (36), and f) the stuffing tongue (18) is then moved along the closure part in the area of ​​the insertion opening (54) to the stuffing tip (72) and in the process pushes the anchoring part together with the bristle bundle (66) into the hole in the brush body (10).

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that in step b) the closure part is stopped and the guide assembly (36) is moved further in the direction of the rear dead center so that the insertion opening (54) is released.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that in step e) the guide assembly (36) is moved in the direction of the brush body (10) and the closure part remains fixed in position, so that this reduces the cross section of the insertion opening (54).

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